Cold Harbor – Mansfield Historical Society

Tag: Cold Harbor

Cold Harbor

21st Regiment

Posted on December 13, 2022December 13, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Of the one-hundred and forty-eight citizens of Mansfield who served during the Civil War, forty-one of them saw action with the 21^st. The 21^st volunteer infantry was commissioned on September 5^th, 1862 with a complement of 965 recruits, a number that would later swell to 1,023. After brief and uneventful tours with the 9^th Corps, and the 7^th Corps, the 21^st regiment first saw significant action with the 18^th Corps.

On May 16^th, 1864 the 21^st Regiment occupied the right side of the Union line during the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff. Several hours of hard fighting ensued when Confederate forces attacked under the cover of heavy fog in an effort to capture a railroad line linking Richmond and Petersburg. Unable to hold against the Confederate advance, the 21^st Regiment and other elements of the 1^st Division were forced to retreat and relinquish the railroad to the Confederate forces. The 21^st regiment sustained its heaviest losses of the war during this battle with 79 wounded, 23 captured, and 16 killed including one Mansfield citizen.

Following the retreat from Drewry’s Bluff, the 21^st traveled to White House Landing where it would support the Army of the Potomac in several engagements near Cold Harbor beginning on May 29^th and running through June 9^th. After the evacuation of Cold Harbor, a large Union force including the 21^st regiment advanced on Petersburg. After supporting an initial charge against the Confederate lines on June 17^th, the 21^st regiment was relegated to a reserve role, and performed picket and skirmish duties for the next 3 weeks. During this time a total of 49 casualties were incurred.

The battle at Petersburg proved to be the final major engagement for the 21^st Infantry Regiment during the war. After Petersburg, the regiment participated in a raid on Fredricksburg on March 4^th 1865 intended to curb the trade of tobacco for supplies by the Confederate Army. The 21^st was among the first infantry troops to enter Richmond on April 3, 1865.
The service of the 21^st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in the Union Army was officially ended on June 16^th 1865. A week later the regiment arrived home in New Haven before later attending a celebration at the State House in Hartford. All members of the 21^st regiment were finally discharged and the regiment formally was disbanded on July 6^th 1865.

Battle of Cold Harbor

Posted on December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia once more reached the field of battle first and dug in at Cold Harbor before Ulysses S. Grant’s Union forces arrived in force on June 1^st. There were scattered assaults and skirmishing on June 1^st and 2^nd with significant Federal losses but the Confederate line remained unbroken.

Grant had ordered two thirds of General Butler’s Army of the James (including the 21^st Regiment C. V. Infantry) to join his forces and they were present for the all out assault on the Confederate line on June 3^rd. This frontal attack on heavily fortified breastworks through swamps and thickets was doomed to fail. At 4:30 AM, 60,000 Union troops attacked the Confederate position and suffered 7,000 casualties in less than one hour, most within the first eight minutes. No further assaults were made and Grant often said later in life that one of his regrets was ordering the June 3^rd assault at Cold Harbor.

Eugene D. Ames

Posted on November 4, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Eugene D. Ames/Eames was a resident of Mansfield on August 25, 1861 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. C of the 1^st Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer Light Artillery, he was promoted to Sergeant, date not stated and was mustered out on August 27, 1864 at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.

He was born on March 4, 1842 in Willington, Connecticut. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is an 18 year old farmer in the household of Seth Dunham. Eugene D. Ames married Sarah E. Bacon of Tariffville, Connecticut probably on October 21, 1865 in Willimantic, Connecticut. Children include: Emma E. Ames, born about 1867; Charles H. Ames, born about April 1869; Burton Theodore Ames, born about 1875; Grace M. Ames, born about August 1877; Nellie D. Ames, born about 1878 and Louis E. Ames, born about April 1885.

Eugene Ames moved to East Hartford by 1870, Hartford by 1880 and shortly after to West Hartford. He was in charge of the estate of George Foster on Prospect Avenue and was head gardener. In a Hartford Courant article published on May 24, 1914, Eugene D. Ames is one of the West Hartford Civil War veterans profiled. He resided on Prospect Avenue and had resided in West Hartford for 35 years. The article stated that he had been in 32 battles and skirmishes including Antietam, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. He had six horses shot out from under him during his term of service. Eugene Ames was a past commander of the Nathaniel Lyon Post No. 2 of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.).

Eugene D. Ames died on October 7, 1926 and is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Theodore F. Bennett

Posted on November 4, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Theodore F. Bennett was a resident of Mansfield on August 11, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was killed in action June 3, 1864 in Cold Harbor, Virginia.

The following account of his death is from the 1864 diary of Alfred P. Hanks, a fellow soldier of Co. D:

“While lying down in the line looking towards the enemy, T. F. Bennett, who lay side of his brother was hit by a Ball… He made no move only to straighten his body & was dead, without uttering a sound.“
The Diary of Alfred Hanks, June 3, 1864

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 33 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’9” tall with a fair complexion and red hair and dark eyes. His marital status is married.

He was born on December 25, 1829 in Mansfield. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 31 year old farmer and the head of household. His wife, Lucina, 24 and brother, George D. Bennett, 32 are also living in the household. George also enlisted in Co. D; both are sons of William and Harriet (Dunham) Bennett. A third brother, Seth D. Bennett served in Co. B of the 7^th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Theodore married Lucina Dunham on March 20, 1854 in Mansfield. They had no children.

His young widow, Lucina, filed for a widow’s pension on September 19, 1864, No. 35,552 that was granted under certificate No. 45,117. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, she was receiving a widow’s pension of $8 per month that commenced in April, 1865.

Theodore F. Bennett is buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Mansfield.

Alfred P. Hanks

Posted on November 1, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Alfred P. Hanks was a resident of Mansfield on August 13, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was severely wounded in the side, June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia.

Following his wounding at Cold Harbor, Alfred Hanks was hospitalized until July 12^th when he was granted a furlough. After a grueling journey home, he arrived in Mansfield on the 18^th. He recuperated there until he was called back to service on August 13^th. Reluctantly, he returned to his regiment, but he was still weak and needed more time to recuperate from his wound. Rather than returning to the line, he was assigned to assist Julian Parker, the Hospital Steward (also from Mansfield). He was discharged for disability May 16, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 18 and his occupation as clerk. He is described as 5’ 5” tall with a fair complexion and black hair and dark eyes. His marital status is single.

He was born April 14, 1844 in Mansfield to Frederick F. and Abigail (Page) Hanks. In the 1860 U.S. census in Marlborough, he is a 16 year old clerk in the household of Edwin P. Hanks. He was a clerk in a hotel in East Lyme in 1870 and living in his mother’s household in Marlborough by the 1880 U.S. census. Alfred Hanks was living in Fitch’s Home for Soldiers by 1900, he was a clerk in 1900 and listed as an inmate in 1910 who was Sergeant Major in the institution office; he never married. The Mansfield Historical Society has his diary for 1864 which contains information regarding the regiment’s activities and many stories of his fellow soldiers.

On March 5, 1866, he applied for an invalid pension, No.1041,078 that was granted under certificate No. 183,264. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, he was receiving a monthly pension amount unstated for a gunshot wound in the right side.

Alfred P. Hanks died on December 8, 1916 at the Fitch Soldiers Home in Darien and is buried in Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Hebron, Connecticut.

The Diary of Alfred P. Hank

The following excerpts are from an 1864 diary written by Alfred P. Hanks while he was in service in the Union Army. He re-copied the original diary and enhanced the entries in 1909, while he was residing in the Soldiers’ Home in Noroton Heights, Connecticut. Although this diary covers the year 1864 only, he was in service from August 1862 to May 1865, a period of 2 years, 9 months and 3 days. His diaries for the other years were stolen.

Alfred P. Hanks wrote the following on the first page of this copy of his 1864 diary:

“While looking over the diary pretending to record the events of 1864 while in the army I find that as little time was spent in keeping it as possible. That many events are not given so that anyone else now reading it, would have little or no idea of what it recalls to me as clearly as though but yesterday. So [as I] am doing nothing this winter thought I would rewrite it and record some of the events that may be of interest to others and that are now clear to my mind as then. A diary of the other years while in the army was stolen from a trunk while left in care of a family in 1883.

Soldiers house. Noroton Height, Conn. Feby 3, 1909”

Some Relevant Diary Excerpts

Hanks’ Account of The Battle of Cold Harbor, VA:

“Humphrey of our Co. was hit in the knee and later the leg was amputated and [he] died I think. While lying down in line looking towards the enemy, T.F. Bennett who lay by side of his brother was hit by a ball… This was our first day in the Battle of Cold Harbor Va.”
Hank Diary

Diary Transcript, 6-3-1864 Download

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Hanks’ account of being wounded at Cold Harbor, VA:

“Within half a minute a Musket Ball struck me in the right side & went though my body”
Hank Diary

Diary Transcript, 6-5-1864 Download

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Hanks’ account of being transported to a hospital in Washington, D.C.:

“Recall how near like heaven it seemed to get there”
Hank Diary

Diary Transcripts, 6-6 to 6-7-1864 Download

Canfield J. Humphrey

Posted on November 1, 2022December 8, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Canfield J. Humphrey was a resident of Mansfield on August 12, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal on August 31, 1863. Canfield was wounded May 16, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia. His leg was amputated and he died as a result of his wounds on August 19, 1864 in Washington, D.C.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 26 and his occupation as joiner. He is described as 5’ 8” tall with a fair complexion and light eyes and dark hair. His marital status is married.

He was born about 1836 in Stansford, New York, probably to A.L. and Celia ____ Humphrey. In the 1860 U.S. census in Willimantic, he is a 23 year old carpenter and head of household. Canfield Humphrey married Sarah Elizabeth _______ before 1860.

Sarah E. Humphrey applied for a widow’s pension on October 15, 1864, No. 68,528 that was granted under certificate No. 54,756. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, Sarah E. Humphrey was receiving a widow’s pension of $8 per month in Willimantic that had begun in April, 1865.

Canfield J. Humphrey is buried at the Old Willimantic Cemetery in Windham,, Connecticut.

Peter Jordan

Posted on November 1, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Peter Jordan was a resident of Mansfield on January 11, 1864 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. E of the 2nd Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery; he was wounded June 1, 1864, Cold Harbor, Virginia and discharged for disability January 14, 1865.

He was not living in Mansfield in the 1860 U.S. census and he was born about 1835 according to his headstone record. Peter Jordan married Isabella E. Gillespie; she married second Allen Burgess. Nevin P. Jordan was a son of Peter Jordan but it is not certain if he was a son of this marriage.

On January 28, 1865, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 60,206 that was granted under certificate No. 49,907. His widow applied for a pension on September 24, 1888 and a minor pension was filed for Nevin P. Jordan on June 28, 1909.

Peter Jordan died on April 20, 1888 in Auburn, New York according to pension records. He was buried at the Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York, Section Home, Lot 62.

Charles W. Nichols

Posted on October 25, 2022December 2, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

Charles Waterman Nichols was a resident of Mansfield on August 7, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia and his arm was amputated. Charles Nichols was discharged for disability May 8, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry list his age as 22 and his occupation as farmer. He is described as 5’ 5” tall with a fair complexion and blue eyes and dark hair. His marital status is single.

He was born January 26, 1840 in Mansfield to Thomas and Laura (Colburn) Nichols. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 20 year old farm laborer in the household of Thomas Nichols. His brother, Melvin Lewis Nichols, a 15 year old farm laborer, who served in the Civil War from Mansfield is also living in the household. Charles Nichols married Elizabeth C. Topliff on March 23, 1862 in Mansfield. He married second, Harriet Elizabeth (Parish) Hutchins on November 22, 1868 in Mansfield. She was the widow of George Hutchins of Co. D and in the 1860 U.S. census, they were the next household to Charles Nichols’ family. Charles and Harriet had one son, Charles T. Nichols, born about 1869. After the Civil War, Charles W. Nichols was a farmer in Mansfield until after 1900.

On May 11, 1865, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 68,089 that was granted under certificate No. 44,661. According to the list of pensioners on the roll in 1883, he was receiving a monthly pension of $24 for the loss of his left arm.

Charles W. Nichols died on September 3, 1911 and is buried in the New Mansfield Center Cemetery in Mansfield.

Civil War Timeline 1864-1865

Posted on October 18, 2022December 7, 2022 by Amanda Rutha

The significant events between March 1864 and the passing of the 13TH Amendment

The Diary of Alfred P. Hank

Some Relevant Diary Excerpts

Other Documentation