THE FIFTY-FIRST IN NORTH CAROLINA. 439 By Special Orders, No. 93, from Department Headquarters, dated March 30, in addition to his other duties, Col. Sprague assumed command of the post of Fort Macon; and Company C, Capt. Goodell, was added to the garrison, one company of the Forty-fifth Massachusetts being relieved. On the 4th of May, the regiment returned to Newbern, greatly improved in health, and re-occupied their old quarters in Foster Barracks, on the Trent. The regiment left on the 22d of May, and selected a spot near the junction of the Trent and Neuse, which was designated Camp Wellington. Some misapprehension having arisen concerning the time of the expiration of the term of service of the nine-months' men, the commissary of musters for the Eighteenth Corps issued a circular; and, after stating the rule adopted by the Government, concludes as follows: Its fairness and liberality can hardly be questioned by any, save those whose patriotism is of so weak a nature as to begrudge to their country a short period additional to their specified nine months. In order, however, that no possible ground of complaint may exist, the general commanding authorizes me to state that any company in this department will, on application of its captain, approved by the colonel commanding the regiment, be furnished with transportation, and allowed to proceed home in time to reach it in nine months from the time of its muster into service. This circular was read to the regiment at the evening parade of the 10th of June, together with the following: HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-FIRST MASSACHUSETTS Regiment, I have caused to be read to the whole command a circular which was drawn out by dissatisfaction with the direction of the War Department, in regard to the time of mustering out the nine-months' men. Without entering upon an argument in regard to the justice or equity of this decision of the War Department, I rely upon the good judgment, the patriotism and intelligence, of the officers and soldiers of this regiment who entered the service, and have stood together unflinchingly in the line of duty, to take no action which will compromise them in the eyes of the country and their friends. Rather let us be over-zealous in the service than be relieved one moment too soon by our own action. * A. B. K. SPRAGUE, Colonel Fifty-first Massachusetts. No company of the regiment signified a desire to avail themselves of the offer in the foregoing circular. It being understood, that, while the rebel army under Lee was pressing northward into Maryland and Pennsylvania, Gen. Dix would move upon Richmond by way of White House, on the Pamunkey, this regiment, together with others, was offered to Gen. Dix, and, on the 24th of June, received orders from Major-Gen. Foster to report at Fortress Monroe, Va., and, with the exception of one hundred and eighty-three sick who remained behind, on the afternoon of that day embarked on steamer " Thomas Collyer" and schooner "A. P. Howe." The troops arrived at Fortress Monroe on the morning of the 27th. The commanding officer reported to the senior officer of that post, who directed the regiment to proceed to Cumberland, Va., on the Pamunkey. Leaving the sick and all surplus baggage at the fortress, all embarked on the " Collyer," and proceeded up the York River. While en route, orders were received to proceed to White House, where they arrived about midnight. Early on the morning of the 28th, the troops reported to Gen. Dix, whose whole force was in camp at White House. Upon learning that the regiment was in light marching order, without camp equipage, and the term of service of the regiment having nearly expired, Gen. Dix ordered that the regiment return to Fortress Monroe, and there make requisition upon the quartermaster for transportation to Massachusetts, to be mustered out of service. At that place, learning the situation of affairs in Pennsylvania and Maryland, the colonel authorized Gen. Naglee to offer the services of the regiment for the emergency. The offer was accepted, and the regiment ordered to report to Gen. Schenck at Baltimore, where it arrived July 1. July 4, the regiment was detailed to search the houses of citizens for arms, and successfully and creditably performed this delicate duty. July 5, six companies, under command of Lieut.-Col. Studley, escorted two thousand three hundred rebel prisoners, taken at Gettysburg, from the railroad station to Fort McHenry. On the 6th, the regiment reported to Brig.-Gen. Briggs at the depot of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and took the cars for Maryland Heights; arriving on the evening of the 7th at Harper's Ferry. Next morning, at four o'clock, it entered Fort Duncan. On the 12th, the regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac at Boonesborough, Md., to intercept the retreat of Gen. Lee. This junction was effected next day. Surcharged with malaria contracted in the swamps of North THE FIFTY-FIRST MUSTERED OUT. 441 Carolina, without camp-equipage, kettles, or a change of clothing in wet weather, the men were poorly prepared to endure the fatigue, and large numbers became sick, and were sent back to Baltimore from Sandy Hook and Maryland Heights; so that, when it arrived at the front, there were present for duty an aggregate of only two hundred and seventy-five men. The brigade was immediately assigned to the second division, First Corps, of the Army of the Potomac, and second line of battle. The enemy disappeared from our front during the night; and, on the morning of the 14th, the army was in motion in pursuit of the retiring rebels. The Fifty-first marched with the main body, and proceeded to Williamsport, where it was evident the enemy had effected a crossing. It encamped at Williamsport, and, on the 15th instant, marched back, through Funkstown and Antietam, to a point near Berlin, Md., where a pontoon across the Potomac had been thrown for the passage of our troops into Virginia. The enemy having disappeared from our front, it recrossed the Potomac; and, while in full retreat, the regiment received orders from corps headquarters, on the 17th of July, to return to Massachusetts, to be mustered out of the service of the United States. It reached Baltimore on the morning of the 18th, and arrived at Worcester, Mass., on the 21st day of July. A furlough was granted to the men till the 27th instant, when they were mustered out of service by Capt. Lawrence, Fourth Infantry, U. S. A., having served nearly ten months. The sick left at Newbern at the departure of the regiment, under charge of Assistant Surgeon Garvin, arrived home before the regiment, and were mustered out with the rest at Worcester, Mass. 56 CHAPTER XXIV. FIFTY-SECOND AND FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENTS. The Fifty-second ordered to the Department of the Gulf. At Baton Rouge.-Marches.At Port Hudson. - Homeward March. - Col. Kimball and the Fifty-third. - New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Port Hudson. The Return to Massachusetts. FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT. HE Fifty-second was recruited in the counties of Hampshire and Franklin, and was organized at Camp Miller, Greenfield. The following names are found in its list of officers: Nov. 19, 1862, the regiment was ordered to embark for the Department of the Gulf, and report to Gen. Banks. It arrived safely at New Orleans, and during December, 1862, and January, 1863, was stationed at Baton Rouge. On the 13th of March, the regiment made a reconnoissance towards Port Hudson, marching up under the guns of the rebel fortifications, and returned to Baton Rouge on the 20th. Thence it took steamer for Donaldsonville, and on the 31st advanced in the direction of Thibodeaux twelve miles. In closing the record for this month, Col. Greenleaf says,— Our reconnoissance to about five hundred yards of the rebel batteries at Port Hudson we regard as an exceedingly hazardous one to ourselves; but it was, nevertheless, handsomely done, the regiment not only deporting itself to my entire satisfaction, but in such a manner as to call forth the congratulations of our brigade and division commanders. April 1, 1863, the regiment marched from Pancoult, on the Bayou Lafourche, to Cox's Plantation, thirteen miles; the 2d, from Cox's Plantation to Thibodeaux, fifteen miles; the 4th, proceeded by rail to Bayou Bœuf, seventeen miles; the 9th, marched from Brashear THE MARCH TO PORT HUDSON. 443 City, ten miles; the 11th, went on board the steamship "St. Mary;" the 13th, landed at Indian Bend, on Grand Lake, distant from Brashear City about thirty-five miles, and marched about three miles, our advance meeting, and driving before it, a small force of the enemy; the whole of Grover's division encamping for the night on Madam Porter's plantation. On the 14th, the battle of Indian Ridge was fought, the regiment not participating, as the second brigade, Col. Kimball, to which it belonged, was by turn, that day, the reserve brigade, the brigades alternating from day to day in marching. On the 15th, it started in pursuit of the enemy, performing the march to New Iberia in two days, — distance, thirty-two miles. Leaving four companies here on provost-duty, the rest of the regiment advanced, and reached Barre's Landing on the 26th. Here it remained until the 21st of May, employed in collecting and guarding corn, cotton, sugar, molasses, &c., guarding negroes, and loading and unloading boats at the landing. Gen. Grover's division, with the exception of this regiment and a section of Nims's (second) battery, left the landing, going in the direction of Alexandria, leaving it in command of the post. On the 5th instant, there were at this post about four thousand bales of cotton, a considerable quantity of sugar and molasses, one hundred horses, and about four thousand negroes, mostly women and children. On the 12th instant, Col. Thomas E. Chickering arrived from Opelousas, and, by order of Major-Gen. Banks, assumed command of the post. On the 19th, Companies A, E, F, and G, rejoined it, having marched from New Iberia to Brashear City, and thence to Barre's Landing by boat. On the 21st, it commenced the return-march to Brashear City, forming a portion of an escort for a five-mile negro and supply train, under command of Col. Joseph S. Morgan of the Ninetieth New-York Volunteers: distance marched, eighteen miles. On the 22d, starting late in the morning, it marched about eighteen miles, encamping at night on the Bayou Têche. On the 23d, it passed through St. Martinsville, and encamped for the night a mile above New Iberia, having marched about eighteen miles. On the 24th, passing through New Iberia, it marched about fifteen miles, and encamped for the night in a beautiful oak-grove on the Bayou Têche. On the 25th, it passed through Franklin and Centreville, and was attacked in the rear by what the colonel commanding supposed to be the advance of a large rebel force under Gen. Mouton, and was ordered back |