Part 7 (1/2)

CASUALTIES.

Killed in action, 47 Died of wounds, 45 Died of disease, 73 Died in prison, 177 Shot in prison, 1 Supposed shot while attempting to escape from prison, 1 Lost at sea from burning steams.h.i.+p ”General Lyon,” 1 Drowned from accident, 1 Drowned from collision of ”Black Diamond,” on Potomac river 7 --- Total deaths, 353

Discharged prior to muster-out of the regiment, 386 Captured at Antietam, 12 Captured at Plymouth, 435 Wounded, 212 Missing, 56 --- Total Casualties, 1454

The regiment as mustered into service numbered, 1007 Recruits, 75 Officers appointed since first muster, 5 --- Total, 1087

Number returning home with the regiment, 131

The officers who returned were: Lieutenant Colonel John H. Burnham, Commanding.

Major Henry L. Pasco.

Surgeon Nathan Mayer.

Quartermaster Gordon Robins, Jr.

Adjutant Herbert Landon.

Chaplain Charles Dixon.

Captains C.W. Morse, Henry Hintz, Joseph H. Barnum.

Lieutenants George A. Bowers, A.J. Case, Harmy Bruns and B.F. Blakeslee.

The above list of casualties is far from correct, but is as accurate as can be obtained from the Catalogue of Connecticut Soldiers, issued by the Adjutant General of the state, with some additions well known by surviving members. The casualties were greater rather than less, than the figures given above. The number given as killed, are those who were killed outright; but it is generally believed that a greater number died from wounds than the regiment has been credited with, for within forty-eight hours after the battle of Antietam, nine died from wounds; and out of the seven wounded at the fight on Providence Church road at Suffolk, three died. It is therefore safe to say that forty-five is too low a number of deaths out of 212 wounded. It is also believed that more than twelve were captured at the battle of Antietam. There is also no doubt that the regiment lost at least _two hundred and twenty_, by death from rebel cruelties and starvation.

Eighteen can be counted who died immediately after arriving at Wilmington and Annapolis from southern prisons.

The Sixteenth was always called an _unfortunate regiment_; for if there was any special hards.h.i.+p to endure, the regiment was sure to be called on to experience it, either by accident or otherwise. It was our bad luck.

The list of casualties show in how many ways the men were lost. Some of the men and two of the officers never could be accounted for.

Lieutenant George Johnson, who escaped from prison at Charlotte, has never been heard from. It is supposed that he was shot by guerrillas, who infested the locality in which he said he was going to reach the Union lines. Lieut. William H. Miller was last seen at Was.h.i.+ngton on his way to the regiment after having been exchanged. It is supposed that he was taken sick and died in the hospital. Elbert Sutleff, Co.

K, was lost at sea by the burning of the steams.h.i.+p ”General Lyon.”

Quite a number of the men who were returning to the regiment after captivity, were on a steamer going down the Potomac river in the night when the boat collided with the ”Black Diamond.” All the pa.s.sengers jumped aboard the Diamond, which went down, and the regiment lost seven men. Some of the saved remained in the water three or four hours.

On Sunday, June 25th, the regiment proceeded to Morehead City, and embarked on the steam transport ”General Meigs,” with the 23d Ma.s.sachusetts Regiment, and the Connecticut Brigade Band, which, learning that we were mustered out and on our way home, had obtained an order from General Palmer to be sent home under charge of Lieutenant Colonel Burnham. The sea being rough we did not leave till the next morning. We arrived at New York late on the afternoon of the 28th. Taking on some rations we proceeded to New Haven, arriving there at an early hour in the morning. Procuring special transportation, we reached Hartford at eight o'clock. Being a Hartford regiment, the citizens had made extensive arrangements to welcome us, but the 18th Connecticut had arrived that morning by boat and while their attention was drawn towards them, the Sixteenth suddenly entered the Asylum street depot. The news soon reached the State House Square, and the bell was rung, and by the time the regiment was in line the Governor's Guard, City Guard, and Colt's Band were on the ”double quick,” and thousands of citizens were hurriedly approaching the depot. Many who had seen the regiment leave for the war three years before, and now witnessed the decimated ranks were effected to tears. Those who had husbands, brothers, or relatives in the regiment, watched us eagerly and looked strangely into the ranks, hardly believing that any could be missing. One lady, the wife of an officer, was told for the first time of her husband's death. So great was her grief, that friends who accompanied her could hardly get her into a carriage to convey her home.

From the Hartford Courant, June 30th, 1865.

THE SIXTEENTH.

”Everybody supposed that this gallant regiment would arrive here on the 9.45 regular morning accommodation train from New Haven, but the ”boys” being accustomed to making surprises secured special transportation and were in the Asylum street depot by eight o'clock.