The Colonels of the Derby Blues- John Lyman Chatfield

Colonel John L. Chatfield was born in Oxford, Connecticut in 1826, the oldest son of Pulaski and Amanda Chatfield. He apprenticed with the Hotchkiss and Company builders in Derby as a carpenter for four years, after which he worked as a journeyman. In 1855 he moved to Waterbury, where he went into business with his brother. He was a private in the Derby Blues and was active in raising and training the Waterbury City Guard and became its Captain.

With the onset of the Civil War the Waterbury City Guard was incorporated into the 3rd CT Volunteer Infantry, which was organized and mustered in for three-month service in New Haven, CT on May 14, 1861, with Chatfield as its colonel. The 3rd CT was attached to Mansfield’s command in the Department of Washington until June 1861 when it became part of the Army of the Potomac under General Irvin McDowell’s command. They served in Key’s 1st Brigade of Tyler’s 1st Division until they were mustered out of service on August 12, 1861.

He reenlisted and was appointed colonel of the 6th CT. After a brief illness, he joined his regiment at Hilton Head, SC, in January 1862. At Pocotaligo, SC, while in advance of his troops on horseback, he was struck by canister shot in the right thigh and crawled to the rear alone. A marker at the site of the Battle of Pocotaligo is shown below.

After a brief period, he recovered from the wound and was placed in command of forces at Hilton Head by General David Hunter. He was relieved from this duty at his own request so that he could rejoin his regiment in operations near Charleston, SC, on Morris Island. In the charge on Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, immortalized in the movie Glory, he was wounded in the left leg and in attempting to drag himself out, was hit a second time in his right hand, which knocked his sword out of his grasp. He managed to recover the scabbard and body belt but not the sword. Private Andrew H. Grogan of Company I carried him to the rear. Chaplain Woodruff procured transportation for him to Beaufort, SC and then back to CT. He refused amputation and his wound became infected. He died at home on August 10th and is buried in Riverside Cemetery at 475 Riverside Street in Waterbury, CT. Pictures of the monument at his grave are shown below.