Letters from the Front - Doctor Nathan Hayward

Monday, June 22, 1863

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a hasty letter to his father from Thoroughfare Gap, informing him that the regiment was moving rapidly north. Doctor Hayward expressed that the rapid march in the intense heat had taken casualties among the regiment and that they had paused for rest. He expected that they were prepared to move or to defend from an attack. He closed his letter by reassuring his father that "I am very well and enjoy the change highly." ¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 427, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Doctor Nathan Hayward

Monday, June 8, 1863

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward reported the crossing of the Rappahannock by General Sedgwick. At first he was concerned that it was part of a larger action but relayed that Sedgwick's movement was mainly demonstrative. Hayward was concerned that he would need to return to the Lacy House, which had been used as a hospital for two battles at Fredericksburg. He proclaimed, "I sincerely wish that my post may not be again at the Lacy House. The house is haunted for me with the horrors of the previous battles. I would like a change of place." ¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 425-427, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Doctor Nathan Hayward

Tuesday, May 12, 1863

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward relayed the news of the recent calamities at Chancellorsville. He mentioned that General Joseph Hooker had been knocked senseless by a pillar at the Chancellor House during the battle and was carried from the battlefield. Upon reviving from the injury General Hooker ordered a retreat of his forces, which Doctor Hayward believed was a mistake. He believed that Generals Couch and Sedgwick were making well-informed decisions that could have saved the day for the Union Army. Doctor Hayward ended his letter with an expectation that General Hooker would order another forward movement of the army in the near future.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 422-424, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, April 19, 1863

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward expressed the belief that the Army of the Potomac would be on the move again within a few days and that eight days rations were kept on hand in necessity of a quick movement. He relayed that they currently held a strong position along the Rappahannock River but was unsure if they would hold that position in favor of another. He mentioned that they may advance on Richmond by way of the Pamunkey River. He ended with high praise for General McClellan, whose popularity with the Army of the Potomac was still very strong. ¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 418-421, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, April 5, 1863

Doctor Nathan Hayward reported sadly in a letter to his father that Captain Henry Abbott had gone home on leave due to the passing of his younger brother. He also mentioned that General Hooker had designated an insignia for each of the army corps to wear on the soldier’s hat. The insignia of the Second Corps was a trefoil; the Second Division, of which the Twentieth Massachusetts is a part, was assigned a white trefoil. It was hoped that the wearing of these insignia will identify the corps and division of every soldier immediately and avoid confusion during a conflict.
Doctor Hayward remarked that General Darius Couch commands the Second Corps, with General John Gibbon commanding the Second Division and Colonel Norman Hall securely commanding their brigade. He noted that the “sentiment of the army is very good, and that they still retain their old faith in McClellan.”¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 417-418, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Wednesday, April 1, 1863

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward expressed his pleasure at finding Colonel Nathan Hall in charge of the brigade when he returned from furlough. He lauded Hall as “ a great favorite, by far the best commander of the brigade that we have ever had, and socially is like one of ourselves. “ Doctor Hayward reported that the Twentieth is in fine shape, with clean uniforms and shiny rifles. The Twentieth engaged in meticulous attention to cleanliness and bathing, with excellent results. He noted that “the 20th never looked as well as they do now.”¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 416, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, March 1, 1863

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a letter to his father and expressed his concern that Colonel Norman Hall would not be returning to command of their brigade. He felt that Colonel Hall should have been promoted for his excellent service during the battle at Fredericksburg. He was concerned that the politics displayed in the appointment of generals caused many competent and experienced officers to be overlooked in favor of those of inferior qualities and abilities, and feared that this pattern of appointment would continue.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 413-416, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, February 15, 1863

In a brief letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward related that the Twentieth was engaged in hard work in their provost duty in Falmouth. He noted that every department of the army had seen a change for the better since General Hooker had assumed command and noted that the removal of the grand divisions instituted by General Burnside had a positive effect. The quality and quantity of rations for the soldiers were improving, and he mentioned that all soldiers were to receive “three rations of potatoes, two of onions, and tea every week, and fresh bread at all times.”¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 410-412, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, February 8, 1863

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward remarked on the mildness of the winter in Falmouth, noting that bluebirds had returned to the Falmouth area. He pondered the next campaign of the Army of the Potomac, postulating that General Hooker may repeat McClellan’s movement toward the Peninsula as in the previous year. Doctor Hayward also mentioned that General Hooker’s popularity with the Army of the Potomac was rising, partially due to the furloughs granted to officers and enlisted men alike. ¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 408-410, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Monday, February 2, 1863

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a letter to his father from Falmouth, explaining that the Twentieth was encamped in the town of Falmouth as provost guard of the town. He mentioned that the conditions of the roadways were in terrible state due to recent weather. He also mentioned that despite the adverse weather conditions the regiment was healthy.

Doctor Hayward related that the appointment of General Joseph Hooker as the new commander of the Army of the Potomac has been received by the soldiers with indifference. He believed that Hooker was a fighter, but not a strategist. Hayward felt that the army lost its greatest remaining general when General William Franklin resigned his command as a direct result of Hooker's appointment.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 412-413, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Saturday, December 27, 1862

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a letter to his father from Fredericksburg, the first letter he was able to compose since the battle. He explained that he was operating on wounded soldiers from morning until after dark every day for nearly two weeks. He worked in concert with other doctors and surgeons, consulting with them for the best course of treatment and operation. He relayed that he is currently the acting surgeon for his brigade.

Doctor Hayward stated that the newspaper reports of the battle at Fredericksburg was laughable and exaggerated. He hoped that the disaster at Fredericksburg will bring about the restoration of General George McClellan. He relayed that the soldiers are dissatisfied and dispirited since the removal of McClellan and that they entered Fredericksburg expecting defeat and slaughter. Hayward spoke highly of McClellan, stating that “no other man can command the confidence of his veterans.” Hayward felt that General Ambrose Burnside is affable and a gentleman, but he remarked that these qualities do not make a great General. “The army knows full well that affectional qualities are not what it requires, but intellect in a special department, and that the only man who has displayed great intellect in this specialty has been most foolishly, almost madly, removed.”¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 401-403, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Battle of Antietam

Wednesday, September 17, 1862

At 7:10 A.M. General Bull Sumner received orders from Union General George McClellan to cross the Antietam Creek and advance westerly across the Cornfield to the West Woods. For the last hour Sumner had watched the advance of Joseph Hooker's First Corps and Joseph Mansfield's Twelfth Corps across the Cornfield and witnessed heavy, brutal fighting which resulted in the death of Twelfth Corps General Joseph Mansfield, who was killed as he prepared his troops for advance. The Second Corps was next in line to cross the Cornfield and drive the Confederates from the West Woods.

General Sumner began the advance with two of his three divisions, leaving General Israel Richardson's division in reserve. As Sumner's troops advanced, they witnessed the carnage from the early morning fight in the Cornfield. Sumner ordered his lines to close and advance quickly across the Cornfield into the West Woods. The close lines would prove to be problematic and would have devastating consequences.

The Twentieth Massachusetts was on the left flank of the second line of battle. As they approached the West Woods, the Thirty-Fourth New York Regiment, immediately in front of the Twentieth, was dispatched south to the Dunker Church for support. The Twentieth now found themselves uncovered in the front and on their left flank.

As the Twentieth entered the West Woods they immediately encountered heavy firing, followed by artillery barrages of grapeshot and canister. As the lines of battle were so close the Twentieth had difficulty returning fire without hitting their own men. The Confederates flanked Sumner's forces on the left, which left the Twentieth exposed to Confederate fire in front as well as on their left. The colors of the Twentieth fell four times within minutes, and Sumner ordered Colonel William Lee to withdraw. In despite of the chaos the Twentieth attempted to withdraw in good order, removing their wounded as they withdrew.

The battle continued for the entire day, with heavy fighting at the Sunken Lane and the bridge across the Antietam Creek later known as the Burnside Bridge. A late arrival by Confederate General A.P. Hill ended the battle, in which neither the Union nor the Confederates could claim a solid victory.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 163-74. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 169-76. James Spencer, "Record of James Spencer," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 64-65, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Saturday, August 23, 1862

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a brief letter to his father from Newport News. He mentioned that until this morning they believed they would remain at Newport News for at least a week. He wrote, " .. [we] had sent to Fort Monroe for a wagon load of fruit, expecting to make ourselves comfortable here and enjoy the luxuries of the season and the place. What our destination is, we do not know, whether A[c]quia Creek, Alexandria, or elsewhere."¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 396, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Tuesday, August 12, 1862

In a letter to his father, Doctor Nathan Hayward relayed his beliefs that the regiment would be on the march again soon. He shared the particulars of the recent reconnaissance to Malvern Hill and noted, "We are expecting to move to-day, but in what direction is altogether conjectural." Hayward also noted that, although the overall health of the regiment was good, many were suffering from jaundice.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 396, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Oliver's Story - Seven Days Battles

Monday, June 30, 1862

Private Oliver Stanton Bates had just experienced a grueling seventy-two hours of service with Company A of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment. On Saturday, June 28, he joined his comrades in Company A during a long day and evening of intense manual labor in pushing ammunition-laden railroad cars three miles to Savage Station. On Sunday, June 29, undoubtedly exhausted from the previous day’s exertion, he was immediately put to work in the destruction of the ammunition stores at Savage Station depot. In the afternoon, he fell into formation with his regiment, prepared for battle at Savage Station. At 10:00 P.M. he was ordered into the woods near Savage Station for picket duty and spent a grueling five hours stumbling through the darkness, hoping to avoid gunfire or capture before rejoining his regiment at 3:00 A.M. near White Oak Swamp Bridge. This morning he endured a grueling retreat through intense heat and smoke to White Oak Swamp Bridge before returning to Glendale in the afternoon to take part in a hellish battle. By the grace of God he endured the trials and challenges of the previous seventy-two hours without injury, and he was undoubtedly grateful and relieved that his life was spared during these tests of faith, endurance, and courage.¹

References:
¹Compiled service record, Oliver S. Bates, Pvt., Co. A, 20th Massachusetts Infantry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C. Henry Tremlett, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 2, p. 169-72, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts. George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 110-132. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 137-52.

Dangerous Night Maneuvers at Savage Station

Sunday, June 29, 1862

At approximately 10:00 P.M. two companies of the Twentieth Massachusetts, Companies A and K commanded by Captain Henry Tremlett, were sent into the woods under the cover of darkness for picket duty to protect the Union flank and determine the position of the Confederate army. The woods were covered with the bodies of dead and wounded Confederates from the battle at Savage Station, and they needed to proceed with extreme caution in the inky darkness to avoid revealing their proximity to the Confederates.

At 11:00 P.M. Captain Tremlett crept silently through the dark woods to where the Twentieth Massachusetts was stationed. To his great distress, Tremlett found that his regiment and the Union Army had retreated, leaving his two companies to keep the Confederates at bay. Tremlett silently ordered his men to fall in and march. As they plunged through mud and stumbled over tree stumps in the darkness, they eventually reached the Williamsburg Road and followed it until they found the road to White Oak Bridge. Following that road, they rejoined their regiment around 3:00 A.M.¹

The Twentieth Massachusetts Regimental History records the severity of the danger to Companies A and K as follows:

It was a most dangerous and disagreeable duty that fell to the lot of these two companies, for they were the very last of the rear guard of the army, and were liable at any moment to be attacked and overwhelmed or cut off and captured.²

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 118-119. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 144-45. Henry Tremlett, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 2, p. 169-72, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
²George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 119.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Saturday, May 17, 1862

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward reassured his father that no one from the regiment had been wounded during their engagement at Eltham's Landing. He recounted the difficulties in travel due to heavy rains during their marches from Yorktown, noting that the march on May 15 was the most difficult they had encountered. Problems in moving heavy artillery on muddy roads was so severe that horses pulling the artillery died from over-exertion.

Doctor Hayward remarked on the visit of General George McClellan to their camp at Eltham's Landing and that General McClellan met with Colonel William Lee. Colonel Lee was deeply honored and regarded their meeting as "the greatest compliment he ever has received in his life."

Hayward continued to note the excellent mood among the regiment due to the return of Colonel Lee and Major Paul Revere. He expected that the Confederates would make a stand near the Chickahominy River and that the regiment would move in that direction.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 377-79, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Friday, April 25, 1862

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward recounts the wounding of Captain William Bartlett and the tough decision he made in amputating his leg. He noted that Captain Bartlett was sent to Ship Point by wagon and that a detail from the Twentieth accompanied Bartlett as litter bearers in case riding became difficult. He reported that Bartlett made the journey to Ship Point in fine shape and that he boarded a steamboat for a hospital in Washington, D.C. He remarked wryly that, despite the sad loss of Captain Bartlett, the casualties were relatively few and that the sharpshooters of the Twentieth did more damage than the Confederate sharpshooters.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 375-76, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Friday, April 11, 1862

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward related recent events affecting the regiment since their arrival on the Peninsula. He noted that he was serving as the director of the division hospital temporarily, and that patients would be soon be transported by ambulance to Ship Point. The roads were in very poor conditions due to heavy rainfall, and any travel was slowed considerably. He related that the regiment lacked adequate shelter from the rain. Despite the difficult conditions, the regiment was in relatively good health.

Doctor Hayward relayed the arrival of Colonel Lee at Fort Monroe, with hopes of his exchange and return to command within the next week or two. Sadly, he noted that some of the officers who had recently returned to the regiment after severe wounding at Ball's Bluff were not able to stand the strain of active command. Captain John C. Putnam and Lieutenant William Riddle, still struggling with their former injuries, had requested sick leave. Captain Ferdinand Dreher, despite continuing pain from his former wounds, decided to remain.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 372-75, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Regiment Leaves Camp Benton

Tuesday, February 25, 1862

The regiment broke camp, leaving Camp Benton nearly five months after their arrival. Their destination was Poolesville, Virginia, en route to Washington, D.C.¹

References:
¹James Spencer, "Record of James Spencer," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 56, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.