The National tribune., 1904-06-30
THE 18th CONN.
A Young Recruit Puts In q Year Of Very
Good Service.

A Young Recruit Puts In Year Of Very
Good Service.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: was
born in New York in 1874; left an or
phan at the age of six placed in an orphan
asylum in the Spring of 1854 taken by a
farmer and brought up on farm; was
sent to school three or four months in the
Winter season. l had a good home; my
people being opposed to the war, opposed
me in my desire to 60 into the army.
tried to enlist in August, 1867, in the 12Ith
\. T., then forming in our County OF Suf-
folk; but my people put veto on my en-
then; but my mind being made up, in the
Spring of 1864 l left the State and went
to Connecticut, where l enlisted, March
IL, at bridgeport. With four other re-
cruits, under an escort of two veterans,
went to Grape Vine Point, recruiting
camp, near New Haven. Was in camp lO
days, when we took the steamer Elm City
for New York. where we were placed on
a transport bound to Fortress Monroe.
There we were placed on a river steamer
for Yorktown, where We occupied a log
shanty the night We arrived. In the even
ing We had orders to fall in with the other
boys to march to the camp, where our regi-
ment was stationed, near Williamsburg,
Va. At the time it was raining hard, and
we had contracted with a negro to take
US to camp in the morning. Promising
the officers we would be in camp early,
they left US and marched that night in the
rain with the rest of the boys, while we
ing, it being April /. l with nine others
of the recruits was assigned to Co. ID, 11th
Conn.,, veteran regiment, known as a
fighting regiment. While stationed there it
did fatigue duty, drilled and did guard
duty. l saw two deserters shot. They be-
longed to our brigade. The 18th Conn.
was brigaded with the I'd \. H., 18th \. H.,
Sth Me-. 10Th Wis, 14Sth " Y, being the
Second Brigade, Second Division, Eight
eenth Corps, commanded by Gen. w. T..
Smith. better known in the army as "Baldy
Smith,"
We broke camp in the afternoon of May
4: that evening took river transports for
Bermuda Hundred; landed, and soon we
were looking for the enemy: found him.
| participated in all marches, skirmishes
and battles that the regiment took part in
in 1864 and 1865. After June Is, TO. ID
stacked arms in one stack. In the cam
paign of 1864 / was always with the regi-
ment from joining to the finish. AT Drew
ry's Bluff, May is, Co. ID, being on picket,
in the early morning, the fog SO heavy that
We could not see two rods, the enemy at
tackled our pickets on the right of me. Hav-
ing orders not to shoot until l saw three
or four men, and hearing firing on my right,
| looking to the front, saw the fog heavier
to the hight of men. Against orders fired
near me woke and asked, in strong Ian
guage. what | was shooting at, knowing
| was a recruit. The enemy answered with
a volley-not two rods distant. 1 have
never answered the COrporal's question.
The Corporal ran; ram! "A rebel, with
fOrting. ordered me to surrender. l an
swered Never" lie ran after me for six
or eight rods before he gave me up.
met my Captain, who asked the Corporal
if the enemy was in battle line? We both
said yes, and the Captain gave us orders
to get to our works. did my best to get
there. The enemy was hurrying US by giving
us two more yOlleys. Before he got to our
works we were prepared for him. Column
after column came in front of our works
only to be shot down. Brave men they
were in that fight. The man on my left
was killed. l jumped over the works in
front of the enemy and got the two fore
ing that he was in danger of being sur
rounded. ordered US to retire, which we
did in good shape. Again we were ordered
to our works. then occupied by the enemy,
and we went into them with a will and
drove the enemy out. In their attack they
reserved their fire until within a few rods
OF our works, then fired at us. Having re-
taken the works, we remained in them but
short time, when, our Colonel seeing again
that we would be surrounded, ordered US
to retire again.
Was at Cold Harbor from June / to
June II. June killed pig; also found
bin OF sweet potatoes.
In the charge of June 3, the 10Th N. II.
leading, was commanded by our Colonel.
Stedman. In front of Petersburg, June Is,
a man was called for from Co. ID for special
duty, and although / was a recruit the Cap
S.sw A
once the company fell into line and shook
hands with me before l left them. went
on a reconnaissance between the picket lines.
Under Capt. Il. III. Rice, afterward Colonel
of the regiment. IA of us accomplished our
purpose and returned without the loss of a
man and without a shot being fired. In
the afternoon the regiment was detailed as
skrmishers. forming in a grain field. Our
object was to take the railroad in our front,
held by the 11th s. c., a regiment we met
month previous at Drewry's Bluff, where
although they fought hard. we drove them
beyond the railroad. taking two lines Of
works from them, forcing them into their
main works. Here on this night of June
IL. We fought them again. Our regiment
stood in an open field, in battle line. re-
ceiving the fire from a rebel battery, from
right TO left Of our line. June Is the reg-
ment again was deployed as skirmishers. In
our front was North Carolina regiment
Il
beyond the Hare House.
Near the house they told us to cease fir
ing, and they ceased also. l thought ii a
trick. | discovered a rebel who was pay
ing no attention to his officers commands
My gun being loaded ! assumed the same
position that he was In. AS I did SO he
raised his gun to fire, and l shot at him.
He fell backward without discharging his
gun. That instant both lines discharged
their pieces in each others faces. They
| rushed on to us; We stood our ground and
dubbed our muskets. Twice officers gave
US orders to retire. and we reluctantly
obeyed. We rallied again and drove them
beyond the Hare House, into their main
works, taking part of their works.
July ID We were relieved by the Fifth
Corps and sent to the left, in the rear of
the Ninth Corps Aug. q the regiment went
to the rear to recruit was one of a de-
tail sent to Broadway Landing to assist IN
building wharyes for STEAMBOATS, and assist
! ing the 1st Conn. 81. A. in their work.