The National tribune., 1889-11-07
BATTLE OF CAMDEN, N. c.
Hard Marching and Foolish Charge.

battle would have been called In the latter
stage of the rebellion small skirmish, but at
the time it took place it was considered right
smart Of an engagement
Well do I remember on the morning of April
16. 1862 the orders as they arrived in camp to
prepare i've days ratioDs and be ready to take
up the line of march for New Berne. We were
soon aboard the steamer Amiral, and anchored
that night in the River Neuse The expedition
consisted of the following regiments or parts
of regiments: 51st Pa. 9th and s9th N. Y,
21st Mass and 9th N. H., consisting of about
I,60O men. and two three-inch marine guns,
escorted by several gunboats, all under the
command of Gen Jesse L. Reno.
After several delays by running aground in
the shallow part of tho river we arrived in
Pamlco Sound, and from thence Mt Roanoke
Island into CrOtan Sound, which separates the
island from the mainland, and entered Abe
marie Sound. Steaming still to the north, we
reached the entrance OF the Dismal Swamp
Canal, near Elizabeth City, N. O. This canal
runs from Elizabeth City to Norfolk, Va.
The gunboats and balance of the expedition,
having preceded us, wcro engaged in Smelling
the shore, and the transports were landing the
men. as there was not sufficient number of
small boats to take the men ashore, and, time
being an object tho men jumped into the water
like ducks into pond, and wadcd to the land
ing, carrying their guns, rations, blankets and
60 rounds of ammuni ton as best they could to
keep them from getting wet. The water was
in depth from armpit ut the vessels to shoetop
Mt the shore. The weather in that country at
TINT time of tho year is not cold, SO the men
enjoyed their bath
As soon as all the troops were landed we
commenced one of tho longest and hardest
marches that ever was put on record, either dur
ing the rebellion or any other war; 80 just
stick n pin there, for dare say and will ciaim
il to be the longest march-44 or as miles, be.
sides fighting battle of three hours duration,
including also unloading aud reloading the YES
sells, aud all inside of % hours.
After landing on the morning Of the 10Th we
found that the 9th N. Y. had preceded lis, but
through some mistake thoy had taken the
wrong road and had marched several miles out
of the way. But they rcjoined the main COM
mand at Currtuck Courthouse which, think,
is the Countyscat of Camden County, which is
close to the Virginia and North Carolina State
line. At this place tho 5lst Pa. was placed
with Cos. and as advanced skirmlshe:s.
The country il almost rs Lowell as floor. and ut
that time very dry. The roads being beds Of
dust made marching very disagrecablc water
was scarce, aud the wells the people had along
the route were few and far between.
After marching about % or ~ miles we no.
ticed n short distance ahead considerable smoke.
ms If the people were clearing their fields and
burning the brush, so as TO get ready for eul-
tivation. We took no notice Of 10, and the men
were tired and tagged out, aud having strag-
gied considerably tho boys requested of the
officers a rest. About that time Gen. Reno CON-
Ing up told us as soon as we reached the timber
on the other side o. The smoke we could stop
for dinner, he not c pccting the Johnnies TO
be near u.s. We were soon informed differently,
however, as thcrepori Of a cannon soon reached
us, and q small solid 8aJt struck the ground in
front of Cos. A and Y, ricochetting over cur
heads, but doing no damage. ] remember how
we tipped our hats and made for the fence
corners on both sides Of the road, which hap
penod 10 be cedar-Tail yorm-fence.
Gen. Reno Was with the advance, and he
tried 10 locate the rebel battery, but the smoke
was so thick that he soon gave it up, aud or
dered us To hold tho position until the balance
OF the oxped ton could be- brought into line
For short time the rebels made things lively
about those iepce-csrneTs, and raised tho hair
on our heads. for they began to use grape and
shells aud piled the cedar rails over US. They
soon saw that they could not dislodge us and
turned their guns To another part OF the field
After the men had rested, Gen Reno ordered
the 9th Pa, 2lst Mass. and Doth n. Y. 10 the
right of the road, where We formed in line of
battle aud advanced as close 20 the rebels rs
possible. 80 rs TO CHAIR The 9th N. Y. tHaw
kihs's IonaYesl COMING up and thinking they
could get in one of their remarkable charges
las at Roanoke Islasidl, started charge,
whether by order of the General or their COM
handing officer | could not tell, for / was not
with them; bat they boldly and foolishly
charged over an open field, mt least one-half q
mile from the enemy, and wene rcpulsed boz
fore they had travelled over half the distance
aud retired ia confusion with considerable
loss. Why this useless charge was made was
never explained. IL certainly accomplished no
good, aud assisted the rebels in getting away
without much loss
The marine battery that accompanied us
having come up and Joined the fray, was placed
In good position, with Cos. A and + to sup
port II, and soon opened on the enemy. firing
as fast the two pieces could be loaded. By this
time the 5ist Pa. 2lst Mass. aud, / think, the
Doth N. y. commenced getting in their work,
| and charged about the same time that the 9Th
n. ii. formed on the left of the road aud as soon
hs their line formed fired ono of the best
voleys Of muskctry ever heard, sounding al
most as If one man had fred it.
The rebels now gave way and were soon In
retreat, carrying most of their killed and
wounded with them; for they only report six
allied and 10 wounded. Our loss was about IL
| killed and 20 or 30 wounded aud prisoners.
| The enemy, under the command of Gen. Branch,
had about the same number of men aud choice
| of posi- ton. so had considerable advantage
| After the light was over we went into camp,
the dead were buried, the wounded taken TO
| field hospitals, the pieketline posted aud the
/
slecp, notwithstanding that it commenced to
rain about or p. M, which did not add TO
| the comfort of the men.
Gen. Reno having accomplished tho object
| OF the expedition, and scouts bringing informa-
| ton that the enemy had been reinforced and
would surround us by daylight. concluded
TO retreat; 30 about p. III. we silently started
| for the landug-place.
| Daylight found US an board our transports,
completely played out. IN fact In ali my 1--WE
| years service never have | seen men SO used up
as they were on this trip. The roads after tho
rain were covered with mud, sand and water,
which made marching very tiresome; but the
! boys knew that Libby Prison awaited those
that were captured, so they kept well together.
| Our wounded, in charge of u Surgeon, were
| left To the tender mercies of tho enemy, and in
| few days were exchanged at Norfolk, Va,
after being stripped and robbed of all their
| clothing and money and treated in a brutal
| and shameful manner
| Among those wounded and made prisoners
| was Private Nathaniel Casselman, OF Co +.
| 5lst Pa, who was born and raised In the South,
| Il think North Carolina was his native State J
who believed that the old flag was worth
| fighting for, as this WAS his third engagement.
/ He served his cou ntry we'll and | have been
told that they ktesi him after he surrendered
| lie was somewhat eccentric in his nature, be-
| lieving in spirits. He always kept the boys in
| good hum0r. As they would be sitting around
| their campiires at night no always selected the
| side where the smoke was thickest aud which
| all the other boys would avoid. saying that was
| the warmest place, and that spirits did not like
smoke and would keep away from him. Some
times, when in one of his. melancholy spells, he