Chance Harris After the Battle of Gettysburg
Chance Harris survived the bloody Battle of Gettysburg during the first week of July 1863, as recounted in the previous post, but more battles were ahead. The Battle of Bristoe Station was next on 14 October 1863 at Bristow, Prince William Co., Virginia, followed by the Battle of Mine Run in Orange Co., Virginia, which lasted from 26 November until 2 December. The 108th Regiment was not involved in further major action until the following spring. In the interim, General Ulysses S. Grant had assumed his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States in March 1864 and placed his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac.The 108th Regiment's first major engagement of 1864 was the Battle of the Wilderness in Orange and Spotsylvania counties on 5-7 May, immediately followed by the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Spotsylvania County that extended until 21 May. Chance Harris then was engaged in three battles in quick succession in Caroline and Hanover counties between late May and the second week of June 1864: the Battle of North Anna, the Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, and the Battle of Cold Harbor. Between 15 and 18 June, the 108th was in the Second Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Assault on Petersburg. This was followed in a few days by the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road, also known as the First Battle of the Weldon Railroad, still in the vicinity of Petersburg, Virginia. The First Battle of Deep Bottom in Henrico Co., Virginia came, after a month's respite, on 27-29 July 1864. The Battle of the Crater occurred near Petersburg the following day; however, the 108th occupied a flanking position, and the men were spared the debacle that cost many Union troops' lives in the Crater.
Captured by Confederate Troops
The Second Battle of Deep Bottom took place on 14-20 August in Henrico Co., Virginia with the 108th engaged in three days of heavy fighting followed by several marches and river crossings. On 25 August 1864, during the Second Battle of Ream's Station (part of the Siege of Petersburg) in Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, Chance Harris was captured by Confederate troops on the Weldon Road and taken to Petersburg. As a prisoner of war, Chance apparently was incarcerated at three Petersburg prisons: Libby Prison, Belle Isle Prison, and the Pemberton Buildings. It appears he subsequently was held at Danville Prison in Danville, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; at least passed through an unknown facility at Greensboro, Guilford Co., North Carolina; and was held at Salisbury Prison in Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina. Chance eventually was moved back to Petersburg, Virginia to Castle Thunder (there was another Castle Thunder in Richmond, Virginia) and Libby Prison before being paroled on 22 February 1865.Confederate Prisons
The timing of Chance Harris's movement between these Confederate prisons is somewhat uncertain, and several references to captivity in his obituaries give sometimes contradictory information. A common thread, however, is that Chance participated in several prison escapes or attempted escapes, including by tunneling. In the absence of these details, Chance's own writings at least mention the places in which he was held while a prisoner."THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH REGIMENT. Members of the 108th Regiment and all veterans of the Civil War will read with interest the following extract from a letter received by George H. Washburn, Secretary of the 108th New York Volunteers from Chance L. Harris of Company F, of the same regiment, now [1893] residing at Butte, Montana. . . . 'Your letter of August 29th and the valuable Gettysburg medal are before me. . . . I feel that I owe an apology for not writing you something concerning my remembrance of the dark days when we soldiered together in the South. Of myself I had and have nothing to say but what is well known, at least to those who wore the blue with us. I do not know that I ever "straggled," and do not call to mind a single instance when I failed to draw my full allowance of "rations." True, I was privileged in witnessing a trifle more of the "internal workings" of the Rebellion than the majority of the boys who fought under the 108th banners, and was more favored by the hospitality received at the hands of the enemy at Petersburg, Libby, Belle Isle, Pemberton Buildings, Danville, Greensborough, Salisbury, Castle Thunder, and Libby again, but I doubt if the boys manifest jealousy on that account. I thought you had sufficient for your history, and recognize, even at this date, that I only filled my place as a member of Company F of the old regiment.'. . ."Following his parole and arrival on Union soil, Chance was first assigned to Camp Parole in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. He subsequently was granted a 20-day leave and traveled to Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, the place where he had enlisted in the 108th Infantry Regiment nearly three years before, to visit his family. Chance was assigned to Camp Distribution in Alexandria, Fairfax Co., Virginia on 9 May 1865 under the assumed name of "Henry L. Harris," presumably because of his parole status. He Mustered Out as Sergeant (some records show Corporal) with his regiment at Bailey's Crossroads, Fairfax Co., Virginia on 28 May 1865.
-- George H. Washburn, A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894. (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, Press of E. R. Andrews, 1894), Internet Archive <http://archive.org/>, Fifteenth Annual Reunion; pp. 432-433
Shortly after being paroled, Chance penned a letter to his hometown newspaper describing some of the horrors he encountered as a Confederate prisoner of war. In later years, Chance said little of his Civil War experience, and never formally joined the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic), so we are fortunate that he related his observations before the end of the War.
"LETTER FROM A RETURNED PRISONER. . . . The following letter from Chauncey L. Harris, is full of interesting information respecting the fate of many of the 108th, and is graphically written: U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION, ANNAPOLIS, MD., Feb. 29.} DEAR EXPRESS:-Once again we-of course we do! Its rather hard work to get the old machine started after six months of inactivity.-However, we overhaul the working parts, lubricate them thoroughly, raise the steam, and away she goes, reeling off a few miserable thoughts and non-brilliant ideas, which we jot down regardless of expense and consequences.
On the morning of the 21st of February, we issued forth from the old prison, whose name has become as familiar as household words, to soldiers particularly, and all Yankeedom generally, and whose walls, had they but the power, 'could a tale unfold' of misery, suffering most wretched, and even death; a tale that make 'the blood of the uninitiated run cold.' Aye, even a worse tale than the poor, emaciated, ghost-like, skeleton wretches, late prisoners of the place, with eyes deep 'sunck in the socket,' flagging steps and listless air could speak. but to resume Casting one glance at the barred and boarded windows of the old brick front, we hastened toward the wharf at Rocket's where lay the steamer Wm. Allison. Once on board and steaming down the James, the unspeakable joy which filled our hearts, and was so plainly depicted on the countenances of all, burst forth in songs; and we noticed, too, that phizogs, whereon a smile had not been even for months, lit up once more, and perhaps a sly joke would escape from their usual[l]y close[ly] pressed lips.
Nine o'clock A. M. brought us to the landing at Varina, where were some twenty-five hundred paroled rebs awaiting the boat. Crossing the bend in the river we found the steamers New York, Geo. Washington, Winonah and George Weems in readiness to take us aboard.
Down the river through Hampton Roads, up the Chesapeake Bay, and eleven o'clock A. M., Feb. 22, (to-day) finds us landing from the Winonah at Annapolis. A brass band stands on the wharf welcoming us by playing the Star Spanged Banner. That we should remove chapeau and swing her once, was but natural, and we did it. And there, too, we beheld once again the smiling countenance of Dr. Ely, of 108th N. Y., as he hurried to and fro attending to the sick, providing those unable to walk with an additional blanket and a 'stretcher.'
Soon in line, we started for the camp, through Maryland mud, knee-deep in some places, over your shoes in many, and most decidedly nasty in all. Just as soon as circumstances would permit, we invest a small amount in stationary, wind up the 'old box,' throw ourselves horizontally on a bunk and indite a few lines to the Express, for the express purpose of giving expression to our ideas in regard to the Southern Confederacy, as well as some little information in regard to a few members of our regiment, which will be of vast importance to all their friends, news most cheering to some, while to others the tale I have to tell is sorrowful indeed.
Those captured at Reams Station, on the Weldon road, the 25th of last August are as follows: Orderly Serg't F M Thrasher, Co F; Sergeant Finch, C; Serg't. G. Henry Downing, B; Serg't. Chillson, B; Serg't. Provost, C; Corp. Fassett, C; Lyman, C; Card, A; Billings, A; McDonald, E; Fred. Frey, F; Geo Van Chyver, G, Corp'l. Ed Ambrose, G; Hines and Boughton, H; Neon, J; Buffton, J; Thoraton and Wilson, K. The latter named person, who is known in the regiment as 'Billy Wilson,' I am sorry to say, has forever disgraced himself and company, as well as broken his oath, by taking the oath of allegiance to the S. C. After lying on Belle Island for nine months [NOTE: Probably should be nine weeks - R. A. Post], we were all sent to Salisbury, N. C., the worst prison the Confederacy contains. For the first few days after our arrival there, we fared very well. Those provisions, however soon run short, as more prisoners came in, and we often went a week and ten or twelve days at a time without a particle of meat. Nothing but bread with occasionally a little sour molasses. For twenty days we lay outside with no shelter, not even blankets. Then two small tents were issued to every 100 men. There were in all ten buildings in camp. One large three story brick, (an old cotton factory,) and the other little small buildings one story high. The prisoners however were not allowed to enter these, they being at first used for work shops, &c, but subsequently all converted into hospitals for the sick. If our rations were poor, those issued in these rude hospitals were worse. If in any respect the sick were better off than those who remained outside, it was only in that they were sheltered from the cold and rain, for they had no blankets nor even straw to lie on.
Every morning the dead were stripped of their poor ragged clothes, and carried to a small house reserved for those that died. Toward noon a negro came into camp with his lumber wagon drawn by two black mules, and attended by a guard. Then 'twas a sight most horrible and discouraging to the living met the eye.-Those cold inanimate forms of those once brave soldiers were brought out and thrown roughly into the cart, piled up like cordwood, a leg often hanging over the side and severed by the wheels in their evolutions, and then, the load complete, the driver mounts, and the heap of clay is taken outside and dumped into a hole two or three feet deep, unworthy the name of grave only that it contains the remains of good Union soldiers. From twenty to forty die every twenty-four hours, and I have known as many as seventy to carried out in one day. Every morning more or less were picked up through the camp, who had died from cold and exposure.
But it is useless for me to attempt a description, or relate the horrible suffering, our rough treatment, etc-it requires an abler pen; mine is inadequate to the task. Volumes could be filled with truthful facts of our experience.-Death stalked through that camp, slaying his victims with an unrelenting, cruel hand. The brave and timid, the weak and strong, the gay and sober, all whom he touched with his cold, clammy finger, went down.
It was awful to see with what tenacity some hung on to life, as if they could not die in that miserable hole, so far from home and friends. Ah, life, is dear to all, but Grim Death spares none. Father and son-the aged and young-often both were taken together.
Sergt. Henry Corning, Co. B, one who was strong and healthy, never having seen a sick day in the regiment, was one of the first who fell beneath the blighting, withering hand of disease at Salisbury. As I visited him day after day in the hospital, he seemed to think that he would recover, and only three or four hours before his death he told me smilingly and confidently that it would be so; that he would be up and out again. I sat by his side for an hour or more, talking over past times, and planning for the future, and he entered into the spirit of the conversation as of old. But alas, when I called the following morning he was not more. His spirit had fled, and I found but a cold corpse. Peace to his ashes! In battle he was brave, and knew no fear. On the march, always with his company, never known to straggle, nor grumble at the hard fare and long toilsome marches. In camp, ever ready for duty, always cheerful, never refusing a favor to a comrade, loved and respected by the men and esteemed by his officers. But he is no more. His faults were few, his virtues many. God rest his soul.
Hines of Co. H. and McDonald of Co. E. were also victims to the disease so prevalent at the time; the former was sick for some time, while the latter died in two or three days after he was taken. Both were good soldiers, but my acquaintance with them was very limited. The remainder of our Regt. were sick at different time, but were still alive when I last saw them some two months ago. Orderly Thrasher and Frederick Fray, Co. F. are here at Annapolis and well.
Adversity, has indeed worked wondrous changes in that people, formerly known as the Southern Chivalry. Our sojourn of six months duration, has finally convinced us of this fact; true, our visit was involuntary, and caused by unforseen as well as unavoidable circumstances, 'yet we were thar.' In the days of their posperity, a guest from the north was treated with some respect, but now, because miserable themselves, they seem to take delight in making every one about them so too. Visiting the South in other days, you were shown the best room, a sable individual awaited your orders, and the best was set before you. But in these days 'tis different, at least I found it so, at the Hotel I put up at; viz: the Hotel de Libby. There we will confess we lived high, on the third and fourth floor; but at meal time instead of a hatless 'dark,' informing you that your repast awaited you in the adjoining room, an uncouth looking individual, attired in ragged grey and wearing an old slouched hat, ascends to our room, sings out in a drawling tone peculiar to the lower class, south; fall in you old Yanks! Woe be unto him who is slow, for the 'kicking Sergeant' is ever on hand, and with the toe of his boot, gives the tardy a forcible remainder, that they are still prisoners in the hands of rebs. Let the sufferer, five minutes after, hand him a $20 in confederate 'deeds' to bring in a few loaves of bread, and you find him as accommodating as can be, for well he knows, that at least two-thirds of the 'scabs' goes into his pocket.
Breakfast is served at the same hour as formerly, namely, 10 a. m., and dinner at 3 1/2 or 5 p. m, and supper at-well you can suit your self as to the hour, for Johnny Reb has not the honor of serving that, consequently the meal is taken imaginatively. The bedding of those lucky enough to possess such a commodity, is usually 'hung upon the floor,' and as the shade of night comes down, all generally retire; some to sleep, and perhaps to dream of home and loved ones. Again he is seated in the family circle, or at the festive board, surrounded by friends; but again the pleasant dream is rudely dispatched, by the groans of a sick companion at his side, who courts the god of sleep in vain. But our letter grows lengthy, hence we 'close,' only staying long enough to add, that you will again hear from. 'ORPHANT.'"
-- Thomas Tryniski (scan), Roger Post (transcriber), Letter From A Returned Prisoner (Rochester, Monroe Co., NY, The Evening Express, Thursday, 2 March 1865), Old Fulton New York Post Cards <http://www.fultonhistory.com>
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