SIXTEENTH REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. (NINE MONTHS.)

By DANIEL E. HOWARD, late Captain Sixteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. THE Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment was the second to respond to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 volunteers for nine months. Many of its members were young -sons of those already at the front. More were of middle age, and quite a large number of mature years. Nearly all were sons and citizens of New Hampshire. How well they did their work and how much they suffered from the hardships of army life and the effects of the malarial swamps of Louisiana, must be left untold in this brief history. Many years have passed, and the records of the war department as compiled by the adjutantgeneral of this State will show that few survive. This regiment was mustered into the United States service by companies from October 10 to December 4, 1862, at Concord, by Charles Holmes, Capt. 17 Inf., U. S. A., and Seth Eastman, Lt. Col. 1 Inf., U. S. A. On Sunday morning, November 23, the regiment broke camp and marched from the "Plains" and through Main street of Concord, to take the train for Nashua; thence via Worcester to Allyn's Point, where we took the steamer "City of Boston" for New York, at which place we arrived about 3 o'clock in the morning. On leaving the boat we went to Park Barracks, where we took breakfast, and from there into camp on the Battery. About noon, on December 4, seven companies of the regiment were ordered on board the steamer "Eastern Queen." This steamer was a small side-wheel coaster, formerly having been run between Boston and Bangor. It was not intended for ocean service, and much doubt of its seaworthiness was expressed. The captain declined taking the entire regiment, and for this reason three companies, viz., Companies C, F, and D (the three left companies of the regiment), were left in New York under command of Maj. Samuel Davis. December 6, at 7:30 A. M., the "Eastern Queen" left New York harbor under sealed orders, these orders not to be opened until we had sailed in a southerly direction for twenty-four hours. Upon the opening of these orders, we learned for the first time that our destination was Ship Island (unless we were obliged to re-coal at Tortugas or Key West). Very stormy weather and rough seas were encountered on the passage, and the little steamer was quite seriously damaged--so much so that she was compelled to put back to Fortress Monroe for repairs. The experience of the men, whose lives were in great peril, suffering from fear and sea-sickness, was anything but pleasant and will not be forgotten by those who now survive. At Ship Island we received instructions to proceed to New Orleans. This city was reached on the morning of December 20. On leaving the steamer we went into camp at Parapet. Our tents were first pitched at this place, which was a part of the defenses of New Orleans--seven miles therefrom and in the township of Carrollton. To return to the three companies left in New York, very much against their wishes. Soon after the departure of the seven companies, those remaining were removed from the Battery to City Hall Barracks. The accommodations here were very poor and the rations received not nearly as good as at the former location. About two weeks later, near the close of a cold December day, these companies received orders to go on board the steamer "Mississippi." The order coming quite unexpectedly and late in the afternoon, it was nearly 11 o'clock at night before we reached the steamer's side. Here we met with a very cool reception, the thermometer about zero, and, for some unexplained reason, we were not expected. We were at last permitted to go on board, but where to bunk was a very serious question. The Forty-seventh Massachusetts and the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth New York regiments were already on board; not expecting us, they were occupying every comfortable, and, to all appearance, every available spot. But in some way the night was passed, and the next day we were assigned very commodious quarters. The passage from New York to New Orleans was very pleasant. Our only stop was at Ship Island. January 1, 1863, we steamed up through and past the city of New Orleans, and soon were permitted to rejoin the rest of the regiment. We were most heartily welcomed by them, and we were glad. January 3 we had regimental drill and were reviewed by Gen. T. W. Sherman, who complimented the regiment for its soldierly appearance. January 11 the regiment lost in the death of Prescott Jones, second lieutenant of Company E, a brave soldier and a noble man. This was the first death in the regiment. In January the regiment, as well as the whole brigade, was kept for days under marching orders, in the expectation that we should be sent to Berwick bay to re-inforce General Weitzel. But our aid was not needed, and the order was soon after countermanded. January 21 the regiment was paid off for the first time; this was very welcome, and many of the boys could indulge in the luxury of oranges and learn for the first time what a real orange was. January 23 we were given a march on the famous Shell Road. January 28 we left Camp Parapet and went into Camp Mansfield. This was some two miles nearer to New Orleans. From this time during the month of February, we were in camp of instruction and daily had either regimental, brigade, or division drills. February 2 General Emery reviewed the regiment and inspected our guns. February 6 General Banks visited our camp. To our joy, new guns were also furnished us that day. February 7 our beloved Second Assistant Surgeon Campbell died, after long weeks of suffering from acute dysentery. On February 13, Brigadier-General Andrews assumed command, and was present at brigade and division drills. March 5 we broke camp to join the contemplated siege of Port Hudson. We took the steamer "General Banks" and went up the river to Baton Rouge, reaching this city at 6 P. M. on the 7th. On Sunday, the 8th, the regiment moved to Hall's Plantation, where we remained in camp until the evening of the 13th, at which time the regiment broke camp and made a hurried march of seven miles towards the rear of Port Hudson. On coming to quite a stream, the regiment bivouacked for the night, and at early dawn crossed this stream on pontoons, continuing our march towards Port Hudson. Our regiment was in the extreme front of the line, and when within some four miles of it in its rear, we came to a halt and again pitched our shelter-tents. It was while lying here on the evening of the 14th of March that we witnessed and listened to one of the grandest and most important events of the campaign. This was the bombardment and passing of Fort Hudson by Farragut's fleet. For hours the sky was filled with bursting shells, and the explosions of mortars, cannon, and shells made the earth tremble and our hearts quake. This fearful scene culminated by the terrific explosion of the magazine of the "Mississippi," which had floated down stream after being run aground and left by Farragut. During the next day, Sunday, March 15, the regiment fell back some four or five miles and bivouacked in the so called "Corn Field." In the forenoon of the 17th, the regiment fell into line for what proved to be one of the most severe and protracted marches of the campaign, and which is so well remembered as the "Mud March." In the afternoon our regiment, together with a part of the One Hundred and Tenth New York, under command of Colonel Sage, were detached from the brigade and sent to the left, through what proved to be a dense forest of three miles or more upon a road of holes and mud. After getting through the woods, we came to higher land, and forded, waist deep, two streams of considerable size. About midnight we were ordered to halt and to lie down on our arms. We were also forbidden to light fires or to speak aloud. Some halfhour afterwards, whispered orders came to "fall in," and we were soon returning over the route by which we came. Our march was continued until nearly 4 o'clock the next morning, when we lay down in a ploughed field. At 6 o'clock we were again on the march, returning to the corn field left the day before. On Thursday, March 19, we returned to Hall's Plantation, near Baton Rouge. Soon afterwards the regiment was ordered down the river to Algiers, opposite New Orleans. The regiment remained here until the 8th of April, when we broke camp, and took the train on the New Orleans & Opelousas Railroad for Brashear City. The regiment was detained here for the important duty of holding this city, which was an important and objective point towards the successful environment of Port Hudson. On the 18th of April we were relieved by the Fourth Massachusetts, and ordered to embark the same day on gunboats, which were to attack Fort Burton, which was some seventy-five miles beyond Brashear City. The regiment, acting as sharpshooters, was distributed on four gunboats, viz., "Calhoun," "Clifton," "Arizona," and "Estrella." Passing up through Grand Lake, we passed the wreck of the famous ram, "Queen of the West," captured from our fleet at Vicksburg, and which had been destroyed only a few days before by a shot from the "Arizona." On the morning of the 20th we saw smoke rising over the tree-tops, and knew that our destination was nearly reached; also, that the rebs had gunboats to assist them in their defense. As we approached the fort, the "Clifton," carrying the heaviest guns, went ahead and opened fire with grape and canister into the woods on either hand. As the "Clifton" rounded the bend of the bayou and came into sight of the rebel fort, she received a shot in the bow, and another quickly followed, disabling her walking-beam. By this time the other boats were around the bend and joined in sending shot and shell into their midst. We soon saw the white flag and the sterns of the rebel boats, as they hastened up the bayou. By their knowledge of the stream and the light draft of the boats, they were enabled to escape. This fort was manned by one of New Orleans's gilt-edged companies, composed of the elite of the city, and who had not been sent to the front. Their commander remarked to the writer, "That although we were doubtless glad to get there, we would be much more pleased when we left." A remark which proved sadly true. Neither time nor space will permit us to describe this fearful and pestilential spot. We were here for six long weeks, and after a few days, with no water to drink except the overflow through the swamps of the Red River valley. In passing, it may be well to record that when we took possession of this fort we had six hundred guns; when we left and reached our next camp, we could not muster but two hundred and sixteen. May 30 orders, several days delayed, reached us to abandon the fort. June 1 we shipped the guns on transports, which had been sent up from Brashear City. Spiking others, and laying mines for the more general destruction of the fort, we again embarked for Algiers, via the same route on which we came. On reaching Algiers, our sick were sent to the hospitals of New Orleans, and the remnant of the regiment went up the Mississippi to General Banks's headquarters, before Port Hudson. A detachment of our regiment, while stationed at Springfield Landing, encountered a sudden attack from the rebel cavalry, defending themselves with great bravery. Private Johnson, of Company G, was shot and fell into the river, and for that reason was reported "drowned." While before Port Hudson the regiment was for weeks in line from 3 o'clock in the morning till daylight, in expectation of an attack from the enemy. Our rolls bear the names of a good number who responded to General Banks's call for volunteers for a final assault upon the enemy's works. On the morning of the 7th of July, one of General Banks's staff announced to his command that Vicksburg had fallen; and on the morning of the 8th Port Hudson surrendered. On the 10th of July the Sixteenth entered Port Hudson. Our stay there was one of sorrow and death. Our comrades were dying daily, and on one day in July we buried six of our number. And these deaths were the direct result of our stay at Butte-a-la-Rose. August 1 the regiment embarked on the stern-wheel transport "Sallie List," for Cairo. As we passed up the river we called at Natchez, Vicksburg, Helena, Memphis, and Columbus. At Vicksburg General Grant ordered his post surgeon to examine our sick, and by his order many of our sick were left there, to be taken to the fine floating hospital at that place, and from which some were buried by those who kindly cared for them. At Cairo we disembarked, taking our homeward journey by rail through Mattoon, Indianapolis, Bellefontaine, Buffalo, Albany, and Worcester, to Concord. The regiment made several stops while en route for home, and the kindness and sympathy of those strangers who so lovingly cared for and so generously entertained us--weary, sick, and soiled as we were--will never be forgotten. May God bless them and theirs forever. The regiment reached Concord August 14, and was mustered out the 20th. It will be noticed that during the short term of this regiment's service, its loss by death is over twenty-three per cent, an extremely high ratio. The writer of this sketch feels that an apology is due to the comrades of the regiment for the imperfect manner in which it is presented. Other arrangements having failed us, he has prepared the same at a moment's notice, after it was called for by the printer. The Sixteenth New Hampshire Volunteers was with United States Forces at Carrollton, La., Department of the Gulf, December 27, 1862, to January 3, 1863; attached to Third Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, January 3 to 14, 1863; First Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, January 14 to July 11, 1863; Second Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, July 11 to 18, 1863; Second Brigade, United States Forces, Port Hudson, La. (Nineteenth Army Corps), July 18, 1863, to date of muster out. ENGAGEMENTS. Port Hudson, La. . . . . . . . . . . . Mar. 14, 1863 Butte-a-la-Rose, La. . . . . . . . . . .Apr. 20, 1863 Siege of Port Hudson, La., . . . . .June 3 to July 9, 1863

Source: New Hampshire Soldiers & Sailors War of the Rebellion, Ayling

New Hampshire 16th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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