Memoirs of the Civil War between the northern and southern sections of the United States of America, 1861-1865

Introduction

The intention of these memoirs is to furnish my children and their descendants, in printed form, an account of the experience of the writer during the War waged from 1861 to 1865 by the Northern States of the Union against the Government set up by the Southern States, in order to force the latter to return to the Union. During its existence, the group of Southern States took the name of the Confederate States of America. My Great Grandfather was a Lieutenant serving with the Barrons in the Navy of the Colony of Virginia during the Revolutionary War of 1776 and his son, my paternal Grandfather, served with the Militia in the war with England in 1812, both were named George Chamberlaine. Having often wished they had left an account of their experiences in the Service, I determined that if my descendants had a desire to know something of my Experience in the War of 1861 to 1865, they would have it in permanent form. I have now reached a ripe old age, but my memory of the events related is clear, and I have a few cotemporaries left, who served in the same Army and perhaps some of them may take an interest in reading this account of scenes familiar to themselves. If they find the personal pronoun used very often, they should remember that this is a statement of my personal recollections and excuse its frequent use.

The Author.

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CAPTAIN WM. W. CHAMBERLAINE IN 1863

CHAPTER I. Service With the Infantry

In the year 1859 (I was then twenty-three years old) John Brown attempted to array the negroes in Northern Virginia against the white people, and with his followers, mostly negroes, took possession of Harper's Ferry. Troops were dispatched to the scene by the U. S. Government, as there was an Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, and after a short struggle John Brown and his followers were taken prisoners and turned over to the authorities of Virginia. There were some casualties during the fight, which was conducted by Col. R. E. Lee assisted by Lieut. J. E. B. Stewart, both of the Regular U. S. Cavalry and an officer of the U. S. Marines, on the part of the . Government. That attempt of John Brown excited the Military spirit of the young men and Volunteer Companies were formed in different places in Virginia.

At Norfolk, Va., a Company was formed by the young gentlemen of the City, and was called the Southern Guard and Company F. I had attended the Norfolk Military Academy in my youth, and was quite proficient in the School of the Company and of the Battalion. An election was held for officers, both Commissioned and Non-Commissioned, and I was elected Corporal. The Company was commanded by Captain Edmond Bradford, formerly an officer of the U. S. Artillery, with Harry Williamson, who had served in the War with Mexico, as First Lieutenant, and

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R. C. Taylor, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, as Second Lieutenant. Walter H. Taylor was First Sergeant.

The Company was drilled and paraded during two years following. In the meantime Sergeant Taylor had been promoted, by election, to Second Lieutenant to fill a vacancy and I was made First Sergeant.

Then came the election of A. Lincoln as President. The Gulf States began to pass ordinances of Secession from the Union. In March following Lincoln was inaugurated and took his place at the head of the Government. Step by step m the next month acts were committed by the Seceded States and the U. S. Government which led to the War. A convention was in session at Richmond, Va. A majority of the members were opposed to Secession and great efforts were made to preserve peace, but when the President called upon the States for their quota of a force of seventy-five thousand men to coerce the Seceded States, the Virginia Convention decided to join the Gulf States and passed an ordinance of Secession. I was then staying at my father's house on E. Main Street, and that same night at twelve o'clock, there was a ring of the front door bell. It was a messenger with an order for me to assemble Company F at the Armory. Before 2.00 A. M., the Company having assembled, it was marched by Lieut. Williamson by way of Ghent to Fort Norfolk. The distance was two miles. At Ghent the command was given to halt and load. The muskets being loaded we proceeded to Fort Norfolk.

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On the way rumors were heard that other Volunteer Companies had preceded us to the Fort and had been attacked by U. S. Marines from the Navy Yard and cut to pieces. On arrival it was found that the rumors were false. Several Companies had reached the Fort and were removing ammunition; that being a Magazine of the U. S. Navy. During the rest of that night and all the next day, the work of removing the ammunition went on. There were some alarms during the day, but no effort was made by the U. S. officers to stop the work. There were several U. S. Ships at the Navy Yard, one mile distant, and one shell dropped near the Fort, I believe, would have caused a cessation of the work, because it might have blown up the whole Fort, by setting fire to the ammunition. By sunset the large stock of powder and shell had been hauled back one mile and piled on the land of Mr. Robert Searles.

The men of our Company had now been at work about twenty hours and were much fatigued, so they were marched back to the Armory; when they arrived there the U. S. Navy Yard had been abandoned by the Ships, 'including the "Pawnee," which arrived during the afternoon, and was in flames. The Company remained on duty at the Armory until early in the month of May. Meantime Lieut. Williamson was promoted to be Captain, and I to be Lieutenant, by election. It was ordered to Craney Island. Lieut. W. H. Taylor was called to the Staff of General R. E. Lee, and E. M. Hardy and Duncan Robertson elected Lieutenants.

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The garrison of Craney Island was reinforced from time to time until the force reached the total of nine hundred men. Earth works were raised along the front of the Island and cannon from the Navy Yard mounted. Company "F" held the right of the right of the line, at the point where stood an old block house built of brick and the earth works enclosed the space. Captain Charles Dimmock, of the Engineer Corps, was in charge of the construction of the earth works and Captain H. Williamson was detailed to assist him. Our first commanding officer was Col. Richardson, an appointee of Governor Letcher. Captain Wm. McBlair and Lieut. Commander Fitzgerald of the Navy were also on duty there. I was detailed as Adjutant of the Post. Afterwards Col. Richardson was ordered to other duty and Col. F. H. Smith, of the Virginia Military Institute, was placed in command. He was accompanied by Lieut. Col Preston and Major S. Crutchfield. At my request I was relieved from the position of Adjutant and returned to duty with Company "F," which I commanded (the Captain having been detailed as stated), until the month of May in the year 1862. Dr. H. M. Nash was the Surgeon of the Command. The Command was drilled regularly as Infantry and also at the Naval Guns. The young ladies of Norfolk sent a deputation to the Island and presented Company "F'' with a very handsome silk Confederate States Flag, which was received with a most agreeable but solemn ceremony. The Enemy occupied Fort Monroe and Newport News, and had

90emoir0 of tfte Citiil MJar several Men-of-War at each place. Meantime the force at Norfolk and vicinity was organized into Regiments and Brigades. General Benjamin Huger commanded the Department and Generals Blanchard and Mahone the Brigades. In that organization our Company became Company "G" of the 6th Virginia Infantry. Many times a small steamer came from Old Point displaying a flag of truce and our Commanding Officer would send a barge with an officer to meet the same. The Steamboat William Selden, Captain T. S. Southgate, made two regular trips from Norfolk to the Island. Sometimes she was replaced by the Kahukee, Captain Babel Taylor. One morning in the fall Lieut. Duncan Robertson and I went to the wharf on the arrival of the William Selden. As the lines were cast off for her departure, a newsboy named Bremmer made a leap to reach the deck of the boat, but missed and fell into the water at the end of the pier. The water was deep and he sank. A heaving line was thrown to him as he rose, but he failed to get it ; then several pieces of cord wood. He sank out of sight twice. I could not bear seeing the youth drown, so I removed my uniform coat and plunged into the water with the purpose of taking the loose end of the heavy line and passing it to him. A man on the deck of the steamer held one end of the line, but the steamer drifted away. I swam to the loose end, then turned and swam to the boy who was struggling to keep above the surface of the water with a stick of wood, which was not enough to sustain him. I placed the line

9^emoir0 of tfte €i'oi\ mat in his hands and it sustained him, then I swam to the side of the steamer and seized the loop of one of her large lines hanging from her sides. Thus young Bremmer and myself were supported by lines and we remained in that position until a small boat was rowed from the shore and took us both to the Island. The water was very cold, so I proceeded at once to my quarters and remained in bed for several hours and there were no bad results from my plunge. Bremmer's father was a member of the Company commanded by Captain Wilbern and was a tailor by trade. He was grateful for what I had done for his young son and took my clothes and dried and pressed them nicely. In the afternoon a flag of truce boat was sighted and I received an order to go out in the barge to meet it. I promptly obeyed the order and had the pleasure of escorting three ladies to Norfolk who had been permitted to pass through the lines. They were Mrs. General Wm. Martin, Mrs. C. M. Fry, formerly Miss Leigh, daughter of Benj. Watkins Leigh, of Virginia, and Mrs. Harvey, wife of an officer of the English AiTny, who was in the Federal Service and was among the missing at the Battle of Balls' Bluff near Leesburg, Va. Mrs. Harvey was permitted to pass through the lines in search of her husband. I have never heard whether she found him.

By that flag of truce, also came the news of the seizure of Mason and Slidell on their way to Europe to represent the Confederate States. They had taken passage at Havana on an English Passenger Ship which was inter-

9gcmoir0 of tfte Citiil Wint cepted by a United States Man-of-War and Messrs. Mason and Slidell taken as prisoners.

Towards the end of the year Colonel Smith was relieved and went back to the Virginia Military Institute, accompanied by Lieut. Col. Preston; Major Crutchfield was transferred to a regiment serving in the Western part of Virginia. Lieut. Col. J. A. DeLagnel, the hero of the battle of Rich Mountain, just released from Fort LaFayette, New York Harbor, assumed command and Major Mark Hardin, from the Stonewall Brigade, took the place of Major S. Crutchfield. Col. DeLagnel had served in the 2nd Arfcillery of the U. S. Army and was a very accomplished officer and was highly esteemed by the garrison. That garrison was fortunate to have had so many excellent superior officers.

I turn aside for a moment from my own recollections to relate a story told me by Col. DeLagnel. When hostilities commenced he was on duty at the U. S. Arsenal at Fayetteville, N. C. The Arsenal was surrounded by a large force of North Carolina Soldiers and its surrender demanded. As at was manifestly useless to try to defend the place garrisoned by one Company, the Commanding Officer agreed to surrender, provided he would be permitted to march his Company away with their arms and baggage. Colors flying and drums beating, the Company was marched to the Steamboat landing and proceeded to the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and embarked on a schooner for New York City. They reached that place in due time, and then took a train for Washington, D. C. There the

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Company was turned over to the U. S. Authorities and DeLagnel handed in his resignation. His duty performed, he went tO' the Paymaster to settle his account, which was done, but to pay the balance due him up to that date, the Paymaster said he was ordered to give a draft on the funds which the U. S. Government had in the hands of the Officer of the Treasury at Charleston, S. C. The State of South Carolina having seceded, whatever funds had been there when hostilities commenced, were then held by the Confederate States Government. As he knew the draft would not be honored, DeLagnel refused to accept it. The balance remained to his credit until about 1886, when after the lapse of so many years it was finally recovered.

When Major Crutchfield left the Island Col. Smith directed an escort of two Companies to go to Norfolk with him. Captaiin R. C. Taylor's Company and our own formed the escort. That was the last time these Companies, as organizations, visited their native city.

In our Company, now Company "G" 6th Virginia Infantry, there were many of the dear friends of my youth. As it was composed of young men of intelligence, many of the best families of Norfolk, besides many who came from other parts of the State, a great many were eagerly sought for to fill responsible positions in the Confederate Army. My friend, John H. Sharp, was appointed Captain and Commissary of Subsistence. He accepted at first, but afterwards decided not to hold the position, and at his request my emait0 of tfte CiUil Wat older brother, George Chamberlaine, was appointed in his place and was ordered to the Post of Craney Island. My friend, Theoderick A. Williams, was appointed Sergeant Major of the regiment, and as the Colonel, Wm. Mahone, and most of the companies were stationed at an entrenched camp near Norfolk, he reported at that Camp. There were four brothers of the Urquhart family from Southampton Co., F. M. Whitehurst, from Princess Anne Co., two brothers, Robinson, from Washington, D. C, also two brothers of the Todd family, Henry and George M., I. Barry King and others. On the 8th of March, 1862, the "Iron Clad Virginia," rebuilt from the U. S. Ship "Memmac," came down from the Navy Yard and passed our Fort on the way to Newport News. Colonel DeLagnel ordered the Command to Arms. The guns were manned and the result of the attack on the shjps at Newport News was awaited with anxiety and excitement. Newport News, seven miles distant, is in plain sight of Craney Island, and the weather was perfectly clear. From our positions at our guns we could see all the maneuvers; could see the smoke of the guns, the Slinking of the "Cumberland," the arrival of two Confederate Steamships from Richmond, and the attack on the "Congress." The "Virginia" was accompanied by the small armed ship "Beaufort" and several armed tug boats, all of which participated in the engagement. We saw the "Congress" hoist sails and attempt to slip away, but she ran aground near Newport News. After awhile we could see

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that she was on fire and was still burning, when fatigued by the excitement of the day, we fell asleep. We could see several of the U. S. Ships start towards Newport News to the aid of the ''Congress." All, after having proceeded a short distance, returned to Old Point, except the_ "Minnesota," which ship ran aground about three miles and a half from Newport News, that is, about half way from Old Point. At dusk the Confederate ships anchored off Sewall's Point. Next morning, the 9th, we were up early and I was told the Magazine of the "Congress" exploded about 4.00 A. M., but it did not wake me. Soon after daylight the "Virginia" proceeded to attack the "Minnesota," still aground. I saw a shell strike a tug boat lying alongside of the "Minnesota," and an escape of steam. Then the "Monitor" appeared and an engagement followed between the "Viirginia" and the "Monitor" which lasted several hours. We could see the shots rebound from the ironsides of both vessels. The engagement ceased, but we could not see well enough to determine the reason, as both vessels were constantly changing positions. It was said the "Monitor" moved into shoal water, where the "Virginia" with her deep draft of water could not follow. That afternoon the Confederate Ships went up to the Navy Yard. Some weeks after the "Virginia" accompanied by several small armed steamers, passed down towards Old Point and captured a transport.

The U. S. Vessels did not show any disposition to engage the Confederate Ships and the latter returned to the Navy Yard. In the

90emoir0 of tfte CitJil mat spring of 1862, the Army of the Potomac was transferred from its line of defenses near Alexandria to a point on the Virginia Peninsula near York Town and commenced the seige of that place. On our side the regiments were reorganized. Elections were held according to the law in the Companies for Captain and Lieutenants, and then the Company officers were convened to elect Field Officers. H. Williamson was re-elected Captatin and E. M. Hardy, Duncan Robertson, and John T. Lester, Lieutenants of Company ''G." When the Company Officers of the regiment were convened for the election of Field Officers, Major George T. Rogers was elected Colonel, Captain H. Williamson Lieut. Colonel, and Captain Robert B. Taylor, Major, of the 6th Virginia Regiment of Infantry.

Early 'in May, 1862, the Confederate troops were withdrawn from Norfolk and its vicinity and proceeded to Petersburg, Va. Early one morning my colored servant called at my father's house to inform me that the Federal forces were advancing on the City and the Confederate troops were leaving. I was not in the service at that time, having in miind the intention of becoming the Adjutant of a new Regiment, and in case that was not attained, to attach, myself to a Battery of Light Artillery to be raised by Major S. Crutchfield, who wished me to take the place of First Sergeant. Neither of those plans was carried out. A new Act of Congress forestalled the organization of the new Regiment and Major Crutchfield was appointed to a position on the Staff of Major General (Stonewall)

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Jackson. I went to Petersburg and lived at the Bolingbrooke Hotel two weeks, when I received a message from Captain Hardy that there was a vacant Lieutenancy in Company ''G" and the Company desired me to fill it. I consented to the proposition and was duly elected and reported for duty to Col. Rogers at Drewry's Bluff, where Mahone's Brigade was in Camp. There the Brigade was on outpost duty below Fort Darling, which position was menaced by the Federal Gunboats. Towards the end of May the 6th Regiment was sent across the James River and attached to General Wise's Command', which was guarding the right flank of the Army under Gen. Jos. E. Johnson. On the 30th of May we saw Presiident Davis and Gen. Jos. E. Johnson near our Camp examining the position. That night a very severe thunder storm came up with wind and a deluge of rain. Many tents were blown down and the camp flooded. The lightning was very sharp and the clouds hung over us for several hours. The Battle of Seven Pines occurred the next day. Seven Pines ds about seven miles from Chapin's Bluff, where the 6th Virginia Regiment was at that time. The noise of that battle did not reach us. The other part of the Brigade was marched with Huger's Division to Seven Pines and was engaged on the second day of the battle — June 1st.

CHAPTER II. Battles Near Richmond

A few days afterwards some Federal Gunboats were seen conning up the river. General Wise's Command was deployed and marched in line of battle down the river towards them. The country is clear of trees, so each side could see the other. The Gunboats, however, did not fire a shot and soon withdrew and our command returned to Camp. A fe\v days after the Regiment was ordered to rejoin the Brigade and marched to the outskirts of Richmond ; then, by the Charles City Road, to the line of the Army commanded by General R. E. Lee, who succeeded General Jos. E. Johnson, who had been seriously wounded at the battle on the 31st of May. We were then in front of the Army of the Potomac under the Federal General Geo. B. McClellan. During our stay of several weeks at that position, the Regiment was frequently marched to the front, when the Brigade skirmished with the Enemy's outposts. Company "G" performed its tour of picket duty. On the 18th of June, in the afternoon, a report came to the Brigadier-General that a Federal Regiment was on the Charles City Road, marching towards our line. He ordered the 41st Virginia to take an old road running parallel nearly to the main road, and the first battalion of the 6th Virginia to proceed by a similar road on the south of the main road. The plan was to surround the Federal Regiment and capture or defeat it. Company "G" was in the first batemoir0 of tfee €i^il JLOat talion. The troops started and felt their way slowly towards the enemy's front. They had to pass through the advanced line of pickets. The leading Company of our Battalion had originally the name of Manchester Grays and wore jackets and light blue trousers. One of the advanced pickets saw one of the Grays and taking him for a Federal soldier, fired at and wounded him severely. That caused some delay and finally, after advancing two miles, a shot was fired; from where, no one knew at the time, which wounded two men of our Company, Privates Wise and Fletcher. We were ordered to lie down. Fletcher was alongside of me. I bound up his wound with my pocket handkerchief — he was struck on the knee. After lying down a few moments, no other shot being fired, we were ordered to form line. As we got up, I saw following our Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, led by Major R. B, Taylor, quite near us and just beyond a slight elbow in the road. The main Charles City Road was supposed to be a very short distance to our left, and the Federal Regiment on that road. As soon as we rose to our feet a tremendous discharge of musketry was poured into us. We laid down quickly, and the firing was kept up for several minutes. I heard Major Taylor give the order "Fix Bayonets." I supposed the discharge came from the Federal Regiment. Some twenty-eight men were killed or wounded. Very soon afterwards we were marched slowly back to the Camp. The picket line was passed in safety — much to my surprise — for night had fallen at tb? tim^ of the firing. The next day

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a detail was sent to the place, the dead were buried and the w^ounded cared for, but to this day I have never heard what became of Private Fletcher. Wise was brought back, but he was slightly lamed for life. Sergeant Major James W. Bell was with the 2nd Battalion and lost a part of his hand. The prevailing opinion was that there was no enemy there and the two Battalions had fired into each other, and I now incline to that opinion, but for a long time I believed we had been ambushed. Whether any Federal troops were there or not, there was another enemy present, just as much to be feared; that was the lack of experience of our Commanding Officer. He was then serving his apprenticeship, After a year or two of practice he became a good General Officer, 'indeed, one of the best Division Generals in the Army of Northern Virginia.

There was a law in force at that time, which allowed a soldier to be discharged upon providing a substitute. A member of our Company furnished a substitute and was discharged at that Camp. He left at once, but before he had reached the City of Richmond, eight miles distant, the substitute had deserted and I never heard anything more of him.

On the 25th of June an alarm was sounded, the Regiment at once paraded under arms. The enemy attacked our troops on the Williamsonburg Road about one mile to our left. The Brigade, with the exception of one Battalion of the 6th Virginia, proceeded to attack the left of the Federal force near King's School House and performed good service.

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Our Battalion, under Lieut. Col. Williamson, was marched on the road leading to the Williamsburg Road and held in reserve. Towards sunset an order came for us to join in the 6attle and we proceeded left in front. We passed a North Carolina Regiment, which had lied from the enemy and officers were trying to rally them. It was their first trial undei fire. 1 have understood that after a little experience, it became an excellent Regiment. As we went towards the field, we met stragglers who said our force was cut to pieces, defeated, and so on. We kept on and advanced rear rank in front toward the enemy, who was in fact retreating. We reached the advanced line of troops and fired a volley after them. Darkness was coming on, and the battle was soon ended. The intention of the enemy was said afterwards to advance their picket line. It took several Brigades to make the attempt and as they were opposed by three Brigades of Confederates the result was a bloody battle. General Lee had determined to attack McClellan's Army on the north side of the Chickahominy River on the next day, the 26th, and a large portion of the Army marched on that day to Mechanicsville, about ten miles from our position, leaving McGruders' and Huger's Divisions to hold the entrenchments which extended from the Charles City Road, through or near Seven Pines to the Chickahominy River. Opposed to those two Divisions was the bulk of the Federal Army. The force to which the 6th Virginia was attached was then on watch to protect the City of Richmond., while the rest of Lee's x\rmy ggemoi rg of tfte Citiil mar

crossed the Chickahominy River to fight the battles of Ellyson's Mill and Cold Harbor. It was generally supposed that our two Divisions occupied a very critical position. At night we could hear the music of their bands and much shouting. On the afternoon of the 26th a battle was fought at Ellyson's Mill and on the 27th the first battle of Cold Harbor. Our Command was some ten miles from the latter place, with the Chickahominy River between. We passed the nights of the 26th, 27th, and 28th of June in some anxiety, expecting to be called to arms at any moment. But these three days and nights passed without any demonstration by the enemy in front of us. The next day, the 28th, was very hot, and about midday the Brigade was ordered to march by the Charles City Road to intercept the Federal Army marching towards the James River. About 7.00 P. M. the advance guard discovered Federal Troops at one of the crossings of White Oak Swamp. A slight skirmish took place, and the Federals retired to seek another crossing. The Brigade proceeded down the road a little farther when, night having fallen, it bivouacked in the woods on the side of the road. Soon after a Federal Cavalry patrol trotted up towards our position. The men opened fire on the patrol and almost destroyed it ; a few turned and escaped. That was a valuable lesson to us, who were then without experience. That patrol should have been surrounded and captured. In the first place there was no use shooting their men. In the second, valuable 'information of the enemy's movements might have been ob- [21]

emoiris of tfte CitJil Mlar tained. , There was no further excitement that (l^ night. ^The next morning the Adjutant of the \ ^^ ^n 6th Virginia was reported sick and I was sent y.^ ^ for to take his place, and the 6th Virginia "^ was the advance guard. The Colonel was

also taken sick and Lieut. Col. Williamson commanded the Regiment. After proceeding a mile or two we came to a swamp which the road crossed; in crossing the little bridge a shot was fired by a vidette of the enemy. We pushed across and found the road obstructed by huge trees, which had been cut down and fallen across. Farther on other pine trees were found across the road, then more. The Regiment was deployed on the right of the road and advanced, bayonets charged. On the left of the road the 49th Virginia, Col. Wm. Smith, advanced in the same way. After passing four obstructions Col. Williamson sent me to inform General Mahone of the progress made. I found him sitting on a tree at the first obstruction. He said, very well, tell the Colonel to go on. About that time Captain Carter Williams went forward to reconnoiter and, bringing back a drum, said he had not seen any enemy in front. We had been passing through woods, but now on the left of us was an open field called Brackett's Field; the right of the road was wooded. A portion of Moorman's Battery was brought up, going around the obstruction, and went into battery in the field near the road and opened fire. Captain Williams had not seen the enemy, but they were very near, lying down in line of battle, with two batteries ready for action, which replied to Moorman's guns imemoir0 of tbe CitJil JKBat mediately. From what I have read since I believe they were Upton's and Hexamer's batteries, and they had a part of another, making fourteen guns.