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.
Showing posts with label Edward Revere. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edward Revere. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Lee and Revere Brothers Return to Regiment
Friday, May 2, 1862
In the evening, Colonel William Lee, Major Paul Revere, and Dr. Edward Revere returned to the regiment after they successfully received their exchange. This was their first return to military service with the Twentieth Massachusetts since their capture nearly seven months earlier at Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85.
In the evening, Colonel William Lee, Major Paul Revere, and Dr. Edward Revere returned to the regiment after they successfully received their exchange. This was their first return to military service with the Twentieth Massachusetts since their capture nearly seven months earlier at Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 85.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Journey of the Captives - Officers in Boston
Friday, February 28, 1862
The regiment rejoiced over the news of the arrival of Colonel William Raymond Lee, Major John Revere, and Surgeon Edward Revere in Boston on parole. The terms of parole did not allow them to rejoin the regiment until their exchange for Confederate officers of equivalent rank.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 67.
The regiment rejoiced over the news of the arrival of Colonel William Raymond Lee, Major John Revere, and Surgeon Edward Revere in Boston on parole. The terms of parole did not allow them to rejoin the regiment until their exchange for Confederate officers of equivalent rank.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 67.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Journey of the Captives
Friday, January 31, 1862
After arriving at Washington on Tuesday morning, Charles Peirson had a full schedule of interviews with army leaders and government officials for the entire week. He scheduled an appointment on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock to speak with General George McClellan and waited until 4 o'clock in the afternoon to meet with him. He spoke with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and General Charles Stone at General McClellan’s office. He wrote letters to Governor John Andrew in Massachusetts, and to Major Paul Revere and Doctor Edward Revere in Richmond. On Friday he met again with General McClellan and was warmly received.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. 137-38, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
After arriving at Washington on Tuesday morning, Charles Peirson had a full schedule of interviews with army leaders and government officials for the entire week. He scheduled an appointment on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock to speak with General George McClellan and waited until 4 o'clock in the afternoon to meet with him. He spoke with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and General Charles Stone at General McClellan’s office. He wrote letters to Governor John Andrew in Massachusetts, and to Major Paul Revere and Doctor Edward Revere in Richmond. On Friday he met again with General McClellan and was warmly received.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. 137-38, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Journey of the Captives
Wednesday, January 22, 1862
As he marked the third month of his captivity, Charles Peirson faced disappointment. On Monday Dr. Edward Revere's parole had been rescinded. In order to affect some relief for the jailed hostages Peirson sent a letter to Provost Martial Jonathan Winder requesting a substitution of seven officers for the hostages, including himself and Lieutenant George Perry of the Twentieth Massachusetts.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. 135, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
As he marked the third month of his captivity, Charles Peirson faced disappointment. On Monday Dr. Edward Revere's parole had been rescinded. In order to affect some relief for the jailed hostages Peirson sent a letter to Provost Martial Jonathan Winder requesting a substitution of seven officers for the hostages, including himself and Lieutenant George Perry of the Twentieth Massachusetts.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. 135, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Journey of the Captives
Saturday, December 7, 1861
Adjutant Charles Peirson briefly left his confinement in Ligon Prison to distribute clothing to fellow prisoners and to visit the sick in Richmond hospitals. The clothes were a gift from John Revere, father of prisoners Dr. Edward Revere and Major Paul Revere. Peirson heard rumors of fighting at Manassas and observed that approximately fifteen-hundred Confederates in Richmond hospitals had been struck with typhoid pneumonia. 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. 122, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Adjutant Charles Peirson briefly left his confinement in Ligon Prison to distribute clothing to fellow prisoners and to visit the sick in Richmond hospitals. The clothes were a gift from John Revere, father of prisoners Dr. Edward Revere and Major Paul Revere. Peirson heard rumors of fighting at Manassas and observed that approximately fifteen-hundred Confederates in Richmond hospitals had been struck with typhoid pneumonia. 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. 122, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Journey of the Captives
Tuesday, November 19, 1861
Adjutant Charles Peirson sent a carpet bag to Henrico County Jail for Colonel Lee. He also received a response from the Richmond commandant, Captain George C. Gibbs, that he, Lieutenant George Perry, and Dr. Edward Revere would be placed last on the list of prisoners to be sent out of Richmond.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. 119, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Adjutant Charles Peirson sent a carpet bag to Henrico County Jail for Colonel Lee. He also received a response from the Richmond commandant, Captain George C. Gibbs, that he, Lieutenant George Perry, and Dr. Edward Revere would be placed last on the list of prisoners to be sent out of Richmond.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. 119, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Journey of the Captives
Monday, November 18, 1861
Adjutant Charles Peirson, one of the officers imprisoned at Ligon's Factory, applied to the provost marshal, General Jonathan Winder, for permission to visit Colonel Lee and Major Revere at the Henrico County Jail. General Winder refused permission for the visit. He announced that six hundred prisoners would be transported to Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Friday, and that an additional five hundred prisoners would be removed to North Carolina. The remaining prisoners would be sent to North Carolina within a few weeks. The officers would be allowed to select either Alabama or North Carolina. Adjutant Peirson wrote to Captain George C. Gibbs, Commandant of Richmond, to request that he, Lieutenant George Perry, and Dr. Edward Revere remain in Richmond for as long as possible.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. 119, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Adjutant Charles Peirson, one of the officers imprisoned at Ligon's Factory, applied to the provost marshal, General Jonathan Winder, for permission to visit Colonel Lee and Major Revere at the Henrico County Jail. General Winder refused permission for the visit. He announced that six hundred prisoners would be transported to Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Friday, and that an additional five hundred prisoners would be removed to North Carolina. The remaining prisoners would be sent to North Carolina within a few weeks. The officers would be allowed to select either Alabama or North Carolina. Adjutant Peirson wrote to Captain George C. Gibbs, Commandant of Richmond, to request that he, Lieutenant George Perry, and Dr. Edward Revere remain in Richmond for as long as possible.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. 119, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Ball's Bluff - The Aftermath
Tuesday, October 22, 1861
The Twentieth Massachusetts suffered a devastating blow to their ranks at Ball’s Bluff. The regiment reported 87 killed or wounded and 111 captured, for a total of 198 casualties, a loss of approximately one-third of the regiment.
The casualties among the officers were catastrophic. The high command of the regiment were captured and taken prisoner by the Confederates. Colonel William R. Lee, Major Paul Revere, Adjutant Charles Peirson, and Assistant Surgeon E.H.R. Revere, as well as First Lieutenant George Perry of Company D, were reported captured. Major Revere was also wounded.
Among the officers killed were Second Lieutenant Reinhold Wesselhoeft of Company C, Second Lieutenant William Lowell Putnam of Company E, and Captain Alois Babo of Company G.
Among the officers wounded were First Lieutenant Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. of Company A, Captain Ferdinand Dreher of Company D, Captain George Schmidt and First Lieutenant James Lowell of Company E, and Captain John Putnam of Company H.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 59-61.
The Twentieth Massachusetts suffered a devastating blow to their ranks at Ball’s Bluff. The regiment reported 87 killed or wounded and 111 captured, for a total of 198 casualties, a loss of approximately one-third of the regiment.
The casualties among the officers were catastrophic. The high command of the regiment were captured and taken prisoner by the Confederates. Colonel William R. Lee, Major Paul Revere, Adjutant Charles Peirson, and Assistant Surgeon E.H.R. Revere, as well as First Lieutenant George Perry of Company D, were reported captured. Major Revere was also wounded.
Among the officers killed were Second Lieutenant Reinhold Wesselhoeft of Company C, Second Lieutenant William Lowell Putnam of Company E, and Captain Alois Babo of Company G.
Among the officers wounded were First Lieutenant Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. of Company A, Captain Ferdinand Dreher of Company D, Captain George Schmidt and First Lieutenant James Lowell of Company E, and Captain John Putnam of Company H.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 59-61.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Letters from the Front - Henry Abbott
Monday, October 21, 1861
After returning safely to Camp Benton, Henry Abbott, First Lieutenant of Company I, sent a letter by telegraph to his father, reassuring him that he had survived:
References:
1Robert Garth Scott, editor, Fallen Leaves: The Civil War Letters of Major Henry Livermore Abbott (Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press, 1991), 58-59.
After returning safely to Camp Benton, Henry Abbott, First Lieutenant of Company I, sent a letter by telegraph to his father, reassuring him that he had survived:
We miraculously escaped without a wound. All the officers of our co. that is. Half the men [of the regiment] killed & wounded ... George Perry is unwounded but a prisoner with the col., major & adjutant & Dr. Revere. We have [heard] from the rebels that they are well treated. There are a hundred of the regt. [which] came out [safely]. 2 or 3 capts. killed, & half the officers wounded…Especially poignant is his report of the capture of Lieutenant George Perry, the fiance of Caroline Abbott, Henry's sister.1
References:
1Robert Garth Scott, editor, Fallen Leaves: The Civil War Letters of Major Henry Livermore Abbott (Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press, 1991), 58-59.
Journey of the Captives - Ball's Bluff
Monday, October 21, 1861
Colonel William Raymond Lee, Major Paul Joseph Revere, Assistant Surgeon E.H.R. Revere, Adjutant Charles Lawrence Peirson and Lieutenant George Perry were captured early in the evening not far from Smart’s Mill. They were taken to a tavern in Leesburg, a makeshift headquarters for the Confederate commander, General Nathan Evans. He offered the officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts terms for parole, which would indemnify them from continued service in the war. They were provided a meager meal, and at midnight they began their march toward Richmond in a drenching rain. Most of the prisoners made the march on foot, but some of the officers who had been provided transport in a wagon switched places with enlisted wounded who were unable to march.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 65.
Colonel William Raymond Lee, Major Paul Joseph Revere, Assistant Surgeon E.H.R. Revere, Adjutant Charles Lawrence Peirson and Lieutenant George Perry were captured early in the evening not far from Smart’s Mill. They were taken to a tavern in Leesburg, a makeshift headquarters for the Confederate commander, General Nathan Evans. He offered the officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts terms for parole, which would indemnify them from continued service in the war. They were provided a meager meal, and at midnight they began their march toward Richmond in a drenching rain. Most of the prisoners made the march on foot, but some of the officers who had been provided transport in a wagon switched places with enlisted wounded who were unable to march.1
References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 65.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)