2nd Battle Fort Fisher | Spared & Shared 23

This letter was written by Joseph Bloomfield Osborn (1842-1876), the son of Joseph Miller Osborn (1806-1876) and Martha Williams (1807-1871) of Bloomfield, Essex county, New Jersey. Joseph wrote the letter while an ordinary seaman serving aboard the USS Vanderbilt in 1865. Prior to his service in the US Navy, he was a member of Co. F, 26th New Jersey Infantry. The USS Vanderbilt was a heavy side-wheel steamer cruiser built by Cornelius Vanderbilt for transatlantic passage but made available to the US Government at the start of the Civil War. In January 1865, she joined in the heavy naval bombardment against Fort Fisher.

In addition to bombarding the forts from the sea, a landing party of some 1600 to 200 US sailors and 400 marines assaulted the northeast salient of Fort Fisher. “Three successive waves of sailors and marines were to attack the eastern seawall, but instead the assault went forward in a single unorganized mass. 2,000 sailors and marines crashed into the Confederate defenses. The battle was intense and furious. Although greatly outnumbered, the Rebel soldiers clung tenaciously to their defenses. Marines were meant to use rifle fire from nearby trenches to cover the assault armed only with pistols and cutlasses. Though this assault failed to carry the fort, their presence took the attention of the fort’s defenders leading to success by the infantry forces assaulting the opposite side. Its capture sealed off of one of the Confederacy’s last major ports.

Joseph’s 4-page letter describes the bombardment of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865 and in particular the assault on the fort by the landing party of selected or volunteer sailors and marines. One of the landing party was Joseph’s close friend and shipmate Thomas Cosgrove of Bloomfield, New Jersey, who volunteered in spite of the dangerous mission, determined “to enter the fort or to die in the attempt.” Joseph gives us an account of his friend’s death, carrying the US Flag to the top of the sandhill and partly through the breach in the palisades [see US Genwebsites].

Apparently a number of Joseph’s letters are archived and on microfilm in the Library of Congress and are characterized as an “excellent but little known collection.” See Joseph Bloomfield Osborn papers, 1862-1865.

*The January 15, 1865 assault on Fort Fisher by sailors and marines.*

T R A N S C R I P T I ON

U. S. Steamer Vanderbilt at Sea
Monday morning, January 16th 1865

Dear Cousin Sarah,

I suppose you have waited with anxiety the result of or second attack on Fort Fisher. The battle has been fought and Victory is ours. It is no doubt as great a gain to the Union cause as any one during the war. But at a great sacrifice of human life. The painful duty devolves on [me] to inform you that Thomas Cosgrove was killed while fighting bravely for his country. My pen almost fails me as I with tears break to you this sad fact. All I can say, you, with me as well as all those who was acquainted with him has lost a dear friend. Since we left together, I have thought a good deal of him as a brother, Everyone here has thought a great deal of him. As well they might. He was always of the same, mild and lively disposition. And the traits of a true Christian could always be seen in his daily walk.

I will now give you a brief account of the battle. Last Friday about 60 sailors with our marines was detailed for an assaulting party. None of them need go had they chosen to refuse. Several did and Thomas stood near me and said he was agoing to ask permission to go in their places. I wanted him at least to wait till volunteers was called for and I told him I knew the assault would be a dangerous one. He said he knew it and promptly asked permission to go. The afternoon before by a piece flying out of a lathe, my face was bruised badly or perhaps I would have volunteered too. As I came with him, I wanted to remain with him. He wished me to remain on board and as my eye was almost swollen shut, I did not volunteer.

Friday and Saturday part of this great fleet was engaged but we was not. Yesterday morning we was all up at 5 o’clock and we all [saw] an eventful day was before us, It was a beautiful Sabbath morning. And as the sun rose up over the Ocean, this grand fleet moved on slowly in position before the forts. The shore party was called off and as they sailed in small boats from the ships, it was a grand sight. I felt badly as I took the final shake of hands with Thomas. All I could say was that my wish and prayer was that an easy victory might be obtained and him arrive safely back. He told me he would never be taken a prisoner and if wounded, sell his life as dearly as possible.

We with the whole fleet was soon bombarding the Rebel works. The firing was terrible. The sailors and marines was on the beach toward us and the soldiers on opposite side. Shortly after 2 o’clock, the charge was made. We could plainly see the brave men as they charged on the forts. But it was impossible for the sailors to stand the bullets and grape and canister that was unmercifully hurled at them and they was repulsed with great loss. It was here that Thomas was killed. The soldiers was more successful. By the sailors drawing the Rebel’s attention, the soldiers rushed in the forts at the rear and then the fighting was terrible. It continued till about 10.30 o’clock. When the rebels surrendered, cheers from the fleet and hundreds of sky rockets illumined the air and joy over the victory was upon every countenance. I did not then know that Thomas had fallen. Many will rejoice over this grand victory and many will weep over friends and loved ones gone. Oh how sad is war. I cannot bear to think of how much I will miss the one gone. My year will now seem long.

It was not till early this morning that I found out that my friend was gone. The particulars of his death by those that see him fall is this. As they laid near the rebel works, he told me that he was agoing to enter the forts or die in the attempt. When the final charge was made, one carrying the colors was shot down and Thomas took the colors while the other stopped to help his friend. Thomas was ahead of all with his country’s colors in one hand and a revolver in the other to defend them. He was too brave. Most of his comrades ran while him and a Boatsman mate from our ship and also a officer advanced. The two first was shot down and instantly killed while the other fell and feigned dead and finally escaped.

Thomas was shot in the forehead and side and he died instantly. These two was the only ones from our ship who was instantly killed while several, no doubt, will [yet] die from us. There was perhaps 15 wounded.

We are now on our way to Fortress Monroe with dispatches and from there perhaps to New York City. I will take care of Thomas’ things and as soon as possible have them sent. I will pack up carefully all his letters also and send them on. I can scarcely realize that he is gone. Now I am altogether among strangers. Him and me could pass evenings pleasantly together talking over home and friends. But we must submit with our loss. He died nobly. And as future years roll around, we at least will honor his memory. Thousands have thus fallen. And in a great war like this, it must be so. And as we drop a tear over our friend that is gone, let it not hinder us in the duty we owe our country. He died nobly on the field of battle and no doubt a true Christian. For this, let us be thankful and take warning of the uncertainty of life and the need of being prepared for death.

The account of the battle you will get by the papers and in future years, if we are spared and read over the history of the capture of Fort Fisher, we will know that then we lost a near friend. I do not know what more I can write you now. This sad duty for me to write you these lines is about finished. You know his friends more than me and I hope you will let them all hear of it. We came away at daybreak this morning or I would have done my utmost to have brought his body on. Some of our men is still there at the fort and they said they would bury him and mark his grave. I now close hoping these few lines may find you all well. Love to all.

I remain your loving cousin, — J. Bloomfield Osborn

The following letters were written by Simeon Terry Miner (1839-1902) of Geonoa, Cayuga county, New York, while serving as a private, in Co. F, 16th New York Heavy Artillery. He had previously served in Battery I of the 3rd New York Light Artillery. He reenlisted in the 16th “Heavies” in January 1864, imagining perhaps that he would only see garrison duty in some eastern seaboard fortress but Grant broke up this large regiment and chose to use them as infantrymen and in the summer of 1864. He mustered out with the company on 21 August 1865, at Washington, D. C. Simeon was the orphaned son of Edson T. Miner (1804-1848) and Eliza Ann Rich (18xx-1845). He wrote the letters to his cousin, Alice Avery, of Genoa.

In July, 1864, seven companies of the 16th New York Heavy Artillery were assigned to the 2nd brigade, Terry’s (1st) division, 10th Corps, and two companies to the 1st brigade, 3d division, same corps. On Aug. 9, 1864, when Gen. Butler called for volunteers to cut the Dutch gap canal through the peninsula in the James river near Farrar’s island, with a view to outflanking the enemy’s batteries and the obstructions in the river, Cos. A, B, C, F, G and K responded, and 600 men were selected from them to perform the perilous task. During the progress of the work, they were exposed to the enemy’s fire, and only protected themselves by throwing up the dirt from the canal as fast as possible, living in “gopher holes” along the river bank. They were withdrawn after several of the men had been killed and wounded, though Maj. Strong still continued in charge of the work and Maj. Prince in command of the battalion.

In Oct., 1864, seven companies were heavily engaged with Terry’s division at Darbytown road, sustaining a loss of II killed and 54 wounded, and in the action at the same place a few days later lost 13 killed and wounded. From July 27 to Dec, 1864, when the regiment was before Petersburg and Richmond, it sustained constant small losses, aggregating 30 killed, wounded and missing. From Dec, 1864, Cos. A, B, C, F, G and K served in the 1st division, 24th corps, and another detachment in the artillery brigade, same corps, engaging with some loss at Fort Fisher, the Cape Fear intrenchments. Fort Anderson, and near Wilmington, N. C. In July, 1865, the various detachments of the regiment were united and on Aug. 21, 1865, commanded by Col. Morrison, it was mustered out at Washington, D. C.

*Joseph and Victor Piquet who served together in Co. L, 16th New York Heavy Artillery*

Letter 1

*Addressed to Miss Alice Avery, Genoa, Cayuga county, New York*

Front Line of Defenses
Near Bermuda Hundred
August 20th 1864

Cousin Alice,

Your welcome letter of the 12th was received this morning. You are mistaken about our position. We are not in front of Petersburg but are with Butler’s Army about six or seven miles from that place, but can hear all the artillery firing. Our position is on the extreme right of Butler’s line of works. The fleet lies in the James river close to us. The Rebs’ works are about 500 or 600 yards in front of where we now camp.

The regiment has been badly split up since I wrote you last. Six hundred of our men have been away doing Engineer duty, leaving only about 250 here. We are in one of the extreme outposts away in front of the main lines of works—nothing between us and the Rebs but our picket line. (The batteries on our right have just opened fire.)

Take a map of the James river and find Turkey Bend. Just above it you will find a place called Dutch Gap. Close to this gap the river makes a sharp bend to the south. On this bend our (Butler’s) works commence and run by zig zag south till they come to the Appomattox. You will notice these works run in a line parallel to the Richmond & Petersburg road which the rebs have to keep strongly guarded or our force will sever one of their main lines of communication, but they have still one more line left—it is the Danville road.

A heavy battle was fought day before yesterday on the north side of the James. It was very heavy. We could hear the cannons & the musketry. The smoke was very plain to be seen. We could not see the lines of battle but could plainly see the bursting shells. We are afraid our men were driven back but have no news to be relied upon. The people at home know more than we do. We know nothing—only what we can see and hear. If we hear heavy firing, we know nothing of the result till northern papers announce it.

We are led to believe from accounts that reach us from home that there will be difficulty in enforcing the draft. Many of our men are very much disheartened by the present military condition and if they could by any means get clear of the army, nothing could induce them to reenter the army—not even force. The rank and file, or those I have heard speak, are very bitter on the present Administration and it is my opinion the present head of the government could not get one in four of the votes of the New York and New England troops. Such is their dislike of the present Cabinet and its doings. Nothing but a change will satisfy them. Many begin to talk of giving up the contest as a bad job. Grant is fast losing the confidence of the men. There is too much President making.

Last night there was very heavy [firing] at Petersburg. We don’t know the cause.

What was the reason of Mr. Boughton coming home? Did his health give out or was there some other reason for it?

In regard to money matters, my object was to get it in some shape that the depreciation of Government stocks and Bank security would not reduce its original value.

I have just heard from one of our men who has been over the James that the heavy firing I mentioned was an attempt of the Rebs to take works from our Corps (10th) which they had taken the day or two before. They held it but the Division is badly cut up. Our regiment is now under marching orders but we don’t know whether we shall go to the regiment or not.

All day yesterday and today it has rained. Last night was very bad. Our tents consist of two pieces of light canvas buttoned together. These are thrown over a pole and fastened to the ground by stakes. In marching, these tents are taken apart and each man carries half a tent. These are the famous shelter tents. The pieces are about five feet square. Some of them linen—others of cotton. The canvas is about the heft and thickness of two thicknesses of heavy sheeting.

Our men have lost two killed besides having several wounded. I have not heard the number from other regiments. I wrote to Orlando a few days ago. Tell me in your answer if he received it. A letter from me goes to all of you. Write soon. Direct as before & to the 10th Corps. — S. T. Miner

Letter 2

With 10th Corps in Field
October 30th 1864

Dear cousin Alice,

Your welcome letter of October 23rd I received this morning. I was glad to get it. Today is Sunday and quite a gloomy one too (although the day is bright) if reports be true. Report has it that Grant has lost heavily and has been repulsed. The loss is said to be eight thousand. If that be so, things look pretty black for us in this quarter. Wherever we advance we always find an equal number of Rebels. We are all getting sick of this, I tell you. Although the armies seem to meet with some success in other parts, the reverse seems to be the case here. What the reason is, I cannot tell.

If Grant is defeated, the price of gold will again go up and we have the contest prolonged for another year. The disloyal faction will come out boldly with their operations and sooner or later, I fear we must give in. I have got the blues like thunder over such prospects as our men talk over. What little U.S. stock I have, I shall sell. I think the value is steadily reducing and I am shaky in my faith. I hardly know what to do. If the present financial policy of the government is continued, repudiation must come we all fear. We are becoming States Rights men, as regards money matters. Just think of it, a dollar will hardly buy a man enough to make a respectable lunch from, and more of the same kind coming everyday. This the government has to pay full price of gold for. This course, if persisted in will smash us sure.

The men of McClellan ideas are feeling quite fine over our defeat. This Army was also engaged and obliged to retreat although the loss was not as heavy as on the south side of the river. You people at home do not fully understand the feeling in the Army. The men are fast becoming “Peace at any price.” More than two-thirds of our regiment follow that cry. Honor and patriotism have actually played out with a large portion of them. The only thing that keeps man here is the feeling for their friends at home. I fear the election of Lincoln will cause a great deal of bad feeling & desertion.

You say you wish you could take a peek at me. You would find me sitting in a little tent not high enough to stand in, with a portfolio on my knee writing to you. We have a small fireplace in one corner which keeps us quite comfortable. Our bed consists of pine boughs spread on the ground and covered with a rubber blanket. The nights are quite cold, many times have quite heavy frosts.

How do the people feel toward the soldiers? Our men think the office holders only want them for a handle, then will kick them aside after rising. The late frauds in soldiers’ votes goes strongly to confirm the idea. My opinion is that it is but little more than politics that keeps the war going. Rich contractors playing their points to rob the men of the Army supported by the Administration on the one side and gold gamblers sustained by Democratic papers and men on the other.

I really wish I could be with you to enjoy your big bin of apples & potatoes for I really need something of the kind to keep me healthy and cannot get it. I guess you will pronounce this a genuine Copperhead epistle so I’ll not write anymore this time but wait till I hear further from Grant’s repulse. Do not neglect to write to me because I feel pretty blue on government affairs.

Write soon. Direct as usual. — S. T. Miner

Letter 3

Camp 16th New York Artillery
Near Fort Fisher, N. C.
January 17th 1865

Cousin Alice,

You have doubtless heard of the capture of the famous Fort Fisher, the main defense of Wilmington. I am well and feel pretty good considering the rough treatment of the voyage.

On the morning of January 3rd, we got orders to march in heavy orders. The same day at eleven, we left camp and arrived at Bermuda 100 in the midst of a bad snowstorm. The Brigade encamped in the woods and passed anything but a pleasant night. Here we remained till the morning of the 5th when we embarked, our detachment going on the steamer Weybosset. The Fleet arrived at Fort Monroe the same evening. Early the next morning the Fleet of Transports started for Admiral Porter’s Fleet which we reached on the third day after starting. During the time going round Hatteras we had a pretty rough time of it.

The day after joining Porter’s Fleet off Beaufort, North Carolina, a severe blow came on which lasted 36 hours. It was the hardest I ever saw. The transports were obliged to put to sea where they remained till the blow was over. A man couldn’t stand on the deck unless he held to some part of the ship.

On the 10th the transports joined the Navy and the combined fleet started to Fort Fisher where they arrived on the morning of the 12th and landed, our Brigade being the last to land. During the 13th and 14th the Iron Ships slowly bombarded the Fort while the Army was getting artillery ashore and getting into position. On the morning of the 15th, the heavy ships moved into position and opened fire. This last till about three in the afternoon when a charge was made by the ARmy and sailors & marines landed to the purpose. This charge lasted from three till one the next morning. It was a continuation of charges and resulted in the capture of the Fort and 2600 men. One magazine was exploded by our men [through] carelessness which buried a large part of the 169th New York Regiment.

What the next move will be, we cannot tell. Some of the gunboats have got into the river but they have to move very cautious on account of torpedoes. The Fort is very strong and the Rebels say we can take the City of Wilmington, this being the principal defense. More as it happens.

Direct to Det. 16th Artillery, Co. F, Fort Fisher, N. C., via Washington D. C.

— Terry