THE
Story of the Thirty Eighth.
State of the country in the summer of 1862—Call for six hundred thousand volunteers—The Thirty Eighth rendezvous at Lynnfield and West Cambridge—Visit of Cos. A, B, and F, to the City of Cambridge—Departure of the Regiment from the State—Passage through Philadelphia—Arrival at Baltimore—Camp Belger.
State of the country in the summer of 1862—Call for six hundred thousand volunteers—The Thirty Eighth rendezvous at Lynnfield and West Cambridge—Visit of Cos. A, B, and F, to the City of Cambridge—Departure of the Regiment from the State—Passage through Philadelphia—Arrival at Baltimore—Camp Belger.
letter T
THE Thirty Eighth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers was organized in the summer of 1862, under the call, issued on the 1st of July, for three hundred thousand men to serve for three years. For a better understanding of the circumstances under which it was raised, a brief glance will be taken at the state of the country, and the feeling of the great body of the people in regard to the war. From the very beginning of the struggle, it was felt that Virginia was to be the scene of the severest conflicts; and, consequently, the movements of the Army of the Potomac had attracted a largeshare of public interest. That army, after a series of desperate battles, and an almost incredible amount of hardships, baffled in its attempts to capture the rebel capital, was recruiting its strength at Harrison’s Landing. The Union arms had been successful at various points in the West; but the batteries of Vicksburg and of Port Hudson still kept the Mississippi sealed to the passage of national vessels. Charleston and Savannah and Mobile boastingly bade defiance to the combined efforts of army and navy; and the blockade-runners stole in and out between the ports of the Atlantic seaboard and foreign parts, supplying the enemy with the materials of war,—some of them performing their voyages with almost the regularity of packets. The Confederacy, notwithstanding its severe losses, elated at having checked a movement from which the North had anticipated so much, and their whole available resources, both of wealth and population, wielded by a few bold, determined leaders, looked confidently forward to the final success of their arms. Foreign powers talked of the Union as a thing of the past; and even in the North, there were not wanting those, who, by word and deed, gave countenance to the foes of the country, and discouraged every loyal effort.
But neither defeat, mismanagement, foreign jealousy, nor domestic treason, caused the President to swerve from his determination to restore the supremacy of the government over the whole country. Availing himself of the power granted him by the Constitution and by Congress, he had called three hundred thousand volunteers into the field for three years; and, while each State was using all its energies in raising its quota, a new call was issued on the 4th of August for three hundred thousand volunteers for nine months. In Massachusetts, it seemed at first impossible to raise this additional force without resorting to a draft. But the towns vied with each other in filling their quotas. Public meetings were held; processions, with banners, and bands of music, paraded the streets; patriotic songs were sung in the churches, and stirring appeals made from the pulpit; and liberal promises were made to care for friends left behind.
The young men of Massachusetts responded promptly to the calls upon their patriotism. Leaving their counting-rooms, workshops, and studies,—with professions and trades half-learned, and business prospects broken up,—they went into the ranks, to undergo the hardships of a soldier’s life,and submit themselves to an unaccustomed and often irksome discipline.
Before the end of the year, Massachusetts had put twenty-one new regiments of infantry and several batteries into the field, beside sending a large number of recruits into all the old organizations. Among these regiments was the Thirty Eighth. Without claiming undue merit for the motives or the deeds of the members of this regiment, or exalting them at the expense of other troops, it may be said that few of them enlisted without making pecuniary sacrifices to a greater or less extent; and the local bounty of a hundred dollars did little more than provide them a comfortable outfit, and purchase the numerous articles then considered necessary for a soldier’s comfort.
The men composing the Thirty Eighth were gathered from various towns and counties; and the majority of them were brought together for the first time upon their arrival at camp. Seven of the companies rendezvoused at Camp Stanton, Lynnfield, and three (Cambridge companies) at Camp Day, in North Cambridge. Owing to this division of the regiment, a little confusion existed at first in regard to the letters by which the several companies should be designated; butthis matter was amicably settled uponthe arrival of theregiment at Baltimore; and, in speaking of the companies in this sketch, the letters by which they were finally known will be used entirely.
Co. A was raised in Cambridgeport; Co. B, principally in East Cambridge; Co. C, in Abington; Co. D, in various towns in Plymouth County; Co. E, in Lynn; Co. F, in Cambridgeport; Co. G, in various parts of Plymouth County; Co. H, in New Bedford and Falmouth; Co. I, in Milton, Dedham, Medway, Wrentham, and other places; and Co. K represented as many as fifteen cities and towns. In nearly all the companies there were men who belonged in places not mentioned here, as will be seen by the roster appended to this sketch. Although the regiment was thus collected from various localities, harmony always prevailed. Common dangers, common sufferings, and common triumphs, drew the members more closely together as the numbers decreased; and, when the final disbandment came, all separated with the most friendly feelings.
As soon as the various town quotas were filled, they were sent into camp, and organized into companies and regiments.
The recruits for the Thirty Eighth were underthe command of Major D. K. Wardwell, who was commissioned lieutenant-colonel before leaving the State, and who enjoyed a high reputation for courage and practical military knowledge. Col. Ingraham, holding a commission at the time as lieutenant-colonel of the Eighteenth Massachusetts, had been commissioned for the Thirty Ninth; but was afterwards transferred to the Thirty Eighth. Upon the promotion of Major Wardwell, Capt. William L. Rodman, of Co. H, was commissioned to fill the vacancy. During the stay of the regiment at Lynnfield, many of the men were absent on furloughs, and new recruits were being constantly added, so that little progress was made in drill.
While the seven companies were thus occupied at Lynnfield, Cos. A, B, and F were being introduced to military life at Camp Day, in North Cambridge. The camp at that time was crowded with recruits for the various regiments and batteries in the field; and as the accommodations were limited, the men of the Thirty Eighth were furloughed nearly every night, reporting at sunrise in the morning.
Monday, Aug. 18, by invitation of the citizens of Cambridge, the volunteers visited that city. During the afternoon, many of the places of businesswere closed, flags were hoisted, and a procession, composed of delegates from the military and fire departments, the Cambridge and Irving Literary Associations, the printing-offices, and police, accompanied by the city government and a numerous concourse of citizens, escorted the volunteers through the principal streets of East Cambridge and Cambridgeport to the City Hall, where an address was delivered by the mayor; and from thence to Williams Hall, where a fine collation was served.
It had been expected that Cos. A, B, and F would join the regiment at Lynnfield, before leaving the State, and orders were daily looked for to that effect. But another course was pursued by the military authorities. The companies at Lynnfield were mustered into the United States service on the 21st, at that place. On the 22d, Capt. McLaughlin mustered in the Cambridge companies at Camp Day.
When the army clothing was drawn, many amusing scenes took place. No. 1 men drew No. 4 clothing, andvice versa. If a small man complained of an undue proportion of cloth in his coat, he was pleasantly assured by the issuing officer that it would shrink. Did a stout boy feel a pinching in the arms,—it would soon stretchAccording to the style then prevalent, the new volunteers had cut their hair very short, showing the phrenological developments distinctly; and when encased in army blue, their own mothers barely recognized them. Previously to their departure from Camp Day, the mothers, sisters, and friends of the volunteers visited the camp, armed with needles, thread, and scissors; and the dropped stitches were taken up, shaky buttons made firm, pockets inserted, and blankets bound. Each man was then furnished with a housewife, and all future repairing turned over to his clumsy fingers, probably with many misgivings.
The seven companies were furnished with arms and equipments at Lynnfield; and, during the forenoon of the 26th of August, the regimental line was formed, Lieut.-Col. Wardwell in command. The day was a hot one; and, as the men had not yet acquired the art of packing knapsacks and wearing equipments to the best advantage, many of them were prostrated by the heat. They were transported in the cars to Boston, and marched across the city to the Worcester depot, where a special train was in readiness to take them. Cos. A, B, and F, not making their appearance at the appointed time, this portion of the regimentembarked at once, and proceeded on their way.
In the meantime, Camp Day was all alive. The dinner was on the fire, when the orders to march were received. Hastily packing knapsacks, the three companies were soon in line. The citizens of Cambridge had provided horse-cars to convey them to Boston; but, in the first flush of military spirit, they voted to march. The knapsacks, filled to overflowing with innumerable articles then considered essential to a soldier’s well-being, bore heavily on the backs of the new recruits; and without arms and equipments, and not fully uniformed, the column had not a very military aspect as it marched down Main Street. Dusty and tired, the halt in Cambridgeport was a welcome one; and justice was done to the collation provided by the city.
Bidding the last good-bys, and followed by the good wishes of relatives and friends, the three companies continued their march. Upon arriving in Boston, it was found that Lieut.-Col. Wardwell had already started; but, after a short delay, another train was made up, and the regiment overtaken at New London. Quarters were provided on the cabin floors of the steamer, and the blanketsspread for the first time. The fatigue and excitement of the day brought a good night’s rest, and every one awoke in the morning refreshed; the decks being soon covered with men, enjoying the scenery of the river, as the steamer approached New York; while, from the cottages along the banks, loyal women waved a patriotic God-speed to the volunteers.
Passing by New York, the regiment landed at Jersey City; and there being a scarcity of transportation, a portion of the regiment did not get away until afternoon. The companies from Camp Day had received no rations before leaving; and the crowd of hucksters, with which the place swarmed, reaped a rich harvest. Mr. J. C. Wellington, of Cambridge, came on with the regiment, and one company was indebted to him for a bountiful supply of hot coffee,—the first of a series of kindnesses conferred upon that company and the regiment, when in garrison and field, which made his presence always a welcome one.
While waiting at Jersey City, the famous Sixty Ninth New York arrived at the depot, on their return from their second term of service. These real soldiers, who had actually been in battle, were looked upon with much interest by the untriedvolunteers who were on their way to the scene of action, and the contrast between the appearance of the two sets of knapsacks was a suggestive one. Taking the train vacated by the Sixty Ninth, the rear of the regiment was soon riding on after the advance. All through New Jersey, people on the roadside and in the fields cheered, while flags and handkerchiefs were waved from the houses. The men were in excellent spirits, and enlivened the journey with songs and mirth. Getting passing glimpses of Newark, Burlington, Princeton, Trenton, and other historic cities, now invested with renewed interest, and being liberally supplied with water whenever the train stopped long enough, the regiment rode through New Jersey, arriving at Camden about eight in the evening. Crossing the ferry, they were taken to the Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon, where they partook of a bountiful collation, and were then conducted to a long row of wash-basins provided for the purpose. After the hot and dusty ride, the ablution was peculiarly refreshing, and was greatly enjoyed. Again forming in line, the regiment marched across the city to the Baltimore depot.
Although the passing of troops was now a daily occurrence, the enthusiasm of the people did notabate. Ladies waved their handkerchiefs from the windows, and even grasped the hands of the passing soldiers from the doorsteps, while men crowded the sidewalks, and heartily cheered. This enthusiastic greeting will long be remembered by the survivors of that column; for it was far more cordial and earnest than the welcome given them in the capital of their own State, when after three years’ toil and battle, with thinned ranks, but with an unstained record, they again marched through the streets of Boston. Notwithstanding the great number of troops that had passed through Philadelphia that summer, the hospitality of the city never wearied. No regiment was allowed to pass uncared for; and when returning wounded and sick from the front, singly or in groups, the same kind feelings were manifested, and the warm-hearted ladies with their own hands administered the delicacies their generosity had provided. Other Northern cities cared well for the passing volunteers; but none equalled Philadelphia, whose efforts were continued as well in seasons of defeat and gloom as in those of victory and triumph.
Taking the cars after midnight, the regiment arrived at Baltimore about ten o’clock, the next day, and marched over nearly the same route taken bythe Massachusetts Sixth, on the 19th of April, 1861. No noisy mob appeared to dispute the passage up Pratt Street; but the sullen, averted looks of the majority of the people on the sidewalks betokened no love for the Union. A substantial dinner was furnished the regiment at the Union Relief Rooms (for Baltimore had Unionists, whose devotion to the country was as intense as was their hatred to Secession); and it was then learned, that, instead of going to Washington, and thence on to Virginia, the regiment was to occupy a camp in the vicinity of Baltimore, about to be vacated by the Thirty Seventh New York, whose term of service had expired. A march of a few miles led to the camping-ground,—a pretty place, in a grove of trees, formerly known as Druid Hill Park, then called Camp Belger. There were good facilities for bathing near the camp; while the shade-trees furnished cool retreats when off drill. On the 30th, the guns and equipments for Cos. A, B, and F were received and distributed; and the day was spent in fitting them.
On the 3d of September, Col. Ingraham arrived to take command of the regiment. The greater portion of the time was now occupied in drilling. Col. Ingraham and Lieut.-Col. Wardwell were boththoroughly versed in military tactics; and the company-officers seconded their efforts in endeavoring to bring the regiment up to a high standard, in the manual of arms and in marching. Adjutant Loring kept a sharp look-out for the whereabouts of every button, and the polish of every shoe, on parade; and the surgeons enforced a strict attention to the rules of health and cleanliness in the quarters, and about the camp-ground. Thus the regiment was fairly started on its military career. What this training resulted in may perhaps be gathered from the following pages.
On the 5th of September, Co. K was detailed to guard Stuart’s hospital; and, as it marched out of the camp, its appearance showed the improvement that had already taken place in military bearing. Sept. 7, Mr. Stacy Read, arrived in the camp with parcels for the Cambridge companies, showing that the folks at home had not yet forgotten the absent ones; and as Mr. Read had manifested great interest in Co. F, that company, by unanimous vote, adopted the name of “Read Guard.”