Charles K Cadwell, of Company F, served with our second great grandfather*, George Leonard Merritt, of Company I, in the 6th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.
Thirty years after the war, in 1895, he wrote in the introduction of his book; "The author collected the facts from a private diary kept by himself while in the service."
The Florida Memory Blog
Our last post followed Connecticut's 6th from New Haven, Connecticut, to Beaufort South Carolina. The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1863. It allowed freed slaves to join the Union forces.
1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry
"On March 10, 1863, Union troops, spearheaded by two black regiments, the 1st and 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, arrived for what became the third Union occupation of Jacksonville. Facing little resistance, the regiments quickly gained control of the city.
Signs of growing Confederate strength to the west, however, encouraged the Union to reinforce their position in Jacksonville with two additional infantry regiments, the 6th Connecticut and the 8th Maine, both all-white units."
“Vindictive, Unrelenting War”: The Burning of Jacksonville
Part of the 'growing Confederate strength' was the brother-in-law of grandpa Merritt's future 'wife.' (story here) But we digress. Back to the story.
Chap V: Off to Florida
"The Sixth Connecticut Regiment left Beaufort on the evening of the 18th of March, bound down the coast...and our destination, Jacksonville, was reached on the morning of the 20th of March. One U. S. colored regiment were the only troops in the town. We did not pitch our tents here, but occupied the houses which had but recently been vacated. We found in many of the houses everything necessary for housekeeping, even to beds and bedding."
Chap V: The Old Sixth Regiment, Its War RecordThe black Union soldiers stayed in tents. The Yankees were there about ten days.
The Burning of Jacksonville
"Union preparations for renewed operations in South Carolina led to the decision to end the Jacksonville operation. On March 28, 1863, as Union troops prepared to leave the city by sea, fires broke out in the wake of the columns of the 6th Connecticut, whose soldiers had taken the opportunity to set fire to the city. "
“Vindictive, Unrelenting War”: The Burning of JacksonvilleThe blame for the fire was placed on Connecticut's 6th Infantry Regiment. But Sergeant Cadwell, of Company F, tells a different story:
"On Sunday, the 29th of March, Gen. Hunter ordered the evacuation of Jacksonville by all the Union troops. A large number of the houses and stores were set on fire just before we got on board the steamers, and as we left the wharves the larger part of the town was in flames and was probably destroyed. This wanton act of vandalism was charged upon the negro regiment, and they in turn said the Eighth Maine Regiment was to blame; no doubt both of these regiments had something to do with its destruction.When they left,
The inhabitants begged permission to accompany the troops, as their lives were in danger as well as their property, if left at the mercy of the rebel troops. ...Large numbers of negroes secreted themselves on board the boats, fearing to be left behind. As we left the town an old lady appeared on the veranda of her house wringing her hands and sobbing as if her heart would break, doubtless sad at our departure.They ended up at Folly Island, South Carolina, where they prepared for the attack on Fort Wagner.
The island was rightly named, for a man in civil life must indeed be a fool to think he could live on such a barren place; ...Our fatigue duty was quite arduous, as we were obliged to work nights, and had to maintain the utmost silence, speaking only in whispers. ...
When we were obliged to fell trees we sawed them in two and lowered them gently to the ground by means of ropes. All the heavy cannon were brought through the woods and mounted at night, and then masked by covering them with leaves and dirt. It was with the greatest secrecy that the work was pushed forward. The enemy saw none of our troops nearer than the woods except the picket line, and while we seemed idle by day, hundreds of shovels gleamed at night by willing hands, while battery after battery rose up, yet nothing was visible to the rebels.
Huge mortars and parrot guns came from Hilton Head, landed at Stono Inlet and were dragged slowly and tediously to their place under cover of darkness. Ammunition was taken forward and concealed every night for over three weeks. The Sixth found its labors very severe. By moonlight and during heavy thunder showers the work went steadily forward. At the end of that time, ten large batteries had been completed, mounting 48 heavy guns and within 400 yards of the enemy’s works.
During the latter part of the time they began to suspect something was going on, for we could see them strengthen their batteries on the opposite bank. The rebel pickets were very inquisitive and tried to question us regarding our position, etc. We were on good terms with each other, and made miniature ships, freighted them with salt and coffee, and sent them over to the rebs, and in return they sent us tobacco.
They informed us of the death of “Stonewall” Jackson, and displayed their flags at half mast and fired half hour guns throughout the day in honor of the deceased. They generally communicated to us the news of any battle that occurred sooner than we got it through our own sources. They seemed to relish a joke occasionally. One of them informed us that Gen. Beauregard had such an exalted opinion of the “Yankees” on Folly Island that he was coming over to make us a visit and give us all a “farm six feet by two.”
Florida During the Civil War
Part 1 Okefenokee Merritt Family Part 5 Burning of Jacksonville
Part 2 George Merritt and Lydia Stewart Part 6 Brothers-In-Law in Arms
Part 3 From the North Part 7 Deserters
Part 4 A Connecticut Yankee Part 8 Yankee in the Swamp
*Note: Relationships, such as grandmother, 2nd great, etc., are expressed from the perspective of the grandchildren of Willis Edgar and Carrie (known as) Mae (Merritt) Musgrove.
Terms of relationship - grandmother, uncle, aunt, cousin, etc. - are used here generically to include relatives such as fourth great grandfathers, great grand uncles, second cousins twice removed, etc.
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