Showing posts with label reenlistments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reenlistments. Show all posts

Monday, July 13, 2015

Lieutenant William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, August 17, 1861

Maryland,
Camp Causten, Aug. 17th, 1861.
My dear Mother:

This has been a busy and painful week for the officers of the Highland Regiment. You have seen various accounts of our troubles in the papers, but they contain nothing authentic, although perhaps about as much as an outsider can understand. The mutiny of Thursday is only the legacy of a quarrel begun among the officers before the Regiment left for the seat of war. The quarrel ended after the battle of Bull Run, in the resignation of several of the officers whose ambition was disappointed as to governing the affairs of the Regiment. Not content with withdrawing their services, these men resolved to undermine the Regiment itself. Their plans were well laid. In an underhand way they conveyed papers among the men purporting that, as State Militia they were entitled to return home at the expiration of three months service, but that an effort would be made to detain them for the war. By going home, it was represented the men would receive a grand ovation, would meet their families, and be enabled to tell their tale of the Bull Run battle. Those who had had enough of fighting could resume their old employments, while the greater part who were ready to re-enlist for the war, would be entitled to the re-enlistment bounty of $30. A Government which would give $30 bounty for re-enlisted three month soldiers must place a high value upon them. “Now,” the men were told, “a secret plan has been formed to prevent your return home at all. Lieut.-Col. Elliott has received from Government $10,000.00 to sell you all for the war, and to cheat you of your rights and privileges.”Some little things occurred, which as far as the men were concerned, seemed corroborative of these statements, viz: — An order which had been issued by the Secretary of War for us to return to NewYork to recruit, was recalled as inexpedient on the day the three-month service of our men expired. This was sufficient for them. They believed they had been sold; and the train which had been carefully laid, exploded upon our being ordered, not into the boat for home, but onto the road into Maryland. Since the battle, owing to the loss through resignations or deaths, of our Colonel, Major and 9 of the 10 Captains, besides that of many of the Lieutenants, we were left in a condition peculiarly unfavorable to discipline; and this much is to be said that the companies of Captain Ellis (my own) and that of Captain Elliott, which were provided with officers, obeyed their orders, and refused to join the mutineers. The mutiny commenced in the morning by the men's refusing to strike their tents as commanded. They were to have been struck at 5 a.m. and the Regiment was to move at 6 o'clock. Col. Stevens repeated the orders, but they were still silently and sullenly neglected. He then went among the men and used all his powers of persuasion, but they had been told that they had the law on their side, and if they only persevered, they would be able to return home as a militia regiment. Col. Stevens next went to each company singly and read the articles of war, appending to them such remarks as would enforce in the men the danger of their course; but by this time, the camp, left without sentry, became exposed to the whiskey dealers who made good use of their opportunities. Soon a scene of the wildest confusion took place. The soldiers, throwing off all authority, presented the hideous and disgusting spectacle of a debauched and drunken Helotry. It was a time trying to one's nerves — more trying far than the musketry or cannonading of Bull Run. The Colonel ordered the officers to strike the tents themselves. This we did amid the jeers, the taunts, and the insults of an infuriated mob. One man brought me his gun, cocked it, showed me it was capped, and reminded me it was intended for one officer at least to die, should our release be attempted. Still we worked quietly on, obeying our orders. Some of the Lieutenants were allowed to take down the tents undisturbed, but on leaving them a moment, they were again pitched by the men. Everywhere we were threatened, and it became equally necessary to show neither fear of the men, nor, on the other hand, to allow ourselves any act of violence which would precipitate bloodshed. Luckily for us, when the men were most maddened by drink, an old country quarrel broke out among them, viz: — the feud between the Orangemen and the Ribandmen, which we only know of through English novels, and history. We were not, however, altogether forgotten. Names neither poetical, decent, or complimentary were freely bestowed upon us. Finally afternoon advanced, and nothing was gained. The Colonel called on the men for the last time to render obedience. Soberness and reflection had begun their work upon a few. These fell into their places, and were stationed around the Camp as a guard over the others. Still, though thus yielding, their sympathies were either extended to their mutinous comrades, or else they were too fearful to render much assistance. It was necessary for the officers to be everywhere, and I confess I was quite exhausted when a body of cavalry and a line of infantry appeared, coming toward us. This was a great relief. The mutineers, all unconscious, were surrounded, and, when it was too late to resist, obeyed the orders issued, a death penalty being promised to those who wavered. You have seen in the papers the punishment awarded to the Regiment — the taking of our colors and the disgrace from which we are suffering.

Dear Mother, I feel heartsick and much depressed. I begin to repent bitterly of having cast my lot with a foreign Regiment. Our men have not the feelings of Americans, and cannot, when a reverse comes, be inspired to renewed efforts by enthusiasm for the cause. I am eager for another battle in order that we may have an opportunity to regain our colors, yet dread to risk it now that our men are much demoralized. I wish old Connecticut had a place for me.

Col. Stevens, who is an able man, thinks though, in less than a month he can make us once more the finest Regiment in the field. These stories regarding the Lieut.Col. are simply absurd. I have just received a letter from you. I endorse fully the bravery of Gen'l Tyler. His chief fault was his paying the Connecticut Volunteers the high compliment of believing they could fight like veterans, a compliment not at all to the taste of the Connecticut boys.

Good bye, dear mother.

Love to sisters and all.
Affec'y.,
W. T. Lusk.
_______________

Note. — Dr. Lusk once said that at the time of the mutiny among the 79th Highlanders he had one of the narrowest escapes of his life. A drunken soldier pointed a rifle at his head and fired, but a friend seeing the danger, knocked the muzzle of the gun in the air, just in time to avert catastrophy. In narrating this episode Dr. Lusk remarked with characteristic modesty, “You know I never was very brave, but when the men refused to strike the tents, the officers had to do it themselves.”

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 72-6

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Major-General John Sedgwick to his Sister, April 20, 1863

April 20, 1863.
My dear sister:

I have not heard from you for several days, so long that I began to fear that something had happened to prevent your writing. We are still stuck in the mud, and to-day is one of the rainiest of the season. All the streams are up, and no move can take place for a few days. Yesterday the President, Secretary of War, and General Halleck met General Hooker at Aquia Creek; what the subject of the conversation was of course no one but themselves know. A little piece of good news came this morning from Suffolk, which you will see in the papers. I hear they are making demonstrations to draw supports from this army, as they did last year by sending Jackson into the Shenandoah Valley; I hope the plan may not succeed. Many of our oldest and best regiments are soon to be discharged, as well as the nine months' troops. I am afraid the measures taken to secure their reenlistment will not prove effective. No troops with but a few days to leave are going to risk much in a fight.

I send in this mail two books directed to myself; please lay them aside.

I believe I told you that Mr. Heine had resigned. I received from him to-day a beautiful gold and silver box, for either snuff or tobacco. I liked him very much; he was very true and faithful in the discharge of his duties. I send his photograph, also one of Colonel Batchelder, another very good friend. With love to all,

I am, as ever,
J. S.

SOURCES: George William Curtis, Correspondence of John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 90-1

Monday, August 25, 2014

Major-General George G. Meade to John Sergeant Meade*, January 6, 1864

Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, January 6, 1864.

We have now at headquarters Collis's “Zu-Zu” Regiment, commanded by one of the Bowens, Collis being in command of a brigade in the Third Corps. They have a fine band, one of the best in the army.

A good many of the old volunteers have re-enlisted — more than I expected — and if Congress allows the bounty hitherto paid, many more will re-enlist.
_______________

* Son of General Meade.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 164

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

A Letter from Adjutant E. H. King

Headquarters 15th Iowa Inft. Vols
Vicksburg Miss. Jan 23d, 1864

Mr. Caverly:–

It seems as but yesterday since visiting you last, and I am quite surprised to find upon examination that the last was written Jan. 4th, 1864. That and the two days immediately succeeding, [s]ufficed to consume the effervescence arising from the almost unanimous, and quite uneffectual enthusiasm of the men in the first stages of “Veteran enlistments.” And now that the men have “cooled off” and things have resumed the even tenure heretofore unbroken and not likely soon to be broken again, one may not unreasonably retrospect the doings of the past few weeks, and grasp, if he can, the reasons for the action taken, the importance of the movement, and the results likely to accrue from it. I would not have you understand, Mr. Editor, that I am about to enter upon a discussion of the merits of Veteran Soldiers, or speak words of pacification to mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters for those who have reenlisted in the Regiment for an additional term “three years or the war.” The mind of each, having the good of the country in view, will suggest this. But I do wish you to understand, that having thus acted, somewhat upon the spur of the moment, –not without good and potent reasons either, –we are still willing to scrutinize the work and prepare the mind more thoroughly for performing the grave and noble task before us. And having given the matter a reinvestigation, and having stamped the mind with every interest involved, to reenter the arena, full of terrible responsibility, with that courage, consistency and [s]eriousness so becoming to christian and patriotic [men]. Reenlistments have been pretty general throughout the Corps. Every Regiment in the third Brigade (ours) has enlisted, and vies with the others as to which shall first obtain the furlough.

The work of preparation for war goes bravely on. For four days the 3d Division (General Legetts) has been drilling for a prize, - a banner prepared by the Divisions commanders, – culminating today in a drill by the best reg’s in each of the three Brigades; viz:– 17th Ill., 124 Ill. And the 78th Ohio, terminating with the presentation of the banner by Maj. Gen. McPherson to the 124th Ill., –the judges having awarded to it the title “Exesitr” [my best guess] written conspicuously on the flag. The drill to day was very exciting, and the Regiments performed the manouvers [sic] in line and the manual of arms in splendid style. Large crowds of soldiers, citizens, fair damsels and scores of sombre hue, were in attendance, and manifested the liveliest interest in the performers.

Rumor, – twin sister to the father of lies, – says an expedition will leave Vicksburg for [illegible] in [illegible] of the State within a few days, with the express purpose of occupying Jackson, organizing a State government for Miss., and thrashing or otherwise punishing the rebel hordes infesting the country.

It is positively known that the Regiment will be paid within a few days, as some of us saw the Pay Master to day and he told us so. Nothing will be received with more thankfulness than the money now due for services rendered.

The Men in the Regiment enjoy excellent health. Isaac Haner arrived this P. M. from a visit somewhere; he has been detained for many weeks by sickness. He is a good boy and we welcome him among us.

The members of Co., “I” have all enlisted and are anxiously waiting an opportunity to pay their friends in Clark and elsewhere a visit.

The weather has been for a week past the finest imaginable. The clear enlivening sunlight never shone more benignantly on any people.

Secession only blighte[d] this fairland and sunny clime, and the return of peace will inaugurate a return to the same brilliance and prosperity enjoyed previous to the rebellion.

Enjoying this pleasant sunshine we read with dismay and horror of the ice and snow and frost and wind in Iowa Our sympathetic natures stand aghast at the thought of frozen existence, icy fettered streams and crystal covered landscapes.

But my letter is growing too lengthy and I will close. The Sentinel of the 9th ins. Is just received. Its columns are always heartily welcome.

Adieu!

E. H. King

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Oscoela, Iowa, February 20, 1864