MAGNOLIA MEMOIRS: May 30, 1866 3rd Alabama Regiment articles Chapter X Part 3/3 R.H. Powell–THE UNION SPRIINGS TIMES

May 30, 1866

THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY—Newspaper Articles

Richard Holmes Powell

The Union Springs Times

“Reminiscences of Army Life, Camp Scenes and Personal Sketches”

Chapter X—Part 3 of 3

While the greatest harmony prevailed throughout the regiment, and the most friendly intercourse existed among the men, yet it would have been altogether inconsistent with the frailties of poor human nature, if misunderstanding had not occasionally arisen, and heartburni ngs been felt.

That these now and then temporarily marred the good fellowship of the monotonous months passed at the Entrenched Camp was the exception not the rule. Instances may have occurred of the interchange of fisticuffs between members of different companies, but I have no recollection of any such.

Now and then, a little excitement of this sort was gotten up between members of the company. A very amusing scene once occurred in the quarters of the “Bald Hornets,” in which a gallant Frenchman boldly stood his ground, confronted by two brothers—his messmates—who had rather unguardedly trodden upon his toes.

It occurred about the dinner hour, and “by tams” were hurled with as hearty a gusto as blows would have been given if the brothers had crowded the Frenchman, and “the powers that be” had not commanded the peace.

About the same time, a more serious difficulty-the only one of the kind that ever took place in the regiment, occurred in the color company. Very early in the morning, the news spread throughout the camp that a duel had been fought just outside the lines, and that one of the combatants had been seriously wounded by a pistol shot.

The affair was managed with the greatest secrecy and adroitness. No one knew anything about it. None of the facts could be ascertained, upon which to found charges, and the matter was never officially investigated.

That a member was wounded was patent, but the manner of his “taking off” could not be gotten at, and after a seven days talk, it passed by and ceased to be remembered. The wounded man eventually recovered, but never returned to the regiment.

He was a gentleman of fine social position, good address, and well informed, and received an appointment in one of the Departments at Richmond, which he filled acceptably, I think, to the close of the war.

The other, whose name rumor associated as one of the principals with the duel, was the son of a distinguished jurist of our State, and a graduate of our university.

He was afterward elected an officer in his company, and when Captain Gracie was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, this young gentleman was called to his staff, in which position he served with marked gallantry.

When his distinguished chief was killed in the trenches before Petersburg, it is said, he brought before the War Office, well supported by influential names, as the most suitable man to succeed to the command of Gracie’s heroic brigade.

May 30, 1866

Chapter X—Part 3 of 3

THE UNION SPRINGS TIMES

Richard Holmes Powell

MAGNOLIA MEMOIRS: May 30, 1866 3rd Alabama Regiment articles Chapter X Part 2/3 R.H. Powell–THE UNION SPRIINGS TIMES

May 30, 1866

THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY—Newspaper Articles

Richard Holmes Powell

The Union Springs Times

“Reminiscences of Army Life, Camp Scenes and Personal Sketches”

Chapter X—Part 2 of 3

A few days later, the insatiate archer demanded another victim. One would not suffice even at that early day in our history. A name was stricken from the roll of the Montgomery True Blues, and they were called to mourn the loss of one of their most estimable and best beloved members. Private William f. Hart was a consistent follower of the meek and lowly one, and exerted a most wholesome influence over his comrades.

A professor of religion, he illustrated his profession by a daily practice of the virtues it inculcates. In the prompt discharge of the obligations which he owed his country as a soldier in her service, he did not neglect those weightier duties which, as a follower of the cross, he owed the Captain of his Salvation.

Amid the temptations of the camp, he remembered his vows, and kept his Christian armor always burnished. Ever prompt at the post of duty, he won the esteem and confidence of his officers, and was acknowledged by his comrades as an example worthy of imitation.

In the early bloom of his manhood’s strength, when the future was full of promise, and life’s journey seemed scarcely begun, Death came, not a wrathful destroyer, by the gentle usher to the high happiness of heaven and the crown of his piety.

He died in the city of Norfolk, surrounded by kind and sympathizing friends, who, though comparative strangers, had learned to love him. They supplied to the best of their ability, those gentle ministrations which a fond other and affectionate friends in his far-off home would gladly have rendered to smooth his pathway to the tomb.

A sorrowing brother, with comrades who shared his grief, gathered around the bunk of the dying boy to say farewell as the freed spirit left earth and earth’s troubles. His death cast a gloom over his company, and made a vacancy in their associations not easily filled.

They adopted resolutions of condolence and sympathy with his bereaved relatives, in which they paid the highest tribute to his soldierly qualities, his gentlemanly deportment, and his consistency as a professor of religion. The memory of the good men as blessed.

May 30, 1866

Chapter X—Part 2 of 3

THE UNION SPRINGS TIMES

Richard Holmes Powell

MAGNOLIA MEMOIRS: May 30, 1866 3rd Alabama Regiment articles Chapter X Part 1/3 R.H. Powell–THE UNION SPRIINGS TIMES

May 30, 1866

THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY—Newspaper Articles

Richard Holmes Powell

The Union Springs Times

“Reminiscences of Army Life, Camp Scenes and Personal Sketches”

Chapter X—Part 1 of 3

As the weeks rolled by visitors thronged our encampment. Ordinarily their presence excited no particular interest. Day after day saw them passing in squads through our quarters, looking in with interest upon our soldier life, and gathered in crowds in front of our color line to witness the evolutions of our beautiful Dress Parade.

They were welcomed by all. The polite salutations and courteous bow greeted them upon every hand. Each member of the Regiment felt that they were his guests, and cordially extended to them every attention which hospitality and good breeding demanded.

Coming upon the ground too early for Dress Parade, they would saunter leisurely through company quarters, or sit and converse pleasantly with the boys before their tend doors.

These were pleasant occasions and mingle largely with our recollections of army life. The beautiful bouquets and nameless luxuries presented by our fair visitors as tokens of their kindly interest in us, make these visits memorable eras in the distant past.

Mrs. Hunter Wood is and the Misses Reardon brought some of us under lasting obligations by their many kindnesses, and are gratefully remembered, while scores of others were equally as kind and considerate to our fortunate comrades all along the line.

But very early one Sunday morning, a visitor called at the hospital tent, whose coming was greeted by no smile of welcome. When his presence in camp was announced paleness gathered upon the flushed brow, and silence sat upon every tongue.

Upon his stern brow he bore the impress of insatiate avarice and unrelenting greediness. Agrarian in sentiment, all are equally his favorites. The palace of wealth has no charms for him above the hovel of poverty.

At his command the greedy miser looses his grasp upon filthy lucre and life’s weary pilgrim lays aside his staff and gathers up his tired limbs in peaceful rest. This still hour of the early morning found him at the bedside of suffering humanity.

The watch lights burned dimly in the large hospital tent, while here and there a silent watcher gazed upon the wan features of a suffering comrade. This comrade was quietly passing through the dark valley whose dreary shadow stretches far out into this land of the dying, throwing its twilight phases over its beautiful flowers, and dimming the glory of many an earthly pageant.

No look of pity relaxed the hard features of this pale visitor as he stood by the cot of the poor soldier in the calm stillness of this earthly Sabbath hour. His is an awful presence, when surrounded by all the appliances of wealth and the devotion of love.

How trebly more so in this hospital tent, around which the mournful pines sing their dirge, and in which no gentle voice of loving woman whispers words of hope, or soft hand wipes the death damp from the pale brow.

While this “Beauregard” was paying the last debt of nature, surrounded by a few faithful  friends who kindly ministered to his wants and listened to his messages to the absent and the loved, profound stillness reigned in camp, and a thousand men slept unconscious that fatal disease was claiming its first victim from their number.

Alas! How many swelled the triumphs of the grim monster, as the weary months passed into slowly rolling years. As the companies passed at quick step from their quarters to their positions on the line at retreat that day, a funeral escort left camp with measured tread to the sad sound of the muffled drum to deposit the remains of our comrade in the city cemetery.

May 30, 1866

Chapter X—Part 1 of 3

THE UNION SPRINGS TIMES

Richard Holmes Powell

MAGNOLIA MEMOIRS: May 23, 1866 3rd Alabama Regiment articles Chapter IX Part 4/4 R.H. Powell–THE UNION SPRIINGS TIMES

May 23, 1866

THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY—Newspaper Articles

Richard Holmes Powell

The Union Springs Time

“Reminiscences of Army Life, Camp Scenes and Personal Sketches”

Chapter IX—Part 4 of 4

One night, about the time this feverish anxiety was running high, after “taps,” when everything was quiet, and the regiment calmly sleeping, a courier galloped into camp and rode rapidly to the Colonel’s quarters.

Very soon afterwards, the sergeant’s call was sounded, and the report spread that a detail of a hundred men—ten from each company—was wanted for some urgent expedition.

Men left their bunks by scores to have a place in the detail. Many who could not be detailed, offered high premiums for the privilege—and returned to their blankets sadly disappointed when the number was filled without them.

With joyful alacrity, the more fortunate ones were speedily armed and equipped, and marched proudly out of the camp to the appointed place of rendezvous upon the entrenchments.

With them the anxiously looked-for time had come when they were to realize their long deferred hopes. The night was dark, the rain fell in torrents, the slush and mud were knee-deep, and the surging waters covered the low grounds in which our camp was located.

Still those ardent men pressed bravely on, hoping ere the morning’s dawn to achieve deeds worthy of their highest ambition. They spent hours of that gloomy night vainly trying to find the officer to whom they were to report for duty. Just before daybreak returned, weary and wet to the skin, they found him, only to learn they were wanted to make fascine, with which to finish off the works.

The order should have been delivered early in the morning, but by some oversight, did not reach its destination until ten o’clock at night, and then under circumstances well calculated to strengthen the belief that there was something of importance on hand.

This was long known as the “Fascine Detail,” and many a joke was the fruit of that nights adventures.

May 23, 1866

Chapter IX—Part 4 of 4

THE UNION SPRINGS TIMES

Richard Holmes Powell

MAGNOLIA MEMOIRS: May 23, 1866 3rd Alabama Regiment articles Chapter IX Part 3/4 R.H. Powell–THE UNION SPRIINGS TIMES

May 23, 1866

THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY—Newspaper Articles

Richard Holmes Powell

The Union Springs Times

“Reminiscences of Army Life, Camp Scenes and Personal Sketches”

Chapter IX—Part 3 of 4

“Time proves all things.” The loyalty of our good friends at Norfolk, and Portsmouth formed no exception to the general rule. In due time, it was severely tested, and to their lasting honor let it be remembered, it was equal to the emergency.

The historian of the eventful period through which we have just passed, will find among the polished citizens of these seaboard cities–worthy sons of worthy sires—as distinguished instances of individual and collective heroism and unswerving adhesion to principle as can be furnished by any community.

For example, take the following, among many similar—the circumstance of a venerable Presbyterian ministers, bending beneath the weight of more than three score years, sweeping the streets of Portsmouth, and ready, if need be, to suffer martyrdom for the sake of principle, is doubtless fresh in the memory of every one.

Four months, rumors of an attack upon Norfolk were rife every day. The signs of busy preparation, clearly visible at Fortress Monroe, gave plausibility to these conjectures.

Tired of the dull routine of every day duties, and the irksome monotony of camp life, the boys anxiously yearned for excitement outside the narrow limits within which they were confined.

They were as yet in blissful ignorance of the fatigue and hardships of real soldier life, and had not yet learned the entire impartiality with which the enemy distributed their disagreeable favors, caring little whom they struck or where.

They afterwards fully appreciated the comparative ease and comfort of that year at Norfolk. Then, however, they were impatient of that they regarded ignoble idleness. They left home to fight, and not to rust out in a fixed camp.

Whenever, therefore, a report, better founded than the one hundred and one which had already proven false,, reached camp, they made the welkin ring with glad shouts at the prospect of having brisk work to do.

May 23, 1866

Chapter IX—Part 3 of 4

THE UNION SPRINGS TIMES

Richard Holmes Powell

MAGNOLIA MEMOIRS: May 23, 1866 3rd Alabama Regiment articles Chapter IX Part 2/4 R.H. Powell–THE UNION SPRIINGS TIMES

May 23, 1866

THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY—Newspaper Articles

Richard Holmes Powell

The Union Springs Times

“Reminiscences of Army Life, Camp Scenes and Personal Sketches”

Chapter IX—Part 2 of 4

Lieutenant Adams was a good officer and an estimable man, highly regarded by his company and generally respected by the officers and men of the regiment. That which added to the melancholoy circumstances of his cruel death, and aroused the sympathies of his comrades more keenly, was the fact that his wife was at the time on her way from Alabama to pay him a visit, and instead of clasping to her warm embrace the manly form of her loving husband, strong in the full vigor of his early manhood, she met a lifeless corpse, and had her fondest hopes blighted forever.

His remains were carried to Mobile. The funeral cortege, as it passed along Main Street, followed by his heart-broken widow and by his companions in arms, with slow, sad steps, to the mournful sound of the Dead March, drew tears from the crowds of sympathizing strangers who beheld the melancholy procession. The prompt arrest of the murderer and the just indignation publicly manifested by the citizens tended to do away with the prejudice hitherto engendered.

As time rolled by, citizens and soldiers came to know each other better—community of interests and common dangers strengthened the bonds which gradually united them as friends. Tat prejudice which had limited their intercourse with the male population almost entirely to business transactions, gave way before this growing acquaintance and ripening friendship. This removed, intercourse became free and unrestrained.

Soldiers in the street were no longer treated with coldness and reserve, and citizens visiting our camp were received with the courtesy and attention which our boys knew so well how to extend, and here dates that social intercourse which constituted so largely the pleasure of our first year in the army, and which was never afterwards marred by any unpleasant occurrences.

May 23, 1866

Chapter IX—Part 2 of 4

THE UNION SPRINGS TIMES

Richard Holmes Powell

MAGNOLIA MEMOIRS: May 23, 1866 3rd Alabama Regiment articles Chapter IX Part 1/4 R.H. Powell–THE UNION SPRIINGS TIMES

May 23, 1866

THIRD ALABAMA INFANTRY—Newspaper Articles

Richard Holmes Powell

The Union Springs Times

“Reminiscences of Army Life, Camp Scenes and Personal Sketches”

Chapter IX—Part 1 of 4

Shortly after we were permanently located in our Entrenched Camp, the impression prevailed pretty generally among the troops stationed there that the citizens of Norfolk and Portsmouth were widely tinctured with disloyalty to the confederacy.

Various causes conspired to strengthen this impression but no well authenticated facts ever transpired to justify the belief. The Day Book, the leading paper published in the city, took occasion to defend the people against so serious a charge, and claimed that the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth had answered the calls of patriotism as promptly and liberally as any others in the land.

Their gallant sons were already in the tented field, and their stalwart mechanics were laboriously engaged in every department of the Gosport Navy Yard in turning out those formidable munitions which were to give substantial power to our gathering hosts.

The impression, however, remained, and fostered a deep feeling of prejudice against the people, which culminated finally in several very unpleasant occurrences. Crimination and recrimination were freely indulged in, and on one occasion, words came to blows between members of Norfolk Blues and soldiers from other States, n which severe injuries were inflicted.

This unfortunate state of affairs was greatly complicated by a difficulty which occurred between a prominent Captain of our regiment and various citizens of Norfolk. He was a bold, daring man, and not afraid to face the whole city in vindication of any of his reserved rights.

He had discarded the word retreat from his military vocabulary, and, with curses loud and deep, defied the city authorities and refused to be arrested. It was during this unpleasant state of affairs that the fiendish murder of Lieutenant Adams, f the Mobile Rifles, took place.

It was characterized by the Herald as one of the most wanton and brutal assaults ever perpetuated in the city, and without a palliating circumstance to justify the brutality of the man who committed the dead.

May 23, 1866

Chapter IX—Part 1 of 4

THE UNION SPRINGS TIMES

Richard Holmes Powell