Monday, April 13, 1863
Colonel Francis Palfrey, still suffering from severe wounds received at Antietam, resigned command of the Twentieth Massachusetts. Colonel Paul Revere, grandson of the famous midnight rider of April 18, 1775, was appointed by Massachusetts governor John Andrew as new commander. 1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 235.
Showing posts with label Francis Palfrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Francis Palfrey. Show all posts
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Battle of Antietam - Casualties
Thursday, September 18, 1862
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment had retreated to the Poffenberger farm, which was being used as a hospital for the wounded. Colonel William Lee sent a detail from the Twentieth to assist in removing the wounded and burying the dead from the battlefield.
The battle at Antietam on September 17, 1862 would prove to be the bloodiest day in American history. The Union reported over 12,000 casualties, while the Confederates reported over 10,000. Casualties among the Twentieth were high; the regiment lost one-hundred and fifty men out of four-hundred. Casualties among the officers of the Twentieth were also severe. Colonel Francis Palfrey was wounded by a canister ball to his shoulder. Captain Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received a shattering wound to his left arm. Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, shot in the neck and left for dead on the battlefield, was later revived with a shot of brandy. Sergeant James Spencer was struck by a shell fragment in his leg and was carried from the battlefield by his own men. The most tragic and poignant casualty was the death of Doctor Edward Revere, who was killed while performing field surgery on the wounded. Doctor Nathan Hayward was taken prisoner as he tended the wounded, but was paroled as the Confederates withdrew.
Some of the wounded officers would never return to the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment after the battle of Antietam. Colonel Francis Palfrey never returned to military service. Brothers Edward "Ned" Hallowell and Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received commissions to Massachusetts' first colored regiment, the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteers.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 175-6. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 176-80.
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment had retreated to the Poffenberger farm, which was being used as a hospital for the wounded. Colonel William Lee sent a detail from the Twentieth to assist in removing the wounded and burying the dead from the battlefield.
The battle at Antietam on September 17, 1862 would prove to be the bloodiest day in American history. The Union reported over 12,000 casualties, while the Confederates reported over 10,000. Casualties among the Twentieth were high; the regiment lost one-hundred and fifty men out of four-hundred. Casualties among the officers of the Twentieth were also severe. Colonel Francis Palfrey was wounded by a canister ball to his shoulder. Captain Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received a shattering wound to his left arm. Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes, shot in the neck and left for dead on the battlefield, was later revived with a shot of brandy. Sergeant James Spencer was struck by a shell fragment in his leg and was carried from the battlefield by his own men. The most tragic and poignant casualty was the death of Doctor Edward Revere, who was killed while performing field surgery on the wounded. Doctor Nathan Hayward was taken prisoner as he tended the wounded, but was paroled as the Confederates withdrew.
Some of the wounded officers would never return to the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment after the battle of Antietam. Colonel Francis Palfrey never returned to military service. Brothers Edward "Ned" Hallowell and Norwood "Pen" Hallowell received commissions to Massachusetts' first colored regiment, the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteers.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 175-6. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 176-80.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Seven Days Battles - Day 6 - Battle of Glendale
Monday, June 30, 1862
General Robert E. Lee pressed his pursuit of the Union Army as they retreated toward the James River. He ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson to pursue the rear flank of the Union forces at White Oak Swamp and ordered the main body of his army, led by General James Longstreet, to attack the Union center at Glendale. Lee hoped to sever the Union line and crush the Union army in mid-retreat.
Once again, Lee's orders were not executed as planned. Jackson was late to arrive at White Oak Swamp and did not pose a severe threat to the Union rear flank. Longstreet executed his orders faithfully, attacking the Union line with heavy fighting at Glendale. The Pennsylvania Reserves division of General Fitz-John Porter's Fifth Corps took the brunt of the assault.
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment had advanced two and one-half miles beyond the White Oak Swamp Bridge, reaching Glendale by mid-morning. At 11:00 A.M. the regiment heard artillery fire from the direction of White Oak Swamp Bridge. General William Franklin, positioned to protect the rear of the retreat at the bridge, requested reinforcements from General Bull Sumner's Second Corps. Sumner sent General Napoleon Dana's Third Brigade, including the Twentieth Massachusetts, to reinforce Franklin's position. The Twentieth Massachusetts formed a column and marched at the double-quick toward White Oak Swamp Bridge. The day was exceedingly hot, and as the Twentieth advanced, they suffered from smoke inhalation from trees smoldering from Jackson's artillery fire. The Twentieth needed to slow their pace under the heat and smoke, and soon the artillery fire from White Oak Bridge ceased.
At 3:00 P.M. the Twentieth heard gunfire from Glendale, and soon received messages from General Bull Sumner to march toward Glendale at the double-quick. The heat and the smoke had taken its toll, and many soldiers dropped from their ranks during the march from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. As the Twentieth returned to Glendale, they were ordered into position across an open field at Nelson's Farm. As General Dana had not yet returned to Glendale, General Sumner appointed Colonel William Lee of the Twentieth Massachusetts as temporary brigade commander. Colonel Lee ordered four regiments, the Nineteenth Massachusetts, the Tammany Regiment, the Seventh Michigan, and his own Twentieth Massachusetts into battle formation. Lee ordered Major Paul Revere and Charles Whittier to assist with the brigade charge, and designated Colonel Francis Palfrey to take charge of the Twentieth. Colonel Lee gave the order to advance the brigade across the sloping field into battle. As they advanced Lee's brigade were exposed to musket fire and artillery, and the brigade began to suffer heavy casualties. It became extremely difficult to keep their battle lines straight under heavy fire, and they needed to halt several times to reform their lines.
As they approached the woods at the far side of the field Colonel Lee was knocked senseless from a collision with a panicked artillery horse. Major Paul Revere took command of the brigade as they advanced into the woods up an ascending slope. As they reached the crest they realized the desperate nature of the fight. Their brigade needed to plug the hole left in the line from the casualties suffered by the Pennsylvania Reserves. Colonel Palfrey galvanized the charge for the Twentieth by grabbing a fallen Rebel flag, waving it for all to see, then throwing it to the ground and stomping on it. As they continued their advance, the Twentieth found themselves in front alone, with both flanks open. Exposed to a withering fire, the Twentieth realized that they needed to withdraw in order to prevent annihilation. As they retreated in good order to the woods they were reinforced by additional regiments. As nightfall approached the battle ceased and the Union line held.
The Battle of Glendale was also known as the Battle of Nelson’s Farm and the Battle of Frayser’s Farm
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment reported fourteen killed, seventy-one wounded, three captured, and five missing from the Seven Days Battles. Most of these casualties were incurred at Glendale. Among the killed was First Lieutenant James Jackson Lowell, who died tragically of a gunshot wound to the stomach in a field hospital at Glendale under Confederate control after the Twentieth Massachusetts continued their retreat to Harrison's Landing through Malvern Hill. Colonels William Lee and Francis Palfrey, Captain Norwood Hallowell, First Lieutenant Henry Abbott, and Second Lieutenant Henry Patten were among the officers reported injured at Glendale.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 123-32, 136-37. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 147-52.
General Robert E. Lee pressed his pursuit of the Union Army as they retreated toward the James River. He ordered General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson to pursue the rear flank of the Union forces at White Oak Swamp and ordered the main body of his army, led by General James Longstreet, to attack the Union center at Glendale. Lee hoped to sever the Union line and crush the Union army in mid-retreat.
Once again, Lee's orders were not executed as planned. Jackson was late to arrive at White Oak Swamp and did not pose a severe threat to the Union rear flank. Longstreet executed his orders faithfully, attacking the Union line with heavy fighting at Glendale. The Pennsylvania Reserves division of General Fitz-John Porter's Fifth Corps took the brunt of the assault.
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment had advanced two and one-half miles beyond the White Oak Swamp Bridge, reaching Glendale by mid-morning. At 11:00 A.M. the regiment heard artillery fire from the direction of White Oak Swamp Bridge. General William Franklin, positioned to protect the rear of the retreat at the bridge, requested reinforcements from General Bull Sumner's Second Corps. Sumner sent General Napoleon Dana's Third Brigade, including the Twentieth Massachusetts, to reinforce Franklin's position. The Twentieth Massachusetts formed a column and marched at the double-quick toward White Oak Swamp Bridge. The day was exceedingly hot, and as the Twentieth advanced, they suffered from smoke inhalation from trees smoldering from Jackson's artillery fire. The Twentieth needed to slow their pace under the heat and smoke, and soon the artillery fire from White Oak Bridge ceased.
At 3:00 P.M. the Twentieth heard gunfire from Glendale, and soon received messages from General Bull Sumner to march toward Glendale at the double-quick. The heat and the smoke had taken its toll, and many soldiers dropped from their ranks during the march from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. As the Twentieth returned to Glendale, they were ordered into position across an open field at Nelson's Farm. As General Dana had not yet returned to Glendale, General Sumner appointed Colonel William Lee of the Twentieth Massachusetts as temporary brigade commander. Colonel Lee ordered four regiments, the Nineteenth Massachusetts, the Tammany Regiment, the Seventh Michigan, and his own Twentieth Massachusetts into battle formation. Lee ordered Major Paul Revere and Charles Whittier to assist with the brigade charge, and designated Colonel Francis Palfrey to take charge of the Twentieth. Colonel Lee gave the order to advance the brigade across the sloping field into battle. As they advanced Lee's brigade were exposed to musket fire and artillery, and the brigade began to suffer heavy casualties. It became extremely difficult to keep their battle lines straight under heavy fire, and they needed to halt several times to reform their lines.
As they approached the woods at the far side of the field Colonel Lee was knocked senseless from a collision with a panicked artillery horse. Major Paul Revere took command of the brigade as they advanced into the woods up an ascending slope. As they reached the crest they realized the desperate nature of the fight. Their brigade needed to plug the hole left in the line from the casualties suffered by the Pennsylvania Reserves. Colonel Palfrey galvanized the charge for the Twentieth by grabbing a fallen Rebel flag, waving it for all to see, then throwing it to the ground and stomping on it. As they continued their advance, the Twentieth found themselves in front alone, with both flanks open. Exposed to a withering fire, the Twentieth realized that they needed to withdraw in order to prevent annihilation. As they retreated in good order to the woods they were reinforced by additional regiments. As nightfall approached the battle ceased and the Union line held.
The Battle of Glendale was also known as the Battle of Nelson’s Farm and the Battle of Frayser’s Farm
The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment reported fourteen killed, seventy-one wounded, three captured, and five missing from the Seven Days Battles. Most of these casualties were incurred at Glendale. Among the killed was First Lieutenant James Jackson Lowell, who died tragically of a gunshot wound to the stomach in a field hospital at Glendale under Confederate control after the Twentieth Massachusetts continued their retreat to Harrison's Landing through Malvern Hill. Colonels William Lee and Francis Palfrey, Captain Norwood Hallowell, First Lieutenant Henry Abbott, and Second Lieutenant Henry Patten were among the officers reported injured at Glendale.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 123-32, 136-37. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 147-52.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
In His Own Words - Captain William Francis Bartlett
Thursday, April 24, 1862
Captain William "Frank" Bartlett wrote briefly and stoically about his wounding in his journal. He remarked, "While I was visiting the pickets, watching the enemy with my glass, a sharpshooter hit me in the knee with a minie ball, shattering the bone down to my ankle. Dr. Hayward amputated it four inches above the knee, and I started for Baltimore in the same afternoon."1
His friend, Colonel Francis Palfrey, accompanied Captain Bartlett as he was carried to the rear for surgery by Doctor Hayward. As he was being attended, he said to Colonel Palfrey, "It’s rough, Frank, isn’t it?" Palfrey remarked that this was the only word of complaint he spoke the entire time.2
References:
1Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Osgood and Company, 1878), 41.
2Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, 41.
Captain William "Frank" Bartlett wrote briefly and stoically about his wounding in his journal. He remarked, "While I was visiting the pickets, watching the enemy with my glass, a sharpshooter hit me in the knee with a minie ball, shattering the bone down to my ankle. Dr. Hayward amputated it four inches above the knee, and I started for Baltimore in the same afternoon."1
His friend, Colonel Francis Palfrey, accompanied Captain Bartlett as he was carried to the rear for surgery by Doctor Hayward. As he was being attended, he said to Colonel Palfrey, "It’s rough, Frank, isn’t it?" Palfrey remarked that this was the only word of complaint he spoke the entire time.2
References:
1Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Osgood and Company, 1878), 41.
2Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, 41.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
On the March
Tuesday, March 11, 1862
The regiment broke their camp near Poolesville, named Camp Lee, the new name given to Camp Foster. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Palfrey, they marched eight miles to the mouth of the Monocacy River and boarded canal boats to the Point of Rocks.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 78.
The regiment broke their camp near Poolesville, named Camp Lee, the new name given to Camp Foster. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Palfrey, they marched eight miles to the mouth of the Monocacy River and boarded canal boats to the Point of Rocks.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 78.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Journey of the Captives
Saturday, November 23, 1861
The prisoners received disheartening news concerning their situation. Provost Marshal General Jonathan Winder prohibited any further communication between the prisoners at Ligon Factory and the hostages at Henrico County Jail. He also refused any communication between the prisoners and Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey through General Nathan Evans at Leesburg.1
References:
1Charles Lawrence Peirson, "Memorandum of the Battle of Leesburg," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 120, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
The prisoners received disheartening news concerning their situation. Provost Marshal General Jonathan Winder prohibited any further communication between the prisoners at Ligon Factory and the hostages at Henrico County Jail. He also refused any communication between the prisoners and Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey through General Nathan Evans at Leesburg.1
References:
1Charles Lawrence Peirson, "Memorandum of the Battle of Leesburg," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 120, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Under a Flag of Truce
Wednesday, November 6, 1861
On the previous day Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey crossed the Potomac at Edwards Ferry under a flag of truce to arrange for transport of the bodies of soldiers killed during the Ball's Bluff conflict. He also inquired about the welfare of the prisoners and asked if it were possible to send them letters and supplies. He was received by officers of General Nathan Evans' staff, who gave permission for their endeavor. At 9:00 AM, again under a flag of truce, Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey arrived with a detail to transport the bodies of fallen comrades for burial and to deliver supplies, money, and clothing to the prisoners.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 71.
On the previous day Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey crossed the Potomac at Edwards Ferry under a flag of truce to arrange for transport of the bodies of soldiers killed during the Ball's Bluff conflict. He also inquired about the welfare of the prisoners and asked if it were possible to send them letters and supplies. He was received by officers of General Nathan Evans' staff, who gave permission for their endeavor. At 9:00 AM, again under a flag of truce, Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey arrived with a detail to transport the bodies of fallen comrades for burial and to deliver supplies, money, and clothing to the prisoners.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 71.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
A Name Brilliant and Glorious ...
Tuesday, October 29, 1861
To bolster morale in the dispirited regiment, Governor John Andrew of Massachusetts issued General Order Number 70, in which he offered gratitude and praise for their valiant service at Ball's Bluff. Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey read the order to the regiment at dress parade:
In his statement Governor Andrew intended not only to bolster morale but also to strengthen the recruiting effort through recognition of valiant service. Captain Henry Tremlett of Company A was dispatched to Boston to take charge of recruitment. The regiment hoped to acquire two hundred additional enlistments over the winter.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 63, 71; Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 88.
To bolster morale in the dispirited regiment, Governor John Andrew of Massachusetts issued General Order Number 70, in which he offered gratitude and praise for their valiant service at Ball's Bluff. Lieutenant Colonel Palfrey read the order to the regiment at dress parade:
His Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor of Mass. desires to express through the proper channel his sincere thanks to the officers and privates of the 20th Regt. Mass. Vols. for the bravery which they displayed in the recent battle at Ball's Bluff, and for the admirable discipline which their behavior there so strongly bears evidence of. He regrets the severe loss sustained by the regiment, and deeply sympathizes with the wounded and the suffering relatives of the dead and wounded, but will assure the regiment that they have earned and own a name brilliant and glorious, and that the Bay State is proud to recognize them as sons, and as sons worthy of the Commonwealth and worthy to share past glories of the Commonwealth.
In his statement Governor Andrew intended not only to bolster morale but also to strengthen the recruiting effort through recognition of valiant service. Captain Henry Tremlett of Company A was dispatched to Boston to take charge of recruitment. The regiment hoped to acquire two hundred additional enlistments over the winter.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 63, 71; Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 88.
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