The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-29
FORT GREGG AGAIN.
The 10Th Conn. was Presented with an Eagle fO
that Action,


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: There has
been good deal of discussion in your paper in
reference 10 the taking Of Fort Gregg, but it is
always about what some one remembers about
II some 20 years ago. bur no one seems 20 quote
from any official reports made at the time. As
ny regiment took an active part Ia that en-
counter, propose 10 give your readers some
Official reports Of the fight at the time, as given
IN the Military and Civil History OF COnnee.
ticut During the Rebellion" The first is from
Capt Francis q. Hickerson. commanding the
10th Conn., after the engagement:
The 10Th, supported by the Tooth y. y,
advanced in quick time to the assault OF the
work in its front Fort Gregg Ii was a COM
pIetely-incosed work, stockaded in rear with
loopholcs for musketry through the stOckade,
and manned by iull garrison, with two pieces
Of artillery. The regiment arriving at a dis
lance Of 400 yards, pushed on without a halt
under one OF the most terrific fires Of musketry
and artillery ever witnessed. Many Of our
brave men went down, but the fort was reached
without faltering. Lieut.-Col. Goodyear, COM
handing, fell SEVERELY wounded in the face
and shoulder, while calamity leading bis men
IN the charge; aud, although wounded early
IN the engagement, he would not allow himself
10 be carried 10 the rear, but remained where
he fell until the fort was surrendered. The
nag OF Connecticut was the first on the paTapet,
and hand-to-hRnd fight took place there for
the possession Of the fort, lasting from % 10 80
minutes. A portion Of the First Brigade ar
irving about this time, our line entirely in
closed the fort, but the garrison although sur
rounded, still refused 20 surrender, aud coutin-
ued 10 defend the work, while from Fort Bald
win destructive fire was poured in upon the
backs OF such Of our men as were exposed in
that direction. Further reiniorcements, how
ever, coming up at this junctuTc, the fort was at
last surrendered. The record Of modern war
fare rarely shows a more desperate encounter
than that upon the parapet of Fort Gregg.
Union aud rebel soldiers were found dead in
each others grasp. Thirteen rebels were found
inside the fort killed by bayouet thrusts, aud
scores were wounded by the same weapon The
new State co!ors, never before in fight, were
pierced by % bullets, while the staff was struck
three times"
Chaplain Trumbull, ofthe 10th Conn, DIETER
known now as editor of the Sunday School
Itmc,) wrote just after the fight lengthy &C.
count OF the part taken by our regiment from
which quote small part:
The blue flag Of Connecticut was the first
on the parapet Of the fort. Nothing very
strange in that! The 10th maintained It's
former good name In the hand 10 hand strug-
gle losing wellnigh onc-half Of all Ii sent
IN, but never lowering its flag for an instant
OF giving back an inch once gained.
Oorpl button, Of Co. B, who was one Of the
very first men on the parapet Of the fort,
was 50 delighted when lac saw the blue cOlors
come az, that even in the excitement Of the
battle he caught the hand Of one Of the color
guard aud called out cheerily, "Oh. / am so
proud 10 see that flag the first here " aud then
turned to his work Of fighting with all his
heart in IL. IN few minutes he fell, wounded
aud was afterward reported dead; but he was
taken 10 the hospital, aud is in fair way TO
recover"
C,,,-l n,,t,,, - q, =,
living to-day, and can tell as 10 the truth OF the
above. The History before mo goes on 20 say:
Three companies Of the 10th. under Capt.
Hickerson, being on the skirmish.line In front
OF Fort Baldwin, advanced under a severe FIRE
from that aud other works and, after the sur
render Of Fort Gregg Fort Baldwin was car
RED, the skirmishers Of the 10th being also the
first 10 enter that work. The regiment had
never fought more calamity than this day aud
that Is supcFlative praise. IL had lost one Off
Ger and 10 enlisted men killed and ~ wounded.
For its conduct in this engagement the 10Th
was presented with an eagle Of rich gilt br0uze
represented with extended wings and open
bcak, graphing IN his talOns arrows and an
olive branch and resting on a globe which was
supported on handsome cap 10 81 the staff OF
the State coigrs. The globe bears the iuscrip-
ton: Presented 10 tie 10th Conn by Maj
Gen. John GibbOn. commanding Twenty fourth
Corps, for gallant conduct ia the assault on
Fort Gregg, Petersburg April 2, 1865"
The above accounts We're written al the time
OF the evacuation or soon after The history
quote from was published in 1865, aud ought
10 be more reliable than the memory Of men in
tho ranks az this late day. | have heard a
story that can't VOuch FOR the truth OF, but il
is this: There was dispute after the fight as
10 which hag went on tie parapot first aud
Gen. John Gibbon decided by having ali Of the
bags OF the troops engaged in the fight brought
u his headquarters, and he would pick out the !
bag that went onto the parlpet first, as he was
looking on through q leld-plass from an emf
neucc in plain view Of the fight; aud without
any hesitation be picked out the blue Gag Of
tie state Of Connecticut ] will make one other
quotation, not as hearing on this controversy,
but showing the Way il was looked ON from a
Southern standpoint. Col. Taylor, Gen r. +.
Lees Chiei-of staG, says, in closing up his book,
- -Four Years with Gen Lee, that the heroic
defense Of Fort Gregg was the cr0wniug
81 Southern vaor," or words 10
that effect But have made this article long
enough, 50 will close-WI. l.. SoRToN. Co. Il, ]
10th Conn, Torryyille. Conn.