14. Pvt.
Silas Edee Coy18,30,36,69,70,71,72,73 was born on 21 Oct 1807 in Great Barrington, Berkshire
County, Massachusetts.18,36,69,74 In 1840, he appeared in the census taken at Lyme, New
London County, Connecticut.75
In 1850, he appeared in the census taken at Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.36 He is listed as age 42. In
1860, he appeared in the census taken at Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.76 age 60. He enlisted in the
Union Army as a private in the 25th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers on 9 Sep
1862 in Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut.64 He was a POW on 12 April 1863, was Paroled on 24 June
1863.
CONNECTICUT TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT C. V. INFANTRY.
(Nine Months.)
WRITTEN BY COLONEL GEORGE P. BISSELL, LATE OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS.
THE Twenty-fifth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers (Colonel George P. Bissell),
was recruited in Hartford and Tolland Counties in the fall of 1862. The regiment
was composed of the very best material, being almost exclusively young men impelled
by a patriotic motive, and from the first took a high stand for efficiency and
good discipline.
Later in its history, when it had been tried in marches and battles, it was thus
described by Adjutant-General Morse in his report to the Legislature for 1864:
"This is one of the best of our nine months regiments, and bore a conspicuous
part in the advance upon and campaign preceding the fall of Port Hudson. By the
bravery always displayed on the field of battle and the patient endurance manifested
on many long and arduous marches, it has won for itself a high and lasting reputation."
The Twenty-fifth was mustered into the United States service November 11, 1862,
and on the 14th sailed from Hartford for Centerville, L. I., to join at that
rendezvous the Banks Expedition. The muster-roll showed 811 men, thoroughly drilled
and well appointed, except that they were without rifles, which were served to
them on the ship after their arrival in the Mississippi River.
The regiment embarked November 29, 1862, in two divisions-one division of five
companies, under command of Colonel Bissell, on the steamer "Mary Boardman";
and the remainder, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens, on the steamboat
"Che Kiang." The destination of the expedition was unknown when the
vessels sailed, and the sealed orders were not to be opened till the ships had
sailed twenty-four hours to the southward and eastward. The orders, when opened,
were found to be simply to report at Ship Island, off the mouth of the Mississippi
River, allowing a call at Dry Tortugas for coal, if necessary. The ships duly
arrived at Ship Island, and proceeded at once up the river to New Orleans, where
they arrived on the 14th of December. On the 16th the "Mary Boardman,"
with several of the other ships, went on to Baton Rouge, where they arrived the
next day. The "Che Kiang" landed the left wing of the regiment at Camp
Parapet, just above New Orleans. Thus the command was unfortunately divided.
I say "unfortunately," for the discipline and experience of the separate
and separated wings not being alike, made it difficult when they finally came
together, weeks after, to bring them into harmony and full efficiency.
The forces landed at Baton Rouge after a brief bombardment of the city, and the
Twenty-fifth (five companies) went into camp, first on the United States Arsenal
grounds in the city, and later near the cemetery, back of the city, where, after
a long delay, the left wing joined the Colonel's command, and the regiment was
once more united and in fighting trim.
The regiment was first brigaded under General Halbert E. Paine of Wisconsin,
a most noble and brave officer; and afterwards with the Thirteenth Connecticut,
Twenty-sixth Maine, and One Hundred and Fifty-ninth New York, under Colonel H.
W. Birge of the Thirteenth Connecticut, as Brigade Commander--an officer of rare
ability and bravery, and a disciplinarian of the best stamp. Under his command
the Twenty-fifth served during its entire term of service. He led them in many
battles and marches; and while he was strictness personified, he was so magnanimous,
so brave, so reasonable, and so thoroughly a soldier, that the men worshiped
him and would follow him into any fire; and now that he has gone they revere
his memory.
The first work of the regiment was on the first advance on Port Hudson, March
10, 1863, when Colonel Bissell, in command of his own regiment, two detachments
of cavalry, and a regular army battery, occupied Bayou Montesano, constructed
earthworks, and built a bridge across Bayou Sara. This bridge was designed by
Sergeant William Webster of Company I, after a West Point engineer had despaired
of the job. The regiment was then seven miles in advance of the army, and in
a very exposed and dangerous position. This position they held under a frequently
severe fire till the army came up, when they joined the column and went "on
to Port Hudson." They were in the front of the land forces when Farragut
sailed by the forts in the "Hartford." From the banks of the river,
the Twenty-fifth witnessed this grand bombardment, and the burning of the frigate
"Mississippi" in the night. When the "objects of the expedition
had been accomplished" (to use the words of General Banks's order), the
regiment returned to Baton Rouge, passing one wet and dreary night in "Camp
Misery"--a night which will never be forgotten by any man who was there,
nor will any member present forget the noble act of Quartermaster John S. Ives,
who, almost dead himself, rode his almost dead horse into Baton Rouge and brought
out to the men coffee and sugar, which they managed to prepare over small fires,
and which, no doubt, saved many a man his life.
After a short stay at Baton Rouge, the army made another advance on the west
bank of the Mississippi, starting March 28, 1863, marching with frequent skirmishes,
sailing up the Atchafalaya Bayou, and landing at Irish Bend, where the regiment
engaged in its first real battle April 14, 1863. The severity of this fight may
be judged of, as we read in the Adjutant-General's Report the report of the regimental
Adjutant, thus:
"Our loss, as you will see from the accompanying return of casualties, has
been severe, being in all ninety-six killed, wounded, and missing, out of about
350, with which the regiment went into action."
The "missing" was only one man, leaving ninety-five killed and wounded.
From this point the regiment marched up to within six miles of the Red River,
and of this march the regimental reports speak thus:
"What with our loss in battle, details for special service, and the numbers
who have given out on our very severe marches, this regiment is much reduced
and has to-day only 299 men present, of whom but 248 are fit for duty. You will
thus see that though this campaign has been eminently successful, driving the
enemy before us through the entire valley of the Teche, from its mouth to its
source, it has also been most trying upon the troops. Four engagements and 300
miles' march in twenty days, call for proportionate suffering which cannot be
avoided."
During May and a part of June, the regiment was actively engaged in the siege
of Port Hudson, and was constantly under fire in the trenches and in the various
assaults on that stronghold, leading the advance on the 23d of May, when a junction
was formed with General Augur's column, which completed the investment of the
place. During all the siege the regiment was constantly in the front, and finally
participated in the glories of the surrender of the fortress on the 8th of July,
having been in constant arduous duty, marching and fighting, since early in March.
After the surrender of Port Hudson the regiment returned to Donaldsonville, where
it encamped till the expiration of its term of service. I sent to General Banks
and offered, for myself and for my command, to remain longer in the department
if our services were needed; but he replied that there would probably be no more
fighting, and thanking us for our offer, he
issued an order returning us to our homes; and the regiment was finally mustered
out at Hartford August 26, 1863.
In closing this brief sketch of the history of the gallant Twenty-fifth Regiment,
a few words may be allowed in praise of the good and true men of whom it was
composed. With very few and unimportant exceptions, they were of the best sort
of men who were ever banded together for the defense of their country. They submitted
to rigorous discipline cheerfully, they marched promptly, and they fought bravely
and determinedly. A review of official records shows that the regiment was complimented
over and over again by Generals Grover and Birge for the extraordinary promptness
with which it always moved, for its entire reliability in any emergency, and
for its bravery, as shown time and again, in battle and under severe fire. The
men never faltered in long marches, and never wavered under fire; and there never
was a time when their commander would have hesitated to lead them against overwhelming
odds--into the face of an enemy ten times their number. Ever ready, ever active,
ever pushed to the front in times of danger by generals who wanted efficient
service and who knew a good regiment when they saw it, the Twenty-fifth was an
organization of which the State need not be ashamed. When it was in the field
it was an honor to the army and to the volunteer service of our country; and
now that years have rolled by, the heart of many a survivor swells with just
pride as he says to his children and grandchildren, "I was a member of the
Twenty-fifth Connecticut."
ENGAGEMENTS.
Irish Bend, La., April 14, 1863.
Port Hudson, La., May 25 and 26, 1863.
Port Hudson, La., June 14 and 15, 1863.
Brashear City, La., June 23, 1863.
Bayou Boeuf, La., June 24, 1863.
Battles Fought
Fought at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 15 February 1863 at Near Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 09 March 1863 at Baton Rouge, LA.
Fought on 10 March 1863 at Bayou Sara, LA.
Fought on 12 April 1863 at Brashear City, LA.
Fought on 14 April 1863 at Irish Bend, LA.
Fought on 25 April 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 12 May 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 15 May 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 27 May 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 28 May 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 31 May 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 14 June 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 15 June 1863 at Port Hudson, LA.
Fought on 23 June 1863 at Bayou Boeuf, LA.
Fought on 23 June 1863 at Brashear City, LA.
Fought on 24 June 1863 at Bayou Boeuf, LA. He was discharged from military service
on 26 Aug 1863.64 In 1880,
he appeared in the census taken at Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.18 age 73. He died on 17 Dec 1889
in Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.37,74,77
He was a farmer.18,36,70 He died
as a result of apoplexy.77
Pvt. Silas Edee Coy and Lorinda Willard were married on 15 Sep 1833 in Lyme,
New London County, Connecticut.18,36,37,70,71,72,73,76,77
They were married by Elijah Willard, Elder
15. Lorinda Willard37,71,72,73,76,78,79,80 was born
on 27 Aug 1812 in Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.36,37,76,80,81 In 1850, she appeared in the census taken at Southington,
Hartford County, Connecticut.36
age 37. In 1860, she appeared in the census taken at Southington, Hartford
County, Connecticut.76
age 48. In 1880, she appeared in the census taken at Harwinton, Litchfield County,
Connecticut.18 age 68.
She applied for a pension on 13 Sep 1890 in Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.71,77
She died on 22 Dec 1891 in Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.37 Children were:
i. | Samuel Coy37 died young.37 | |
ii. | Willard F. Coy37 was born on 15 Nov 1834 in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut.37,82 In 1900, he appeared in the census taken at Wolcott, New Haven County, Connecticut.82 age 65, as Willard S. Coy. He was a farmer in Wolcott, New Haven County, Connecticut in 1900.82 In 1910, he appeared in the census taken at Wolcott, New Haven County, Connecticut.83 age 75. He died on 28 Mar 1922.37 | |
iii. | Vitruvius Darius Coy37 was born on 23 Dec 1838 in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut.18,37 In 1860, he appeared in the census taken at Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.84 age 21 He was a mechanic in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut in 1860.84 He enlisted in the Union Army as a private on 9 Sep 1862 in Connecticut.64 In 1880, he appeared in the census taken at Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.18 age 41. He was a farmer in Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut in 1880.18 He was employed by E. Ingraham Company in 1893 in Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut.85 In 1900, he appeared in the census taken at Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.86 age 63. He was a farm laborer in Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut in 1900.86 He died on 27 Dec 1917.37 | |
iv. | Mary Gibson Coy37,73 was born about 1841.73 She died on 20 May 1847 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts.73 She died as a result of dropsy on the brain.73 She died at age 10. | |
7 | v. | Rosamund Penelope "Rosie" Coy. |
vi. | Flavia Matilda Coy36 was born on 8 Oct 1845 in Massachusetts.36,37,87 In 1910, she appeared in the census taken at Plymouth, Litchfield County, Connecticut.87 age 63. She died on 19 Oct 1920.37 | |
vii. | Thankful Grace Coy36,70,76 was born on 25 Apr 1848 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts.18,36,37,70,88 Alice Coy says she was born 25 April 1847 in Lyme, Connecticut, 1900 census says she was born in April 1850. In 1860, she appeared in the census taken at Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.76 age 12. In 1880, she appeared in the census taken at Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.18 age 31. In 1900, she appeared in the census taken at Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut.88 age 50. She was a house worker in Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut in 1900.88 She died on 22 Jul 1922.37 She died a spinster. | |
viii. | Joseph Coy37 was born on 25 Apr 1850 in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.37 He was employed by E. Ingraham Company from 1884 to 1893 in Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut.85 He died on 24 Apr 1931.37 His nickname was Peg-Leg.37 | |
ix. | Annette M. Coy37 was born on 9 Feb 1852 in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.37 In 1860, she appeared in the census taken at Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.76 age 7. In 1900, she appeared in the census taken at Wolcott, New Haven County, Connecticut.89 age 47. She died on 26 May 1938.37 | |
x. | Silas Erwin Coy37,76,86,90 was born on 14 Aug 1854 in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.37,86 In 1860, he appeared in the census taken at Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.76 age 5. In 1900, he appeared in the census taken at Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.86 age 45 He was a farmer in Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut in 1900.86 In 1910, he appeared in the census taken at Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut.91 age 55. He died on 28 Sep 1923.37 |