Sergent Thomas Tallmadge
Soldiers:
Thomas Tallmadge a residence of Simsbury enlisted as a Sergeant in Company K on Oct 12, 1861. He was mustered on Dec 10, 1861 and died Nov 13, 1862.
A descendant, Tom Tallmadge formerly of CT forwarded a translation of a hand written diary from his great great grandfather, Sgt Thomas Tallmadge of Company K, Ninth regiment C.V. According to Tom, the Sgt was 26 years old when he enlisted and was married with three children; one was Tom’s great grandfather who worked for the railroad in the Tariffville area of Simsbury, CT.
The diary covers the period from the time the Ninth left Ship Island to Sgt Tallmadge’s death, Nov 13, 1862. A letter from Capt T (?) Healy of Co K to the Sgt’s father (Marcus Miles Tallmadge) is attached as well. The elder Tallmadge worked for 30 years at the Springfield Armory for before semi-retiring to run a hotel in Granby.
In addition to the above information Tom indicated that the Tallmadge family was part of the group that founded New Haven after leaving the Hamptons in Long Island sometime in the early 1640s. One ancestor, Benjamin Tallmadge, was a member of a spy ring gathering information for General Washington. Tom was a member of the 8th CT Vol Regiment re-enactor group for many years before moving to Beaufort, SC. He also has a period picture on display of some members of the group including “Bill, Dan C, Mike and myself”.
Some questions that I have after reading the diary include the definition of the “Regimental Guard”. Could this group be the same as the hand picked group that was led by Capt Healy and Lt Claffee and crossed over the river to scout for eight days? I assume John G. Healy is the same person as Captain T.(?) Healy and Pvt John Barker is the same person as Josiah Barker. [ Both Healy and Barker are etched on the Vicksburg monument.]
Bob Larkin
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The extensive translation by Tom Tallmadge of the difficult to read (partially in pencil) diary & Healy's letter are as follows:
FATHERS DIARY WHILE A SOLDIER IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Regimental Guard
Sgt Tho B Tallmadge
First Relief 1862
Capt Mich Conway
Pvt J Bender 1 Co B
Pvt John Barker 2 Co B
Pvt James C 3Co B
Pvt James 4Co B
Pvt Patrk Rone 6Co B
Pvt B Rone 7 Co B
Pvt James Stuffert 8Co D
Pvt Peter Smith 9 Co D
Pvt P Verikin 10Co D
Pvt Dennis Oats 11 Co D
Pvt Phil Parson 12 Co D
Pvt Patrk Welsh 13 Co D
Pvt Phillip Shuin 14 Co D
Pvt Chad Connor 15 Co K
Pvt George Carey 16 Co K
Pvt J Sulivan 17 Co K
1862 Left Ship Island for New Orleans on the 15 th of April, after cruising around for 18 days finely arrived at the city.
1862 Arrived at New Orleans on the 2nd of May. Quartered in a cotton -----.Occupied Parrafet at Carrolton on the 5th of may, 5 miles below the city. Left parrafet for Baton Rouge on the 1st of June.
1862 Arrived at Baton Rouge, La on 2nd day of June. Quartered in the US Arsenal. Visited the state capitol on the 3rd of June. There are a great many objects of interest at the state capitol. A statue in marble by Powers?1854 of Washington. Life size painting on Washington, also one of Zak Taylor very fine, a tablet of marble in the senate chamber to the memory of Phillip Thomas, a major General in the revolution & war of 1812, and who captured Baton Rouge from the Spanish in 1815.afterword was a Us Senator. The capitol is very pleasant, situated on the right bank of the Miss River in a bed of flowers, and the grounds very tastily laid out.
1862 Left Baton Rouge on the 19 th of June on board the steamboat Sallie Robinson.3 companys of the 9th Reg Co A, H and K, with a section of Kims ? Flying Artillery, 4 ---- and horses. Stopped for the night opposite the plantation of Mr Williams who had some 900 slaves. I visited some of the homes. In one was a nurse who watched ? where all the babies are kept. It was quite a site for a northern man to see a room full of rough cradles and in each one a little darkey of some two to six month sold. Some were black, and some, and Im sorry to say looking quite white. Old nurse in answer to question said we dont never sell em on this plantation. Everything, crops, buildings, mules, wagons, nigras and all looking thrifty and in good condition. Slept for first time since left home on bed. Left this morning June ? up the river, destination unknown, but suppose it to be Vicksburg.
About 10 1/2out stopped opposite plantation of notorious rebl by the name of Stephens. 9 th regt landed and took possession of the house and grounds joined by the 7th Vt Regt.then came moment? of the fun. Chasing, sheep, pigs, turkeys, geese, chickens and cows. The men soon came in loaded down with the spoils of the chase.with sugar,and mollases,eggs,geen corn with them and fell to cooking and eating as only a hearty soldier can when changing his diet from salt pork and hard bread to fresh meat. our company got two sheep,some twenty hens,about 100 lbs very nice sugar,bread loafs,eggs and vegetables. A boat we were ordered on guard again. That man will long remember the US troops who paid so disturbing a visit to them.
Sailed all night, nothing occurring ------- of note. Breakfasted on roast chicken, remains of last nights supper. The night are very still and warm. The scenery on the river at this time of year is splendid. Shall probably reach Natchez tonight..I wonder whether I will ever see home again, and when .Had a very good dinner of roast lamb,best I have eaten since I left home.
Passed fort, it dams the mouth of the Red River. our fleet consists of steamboats. Sallie Robinson,Iberville,,Gerris?,Dianna,Morning Light,Sameul Hill,louisana Bell, Algerrine,and Wm Berston.Under convoy of steam sloop of war, Hartford, and gunboat Nm.6,Mortar boat Nm 3 and 10, also one steamship in tow..Hartford ran aground on a bar and stuck fast.We went as ----in a swamp to cook some meat( salt pork). about 10 came on board again, and went to the assistance of the Hartford. Working all night.
June 22nd Sunday Hartford still fast on the bar. boats to haul her off. Managed to get a cup of good coffee, and a piece of shortcake from ships cook, which is quite unusual on shipboard as generally fare badly at such times, as we have no time to cook food. Hartford was dragged off bar at about 9 in good order,
about 4 o'clock am came up with two more gun boats tying them up under a bluff about 16 miles this side of Natchez who informed us that there was a battery back in the woods that had been in the habit of firing on our troops as they passed up the river. General Williams ordered 3 Regt to land and scour the woods which were very dense and heavy timbered and up a very high hill. We landed in the following order, Pims Flying artillery in advance of mission,Regt 30 th mass,9th Ct, Captains Events Battert, 2 ----bringing up the rear. we then took up our line of march it was tremendously hot that day and the sand very deep and so dusky could hardly see one company length ahead. several left the rank and went back because of the heat. when we get in the woods it was quite dark, we pressed on toiling up the steep hills and through the deep ravines. our advance came at last to the enemys camp but the birds had flown and in great haste leaving his supper in the fire.a
-------and succeeded in taking 3 firearms, 1 cassion, and provisions. it had get to be very dark and we gave up the pursuit, and returned to the steamers, tired, hungry and sweaty.
June 23rd-left on or about4 oclock this morning, saw plenty of white cranes diving today in the river. passed Natchez about noon, all quiet stayed for the night on bank of the river at the ncar? plantation.
June 24thleft this morning at about 2 oclock and expect to land and attack troops at Grand Gulf. marched some 15 miles driving the enemy before us, entered and fired the town and left during the night. we had a very hard day of it, men just dried out. about 4,dropped by the wayside, it was a dreadful march.
June 25 th-left Grand Gulf last night about 1 am for Vicksburg arrived opposite the city about 3 1/2 oclock and found some 25---of US war vessels of various kinds. about 5 oclock the ships commenced to shell the bluffs and woods below the city, after shelling them pretty well and getting no return fire the mortar boats began to move up and take their positions in line of battle. expecting to open on the city and batteries tomorrow morning.
June 26th no firing yet. expect the------ is trying to negotiate to save the city if feasible. we landed in the swamp close by the shore. expect we shall go on board the boat tonight. went on board this evening.
June 27th-went out on todays duty with 20 men as guard to surveyors of canal--- the point 1 1/2 miles. On return came under fire from the rebel batteries on opposite shore staid some time and saw our mortar boats pitch shell and shot into the doomed city and batteries. returned on board the boat for the night. Saw a splendid sight this evening as the mortars pitched their shell at a fearful rate, lighting up the whole sky with their flashes ceased firing about 9 1/2 o’clock.
to be continued on June 28th
continued--- June 28 the the guns opened up this morning with a great fury for a short time,60 to 100 shot and shell a minute during the hottest of the fire. the fleet passed the batteries. we have had no more firing during the days. it is very hot today.
June 29 th had a shower of rain this morning. mortar boats commenced firing again today in the consequence of the rebels firing on Gen Williams boat while on a visit to the fleet.
June 30 th off with men on fatigue duty to work on the canal. very warm day. enemy opened fire on us with his infantry this afternoon. our mortars replied and warmed them up pretty well, ordered to be ready at a moments notice.
July 1st--Rained quite hard this morning, no firing this morning, the siege dragging slowly along. Was mustered for payment yesterday but no respect of pay at present though, much firing today.
July 2nd warm today with nothing of interest this morning. some firing today.
July 3rd-on fatigue duty to work on the canal, considerable firing today, the rebels shelled the works where we were to work today, but it did not trouble us much as they had not got the range. slept out in the swamp, men got whisky.
July 4 th-this is a queer way to spend independence day, out in a swamp writing my diary. wonder where I shall be next year at this time. a salute of 34 guns fired by the fleet at noon. caught 2 pigs and fried, this is our forth.
July 5th-nothing of interest this morning. heard news of the capture of Richmond this evening, very heavy firing from our guns for a short time.
July 6th-- Did not sleep much last night, had a tooth that is very bad, and the heat tonight caused me to have a very unquiet night, some firing today from our fleet.
July 7th-very warm today. moved further up the river. great many sick in this regiment. I recieved a letter from home today, date of 8th of June, was very much rejoiced to hear from my true friends.
July 8thstill at landing nearly opposite Vicksburg quite sickly, not much firing today.
July 9 th-- quite warm ,had tooth ache very bad ,for the first three days&quite so last night. foraged for meat, result 2 duck, 1chicken, good stew by Mr Russell , french cook. did not get much sleep last night ,my tooth pained me very much.
July 10 th-Thanks to Dr Lines, he relieved me this morning by drawing the offending member and casting it the river. also made me a present of a nice pipe, all of which I appreciate. Off duty today as a visit of Diarrhea .which is very prevalent in this Brigade.
July 11th-off duty ,not much better, very warm
July 12 th-do not feel very well today, have the ear ache, and some diarrhea, and at all time wish I were home.
July 13 th-Ear aches all day, feeling very bad, staid aboard the boat most of the day.
July 14-was quite sick.
July 15th still sick, swamp fever
July 16th-no better.
July 17- " "
July 18-" "
July19-" "
July 20 " "
July 21-Pretty Sick.
July 22 " "
July 23-" "
July 24Came back to B Regt.
July 25-still sick.
July 26 -some better.
July 27 " "
July 28 " "
July 29" '
July 30 " "
July 31 " "
Aug 1st-Recieved pay
Aug 2nd-Sent home $100.00
Aug 3rd-infirmary some
Aug4th " "
Aug 5th-Grand attack by the rebels in which they were repelled with great slaughter. I was not in the battle, being sick in quarters.
Aug 6th- Rebel Ram blew up
Oct 11th-First cold day I felt in the south was Sat Oct 11th, 1862, had to go to bed to keep warm, in hospital in Carrolton, La
Oct 13, th-Entered into Marine Hospital on Monday Oct 13th.
Articles I wish to get sent home
Locket
Fish Hooks
Hankerchief
Blank Threads
Glasses
Pipe & Tobacco
Suspenders
Garden Seeds
Oct 23 rd-Received letter from home, under dates of Sept 28 th and 29 th.
Expenses while in the Marine Hospital in La.
Oct 15th -Ginger Bread 5
Nov 4th-1/2 lb of crackers-10
3 apples 15
1 lb butter 40
1 sweet cracker 25
Nov 5th-Port Wine 1.00
2 eggs 20
Oysters 15
4 Oranges 10
Oct 6th- sweet potatoes 10
2 eggs 20
washing 10
Piyen? 5
Oct 7th -bottle of wine 1.00
Cup of custard 10
Baked apple 5
Apples 10
? 5
? 5
Thomas died on November 13 th.
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The following is a letter of condolence from his commanding officer.
This is the letter Thomas father received .His name was Marcus Miles Tallmadge, and he spent some 30 years working in the Springfield armory in Mass.
New Orleans Dec 1 1862
M.M.Tallmadge Esq.
Sir,
I regret very much to have to inform you of the death of your son Sgt Thos B Tallmadge of Co K 9 th Regt Ct. He died in US Marine Hospital on the 13th day of Nov of disease contracted in the swamps opposite Vicksburg. He is very much lamented by his companions in arms, amongst whom he was a particular favorite. His discharge papers was made out previous to his death, but the doctors did not think it prudent to have him undertake a voyage in such a delicate state of health. I would have written sooner but knowing that he had some money in his possession which was not accounted for I liked to look after it. I’ve learned from Dr Lines? that he had loaned him the money and had written you about it. I have forwarded to the war department his descriptive list and final account of pay and clothing from which you will hear in due course.. His affects such as clothes were of little account not worth sending home. His letters, diary and some little mementos of home I’ve taken
charge of and will send to you at the first opportunity. In the mean time I should like to hear from you how you wish them sent.
I saw Thomas a few days before he died. I asked him when he thought he could go home, the poor fellow said he was not over anxious to go until this unholy rebellion would be crushed out, and that he expected that he would be able to report to duty in a few weeks. He seemed courageous to the last and had not the slightest idea of death. May the Lord give his poor wife strength and fortitude to bear up against the sad intelligence. He often sat whole evenings telling me about her, how he loved her and how happy he would be when he again saw her. Poor fellow, little did he then think he would not.
If at any time you should need any further information respecting your son, I would be my happy to let you know.
I remain Sir,
Yours respectfully,
T. Healy,
Capt Co K 9th Ct
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This ends the saga of one man in the Civil War. I am honored to have Thomas Diary. I have photos of his wife and son. She was indeed a rare beauty. Her son was a mirror image and he matured into a handsome man. Thomas left behind a wife, son and two daughters. He was 26 when entered the war.
I’m happy to have shared this with you, it made me again take time to remember from where we came, and appreciate the weight of our little problems in comparison we those our ancestors had to deal with on a daily basis.
Tom Tallmadge
Cpl John Alexander
Pvt Albert Andrews
Mus Charles Andre
Pvt Josiah Barker
Pvt David Barry
QM Nathan Bennett
Lt John Bolger
Sgt William Brown
Pvt Dominick Burns
Sgt Bernard Caffrey
Col Thomas W. Cahill
Pvt John I. Cain
Pvt Ambrose Carney
Lt John Carroll
Lt Daniel Carroll
Pvt John Carroll
Lt Patrick T. Claffee
Capt Thomas Coates
Cpl John P. Coen
Cpl Michael P. Coen
Sgt Michael Cronan
Pvt Patrick Cullen
Capt Elliot Curtis
Lt John Curtis
Mus Dennis Deegan
Pvt Levi S. Drew
Capt John Duffy
Lt Fredrick M. Fairchild
Pvt Daniel Farrell
Lt Col Richard FitzGibbon
Pvt Patrick Flanagan
Mjr Frederick Frye
Surg Charles Gallagher
Capt Patrick Garvey
Sgt Daniel Gallagher
Lt William Gleeson
Capt James Graham
Sgt Malachi Hackett
Pvt John Hazlett
Prin Muc John Healy
Lt Col John G Healy
Pvt Edward Heffernan
Sgt Daniel Heffernan
Capt James Hennessey
Pvt Michael Horrigan
Lt Patrick Ingoldsby
Pvt Martin Joyce
Pvt Patrick Kane
Pvt Patrick Lane
Pvt Patrick Larkin
Lt Joseph Lawler
Lt James Lawler
Lt Thomas Lawler
Pvt John Marlow
Capt Michael McCarten
Chap Daniel Mullen
Sgt James T. Mullen
Lt Michael Mullins
Capt Lawrence O'Brien
Lt William O'Keefe
Lt Daniel O'Sullivan
Capt Charles Palmer
Sgt Phillip Reilley
Chap Leo Rizzo
Sgt Timothy Ryan
Capt Gary Scott
Lt John Shaw
Capt Terrance Sheridan
Lt Christian Streit
Sgt Thomas Tallmadge
Capt David C. Warner
Pvt Robert Walsh
Capt Michael Williams
Capt William Wright
