trying fire, and called into duties deemed almost impossible, yet it can never be said that the Fortieth ever ran, or even showed the white feather. The only sad portion of our history is the memory of those left on many a hardfought field, and, were they with us now, would make our existence but a long holiday of pleasure.

FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT.

The Forty-first Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers was recruited at Camp Stanton; and left the State, Nov. 5, 1862, under the following officers:

The regiment sailed from New York, Dec. 4, 1862, in “The North Star," having on board Major-Gen. Banks; and, after a reremarkably pleasant voyage, arrived at New Orleans on the 15th. Leaving Gen. Banks at that place, it proceeded next day, under Gen. Grover, on the expedition to Baton Rouge. A few shells from the iron-clad "Essex" caused a hasty retreat of the rebels, and the troops landed without opposition on the 17th. Here they remained until March 28, 1863; the ordinary routine of camp being temporarily broken up by an expedition, the result of which was the burning of a few bridges. From this time until it was organized as the Third Massachusetts Cavalry, its history must be given in brief.

On the 28th of March, it advanced with Gen. Grover's division through the Lafourche country. On the 14th of April, was engaged in the battle of Irish Bend; and arrived at Opelousas, viâ Vermilionville and Grand Château, April 20, having marched from Baton Rouge, a distance of over three hundred miles. Col. Chickering was appointed military governor; and the regiment was assigned to provost-duty, and to collecting the valuable products of the country.

May 11, Col. Chickering, with the troops at Opelousas, was ordered to Barre's Landing to establish there a military post, and was appointed commandant.

During the term of its duty here and at Opelousas, the regiment

collected, and sent to New Orleans, via Brashear, more than six thousand bales of cotton, large quantities of sugar and molasses, and at least ten thousand contrabands to work on the Government plantations in the Lafourche country. The force at Barre Landing, consisting of the Forty-first (now mounted rifles), seven regiments of infantry, and a section of artillery, left May 21 under command of Col. Chickering, conducting an immense train of army-wagons and contrabands in safety to Berwick, a distance of a hundred and five miles in five days. In the afternoon of the 25th, near Franklin, the rear of the train was attacked by about twenty-five hundred Texas cavalry and two thousand infantry. This force was repulsed. The train was delivered to the quartermaster at Berwick, and the troops, with the exception of the Forty-first, sent to re-enforce Gen. Banks at Port Hudson. This regiment crossed to Berwick, and encamped on their old ground of April 9, on the Bayou Bœuf. Left by detachments on the 26th and 31st of May. Arrived at Port-Hudson Plains, and united as a regiment, and were assigned to Gen. Grierson's command June 4. On the 17th, by Special Orders, No. 144, the regiment was organized as the Third Massachusetts Cavalry.

The outline of its services in this branch of the service will be found in its proper place.

CHAPTER XXI.

FORTY-SECOND, FORTY-THIRD, FORTY-FOURTH, AND

FORTY-FIFTH REGIMENTS.

Origin of the Forty-second. - Goes to Galveston, Texas. - A Gallant Affair. - Services in Texas and Mississippi. - The Return Home. - The " Tiger Regiment."— Repairs to Newbern. Under Fire. — In Garrison.- Expeditions. - Term of Service expires. - Col. F. L. Lee of the Fourth Battalion and the Forty-fourth Regiment. — The Regiment sails for Newbern.- Fine Conduct in the Expedition to Tarborough. — Expedition to Goldsborough. - Col. Lee's Report - The "Cadet Regiment." - Its Record as given by Col. Codman.

THE

FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.

HE Forty-second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers was originally the Second Regiment M.V.M., raised in Boston; and left Camp Meigs, on its way to New Orleans, Nov. 21, 1862. Its officers were,

Colonel.

Lieutenant-Colonel

Major

Surgeon.

Assistant Surgeon
Chaplain

The regiment was in camp in East New York until the 2d of December; when it broke camp, and next day embarked in four transports in Gen. Banks's expedition. It arrived at Ship Island on the 14th, and at New Orleans on the 16th. Three companies of the regiment disembarked, and, under command of Col. Burrill, went into camp at Camp Mansfield. Dec. 19,-Col. Burrill received orders from headquarters, Department of the Gulf, to proceed on board "The Saxon" with his detachment to Galveston, Texas, and take post; the remainder of his regiment to follow, on its arrival at New Orleans. On reaching Galveston, he was advised by Commodore Renshaw and all the commanders of the gunboats to land at once, and take up quarters in a building on Kichun's Wharf. At the same time, the most positive assurances

were given by the naval officers of the entire safety of the position, and their own ability to repel any attack possible to be made on it; and, on several subsequent occasions, these assurances were repeated.

On the 27th, a flag of truce from the enemy, bearing despatches to the British consul, was met by Adjutant Davis. On the night of the 27th, the enemy commenced transporting their troops and artillery across from Virginia Point, on the mainland, to Eagle Grove, on the island. From this time, their cavalry scouts nightly infested the town, and as often were they fired on and pursued by small parties sent out by Col. Burrill.

On the evening of the 28th, it was reported that the enemy was advancing in force; and it was decided at once to make a reconnoissance, and determine the truth of the reports. The gunboats were notified of the intention, and signals agreed on in case of an encounter.

On the 31st, it became evident that an attack was intended by the enemy. Next day, Col. Burrill's pickets were driven in; and he instantly formed his men behind the barricades on the wharf, at the same time signalling the gunboats that the enemy were upon him. Fire was opened by artillery, which was responded to by the gunboats.

Two or three attempts to charge on and capture the position were made before daylight; but each attempt was handsomely repulsed by the small force under Col. Burrill, their fire being so effective as to drive the enemy from some of his guns. Soon after daylight, four rebel gunboats and a ram were discovered making for the fleet. They succeeded in capturing "The Harriet Lane" after a short and determined engagement. At eight o'clock, A.M., a flag of truce was raised by the enemy on "The Harriet Lane" and on shore. This was responded to by the several gunboats, and finally by Col. Burrill on the wharf. Not having any information as to the cause for the flags of truce, Col. Burrill was desirous of communicating with the enemy to ascertain the reason of this proceeding; but, having no boat at his disposal, the project seemed hopeless.

About this time, two refugees came along in a small boat, on their way to the fleet, to escape falling into the hands of the enemy; and, after much persuasion, they were induced to take Adjutant Davis into the boat; and he was ordered by Col. Burrill to proceed to the flag-ship, and obtain the desired information; also to get the gunboats to come up to the wharf, and take off his command, the enemy being too strong for him to contend with on shore. Adjutant Davis went on board "The Owasco; The Westfield" being

99 66

aground some three miles farther off. Commander Law, of "The Clifton,” had gone on board "The Westfield ;" and, while awaiting his return with an answer to his communication, Adjutant Davis saw, from the deck of the gunboat, Col. Burrill, with his command, being marched off prisoners of war. Finding all hope of saving the men of the Forty-second completely cut off, particularly as he was informed by Commander Law on his return that the gunboats would proceed to sea immediately, Adjutant Davis remained with the fleet, and proceeded to New Orleans, and reported to Major-Gen. Banks the results of the unfortunate expedition. Meanwhile, Col. Burrill had been met by a rebel officer from Gen. Magruder, who demanded his surrender. Col. Burrill requested that a cessation of hostilities should continue for one hour, hoping in this time to get some answer to his communication to the fleet; but was refused, and assured that he would be immediately attacked by the entire force of the enemy, of not less than five thousand men, and thirty-one pieces of artillery. Finding it folly to delay longer, and that the enemy were already bringing their batteries into position, he decided to capitulate. On offering his sword to the officer designated by Gen. Magruder to receive the surrender, he was desired to keep it, in respect to his brave and able defence of his position against such an overwhelming force; and, on being informed that the little band that stood before them were all the troops there, the rebels could scarcely believe it, and were surprised that they had held the position so well and so long. In token of their courage and bravery, it was ordered that all personal property of privates, as well as officers, should be respected, — a fact rarely equalled in the history of the war. The engagement was severe; but Col. Burrill's loss was comparatively slight. The loss of the enemy, by their own accounts, was between three and four hundred in killed and wounded.

Jan. 13, 1863, the remaining seven companies under Lieut.Col. J. Steḍman were attached to the second brigade, second division, Nineteenth Army Corps. Jan. 15, Companies C and H were ordered to the defences of New Orleans.

On the 4th of April, Capt. Leonard was ordered to organize, from among the contrabands then at work on the fortifications, a regiment of engineers, to be known as the First Louisiana Engineers. Great interest was taken in this work; and the kindly spirit and good will of the men of the Forty-second for their colored brethren in the field is amply evinced in the fact that no less than fourteen of its meritorious non-commissioned officers and privates were promoted to be commissioned officers in this regiment. The regiment consisted of twelve companies, of a hundred men each, and was commanded by Col. Justin Hodge, of the regular army. It was ordered to Port Hudson, where it took an important part in the subsequent siege of that place.

On the 24th of January, 1863, Capt. George P. Davis, of Company K, and Lieut. T. M. Duncan, of Company F, were detached from the regiment, and