Kennedy Patrick, Milford Linthead George F., Saxonville Morrill Estwick E., Salisbury Mills Mashan Joseph, Lowell Mines Patrick, Worcester Munroe N. Bonaparte, Hopkinton Spartes Joseph G., Newburyport Sears George H., Belmont Sheldon Edward, Worcester Spear Emery, Boston Temple Martin, Hopkinton Twentieth Regiment. When the news came that Fort Sumter had fallen into the hands of the rebels, joy mingled with our sorrow, because at last treason had thrown off its mask, and could be openly met. Inaction had been tried, and had failed, as it must against active treason. Would action fail as well? "No! said the people, and very active the people became. Companies were raised in every town and almost every street; they were formed into regiments and sent to the war for three months' or three years' service. But not all were thus sent off at once-some remained. There were Germans who, knowing what war meant, and knowing also what freedom meant, formed themselves into two companies to wage war again for freedom. Unsuccessful in their native country in their opposition to long-established tyranny, they hoped for success here before oppression should gain solidity and strength to destroy the last stronghold of liberty. these were joined other companies, which, through no fault on their part, had failed in their first efforts to serve their country. These and other companies were, early in the summer, designated as the 20th Regiment, under the command of Colonel William Raymond Lee. With On the 10th of July they were ordered to Camp Massasoit, at Readville, in Dedham, where their tents were pitched on an old Indian camping-ground, famous also as an old muster-field of our martial militia; but "Camp Massasoit" will henceforth be famous as the field of Mars, where the 18th, 20th, and 24th Infantry and 1st Cavalry o Massachusetts Volunteers first learned their rudiments of war, and “ 'fought in effigy their future battles." The 20th Regiment was fully organized towards the end of July, but its ranks were not one half filled, and many companies were composed of raw recruits. A month was passed in active drill, but the recruiting was not equally active; and when the order came from Washington to send forward at once all the regiments then accepted and in camp, the 20th scarcely numbered 500 men' It escorted its more fortunate comrades in arms and in camp, of the 18th Regiment, to the railroad station towards the end of August, but did not break up its own camp until September 4. It then numbered between 500 and 600 men, who had just received their equipments and exchanged smooth-bore muskets for the long-coveted Enfield rifles. A regimental band was to follow it in a few days, and two officers were left in Boston to recruit the regiment to the maximum. A fine American flag and the State colors were presented to the regiment by one of the aids of Governor Andrew in the name of the governor and State, and they were received by Colonel Lee in the name of the regiment, with a few earnest words of gratitude, hope, and promises. September 4, late in the afternoon, the regiment left Readville for New York in a special train on the Providence Railroad. Although it was a Boston regiment, and one that Boston is now proud to claim as its own, it had not made the customary visit, marched through the streets thronged with admiring friends, and been "received" by the city on the Parade Grounds; but it had a farewell greeting from its friends on its own parade ground, to which it had so often welcomed them. Friends met it in New York, and gave a collation and dinner at the Park Barracks, at which Governor Andrew and others made eloquent speeches. The kindly Philadelphians received it with a hospitable breakfast, and a yet greater boon-with water to wash off the stains of railroad travel. It was greeted on its arrival in Baltimore, at 10 P. M., with an awkward attempt at a torch-light procession; but silence reigned in Baltimore as it marched through the deserted streets, prepared to resist any attack; but the only attack made upon it was conducted by friends of the Union with hot coffee, during a delay at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad depot. This attack was continued until the assailed cried, "Hold! enough!" and "fell back slowly " upon Washington, which was gained about daybreak (September 7). In the afternoon the regiment marched three miles to Camp Kalorama, where the tents were pitched, and appearances indicated a long stay. Colonel Lee was appointed acting brigadier general in a provisional brigade of General Burnside's provisiona division. But on September 10th the regiment was transferred to Camp Burnside, and on the 12th the tents were again struck, and the regiment marched, as rumor said, to Chain Bridge; but evening found it well on the way towards the Upper Potomac. On the 14th, late in the evening, it reached Poolesville, the headquarters of General Stone, and was hospitably received by the 15th Massachusetts Volunteers, on whose parade ground it bivouacked. On September 15th the camp was pitched about two miles from Poolesville on the road to Edward's Ferry, which is one and a half miles distant. The 19th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, which had accompanied the 20th from Washington, encamped near. The 7th Michigan soon followed; and there was established Camp Benton, the quarters of General Lander's Brigade, in General Stone's Corps of Observation, on the Upper Potomac. The Andrew Sharp-Shooters had joined the 20th in New York, and were attached to the brigade. During the first month, frequent alarms called the regiment to the Potomac at night, and drill occupied it by day. Companies were also detached occasionally to support batteries and for other special services near the river. Four companies were thus detached on the afternoon of October 20th, when the companies present in the camp were ordered to fall into line with arms and knapsacks. Company K and the men who were on guard at the time were left in charge of the camp, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey. Colonel Lee and Major Revere, with a battalion of five companies, joined on the road by two of those on detached service, and thus increased to seven, numbering in all about 300 officers and enlisted men, marched rapidly to Edward's Ferry, and then up the left bank of the Potomac about five miles, when a halt was made, and the men were ordered to sleep on their arms. At 12 P. M. the battalion crossed in flat-boats to Harrison's Island. The 15th Massachusetts had preceded it, and had crossed during the night to the Virginia shore. Two companies (I and D) of the 20th followed the 15th, and held the headland near the river, now famous as Ball's Bluff. The rest of the battalion crossed about 12 P. M., and joined the first two companies, the whole forming a support to the 15th Regiment, which was advancing in the direction of Leesburg. About 1 P. M. firing was heard in the distance. Colonel Lee at once formed the battalion in line of battle, throwing forward companies I, D, and H, as skirmishers in the woods on the right and left flanks. After a while the 15th Regiment appeared in sight, slowly retiring, and took a position on the right flank, and Company I was recalled. About 2 o'clock Colonel Baker came upon the bluff and took the command. He rode along the line, and asked the boys whether they were ready to fight. He formed a new line of battle, placed his own regiment on the left, with their left flank covered by woods. The 15th Massachusetts still held the right, where they were somewhat covered by woods. Companies A and G of the 20th still held the centre of the open field (which sloped in such a way as to afford aslight protection, especially to those in the rear). Companies I, C, and E were held. in reserve behind the right centre, and Companies H and D remained on the flanks as skirmishers. Captain Putnam of Company H was wounded severely in the right arm at the beginning of the fight, and had to submit to an amputation. About 3 P. M. the enemy opened a brisk fire from woods in front, distant about two hundred and fifty yards. An attack on the right flank was unsuccessful; but the rebels gained ground on the left, and opened a cross fire at our centre. The fire was answered as well as the nature of the ground permitted. Two small howitzers and a 12 lb. rifled cannon rendered some assistance, but, from their exposed position, they were soon crippled by the enemy's fire. About 4 o'clock, Lieutenant Holmes was wounded in the breast. The reserve was ordered up about this time, and the fire from the left becoming very heavy, Captains Dreher and Schmitt, and Lieutenants Putnam and Lowell, were wounded in quick succession. After this, several rallies were made under a heavy fire; but soon after 5 o'clock, to save further slaughter, the men were ordered to retire under the bluff, and, throwing their guns into the river, to reach the island as they could. The only large ferry-boat was already swamped, and most of the men were forced to swim a swift, cold stream of two hundred feet in width, exposed to chance shots from the enemy. Here were lost the two lieutenants of Company C, Babo and Wesselhoeft. The former had been appointed captain of Company G, and his commission was looked for daily. He was one of the finest officers in the regiment. In Boston he had been a leader among the Germans. In every enterprise his fine intellect and attainments as a scholar, as well as his great physical powers, at once made themselves felt. The enthusiasm and manliness, frankness and firmness of young Wesselhoeft, visible to all in his open countenance, attracted the notice of strangers, and warmly attached to him all who knew him. These two young heroes were devoted friends, and there is little doubt that one died in the attempt to save the other. Their young companion in arms, William L. Putnam, who died on the 22d, after twenty-six hours of intense suffering, borne with the utmost fortitude, is fittingly described by the Rev. James F. Clarke, in the remarks made at Putnam's funeral. Colonel Lee, after declining, for the benefit of the wounded ones, a boat offering to carry him safely over to the island, was taken prisoner, with Major Revere, Dr. Revere, Adjutant Peirson, and Lieutenant Perry, after they had proceeded some way up the river. Captain Tremlett proposed to the officers near him to try to find a boat and cross over, which was done, and so himself, Captain Bartlett, Lieutenants Abbott and Whittier, and a squad of 80 men, went over to the island in an old boat found at some Early in the morning Lieutenant Riddle, then first sergeant of Company I, when out in the woods scouting, was wounded severely in the right arm, which was amputated afterwards. distance up the river. Though defeated, the 20th, both officers and men, displayed a coolness under fire which gives promise of success in a fair and open field. Company B and Company F, stationed below Edward's Ferry, when they heard of the fight, marched with all haste to the battle-field, but, much to their regret, only arrived in time to help the wounded, while the 19th Massachusetts, under Colonel Hinks, guarded the island. At daybreak on the 22d, the long-roll was sounded in the camp, and LieutenantColonel Palfrey, who had been left in command, led Company K and every other ablebodied soldier across the Potomac at Edward's Ferry. They had a brisk skirmish with the rebels in the afternoon, and on the next day, on account of the rough weather, were in danger of being cut off with all the other troops that had crossed; but they recrossed in safety on the night of the 23d. The regiment was temporarily re-organized as a battalion of six companies, and has, since that time, had no work but drill and picket duty at the river. On Christmas Day a beautiful flag, in remembrance of Ball's Bluff, was presented to the regiment by the Hon. J. G. Palfrey, the father of the commanding officer, in behalf of friends in Massachusetts. Another beautiful standard was sent to the regiment by Mrs. Putnam, the mother of the late lamented Lieutenant Putnam, and some lady friends, just before the fight, and was to be presented by General Lander; but his continued absence has interfered with the ceremony. Lieutenant Putnam never saw this flag. Boston may well be proud of the 20th Regiment, and claim it as its own, although it was but little noticed until it had shown its character in battle. Undismayed by defeat, and feeling that the failure was through no fault on their part, all were eager to meet the enemy again at once. There was no despondency or flinching, but a burning desire to be placed where they could see the rebels, and a calm assurance that they could be trusted by their leaders. Colonel. Lieut.-Col. Adjutant Surgeon .... .Roxbury. NATHAN HAYWARD.. Promoted from assistant surgeon, Sept. 10, 1861. Assistant Surgeon.....EDWARD H. R. REVERE.. ........ .CHAS. W. FOLSOM...... .Boston. ..Cambridge. Waltham. ..New York. .Boston. .Boston. Foster Alonzo T., East Abington Company A, Boston.-20th Reg. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain, HENRY M. TREMLETT, Dorchester. 1st Lieut., OLIVER W. HOLMES, JR., Boston, transferred to Company D, wounded at battle of Ball's Bluff. 2d Lieut.. CHARLES A. WHITTIER, Bangor, Me., promoted 1st lieut. Nov. 26, 1861. Clark George H., Honesdale, pro- Fuller Henry A., Dorchester Gay John S., Pepperell Goodrich Amos B., Dalton, disch'd Graves Alphonzo J., Newport, deceased Hartford George, Ireland Hartford Thoinas, Ireland, wound- Harris Abel T., Smithfield, R. I. Heath B. F., Sanderfield, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Hanscom Leander, South Boston, wounded at battle of Ball's Bluff Hibbard Lansing E., Pittsfield Captain, Heath H. R., Monterey, wounded Kendall Thomas J., Hinsdale Morrisson John, discharged Morse T. A., discharged Mead Edwin B., Lanesboro' Russell James R., Wareham, pris- Snell Joseph, Wareham, transferred to Co. H Stephens Edward R., England Searle Dwight A., East Granville, discharged Storer Benjamin F., Hiram, Me. Smith W. H., Berlin, N. Y., wounded at battle Ball's Bluff Sexton Edward C., Stockbridge Shaw H. H., Cummington, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff [Me. Torsey Timothy T., Monmouth, Tiernan Thos. C., Providence, R. I. Tower A. Tower George E.. Stoughton, promoted to 4th sergeant Videto Alfred, Williamsburg, killed at Ball's Bluff Wright Charles, Beverly, killed at battle Ball's Bluff Waters G. W., promoted to corporal; killed at battle Ball's Bluff Welch William, Ireland, killed at battle Ball's Bluff Wellington Waldo H., Ireland Joined since the regt. left Mass. Clarry John, Nassau, N. Y. Goodwin Charles B., Ryegate, Vt. Russell Isaac, Wareham Company B, Boston. -20th Reg. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. JOHN HERCHENROEDER, Boston, discharged Nov. 7, 1861. GEORGE N. MACY, Nantucket, promoted from 1st lieut., Company I. 1st Lieut., JOHN W. LE BARNES, Nantucket; 2d Lieut., AUGUST MULLER, Dorchester. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND Buestinger Christian, Boston Miller Gotfried, Boston Anthony Joseph, Boston Frautwein John B., Boston Kasper Nicholas, East Cambridge, discharged Kaiewsky Julius, Dedham Lamb Jacob, Roxbury Loeslein Simon, Boston Morrow William, Boston PRIVATES. Most August, Roxbury, discharged Marks Heinrich, Boston Maier Cipran, Roxbury McDonald Thomas, Boston Ludwig Rabenau, W'mington, Del. Rost Charles, Worcester Roth Moses, Boston Suess Werner, Boston, promoted to corporal Shoenberg Henry, Boston Schnege August, Boston Schmarzman Edward, Boston Seibel Conrad, Roxbury Shuster Christian, Roxbury Sessler Jacob, Randolph Schaber John, Boston Shilling John, Worcester Schieferdecker Herman O., N.York Tiesler Bruno, Boston Vogel George, Roxbury Weissensee Clemens Wagner Christian, Boston Company C, Boston.-20th Reg. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain, FERDINAND DREHER, Boston, wounded at battle Ball's Bluff. 1st Lieut., { CHAS. L. TILDEN, Boston, promoted from 2d lieut. Co. K, Oct. 9, 1861. 2d Lieut., Privates. Bender Jacob, Boston Christily Charles, Amesbury, pris- Bernhard Graichen, Lynn Hein Joseph, Boston, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Honnard Joseph, Boston, disch'd Hayes John B., Boston, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Johnston Frederic, Baltimore, Md. Joseff E., promoted to corporal; prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Captain, Kernberger William, Boston Meyer Jos.. Boston, missing since Minuty Franz, New Orleans, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Moegle Christian, Lawrence, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff McGovern Pat, Boston Pfister Charles, Boston, discharged Quimby John, Boston, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Rank Herman, Boston, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Rinner Johann, Lawrence Rahm John, Boston, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Ruppert Frederic, Boston, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Rymers Edward, Boston, promoted to corporal Speiser Gotfried, Persia, (probably Seifert Herman, Lawrence Schuster George, Boston, prisoner Vogel Henry, Lawrence, promoted to corporal: prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Wipfler Jacob, Boston, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Zimmer Franz, Jamaica Plain, prisoner at battle Ball's Bluff Joined after the Regt, left Mass. Smoke Albert, Boston Company D, Boston. - 20th Reg. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. CASPAR CROWNINSHIELD, Longwood, transferred to 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, Nov. 25, 1861. N. P. HALLOWELL, Cambridge, promoted from 1st lieut., Co. H, Nov. 26, 1851. 1st Lieut., GEORGE B. PERRY, Boston, taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff. 2d Lieut., NATHANIEL T. MESSER, Boston. Sergeants. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND Talcott R. H. L., Mansfield, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Holland James W. R., Mansfield Willard Samuel, Boston Wilson George, Portsmouth Cogans James M., Boston, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Corporals. Bixby Chas. N., Boston Derry Horace A., Quincy, promoted to sergeant: taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Kemp James A., Boston Musicians. Ashley Daniel, Boston Brown David Walsh James N., discharged Privates. Alger Israel, Boston, taken prisoner Baxter John, Lawrence, taken Booth W. H. H., Boston, promoted to corporal Brown Jas. R., New Bedford Clare Robert, Lawrence Davis George Davis George A.. taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Doualan M. PRIVATES. Dupee Job W., Boston, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Duffin Richard, Lawrence, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Eames Warren F., Newry, Me., died at Richmond, Va. Flagg Geo. P., Rutland Giesler Francis, So. Boston, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Galigan James, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Graham Wm., England, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Haskins J. B. L. Howard Hiram B., New Bedford Holbrook Alden II., Quincy Irving Wm., England, taken pris- Kerres L. P., New Jersey Lucas George, New Bedford, taken Medbury Alpheus F., Seekonk Neary John, Boston O'Connell John J., Boston, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff O'Brien D., New Bedford, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff O'Keefe Owen, Maine Perry Wm. D., New Bedford Porter Calvin, Huntington, killed at battle Ball's Bluff Partridge Amos H., Westminster, wounded at battle of Ball's Bluff, and died in hospital at Richmond Pratt Wm. Proctor Josiah, Franklin Rumble John, Boston, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Rewes S. P., promoted to corporal: taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Read Wm. O., Haverhill, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Smith James, New Bedford, taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Smith Matthew, Liverpool, Eng. Sullivan James, New Bedford Sherman Albert Sackett Francis, discharged Sinester Wm. H., taken prisoner at battle of Ball's Bluff Sampson Frank, South Boston, promoted to corporal; taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff, and died at Richmond Tripp Lot, New Bedford Captain, GEORGE A. SCHMIDT, Cambridge, wounded at Ball's Bluff. 1st Lieut., JAMES J. LOWELL, Cambridge, wounded at Ball's Bluff. WM. L. PUTNAM, Cambridge, killed at Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21, 1861. 2d Lieut., H. L. PATTEN, St. Louis, Mo., commissioned Nov. 25, 1861. |