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.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, April 1, 2013
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.
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.
Regimental Matters - Resignations
Wednesday, April 1, 1863
Captain Norwood Penrose Hallowell resigned his command with the Twentieth Massachusetts to assume the position of Lieutenant Colonel of the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. The Fifty-Forth Massachusetts was the first African-American regiment and would take a place in history in fame and honor.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 235.
Captain Norwood Penrose Hallowell resigned his command with the Twentieth Massachusetts to assume the position of Lieutenant Colonel of the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. The Fifty-Forth Massachusetts was the first African-American regiment and would take a place in history in fame and honor.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 235.
Friday, March 1, 2013
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.
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.
Friday, February 15, 2013
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.
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.
Friday, February 8, 2013
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.
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.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
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.
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.
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