Chapter I

Early Spring in the year 1861, was an eventful one in American history. Troops were organizing in all the loyal States to go forth and suppress the unequal war that was waged upon the people of the North. Deeply was it overshadowing our land and threatening to destroy our liberties as a nation. The shot against Sumpter’s wall was the key note of the Rebellion, and its echo was heard in every town and hamlet, uniting all loyal hearts and inspiring all the people with a zeal which had hitherto remained dormant—a zeal to avenge the insult offered to our flag and to vindicate the nation’s honor. Traitors had been arrogant in our land and had openly defied any power of the national government to suppress their actions, but the shot from Charleston directed against

The Sixth was sworn into the State service on the 3d of September, in camp at Oyster Point, New Haven, and on the 12th of the same month Uncle Sam made us secure for three years or the war. The ranks of the Sixth were filled with men who represented almost every avocation in life. There were to be found professional men, others who had made science a study, as well as a number who were skilled mechanics in those higher grades of industry. The merchant left his counting room, the student his books, the mechanic his workshop, the farmer his plow, and stood shoulder to shoulder in the ranks for the one grand object—the suppression of the Rebellion Wm. G. Ely of Norwich, Lieut. Colonel; John Speidel of Bridgeport, as Major.

The first company that reported on the ground was from Windham County—Thomas K. Bates of Brooklyn, Conn., as Captain. Three companies were furnished from New Haven, viz: Company “C,” Capt. Daniel Klein; Company “F,” Captain Lewis C. Allen, Jr.; Company “K,” Captain Henry G. Gerrish. Company “B,” Captain Benjamin F. Prouty, was from Hartford and the adjoining towns. Company “D,” Captain Lorenzo Meeker, was recruited principally from Stamford and Greenwich. Waterbury and the towns along the Naugatuck Valley furnished the members of Company “E,” Captain Edward P. Hudson. Company “G,” Captain John N. Tracy, was mainly from New Britain. Company “H,” Captain Henry Biebel, was called a Bridgeport company, although most of the members were recruited in towns and cities north of New Haven. Company “I,” Captain Thomas Boudren, was from Bridgeport, yet the adjoining towns contributed largely to her quota.

unloaded muskets and kept a vigilant watch over the commissary stores at night, exercising as much care as in guarding the outposts in an enemy’s land. We would occasionally glance at the future and try to study its mysteries. There was considerable pleasure in the camp of the old Sixth, as well as its sorrows, and the time was well occupied in various ways and the days glided swiftly by. Friends were not wanting to regale our palates with choice food to supercede the rations of Uncle Sam, and to ply all manner of questions regarding our general health and condition. Such questions as “Did we sleep on feather beds?” and “We surely could not be expected to keep awake all night on guard?” and “Don’t they patriots wanted a contract to furnish supplies. Our drilling was not very proficient during the first few days of camp life, from the fact that the camp was filled every day with the friends of the regiment, and the soldiers not having their uniforms, it was rather hard to determine who were enlisted in the service and who were the visitors. It is nothing detrimental to say that perhaps we “smelt the battle afar off,” and anticipated a succession of drills when we were removed from our friends and the pleasant scenes that surrounded us in New Haven. But after we received our uniforms and rifles, which was a few days before our departure, it gave a new impetus. Then the boys began to feel that they were really soldiers. We would don the army blue, and with a pair of Uncle Sam’s brogans upon our feet, the boys would respond to the order to “fall in,” with great alacrity; and then such a tramp with the “tan-yards” upon the parade ground was a sight amusing to behold; and woe be to that individual who had corns upon his feet when such a piece of sole leather happened to light upon them. Under the efficient leadership of our beloved Colonel, a brief period sufficed

But all things have an end, and so it was with our pleasant camp at Oyster Point. After receiving the usual articles necessary for transportation, we received our marching orders. There was the usual bustle and excitement incident to breaking up a camp of soldiers, and each one felt that the time for parting with friends had come. Friendly greetings were heard on every hand. Many hearty hand-shakes and “God bless you,” were given with a will, and not a few were bathed in tears as the last good-bye was said. Many fond parents bade farewell to sons for the last time on earth. Lovers greeted those whose ties of affection and sympathy endeared them to each other, and fondly cherished the hope that they would meet again when the war was over. Our city fathers were not lacking in their praise at our soldierly bearing, and extended a prayerful wish for a speedy and triumphant return to our home and loved ones. One good old man, the Hon. James Brewster, from