CHAPTER I.

Colonel Henry W. Birge, of Norwich, was a merchant before the war. He had been Major in the Fourth Connecticut Infantry (afterwards the First Heavy Artillery) from May 23d, 1861, Nov. 2d, 1861; he received his commission as Colonel of the Thirteenth Connecticut. During this preparatory training he had displayed a decided taste and aptness for military pursuits. He was a rigid disciplinarian, a quick observer, well drilled, dignified, courteous, brave, fond of making a good show, and possessing in a remarkable degree the gift of silence. Every inch a soldier, he made his subalterns understand at the outset that the Thirteenth was to be the best regiment, best looking, best drilled, fastest marching and hardest fighting, and he spared no pains to accomplish that object.

Except in the summer of 1862, when lie was in command of the forces in New Orleans, he was with us personally nearly all the time until January, 1863, when he assumed charge of our brigade at Baton Rouge, La. On the 19th of September 1863, he received his appointment as Brigadier, which was confirmed by the Senate at its following session. He was afterwards brevetted Major-General for gallant and distinguished services in the Shenandoah Valley.

Since the war he has been a lumber merchant in Savannah, Ga. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Warner of Wood-stock, Conn., was a manufacturer of twine. He had served creditably as Major of the Third Connecticut

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in the summer of 1861. A severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism, brought on by the cold arid dampness of the New Haven barracks, which he shared equally with the private soldiers, deprived us of his presence during most of the winter of 1861-2 and the whole of the following spring. He was mustered-in on the ninth of April. He rejoined us about the first of June 1862.

Colonel Warner was an active, energetic officer, and the drills he gave the regiment were valuable in pre-paring it for the field. He was a clear-headed businessman, attentive to the comfort of the soldiers and desirous of securing to them their rights. In June 1863, while the regiment was at Port Hudson, being absent in New Orleans on " sick leave," he was assigned to the task of raising a battalion for the defense of that city. This service he performed with skill and energy. He resigned his commission and was honor-ably discharged on the twenty-ninth of July 1863. He immediately accepted a position as special agent of the Treasury Department at New Orleans, which he held until recently. He is understood to be now cultivating a cotton plantation in Mississippi.

Major Richard E. Holcomb, of East Granby, Conn., had also served honorably in the three months' campaign of 1861 as Quartermaster of the Third Con-necticut. Before the war he was a railroad contractor. He was a man of remarkable force of body and mind. Soon after we reached New Orleans he was selected by General Butler to raise a regiment of Louisiana men. This was the First Louisiana a white regiment, of which he was commissioned Colonel on the sixteenth of August 1862. On the

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fatal fourteenth of June 1863, at Port Hudson, he fell at the head of the assaulting column in a charge upon the rebel stronghold. The Thirteenth always loved his memory, and regarded him as one of their own number. There was a rugged grandeur in his stern yet generous nature, a rough strength, an unyielding determination, a heroic soul; and when his scattered brains besprinkled the van of our regiment on that day of horrors, a cruel pang tore our breasts, for we felt that the bravest of our brave had fallen.

Adjutant William M. Grosvenor, of New Haven, was local editor of the New Haven Palladium at the breaking out of hostilities. To the performance of the duties of adjutant he brought signal ability. He united untiring industry and an iron constitution with quickness of insight, clearness of comprehension, and an unwonted energy. On the 31st of December 1862, he was promoted to be Captain of Co. D. On the 14th of June 1863, he was shot through the arm at Port Hudson. On the 29th of October 1863, he was mustered as Colonel of the Second Regiment Louisiana Native Guards (colored). After the war he was for a time one of the editors of the New Haven Journal and Courier, Recently he has assumed the editorial charge of the Missouri Democrat at St. Louis, where he is a decidedly rising man.

At mention of Quartermaster Joseph B. Bromley, of Norwich, a smile infallibly overspreads the countenance of every member of the Thirteenth. His inexhaustible wit and humor were irrepressible on all occasions, and many good jokes and amusing 

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incidents are related of him. He was not less funny than his younger brother " Ike," editor of the Norwich Bulletin. Those who only knew of his mirth and facetiousness, however, only half knew him. He had a vein of serious thought, a keen conscience that never allowed him to do wrong with impunity, and an unwavering belief in the great doctrines of the Christian religion. His heart was as pure and warm as ever beat in human breast. Whatever conduct seemed questionable was the result of his desire to make his regiment comfortable, or to gratify the fun-loving propensities of his associates. His services ended with his resignation on the 29th of December 1863. He was afterwards located at Thibodaux, La., as a special agent of the Treasury Department, or, as he termed it, "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." He was a valuable member of the Union Convention to form the new constitution for the reconstructed State of Louisiana, and was also a candidate for Congressional honors. He has since been engaged in planting near New Orleans in company with Colonel

Charles L. Norton, of Farmington, Conn.*

Chaplain Charles C. Salter, of New Haven, was a graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1852, and afterwards a tutor in that institution. He had been settled as a minister in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but resigned his pastorate on account of ill health. He was distinguished for his thorough scholarship, and still more for his fervent piety and his zeal in every good cause. As a minister of religion, a kind, warm and affectionate friend, especially to the suffering and the distressed, he greatly endeared himself to many

*the generous and genial Bromley died of fever at New Orleans, Sept. 3rd, 1866, at age of 39.

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of the soldiers. He realized the perfect picture, which Goldsmith gives of the faithful preacher. Mr. Salter's health failed him. After a ministry of several months he was forced by bronchial disease to resign his com-mission on the 15th of June 1862. He has since resided in Minneapolis.

Surgeon Benjamin N, Comings, of New Britain, Conn., had practiced medicine and surgery with success for many years. He compiled a popular schoolbook on Physiology, and was a lecturer on that science in the State Normal School. He had attained reputation as a temperance advocate, giving especial attention to the effect of alcohol on the brain. On the 6th of August 1862, he nearly lost his life by the sinking of the steamer Whiteman on the Mississippi with a load of wounded of whom he was in charge, from the battlefield of Baton Rogue. An inflated rubber pillow, buttoned beneath his overcoat, kept him afloat. The doctor was a close student of natural history; especially ornithology. Many a hapless wild fowl attested his accuracy as a marksman in the woods around Thibodaux, until our waggish quartermaster made the officers believe that guerrillas infested the neighborhood. On all occasions he showed himself a skillful Surgeon. He resigned his commission in January 1863, and has since resided in New Britain, where he is greatly esteemed.

First Assistant-Surgeon George Clary was a native of New Hampshire and a practicing physician of Hart-ford, Conn. He entered the war from patriotic motives, and remained in the service until the final muster-out of the Veteran Battalion. In our first battle Dr. Clary accompanied the regiment into

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the hottest fire, and manifested that calm courage which proceeds from deep convictions of right and conscientious devotion to the cause of his country. His merits were recognized by his promotion, May 23d, 1863, to fill the vacancy caused Dr. Comings' resignation.

Second Assistant-Surgeon Nathan A. Fisher was sent as an additional medical officer by the State of Connecticut, which, in its parental care, left no means untried to promote the health and comfort of the soldiers. His extensive experience and his practice in the southern states previous to the war were of much value to the regiment. He was held in high esteem by officers and men. Ill health compelled his resignation June 16th, 1863. He has since resided in Norwich.

Sergeant-Major George W. Whittlesey, of Norwich, after serving with great fidelity in that capacity, succeeded Grosvenor as adjutant, Dec. 31st, 1862. He made a most excellent staff officer. He resigned on account of sickness; Oct. 9th, 1863 .He has since resided in Norwich, where he has been engaged in the coal trade.

Quartermaster-sergeant Andrew T. Johnson, of Montville, Conn., was one of the first non-commissioned officers promoted to a lieutenancy. He enlisted twenty or thirty men for " special service in the Quartermaster's Department," and was an officer of much promise. His commission as Lieutenant bore date June 30th, 1862. The high hopes of his friends were blasted by his sudden death, caused by the explosion of an ammunition car at the LaFourche Railroad Crossing, near Thibodaux, La., Nov. 7th, 1862.

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Commissary-Sergeant Charles A. Tracy, of Montville, was promoted to a lieutenancy in Colonel Holcomb's regiment, the First Louisiana, on its organization. July 16th, 1862. His skill and economy in weighing out rations were valuable to the Quartermaster of the Thirteenth. He was afterwards made quartermaster of the First Louisiana, a position, he filled with great credit.

Hospital Steward William Bishop, of Southington, Conn., was clerk in the apothecary establishment of Hale & Dickinson at New Britain before the war. He was conspicuous for the fearless discharge of his duty in the midst of the dangers of battle at Irish Bend. Though a non-combatant, he volunteered in the storming column at Port Hudson. On the 1st of May 1864, he was promoted to be quartermaster, a position which he filled with honor to himself and advantage to the regiment. He is now traveling agent of the Union Paper Mills, Springfield, Mass.*

Principal-Musician, alias "Drum -Major," Joseph Hadley, of New London, Conn., had been a musician more than twenty years before, in the Seminole War in Florida. He was one of the most accomplished of drummers, and would evoke a surprising amount of music from that most unmelodious of all instruments. Unfortunately he got into the habit of deserting in the summer of 1863, and finally disappeared altogether in August 1864.

To fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Chaplain Salter, Rev. Henry Upson, of Berlin, Conn., then a theological student at Yale, was commissioned on the 16th of June 1862. He joined us about the

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first of the ensuing September and remained with us a year. In his care for the soul he did not forget the body. He was not only an eloquent and faithful preacher, but a good forager, as many a load of turkeys, pigs, sweet potatoes, and the like, brought into camp and distributed by him to the half-starved soldiers, bore abundant witness. At the battle of, Irish Bend he displayed great courage, and rendered invaluable service by communicating orders, and by dispensing refreshments and consolation to the wounded. He is now settled in the ministry in New Preston.

Second Assistant-surgeon Samuel McClellan, of New Haven, cousin of Major-General McClellan, was commissioned March 14th, 1863. Having been de tailed in charge of the University Hospital in New Orleans, he was absent from the regiment until their veteran furlough in July 1864. As a physician he was successful, and the hospital under his charge was a model establishment. As a gentleman, he was cultivated, refined, and of steady habits. He had charge of the hospital boat " Laurel Hill," on Banks' Red River expedition, and not having the hospital flag, (a yellow flag, bearing a very large letter H), flying, his boat was hotly fired on by a party of guerrillas, about the 1st of May, 1864. He gives an interesting account of his loading and discharging with his own hands one of the pieces of artillery during the fight. On the 9th of May 1863, he was promoted to be First Assistant-surgeon.

Second Assistant-surgeon Lucius W. Clark, of Winsted, Conn., had been a Yankee schoolmaster. He was commissioned July 9th, 1868, and joined the regiment at Carrolton, La., next month. We were

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then, and for some months afterwards, suffering to an unusual extent from swamp fevers, and Dr. Clarke rendered invaluable assistance. Pew surgeons ever took so much pains, or had so much success, in the treatment of the sick. The soldiers of the Thirteenth will ever retain a grateful recollection of his kindness and skill. He remained with the regiment and battalion until the final muster-out. He is now residing in Cambridge, Wisconsin; unmarried, but hopeful.

At least the nucleus of every company was in the New Haven barracks previous to December 1st, 1861. The building was the large carriage-factory of Messrs. Durham & Booth, corner of Chapel and Hamilton streets, since burned down. The regiment was not filled suddenly. Twelve regiments, comprising not less than eleven thousand men, had already been raised in Connecticut. The growth of each company was rapid or slow according to the popularity of the proposed officers, the influences of friends, the efforts made by advertising, by recruiting agents, by holding war meetings, and in some instances, by the offer of money. Every recruit was taken before Dr. S. G. Hubbard, or some other of the appointed physicians, and carefully examined as to his physical ability. If he passed the test, he was sworn into the United States service, made to sign enlistment papers in triplicate, furnished a suit of blue clothes, and sent to drill with a musket in the barracks. Once in two or three weeks the mustering officer, Lieut. W. W. Chamberlin of the Fourteenth United States Infantry, who afterwards fell at Fredericksburg, visited and mustered them. The last company was accepted Jan. 7th, 1862.

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Company A was commenced in August, 1861, in the town of New Britain by First Lieutenant John E. Woodruff and Second Lieutenant Charles H, Corn-well. It was at first intended for the Eleventh regiment, which left Connecticut on the sixteenth of December of that year. Mr. Henry L. Bidwell, of Brooklyn, N. Y., formerly of Hartford, was soon afterward associated with them as captain. The company was called after the popular governor of Con-necticut, "The Buckingham Guards," and that distinguished official presented its captain with a beautiful sword. One autumn evening about twenty young men, members of some of the most respectable families of New Britain, joined the company in a body. Among them were First-sergeant Cowles, whose death on the 19th of February 1862, was one of the first that filled the regiment with mourning; the two Frank Stanleys, whose life-blood moistened the sanguinary field of Irish Bend; Gladden and Carpenter, and other brave men whose names are forever enrolled among those of the martyrs of liberty. No town in Connecticut can point with more pride to its heroic dead.

On the 26th of November 1861, the " Buckingham Guards " entered New Haven, and marched to the barracks. Here they occupied the corner room, second floor, at the intersection of Chapel and Hamilton streets. Being the right flank company they were armed with Sharps' Rifles.

B was begun in October of the same year as a company of sharp-shooters by Captain Apollos Comstock of New Canaan, Conn., assisted by First Lieutenant

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William E. Bradley of the same town, and Second Lieutenant William C. Beecher, of Southbury, Conn. The test of most accurate shooting had to be abandoned after a few weeks' trial. This was about the middle of December, when the company entered the barracks. Captain Comstock was indefatigable in his efforts. His buggy was his recruiting office. He rode through the State holding war meetings, testing the skill of applicants, giving time and money freely to the cause. This patriotic and noble energy was well rewarded by the enlistment of one of the finest companies that served during the war.

Like A, they soon lost their first-sergeant, Hawley, by sickness. He was a man of character, ability, and integrity; was discharged from service in June 1862, and soon afterwards died of consumption. Being the left flank company, they were armed with Sharps' Rifles.

Co. C was raised by Captain Charles D. Blinn, of West Cornwall, assisted by his cousin, First Lieutenant Issac F. Nettleton, of Kent, and Second Lieutenant Charles E. Tibbets, of New Milford. They established a recruiting office in Cornwall and another in Kent. The company was raised almost wholly from the northwestern portion of the State especially from the three towns, which were the homes of the three officers, a fact which testifies to their personal worth and popularity. Another indication to the same effect is seen in the rapidity with which their ranks were filled. They marched into New Haven in November eighty-three strong, under the designation of the " Lyon Guards," called after that distinguished

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son of Connecticut, who fell in Missouri early in the war.

Nettleton was the first of our officers to die. In September 1862, he fell under the fatal stroke of disease in New Orleans. His death caused a deep gloom and heartfelt sorrow among his associates. His body was embalmed and sent north; but the operation had been so unskillfully performed that it was necessary to throw it overboard in mid-ocean.

C was the color company, and right gallantly bore the beautiful flag of Connecticut and the ever-glorious Stars and Stripes through many a fight.

Co. D was raised by Captain Cyrus E. Prindle, of Roxbury, First Lieutenant Perry Averill, of South-bury, and Second Lieutenant Joseph H. Meredith, of New Haven. It lost its patriotic captain and second lieutenant by resignation the following August. In the same month its efficient first sergeant, George Mayne, one of the best-drilled non-commissioned officers in the regiment, having served in the summer of 1861, was promoted to an office in the First Louisiana. This company, though small in numbers, contained many valuable men. Besides Mayne it gave sergeants Timothy Whittlesey and Eugene Ward in the summer of 1868 to officer other regiments. It was called " The Litchfield County Rifles," and that good old county, mother of so many distinguished sons, never had cause to be ashamed of the company that now bore her name.

Co. E was raised by Captain Eugene Tisdale, of New Britain, who had served in a Massachusetts regiment in the three months' campaign of 1861. He was ably assisted by First Lieutenant Eugene E. Graves,

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of Thompson, and Second Lieutenant William P. Miner, of Norwich. Captain Tisdale was afterwards promoted to the office of lieutenant colonel in a New Orleans regiment. Lieutenant Graves became successively captain and major on General Weitzel's staff, where he is said to have displayed much gallantry. Col. Tisdale still retains his military office, and resides in New Orleans.

Of the non-commissioned officers, First-sergeant Charles H. Beaton, who had served handsomely through the summer of 1861, and Sergeant George B. Doming, were afterwards promoted to be commissioned officers in the Thirteenth Connecticut. The latter afterwards accepted a captaincy in the Fifth Regiment, Corps d'Afrique. Beaton is now captain of a battery.

Co. E. was composed of good material' and always showed real pluck. For Its excellence it was de-tailed as Provost Guard at New Orleans in the summer of 1862, and afterwards at Washington, La., in the spring of 1863. It rejoiced at first in the appellation of " The New England Guards."

Co. F was raised by Captain James J. McGord, of Norwich, who had served honorably in the three summer months as Second Lieutenant of Company B, Second Connecticut Infantry. He was aided by First • Lieutenant Charles J. Fuller, of Hartford, and Second Lieutenant John C. Abbott, of Norwich. Lieutenant Fuller had recruited about a dozen men under the name of " The Catlin Rifles " in honor of Lieut. Gov. Catlin, from whom he received a handsome sword and sash. .

Captain McCord was one of our most exemplary and efficient officers. He now resides in. Norwich.

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His eminent military merit lies recently caused his promotion to the colonelcy of the Third Connecticut, Lieutenant Abbott was soon detached as signal officer, in which capacity he distinguished himself by his skill, industry and courage. He was actively engaged on board the sloop-of-war Richmond at the great bombardment of Port Hudson, March 14th, 1868, when Farragut run the gauntlet of the rebel batteries.

Private David Black of this company was the first soldier of the Thirteenth Connecticut killed in battle, He fell at Georgia Landing, Oct. 27th, 1862, Sergeant James Torrance was the first offering of the Thirteenth at the investment of Port Hudson, May 24th, 1863. He was one of our bravest and best men. Among those discharged to accept commissions in other regiments were corporals George R. Case and Amos R. Ladd, and private George E. Sanders. Notwithstanding these losses the company never lacked for true manliness, nor failed to achieve an enviable reputation.

Co. G was raised by Captain Sylvester G. Gilbert, of Hebron, Conn., assisted by First Lieutenant Denison H. Finley, of Marlborough, Conn., and Second Lieu-tenant Joseph S. A. Baker, of New Haven. The Captain had been a successful professor of music. Lieutenant Baker had been Second Lieutenant of Company C, Third Connecticut, during the summer campaign of 1861. He was one of the most thoroughly drilled of our officers, having enjoyed the advantages of a semi-military education at Russell's Collegiate and Commercial Institute, New Haven.

The company lost its excellent Captain by resignation, July 16, 1862, and also soon lost all its Sergeants

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by discharge for physical disability. Yet, through the unwearied efforts of Lieut. Baker, it attained great excellence in drill, and was inferior to none in martial appearance or solid merit. It was always a fine company. " It was recruited under the name of " The Hebron Rifles," Finley was promoted to a captaincy and was for a long time assigned to duty on the staff of General" Grover. He was an energetic and clear-headed officer.

After his discharge Captain Gilbert was again connected with the army as sutler, and was* afterwards Captain in a colored regiment. Lieutenant Baker, having served till the close of the year 1864 was mustered out of service. He was afterwards engaged in vine growing in Ohio, but now resides in New Haven.

Co. H was raised by Captain Homer B. Sprague, First Lieutenant Jonah F, Clarke and Second Lieu-tenant Julius Tobias, all of New Haven. Captain Sprague had previously used his law office for recruiting and enlisted fifty men for the Seventh Connecticut, These unanimously elected him captain, which office he then declined. In Nov. 1868, he was commissioned Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment, C. D, A. In November 1881, Lieutenant Clark commenced. raising a company under the name of "The Winfield Scott Guards." Lieutenant Tobias, who had been severely wounded in the Austrian service, had collected about twenty men. These bore the name of "The Welch. Rifles," in honor of the patriotic mayor of New Haven. These squads were consolidated, and the company raised under the latter name.

Lieutenant Clarke died of fever at Baton Rouge, January 27th, 1863. He was a brave, intelligent, up-

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right and patriotic officer, and his loss was deeply felt. Sprague is now principal of the State Normal School at New Britain, Conn.

First Sergeant Merrill, who had seen service in South America, and been First Lieutenant in the Second Connecticut, afterwards declined a commission which was offered him as Captain in the First Louisiana. Sergeants James M. Gardner and Charles H. Grosvenor became respectively lieutenant and major of the First Louisiana. Private Louis Meissner was successively promoted to be corporal, sergeant, first-sergeant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant. He fell gallantly fighting, April 23d, 1864, in the bloody-battle of Cane River, La.

Co. H was a good company. " The men are better set up than the rest," remarked Inspector-general Dudley of them at Thibodaux, in the fall of 1862.

Co. I was raised by Captain Henry L. Schleiter, of New London, assisted by First Lieutenant Frank Wells, of Litchfield, and Second Lieutenant Joseph Strickland, of New London.

The Captain had begun to collect a company under the name of " The New London Rifles," and in company with Lieutenant Strickland had procured thirty or forty recruits. Lieutenant Wells had also been very successful in Litchfield county, and by the patriotic aid of his brother-in-law, Hon. John H. Hubbard, and other distinguished men, had obtained fifty or sixty. When the two bodies were consolidated, there was no better-looking company in the service, and its deeds were of corresponding merit.

Lieutenant Strickland was the first officer of the Thirteenth killed in battle. It was at the head of the charging column on the 14th of June, 1863, at Port

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Hudson ; and of the many gallant officers that then fell, there was none more fearless or more deeply mourned.

Lieutenant Wells served on the staff of the celebrated General Phelps, also of Generals Birge and King. He repeatedly distinguished himself by gallantry in action. He, as well as Sergeant Louis Beckwith, and Corporal Abner N. Stony, became captain in the Veteran Battalion, after the muster-out of the regiment.

Co. K was originally intended for the Twelfth Con-necticut. It was commenced in August, 1861, by First Lieutenant Jared D. Thompson, Second Lieu-tenant William F. Norman and Sergeant John T. Wheeler ; all of New Haven, It was the first company to enter the barracks, reaching them one day earlier than Co. A. It was raised under the name of "The Knowlton Rifles." It had been the understanding that Lieutenant Thompson should be captain, and Wheeler, second lieutenant. But unfortunate difficulties having arisen, Alfred Mitchell, Esq., of Norwich, an author by profession and a particular friend of Colonel Birge, was commissioned captain. Sergeant Wheeler's merits soon secured his promotion to a lieutenancy. Sergeant William C. Gardner, John C. Kinney and George G-. Smith were afterwards . commissioned the first two in the Thirteenth Connecticut, the latter, who had brought a squad of recruits into the company, in the First Louisiana. Kinney was detailed as acting signal officer on the flagship Hartford. During the severe naval action in Mobile harbor he was lashed to one mast and Farragut to the other.

Captain Mitchell was commissioned major, May

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12th, 1863, but declined. He resigned his captaincy March 11th, 1864, having been on the staff of Colonel (afterwards of General) Birge nearly all the time. On the 7th of November, 1862, Lieutenant Wheeler was instantly killed by the explosion of an ammunition car on the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad. The regiment thus lost a valuable officer and a true man.

Co. K was a fighting company, rarely missing an opportunity to distinguish itself in that line. It is due to the members, however, to state that their belligerent propensities were displayed, for the most part, against the public enemies. They were clearly of the opinion that war could not be conducted on peace principles. In the battle of Cedar Creek and on other occasions the company rendered eminent service.

The winter of 1861-2 was very severe. The bar-racks, three stories high, were only partially warmed by steam pipes, which often got out of order; when the temperature would suddenly pass to the extreme of cold. It was difficult to ventilate the rooms properly. The beds of the soldiers were arranged one above the other, each company by itself. The officers generally had rooms in town, but some chose to remain in the barracks. The soldiers suffered, and the seeds of many a sickness and many a death were sown in these dreary and unwholesome quarters, Measles, the invariable concomitant of a crowd of soldiers, broke out among them and carried off some of our best men. Small-pox made its appearance, but

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was managed so skillfully that the soldiers and the community knew nothing of it till the danger was past. The infected were quietly removed to a pest-house. Report was spread that they had deserted, or were absent without leave. One of the nurses of these patients, private James Barry, Co. P, was supposed to have deserted ; and so generally was this believed, that his afflicted wife, giving full credit to this report, left Norwich and returned to her native Scotland! First-sergeant Cowles of Company A., private Slover of C, Welch of D, Warner of G, Win. P. Scribner of H, Ferris and Tyrell of I, Ryan and Goldsmith of K, were among those who died before the regiment left New Haven, of disease engendered within those unhealthy walls.

One large room in the east side of the building was set apart as a chapel. Here divine services were held every morning at 9 o'clock, with preaching every Sun-day. Rev, J, M. Dudley, residing in Olive Street, New Haven, usually officiated. Occasionally Rev. James EL Bradford, at that time a student in the Yale Theological School, afterwards chaplain of the Twelfth Connecticut, conducted the services. Sergeant (after-wards Lieutenant) John C. Kinney, Co. K, then a theological student, could also be depended upon to lead the devotions. His Excellency, Gov, Bucking-ham, was present at one of these meetings and offered a fervent prayer. About the first of February, 1862, the field and company officers were called upon to choose a regimental chaplain. The two prominent candidates were Rev. Mr. Winslow, formerly of the New Britain Center Church, and Rev. Mr. Salter, of whom mention has already been made. Mr.

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Winslow's ready eloquence and social qualities made him a powerful competitor; but Mr. Salter's long acquaintance and companionship prevailed, and. he was commissioned accordingly on the 5th of February, 1862.

At evening the chapel room often presented a scene of surpassing interest. Lectures were delivered by eloquent orators, speeches made by professional and other gentlemen, the fairest ladies of the city sung sweet and stirring songs. Especially was the subject of temperance urged upon the soldiers, and with good effect. A temperance society was formed, and largo numbers signed the pledge of total abstinence. Rev. Mr. Dudley deserves the thanks of every soldier for his efforts to make us all better and happier.

The patriotic ladies of New Haven merit a more particular notice in this history. They sent inn inner-able comforts to the sick, and presented every soldier with what they called a "house-wife"-a nice little arrangement of pin cushion, needles, thread and the like, in compact form and sometimes with the name of the fair maker embroidered thereon. They hardly need the assurance of our thankfulness now ; as many a marriage knot, tied during and since the war, will testify that these names, and the beautiful faces and forms that sometimes glided through our gloomy barracks and reappeared in dreams as we lay on the frosty ground or beneath pelting storms, were never forgotten. Especially is a sumptuous dinner, given by them to our soldiers on the anniversary of Washington's birthday, gratefully remembered ; when the delicious viands were rendered doubly attractive by their charming presence.

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Daily drills by the officers and sergeants were had in the barracks or outside except Sundays. In the chapel room the officers were thoroughly exercised in the manual of arms and the school of the company by John Arnold, Esq., formerly General of the State-militia, and Colonel of the 3d Connecticut in the three months' campaign. Upon the suggestion of Captain Tisdale, the so-called Zouave stack-of-arms was adopt-ed by the regiment. Aware of the great importance of pride of appearance and esprit du corps, Col. Birge early endeavored to induce the officers to pay extraordinary attention to neatness, cleanliness, and martial bearing. He secured dark blue trousers in place of the regulation sky-blue; every belt, shoe and box must be neatly polished; every gun-barrel and bayonet must shine like a mirror ; every hand must wear a glove of spotless white; every form must be erect and manly; every soldier must feel himself a gentle-man. A few months later, when we entered Mew Orleans and marched to the custom-house in all "the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war," we were greatly amused and edified by the frequent comment among the thousands of spectators, "This regiment is composed only of rich men's sons!" "They say they didn't receive any soldiers taxed for less than five thousand dollars!" Parton, in his "Butler in New Orleans," styles the Thirteenth Connecticut a

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"dandy regiment." Many-prophesied that our men would prove parlor soldiers, fit only to "caper nimbly in a lady's chamber, To the lascivious pleasing of a lute," and that those fine clothes would never tarry to be riddled by bullets. A year or two afterwards, at the close of a hot battle, Captain Sprague reminded Colonel Birge of these predictions. "Well," he replied, " I noticed they didn't run away, like some of those dirty regiments!"

Little occurred to break the monotony of the daily routine. Occasionally the Governor would visit us, when special pains would be taken to present a good appearance. Frequently we marched through the streets of New Haven, drilled in front of the Tontine Hotel or on Whitney Avenue, or attended church by companies. In the latter part of February the regiment turned out in funeral procession in honor of the lamented Colonel Russell, of the Tenth Connecticut, killed at Roanoke Island. During this winter Colonel Birge was disabled for some weeks by a severe injury to his knee, having been thrown from his horse. In February, a board of examiners, of which Brigadier General Daniel Tyler was chairman, examined the company officers in the Regulations and Tactics.

Of course we were not free from the usual bickerings of army life. At one time eighteen men were shut up in our guard house for refusing to do duty. They claimed* that they had been enlisted under false pretenses, " for special service in the Quartermaster's Department," and that they were unjustly put into the ranks. They employed counsel and refused to

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drill. Great was the excitement, for their complaints were riot unfounded. At the request of the Colonel, who remarked, u If I had them in the field, I should know better how to deal with them ; but I fear that severe measures now would retard the recruiting, "the captain of Company H visited them in the guard room, listened to their complaints, explained to them their obligations, showed them that no one had authority to enlist them for " special service," but that by their voluntary enlistment they had bound themselves in writing and by a solemn oath to obey the orders of their superior officers, promised them their choice of companies, and appealed to their patriotism. and manhood to show themselves true men and good. soldiers. The appeal was successful. They were released from arrest and did their duty manfully ever after.

At another time, during our stay at the New Haven barracks, the soldiers grew clamorous for their pay, and many refused to drill until their demands were satisfied. Major Holcomb called some of the most obstinate, loaded his pistol in their presence, and react to them the ninth Article of War, which threatens death to those who "disobey the lawful order of their superior officer." It needed but a single look at-the Major to satisfy them that he was not trifling. They yielded, and in a few days after received their pay,

Nor is the " undress parade" of company K forgot-ten. Lieutenant Thompson had somehow excited the ire of those of his men who were unpoetically styled u Head-of-the-wharf Rats." One midnight, on returning to the barracks, he found bottles, guns, valises,

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4 chairs, tables and various trumpery piled to the ceiling on his bed. Thereupon he ordered every man out into line, where they shivered two mortal hours, almost as "Naked as when from earth they came." It was generally conceded that the Lieutenant had the best of it.

On the 18th of February most of the officers were mustered into the service of the United States by Lieutenant Chamberlin. Until that date they were in the pay of the State of Connecticut. Into the usual form of the oath, "to serve" the nation "faith-fully against all enemies or opposers whomsoever,"he inserted the words," against England or any foreign power that may wage war against us. "We now awaited orders to depart. We hoped for any other destination rather than the Department of the Gulf. But Major General B. F. Butler was at the time engaged in organizing his great "New England Division" for service in the extreme south, and he so managed as to secure the ninth, twelfth and thirteenth Connecticut regiments. The ninth had left us in the preceding November; the twelfth, on the twenty-fourth of February.

Sunday, March 16, 1862, the long-expected orders came. Colonel Birge called the officers together: "You will hold your commands in readiness to move to-morrow. Our destination is undoubtedly Ship Island."

Monday, March 17, was a sad day to most of us, though the bustle and excitement of preparation kept the officers busy till the moment of embarkation.

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Parents, brothers, sisters, wives and other loved ones gathered around us for a parting grasp of the hand and a last good-bye. We were well assured that many of us would never return; that sickness would prostrate some, the sword others; sorrow and hardship and danger would encompass all. Yet high hopes and firm resolves mingled with these forebodings, as, proudly conscious that we were the representatives of the great republic, we filed with streaming banners down Chapel Street to the landing near Tomlinson's Bridge, and marched on board the steamer "Granite State."