Charles K. Cadwell

“ The Sixth Connecticut and 47th New Hampshire covered the retreat. Our return to Mackay’s Point was slow and tedious, as we carried off all our wounded and gently laid out our dead, covering them as far as we could with the blankets of the soldier.
The horrors of war were indeed sickening, as the rebels had every position in their favor and their fire was very destructive. Dead soldiers and horses lay in the woods as we passed; broken gun carriages lined the road, and blankets, haversacks and rifles lay around the ground in large numbers. ”

“ The Sixth lost no officer more loyal than him;--brave and unflinching, he often inspired courage where courage was lacking, and he asked no soldier to follow where he dared not himself lead. Through his daring and bravery the colors of the Sixth were saved in the assault on Fort Wagner. The first Union flag that waved over Morris Island was borne by him, fastened to his sword. ”

“ The spilled blood of the Massachusetts Sixth will ever be a stain upon the records of the Monumental City while this generation inhabits this mundane sphere.
We crossed the city to the depot where we found cars waiting to transport us to Washington. We were huddled aboard cars that we understood were used to transport cattle the day previous, and we had no reason to disbelieve the report, for the muck and filth covered the floors to such a depth that anything short of a pair of Uncle Sam’s “tan-yards” would have been lost sight of in a short time. ”

“ The rebel’s fire told fearfully in the Union ranks, and men were swept away in winrows. Yet on they pressed, almost exhausted, when Gen. Terry sent for Abbott’s brigade, with the old Sixth and Seventh regiments. They pressed the foe in close quarters, while they (the rebels) relinquished foot by foot their possession. Gen. Terry sprang to the head of the advancing column, cheering the troops by his presence, and with redoubled effort the whole line advanced with a yell and the frightened rebels fell back in dismay, while the Union forces invested the Fort, and victory was ours. ”

“ We would occasionally glance at the future and try to study its mysteries. There was considerable pleasure in the camp of the old Sixth, as well as its sorrows, and the time was well occupied in various ways and the days glided swiftly by. Friends were not wanting to regale our palates with choice food to supercede the rations of Uncle Sam, and to ply all manner of questions regarding our general health and condition. ”

“ Our march across John’s Island was slow and tedious, as the guerillas infested us on all sides. Our cavalry scouts were ever on the alert, but, as the road was new to them the rebs used every advantage against us. Our wagon trains were cut off and the command was without food for three days. Men offered 50 cents for a hard-tack. One soldier offered to eat a dog if it could be found. A body of cavalry moved to the rear and assisted greatly in dispersing the guerillas, and we were again rejoiced to see some salt junk. ”

“ A few more well-directed shots, and the firing ceased; then we knew the victory was ours. A boat was lowered and manned by a picked crew of man-of-wars men, who pulled for the shore with great speed, landed and made their way into the fort on Hilton Head and raised the glorious stars and stripes on the rebel flag staff. Words cannot describe the events that followed in a few brief moments. The battle had been waged precisely five hours when the victory was announced. Liberty was triumphant over the despotism of slavery. ”

“ Scarcely had we brushed off the sand and got a bite of pork and crackers before we were ordered to join in the assault on Wagner at dark. Never was an order more cheerfully obeyed, especially as the word passed around that Col. Chatfield was to lead us into action, the Colonel declaring his preference “to stand or fall with the men of the Sixth,” and refusing the honor of commanding our brigade, which belonged to him as the ranking officer. The gunboats shelled the rebel fort incessantly, plowing up great heaps of sand with one shell, and another perhaps would fill up the crevice. ”

“ After marching several miles we halted at a large sugar plantation for rest. Col. Chatfield addressed us on our mission, and assured us we were marching on to victory or death, as we were going into the hot bed of rebeldom and undoubtedly would see some hard fighting; but he was confident we would meet the issue with determined bravery, and he was to “lead us forward.” This last remark brought forth cheer after cheer for our gallant Colonel. The members of the Sixth felt justly proud of Col. Chatfield. ”

“ Our return to camp was attended with almost as much danger as our advance, and many brave men who were spared through the terrible ordeal in the fort, were either killed or wounded in returning to the rear. Every foot of ground seemed to be covered by the fire of the enemy’s guns. Batteries Gregg and Wagner, Forts Johnson, Ripley and Sumpter, besides two gunboats in the harbor, all directed their missiles of death to further our destruction while retreating; and how so many of us were spared through such a terrible conflict, can be attributed only to the goodness of our Heavenly Father. ”

“ Strong, who was to lead the attack, looked every inch a soldier, as he moved among us giving cheering words to all. At precisely 5 o’clock, the batteries that we had worked on so faithfully for weeks, were unmasked to the enemy and opened simultaneously from 48 guns. The astonished rebels soon replied with great rapidity. As the ball opened, the inhabitants of Secessionville, on James Island, crowded to the roofs of the houses till they were black with them, to witness the battle. ”

“ In leaving Wagner that night, the ditch we crossed was filled with the dead and wounded, and we were compelled to step upon their bodies in making our escape. Many fell wounded upon the beach, and as the salt water surged over their bodies and in their wounds, their groans and cries were terrible to hear. Men begged piteously to others more fortunate, to remove them out of reach of the incoming tide. ”

“ Fort Walker, on Hilton Head, seemed determined to drive the Union fleet away from the harbor, while Fort Beauregard, on Bay Point, which was opposite, played comparatively a small part, for all her shell fell short of the mark. As the boats moved nearer and nearer the engagement became more general, and shot and shell flew like hail through the air; those of the enemy doing little execution, while our shells seemed to stir up the sand around and in their batteries at almost every fire. ”

“ Our new colonel enjoined upon the regiment severe drills and guard duties, while it was tasked severely and laboriously with fatigue duty every day and often far into the night. We found it difficult to endure the loss of Col. Chatfield. Few men, living in the midst of such temptations as army life afforded, could resist so practically the attractions that led so many good men astray; yet he stood as a beacon light, and his counsel and judgment were often sought by those who were his superiors in rank. Had Col. Chatfield lived, the entire regiment would no doubt have re-enlisted ”

“ Those who succeeded in getting away alive must have beat a hasty retreat, for knapsacks, blankets and rifles lay in confusion all around, and were found at almost every step for miles through the woods. The armament of the fort was 22 heavy guns, most of which were rifled and of the most approved pattern; and two heavy globe-sight rifled cannon, the gift of some neutral English friends to the Confederate States.
For a short time Uncle Sam’s rations were at a discount, as the trophies of war in live stock seemed abundant. Pigs were roaming at will, only to be confiscated by a soldier ”

“ The dead and wounded lay in heaps, and the air resounded with groans and petitions for help. We built huge fires to dry ourselves, stationed our pickets and lay upon our arms, not daring to explore the island very far the first night, for fear of an ambuscade. The night was spent without sleep, as we were thoroughly drenched through, and we were glad to hail the morning light. A detachment of three companies under Lieut.Col. Ely explored the lower part of the island, and met a few of the enemy who had not succeeded in getting away; had a brisk skirmish with them, in which they retreated. ”

“ The members of the Sixth enjoyed the confidence of all the corps and division commanders under whose leadership they were chanced to be placed, and in many difficult and trying places the old regiment was called upon to aid the enterprise. They always strove to acquit themselves like men, and true soldiers of the Union, never allowing a victory, however great, to elate us too much, knowing full well the great sacrifice of life it ofttimes cost to gain it ”

“ The Virginia campaign was unusually severe. Most of the time, for seven months, the troops were without tents, and but few had overcoats. Fatigue parties were at work night and day; lines of works were thrown up to afford protection from the enemy’s bullets. Whole acres of land were turned over, and many a tree was felled to make a clearing by which a sudden advance might be checked. The troops had little or no chance to cook their rations, and more salt pork was eaten raw than was ever boiled. A ramrod served the purpose of a gridiron, while an army shovel proved a good frying pan. ”

“ For a time we found rebel chickens and pigs more palatable than hard tack and pork. The oranges and figs were not left to spoil upon the trees, and every sweet potato and corn field was visited for supplies. The rebel pickets at Port Royal Ferry were very communicative, and several times we exchanged papers with them. They seemed anxious to “barter” something with a Union soldier whenever an opportunity presented itself. Their stock in trade consisted chiefly of tobacco, which they would readily exchange for salt or coffee. They invariably deprecated the war and wished for its close. ”

“ He expressed himself quite well pleased with the conduct of the white troops, and especially the Sixth Connecticut. He said Gen. Hunter had selected the Sixth above all others to occupy this place and protect the remaining inhabitants from the lawlessness of the rebel cavalry. He assured us our position was not an enviable one, as we were in a bad place and the woods swarmed with rebel cavalry, waiting only their chance to surprise us; but he (the speaker) was confident that the enemy would not catch us napping, and when brought to the foe, would meet them with determined bravery. ”

“ Each soldier received from Uncle Sam the usual equipment of kitchen utensils, which consisted of tin cup and plate, together with a knife, fork and spoon, and the men require no drilling to learn their use. If the order to capture a rebel fort was responded to with as much speed as the boys obeyed the call to “fall in for rations,” the cause of the Union would not suffer defeat at the hands of its defenders.
But all things have an end, and so it was with our pleasant camp at Oyster Point. ”

“ We were immediately ordered out on a scout of about seven miles, after the Johnnies; but with the exception of passing a deserted cavalry camp we saw no evidence of the enemy. We returned to the landing and went on board the steamer, where we passed four more days, when we finally made a landing on Folly Island. The island was rightly named, for a man in civil life must indeed be a fool to think he could live on such a barren place; but a soldier is expected to live anywhere where he is sent. ”

“ The Connecticut battery was here, doing excellent service under Captain Rockwell, and the gun boats shelled the enemy over our heads, both of which proved valuable assistants to us. The Sixth held the advance picket line on the left for several days, and the rebels annoyed us exceedingly by sudden dashes through the woods upon our front, but we held our position firmly and repulsed every sortie made. Their sharpshooters, posted in trees and in places where they could see our position, very often shot down the picket without giving us a chance to fire back unless we fired at random. ”

“ A finer regiment or a more patriotic one, I venture to say, never entered the Union army; and that they maintained the honor of the State of Connecticut and reflected credit on their organization, subsequent events will prove.
The Sixth was sworn into the State service on the 3d of September, in camp at Oyster Point, New Haven, and on the 12th of the same month Uncle Sam made us secure for three years or the war. The ranks of the Sixth were filled with men who represented almost every avocation in life. ”

“ Our drilling was not very proficient during the first few days of camp life, from the fact that the camp was filled every day with the friends of the regiment, and the soldiers not having their uniforms, it was rather hard to determine who were enlisted in the service and who were the visitors. It is nothing detrimental to say that perhaps we “smelt the battle afar off,” and anticipated a succession of drills when we were removed from our friends and the pleasant scenes that surrounded us in New Haven. ”

“ Being once more on mother earth, with plenty of exercise and the facilities for keeping clean, the regiment rapidly improved in health, deaths became less frequent, and we felt like ourselves once more. As soon as practicable we were detailed to work on the fortifications, and the pick and shovel were not allowed to rust. The 20th of March again found us under marching orders; this time our destination was Dawfuskie Island. We embarked in the morning and landed at 10 o’clock at night; marched through the woods to the end of the island opposite Fort Pulaski. ”

“ But the battle was against fearful odds, and they were obliged to retire and give up the contest. The Sixth lay all night in the rifle pits before Wagner, in a drenching rain, keeping a sharp look out for any surprise. On the morning of the 18th they came into camp wet and covered with sand, weary enough to lay up for a rest; but there is no rest for the soldier in time of war. ”

“ We held our ground, but made no advance. After about four hours they were repulsed and fell back. Lieut. Bradley and two privates were mortally wounded, and died soon after being brought into camp. Thirty-two of the regiment were wounded and one missing. Thus the ranks of the Sixth were constantly reduced by these frequent skirmishes, and duty fell pretty severe upon those who were able to perform it. Scarcely an hour passed, day or night, without being shelled by the enemy, and rest seemed out of the question. The pale faces and haggard looks of the men told too plainly what they endured. ”