Norwich bulletin., 1911-10-21
COLONEL KIRKLAND LED THE EIGHTH
Regiment Left For the and Later Saw Many Bloody Struggles and the Promotion of Its Commander How Disloyal Ex-Covernors We're Treated, Fifty Years Ago.

Fifty years ago this week the Eighth regiment left their barracks at Hart ford under command of Col. Harland and went to Jamaica, L. T.. to camp. This regiment included many men from this city and their leaving for the service WAS an important event of the week The recruiting of other regi- ments was actively engaged in and four others were being formed be- sides a company of calvary and com pany for the sea coast defense.
 The Eighth regiment numbered over 1000 men, It was in command of Colonel Edward Harland of Norwich. who was a captain in the Third. As a part of Burnside's Corps, its first service was at the battle of Newborn, N. C., March 14, 1862, and at the setc-- of Fort Macon a few weeks later. When General Burnside was ordered to return to the Arfy of the Potomac. the Eighth accompanied him and went with his corps into Maryland. At Antietam it suffered graet loss. At Fredericksburg, in December, 1t es- capped with slight loss: and in Feb ruary, 1863, 1t was sent to southeast Virginia. The regiment remained in Virginia until January, 1864, when it returned to Connecticut on veteran furIough. In March it was back again at it's old camp near Portsmouth, Va, 1t took part in the baltic at Walthall Junction, May 3. Colonel Hariand had been appointed a brigandier-gs general, and the regiment was in command of Colonel John Fl. Ward, who was se- verely wounded in this battle. A few days later the regiment was in the en- gagement at Fort Dariinf. During eight days the Eight was constantly under arms, and in this brief time lose one-third of its fighting strength. It was in the battle of Cold Harbor and lost heavily in skirmishes near Peters burg It last engagement-w -wasyseveT bure Its last general engagement was in the storning of Fort Harrison. It was mustered out of service, Dece9nbe CT 12, 1865.
 The battle of Leesburg occurred dur ing the week but there were no local participants. Letters continued to be received from prisoners who were in Richmond or Raleigh and the ladies of this city were engaged in providing wearing apparel for the men at the front. The question of being able to get supplies of such a nature to the northern men in southern prisons was unsoIved but it was desired that it might be accomplished somehow.
 Raising Calvary Company.
 The following are items taken from the Bulletin of 1861 corresponding to the past week:
 October 16. 1Ss1-Captain Potter who was authorize by the governor to raise company of calvary was in town yes- terday. desiring to enlist 15 to 20 men in this vicinity. Any one de- siring can obtain full information by calling upon Lieut.. Col Young. of this city
 It does not appear that the unfortu- nate men who are held as prisoners by the rebels at Richmond are likely to have their wardrobes very amply repIeriished for the winter. Is there not some way that thsir friends at the north could send them clothing, with the assurance tI1at 1t would reach those for whom it was intended? Free Academy Bdoken Into. October. r, 1S6t-Another letter from Auxtin G. Munroe dater October first bears date of Eailiegt, N. C., the pris- oners, having been transferred there from Richmond on Jouly 1Ta- The letters of the prisoners are brought from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe un- der flag of truce.
 Captain Jared Dennis having received authority frem the governor is re- cruting company under the name | of the Adams Rifles for the 11th reg | iment, with headquarters at uncas | hall.
 l Robert W. Huntington has beer l appointed to a first heutenaey in tho Marine corps.