SECOND REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY (THREE YEARS)

By Hon. MARTIN A. HAYNES, late Private Second Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry and Historian of Regiment. A LARGE proportion of the original members of the Second Regiment were enlisted for three months, service under President Lincoln's first call; many of them among the earliest recruits in April, 1861. But early in May, while the regiment was still in camp at Portsmouth, orders were received from the War Department to send no more three months' troops. Most of the men thereupon enlisted for three years, this second muster by companies dating from June 1 to 8. The regiment left Portsmouth June 20, receiving at Boston on the same day, and at New York on the 21st, tremendous ovations from the Sons of New Hampshire and the local authorities. The regiment arrived in Washington on the afternoon of the 23d, and was brigaded with the First and Second Rhode Island and the Seventy-first New York, the brigade commander being Col. Ambrose E. Burnside. This constituted the Second Brigade of Hunter's division, and opened the fight at the first Bull Run battle, July 21. Colonel Marston was severely wounded here, and the regiment's loss was reported as 7 killed, 56 wounded, 46 missing. Early in August the regiment went into camp at Bladensburg, Md., being brigaded with the First and Eleventh Massachusetts and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, under command of Brig. Gen. Joseph Hooker. During the winter of '612 the brigade camped at Budd's Ferry, Md., constituting the First Brigade of Hooker's division, which had been placed there as a corps of observation over the rebel blockading batteries extending several miles along the Virginia side of the Potomac. The division embarked on steamers for Yorktown, April 5, 1862, the First Brigade being then commanded by Gen. Cuvier Grover, Hooker in command of the division, and Heintzelman of the corps (Third). The regiment performed the customary siege duty before Yorktown until the morning of May 4, when the rebel defenses were discovered to have been evacuated. Within an hour Hooker's division was pushing in pursuit, and at daylight the following morning impetuously attacked the rebel rear guard at Williamsburg. After a most obstinate and sanguinary struggle the Excelsior and New Jersey brigades were beaten back, when the entire Second Regiment was deployed as skirmishers to cover the line of two brigades, and maintained a savage bush fight for two hours, until relieved by the arrival of Kearney's division. The Second Regiment lost 18 men killed, 66 wounded, 23 missing. On the last day of May, when Casey was overwhelmed at Fair Oaks, Hooker's division was at Poplar Hill, a few miles distant. The Second and Third Brigades took part in the second day's fight, and June 3 Grover's brigade also advanced to Fair Oaks. June 23 five companies of the Second, with some Massachusetts troops constituting the picket line, advanced as skirmishers, driving the rebel pickets a considerable distance towards Richmond. One man of the Second was killed and several wounded in this little affair. Two days later the battle of Oak Grove was fought, when Hooker advanced over the same ground, crushed all opposition, and was only prevented from essaying the defenses of Richmond by McClellan's timidity. The Second's loss was about 70 men--the heaviest falling upon Company B, which had 22 men killed and wounded out of 42. In the "change of base," Hooker's division abandoned the works and camps at Fair Oaks, June 28. At Savage's Station, the same day, the Second supported, with but slight loss, a battery posted to sweep the railroad towards Fair Oaks Station. It lost several men, wounded, at Glendale on the 29th, but its part of the line was not assailed at Malvern Hill on the 30th. In Hooker's movement to re-capture Malvern Hill, August 4 and 5, the Second had one man killed and several wounded by shell. On the evacuation of the peninsula, Hooker's division marched to Yorktown, took boats to Alexandria, and from there by rail to reinforce Pope, arriving at Warrenton Junction on the night of August 25. On the morning of the 27th, Stonewall Jackson's raid on our communications was developed, and the division pushed for Manassas Junction, the Second throwing out skirmishers and leading the column. Ewell's division of Jackson's corps was encountered at Kettle Run, near Bristoe Station, and driven towards Manassas Junction on the jump. On the forenoon of the 29th, Grover's brigade arrived upon the field near Groveton, where Jackson was at bay, and reported to General Sigel. Under peremptory orders to "carry the railroad embankment with the bayonet," it went forward into the woods, entirely unsupported, and charged the rebel position. The Second crashed through two lines in a headlong, hand-to-hand dash, but could not hold its ground. Out of 332 men, the regiment reported 16 killed, 87 wounded, 29 missing. The death-roll was actually 35, as finally established. At Chantilly, September 1, the Second covered the road, on Kearney's left, but was not brought into action. During the Antietam campaign, the division, now commanded by Sickles, lay in the Washington defenses, and late in November joined the army at Falmouth. The Third Corps was now under Stoneman, Hooker commanding the centre grand division. The First Brigade, to which the Eleventh New Jersey had been added, was commanded by Gen. Joseph B. Carr. The Second's participation in the battle of Fredericksburg was confined to skirmishing, its position being two miles below the city, and it lost but 5 men wounded. February 26, 1863, the regiment started for New Hampshire. It was given a rapturous reception in Manchester and Concord, and the men were freely furloughed to their homes. The regiment was reinforced by 94 men recruited for the Seventeenth Regiment, and on the25th of May set out to rejoin the army. The regiment was temporarily attached to Casey's division, Twenty-second Army Corps, for about two weeks, and then to Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps (Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth New Jersey, and One Hundred and Fifteenth Pennsylvania), commanded by Col. George C. Burling, Sixth New Jersey. At Gettysburg, July 2, the Second was, early in the action, detached from the brigade and reported to General Graham, First Brigade, Second Division. The regiment's desperate defense of the angle at Sherfy's peach orchard made that a historic point of the field. It took in 24 commissioned officers and 330 enlisted men. Three officers were killed and 18 wounded--4 mortally. Seventeen enlisted men were killed, I I9 wounded, and 36 missing. The killed and mortally wounded aggregated 56. July 23, when the Third Corps forced a passage through Manassas Gap into the Shenandoah Valley, the Second supported the Excelsior Brigade, and the following day,deployed as skirmishers, it led the corps to Front Royal. July 26, at Warrenton, with the Twelfth New Hampshire, it was detached from the army and sent to Point Lookout, Md., to establish the great prison camp. The Fifth New Hampshire subsequently arrived, and the district (St. Mary's) was placed under command of Gen. Gilman Marston. The regiment was on duty here until April 8, 1864, when it went by boat to Yorktown to join Butler's "Army of the James," then assembling. Desertions by "bounty jumpers" becoming numerous, four were executed shortly after arrival at Yorktown. The regiment was attached to the Second Brigade (Wistar's) Second Division, Eighteenth Corps' the brigade consisting of the Eleventh Connecticut, Second and Twelfth New Hampshire, and Forty-Eighth New York. In the advance from Bermuda Hundred towards Petersburg, on the 8th of May, the regiment lost 1 man killed and 6 wounded. In the "fog fight" of May 16, in front of Fort Darling, the regiment repulsed repeated assaults with frightful loss to the enemy, although its own loss was but 4 killed and 14 wounded. May 29 the Eighteenth Corps was dispatched by boat around to White House to reinforce the Army of the Potomac. It joined Grant at Cold Harbor, June 1, and the Second had several men wounded by shells on that day. The next day it took part in the bloody and unsuccessful assault of the rebel position, and the regiment lost 2 officers and 6 enlisted men killed, 3 officers and 66 men wounded, and 1 missing. June 9 the original men, not re-enlisted, marched from the trenches on their way home, and were discharged at Concord, N. H., June 21. The original Second New Hampshire fitly crowned three years of glorious service at Cold Harbor. It was also the last great pitched battle in which the regiment actively participated. The regiment was at once detached from the brigade for temporary duty at Eighteenth Corps headquarters. From August 18 to September 1 it was in the trenches before Petersburg, losing more or less men almost every day. Then it reported to General Marston, commanding the defenses of the James from City Point to Fortress Monroe. It was efficiently employed in various minor raids until the 1st of October, when it rejoined the Eighteenth Corps, being assigned to the Third Brigade of its old division. October 27 it joined in a heavy reconnoissance near the Williamsburg road, and lost several men. In November the Twenty-fourth Corps was formed of the white troops of the Tenth and -Eighteenth Corps, the Second being assigned to the Third Brigade of the Third Division. This brigade, during March, 1865, was engaged in raids in various directions in Chesapeake waters, and established the base of supplies for Sheridan's raiders at the White House. From there it marched with Sheridan to rejoin the main army. In those early April days when Lee's army was annihilated, the Second was in position where it had only to await the evacuation of Richmond and then march in. June 21 the Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth New Hampshire were mustered out, and the recruits whose term of service did not expire before September 30, about 400, were transferred to the Second. The rebellion having collapsed, the Second was scattered throughout several Virginia counties on provost duty. Finally, on December 19, 1865, the regiment was assembled at City Point and there mustered out of the United States service. On the 21st it started for New Hampshire, where it received a greeting commensurate with its four years and six months of heroic service. Any sketch of the Second Regiment would be incomplete without mention of Miss Harriet Patience Dame, the faithful army nurse. Miss Dame was born in North Barnstead, N. H., January 5, 1815. In 1856 she became a resident of Concord, and at the time the Second Regiment was being organized, had already commenced her good work of caring for the sick. When the regiment left for the front, the physicians in Concord could not spare her to accompany it; but a few days later she joined the command at Washington, and served with it, except when on duty at some field hospital, until it was mustered out in 1865, tenderly ministering to the sick and wounded, full of courage and hope amidst the dead and dying, and always unwearied in caring for "her boys," regardless of her own health or comfort. The sincere respect and affection, not only of the men of the Second but of all New Hampshire regiments, is surely hers. In 1867 Miss Dame was appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury Department, in Washington, which appointment she still holds. The Second New Hampshire Volunteers was attached to and joined the Department of Washington, June 23, 1861; Hooker's brigade, Army of the Potomac, August 12, 1861; First Brigade, Hooker's division, Army of the Potomac, October 3' 1861; First Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps, March 16, 1862; Department of the East, March 3,1863; Casey's division, Twentysecond Army Corps, May 27, 1863; Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps, June 14, 1863; District of St. Mary's, Department of Virginia and North Carolina, July, 1863; Second Brigade, Second Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, April 23,1864; Eighteenth Army Corps (Corps Headquarters), June, 1864; First Brigade, First Division' Eighteenth Army Corps, August 13, 1864; Department of Virginia and North Carolina, September 1'1864; Third Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, October 7, 1864; Third Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps,December 2, 1864; First Independent Brigade, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, July 10,1865;Department of Virginia, August, 1865. Sub-District of Essex, District Northeast Virginia, E N G A G E M E N T S Bull Run,Va....................................July 21, 1861 Siege of Yorktown, Va............................May 4, 1862 Williamsburg, Va.................................May 5, 1862 Skirmish at Fair Oaks, Va......................June 23, 1862 Peach Orchard, Va..............................June 25, 1862 Glendale, Va...................................June 30, 1862 Malvern Hill, Va........................July 1, Aug. 5, 1862 Kettle Run, Va.................................Aug. 27, 1862 Bull Run (2nd).................................Aug. 29, 1862 Chantilly, Va..................................Sept. 1, 1862 Fredericksburg, Va.............................Dec. 14, 1862 Getteysburg, Va.................................July 2, 1863 Wapping Heights, Va............................July 23, 1863 Swift Creek, Va..................................May 9, 1864 Drewry's Bluff, Va..............................May 16, 1864 Cold Harbor, Va...............................June 1-9, 1864 Port Walthall, Va..............................June 16, 1864 Petersburg, Va......................Aug. 18 to Sept. 1, 1864 Reconnoissance near Williamsburg road, Va......Oct. 27, 1864 Richmond, Va., occupation of....................Apr. 3, 1865 Source: New Hampshire Soldiers & Sailors War of the Rebellion, Ayling Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Col. Edward L. Bailey, Second New Hampshire Infantry. Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 5, 1863. Col.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment on the 2d instant in the battle at this place, commencing at the time it was detached from your command, it then being in position with your brigade in front of the Emmitsburg road: At 3 p. m. I had the honor to receive your order to report to Gen. Graham, and immediately moving by double-quick to the front, I had the honor to announce my presence to that general with 24 commissioned officers and 330 rifles. I was at once ordered to support Battery G, First New York Artillery, and one section of a battery unknown, all light 12-pounders, brass. In this position my left rested upon the right of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania, my right covered by a wood house situated upon the Emmitsburg road, line forming a right angle with that road. Two hundred yards in my front the Third Maine was skirmishing with the enemy. At 4 o'clock, while experiencing a terrific fire of spherical case and canister from batteries in my front and on my right, 650 yards distant, I directed the rolls of my companies to be called, and found but 8 of the total number equipped absent. These had fallen out of the ranks from sunstroke and exhaustion while moving by double-quick to position. At 4.30 p. m. the Third Maine was withdrawn from our front to our rear, and about this time a battery and a section of Rodman pieces were substituted for those we were supporting. These pieces were worked with great inefficiency, and at 5 o'clock it was observed that a brigade of the enemy was advancing on our right, in column of battalions massed, while two regiments were moving directly parallel with my front to the left, evidently with design to turn that flank. I reported these facts to Gen. Graham, and asked permission to charge, the enemy being close upon us--so near that the officer commanding the section of battery spiked his pieces, fearful that he should lose them. The general gave me directions to go forward, when I gave the order. My regiment started immediately, and advanced 150 yards at a run with a yell and such impetuosity as to cause the enemy to retire to a ravine 250 yards in our front, where they were covered from our fire, when I directed the fire of my battalion of the left oblique by the flank at about the same distance. My fire was so galling, assisted by that from the Third Maine, which had come up and taken part upon my left, as to cause them to break and seek shelter, when my attention was again called to my right, strengthened by the Sixty-third Pennsylvania forming at right angles with my front and parallel with the Emmitsburg road, upon which was advancing the brigade of the enemy, moving by battalion in mass, in line of battle. I immediately directed the fire of my battalion to the right oblique full upon it. Yet their line of fire, assisted by a terrible discharge of spherical case from their batteries, caused the Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania to retire, and at the same moment the Third Maine moved 200 yards to the rear, though in good order. Finding myself thus unsupported, and the enemy steadily advancing, I ordered my regiment to fall back slowly, firing, which was fully executed. I moved to the rear 140 yards, and halted my line under the brow of the hill, halting also on the brow to give a volley to the enemy, then distant but 20 yards. The positions of the three regiments was that of echelon at about 20 paces, my regiment being the apex. The enemy continued advancing until they reached the brow of the hill, when their left swept toward the Sixty-third Pennsylvania in such overwhelming numbers as to cause it to give way; and fearing those regiments which had been observed marching toward my left might appear upon that flank, and knowing our efforts must prove futile against such fearful odds, I gave the order to retire, which was done quite rapidly, yet coolly, and without excitement as they went. I rejoined the brigade at about 6.30 p. m., fearfully diminished in numbers, yet firm and fearless still. This battalion entered the fight with a firm determination to do or die, and the long list of fallen comrades, already submitted, will show how well it kept that resolution. Where all did so well it would be invidious to make comparisons. Let it suffice to say that they did their part as becomes sons of the old Granite State. For our fallen braves, who have so gloriously perished fighting for their country, we drop a comrade's tear, while we extend our heartfelt sympathy to those dear ones far away who find the ties of kindred and friends thus rudely severed, and for those who must suffer untold agony and pain through long weeks of convalescence our earnest sympathy, yet leaving them to the watchful care of Him who will not prove unmindful of their necessities. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, ED. L. BAILEY, Col. Second New Hampshire Volunteers. Col. George C. Burling, Comdg. Third Brig., Second Div., Third Corps.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

New Hampshire 2nd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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