CHAPTER II.

THE NINTH IN "CAMP WELCH," NEW HAVEN - THE REGIMENT
ATTENDS MASS AT ST. JOHN'S CHURCH - THE REV. DANIEL MULLEN
BECOMES CHAPLAIN OF THE COMMAND — LIST OF CONNECTICUT
PLACES REPRESENTED IN THE REGIMENT - GEN. B. F. BUTLER ACCEPTS
THE ORGANIZATION FOR HIS NEW ENGLAND DIVISION. - DIVISION.

THE rendezvous of the Ninth, being finally established in New Haven, was named "Camp Welch" in honor of the then mayor of the city. Col. Cahill issued his first regimental order Sept. 19, 1861. He states that "In issuing this, the first order, the commandant feels that not a moment should be lost which can be used to advance the military knowledge so necessary to every man who aspires to be a soldier. For this reason, it will be necessary for commandants of companies to devote every possible moment to the purposes of drill and instruction of their respective companies. All officers in command will, therefore, observe the following order until further notice. * * * He then orders that at reveille, "the men of each command will turn out on their respective company grounds, and place their tents and quarters in proper order under direction of the commandants, until the chiefs of squads are appointed, and the guard tents by the guard or prisoners. The companies will turn out promptly for drill at 7 o'clock a. m., until oj a. m., at which time the companies will assemble on their respective grounds for detail for guard mounting and other duty. The men and officers will again fall in for drill at 2 o'clock p. m., until 4 o'clock p. m. The roll will be called every morning at reveille, and the reports submitted to Lieut.-Col. Fitz Gibbons for inspection and consolidation."

A representative of the New Haven Register had visited the camp Sept. 10, 1861, and stated in his paper the next day that "We strolled through the camp of the 6th, 7th and 9th Regiments yesterday, and were gratified with the neat and tidy appearance of the grounds and equipage. The men appeared cheerful and contented. They appear to be an excellent body of men. No complaints are heard about, "rations," and the officers are one and all bending down to the work of preparing the men for active service.* * * "

Early in the history of the Ninth, a band was organized and comprised some of the best musicians in the State. The organization numbered, at the start, 25 members with Christian Streit as leader. The places represented were New Haven, East Haven, Meriden, Brooklyn, Clinton, Wallingford and Naugatuck. It was stated to have been one of the best bands that ever marched at the head of a regiment.

While the Ninth was overwhelmingly composed oi men who were of Irish blood, and Catholic in creed, quite a number in the command were neither Irish nor Catholic. But all were patriots and were united, like a band of brothers, to defend the Flag. In no regiment that went to the front was there a more intense American spirit or more loyal devotion to the cause of the Union.

While the Ninth was in Camp Welch,1 New Haven, many events of interest took place. Visitors to the camp were numerous and much interest was shown toward the regiment. On one occasion, George A. Shubert, of New Haven, sent Capt. Michael McCarten a check for $50 as a contribution to the latter's company. Mr. Shubert's generosity was promptly and cordially acknowledged by the Captain, Sept. 28, 1861. On another occasion, the following event took place as narrated in a New Haven paper:

Refered to sometimes as "Camu Enzlish." The Fifteenth Connecticut

"PRESENTATION. —Quite a pleasant affair came off at the residence of Mr. Thomas Healy, No. 16 Factory street, [New Haven], on Wednesday evening, it being the presentation of three fine regulation swords, with all the necessary accompaniments, together with pistols, to Captain McCarten, Lieutenants John G. Healy and John Shaw, of the "Emmets," 9th Regiment, C. V. Sergeants McKenna and Gately, of the same Company, were also the recipients of two fine pistols. The articles were the gifts of several of our influential citizens, and were presented on behalf of the donors, by Wm. Downes, Esq., whose remarks were appropriately responded to by the fortunate recipients. Remarks were also made by Mr. Bartholomew Healy, and Mr. Thomas Healy, (father of Lieut. Healy), who regretted that his age disqualified him from entering with his son into the service of this, his adopted country. The ceremonies, which were of a very interesting nature, being concluded, the party, at the invitation of Mr. H. partook of a most bountiful supply of refreshments, and adjourned at an early hour, feeling conscious that they had participated in the ceremonies of placing in the hands of men, implements which would be wielded powerfully by them in defence of this, our glorious country."

About this time, also, a sword, sash and belt were presented Capt. Duffy of the Ninth. The sword was of French manufacture, had a double-gilt hilt, and bore the inscription: "Presented to Capt. John Duffy by Citizens of New Haven, Oct., 1861." The Palladium stated at the time that the sword, belt and sash would be "on exhibition in Malley's window on Chapel street." In the Palladium, Oct. 28, 1861, is a paragraph stating that "Lieut. Lawrence O'Brien, of the 9th Regiment, C. V., was presented with a sword, sash, belt, etc., by the Sodality of the B. V. M., a society connected with St. Patrick's

were similarly honored by various organizations and friends. Lieut. Daniel Carroll, for instance, was presented a sword, sash and belt by the Davis Literary Institute of New Haven, and other friends. The presentation speech was delivered by Robert Scully, to which the recipient feelingly replied. There were also addresses by Patrick Sisk, B. Hogan and other gentlemen. The Hartford Courant, Nov. 2, 1861, stated that "Lieutenants Clinton and Burke of Capt. Wright's Company of this city, were presented, Thursday, with sword, sash and belt, by their friends in Hartford."

In its issue of Oct. 8, 1861, the New Haven Palladium says: " * * * We are personally acquainted with Capt. William Wright of Hartford, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, formerly for some years in the English army, who is now filling up a company for this [the Ninth] regiment. He lacks only about twenty men, and we give our assurance that they could not go under a bet¬ter leader. Capt. Wright resigned an appointment in the regular U. S. Army —having previously served in the three months volunteers— and ought to have his company immediately filled. We wish all success to the 9th Regiment and to him."

The Ninth was under the disadvantage, while encamped at New Haven, of not having arms, the latter not yet having been supplied. Enough Whitney guns were obtained, however, to admit of guard mounting, but beyond these few, the men were deprived of the benefit they would have derived from the possession of guns. The latter were not delivered to the regiment until it had reached Ship Island, Miss. In the meantime, however, much solid work was devoted to marching and other evolutions, the drill being constant and thorough. The men rapidly learned the duties of the soldier, in camp and on the march, and were also instructed as to maneuvers in skirmish and battle. The Ninth was composed of splendid material, as was subsequently acknowledged

by Gen. Phelps, Gen. Butler and other competent authorities. Its record at the front, in fidelity and bravery, was excelled by no regiment in the service. A uniform of blue was furnished the regiment by the State, while encamped at New Haven, but without arms the regiment's progress was, of course, somewhat retarded, in certain respects, at that time. However, this was speedily made up when the command went South.

Previous to its departure from New Haven, in 1861, the regiment used to attend Mass, on Sunday, at St. John's church, and on at least one occasion, Mass was celebrated in Camp Welch by the Rev. John Smith of the church just mentioned. On Nov. 17, 1861, the Rev. Daniel Mullen, of Winchester (Winsted), enlisted into the regiment as chaplain of the latter, and remained with it until late in August, 1862, when poor health compelled him to resign.

Among the Connecticut places represented in the regiment were the following:

Berlin,
Bethany,
Bethel,
Bloomfield,
Branford,
Bridgeport,
Bridgewater,
Bristol,
Brooklyn,
Burlington,
Canaan,
Cheshire,
Clinton,
Colebrook,
Cromwell,
Danbury,
Derby,
East Haven,
Easton,
East Windsor,
Enfield,
Fairfield,

Farmington,
Greenwich,
Griswold,
Groton,
Guilford,
Hamden,
Hampton,
Hartford,
Huntington,
Litchfield,
Lyme,
Manchester,
Meriden,
Middletown,
Milford,
Monroe,
Morris,
Naugatuck,
New Britain,
New Hartford,
New Haven,
New London,

Wallingford, Waterford, Waterbury, Westbrook, Westport, Weston, Wethersfield, Wilton, Winchester, Windsor, Wolcott, Woodbridge,Woodbury.

A few facts relative to the composition of each of the ten companies* in the regiment, in 1861, are here presented:

Company A, Capt. John Duffy, was composed principally of New Haven men, but Danbury, Derby, Hartford, Enfield, Branford and Waterbury were also represented. Later during the war, other Connecticut places had representatives in the company.

Company B, Capt. Patrick Garvey, had a large number of Meriden and New Haven men in 1861. Other places represented in the company, at this time, were Middletown, Windsor, Cheshire, Waterbury, Woodbridge, Hamden, Farmington, Portland, Norfolk, New Britain, Wallingford and Southington.

Company C, Capt. Michael McCarten, was chiefly made up of New Haven men, though Bridgeport, Hartford, Norwich, Waterbury and New London were also represented.

Company D, Capt. Thomas C. Coates, was composed principally of Bridgeport men. Other localities represented in the company, at the outset, were New Haven, Plymouth, Norwalk, Fairfield and Meriden. Company E, Capt. James P. Hennessey. This was another New Haven company, with a sprinkling of members from Derby, Hartford, New Britain, Middletown, Hamden and elsewhere.

Company F, Capt. John Foley, had about 48 Waterbury men, in 1861, including the brothers, Michael P. and John P. Coen, both of whom were corporals. Later, other Waterbury men were in the company. Other

* As the war progressed, there were, of course, many changes among officers and men of the companies. A roll of the regiment will be found toward the close of this volume.

places represented in it, in 1861, included Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Plymouth and Norwich.

Company G, Capt. William Wright, had between 30 and 40 Hartford men in its ranks at this time, and also men from New Haven, Bridgeport, Stonington, Wethersfield, Manchester, Portland, New Britain, Simsbury, Southington and East Windsor.

Company H, Capt. Silas W. Sawyer, included about 30 Norwich men, in 1861, besides members from Bridgeport, Griswold, New Haven, Portland, Groton, New London and Danbury. There were more Norwich men in the company later.

Company I, Capt. Elliot M. Curtis, had at this time about 28 men from Bridgeport, the rest of the company including Stratford, Hartford, Plymouth, Monroe, Bristol, Wolcott, Berlin, Canaan, North Canaan, Bloomfield, Burlington, Norfolk, Salisbury, Westport, Newtown, Derby, Lyme, Woodbury, Seymour, Huntington, Plainfield and New Hartford men.

Company K, Capt. John A. Nelson, was made up from Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Derby, Griswold, Bethel, Easton, Winchester, Simsbury, Fairfield, Newtown and Danbury.

The Ninth was a three-years regiment. New Haven furnished nearly 400 men to the command during the latter's period of service, and thus easily lead in numbers. The four other Connecticut places most largely represented were Bridgeport, Waterbury, Hartford and Norwich. The youngest member of the Ninth, in 1861, was Richard Hennessey, a drummer boy, who was not yet 12 years of age, of Company E. He was a son of Capt. Hennessey of that company. Thomas Delaney, a drummer boy of Company F, Waterbury, is mentioned as 15 years of age. His father, Patrick Delaney, was a private in the company. James Warren, a musician of Company K, is also mentioned as aged 15 years. There were sev-

Major-General Benjamin F. Butler, of Lowell, Mass., was organizing a New England Division for the expedi¬tion against New Orleans. He came to Connecticut and had an interview with Governor Buckingham. The Gov¬ernor suggested that he take the Ninth into his command. Butler was pleased with the idea, and immediately accepted the offer. The necessary papers were soon made out by the Governor, and in a short time the Ninth received orders to proceed to Gen. Butler's rendezvous. Camp Chase, Lowell.

An especially notable event took place at Camp Welch, Oct. 30, 1861, the occasion being the presentation of colors to the regiment. The New Haven Palladium, in its issue of that date, had the following report of the cere¬monies :

"This forenoon the Ninth Connecticut Regiment was presented with a brace of colors with appropriate ceremonies. One of them, the flag of the Union, was the gift of Mrs. Charles DeForest, and the other, the flag of the State, was the gift of a number of patriotic ladies. These flags were both of silk, and were exceedingly beautiful. The trimmings were of the richest and most costly description.

"Soon after 10 o'clock the regiment, which is composed chiefly of Irish adopted citizens, was drawn up in a three-quarter square, when the ladies, accompanied by E. K. Foster, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Harwood, and others, approached the lines, bearing the splendid colors of the State and the Nation. The Colonel and staff met the guests in advance of the lines, when Judge Foster addressed the regiment in one of his usually happy efforts. He adverted to the great cause of Constitutional liberty which they were going forth to defend. He expressed an abiding confidence in their valor, and their determination to stand by their colors and the cause they represented while they were able to lift a hand in their defence.

"Major Fry then stepped forward and received the

colors from the hands of the ladies, and responded in an elegant speech, pledging himself and the regiment to be true to the honor of the .State and the welfare of the Nation. He regarded the gift as a sacred trust, which would, under all circumstances, be sacredly defended. He trusted that on the return of the regiment these colors would be brought back with it, and if soiled, it would only be by the dust and smoke of battle, but in other respects they would be more glorious than now, new and gorgeous as they have been made by the fair hands which presented them.

"This ceremony being over, another presentation followed, that of an elegant regulation sword to Capt. Hennessey, of Company E, of the same regiment. Col. L. W. Sperry and James Thompson were neighbors of Capt. Hennessey, and were forward in this movement of giving a testimonial to his character and worth.

"By request, J. F. Babcock addressed the Captain and his company, in relation to the contest in which they were about to engage, and the vast interests they were called upon to defend. He adverted to the origin of the American Revolution, and the aid our fathers received from true hearts of other lands; and expressed his confidence that the Ninth Connecticut would see that the banner of the State, the banner of the Union, and their own green flag of Erin, were not disgraced when the bugle sounded to the charge upon the enemy of us all. He introduced Col. Sperry, who presented the sword, expressing the highest confidence in the gallant recipient whom he esteemed as a neighbor, respected as a citizen, and had faith to believe would prove a soldier worthy of his countrymen, who had already so distinguished themselves in the first struggle for liberty, and in the recent efforts of our troops to preserve it from destruction by traitor hands.

"Mr. Thompson then presented the sash and belt, all of which the gallant captain modestly received, declaring

that it would be his constant effort to preserve these gifts from dishonor. He felt the responsibility laid upon him, and he believed it would appear, when the struggle was over, that he and his men had done something in honor of the land of their birth, and the land of their adoption. The exercises were closed with three hearty cheers for Messrs. Sperry, Thompson and Babcock, for Capt. Hennessey and the cause to which all patriotic hearts were devoted."

The State flag mentioned here was especially designed for the Ninth. The field was of dark blue. On one side of the flag, in the center of the blue field, was the State seal, having the National seal as a background. On the other side appeared an Irish emblem or seal, comprising a green ground with a harp of gold. A spray of shamrock was entwined, and underneath was the inscription "Erin Go Bragh." This Irish emblem was, like the State seal, backed by the National one, and was in the center of the blue field on this side of the flag. This flag, with the others belonging to the regiment, is now treasured among the other battle standards, at the State Capitol, in Hartford.

On the last Saturday night of the regiment's stay in Camp Welch, New Haven, a great storm visited the scene. It was a perfect hurricane. Tents were blown down, trees uprooted, vessels in the harbor driven ashore and other damage inflicted. When the next morning dawned, a spectacle of devastation appeared on all sides. Matters were righted as speedily as possible, however, and during the day —Sunday— thousands of people visited the camp to bid the Ninth farewell. An interesting feature of the afternoon was the presentation of an Irish pike to the regiment. This pike, handsomely made, was manufactured by John Egan, and was spoken of by the New Haven Register as "The Egan Axe." The event

delivered by James Gallagher, of New Haven, he having been deputed for that purpose by Mr. Egan. Mr. Gallagher in his speech referred to the pike as "an emblem of the warlike days of your ancestors. In their hands it was a formidable weapon." Mr. Egan desired, he said, that it should be carried at the head of the regiment. A felicitous response was made. While at Camp Welch, a society of patriotic ladies presented each man of the regiment a useful little outfit consisting of needles, thread, pins, buttons, etc. The gift was much appreciated.