THREE-YEARS' REGIMENTS. 79 authorized the governor to accept the services of ten thousand men for such time as he might deem expedient, they being liable at all times to be turned over to the service. of the United States. All acts of the governor in raising volunteer regiments were ratified and confirmed, and all expenses incurred by him for the same purpose were ordered paid from the State treasury. The sum of ten dollars per month, as additional compensation, was appropriated to every non-commissioned officer and private who was mustered into the service under the act. Towns and cities were authorized to vote money to aid volunteers or their families, and previous votes of this character were validated. The sum of two million dollars was appropriated to defray military expenses; and the treas urer was authorized to issue six per cent coupon bonds to that amount, payable in twenty years. The act was approved by the governor immediately, and became the basis of much of the subsequent legislation upon war-matters. Mr. Sedgwick of Cornwall gave early notice of a bill to raise five regiments of negroes; but the project, repeatedly broached by him, met with little favor. 7 At this time, the patriotism of the people was glowing at a white-heat; partisan feeling was subdued; and, with few exceptions, the Democratic members of the Assembly vied with those of the majority party in expressions of loyalty and devotion to the Federal Union. Resolutions of inquiry or instruction upon the all-absorbing subject were introduced nearly every day, many of them illustrative of the crude ideas that then prevailed concerning the requirements of actual warfare. Before the close of the session, three-years' regiments were begun; and it was deemed necessary to reduce the extra pay of ten dollars per month, except in the case of those who enlisted for three months, to thirty dollars per year, to be paid in installments of ten dollars every four months. This was 7 At the city elections of New Haven and Norwich in June, a Union ticket was nominated by mutual agreement of parties, and elected without opposition. continued until the close of the war. By an act approved June 27, provision was made for the payment of a bounty for the support of the family of each enlisted man. This bounty was six dollars per month for the wife, and two dollars per month for each child, not exceeding two, under fourteen years of age. It was paid quarterly until the final muster-out; and, whenever a soldier died in the service, it was continued until the expiration of his term of enlistment; so that, in many cases, it operated as a pension for two or more years.8 The Corwin Constitutional Amendment was reported from the Committee on Federal Relations on the 3d of July without recommendation, and continued to the next session of the General Assembly by nearly a strict party vote. Senator E. Johnson (Dem.) was for a peaceful settlement of the difficulties, and in favor of guaranteeing the constitutional rights of the South. He should consider a vote for continuing the amendment as a vote against it. Senator O. H. Platt replied, "I wish the vote I shall give for continuance to be considered as a declaration that I will not compromise with traitors. I wish first to know whether we have a Con stitution to be amended, or whether it is to be subverted. I believe that those who talk of peace now mean sympathy with traitors, and a peaceable dissolution of the Union." The amendment was not heard of again. An act to repeal the Personal-liberty Bill was also continued to the next session by a similar vote. The resolutions upon Federal affairs, which were presented according to custom just before the close of the session,, were very conservative in their character, declaring it to be the duty of the government to resist rebellion with all its force, and against interference with slavery in the States. They were passed by the votes of Republicans and Democrats, and were opposed only by Mr. Thomas H. Seymour and a few others, who, in those early days of the war, were 8 The bounty, in this beneficent form, was secured chiefly by the persistent efforts of William B. Wooster of Derby. DEMONSTRATIONS AT WALLINGFORD. 81 known as "peace men." A large proportion of the Democratic party in the Assembly seemed, however, at this time, to be as earnest and hearty in their support of the warmeasures as the Republicans. Several of them, like Deming of Hartford, Atwater of New Haven, and Dibble of Branford, continued to act with the Republican Union party through the war. Much credit is due to the Military Committee of this Assembly for their arduous work and judicious recommendations. The principal bills relating to the conduct of the war were never repealed, and were only altered for the purpose of extending their provisions as circumstances required. The Assembly adjourned, sine die, on the evening of July 3. Independence Day was celebrated with earnestness and enthusiasm. Communities which had no suitable flag-staff commemorated the day by raising the tallest and handsomest the region afforded. Others gathered around the massive and shapely poles already erected, to renew with solemn emphasis their pledges of devotion to the starry emblem, and the Republic whose majesty and power it typified. Among the unique demonstrations was that at Wallingford, where the citizens unfurled the flag that had been presented by Moses Y. Beach. Samuel Simpson presided, and the flag was received by E. S. Ives. After a bountiful collation, a miniature model of the flag and staff, surmounting a colossal loaf of cake, adorned with flowers, was presented to Mr. Beach by six daughters of M. W. Munson, who accompanied the gift with a patriotic note expressing thanks to him, and signed themselves "six sisters for the Union.” Gov. Buckingham spent the day at New Haven. In the forenoon, there was a review of the volunteer and militia companies; in the afternoon, a mass-meeting to listen to addresses and the singing of the Children's Brigade. Some weeks before, Benjamin Jepson had issued a circular, in which he urged that all our children might and should be imbued with ineradicable love of country by early instruc tion in our national songs, and calling them together to rehearse a programme for the Fourth of July. In response to this call, a thousand children assembled, from time to time, for practice, and, at two o'clock on the Fourth, gathered at "The Wigwam" in Olive Street, and formed in procession in the following order: Division of boys,- Indians, representing the Boston Tea-Party; Washington Zouaves, Wideawake Fire-engine Company with a miniature engine, Marine Guard, Infant Rifles. Division of girls,- Daughters of Columbia, Goddess of Liberty in a floral car, Young America with continental guard, Brother Jonathan in full costume, Union of States represented by thirty-four young ladies. The costume of the children accorded with the parts assigned them each carried a flag, and the entire procession was interspersed with banners representing the battles of the Revolution and various appropriate devices. The procession passed through the principal streets to the north portico of the State House, and were seated on the broad steps in a prescribed order, making a most picturesque and impressive tableau. Mayor Welch presided: speeches were made by his Excellency the Governor, Ex-Gov. Dutton, Prof. D. C. Gilman, Deacon George F. Smith, John G. North, and others. The speakers were warmly applauded; but the spirit and power of the singing, intensified by the effect of the decorations, elicited much enthusiasm. The vast audience, of from fifteen to twenty thousand, stood in compact, swaying mass, without sign of weariness, for four hours, and dispersed with hearts vibrating to this stanza, sung by the children with thrilling effect: "Still undaunted, still united The Union's mighty hosts are led, CHAPTER VI. The First and Second Regiments in Washington. - Welcome Reception. - Camp at Glenwood. — Joined by the Third. — Death of Col. Ellsworth. — Ellsworth of Connecticut Stock. "Invasion" of Virginia. - Ambush at Vienna. — Holding the Advanced Post.- Death of Theodore Winthrop. - Sketch of his Life and Character. - Death of Capt. James H. Ward. An Advance. - Blackburn's Ford.—Bull Run. — Gen. Tyler begins the Battle. The Army betrayed. Behavior of Connecticut Troops. - The Last on the Field. They act as Rear-Guard in the Retreat. maintained. They bring off Public Property. - Home, and Muster-out. Good Order HE destination of the First was kept a secret, even from its line officers, until the Bienville was outside New-Haven Harbor, to avoid the necessity of a hostile reception by the rebels along the Potomac. The transport made straight for the Chesapeake, and steamed along without opposition. It was the first regiment up the river; and rebel camps were seen here and there in the distance, while the strange flag of treason was flaunted at Alexandria. The regiment arrived not a day too soon; for the capital was still at the mercy of the foe, had he been resolute and dashing. They were met on the Potomac, and cordially welcomed, by President Lincoln and his cabinet. While marching through the streets of Washington, they received much praise for their soldierly bearing and discipline, and for the perfection of their personal and camp equipage. It was the first regiment from any State thoroughly equipped; being furnished not only with tents, but with a complete baggagetrain. Gen. Scott reviewed them, and exclaimed, "Thank God! we have one regiment ready to take the field." The day of their arrival, May 13, they pitched their camp about two miles north of the capital, on the pleasant grounds of the wealthy banker Corcoran, called Glenwood. |