The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-02-10
A STORY OF THE TENTH.
SOME STIRRING SCENES OF VAR
RECALLED,
How Connecticut Boys Fought-Record
Made by Our Yankee Regiment
During the Civil War.

|
During the Civil War
At Tuesday nights meeting of Leeds
Counil, O. U. A. M, of Stamford, w.
H. Ritch gave a history of the part his
regiment, the Tenth Connecticut. took
in the Civil War. Mr.. Ritch said at
the outset, that, while he told of the
work done by his own regiment, he did
not mean for a moment to take any
more credit than was it's due, and did
not wish to give the impression that
work that fell to their lot
The Tenth was organized, he said, in
the latter part of the summer of 1861,
and was mustered into the United
States service at Camp Buckingham,
Hartford, Sept. 80 of the same year. 1t
was first sent to Annapolis, Md, under
command of Col Charles L. Russell of
Derby. and was assigned to Gen. J. G.
| Fosters brigade, Burnside's division.
| of it's stay, the regiment became noted
| Tor its superior drill and discipline. 1t
| drilled about eight hours day. Leav-
ing Annapolis, it landed at Roanoke
Island, Feb. Z, 1862, and on the follow
ing day went into battle and fought
like veterans, losing in the engagement
Sc in killed and wounded. This repre-
scented heavier loss than was sustain
ed by any other regiment engaged
there. Col Russell was among the kill
ed.
On March 49, the regiment landed at
Slocum's creek, and after a hard days
march and a night bivouac in the mud,
kept up it's reputation for steadiness
and efficiency under fire in the fight at
Newbern on the 14th. In this encoun-
ter it lost OF killed and wounded.
During the summer of 1862, the Tenth
remained in North Carolina, taking
part in all the army movements there,
and was under FIRE the greater part of
the time. One battalion was sent to
Roanoke Island to suppress mutiny.
The regiment also took part in the en-
gagements at-Rawles's Mills. Hamilton
and Williamstown. On the 14th of De-
cember of the same year, during the
Goldsboro expedition, after a sharp en-
gagement at Kingston, N. c., Gen.
French of the rebel army occupied the
town with 1000 troops. One brigade,
under Col. Mallet, occupied a strong
position opposite the Neuse River, so
that it might defend the approach to
the bridge that crossed the stream.
Several of the regiments in the Union
Army attempted to carry the position,
was sent for from the rear, and, in ad-
vancing, passed on it's way to the front
one entire brigade and three regiments
of another The Tenth charged the
enemy over three regiments that were
lying down in line Of battle. The Con-
necticut boys drove the enemy from
their position and pursued them to the |
Neuse River; charged again and car
ried the bridge, although it was swept |
by four guns in Letedupont. 1t cap
tured 500 prisoners a like number of |
small arms, and II pieces of artillery. |
This grand victory was, however, dear |
ly bought, for, out of only 302 men of |
the Tenth engaged, 106 We're left dead |
and wounded on the field. Among the |
wounded was the speaker.
About the beginning of 1868, the reg
iment went to South Carolina, to take
part in the attack on Morris Island and
Charleston. 1t landed on St. Helena
Island, Feb. 49, At this time, Maj John
L. Otis received his commission as COL
onel, and took command. While sta
toned on the island, it was ordered to
reconnoiter on Johns Island. This duty
placed it beyond the reach of support |
from the main body. The enemy took
I'D the planking of the bridge connect
ing the Islands, and had a good force
of infantry and cavalry. Col. Otis had
at this time but one, regiment and
section of artillery. He sent for as
but the enemy, hoping to cap
ture the Tenth before reinforcements
arrived attacked them and were driv-
en- back in confusion.
On July ID it joined Terry's division
at James Island. On the 18th the reb-
els drove the Fifty-fourth Massachu-
sets from it's position, where it held
one Of the causeways, and marched
five regiments, battery of artillery
and a squad of cavalry to the island.
by JnlS movement, lHe IeIllIl ILeSIIeHL |
was left on the right and rear Of the
enemy. Otis wished to attack, but was
refused permission. For short time
he two lines of battle faced each other
without a single shot being fired. The
rebel forces soon turned to the right
md marched off the island. Otis re-
3eived orders to follow the enemy, but
lot to bring on an action. He how
,ver, captured several prisoners.
From this place the regiment went to ,
Norris Island, with Terry's division,
thriving just in time to form the third -,
column Of attack on Fort Wagner. The I
rider for the attack was counterman- 3
led just as the brigade came under ,
ire On this island the duty was very 4,
rying, and the regiment was exposed
o fire night and day.
After the capture of Fort Wagner it |
vas ordered to st. Augustine. At this J
ime 60 per cent. of the men were on
he sick list.
On April IS, 1864, it reached Glouces-
ar, Va and was assigned to the Third !
Brigade, Terry's division, Tenth Corps,
army of the James, under Gen. Butler
IN Nav 7 following it took a COnspiC- :