Second report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Foster, U. S. Navy, regarding engagements with Fort Clifton.

U. S. S. Commodore Perry, June 23, 1864.

Sir: In answer to your endorsement on my report of June 16, I would respectfully beg leave to report that Acting Ensign Arnold Harris, in command of army gunboat Chamberlin¹,came on board this vessel at 6:30 a. m. of the 16th instant, and said that General Butler requested me to open fire as soon as possible on Fort Clifton.

At 7 o’clock a. m. I moved the steamer across the stream, and at 9 a. m. opened fire upon the fort.

At 5 p. m. I ceased firing, having expended 47 charges and 47 percussion shells, all of which did good execution.

At 7 p. m. Acting Ensign Arnold Harris and Lieutenant Bullard, of Brigadier-General Graham’s staff, came on board of this steamer.

Lieutenant Bullard had been ordered by General Butler to come on board and request me, early on the morning of the 17th instant, to open fire on the battery to the rear and left of Fort Clifton. This request I complied with.

I commenced firing on the 17th instant at 6 a. m. The first shot fired entered the battery; at the second shot the 100-pounder Parrott burst, killing John Wilson (seaman) instantly, and wounding Joseph Webb, Alfred N. Brown, Salvador Emanuel, Franklin W. Morgan (seamen), and Gilbert Young (ordinary seaman).

John Wilson was buried in the hospital burying ground at the Point of Rocks.

Four of the wounded men were transferred to the U. S. S. Osceola, and two were retained on board this vessel.

One of those transferred to the Osceola (Joseph Webb) has since died.

The two men remaining on board this vessel are improving rapidly. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Amos P. Foster,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.

Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, James River.

 

[Endorsement.]

Respectfully referred to the admiral commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, James River, Virginia.

J. M. B. Clitz,
Commander, U. S. Navy.

——————

Abstract log of the U. S. S. Commodore Perry.

June 16, 1864.—At 9 a. m. commenced to shell Fort Clifton with 100-pounder Parrott, firing at intervals of seven minutes during the watch. From 12 to 4 p. m.: Engaging the enemy all the watch, firing at intervals of seven minutes. At 5 ceased firing. Expended 49 rounds of 100-pounder shell and 4 rounds IX-inch shell. From 4 to 8 p. m.: Opened fire on Fort Clifton. At 7:40 cast off from wharf and dropped down stream.

June 17.—At 6 a. m. opened fire with 100-pounder rifle on Fort Clifton. At the second discharge the gun burst, killing 1 man and wounding 5, completely destroying cabin bulkhead and other woodwork on the starboard side of vessel. At 5:15 p. m. steamed up James River and came to, off Bermuda Hundred.²

The Siege of Petersburg.

—–

No Stirring News—Gregg’s Cavalry Engage the Enemy—They Guard a Wagon Train and are Attacked—A Desperate Fight—The Rebel Cavalry Driven Off.

Special Correspondence of the Inquirer.

BERMUDA HUNDRED, June 25, 1864.

At the close of a day marked by heat of the most intense and oppressive character, and which is calculated to paralyze exertions of any description, whether mental or physical, and while everything and everybody in this latitude presents an appearance of almost suspended animation, I proceed to furnish the readers of THE INQUIRER with such information in the shape of war news as has transpired since yesterday [June 24, 1864].

With regard to the movements of the army proper, that is the infantry and artillery composing the commands of Generals GRANT and BUTLER¹, nothing new has transpired since the last news forwarded to THE INQUIRER, with the exception that considerable firing was heard this morning, about eleven o’clock, in the direction of Petersburg, and apparently very near that doomed but, as yet, uncaptured city.

GREGG’s Division of SHERIDAN’s Cavalry [2/Cav/AotP] have had their hands full of work since Thursday morning last [June 18, 1864] on the Peninsula, and which work culminated yesterday afternoon [June 24, 1864] in an engagement marked by fighting of the fiercest character², and during which, owing to the immensely superior numbers of the enemy, our cavalry were pretty severely handled.

From a participant in the engagement, belonging to the 1st Maine Cavalry, and with whom I had a short interview, I gleaned the following points connected with the affair:—

General GRANT had made arrangements for a wagon train, with necessary supplies, to be at the White House in order to furnish provender, &c., to the cavalry who were engaged in the recent expedition in the direction of Gordonsville, on the return of said expedition.³ After WILSON’s [3/Cav/AotP] and TORBERT’s [1/Cav/AotP] divisions had received what they required from the same wagon train, they proceeded on their way to the James river, while a portion, or, if I mistake not, the whole of GREGG’s division [2/Cav/AotP], were left to guard the said wagon train in its passage to the James river.

The train, with its escort, left the White House on Thursday [June 23, 1864] on which day considerable skirmishing ensued, with small losses on our side. Fighting was resumed on Friday [June 24, 1864] at different points of the line guarding the wagon train, until when within about two miles of Charles City Court House, about ten miles from the James River, at Harrison’s Landing, a general attack was made by the Rebel cavalry in great force, and with the evident intention of capturing the entire train.

This attack took place about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and continued until dark, during which time our cavalry, although greatly outnumbered, by dint of the most determined resistance, succeeded in saving the train from capture and bringing it intact to the James River, where at the present time it lies under the friendly cover of the gun-boats of [Acting Rear] Admiral [Samuel P.] LEE.⁴

It is thought the losses on both sides during the fighting on Friday [June 24, 1864] was considerable.

The most of the fighting in the early part of the day was done by our men dismounted. When the principal attack was made the opposing lines were in such close contact that in several instances sabres and carbines clashed with one another, the Rebels charging with drawn sabres, and our boys receiving them with their carbines.⁵

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Source/Notes:

Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Foster, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Commodore Perry, of engagements with Fort Clifton in cooperation with army forces June 16, 1864.

U. S. S. Commodore Perry, June 16, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to report that I was requested by Major-General Butler to cooperate with his forces, then near Petersburg, and was asked to direct my fire on Fort Clifton, which request I complied with. I fired 47 shots from the 100-pounder Parrott, which did good execution. Enclosed please find list of ammunition expended.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Amos P. Foster,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.

Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

 

[Enclosure.]

List of ammunition expended on board U. S. S. Commodore Perry, June 16, 1864.

100-pounder rifle charges…………………………………47

100-pounder percussion shell……………………………47

Respectfully submitted.

Amos P. Foster,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.¹

[COMMUNICATED]

AN APPEAL FOR THE HOSPITALS.

—–

June 20th, 1864.

Dear Express: Many of our sick and wounded in the Hospitals, if not actually suffering for, are at least in need of palatable and nourishing diet—such as the government and the people of the cities cannot furnish. There is now in the country an abundance of milk, and there will soon be vast quantities of fruit and vegetables.—Let me make some practical suggestions as to the proper manner of collecting them, so as to make them available in our hospitals. It will be attended with little difficulty within reach of the Railroads. Let the proper authorities send out an agent for the hospitals, whose business it shall be to stop at the different stations, with suitable vessels for carrying the milk, butter, vegetables, &c. Let it be understood that on certain days in each week (say three or four times) he will receive contributions of such articles as the ladies may give and send them forward to their proper destinations, whilst they are fit for use. Let the agent be also authorized to purchase of those who are unable to give, and there is no doubt the supply, if not equal to the demand, would go far towards relieving the pressing necessities of our hospitals. The experiment would not cost much, and could not fail of a success highly gratifying to the friends of our suffering heroes—Will not some of the noble women of Petersburg, who are foremost in every work of love and charity, move in this matter? Let them without delay take this matter in hand, appoint suitable agents, (men of energy and industry) and in one week’s time you will see a great amount of good, will have been done. Let them have an agent at every depot, or if deemed better, let one agent attend at two depots—at each on alternate days—and when the people are assured that their contributions will be sent forward they will give with liberal hands. I have referred in the above only to those living convenient to the Railroad, but much may be done by sending out into the country, active, energetic men, with light wagons, who could collect many valuable stores and deliver them to the agents to be forwarded. I do not pretend that the suggestions above made are perfect, but they are intended to elicit reflection on a subject of vital importance, and if I shall succeed in awakening public attention, so that something shall be done for our soldiers, I shall be abundantly compensated for the few comments devoted to this subject.                       [Dr.] W[illiam]. [R. Vaughan]¹,²

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Source/Notes:

Army Correspondence.

CAMP 138^TH P[ennsylvania].V[olunteers].,
FORT DUSHANE, VA., Jan. 6^th, 1865.

Editor INQUIRER:

The transfer of the Sixth Army Corps from the Shenandoah Valley to the Army of the Potomac is no doubt well-known to most of your readers, [the particulars] are this. The Rebel General [Jubal] Early [commanding the Confederate Army of the Valley] having sent the greater part of his force from our front, and the bad condition of the roads which rendered the movement of either army impossible, made it unnecessary to keep so large a force with Sheridan.¹

Accordingly under orders from Gen. Grant we were sent here, and now occupy a position near the extreme left of the line on the Weldon R[ail]. R[oad]. Our [138th Pennsylvania] Regiment is for the present detached from the main line, occupying the front works, and are now doing garrison duty at Fort Dushane, a very strong earthwork surrounded by a wide and deep ditch, and abatis, which it would be almost madness for an enemy to attempt to get over.

It has embrasures for the mounting of eight guns but at present only one battery of four field pieces are in it. It is also provided with a bombproof and magazines in which is stored enough ammunition to stand a regular siege. This is only the continuation of a number of strong forts and earthworks which protect the flank and rear, and prevent the possibility of a flank movement by the enemy.²

Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour of Florida renown, is in command of our Division (3d Div. 6^th A.C), having been assigned to it in October [1864] when Gen. Ricketts was wounded. He is making himself generally obnoxious, and from the great number of uncalled-for orders which he issues, the boys have given him the title of “General Orders.”³

Col. B[enjamin]. F. Smith, 126^th O[hio]. V[olunteer]. I[nfantry]., commands the Brigade [2/3/VI/AotP] and is cheerfully obeyed and respected by all.

Our gallant little Col. [Matthew R.] McClennan is again with us, commanding the Regiment; he having been absent sick for over a month. He is one of those men who always command the respect and admiration of his men, and will “when this cruel war is over,” receive all the honor due a brave and efficient officer, and a good soldier for the common cause of liberty and right.

Major Lewis A. May, Captain Simon Dickerhoof and Lieutenant Martin S. Bortz are all home on leave of absence and we hope will enjoy the hospitality of home and friends which they are truly worthy of.

We have no news except the failure of the Wilmington expedition, which is very much regretted; and the affair is considered a serious blunder somewhere.⁴

“All quiet along the lines, except the regular picket firing,” is the daily announcement here.

Truly Yours,

[1st Sergeant] C[HRIST.]. P. CALHOUN.⁵,⁶

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Roy Gustrowsky.

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Source/Notes:

Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, with enclosures, relative to the proposed obstruction of James River.

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Island, June 16, 1864.

SIR: The Department’s dispatch of June 11, replying to my No. 325, enclosing the correspondence between General Butler and myself on the subject of sinking the vessels he had provided, wherewith to obstruct James River, and leaving action on the subject to my discretion, was received on the 13th instant.

I took no action on the subject.

I enclose copies of two dispatches received yesterday morning from General Butler, my reply to the last, and the instructions which I gave Commander Craven (Nos. 1,2,3,4).

Last evening I saw General Grant at City Point, who informed me that several days before his arrival here he had ordered General Butler to sink these obstructions, and that finding his order had not been received he had renewed it.

I understand that the army considers it a military necessity to make the river secure by every available means—as vital to the success of the campaign and the cause.

Sub-Assistant Bradford, of the Coast Survey, has, at my instance, been resurveying Trent’s Reach since his arrival, about the 6th instant.

His work shows 10 feet at low tide with 3 feet rise and fall, indicating that at the present stage of water, on a spring tide, with an easterly wind (which makes full tide in this river), the monitors, if lightened, may cross the bar.

The sunken vessels in the deepest water can be easily pumped out and removed. It would be very desirable to have an Andrews pump in a light draft steamer for this and other use in this squadron. I hope the Department will approve of purchasing one; also a dredging machine, which would be useful here in deepening the old artificial channel.

With this preparation we could, should the movements and policy of the army admit of it, be ready to cross this bar safely and cooperate. The pump boat and dredging machine, besides being useful for squadron purposes, would also be of good service at the Norfolk navy yard. Purchasing would be preferable to hiring the dredging machine at Norfolk.

I respectfully request the Department’s favorable consideration of this proposition. The expense will be inconsiderable, I suppose.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral. Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

 

[Endorsements.]

The Bureau of Yards and Docks has not an Andrews pump. A powerful pump is at the Norfolk navy yard, owned by contractors for raising sunken vessels, I believe, which could probably be hired at a high rate of compensation.

Bureau Yards And Docks, June 22, 1864. 

An old army dredge and two scows have been turned over to the Navy and now under repairs at Baltimore, to be sent to Port Royal. I do not know when they will be ready. The repairs are extensive and costly.

J. S.

 

[Enclosure 1.]

Signal Station, June 15—5 a. m.
(From General Butler’s Headquarters, June 15, 4 a. m.)

Can you temporarily spare a gunboat to aid in crossing of Grant’s army near Fort Powhatan? If so, please send one. I will send to-morrow, and with your aid put down obstructions in such spot as you may designate.

General Butler.

Acting Rear-Admiral Lee.

 

[Enclosure 2.]

Signal Station, June 15—9: 30 a. m.

I have just received the following from General Butler:

General Grant left here yesterday for Fort Powhatan. Tell the admiral that General Butler proposes to sink obstructions to-day, and will want his assistance.

Colonel Shaffer,
Chief of Staff.

General [Alfred H.] Terry.

Acting Rear Admiral Lee.

 

[Enclosure 3.]

Flagship Agawam, June 15, 1864—10:30 a. m.

General Terry: Commander Craven will in my absence give the engineer the assistance General Butler desires for sinking his obstructions.

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Acting Rear-Admiral.

 

[Enclosure 4.]

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 15, 1864.

Sir: I enclose a message just received from General Butler’s chief of staff, through General Terry.

In General Butler’s dispatch of the 2d instant he said that the point at which he desired to secure the river is the right of his line, near Curtis’s house, at the ravine.

I am going to Fort Powhatan. Give the army all the assistance it may ask, in securing its flank and communications, with engineering devices in the river.

Should you have any notice of the approach of the enemy (for which you will arrange a lookout), send a tug to bring up the Mendota and Hunchback.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Commander T[unis]. A. Craven,
U. S. S. Tecumseh.¹

SOPO Editor’s Note: The Civil War diary of Orlando P. Benson of the 92nd New York was found and published in The Courier and Freeman (Potsdam, NY) as well as the Massena NY Observer in the 1920’s, shortly after his death on November 4, 1924.  I’ve chosen to publish the portion of the diary covering Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Appomattox, and his postwar experiences through the end of the diary.  The rest of the diary from 1861-early 1864 appears in the pages of the 1925 Potsdam Courier and Freeman.  They can be found in image form here. Here is a COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION of the entire diary from Jack Phend.  Check out a short intro to Benson’s life as well as the full list of installments below.  MANY thanks to Jack Phend for transcribing this entire diary for me.  It appears here solely due to his help. Are you interested in first person accounts at the Siege of Petersburg?  Check out our Letters and Diaries page for more!

Orlando P. Benson of Massena, NY was born on December 28, 1842 to Samuel and Cornelia Benson.  They had moved to Massena from Vermont in 1837, a few years before Orlando’s birth. Orlando grew up on his parents’ farm and helped with the chores until the outbreak of the Civil War.

Orlando P. Benson enlisted in the 92^nd New York Volunteer Regiment in Company A with a rank of corporal when he was 19 years of age. He was sent to the training camp at Potsdam [NY] in October, 1861, leaving there in February 1862 for the front. The 92nd New York was involved in the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, seeing the elephant at Williamsburg, Seven Pines and during the Seven Days from May-July 1862.  Benson must have been a good soldier and record keeper. He was promoted to Sergeant Major on October 1, 1862, and filled in for the 92nd New York’s Adjutant when he was away on leave. The middle years of the war were spent more peacefully, as the 92nd New York was stationed first in Suffolk, VA and the in New Berne, North Carolina in various backwaters of the war.  Benson and the 92nd New York again found themselves with the main armies in May 1864.  They moved to Bermuda Hundred at the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers to participate in Benjamin Butler’s Bermuda Hundred Campaign.  In late May to early June 1864 the 92nd New York moved to join the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Cold Harbor.  This arrangement would be short-lived.  When Grant crossed the James River and moved on Petersburg in mid-June 1864, the 92nd New York and the rest of the 18th Corps was again part of the Army of the James.

Benson remained with his regiment until the Second Battle of Fair Oaks, fought on October 27, 1864. Here, he was captured but avoided getting wounded. He was sent to Salisbury POW camp in North Carolina. Being an officer probably saved his life, and enlisted men were usually sent to Andersonville in Georgia. He was imprisoned there until late February 1865. He was transferred to the 96th New York on December 1, 1864 in absentia, with the remaining survivors of the 92nd New York. The latter regiment ceased to exist on that date. Benson embarked on a lengthy journey home through Wilmington, NC to Annapolis, MD, by train to his home in Massena, NY. He reached the farm on the evening of March 21, 1865, “tired and wet.” He never returned to his regiments at Petersburg while the fighting continued due to the conditions of his parole, or “detention,” as he called it. Through it all Benson kept writing in his diary, ultimately finishing in June 1865. He reasoned the war was over and so his need to keep a diary was at an end. It is believed he never again kept a diary for the remainder of his long life.

After the Civil War Orlando settled in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area, marrying Virginia native Susan C. Primmer in 1867. They settled down on a farm near Falmouth and started to raise a family.  There they remained until Spring of 1881, at which point the small family moved back to Benson’s home town of Massena. In fact, it seems they moved back to Orlando’s father’s farm.

Benson applied for a pension in 1888, though I do not know if he received a pension.  I would suspect he did as his record was surely strong and easily verifiable.  He was active in the Grand Army of the Republic, or GAR, a prominent Union veteran’s organization, serving as his post’s first quartermaster. Orlando and Susan raised many children and continued to live in Massena on the family farm for many decades as farmers, though the census and other records show conflicting information on names of the children and other details.  Susan passed away in 1919 and Orlando followed her in 1924, just shy of 82 years of age.  It seems he had at least nine surviving children, five daughters and four sons, along with many grandchildren, when he passed away. He had lived a long and fulfilling life after surviving the Salisbury prison pen. Luckily, his diary entries below provide a detailed, day by day account of his Civil War experiences.

Orlando P. Benson’s Diary While at the Siege of Petersburg:

• Diary of Orlando P. Benson, 92nd New York
• NP: February 11, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 1
• NP: February 18, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 2
• NP: February 25, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 3
• NP: March 4, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 4

Sources:

Year: 1850; Census Place: Massena, Saint Lawrence, New York; Roll: 591; Page: 371b Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 

Year: 1860; Census Place: Massena, Saint Lawrence, New York; Page: 620; Family History Library Film: 803855  Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

Year: 1870; Census Place: Falmouth, Stafford, Virginia; Roll: M593_1680; Page: 33B; Family History Library Film: 553179 Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data:

• 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
• Minnesota census schedules for 1870. NARA microfilm publication T132, 13 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

 

Year: 1880; Census Place: Falmouth, Stafford, Virginia; Roll: 1391; Page: 498B; Enumeration District: 141 Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 

The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War; Series Number: M123; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Record Group Number: 15; Census Year: 1890 Ancestry.com. 1890 Veterans Schedules of the U.S. Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data: Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M123, 118 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 

Year: 1900; Census Place: Massena, Saint Lawrence, New York; Page: 14; Enumeration District: 0110; FHL microfilm: 1241157. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

 

New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: A.D. 02 E.D. 01; City: Massena; County: St Lawrence; Page: 47 Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., State Census, 1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: New York, State Census, 1905. Population Schedules . Various County Clerk Offices, New York.

 

Year: 1910; Census Place: Massena, Saint Lawrence, New York; Roll: T624_1075; Page: 21A; Enumeration District: 0142; FHL microfilm: 1375088 Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA.

 

New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 01; Assembly District: 02; City: Massena; County: St Lawrence; Page: 47 Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., State Census, 1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: State population census schedules, 1915. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

 

Year: 1920; Census Place: Massena, Saint Lawrence, New York; Roll: T625_1260; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 142 Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 are on roll 323 (Chicago City).

 

Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Original data: Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA from the following list of works. Copyright 1997-2009 Historical Data Systems, Inc.

 

Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Find A Grave. Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi.

 

Orlando P. Benson obituary. November 6, 1924 Massena Observer, p. 5, c. 2.

 

The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; NAI Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; NAI Number: T288; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007; Record Group Number: 15; Series Title: U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934; Series Number: T288; Roll: 32 National Archives and Records Administration. U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.

Benson, O. P. (Orlando) “Diary of a Civil War Veteran: The late O. P. Benson, member of the 92nd Regiment.” The Courier and Freeman. December 17, 1924 to April 1, 1925.
Thank you to Noah Andre Trudeau for pointing out this reference.
These articles were downloaded from http://guides.library.upenn.edu/historicalnewspapersonline.

SOPO Editor’s Note: The Civil War diary of Orlando P. Benson of the 92nd New York was found and published in The Courier and Freeman (Potsdam, NY).  I’ve chosen to publish the portion of the diary covering Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Salisbury prison and his postwar experiences through the end of the diary.   Check out this installment below, and be sure to look over the other installments as they are published.  I’ve included a list of all published installments at the bottom of this and every post. MANY thanks to Jack Phend for transcribing this entire diary for me.  It appears here solely due to his help. Are you interested in first person accounts at the Siege of Petersburg?  Check out our Letters and Diaries page for more!

BACK AT HOME AFTER THREE YEARS

SERGT BENSON OF THE 92^ND TAKES WELL EARNED REST

The [Potsdam, NY] Courier and Freeman this week presents another installment of the civil war diary of Serg[ean]t [Major]. O[rlando]. P. Benson of the 92^nd N[ew]. Y[ork]. Vol[unteer]s raised here. Sergt. Benson is left in this installment for home on a furlough.

June 1^st, 1864—Take up the line of march [to the Cold Harbor battlefield] about 6:00 a.m. Weather hot and roads very dusty. Have a forced march only halting once for a little supper. About 4:00 p.m. come up to the enemy. Form line of battle at once. Our regiment sent out as skirmishers. Our corps charges and fights until after dark. Our regiment charges across a large field. [Lieutenant] Colonel [Hiram] Anderson killed. Shot through the head. Bravest of the brave. Capture the enemy’s out works and hold them. Men fortify cups and bayonets. Fourteen killed and three wounded.¹

2^nd—Lie in the woods all day but a few rods from the enemy. Men strengthen their work with cups. Several killed by one of our shot.  We have several men wounded. Continual firing on both sides but no general engagement takes place. Feel very unwell but dare not complain. See mortality on every side. After dark send out in front and bury the dead. But little firing during the night. Colonel Anderson’s death I fear is the death blow of the regiment. The men feel terribly. We have no confidence in the major [Truman A. Merriman]. All admit that he is a perfect coward.²

3^rd—At daylight all troops massed with great care in the woods and make a terrible charge. The assault was almost unresistable. We take the enemy’s first line of rifle pits and advance upon the second but no living column could meet the terrible fire. Our brigade acted as reserve but were all the while under a most galling fire. Never saw such bravery before. Lose several men, including H. Lyon, Company A. Have a terrible chill and go to the hospital. Rains nearly all day. Men now four days without coffee. Three killed and ten wounded.³

4^th—Very sick all night. Get some pickles. Appetite begins to revive. Have two men wounded. Join the regiment ab[o]ut 12:00 m. very sick. Sleep all night with no covering amid a drenching rain. Trenches terribl muddy. Catch but little cold. Balls fly pretty lively.  All half sick.

5^th—Weather pleasant. See Charles Talcott, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery. Charles W. Parmeter Company B shot through the heart while writing a letter home. Dennis Maher, Company G, shot through head while eating breakfast. Both die almost instantly. Crawl out and relieve the entrenched outposts. Flag of truce sent out. Both armies mount their works, advance and converse freely. Strange to see deadly enemies so jovial.

6—Lie close in our entrenchments until about 1:00 p.m. Flag of truce sent out. Rebs and Yanks mingle together and converse freely. The above is wrong. It was the 6^th instead of the 5^th that the flag of truce was sent out. Many exchange papers and bid one another good-bye, saying, “Take good care of yourselves for we know not where nor when we shall meet again.” Relieved after dark by the Tenth New Hampshire. I have today had the best sight of untamed Rebs that I ever had. They appear to be very friendly. Several run in and give themselves up to the Sixth Corps.⁴

7^th—Considerable artillery firing. Flag of truce sent out. Yanks and Rebs have another chance of having a short friendly conversation. Weather very pleasant. Our army seems to be swinging around to the left. The position of our troops seems to be in the shape of a wedge. Men all in good spirits, [s]ee a newspaper correspondent rode in front and one in rear upon which were marked, “Libel Through the Press.”⁵

8^th—Weather pleasant. Were it not I do not know what we should do. Another bridgade [sic, brigade] of two heavy artillery regiments assigned to our division. Said to number 3,700 men. Galbreath, Company H shot through the leg at roll call. Our brigade goes on picket after dark and find the line advanced. Quiet all night.⁶

9^th—Weather pleasant. The line quiet. Our videttes (sentinels) through the night are within ten yards of one another. One officer in a New Hampshire regiment shot through the head by a sharpshooter in a tree. Behan and Pierce do good execution silencing sharpshooters. Eighth Maine on our right. 25^th Massachusetts on their right. Relieved by Second brigade after dark.

10^th—Sorry to hear that Alick is hurt by a fall from a horse. Pleasant. Several men wounded. One man in a buggy shot through the heart and killed instantly in front of my tent. One of Colonel Henry’s orderlies wounded through the leg. Get a chance to buy his cans of preserved blackberries. Tout with Bugbee and Howard.⁷

11^th—Pleasant. Major [Truman A. Merriman] makes application for veteran furloughs. Feel very unwell. Our brigade again moves out and takes the outer trenches. Our regiment and the 40^th Massachusetts take the second line. Some cannonading in front. The men in good spirits considering the circumstances.

12^th—Relieved about 8:30 p.m. by Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. Rebels shell us occasionally. Our brigade under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bowen of the 188^th march all night without a moment’s sleep. Haul up at White House Landing about 6:00 a.m. of the 13^th. Men all very tired and shook up as the roads were very dusty.

13—Go aboard of transport about 12:00 m. Our regiment and the 21^st Connecticut take the Helen Getty a very good boat. Get under way about 1:00 p.m. Anchor sometime during the night off Newport News. No acco[m]modations whatever aboard. Hot water ten cents a pint. Rather dear.

14^th—Get an early start and reach Bermuda Hundred about 11:30 a.m. We are then ordered back and to Appoma[t]tox. Land at Point of Rocks about 1:00 p.m. Lie in two hours to make coffee and then move about one mile and camp on the same ground that we did once before.⁸

15^th—Rou[s]ted about 1:00 a.m. March about six miles and at 11:00 a.m. haul up in front of the fortifications of Petersburg. Lie two hours in the woods under fire when our regiment is sent to strengthen General Bur[n]ham’s skirmish line. At 5:30 p.m. charge and capture the enemy first line of works. Am in command of Company A. We all do well. Take five pieces of artillery and a few hundred prisoners, one stand of colors, camp and garrison equipage.⁹

16^th—Dig all night and move about 8:00 a.m. to the rear, where we first formed. Twenty first Connecticut charge on a fort and lose 40 men in ten minutes. Lie in the wo[o]ds until 7:00 p.m., when terrible fighting begins and we are ordered out to support the line. Lie on our arms all night. Adjutant left behind sick. Act as adjutant. Also in command of Company B.¹⁰

17—At daylight without breakfast move about one half mile to the front and lie over a ravine for two hours when we move back and remain for the day in the hot sun. A solid shot goes across passing through tents breaking several guns and killing a first sergeant in the 40^th Massachu[s]se[t]ts. Take up the line of march about 7:00 p.m. and reach Point of Rocks and camp about midnight.¹¹

18^th—Arrange camp and once more enjoy a quiet wash and a sound sleep. Many of our sick join the regiment. Hear heavy firing in the direction of Petersburg. Rumor that the place is captured. Alick quite sick. Another application sent in with names of veterans.¹²

19^th—Another day of rest and quite [sic, quiet]. Have preaching by chaplain. The former adjutant of the 188^th [Pennsylvania] drummed out of service. A terrible warning for cowards. The fate of a coward in the hands of General Butler is worse than that of death.¹³

20^th—Still another day of quiet. The boys begin to fix up and some of the tents already present quite a neat and tidy appearance. Quite a joyful excitement about veterans furloughs. Received a letter from William Clark. Have dress parade.

21^st—Rou[s]ted at 3:00 a.m. Make coffee and take up the line of march at day break. Instead of taking boats for home we move up to Petersburg where we halt about 8:00 a.m. and wait until night when we crawl into the second line of trenches in front of the town.¹⁴

22^nd—Lie quietly in our holes all day. The enemy shell us considerably. Several shells burst among the caissons but do no damage except to scare the horses. Draw rations. Fill up the holes in front of the main pits. Heavy firing.

23^rd—Move at daybreak a little to the left. Weather very warm. One man in the Fifth Maryland just on our left killed by a shell bursting in his pit. Move at dark and take the front line. We have already lain so long in the trenches that our limbs are numb.

24^th—Weather still very warm. Rebels charge upon our works about 10:00 a.m., but get repulsed. Take about 164 prisoners and kill a good many. Our loss not a man. Only one man wounded. Davis S. Billings, Company B, killed by a sharpshooter. Hit through the neck. Sprague, Company A, wounded in the wrist.¹⁵

25^th—Sharp cannonading from 3:00 p.m. until dark. William McKinney, Company D, killed by a sharpshooter while on picket. Hit through the neck. Rather unwell in the afternoon. Relieved by the 21^st Connecticut at dark. March back 1½ miles and camp. A great relief to once more stretch our limbs.¹⁶

26^th–Weather extremely warm. But little shelling during the day. Lively expectations of soon going home. Expect our furloughs every hour. How will it seem to once more sit beneath the old paternal roof? A rich thought for the soldier.

27^th—Some sharp firing last night but guess it amounted to nothing. Weather still extremely warm. Thermometer must stand about 110. Officers all drunk as fools as usual when the poison can be had. All our bright visions of home and good night’s rest broken by an order to move to the front. Reach the front line about 10:00 p.m.

28^th—Weather a little cooler. But little firing during the day. Hitsmond, the drummer killed by a sharpshooter. Hit through the neck. Poor fellow. Heavy guns coming up. Everything seems to indicate a siege.

29^th—The warm weather tells upon us terribly. Considerable cannonading. Major Merriman wounded by a piece of shell. Arm shattered. Edmeston, Company A, wounded also Hammond. Relieved at dark by the 21^st Connecticut.¹⁷

30^th—Mustered. Weather cool and nice. Ordered to the front about 3:00 p.m. Expect to charge but do not. Never was under a severer nor more peculiar cannonade than for about two hours. Lie in the second line all night. No one hurt. Our men charge on the left. Do not know the result.¹⁸

July 1^st [1864]—Lie in torturing sun all day. But little firing. None hurt in our regiment. Four killed in the 188^th [Pennsylvania] and several wounded. Relieved at dark by the First brigade [1/1/XVIII/AotJ]. March back to the old camp. Expect furlough this time sure.

2^nd—Lie in camp. Get a chance to wash and cook, etc. Orders come that the veterans go no more to the front until after they have received our furloughs. Captain Church to go to Norfolk to make out the papers. Our brigade goes to the front about dark.

3^rd—Weather warm. Lie all day in camp. Captain Church receives his permission to go to Norfolk, Va. But little firing in front. The days pass off drearily. The hours drag.

4^th—Oh Another Fourth of July. This is the third I have spent in the service. Weather beautiful and pleasant. All hail the birthday of our independence. Orders come to go home.¹⁹

5^th—Start for home about 6:00 a.m., a set of glad boys, indeed. Reach City Point about 9:00 a.m. Miss the 10:00 o’clock boat and lie over night. Some of the men intoxicated. Purchase from a private in the Ninth Vermont a little flag for Freddie. Price $3.²⁰

6^th—Take transportations aboard the U.S.N. boat Key Port [sic, civilian steamer Keyport] and reach Fortress Monroe about 4:00 p.m. Get aboard of the John A. Warner for Norfolk and reach there about 6:00 p.m. Stop all night in an old church.

7^th—Leave Norfolk at 11:00 a.m. on the John A. Warner and reach Fortress Monroe at 12:00 m. Take transportation for Baltimore on board the Georgia Ann. Reach Baltimore next day probably. Very unwell.

8^th—Reach Baltimore at 6:00 a.m. Take cars for Phil[a]delphia, Pa., and reach there bout 12:30 p.m. Stop and get dinner at the Volunteer Union refreshment saloon. Then cross over to Camden and take the cars. Get under way about 8:00 p.m. Reach Amboy at 11:00 p.m. and take boat for New York.

9^th—Get under way for New York city at 2:00 a.m. and reach New York at 6:00 a.m. March up to the Soldiers Home, Nos. 50 and 52 Howard street and take up lodgings. This is a splendid establishment and is an honor to the state of New York.

10^th—Do not go to church as I expected. Get considerable rest. Take boat at 6:00 p.m. for Albany. Many of our men drunk. Sleep below on the carpet. Have splendid lodgings. Beautiful scenery along the Hudson.

11^th—Reach Albany at 5:00 a.m. Lie over all day. Get no bounties as we expected. Get furloughs and start on the night Lightning Express train at 10:45 p.m. Reach Rome at 3:15 a.m. on the 12^th.

12^th—Change car and leave Rome at 4:00 a.m. Change again at Dek[a]lb Junction about 12:00 m. Reach Potsdam about 1:00 p.m. Get dinner at Nightengale’s and take the stage for home. Reach Massena at 5:00 p.m. and go home at once.

13^th—Help some in the hay field. Find that it does not exactly agree with my conscience and that my hands especially rebel. Makes two blisters which of course are honorable. Drive to town at dark. Enjoy myself quite well.²¹

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jack Phend.

If you are interested in helping us transcribe newspaper articles like the one above, please CONTACT US.

 

Other Posts from Orlando P. Benson’s Diary While at the Siege of Petersburg:

• Diary of Orlando P. Benson, 92nd New York
• NP: February 11, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 1
• NP: February 18, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 2
• NP: February 25, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 3
• NP: March 4, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 4

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Source/Notes:

SOPO Editor’s Note: The Civil War diary of Orlando P. Benson of the 92nd New York was found and published in The Courier and Freeman (Potsdam, NY).  I’ve chosen to publish the portion of the diary covering Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Salisbury prison, and his postwar experiences through the end of the diary.   Check out this installment below, and be sure to look over the other installments as they are published.  I’ve included a list of all published installments at the bottom of this and every post. MANY thanks to Jack Phend for transcribing this entire diary for me.  It appears here solely due to his help. Are you interested in first person accounts at the Siege of Petersburg?  Check out our Letters and Diaries page for more!

 

92^D [NEW YORK] BEFORE CITY OF PETERSBURG

ARE ORDERED BACK AND MOVE DOWN JAMES AND UP YORK

The Courier and Freeman [Potsdam, NY] this week presents the ninth installment of the diary kept by the late Orlando P. Benson of Massena, while he was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. He enlisted in the 92^nd New York Volunteer Regiment when 19 years of age and was sent to the training camp at Potsdam [NY] in October, 1861, leaving here in February for the front. He was made a co[r]poral in the 92^nd, later being promoted to sergeant. In this installment he tells of his discharge and the regiment leaving Fort Anderson by boat for Yorktown, Va. From there they move up the James river and advance toward Petersburg everything indicating a rapid move toward Richmond, the rebel capitol. After skirmishes, they again board a transport and move down the James and up the York [and Pamunkey] river to the White House.¹

[Feb.] 16^th [1864]—Commence our palisade Cold and windy. Low water. All the regiment on fatigue. Make a few improvements in our ornamental rooms. Receive a letter from Silas accompanied by a few lines from mother.²

17^th—Quite cold. Work gets along finely. Palisade nearly half finished. Write to Silas, also send him a paper, the North Carolina Times. Spend nearly all day indoors.

18^th—Receive our bounties. Draw $185.70. Purchase a coat of lieutenant O’Neil for $10. Get a little shaved. Weather cold. All the men and non-commissioned officers on fatigue. Work goes along finely. All the fort that can flag up the river practice.

19^th—Go to town in the adjutant’s race boat. Get a 64 pounder rifle in place of our left 32 pounder. Row up to blockade. Alick tells a strange story. McFerran is much pleased. About four inches of snow fell last night. Our first.³

20^th—Very late. Have just finished the History of Napoleon by J.S.C. Abbott. One can but cherish his memory regardless of prejudice. Alick has a chill. Weather very pleasant. Am quite anxious to go home for the first time.

21^st—Inspection by Captain Parkerson. Have a dress parade. Weather very pleasant. A[l]ick has another chill. Read a sketch of the life of Andrew Jackson. One experiences a peculiar train of thought in reading of the wise and great of our own nation.

22^nd—One hundred and thirty three years ago today the great father of American nationality was born. The day has been well observed. Flag of truce comes to our lines. Colonel Whitford in person.⁴ Write a short letter home. Ward and Wheaton over. Weather very pleasant.

23^rd—Go to town twice and to Battery Chase.⁵ Have a non-commissioned officers’ school. Many of the officers present. Did my best to make it as interesting as possible. Report Sergeant Dore and others for being absent. Weather splendid.

24^th—Several citizens in from Raleigh. Two deserters come in early in the morning. Take a boat ride with Alick and McFerran.⁶ Weather very pleasant. Quite warm.

25^th—Have another very interesting school. A good many officers present. Go to town with the colonel and from there to Battery Chase. Practice firing. Hard ones. Express home $195. Freight charges $1.75.⁷

26^th—Commence the abutments in the river to protect the palisade. Alick expressed home $130 out of $172. Weather superb. Northwest wind. Spend the evening in reading of the horrors of Spanish war. What a rotten thing must be the Court of Spain.

27^th—Go to town with colonel in Adjutant’s boat. Criminals march about town with “THIEF” printed on their back. A good example to many. Colonel sees General Peck about our going home. Cannot go for fear of an attack.

28^th—Go to church in the afternoon. Hear Chaplain James who has charge of all negros in North Carolina and tends to colonizing them on Roanoke Island. Text: Romans 12:1-21. Connecticut Volunteers leave on the Thomas Collier for Little Washington.

29^th—Have a school. Colonel and major present. One of the crew of the Underwriter washed up and was discovered by our boat. He was a negro with marine clothes on. Rumor of an attack quite current in camp. Captain Smith returns from furlough. Looks well.

March 1^st [1864]—Very windy and blustering toward evening. Have a slight difficulty with Sergeant Fuller. Do not consider him worthy of attention. Many citizens in. L. H.’s G., Ella May and Allison up around the blockade until night. Get aground going back and lay in the river all night opposite us.

2^nd—All non-commissioned officers shouldered axes and started for the woods about 8:00 this morning. Was detained by guard mount until about 10:00. General Peck is still rushing along the blockade. Every man that can lift an axe or spade is kept busy. Weather splendid. Rumor of scouts seen.

3^rd—Weather splendid. Take a row up to the blockade. Non-commissioned officers all at work. Lieutenant O’Neil went out with a few men to look for a fire in the country but returned without finding it. Report that Keckman’s brigade is at Beaufort.

4^th—Take another trip up to the blockade. Have occasion to report Corporal Leonard. But few citizens in. Rumor that our mail boat is captured. Weather splendid.

5^th—Send up the signal rocket f[r]om each [s]tation for practice. Air very clear. Band in town sounds splendid.

6^th—Go to Episcopal church. Have preaching in our eating hall at 2:30 p.m. by minister belonging to the Sanitary Commission. Every man in the regiment attended. The colonel for once is entitled to credit for not throwing his influence against religion.

7^th—Go with Alick and McFerran and cut wood enough to last all the spring.

8^th—Go to church with Steward and Mike in Hawkin’s sail boat. Have a very dangerous voyage. [C]ould get frightened out and dare not come back. Have considerable sport. Weather pleasant but windy.

9^th—Get Old Jimmy to tap and heel my boots–$1.50. The Fairwind gets afloat this afternoon. She has been aground two days. Get a la[r]ge mail for the regiment but none for me. Can it be that I am entirely forgotten? Eleven recruits come from Lawrenceville, N.Y. Large fire in town about 11:00 p.m.

10^th—Very rainy until about 4:00 p.m. Strong wind. Water very high. Washed away the dirt from our palisade.

11^th—Showery. Have out all our fatigue force in the afternoon. Mrs. Mansfield and sister come to camp. They are now to stay with the doctor. Commence to read or rather to finish the History of England by B. Macaulay.

12^th—Weather very pleasant. Alick and I take a boat ride up the river creek. Fuller the drummer, on a barrel. Read history but little. Am now reading about the stormy scenes in M. of A.’s reign in its commencement.

13 (sic 13^th)—Attended Presbyterian church this morning and listened to an excellent discourse by a member of the Christian Commission. Weather right pert.

14^th—Anniversary of the bombardment of Fort Anderson. One year ago tonight we were all at work with desperation. It has indeed been a short year. The boys have punch (,)  cigars and a dance. This seems to be the only way in which they can celebrate.

15^th—Get to letters from home. Jacob LaCroix, a deserter from Company E is brought back to the regiment under guard, he having been gone nearly one year.

16^th–Awake to find the ground partially covered with snow. Are to have our regular monthly inspection tomorrow by Colonel Wardrop. Adjutant pretty busy. He is already ruined. He is a slave.

17^th—In[s]pection by Colonel Wardrop. He is a thorough-going, wide awake officer. He has been in the British service and served in the East Indies. He has been wounded eleven times. He tells some interesting stories of warfare.

18^th—Chop in the morning and row in the afternoon. Read but little. Alick gets a copy of General McC[l]ellan’s report, price 50 cents.

March 19 1864—Furnish ten men and one sergeant to guard men at work on blockade. Quartermaster intoxicated. Take a row. Captain B. still on court martial. Weather beautiful Receive a letter from C.P. Gray.

20^th—Go to Presbyterian church. Have dress parade. Have Hill, Hayes and Bowhall drawn up in front of regiment to listen to their sentence by court-martial. Another example for the regiment Corporal Thurston faints on parade.

21^st—Sixteenth Connecticut Volunteers start for Little Washington. Rumor of an expedition out. Weather heavy and dull. An occasional sprinkle. Quite cold.

22^nd—Another inundation. Water four feet above high water mark. Highest ever known. Go with a boat into our mess tent and eat our dinner. Te[r]rible wind. Turns into snow. Hens and chickens drowned. Very cold and no wood.

23^rd—Pleasant. Water down. Captain Parkinson over to inspect all unserviceable ordinance [sic, ordnance] camp and garrison equipage.

24^th—Weather fine. Officers have a drunk by taking advantage of the colonel’s absence while in town to a party. Mules and horses begin to come to New Berne. Rumor that Burnside is coming here.

25^th—Commence a flower bed. A violent wind arises. High water. Captain Judson over. See one of our soldiers do one of the meanest acts that a soldier is capable of doing—stealing six dozen eggs from a poor white woman.

28^th—Finish the fence to my garden. All done but sowing. Get information that Saturday a party of about 200 rebels lay in ambush for our fatigue guard. They burn a scow but get no men as none went up.

29^th—Sow my seeds. Weather terrible. Never saw it rain much harder. Officers intending to have the Massachusetts band over to aid in a terrible spree. The rain came very importunely. Rumors of rebels outside. See nor hear none.

30^th—Have another chill. The Second Massachu[s]sets Heavy Artillery band come over to play at a party given by our officers to officers in town. They are out on a terrible time. They open by having a stag dance.

31^st—Take a sail to Fort Chase and from there to Fort Spinola. Ward comes over early in the morning. Major ventures to go to town in the afternoon.

April 1^st [1864]—Lieutenant Barstow over. River very high. Rumor that the veterans can go home as soon as the colonel is willing to let them.

2^nd—Damp. Judson and Barstow over to see the major. Doubtless arranging for the duel. Hope they may all get dismissed. Clothing issued [t]o the regiment. Get a blouse from McFerran. Take exercise chopping.

6^th—Write to Silas. High water. Get sight of one of the most atrocious outrageous pamphlets the world has ever seen. I would gladly shoot the man who wrote it.

7^th—Very pleasant. An artist over to take a picture of the fort but after taking the colonel’s house and the guards puts it off until another day. Several ladies over from town. Have practice firing. Water very high.

8^th—Take a trip into the country with Company A boys to get a roof. See an old antique looking grave yard.

9^th—Very disagreeable weather. Manning, the sutler, taken into custody. His shop closed by the provost marshall (sic marshal) from town. His wife goes with him. It has been expected.

10^th—Attend Methodist church. Sentence pronounced by regimental court martial upon Privates Hall, Merrit, McKinney and Fuller read [a]t dress parade. Weather very unsteady.

11^th—Am directed by General Order No. 15 to drill recruits. Commence tomorrow. Manning returns. Mike and Miller spend the evening with me.

12^th—Drill recruits in a squad often. Take them through the first part of S.S. Learn easy. Receive a letter from home. Sergeants Dore and Johnson while out after lumber run across five rebels. Several shots exchanged but no one hurt.

13^th—Recruits learn fast. Take them through the loadings. The rebel scout seen yesterday turn out to be our own boys. A great joke on Johnson and Dore. Weather superb. Quartermaster goes to Beaufort.

14^th—Recruits learn rapidly. Our chaplain arrives. His first impression upon the boys is good. His figure is manly and his manner gentile which together with dignified air can but command respect.

16^th—Weather hazy. Put the recruits through the flank marchings they learn very rapidly. I fear we shall be obliged to put them on duty before they are sufficiently drilled.

17^th—Regimental inspection. Our new chaplain preaches an excellent sermon in the dining hall.

18^th—Regiment inspected by Captain Parkinson. I never saw them in better condition. The men’s guns and equipment were such as would do honor to a regular soldier. Soldierly pride is on the rise.

20^th—Figh[t]ing at Plymouth. Report that rebel ram has sunk two of our gunboats. Are looking sharp for them here. Turn over my squad of recruits for duty. Take another tomorrow. Chaplain gets into his new tent.

21^st—Captain Flusser, ‘The Brave’ is no more. The Southfield sank. Rumor that Plymouth has fallen after a gallant resistance.

22^nd—News of General Wessells capture confirmed by an order from Gene[r]al Peck. All feel bad for General Billy. Send up a gun boat to do picket duty. War has its reverses as well as its victories.

23^rd—Have a chill. Signal over from town that Killpatrick is in Picketts rear. Rumor that Banks is defeated. Hear nothing more from Plymouth. All quiet about New Berne.

24^th—One company of the 12^th New York Cavalry lands at our dock and strikes off into the country.

25^th—Cavalry return as we all expected. They were bound for Little Washington but saw a few pickets and heard some one whistle so they skedaddled back without firing a shot. A new general name not yet known comes to take command.

 

****

 

SOPO Editor’s Note: I’ve chosen to break up this diary to briefly point out that the 92nd New York’s time in North Carolina had come to end.  They were about to be moved to Yorktown, Virginia in preparation for Benjamin Butler’s Bermuda Hundred Campaign of May 1864.  From this point forward over several installments the diary will focus on the Bermuda Hundred Campaign followed by the Siege of Petersburg. The remainder of this installment discusses the Bermuda Hundred Campaign and the beginning of18th Corps’ move from Bermuda Hundred to Cold Harbor. The Siege of Petersburg was only two weeks away.

[April]    26^th [1864]—Receive orders to leave the fort about 4:00 p.m. Never had orders come so unexpected. In two hours the boys are all ready boot and baggage. Where we are to go is a mystery. Officers nearly all drunk as usual [o]n such occasions. Troops nearly all leaving.

27^th—Leave Fort Anderson [near New Bern, NC] at sunrise. Get aboard of the Patuxen[t] and leave New Berne at 5:45 a.m. Reach Hatteras at 7:00 p.m. Cast anchor for the night. Weather very fine. Boys in good spirits.

28^th—Lay all day at Fort Hatteras but dare not put out on account of wind.
29^th—Stilling lying at anchor. Very lovely. Go ashore and get some shells. Weather very fine. [M]ore troops arrive and cast anchor for Little Washington. Rumor that the place a[l]ive and cast anchor from Little is evacuated. Expect to start tomorrow. Pass away time reading.

30^th—Leave Hatteras at last. Weather very fine. Round Cape Hatteras about 7:00 p.m. Boat pitches considerable. Many seasick. Sleep on the top deck. Feel rather seasick but not enough to cause trouble.

May 1^st [1864]—Get near to Fortress Monroe about 7:00 a.m. Wait an hour and move on to Yorktown where we land about 4:00 p.m. Draw shelter tents and camp out. Seems odd. Baggage sent back to the fort. Men nearly all right.

2^nd–Again in camp for earnest.  Just dark a terrible thunder storm comes up without apparently a moments notice. Quartermaster Hubbell appointed acting brigade commander. Lieutenant [Asa B.] McChesney appointed acting regimental quartermaster. Boys all in good spirits.⁸

3^rd—Everything hurly-burly in camp. Expect to move in the morning. Baggage gone tonight. Colonel and quartermaster get back from Fortress Monroe each with a horse. Report that horse for sale are very scarce. Chaplain terribly insulted by Captain Bice.

4^th—Leave camp about 4:00 p.m. and get aboard of the Charles Thomas, a splendid transport. She takes our regiment and the 58^th Pennsylvania. Cast anchor in Hampton Roads just dark. An immense fleet gathered here. All ignorant of our destination.⁹

5^th—Weigh anchor at daylight and move immediately up the James river. The whole fleet presents a beautiful appearance. Beautiful country. Everything works with the greatest regularity. Land at Bermuda Hundred about 5:00 p.m. and camp for the night.¹⁰

6^th—March about 7:00 a.m. some five or six miles and camp in the woods. Considerable lightning towards night. Heckman’s brigade engaged and lose quite heavily.¹¹ Our camp near the Appoma[t]tox and not a great way from the James. We are but few miles from Fort Darling [at Drewry’s Bluff] and in sight of the steeples of Petersburg.

7^th—Lie all day upon arms. Quite sharp fighting in front. Our men get ta branch of the main railroad. All things go off smoothly. All have unbounded confidence in Generals Smith and Butler. We are just breaking into the hardships of Camp. We have been fancy soldiers long enough.¹²

8^th—Remain quiet all day in our humble retreat. Some cannonading on our left. The rebels undertake to plant a battery to s[h]ell our shipping. One of our gunboats soon drives then away. Wash in the Appoma[t]tox.¹³

9^th—Leave camp with only haversacks and canteens about 6:00 a.m. Advance towards Petersburg in three columns. Gillmore on the right, Brooks in the center and Martindale with our brigade on the left. Very heavy picket firing all night.¹⁴

10^th—Last night the rebels madly tried to capture from us Hunt’s battery. Charge three times but are roughly repulsed each time. At daybreak move on to the main railroad between Petersburg and Richmond and tear up several miles. Ordered away to reenforce Gillmore. Rebels licked when we get there. Reach camp about 5:00 p.m. Would back.¹⁵

11^th—Weather very warm. Move camp about a quarter of a mile to the front about 5:00 p.m. Commences to rain just dark. Great news from General Grant. ¹⁶

12^th—The whole army again put under motion in light marching order. Everything seems to indicate a rapid move on Richmond. Perhaps Fort Darling is their object. Our regiment and the 58^th Pennsylvania left behind to do picket duty probably on account of our being veterans without furloughs. Very rainy.

13^th—Still rainy. Camp on a little hill to support the pickets. Our regiment divided for different duties. Hear but little from the front. But few stragglers as yet. Saw Lieuten[a]nt Partridge. Looks as natural as ever. Large mail but get no letter. Rumor that Elwell’s [sic, Ewell’s Second] corps is captured.

14^th—Showery. Papers of the 12^th in. Wounded and a few skedaddlers begin to come in. Our brigade the 19^th and 188^th engaged. Good news everywhere. The spirits of all are high. Weather showery. Hear some cannonading in front. Rations go out to the army.

15^th—Still rainy. Our regiment gathers up the skedaddlers and send them to the front. Saw 16 rebel prisoners and nine negroes. Brigade commissaries going to the front. Will not issue to us for three days. Draw potatoes. Can see the rebels build a fort.

16^th—Showery. Heavy firing at daylight. Fighting everywhere through the whole army. Heavy loss on our side. Results not known. Our army falling back. Have a long talk with rebel prisoners. This has been an eventful day. ¹⁷

17^th—Weather fair. Our army all in. See Corporal Shelldin of the 142^nd New York. Some heavy cannonading on our right. Looks much like a shower at dark.  The men all in good spirits.

18^th—Steady skirmishing all day in our front. Have not heard the results. Our forces work all night fortifying. Colonel Sanders relieved from the command of the brigade and Colonel Dutton put in his stead. Dr. Edmeston a[p]pointed brigade surgeon.

19^th—Some skirmishing in the morning. The enemy fall back. Weather showery. Rearrange my tent. Our regiment relieved from picketing by the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers.

20^th—Enemy charge our outwork but are handsomely repulsed. Sharp cannonading at just dark. Two companies of our regiment ordered out to work during the night. Captain Foster over. Whole regiment ordered out. Ordered [sic, orders] countermanded.¹⁸

21^st—Rebels unusually quiet. Weather splendid. Some of our sick join the regiment. Draw clothing. Furnish 50 men for fatigue. About 11:00 p.m. sharp firing in front. Our brigade turns out to the breastworks. Firing lasts about one hour when we all retire to our quarters.

22^nd—Move camp about 10:00 a.m. to the right about one mile. Go to the front with Alick where our men are fortifying. Our men shell the enemy almost continually. Enemy throw shells while we are there. See General Gillmore and staff.

23^rd—Pickets along the whole line unusually quiet. Regiment paid for months. Draw no pay on account of the colonel’s leav[i]ng the field and staff rolls at Fortress Monroe.

24^th—Weather very warm. All work of the fortifications pressed with vigor. Two new forts commenced. Our regiment fu[r]nish 150 men to chop in the afternoon. Adjutant buys a horse jet black. Colonel Anderson getting popular for his promptness.

25^th—Very warm until 4:00 p.m. when it commences to rain. Our regiment slash in the morning and go on picket in the afternoon. See Captain Garvin. Looks as natural as ever. Full of energy. Alick has a chill. He will take no medicine so of course he must expect chills.

26^th—Join the regiment on picket in the morning with all the convalescents in camp. Rains violently. Our brigade except our regiment cross the ravine on a reconnaissance. Soon return. Colonel Dutton wounded through the throat and jaw. It is feared it is mortal.

27^th—Our regiment relieved by General Kautz’s dismounted cavalry. (First District Columbia with 16 shooters.) The 18^th Army Corps ordered to move. We s[t]art about 2:00 p.m. Our colonel temporarily in command of bridgade (sic brigade). Move about three miles and camp. General Devens assigned to command of our brigade. Howard joins the regiment.¹⁹

28^th—Showery. Take up the line of march about 4:00 p.m. and camp at Bermuda Hundred about 10:00 p.m. Lie out on the ground with covering a.m. Blankets are all in the wagons. Troops taking transportations as fast as possible. Send guard to brigade headquarters.

29^th—At writing am just going to bed aboard the Mary Washington. Where we got aboard about 8:00 a.m. Move down the river about 7:00 p.m. Our regiment and the 188^th Pennsylvania aboard. Terribly tottlish boat. Anchor off Jamestown for the night.

30^th—Get under way about 8:00 a.m. and arrive at Fortress Monroe about 11:00 a.m. Water up and move across the bay and up the York river. Anchor about 6:00 p.m. off Yorktown for the night. We are all bewildered. Rumor that we are to join Grant.

31^st—Get an early start. Reach the White House landing about 11:00 a.m. Land draw rations and get under way in line of march about 4:00 p.m. March until midnight and camp. The men are very tired. Twenty-first Connecticut regiment taken out and 40th Massachusetts put into the brigade. Col. Henry Moss commanding our brigade. ²⁰

(To be continued)²¹

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jack Phend.

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Other Posts from Orlando P. Benson’s Diary While at the Siege of Petersburg:

• Diary of Orlando P. Benson, 92nd New York
• NP: February 11, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 1
• NP: February 18, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 2
• NP: February 25, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 3
• NP: March 4, 1925 Potsdam NY Courier and Freeman: Orlando P. Benson Diary, 92nd NY, Part 4

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