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THE IRON HEARTED REGIMENT ARRIVAL OF THE 115TH IN NEW YORK. The One Hundred and Fifteenth was serving, at the time of its leaving Raleigh, Ga., for home, in the Third brigade, Second Division, Tenth Army Corps, but has been identified with the Eighteenth and Twenty-fourth Corps. During its term of service, 8 officers were killed and 14 wounded. The regiment was raised in the counties of Fulton, Saratoga, Hamilton and Montgomery, rendezvousing at Fonda, Aug. 26th, 1862. During their three years’ service the One Hundred and Fifteenth have had 1,493 names upon their rolls, and left behind them at Raleigh, 301 recruits. The following comprises the officers’ names accompanying the regiment home: Field and Staff ----Lieut. Col. N. J. Johnson, Maj. E. L. Walrath, Surgeon C. McFarland, Acting Adjt. N. DeGrath, Quartermaster Martin McMartin. Line Officers ----Co. A, Capt. C. Ballou; Co. B, Capt. J. P. Kneeskern, Girst Lieut. A. Collier; Co. C, Capt. F. S. Mosher; Co. D, Second Lieut. Chas. Kline; Co. E, Capt. W. H. Shaw, First Lieut. A. C. Slocum, Second Lieut. C. L. Clark; Co. I, Second Lieut. W. McIntosh; Co. K, Capt. William Smith. The One Hundred and Fifteenth New York have participated in the following battles; Maryland Heights, Sept. 13, 1862; Bolivar Heights, Va., Sept. 15, 1862; Chesterfield Heights, Va., May 7, 1864; Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20 1864; Weir Bottom Church, Va., May 12, 1864; Drury’s Bluff, Va., May 14, 1864; Proctor’s Farm, Va., May 16, 1864; Coal Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864; Siege of Petersburg; Cemetery Hill (“the Crater”), July 30, 1864; Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 16, 1864; Fort Gilmer, Sept. 29, 1864; Darbytown road, Va., Oct. 27, 1864; Fort Fisher (Wilmington N. C.,) Jan. 15 1865; Wilmington Advance, Feb. 22, 1865; Advance on Sugar Loaf Batteries, Feb. 20, 1865; Attack upon fort Anderson, Feb. 19, 1865; forced march to Northeast river, and capture of pontoon bridge. Col. Bell, commanding the brigade, was killed in the fierce attack upon Fort Fisher (under Gen. Terry). And Lieut. Col. Johnson assumed the command, intering the fort and thus gaining the distinguished honor of being the first brigade commander to enter that fort. The regiment marched up the Neuse river to join Sherman, making the connection from the 14th to the 20th April, 1865. They departed by special steamer yesterday afternoon for Albany. ARRIVAL OF THE 115TH IN ALBANY. The following officers returned with the regiment: The regiment will remain at the barracks on the Troy road until paid off. [From the Schenectady Daily Evening Star.] Bloody and disastrous one of Olustee, in Florida. They should have a warm, whole-souled reception on their return home. There were a number of Saratoga men in the same regiment. RETURN OF THE 115TH N. Y. REGIMENT As this regiment is partially a local organization, perhaps a glance at its history may not be uninteresting. As is well known, it was recruited under the second call of the president for 300,000 three years men, in the 18th senatorial district, comprised of Saratoga, Montgomery and Fulton counties. It was mustered into service at Fonda, N.Y., on the 26th of August, 1862, and on the 28th left the state for the seat of war. The first duty performed by it was at Summit Point in the Shenandoah, Valley, About fifteen miles from Harper’s Ferry: but upon Stonewall Jackson’s approach in the direction of Winchester on the 1st of September, the regiment fell back to the Ferry, and a few days after took part in the defense of that place against the attack of Jackson and Longstreet; but treason on the of Col. Miles, the commander of the post, turned them over to the enemy on the 15th of September as prisoners of war, with little or no bloodshed. After being paroled, the regiment was sent to Chicago, where it remained until November 20th, when being exchanged, they returned to Virginia at Arlington Heights, and subsequently encamped at Alexandria and Yorktown, Va., and Hilton Head and Beaufort, S. C. they remained on garrison and guard duty, in the southern department, until January 1864, when they joined Seymour’s expedition into Florida, and took a very prominent part in the battle of Olustee, on the 20th of February, where more than half of the regiment were lost in killed and wounded, the colonel being among the latter. After this and affair, the regiment was stationed at Pilatka, Florida, until the latter part of March, when they received orders to embark for Virginia to join Butler in his James river enterprise. They arrived at Gloucester Point, Va., in April, and early in May ascended the James river with Butler and participated in the capture of Bermuda Hundreds, and also the battle of Chesterfield Heights on May 7th; Drury’s Bluff on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th of May. In the latter part of May, the division to which they were attached was ordered to join the 18th Corps and proceed to coal Harbor, which they did arriving at White House landing on the Pamunky river on the 31st of May, and on the first day of June having formed a junction with the army of the Potomac took part in the assault for the capture of the defenses around coal harbor. The portion of the enemy’s line in front of the 18th Corps was carried, and the 115th had the honor of capturing 280 prisoners behind their own works while the regiment itself at this time did not number 250 men. The regiment remained at this place during the terrible twelve days succeeding the 1st of June. When the army here commenced its great flank movement toward Petersburg, the 115th returned to Bermuda Hundreds, and soon after again joined the 18th Corps in front of Petersburg, and took an active part in the siege of that place and also in the battle of July 30, 1864, when the rebel fort was blown up, and such terrible slaughter ensued. Here its colonel was again wounded. After the battle, the regiment returned to the 10th Corps just in time to take part in the battle of Deep Bottom on the 16th and 18th of August. This movement was intended only as a feint to cover the movements of the 5th Corps on the Weldon rail road, but by some blunder a disastrous battle was brought on , and 115th was again reduced by over 100 men. After this they again made a short visit to the lines around Petersburg, and about the 28th of September returned to the north side of the James river and were engaged in the bottles of Chapin’s Farm on the 29th of September and the 7th of October, and Darbytown Road on the 27th of October. The regiment then went into camp about six miles from Richmond, where it remained until the famous Butler expedition to Fort Fisher was started, which it accompanied, and also the subsequent one under Gen. Terry, and took part in the capture of that stronghold and suffered terribly by the explosion of the magazine after the battle. After this it marched to Wilmington, and finally to Raleigh, where it arrived just previous to the surrender of Johnston, and where it remained until mustered out of service. The regiment has always conducted itself nobly in every battle in which it has been engaged, and its history reflects honor upon the counties which it represented. We gladly welcome home these and other returning heroes who have periled life and health, and have borne the hardships consequent upon the life of a soldier, for the sake of their country, and may they live long to enjoy the benefit of their labor, and see a united, prosperous, peaceful and happy country as the fruits of their sacrifices. The following is a list of the members of Co. H, that went from the town of
Waterford and the village of Cohoes upon its organization. SWORD PRESENTATION IN CLIFTON PARK. The meeting was then opened by prayer by the Rev. R. Fox, after which the president arose and addressed the audience, stating the object of the meeting, and the high estimation in which this vicinity held Lieut. Clark, not only richly earned since he went out in defense of his country, but for A long period previous thereto --- all of which was suitable and appropriate
for the occasion. The duty of presenting the sword to Lieut. Clark was assigned
to Rev. Mr. Fox, who in discharge of the same, evinced the spirit of patriotism
and fidelity to the government. Lieut. Clark, on receiving the same, made a
brief and appropriate reply. Hon. J. S. Enos was then called to the stand, who
in his usual pleasant manner addressed the audience. He dwelt at length on the
situation of our country at the present era, and avoiding the diversity of opinion
as to the cause, clearly, logically and impressively urged the audience to more
vigorous efforts to sustain the government, its laws and constitution. His remarks
were spirited, high-minded and patriotic, and were listened to with marked attention,
and applauded by the audience. Chaplain Clements, although very feeble as to
health, was again called out. His remarks were generally relating to the 115th.
He spoke in high terms of respect of the colonel of the regiment, of Capt. S.
P. Smith of Co. H, his officers and privates, made a strong and personal allusion
to Lieut. Clark, and closed by saying that there was n regiment in service that
would excel the 115th in point of morals or discipline as a volunteer regiment.
BATTLE OF PROCTOR’S CREEK. “This was the condition of affairs, when the rebels, massing their troops, struck our right under General Hickman, enveloped its flank and took it in reverse. The first blow was dealt with terrific force. Gen. Heckman’s brigade of the Eighteenth Corps, holding the right, was doubled up and forced back on the next brigade, which was also thrown into some confusion. Our men did not observe the rebels until they had succeeded in passing a column between Hickman’s right and the river, and then taking him in front and rear, crowded him between the columns, and for a time created the greatest confusion. Gen. Heckman made a gallant fight as long as he could, but the enemy came upon him so suddenly and with such overwhelming numbers, that successful resistance was quite impossible in the darkness and confusion. Some of the brigade was captured. After this opposition --- having forced back the right, --- a heavy attack was made on the entire line of the Eighteenth Corps, with faints along the Tenth Corps line, and the entire right forced back some distance, after several hours of most severe and sanguinary struggles. “The battle raged with unexampled fury until nearly 12 o’clock. The rebels threw heavy masses. Upon our lines, and finally forced it back nearly a quarter of a mile. Our men fought stubbornly with few exceptions, and resisted every step, and repeatedly checked the rebel advance with terrible slaughter, but not without some loss to our side. The enemy numbered not less than 15,000, and pushed into the murderous fire with a recklessness and steadiness that are rarely seen. “In the attack on our right we lost a gun or two, and it is said, some light pieces --- how many it is difficult to ascertain. Probably four will cover the loss in light pieces. Finally, after forcing the Eighteenth Corps back from its position and regaining a portion of the first line of intrenchments, they moved their forces on the Tenth Corps to drive it back. They first hurled their columns upon Turner’s division (ours), which held the right of the corps line joining the Eighteenth Corps. They formed in a careful manner and moved steadily on Burton’s brigade (ours), on the right of Turner’s division, advancing as if on parade, not firing a single shot, and waited until they had reached a good distance for effective range. The brigade poured into their line such a terrific fire that they melted away, and the thinned and broken line after vainly endeavored to advance against the storm of bullets, fled with terrible loss to the woods in the rear. Their volleys were as continuous and heavy as the musketry of a brigade could well be, and such as no living beings could stand against. The rebels were scattered like chaff, and broke for the woods in disorganized masses. Under their friendly cover, after great exertion, the line of attack was again formed and again a brigade advanced in splendid style against our line. Again did they receive the terrible fire and pushed steadily on until a fourth of them laid killed and wounded on the field, when they broke and rushed quickly to the cover of the woods. Our boys gave three hearty cheers and sent a volley of bullets after the rebels which told upon them severely. Being once bloodily repulsed at this print, they moved further to our left, and hurled a column on Gen. Hawley’s bridged, of Gen. Terry’s division. They came up in the same steady and confident manner, but were received with a more rapid and equally as deadly a fire as that which they were treated to by Turner. The Spencer repeating rifles in the hands of the Connecticut boys, and the Springfield rifles in the hands of the rest of the brigade, delivered a fire so hot and withering that the rebels could not stand it, but broke and ran for the woods, accelerated in their fight by the music of the Spencer bullets around them. They were, however, determined to break our line and force it from its position, cost what it might. They again formed and again charged, but after ten minutes hot work, where disastrously repulsed and driven back at all points. That ended any serious effort on their part to force our position, and they left their dead and wounded to the number of two thousand on the field before our line. They again massed on Gen. Smith’s front and attacked his left. Gen. Gilmore immediately ordered Gen. Turner to attack the enemy on their flank, and ordered Gen. Terry to support him. “Turner’s attack had hardly commenced before Gen. Gilmore was ordered by Gen. Butler to retire and strengthen Gen. Smith’s corps by forming in his rear. Our troops fell back slowly and in order, repulsing every effort of the rebels to quicken their movements, and making a stand at every favorable position, until the enemy ceased to follow up, and fell back to their last line of intrenchments. Gen.Gilmore then drew off his corps and formed to support Gen smith.” CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER. An acknowledgment and thanks for their gallant achievement was given in your name to Admiral Foster and Gen. Terry, from whom the following particulars were obtained : The troops arrived off Fort Fisher Thursday night. Friday they were all landed under cover of a heavy fire from the squadron. A reconnoisance was made by Gen. Terry on Saturday. A strong defensive line against any of the enemy’s forces coming from Wilmington was established on Saturday, and held by 4,000 men, chiefly colored troops, and an assault was determined on. The assault was made on Sunday afternoon, at 3 1/2 o’clock. The sea-front of the fort had been greatly damaged and broken by a coutinuous and terrible fire of the fleet for three days, and the front was assaulted at the hour mentioned by a column of seaman and marines, 1,800 strong, under command of Capt. Beese. They reached the parapet, but after a short conflict this column was checked, driven back in disorder, and was afterward placed on the defensive line, taking the place of a brigade that was brought up to reinforce the assaulting column of troops. Although the assault on the sea-front failed, it performed a useful part in diverting the attention of the enemy, and weakening their resistance to the attack by the troops on the other side. The assault on the other and most difficult side of the fort was made by a column of 3,000 troops of the old Tenth Corps, led by Col. Curtis, under the immediate supervision of Gen. Terry. The enemy’s force in the fort was over 2,200. The conflict lasted for seven hours. The works were so constructed that every traverse afforded the enemy a new defensive position from whence they had to be driven. They were seven in number, aud the fight was carried on from traverse to traverse, for seven hours, by a skillfully directed fire thrown into the traverses. One after another they were occupied by the enemy. Admiral Porter contributed to the success of the assaulting column by signals between himself and Gen. Terry at brief intervals. This fire was so well managed as to damage the enemy without injury to our own troops. About 10 o’clock at night the enemy were entirely driven from the fort, forced down toward Federal Point, followed by a brigade of our troops; and about 12 o’clock at night Gen. Whiting surrendered himself and his command to Gen. Terry unconditionally as prisoners of war, numbering over 1,800, the remainder of his force being killed and wounded. Our loss was not accurately ascertained on Monday afternoon, but was estimated at between seven and eight hundred in killed and wounded, beside the naval loss, which was slight, not exceeding one hundred killed and wounded. Not a ship or a transport was lost. Col. Curtis was severely but not mortally wounded. Col. Bell died of his wounds Monday morning. Col. J. W. Moore and Lieut. Col. Lyman were killed. Col. Pennypacker was badly wounded, also Lieut. Col. Coan. A complete list of the killed and wounded will be forwarded as soon as it can be prepared. Gen. Leroy reported to Surgeon General Barnes that he had ample provision of surgeons, nurses and hospital supplies for the wounded. They will be sent north to their respective states as fast as they can be placed on transports, of which there was ample supply. On Monday morning, between 6 and 7 o’clock, the magazine of Fort Fisher exploded, killing and wounding two or three hundred persons. After the capture of the fort all the troops were withdrawn, except one brigade left in charge of the works. How the explosion occurred was not known, but Gen. Terry believed it was occasioned by accident or neglect. Gen. Hoke’s division, reported at five thousand, was at Wilmington. A portion of it was thrown into the fort not long before the assault, and while that was going on a demonstration was made by General Hoke against our defensive, but it was found too strong for anything more than a skirmishing attack. About 11 o’clock on Monday morning, a heavy cloud of smoke was observed over Fort Smith, on the south side of New Inlet. The naval officer commanding that station reported that the enemy had fired their barracks, and evacuated that fort. You will be pleased to know that perfect harmony and concert of action existed
between the land and naval forces; and their respective commanders, Admiral
Porter and General Terry, vied in their commendation each of the other. Each
seemed more anxious to do justice to the other than to claim anything for himself,
and they united in the highest commendation of the naval and military officers,
and the forces engaged. To this harmony of feeling, and the confident spirit
inspired, may, perhaps be attributed, in some degree, the success of our attack,
with nearly equal numbers, against a resolute enemy, in a work unsurpassed,
if ever equaled, in strength, and which General Beauregard, a few days before,
pronounced impregnable. The armament of the fort was 72 guns, some of large
caliber and rifled, and one Armstrong gun. The troops in the fort had rations
for sixteen days. Their loss in killed and wounded was between 400 and 500.
Gen. Whiting had three wounds in the thigh. Col. Lamb also who had gone into
the fort with reinforcements, and to relieve General Whiting on Sunday, was
wounded. On Monday everything was quiet as a Sabbath day. The dead were being
buried, and the wounded collected and placed in transports and field hospitals. REPORT OF ADMIRAL PORTER. As I informed you in my last, we had commenced operations with the iron vessel, which bombarded while we landed the troops. On the 14th I ordered all the vessels carrying 11 inch guns to bombard with the Ironsides, the Brooklyn taking the lead. By sunset the fort was reduced to a Pulp. Every gun was silenced by being injured or covered up with earth, so that they would not work. On the 19th Gen. Terry and myself arranged for the assault, and I ordered 1,400 sailors and marines to participate. At daylight the iron vessels, the Brooklyn and the 11 inch gun-boats commenced battering the work, while the troops made a lodgment within 150 yards of the fort. At 10 o’clock all the vessels steamed in and took their stations, opening a heavy fire, which was kept up until 3 P.M., when the signal was made to assault, the soldiers taking the land side, the sailors the sea face, and the ships changing, but not stopping, their fire to other works. The rebels met us with a courage worthy of better cause, and fought desperately. About thirty of the sailors and officers succeeded in getting to the top of the parapet, amid a murderous fire of grape, canister and musketry. They had planted the flag there, but were swept away in a moment. Others tried to get up the steep pancopee. The marines could have cleared the parapet by keeping up a steady fire, but they failed to do so, and the sailors were repulsed. Many a gallant fellow fell, trying to emulate their brothers-in-arms who were fighting to obtain an entrance on the north-east angle, as it appears on our charts. The enemy mistook the seamen’s attack for that of the main body of troops, and opposed a most vigorous resistance there. But I witnessed it all, and I think the marines could have made the assault successful. In the meantime our gallant soldiers had gained a foothold on the north-east corner of the fort, fighting like lions, and contesting every inch of the ground. The Ironsides and monitors kept storming their shells into the traverses not occupied by our men, but still held by the rebels. In this way our troops fought from traverse to traverse from 3 o’clock in the afternoon until 10 at night, when the joyful tidings were signaled to the fleet. We stopped our fire, and gave them three of the heartiest cheers I ever heard. It has been the most terrific struggle I ever saw, and there was very much hard labor. The troops have covered themselves with glory, and Gen. Terry is my “beau ideal” of a soldier and a general; and his cooperation has been most harmonious, and I think the general will do the navy the justice to say that this time, at least, “we substantially injured the fort as a defensive work.” Gen. Terry had only A few more troop than we had on the last occasion, when the enemy had only 100 men in the works. This time the works were fully manned, and contained about 800 men at the time of the assault. It is a matter of great regret to me to see my gallant officers and men so cut up, but I was unwilling to let the troops undertake the capture of the works without the namy sharing with them the peril all were anxious to undergo, and we should have had the honor of meeting our brothers-in-arms on the works, had the sailors been properly supported. We have lost about 200 in killed and wounded, among them some gallant officers. I regret to announce the death of L. S. W. Preston and Lt. B. H. Porter. They were both captured together in the attack on Fort Sumter, and died together in endeavoring to pull down the flag that has so long flaunted in our faces. Lieut. R. H. Lamson was severely wounded. He was lately associated with Lieut. Preston in his perilous adventure on the powder-boat. Lieut. George M. Bache and a number of others were wounded, the former not dangerously. The assault only took place a few hours ago, and I am unable to inform you of our casualties. They were quite severe from the assault but we had no casualties from the enemy’s cannon. Knowing the impatience of the department to received news from Fort Fisher, I have written these few harried lines. No one can conceive what the army and navy have gone through to achieve this victory, which should have been ours on Christmas day without the loss of a dozen men. This has been a day of terrific struggle, and is not surpassed by any event of the war. We are all worn out nearly, and you must excuse this brief and unsatisfactory account. I will write fully by the Santiago de Cuba which goes north to-morrow to carry the wounded. Besides the men in Fort Fisher there were about 500 in the upper forts, and a relief of about 1,500 men was brought down by steamers this morning. So far, I believe, we have only captured the garrison of Fort Fisher. I don’t suppose there ever was a work subjected to such a terrific bombardment, or where the approach of a fort was more altered. There is not a spot of earth about the fort that has not been torn up bby our shells. I do not yet know the number of killed and wounded by our fire; but one 15 inch shell alone pierced a bomb-proof, killing 16 and severely wounding 25. I presume we are in possession of all the forts, as Fort Fisher commands them all. It is so late now that I can learn nothing more until morning. I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient, servant, Hon. Gideon Wells, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. COMPLIMENT TO WORTHY OFFICERS. A SKIRMISH AT PILATKA, FLORIDA. One of our officers, however, asserts that a rebel officer, mounted on a magnificent grey horse, was seen to fall after one of our volleys. The Otttawa, Lieutenant-Commander Breese, fired over the town during the engagement, and one or two of her shells burst prematurely, the fragments falling among our lines, happily doing no injury. THE FEARLESS SHARPSHOOTER. Frequently they acted as skirmishers during a battle, and while in front of Petersburg they took positions behind stumps, trees, and breastworks, doing great execution. At one point in front of Petersburg, where a squad of the Indiana boys were watching the movements of the enemy, one after another of their numbers were rapidly shot dead, and the survivors could form no idea where the fatal bullets came from. Finally, one of the regiment far more daring and shrewd than the rest, declared that he would take his position in the fatal spot, and find out the author of the bloody work, if it cost him his life. So with a select party of his comrades, he repaired to the place, and began eagerly watching the rebel lines. For three or four hours all was quiet, but at last a Negro was observed walking leisurely along the works of the enemy. He carried in his arms a long fence rail which he carelessly threw across the sand bag in front of him, and then suddenly disappeared from view. In a moment the crack of a rifle was heard, and one of the Indiana boys fell over dead, being shot through the forehead. Our hero now concluded that the Negro was a black rebel, that he was the man who had played such dreadful havoc, among his comrades, and that the harmless looking fence rail contained a murderous gun. He kept a sharp look-out and presently saw the Negro aiming the fence rail at him. So he drew up his trusty rifle, aimed quickly, pulled the trigger, and two rifles cracked at the same time. The champion of the fence rail fell over dead, and the Indiana boy received a slight wound in the scalp. No more of our men were picked off in that way, and the rebel scould not play the same game on them again. The day following the occurrence noted above, the Indiana soldier took his position in a tree top, and picked off four rebels with ease. One evening he came up where the 115th lay, and gave them an exhibition of his skill as a workman. The regimental flag was strapped to a post, on the breastworks, and all day the rebel sharpshooters and skirmishers had been trying to cut it down, and towards evening they opened an embrasure in a fort opposite, and began throwing cannon balls. The Indiana sharpshooter stepped up and said: “Boys, they are trying to cut down your flag, are they? Just let me get up to the works, and I’ll shut up their music for a while.” The rebel embrasure was one mile distant, but “Indiana” took aim fired, and to the surprise of all, the ball entered the hole, causing several rebel heads to disappear in an amazingly short space of time, He fired five times in succession, and put four of the five shots in the embrasure, and the Johnnies not liking such sharp practice, ceased firing, and nothing more was heard of that cannon for several days. The next evening “Indiana,” accompanied by a friend from his regiment, proceeded to walk boldly in front of the rebel line of works, keeping in Indian file. Of course the rebels began to shoot at them, and pretty soon a spiteful bullet came screaming through the air, wounding each through the leg badly. “Indiana’s” comrade was naturally disposed to limp but was soon led to change his mind. “If you limp I’ll knock your brains out with the butt of my gun,” thundered Indiana in a tone of deep earnestness. “Forward, March! Don’t let the sneaking traitors know you are wounded,” he continued. Both marched boldly to our works, and on reaching there safely, sank down exhausted from the loss of blood. They both laughed, and joked, and shook hands over the furlough they expected to get, and declared they would never enter the door of a hospital. Indiana was warlike still, and asked to be helped up to the works that he might give the Johnnies his pointed respects. After he had done that, he showed us his many wounds. He had a bullet wound in the right leg, a sabre cut across the right shoulder, a deep bayonet thrust in the left side, and a sore wound in the head beside the one received in the leg at the time. He fought in the Mexican war, and took part in forty battles in this one. When the stretcher arrived to convey him to the hospital he refused to get on it, and the last that was seen of him he was limping to the rear, supported by a stick. A PLUCKY SOLDIER BOY. render, at the same time raising his “toad sticker” in a threatening
manner. Two of the chivalry instantly wheeled their horses and dashed off into
the swamp at a break-neck pace. The third was disarmed by Frank before he had
a chance to run, and together with his horse, gun and equipments, was soon safe
in the camp of the 115th. RATHER COOL. STATEMENTS OF PRISONERS. On the 11th of April I was furnished with on day’s rations and sent to Andersonville, Ga., being five days on the route, and only the single day’s rations to eat. A rebel officer of the 4th Ga. Cavalry, rode up to us as I lay wounded on the battle field, and observing one of my boots lying by my side asked where the mate to that boot was. I replied that it was under my head. He then said “When I come back I want them.” As soon as he rode off I took by jack knife and cut both boots in pieces so he could not have them. After a short time he came back and asked for the boots. I said “there they lay,” pointing to the pieces. He declared he had a good mind to run be through with his sword. Rebel soldiers came up to me as I lay suffering, and stripped me of my overcoat, blanket, haversack and canteen, and left without saying a word. A private of the 4th Ga. Cavalry came up, and observing a gold ring on my finger, asked me to let him see it. I dared not refuse, so I handed it to hem, when he walked off with it. Thinking much of the ring I called to hem to bring it back and I would give him a nice watch and chain. He promised to return it, so I handed over the watch, when he coolly walked off with both articles. For seven months I lay in that “hell upon earth: Andersonville, withou tshelter, exposed to the weather, with no clothing except a pair of pants. I have frequently gone three days without receiving a mouthful of food, and my comrade Charles H. DeGraff, being too weak to walk up to the wagons, was refused his rations, and he soon starved to death, suffering like a dog. I was exchanged in Oct., 1864. G. D. COLE. While on his way to Wilmington he paid $50 for a ham weighing three or four pounds, and $25 for some corn bread which did not make a meal for two. The rebel guards paid freely $60 in rebel currency for $1 in greenbacks, and brass buttons sold readily for $5 each. Although never sick a day, yet he was reduced to a mere skeleton and on being paroled could scarcely walk. He weighed 180 pounds at the time he was captured and only 80 pounds when he was released from the rebel prison. Sergt. Van Arnam, of Co. A, taken prisoner at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 16th,
1864, and paroled in November, 1864, made the following statement on his return
home: “There are about 6,000 prisoners in this camp, four thousand of whom have a shelter from the sun, but affording little protection from rain. All receive rations twice a day; at 10 A.M., one quarter of a loaf of wheat bread, which is sour, and a piece of bacon or fresh beef as large as your three fingers. Supper at 4 P.M.; same about and kind of bread, with one half-pint black bean soup, and occasionally in its place, for a variety, rice soup. The prisoners have no blankets, and sleep on the bare ground. A list of prisoners in the hands of the rebels from the 115th Regiment, N.Y.
S. Vols., on Belle island, Va. CHESAPEAKE U. S. HOSPITAL. New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs: Military
History
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