o
02 <
W o K «
H
cq
K
a
X
p
t— t
K
f, O
HISTORY
OF THE
NINTH REGIMENT
N. Y. S. M. - - - N. G. S. N. Y. (EIGHTY-THIRD N. v. VOLUNTEERS.)
1845-1888.
W
a
HISTORIAN
GEORGE A. H U S S E Y.
EDITOR
W I L L I A M T ODD.
PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
VETERANS OE THE REGIMENT. NEW YORK.
1889.
COPYRIGHT, 1889, BY VETERANS OF THE NINTH REGIMENT,
N. G. S. N. Y.
(All Rights Reserved. )
••/:•• : /. '*•• /)
.• :^ ..•/•/.../
fRESS OF J. S. OGILVIE,
57 ROSE STREET,
NEW YORK.
DEDICATION.
MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS
OF THE
NINTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M.
(EI3HTY -THIRD NEW \ORK VOLUNTEERS.)
AND N. G. S. N . Y.
•WHO HAVING SERVED THEIR COUNTRY FAITHFULLY', IN WAR AND IN PEACE, LAID DOWN THKIR LIVES IN HONOR,
THIS VOLUME IS FRATERNALLY DEDICATED.
" Oh ! if there is upon this terrestrial sphere A boon, an offering, which Heaven holds dear, 'Tis the last libation liberty draws From a heart that bleeds and dies in its cause."
— THOMAS MOORE.
PREFACE.
The Committee having in charge the Publication of the History of the NINTH Regiment, in order to prepare the work for the press, secured the services of William Todd, Esq., of Albany, N. V., author of the His tory cf the Seventy-ninth (Highlanders), N. Y-. S. M., and X. V. Vols.,and of which regiment he was a member.
Great care has been exercised in preparing the manuscript, and while there are, doubtless, a few errors, an earnest endeavor has IHTII made to give the ex-members, members of the regiment, and the public, the best and most authentic history possible to present for their consideration.
The Committee are indebted for information and access to records, to the friends, members and ex-members of the regiment, to whom they extend hearty thanks.
BENJ. F. BOWXK. GEO. I. BUXTON.
JOSEPH T. HAI.LOCK. THOS. L. HANNA.
JOHN T. LOCK.MAN. JOHN T. PKVER.
WALTER SCOTT. EDWARD SHANLY.
RALPH SHORROCK. THOS. W. THORNE.
WILLIAM SCOTT, GEORGE A. HUSSEY,
ry.
Chairman.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR.
The Historical Committee having engaged the services of the under signed, to prepare for publication a History of the NINTH Regiment— from data furnished by the historian, Captain George A. Husscy — he entered upon the duty with misgivings as to his ability to satisfactorily perform the task. Fortunately, the material furnished was, in the main, so concise, that as the work progressed, he gathered courage to complete the pleasing undertaking.
For the purpose of a more intelligent understanding of the part taken by the regiment during its service in the War of the Rebellion, as well as in t'mes of peace, the best authorities have been consulted — Government Records, Histories of Campaigns and Regiments, and
Monographs on special topics.
WILLIAM TODD."
ALBANY, Janv.iiry i, 1889.
CONTENTS
PAGE
ENGAGEMENTS OF THE REGIMENT xiii
ENGAGEMENTS OF COMPANY K xiv
STATIONS OF THE REGIMENT xv
RECAPITULATION OF THE MEMHERSMIP xvi
ILLUSTRATIONS xvii
CHAPTER I.
First Records Extant. — Disbandments and Re-organizations. — Colo nel Van Beuren I
CHAPTER II.
Rebellion. — Secession. — Firing on Fort Sumter. — Volunteering for
the War 20
CHAPTER III.
Muster-in at Washington. — Under General Stone. — " Baptism by
Fire," at Harper's Ferry 36
CHAPTER IV.
Under General Patterson. — First Valley Campaign. — To Winter
Quarters, 1861-2 5&
CHAPTER V.
Camp Claassen, near Frederick, Md 86
CHAPTER VI.
Under General Banks. — Into the Shenandoah Valley and out again. 104
CHAPTER VII. Under General McDowell.— Much Marching. . ... 126
[ix]
X CONTEXTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
PAGE
Warrenton, Va. — Under General Pope. —Battle of Cedar Mountain . . 142
CHAPTER IX.
Battles of the Rappahannock, Thoroughfare Gap, Second Bull Run
and Chantilly 163
CHAPTER X.
Under General McClellan. — The Maryland Campaign. — Battles of
South Mountain and Antietam. — Reports, etc 181
CHAPTER XI.
After Antietam. — Under General Burnside 201
CHAPTER XII. Battle of Fredericksburg. — Reports, etc 218
CHAPTER XIII.
Under General Hooker. — Winter Quarters, 1862-3. — The Chancellors-
ville Campaign 233
CHAPTER XIV. The Gettysburg Campaign. — Under General Meade 251
CHAPTER XV. Three Days' Battle of Gettysburg. — Pickett's Charge. — Reports, etc. 268
CHAPTER XVI. Tne Mine Run Campaign. — Winter Quarters, 1863-4 289
CHAPTER XVII.
Under General Grant. — The Wilderness Campaign. — Battle of May
6. — Colonel Moesch killed 312
CHAPTER XVIII.
Battles of Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. — Record of the Killed in the Campaign, from May 6th to June 4th. — Close of Three Years' Service 329
CONTENTS. XI
CHAPTER XIX.
PAGB
The Regiment Returns Home. — Record of Battles and Lossc.-,
Therein. — Promoted to Commissioned Office From 352
CHAPTER XX.
The War Ended. — Correspondence between Generals Grant and Lee.
— Record of the Dead in National Cemeteries. — Army Songs. .. 376
CHAPTER XXI.
Official Register of Officers and enlisted men, showing the service of
all who were honorably discharged 400
CHAPTER XXII.
Reorganization of the Regiment, 1864. — Colonel Wilcox. — Visit to
Stamford, Conn., 1 869 502
CHAPTER XXIII.
Colonel Fisk, Jr.— Encampment at Long Branch, N. J., 1870 520
CHAPTER XXIV.
Excursion to Boston and Charlestown, Mass., 1871 532
CHAPTER XXV.
Orange Riot.— Reception of the Grand Duke Alexis, 1871 546
CHAPTER XXVI.
Death of Colonel Fisk.— Interment of General Anderson, 1872 561
CHAPTER XXVII.
Colonel Braine.— Armory Completed, 1873.— Colonel Hitchcock.-
Centennial Celebration, July 3-4, 1876 574
CHAPTER XXVIII. Labor Strikes.— The West Albany Campaign 59°
Xll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIX.
PAGE
Death of Colonel Hitchcock, 1878. — Colonel Ryder, 1879. — The Regi- ment revisits Washington, 1881. — Colonel William Sevvard, Jr., in Command, 1882. — A State Camp Established, 1883 604
CHAPTER XXX..
Death of General Grant, 1885.— Death of General Hancock.— The Twenty-fifth Anniversary. — Veterans' Pilgrimage to the Battle fields, 1886 6: j
CHAPTER XXXI.
In Camp at Peekskill. — Recovery of the Remains of Colonel Moesch,
1887 646
CHAPTER XXXII.
Reception of the Richmond Grays, 1888. . 657
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Veterans revisit Gettysburg. — Regiment escorts Society of the Army
of the Potomac, 1888 665
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Dedication of the NINTH'S Monument at Gettysburg, 1888 674
CHAPTER XXXV.
Reunion of the Blue and the Gray, 1888 688
REGISTER OF THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS FROM 1859-1888 713
INDEX 721
LIST OF PRINCIPAL ENGAGEMENTS.
1861. July 4.
1862. August 9. 1862. August 20-23. 1862. August 28. 1862. August 30. 1862. September i. 1862. September 14. 1862. September 17.
1862. December 11-13.
1863. April 29-30. 1863. May 1-4. 1863. July 1-4.
1863. November 28.
1864. May 5-7. 1864. May 8. 1864. May 9-21. 1864. May 23-27. 1864. June 1-3.
Sandy Hook, opposite Harper's
Ferry, Maryland.
Cedar Mountain, Virginia.
Rappahannock Station, Virginia.
Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia.
Second Bull Run, Virginia.
Chantilly, Virginia.
South Mountain, Maryland.
Antietam, Maryland.
Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Fitz Hugh's Crossing, Virginia.
Chancellorsville, Virginia.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Mine Run, Virginia.
Wilderness, Virginia.
Laurel Hill, Virginia.
Spottsylvania, Virginia.
North Anna (Totopotomoy), Virginia. Cold Harbor (Bethesda Church), Virginia.
*+* For losses in engagements, see page 359.
ENGAGEMENTS
IN WHICH
COMPANY K (SIXTH NEW YORK INDEPENDENT BATTERY) TOOK
AN ACTIVE PART, EITHER BY SECTION OR AS A \VHOLE,
UNTIL THE TIME OF MUSTER OUT OF THE
UNITED STATES SERVICE OF THE
NINTH REGIMENT.
1861. Bolivar Heights, Va., Oct. 16. Balls Bluff. Va., Oct. 21.
1862.
Williamsburgh, Va., May 5. Seven Days Battles, Va., June 25-July i.
Malvern Hill, Va., Aug. 5.
1863.
Kelly's Ford, Va., March 17. Chancellorsville, Va., May 2.
Brandy Station, Va., June 9. Gettysburg, Pa., Julv 3.
Shepherdstown, W. Va., July 16. Sulphur Springs, Va., Oct. 12. Auburn, Va., Oct. 14, St. Stephens Church, Va., Oct. 14.
Bristoe Station, Va., Oct. 14. New Hope Church, Va., Nov. 27.
Parker's Store, Va., Nov. 29. Culpeper Ford, Va., Dec. i.
1864.
Brock Road, Va., May 6. Todd's Tavern, Va., May 7-8.
Island Ford, Va., May 10. Beaver Dam, Va., May 10.
Ashland, Va., May n. Glen Allen, Va., May n.
Richmond Hill, Va., May 12. Ennons Chapel, Va., May 28.
STATIONS OF THE REGIMENT.
June, 1861, Brigade of General Stone.
July and / Division of General Banks, Department of the
August, 1 86 1, )" Shenandoah. •
September, 1861, )
to ,- 2nd Brigade, Banks' Division, Army of the Potomac.
February, 1862, \
March, 1862 '- 2nc* Brigade, ist Division, 5th Corps, Army of the \ Potomac.
April iS6-> ' / Abercrombie's Brigade, Department of the Shenan- \ doah.
.-lay and / 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of the
june, 1862, \" Rappahannock.
July and } 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, 3^! Corps, Army of
August, 1862, i" Virginia.
September, 1862, )
to r^ 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, ist Corps, Army of the
May, 1863, ) Potcmac.
r 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, ist Corps, Army of the
February, 1864, i Potomac.
March, 1864, )
to f me. Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Corps, Army of the
June, 1864, )' Potomac.
XVI
|
wu |
Ococo O •— -^- — PI o co M co — \c co ^T r^ i-* is\ co ^ ^-^ — f ON co PI -*• "1 f^ PI PI CO — t^ PI CO |
CO PI \O •+• O r--i PI — co -f PI coo PI |
|
-* pf |
pf 1 |
|
|
•^Cuudu.oo |
r^OO "-O • r-v • NO co NO CN co P) O ON PI LTl CO • Pi PI t^ ~ PI |
«Tj" Jocx" |
|
•X .O.tKtmuo |
O co co • "~> -NO co "i CO CO co CO PI CO NO Tt" • >- • — 0 r^ .. |
co — PI -f- rv. •*! - CO - |
|
PI ! |
||
|
'I Xuadoioo |
'S'R'J1 : p? ~ ^ ^ cT ^ £ ^ ^ £3"E£2 |
|
|
'H Xttuduion I |
t-^ *- CO ^. — • CO -f NC ON ON PI PI W PI NO CO PI CO Tj- PI -j- |
oo • r^ PI O |
|
••O Xiralmoo |
"^ "^t" CO • I-*"* P? CO — CO PI CO Tf l/~i cor^O -PI .— co— t^ «co |
CO PO O O — O CO l^ r'i |
|
PI |
||
|
i • Xurduio |
pivccoi • ^ • t^- -tco o cot^co |
CO POCO COCO |
|
p^ r^ ON • 1-1 co ri t-x. w M |
ON . PI \f\ f . |
|
|
•a ^0100 |
PO PI is\ ** NO • CN IJ^ i o pi NO co co I'N co^O i ONI PI • co *~ NO k_) fj |
CN PI *C P! |
|
•a^.rdmoo |
-4-NO O PI — CO PI t^ —PI |
CO N VO O O O COCO fO |
|
•^•NO O -CO • PI PI PI pi Tj- co CO ON co t^ — — • — rj- PI r^ pr |
O •-" ON O t^~ — PI NO PI |
|
|
PI |
||
|
• |
t^vo P0-\0 --^Pl^CO'NPINOt^ |
PO PI *O ON co |
|
g u uioo |
"-« NO :CO PI • PI \O — CO CO PI >-n — |
|
|
•y jCuuduioQ |
ro PI "i PI "* — "^ •+• O — \O PI O O co t^ O PI •*• — \O "- •*• |
O PI NO — |
|
— PI |
||
|
•pang |
||
|
pill! SJMmO |
ON • ON ..... -^ co CO . if\ CN |
CN • PI PI CO |
|
IT" IS pillow |
co . i co « |
|
|
-SIIUIUO.) UOKJ |
||
|
•gjooujo Bnis |
PI . PI co — • CO • -1- » un |
PI co • r^ PI |
|
pill! p(<Mi!l |
PI . pi . ... . . |
PI • PI |
|
•ON |
-iPlPO rtir,NO fxCO CNO - N ^^^^2 ^ ^ |
|
|
'«->'o;vo!"c !£ '. u '. c '. z ^^ a! *o ' <u" ' |
||
|
• ^ • * b£ t)D * bjO • O • ~ ^ ^~ • •*— ' |
||
|
. t/5 P— . j_^ ^_ . t- • CJ • *"' "^ «J^ C . "*"* . |
. o . £ - |
|
|
. «^- — -' ' O • u • fO rt'Cw1 -^ O^ *^ O . ^ * |
||
|
c. |
piS-=:-5.'"5 "S '"5:^:5 "^"a ''S * . |
: '- o c G |
|
NO^.^;Q' -I/) !/!.!/].— . ~re ^ . G , |
||
|
K |
1) ~ ^ "" 1) |
|
|
"^ co fc^.O**^ W.^._.Q^ t^*1 o -^ • ?*r |
> ' — <U u - |
|
|
tt |
J. NO j2 •— ' T-! ® " i» " .2 t* .2 -.2 u * c ' |
^ '-j ~ ~E^ y |
|
Gti |
^ co u Q • uj ^ c • j» • „. p tr ^ rt '.'<n '. |
^j hf f~ |
|
0 |
GO ~~ .— — • ! ~ • rt . «S . .~ c^- .b rt-'^. - g £ i g I «5 • S . ' 2 • § • .8 g.g ° z- rt.-^. |
~ ' re "5 "-- 1 |
|
U |
'"" ,~ C/" ~ C |
|
|
Jfi |
B S nt 1 • *^ ^ I — <~ C- W o'flj' |
•* .£ 5 .: - |
|
" ' |
CU >-* 3J Q • C • ^ •*-• • ^ • ^ • u — U^ " •*-' V^ . — |
^ "w """ -f "^ |
|
*• o |
||
|
£CO |
U -C nj ^ ' j j— ' flj J- ^ "r^ £ ^" t • m ' ** ' |
| i ^- — ^ ""— |
|
r~ *~* ^^ ^_i Yj -— ' "^ |M ^ . A / •-* 01 aj |
— — . — C! |
|
|
*" 1 |
«—''-• ^ •^J ^ QJ 3J C" ^-UO/3 Q ^ ^ O |
yr> •*- "^p — |
|
fa. 1 |
||
|
= P •£ ;jZ I w c ^ <f. • -^ ^ >^ — 3'F ^ ' |
||
|
C vo y ^ |
"S | « 'S i K :1 1 : ° :^: c"^ g^ 8 6 " g-S |
u ^ "= s ^ |
|
"~ "y |
^'^^,"3 *>^^ C ' *w" "aj'r;^^^^ '>aj*O'~;" |
S? ft t: > "c |
|
'< *"" |
^j 71 i^™, ^ ,K*L»'*" *-• . 4J . *; •— ^ r d)>— cr *— rt o '"" ^ C IK "^ XJ "^ ^ t/5 ^ "^ |
_-f i; *^ '~ ^ i -c — - |
|
j |
"f 8 •§• ' "5 ^ « o : '« : ^ s .2 e .2 > "c J 5 .2 •= |
•^ j,£ c o P |
|
H |
*• ^ "S • »- * f-^aj-'£'50'E>:C g ^ « -5 -c |
.^ S w > a; -y; |
|
c_ |
SiS c~ fc |
|
|
^ |
>• jCH •*— • rit •• M f ^"frj"""^*^*^ v^ *— w H__ "~^ w ^j ^ s^ r~ |
cci 3 u-^jc |
|
U |
"** >• CS !^S M C "C3 "^" 9 ?• «5 i ^"^w£'"*C^ ^-H • j--. '*— C *^~* — (/• |
c c ^ i- 4: |
|
U |
t/i ^ S rt c * *S £ *53 * S £ ^ *S *^ *^3 t/i^aj^-u |
rt > = — C |
|
M |
t- (/I i— u — 3 u^-u. — rj*tr--^ b-rrl^-'w U^-* ^ iTj'^QC/lUCJC/lU^^r^C/; -— C/^ •*—* U "-I* 7^ I— t/3 |
U j /; 2 15 C "rt ; S .- "^ "r; |
|
^J U Q r^ r* ij-| r" ff" p i"|~ r£ fy~ £ cH |
C 2= G C C |
|
|
Soi HOWOWOWCO OWC |
H O W E- r- |
|
|
•ON |
-P, cOThu^vO 1^00 ONO - PI JO ^ tr^^^H' |
ILLUSTRATIONS.
T. New York State Flag. Frontispiece i
2. Colonel Stiles, 1861-3. Portrait 28
3. Model Camp, Rockville, Md 48
4. Harper's Ferry, Va. Battlefield Map 54
5. Camp Claassen, Frederick, Md 86
6. Bull Run, 1862. Battlefield Map 172
7. South Mountain, Md. Battlefield Map :88
8. Antietam, Md. Battlefield Map ] 94
9. Fredericksburg, Va. Battlefield Map 224
10. Colonel Hendrickson, 1863. Portrait 256
11. Gettysburg, Pa. Battlefield Map, No. i 270
1 2. Gettysburg, Pa. Battlefield Map, No. 2 278
13. Colonel Moesch, 1863-4. Portrait 280
14. Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Laurel
15. Hill and Spottsylvania, Va. Battlefields Map 326
16. Seat of War in Pa., Md. and Va. Map No. i 350
1 7. Seat of W7ar in Virginia. Map No. 2 350
1 8. Colonel Davis, 1863-4. Portrait 504
19. Colonel Wilcox, 1864-9. Portrait 506
20. Colonel Fisk, 1870-2. Portrait 520
21. Colonel Braine, 1872-5. Portrait 572
22. Colonel Hitchcock, 1875-8. Portrait 580
23 Colonel Ryder, 1879-82. Portrait 606
24. Colonel Seward, 1 882. Portrait 616
25. Monument at Gettysburg. Pa 684
THE NINTH NEW YORK-
CHAPTER i.
FIRST RECORDS EXTANT, 1814—1845—1860.
The Oldest Survivor, General Samuel I. Hunt. — The New York State Militia. — Regis ter of Officers of the NINTH in 1845.— Disbanded in 1850.— Formation of the Irish NINTH.— Celebrating St. Patrick's Day.— The Wheel within a Wheel— Disbanded Again.— The Fifty-fifth N. Y. S. M.— Re-organization.— General Orders. — Cap tain Mansfield Lovell.— Register of Officers, June 25, 1859.— Washington's Birth day, 1860. — Surgeons and Chaplains in the Militia. — Reception of the Japanese Embassy. — Fourth of July. — Reception of Ellsworth's Chicago Cadets and the Savannah Republican Blues.— The NINTH would visit Great Britain. — Company A's Reception. — Visit of the Prince of Wales. — Company C's Target Practice with Sea-coast Guns.
TN December, 1887, there appeared in the columns of the New York Tribune, a sketch of the life of General Samuel I. Hunt, who had died on Sunday, the 4th of the month, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. In the account it is stated that •"Mr. Hunt enlisted as a private in August, 1814, in the old NIXTII Regiment, served as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and in other positions until 1824, when he was elected Colonel. He resigned in 1828." Colonel Hunt was made a Brigadier-Gen-
o o
eral in 1834. General Hunt was certainly the oldest survivor of the NINTH Regiment of that period.
2 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1845
During the early history of the New York State Militia, the State was divided into about two hundred and sixty-nine regimental districts, in each of which the arms-bearing popu lation was enrolled in regiments designated by the number of the district. In only a few of the districts, however, were the members uniformed or armed.
But little knowledge respecting the early history of the original NINTH Regiment can be obtained, except possibly by delving into old musty records, some dating back of 1812. This is believed not to be now necessary, or desired. In 1845, the Seventeenth Ward of New York City constituted the NINTH regimental district. The Military and Naval Chronicle, of August gth, of that year, gives the following reg ister of the commissioned officers of the regiment at that
time :
Field and Staff.
Colonel, James Langdon Curtis ; Lieutenant-Colonel, EBenezer Jessup, Jr.; Major, Thomas Walden ; Adjutant, William H. Disbrow ; Quartermaster, Edward T. Northam ; Paymaster, Daniel H. Burnett ; Chaplain, Erasmus D. Foote ;.
Surgeon, .
Company A.
Captain, John C. Helme ; First Lieutenant, Richard H. Thompson ; Second Lieutenant, Abram J. Post.
Company B.
Captain, George A. Trowbridge ; First Lieutenant, Stephen H. Cornell ; Second Lieutenant, C. W. Atwood.
Company C.
Captain, — ; First Lieutenant, Philip E. Walden ; Second Lieutenant, - — .
Company D.
Captain, Sidney C. Sloane ; First Lieutenant, — ; Second Lieutenant, Robert Cottier.
Company E.
Captain, Amos S. Chamberlain ; First Lieutenant. M. R. Pittman ; Second Lieutenant, Moses E. Crasto.
FIRST DISBANDMENT. 3
Company F.
Captain, John N. Hay ward ; First Lieutenant, John I. Ireland ; Second Lieutenant, E. T. Butterwinkle.
Company G.
Captain, David Sherwood; First Lieutenant, Jacob L. Seabing ; Second Lieutenant, Andrew P. Van Tuyle.
Company H.
Captain, Francis Tillon ; First Lieutenant, - — ; Second Lieutenant, Henry II Melville.
Company I (Lancers).
Captain, Bernard Hannigan ; First Lieutenant, Phillip McArdle ; Second Lieutenant, Patrick Kelley ; Third Lieu tenant, Albert H. Nicolay.
On May 6th, 1847, by an act of the Legislature, the First Division, N. Y. S. M., was organized.
On the 2;th of May, 1850, by orders from the Adjutant- General's office, the regiment was disbanded ; and Companies B, E and F, by orders No. 3, from Brig.-Gen. William Hall, were transferred to the 8th Regiment, N. Y S. M.
From a sketch of the life of Captain Michael Phelan, writ ten by Mr. Michael Cavanagh, and published in the Celtic Magazine, June, 1882, we cull the following facts respectino- -a re organization of the NINTH Regiment :
In 1848, immediately after the receipt of the news of a revolution in France, a meeting of expatriated Irishmen was held at the Shakespeare hotel in the city of New York, to dis cuss the situation in Ireland, and endeavor to decide upon the best means for accomplishing the freedom of that unhappy land. Many eloquent speeches were made, notable among which was one by Michael T. O'Connor, who, upon conclud ing, was asked by Michael Phelan the pertinent question : "' Can you fight as well as you have spoken ?"
Upon it being announced that a brigade was to be. formed under the title of " Irish Republican Union," Mr. O'Connor heartily approved the movement and headed the roll with his
4 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1850
signature. Mr. Phelan was next, and among others were John G. Fay and James F. Markey.
To the latter belongs the credit of having organized the first company, which was called the " Mitchell Guard," recruited almost entirely from dealers in Washington Market. When in 1850 this company was enrolled in the State Militia it was known as Company C, NINTH Regiment.
The summer of 1848 was a busy one to those interested in this movement. At a meeting held on August i4th., and
*n t_> i
which was attended by Archbishop Hughes, that distinguished prelate gave in his adhesion, and supplemented his eloquent address on the subject of Human Freedom, by a subscription of five hundred dollars.
The " Irish Republican Union " had maintained its distinct ive character for over a year, when, for obvious reasons, it was deemed advisable by its founders, and such other prominent Irish refugees as had meanwhile arrived in New York, to have the organization incorporated as a part of the New York State Militia, and towards the close of 1849, the brigade was divided into companies and officered in accordance with the militia laws. Each company of this incipient " Army of Liberation " adopted as a special designation, the name of some distin guished Irishman. The one with which Mr. Phelan connected himself, and of which he was chosen captain in November, was called " Guyon Guards." Mr. Thomas Murphy was elected Orderly Sergeant.
On May 29th, 1850, the members were mustered into the service of the State of New York as the NINTH Regiment, N. Y. S. M. Colonel James Heuston and Messrs. John Savage, Michael Doheny, Thomas Devin Reilly, and Joseph Brenan, refugees of '48, also joined the organization.
On March i 7th, 1851, the NINTH Regiment celebrated the birthday of Ireland's Patron Saint by a parade in New York and Brooklyn. The day was the most inclement " Patrick's Day" in the memory of old New Yorkers; rain and sleet poured down without intermission, and caused some of the officers to remonstrate with Captain Phelan — who was in com-
l855 THE S. K S. r
mand — against the parade taking place; the Captain, with his accustomed decision replied : " I have paid the band, and will follow it, if necessary, alone !" Thus was inaugurated the military celebration of St. Patrick's Day on the American Continent.
From what has been said respecting the personnel of the NINTH Regiment, it will be seen that the elements which gave' life and soul to the organization, was composed of those who sympathized with the condition of Ireland, and who hoped to be able, soon, to render signal service to their native country. These men had also formed themselves into a secret oro-aniza-
^
tion, known as the " S. F.'s," each member being pledged to aid personally in revolutionizing Ireland. Captain Phelan held the position of communicating officer, as well as the open command of Company D, and continued to exercise the duties devolving upon him in this dual capacity — once visiting Ire land — until November 22nd, 1854, when he resigned his com mission in the State Militia.
Sergeant Murphy, by unanimous vote of the company, succeeded to the command.
On February 22nd, 1855, the corporation of the city pre sented the regiment with a set of colors. On May i8th, 1866, ex-Captain Phelan addressed a letter to the editors of the Irisli People, from which additional light is gained as to the status of the regiment durincr the fifties.
o o
Upon the surface, the regiment to which I was attached was the NINTH New York State Militia simply. A few of the members were nothing else, but the bulk were Irish rebels in disguise. The wheel within a wheel was the order of the S. F.'s. * * * As a rule those who held the highest positions in the NINTH Militia were not prominent officers of the S. F's — for instance, our Colonel, an American, and a most worthy gentleman, was not aware of the double character of the organization he had the honor to command — while many privates in the regiment were officers in high rank among the S. F's. * * * Unfortunately, the growing numbers anil increasing power of the S. F's attracted the attention of men whose trade was politics, and whose principles were far from being of the best. * * * At the eleventh hour they wormed themselves into the organization, with the view of making the credulity of their coun trymen a stepping-stone whereby, at the worst, they might ascend to local offices o f trust and power. * * * As a consequence, a powerful and promising organization was stripped of its boasted unity of action, if not of purpose.
6 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1858
As for that part of the S. F.'s still remaining in 1858, they, with the other members of the regiment, were transferred, mostly, to the Sixty-ninth, by special orders No. 41, A. G. O., dated May 30.
At the time of disbandment the register of the officers was
O
as follows :
Colonel, Lucius Pitkin ; Lieut.-Col., Daniel Kelley ; Major, Richard Barry.
Company A.
Captain, vacant; First Lieut, vacant ; Second Lieut., vacant.
Company B.
Captain, Charles McGuire; First Lieut., Patrick Holden ; Second Lieut., Bernard Fox.
Company C.
Captain, Edward Kernes ; First Lieut., James Cassidy ; Second Lieut., Cornelius Dora.
<s
Company D.
Captain, Thomas Murphy ; First Lieut., Lawrence Glynne ; Second Lieut., vacant.
Company E.
Captain, 'James Galligher ; First Lieut., Samuel Frazer ; Second Lieut, Peter Flynne.
Company F.
Captain, William O. Murphy; First Lieut., vacant ; Second Lieut., vacant.
Company G.
Captain, vacant ; First Lieut., John Conroy ; Second Lieut. ; vacant.
Company H.
Captain, Robert Coddington ; First Lieut, vacant; Second Lieut, vacant.
Company I.
Captain, James Murphy; First Lieut., Augustus P. Greene; Second Lieut., Cornelius Horrigan.
1859 THE PRESENT NINTH ORGANIZED. /
Company A.
Captain, Felix Duffy ; F~irst Lieut., Terrence Duffy ; Second Lieut., vacant.
At that time the Fifty-fifth regiment, "Garde La Fayette," was composed of eight companies; its nationality was mixed, the left wing being almost wholly composed of natives of F' ranee, naturalized American citizens ; while the three companies com posing the right wing were divided between native Americans and Swiss. The two wings wore different colored trousers, .and while efforts had been made to harmonize this incongruity, no settlement could be effected, for neither side would yield the point. When the NINTH was disbanded, the right wing of the Fifth-fifth applied for permission to withdraw from that regiment, and assume the number of the disbanded organization. The request was granted, and thus was formed the regiment whose history it is purposed recording in these pages.
It must not be supposed that the transfer mentioned was made without a great deal of " influence " being brought to .bear upon the state authorities. Mr. Alexander Henriques, of Company G, "City Guard," was chairman of the committee .appointed to urge upon the Adjutant-General the necessity of the change, and it was not until after several weeks of persistent work that the efforts of the applicants were successful, and the following order issued :
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF NEW YORK,
Adjutant-General's Office,
Albany, June 231/1, 1859. •GENERAL ORDERS, ) No. 1 8. |
vr * * * * *-
II. Colonel Lucius Pitkin (assigned to the command of the 23rd vacant Regimental District, 3rd Brigade, ist Division, by General Orders No. 41, of May 3rd, 1858) is hereby trans ferred from the District and assigned to the command of the
THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1859
22nd Regimental District, and will at once report to Brigadier- General Charles Yates. commanding' the 2nd Brigade.
<-> O
III. The 2^rd Regimental District will be hereafter desie-
fc/ O O
nated as the gth Regimental District.
IV. Michael M. Van Beuren, Thomas T. Ferris, and William H. Hallick, all of the city of New York, are hereby appointed, Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Major of the 9th Regimental District, and of the troops which may be transferred thereto, or organized therein. They will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
V. Companies B, G, and K, of the 55th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, ist Division, are hereby detached from said regi ment, and transferred to the gth Regimental District, same Brigade. The commandants of these companies will immedi ately report for duty to Colonel Van Beuren, commanding the 9th District.
VI. The several companies transferred by the preceding paragraph are hereby organized as the NINTH Regiment. Colonel Van Beuren will, without delay, re-letter these com panies, and forward to this department a return of the names of the officers and the number of non-commissioned officers and privates under their respective company letters.
VII. The Field Officers of the NINTH Regiment will, on
. o
receipt of this order, report personally to Brigadier-General William Hall, commanding the j:rd Brigade. By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
FREDERICK TOWNSEND,
A djutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS, FIRST DIVISION, N. Y. S. M.
New York, June 27, 1859. GENERAL ORDERS, ) No. 4. a (
The foregoing General Orders, No. 18, are promulgated for the information and government of the Division.
Brigadier-General Hall will cause a report to he made to the Major-General of a register of the Officers of the NINTH Regiment, with their places of residence as soon as the organization is completed.
By order
Major-General CHAS. W. SANFORD,
R. C. WETMORE, Division Inspector.
CITY GUARD. 9
NINTH REGIMENT, -CITY GUARD," X. Y. S. MILITIA.
New York, July \, 1859. ORDERS, } No. i. \
The officers composing this regiment will attend a meeting on Thursday evening, ;th inst. at eight o'clock, at the Armory, No. 654 Broad ivay, to organize the command, and to make suitable arrangements to comply with orders of the A. G. O. No. 18, viz.: to re-letter the companies transferred to this command, and to report the number of officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, under the respective letters.
Commandants of companies will make out their returns in accordance with the above, and deliver them to me, on the night of the meeting, that they may be trans mitted to the Adjutant-General without delay.
By order of
M. M. VAN BEUREN,
Colonel.
At the meeting, the companies B, G and K, late of the Fifty-fifth, were re-lettered A, C and B, respectively.
Company A, " State Guard," previous to its connection with the Fifty-fifth, had been known as Company F, Second Regiment, and under its popular commander, Captain Joseph H. Johnson, was a wide awake and active organization. Company B, (< Swiss Rifles " — as its name indicates — was com posed of natives of that oldest of republics, Switzerland, and the personnel continued mostly the same throughout the period of the war; one of its members, Joseph A. Moesch, rising to the rank of colonel, and yielding up his life while gallantly leading the regiment at the battle of the Wilderness. The
o o
" City Guard," whose members prided themselves upon their high social standing, was organized June I4th, 1833, by Cap tain William M. McArdle, and was chen known as the " Pulaski Cadets," and later as the "City Tigers." In 1840 it was attached to the Two-hundred and Twenty-second reg iment — or regimental district — and lettered B. In 1857 it was transferred to the Fifty-fifth as Company G, and finally found a permanent resting-place as Company C in the NINTH.
Recruiting was at once begun, with a view to increase the number of companies, as well as to fill up the old ones. Mr. John Wr. Davis succeeded in raising a fourth company, and on September i6th, it was mustered as Company D, Mr. Davis being commissioned Captain. On the iQth the companies
10 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1859
met and adopted the name "City Guard " for the regiment, which action was formally announced in regimental orders, No 6, series of 1859. On the gth of October the regiment was inspected at Hamilton Square, one hundred and eighty men answering to roll-call.
Owing to the subsequent career of the writer, the following letter is of special interest :
New York, \~jth November, 1859. BRIG.-GKN. FRED. TOVVNSEND,
Adjutant-General, New York State Militia.
SIR : I beg leave most respectfully to call your attention to a deficiency which exists in the organization and instruction of the militia forces of this city, and to ask your co-operation in supplying that deficiency as far as may he practicable.
It cannot have escaped your notice, that the enormous increase of the calibre of heavy guns, and the propulsion of vessels of war by steam, have inaugurated and developed a new system of attack upon seaport towns, as evinced in the late European wars.
The slow and precarious method of landing troops for the purposes of such attack has been abandoned, and, as a natural consequence, infantry, cavalry and light artillery, for the defense of seaboard towns, have become of secondary importance, and the heavy sea-coast gun, must hereafter be looked to as the proper and legitimate means of defense. I, therefore, propose to commence by giving lessons to Company C, 9th Regiment, in the drill of the sea-coast gun, and in order to do this we shall require a modified casemate carriage and gun, which, with the requisite implements, I can pro cure for about four hundred dollars. It does not seem right to put this expense upon the company, which has expressed a willingness to devote its time to this species of instruction, in addition to the usual infantry drill ; and I have, therefore, the honor to iisk your intercession with the Legislature, during the ensuing winter, to induce them to make an appropriation for this specific purpose. When the trifling amount of the expense is considered, in connection with the vast interests involved, I cannot doubt that this application will meet with success.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. LOVELL.
Captain Mansfield Lovell, a graduate of West Point, was certainly alive to the necessity of training the Militia in the use of artillery for sea-coast defence; and inasmuch as the NINTH had been designated — as were nearly all the Militia infantry regiments in N. Y. City— as heavy artillery, it seemed quite proper that the members should be instructed in that arm of the service. After much delay the Captain's suggestion was approved, and the company occasionally visited Fort Hamilton, where the men were faithfully drilled by their commander, so
i859
REGISTER OE OFEICERS.
I I
that, during the civil war, when they were arrayed against their former Captain and instructor, the members were enabled to give a good account of themselves.
On the ist of December, Company E, Captain William Atterbury, was mustered into the State service. On the evening of the 6th, the Board of Officers met and ratified the action of the Adjutant-general, in appointing the Field-officers.
The register of officers of the NINTH at the close of the year, with date of rank, was as follows :
Field and Staff.
Colonel, Michael M. Van Beuren, Lieutenant-Colonel, Thomas T. Ferris, Major, William H. Hallick, Adjutant, Charles B. Bostwick, . Quartermaster, Alexander Henriques, Surgeon, E. Willis Fisher, . Surgeon's Mate, Edward H. Andrew, Engineer, Henry L. Stevens, Paymaster, Henry L. King, Chaplain, Stephen R. Baker,
June 25th, 1859. June 25th, 1859. June 25th, 1859. July ;th, 1859. July ;th, 1859. July ;th, 1859. December 6th, 1859. July ;th, 1859. July ;th, 1859. November ist, 1859.
Company A (State Guard).
Captain, Joseph- H. Johnson, . December loth, 1851,
First Lieutenant, George W. Carpenter, February i /th, 1858.
Second Lieutenant, Charles C. Reed, December 8th, 1859. Additional Second Lieutenant, Henry
A. Luther, .... December 8th, 1859.
Company B (Swiss Rifles).
Captain, Henry L. Robert, First Lieutenant, Louis Billon, Second Lieutenant, John Deppeler,
June loth, 1852. June nth, 1851. Decejnber 6th, 1859.
12 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1860
Company C (City Guard).
Captain, Mansfield Lovell, . . July 2Oth, 1859.
First Lieutenant, Edward L. Stone, May 5th, 1857.
Second Lieutenant, David Banks, jr. April 26th, 1859. Additional Second Lieutenant, Charles
E. Prescott, , . . April 26th, 1859.
Company D.
Captain, John W. Davis, . . September i6th, 1859.
First Lieutenant, Edmund R. Greene, September i6th, 1859. Second Lieutenant, William F. Henry, September i6th, 1859. Additional Second Lieutenant, William
E. Jackson, . , . . December 2ist, 1859.
Company E.
Captain, William Atterbury, . . December ist, 1859.
First Lieutenant, John B. Coppinger, December ist, 1859.
Second Lieutenant, Edward P. Sanderson, December ist, 1859. Additional Second Lieutenant, John
Meeks, Jr. . . . . December ist, 1859.
On January 2oth, 1860, Lieutenant-Colonel Ferris resigned. February 22nd the regiment paraded in honor of the one hundred and twenty-eighth anniversary of Washington's Birth day. The line formed on Great Jones street, right resting on Broadway, at two o'clock, P. M. It rained hard all clay, and the fact of the parade being executed under such circumstances, was commented upon by the Military Gazette, of March ist, as follows :
The occurrence of a severe storm on the 22nd ult., enables us to express views we have long held, with reference to parades of mere courtesy and display, during unfav orable weather.
The 22nd was to be commemorated by a display of half-a-dozen of our city regi ments, and there accordingly turned out on this, perhaps the worst day of the season, a. couple of thousand of our young men ; the strength and flower of New York, stood for hours the drenching of a pitiless rain, with their feet immersed in the salted slush of our streets, no complaining, no shrinking of these proud fellows, and no one was found to counsel that this exposure was unnecessary and uncalled for, and the public
i860 WASHINGTON STATUE AT THE CAPITAL. 13
will never hear how many of these sowed the seeds of disease, and brought on an early death by this march. In our opinion no portion of the volunteer forces should be allowed to make ceremonious parades in unfavorable weather.
We are well aware that no regulation of the commander-m-chief will reach this matter — it springs from a sense of honor and pride, motives we shall be the last to deprecate, but which, in this particular, lead to excess. The correction lies in public opinion, outside as well as inside of regiments, and we trust that officers and men will reflect upon the subject, and determine that hereafter, no esprit da corps shall carry them away from their duty to themselves, their families and friends. Let it be once understood that the regimental and company musters of ceremony are to be postponed, whenever it is found that they cannot take place without manifest clanger to the health of the men, and we shall rind valuable recruits for the service, who are now restrained from joining by an unwillingness to expose themselves to the winter storms of this climate.
No one will apply our remarks to the sterner duties of the citizen soldier; they must be performed blow it ever so hard, and we know that our men will not be wanting.
The Seventh Regiment had gone to Washington to cele brate the day, and assist at the inauguration of the Washing ton Statue, and when it returned on the morning of the 24th, it was met by the Twelfth Regiment, Colonel Daniel But- terheld, three hundred and twenty-five strong, the NINTH. under Colonel Van Beuren, which mustered two hundred, and about a hundred members of the Seventh, who had remained at home.
The escorting troops assembled early and marched to the City Hall Park, where they remained till eleven o'clock, then marching to the Cortlanclt Street Ferry, and having properly received their comrades of the Seventh, marched at their head to where a salute was to be fired by a detachment of Company F, Fourth Artillery, Captain McMahon. After that, continu ing on to the Armory of the Seventh.
On May 28th, the Third Brigade — in which was the NINTH —Brigadier-General William Hall, commanding, proceeded to East New York for instruction in drill.
The abuse of power in appointing chaplains and surgeons in the Militia regiments, where the incumbent was of neither the theological or medical profession, became so notorious that the Military Gazette of June 1st, 1860, printed the follow-
14 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1860
In regard to the professional experience of some of the surgeons of the New York Militia Forces, we have, by way of illustration, compared the list of officers of the First Division Medical Staff, as given in the Adjutant-General's Register (Report of 1860, pp. 81-83), w'tn tne City Directory, with the following result :
SURGEONS. — 1st Regiment, F. F. Resch, "Segars;" 2nd Regiment, John C. Devin, "Hosiery;" 4th Regiment, Henry E. Davies, "Lawyer;" 5th Regiment, George Dieffenback, " Butcher;" nth Regiment, Elrick Family, " Dentist ;" 23nd Regiment, Wm. Seligman, "Clothing;" 55th Regiment, Ernest Cazet, " Merchant ;" 6gth Regi ment, Jos. B. Tully, " Lawyer."
CHAPLAINS. — (Adjutant General's Report, p. 87) ist Regiment, A .Toedtleberg, " Grocer;" 2nd Regiment, Rich. Goodwin, "Tailor;" 4th Regiment, Ed. R. Bell, "No Occupation;" 5th Regiment, Chas. C. Eddy, "Broker;" 6th Regiment, Chas. H. Phillips, " Drugs ;" 73d Regiment, Geo. M. Wheaton, " Glass."
An order was afterwards issued requiring that all chaplains should be clergymen, and surgeons graduates of medical schools.
June i6th, the regiment paraded with the first division in honor of the arrival of the Japanese Embassy. The troops mustered on the Battery at two o'clock, P. M., and at three the distinguished visitors were in their carriages and the line in motion. The division had been detailed as the euard of
o
honor. The Military Gazette said of the NINTH on this occasion :
The NINTH regiment is of quite a different genus from the old NINTH. A small, elegantly dressed personage ; with a high, erect, head, and very proud tread. Decid edly the most beautiful artillery uniform in the country ; cloth of the first quality ; and all the trimmings of the richest material, and arranged with most exquisite taste.
This regiment looked like a thorough-bred black Spanish cock, with his broad, bright, red comb, glossy, dark plumage, and gallant mien, swelling much larger and grander than his weight (numbers) would seem to justify.
The NINTH is a select nucleus of a splendid regiment (which is wanted, and it is to be) of heavy artillery. It will be no doubt, one day, as large as it nows looks.
The 4th of July was celebrated by a parade of the First Division, but coming so soon after the Japanese visitors, the ranks were not as full as its friends desired. The Military Gazette said of the occasion.
* * * This is an American's particular natal day, and should be ushered in by the booming of cannon, and be kept up by martia'l display.
Let the officers and men of the Militia bear in mind that they are the same class of soldiers who were, in the revolutionary clays, called upon to do their country's fighting ; and should the necessity again arise, they would be the force on which the country must depend.
i860 REPUBLICAN BLUES OF SAVANNAH. 15
On the I4th, the "Chicago Cadets," Captain Elmer E. Ellsworth (Paymaster-General, State of Illinois), afterwards the renowned Colonel of the "Eire Zouaves " —Eleventh N. Y. Vols. — arrived in New York, and were received by the Sixth Regiment. Their drill in Madison Square, before an immense audience, was a complete success; the Cadets cutting their way straight through the heart of New York, carrying the very citadel of its selt-esteem by assault.
The gallant and athletic strangers found no competitors, but only admirers and friends, and were well looked after while in the city by the Sixth Regiment, Company E, of the Eighth, and Company C of the Thirteenth ; members, too, of the NINTH contributing to the pleasure and comforts of the Zouaves.
The next body of visitors were the " Republican Blues," of Savannah, Ga., and of their reception the Gazettf, said, in its issue of the 25th :
The Republican Blues, Captain John W. Anderson, of Savannah, Ga.. upon invita tion of the City Guard, arrived in New York about the time of the departure of the Chicago Zouaves, in consequence not creating any marked sensation ; but it was obvi ous that the men were of the best kind, and well commanded.
The company was formed on the ist of May, 1 808, since which date it has had but four captains, including the present. They marched easily and without any pretense of comparing themselves with any other corps ; as well-bred gentlemen they gained the esteem of all who looked at them.
Coming from the South, New York people had an opportunity of exhibiting their courtesy and appreciation of the brotherhood of the whole country; and as far as the reception was public or private, this sentiment of fraternity and mutual confidence and esteem, was the prevailing idea.
At the banquet given by the Guard to the Blues, as they were about to leave, the assurance of a warm personal friendship were prominent in the speeches.
Captain Anderson, of the Blues, upon being called upon for a speech, said :
" Brethren and soldiers of the New York City Guard : The Republican Blues, through their captain, return you their warm, their true, their sincere thanks ; we shall never forget your kindness. Your names shall ever be associated with ours as Brothers ; and we hope that we may have the opportunity of convincing you that we really do love you."
The health of Captain Lovell having been proposed, and at his request, Alexander Henriques replied in part, as follows :
" Gentlemen of the Blues : You have, in common with us, partaken of the crystal fount of friendship ; you have been actuated by the same motives that have actuated us in receiving you. This is no miracle ; it is the undercurrent of the national con sanguinity, which never shall, which never can be perverted, as long as patriots exist
1 6 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1860
at the North and at the South ; and this same feeling of good-fellowship towards the South exists in the North-west and at the East.
Corporal Mercer, of the Blues, replied with a few remarks to a toast complimentary of his company.
Captain Lovell then introduced Ex-Lieut. -Colonel Ferris of the NINTH, who spoke a few happy sentiments of pleasure at being present.
The " Blues" were quartered at the Lafarge House while in the city ; most of the time was spent in visiting the neigh boring places of interest, amongst which was Throngs Neck,
<-? *• Zj O O
where they were entertained in glorious style by Mr. B, M. Whitlock ; they also visited the residence of Lieut-Colonel Ferris, at Bloomingdale.
Before leaving, the " Blues," ninety-six men strong, were photographed by Brady, and upon their return to Savannah, a set of resolutions were engrossed and sent to the City Guard, in compliment to the many courtesies extended to them during their visit to New York.
On the afternoon of the 25th, guests and hosts marched down Broadway. The " Blues " baggage wagon, which fol lowed, was decorated with a number of American Hags, while on top was a large white streamer, on which were the words in red letters, "City Guard." In rear of the wagon was a banner with the following inscription :
Savannah Blues '.
No North (Cap of Liberty) No South
No East (Clasped Hands) No West
New York, July 25, 1860.
This Savannah company, as well as the " City Guard," took prominent and antagonistic part in the Civil War, which so soon followed this interchange of brotherly fellowship.
On the 3ist of August, Lieutenant John B Coppinger, of Company E, addressed a letter to Lord Palmerston, the Brit ish Premier, asking whether his Company would be permitted to land in England, " armed and equipped as the U. S. law- directs," on a military excursion, to exchange courtesies with the English Volunteers; and on the i2th of October, Lord
O
i860 KKCKPTIOX OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. I/
Palmerston replied that Her Majesty's government, as well as the whole British nation, would feel very great pleasure at a friendly visit from any portion of the people of the United States, but that it would not be consistent with the laws of the United Kingdom, that a body of armed men, organized as a military body, and not being subjects of the British Sovereign, should land in the United Kingdom and move about therein. His Lordship added, however, that if any of the members of Company E, were to come over to England in the summer of the next year, bringing with them their rifles for the purpose of entering into competition at the annual rifle-shoot, they would be, no doubt, most heartily welcomed.
Early in October, the "State Guard" (Company A), Cap tain Johnson, entertained at a banquet in the Apollo Rooms, the New Haven Grays. Speeches were made by Colonels Van Beuren and Le Gal, Captain Johnson, and Captain Osborn of the " Grays." The entertainment was a flattering success, and was highly enjoyed by those present.
On the iith, the Eirst division — four brigades — and the
o
Eirst brigade of the Second division, paraded in honor of the Prince of Wales. Line was formed at noon, on the Battery, and after waiting some time for the distinguished visitor, the troops were dismissed for refreshments, but the roar of the salute to royalty, fired from Eort Columbus, soon brought the men in line a^ain. About two o'clock, the Revenue Cutter
o
Harriet Lane,' carry ing the Prince and his suite, and a party of gentlemen who had gone down the bay to meet them, landed at Castle Garden. This venerable depot for " distin guished foreigners " received the part}-, who were welcomed by the Mayor, Fernando Wood, in the name of the city. Major- General Sandforcl received the Prince at the " Castle " gate ; the visitors were then mounted upon gaily caparisoned horses and proceeded to review the troops.
After this the line moved to the City Hall Park, where the Prince and the Mayor made another review and were tendered a marching salute.
An immense crowd, variously estimated at from one to two 2
1 8 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1860
hundred thousand people, witnessed the pageant, and as many more were disappointed in not seeing the royal visitor, for it was dark before the column reached Canal Street. The right of it was halted at Great Jones Street, and when the troops had been placed in line on the east side of Broadway, the royal party passed, under the escort of Captain Joshua M. Varian's troop of cuvalry of the Eighth regiment. The throng crowding the sidewalks and looking from every window obtained but a glimpse of the Prince, as with his white plumed chapeau in hand, he bowed his acknowledgments to the hearty greeting. The NINTH would have appeared to better advantage had the number tinder arms been greater ; as it was, the regiment looked well, and the companies marched with a steady step and an even front. For reasons best known to the members, the Sixty-ninth regiment refused to appear in the parade.
On the 1 2th of November, Company C, under command of Captain Lovell, went to Fort Hamilton for target practice with the heavy guns. The company mustered about sixty, and marched to the Wall Street ferry, where it embarked up on the Union Ferry Company's boat Peconic, graciously fur nished for the occasion.
The sail down the bay was enlivened by the music of Doclworth's band. A number of invited quests were in the
o
party, among whom were General Hall, Colonels Bostwick and Burnham ; Major Lansing, Captain Sweeny, Lieutenant Johns, U. S. A., and Mr. Smith, the president of the ferry company. Arriving at the dock, near Fort Hamilton, the company marched to the parade ground, doffed their bear-skin shakos, donned their fatigue caps, and assembled about the guns on the barbette tier. From amoncj the older members of the
o
company, seven gun's crews of five men each were selected, who manned the old 32 pounders. Each crew fired one round of blank cartridge, after which the pieces were shotted.
A target, ten by twenty feet in size, had been anchored in the bay, at a distance of one mile from the fort, against which the practice fire was directed. The first discharge was a direct " line shot," and the ball fell onlv a few feet short of the mark.
1860 AT FORT HAMILTON. 19
Each gun's crew fired in turn, and the second shot of the
second round struck and unmoored the target, which, moving
. & &
with the tide, or current, made it an exceedingly difficult object to hit. The firing, however, was kept up, and several shots reached the object. When the target had Moated out of range, the firing ceased. The company soon after returned to the •city, and while en route were treated to a collation, at which toasts were drank and complimentary speeches delivered. All •voted the trip a decided success. Much military knowledge had been gained, and a delightful social occasion enjoyed. Upon arrival at the city, at four o'clock, the company paraded through Wall Street and Broadway back to the armory, and •were then dismissed.
The •Military Gazette had this to say of Company C :
* * * The " City Guard " is composed of young men of the best families, and they were thought to he rather too slim and too nice to manage barbette and casemate guns. But Captain Lovell has shown that his young men are of the right kind. Not above the work and labor of the battery ; not too weak and effeminate for the service of heavy artillery.
2O THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1860
CHAPTER II.
REBELLION— SECESSION.
The Presidential Election of 1860. — Secession of South Carolina and Other States. — State of Feeling in the North. — " If Any One Attempts to Haul Down The Ameri can Flag, Shoot Him on the Spot !" — Official Documents. — Major Robert Ander son. — Attack on Fort Sumter and its Surrender. — Excitement in the North.— The President's Call for Troops. — The NINTH Offers its Services. — Resignation of Colonel Van Beuren. — Recruiting under Difficulties. — Off for Washington. — Arrival at the Capital.
^HE presidential election, held on November 6th, resulting in the choice of the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, so incensed the Southern wing of the Democratic party — which for over twenty years had controlled legislation at the National Capital — that they determined to withdraw their States from the Federal Union. They feared that the incoming administration might approve of laws detrimental to the slave-holding interest and, asserting that the Constitution warranted them in taking this step, set about forming a " South ern Confederacy." On the 2Oth of December the State of South Carolina, by its convention, issued the following :
THE STATE OF SOUTH* CAROLINA :
At a convention of the People of the State of South Carolina, begun and holden at Columbia, on the seventeenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, and thence continued by adjournment to Charleston, and there, by divers adjournments, to the twentieth day of December in the same year:
AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her under the compact entitled " The Constitution of the United States :"
We, the People of the State of South Carolina in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the ordinance adopted by us in convention on the twenty-third day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also all acts and parts of acts of the general assembly of this State, ratifying amendments of the said Constitution, are hereby repealed ; and the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, under the name of the " United States of America," is hereby dissolved.
1861 SECESSION OF THE STATES. 21
Done at Charleston, the twentieth clay of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty.
D. F.JAMISON,
Dc/c* ate from Barmuell. President of t lie Convention, and others. Attest:
BKNJAMIX F. ARTHUR, Clerk of the Convention.
The other States which were to compose the Southern Confederacy followed the lead of South Carolina early in 1861 ; Mississippi, January Qth ; Florida on the loth ; Alabama on the i ith ; Georgia on the igth ; and Louisiana on the 26th. On February ist, Texas went out ; Virginia on April i /th ; Askansas on the 6th, and North Carolina on the 2Oth of May. The Legislature of Tennessee passed an ordinance of secession on May 6th, subject to ratification by the people on the 8th of June ; the result of the vote was an apparent majority for the ordinance, but this was brought about largely through the intimidation of Union voters by State troops, organized by Governor Isham G. Harris, a strong Seces sionist.
The people of the North looked on in wonder and aston ishment at this action of the " Cotton " States, and when those States began to arm and equip soldiers for the purpose of enforcing the secession movement, the loyal people were amazed. The South had already taken forcible possession of forts and arsenals, and the sad truth began to dawn on the minds of the loyal North that war, withtall its horrors, was inevitable — that the " Irrepressible Conflict" was upon them.
This southern falacy of a Union based on dis-nnion at the option of any one of the contracting States, could not be tol erated by the majority of the people of the North ; irrespective therefore of party affiliations, preparations were begun to oppose the action taken by their southern brethren.
At a meeting of the Board of Officers of the NINTH, held on the 5th of January, and upon request of the officers of Company C, a resolution was passed, dropping the name of "City Guard," Company C afterwards assuming that title
22 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1861
exclusively. On the 22nd, Captain Mansfield Lovell, in a let ter to Company C, tendered his resignation.
Towards the end of the month, a cabinet officer electrified the North, and gave the key-note to the loyal people of the United States, by making use of an expression, in a telegram of instructions to a special agent of the government at New Orleans. This agent had been sent there by the Treasury Department for the purpose of securing the revenue cutters Robert McClelland and Lewis Cass, from seizure by the State of Louisiana. The agent, William Hemphill Jones, ordered Captain Breshwood, commanding the McClelland, to take his vessel to New York. On Breshwood's refusal to comply, Jones telegraphed to the Secretary of the Treasury and asked for further instructions. The following is the reply ;
Washington, Jan. 29, 1861. WM. HEMPHILL JONES,
New Orleans.
Tell Lieutenant Caldwell (presumably the Second officer) to arrest Captain Bresh wood, assume command of the cutter, and obey the order I gave through you. If Captain Breshwood, after arrest, undertakes to interfere with the command of the cutter, Lieutenant Caldwell is to consider him as a mutineer, and treat him accordingly. If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag , shoot him on the spot.
JOHN A. DIX,
Secretary of the Treasury.
On the Qth of February, at Montgomery, Alabama, Jeffer son Davis, of Mississippi, was elected Provisional President of the so-called " Confederate States," and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President, and they were inaugurated on the iSth of the month.
Washington's Birthday, the 22nd, was duly celebrated by the First division, N. Y. S. M., whose members, at an early hour, assembled at their respective drill-rooms. At sunrise, a salute of five hundred guns, ordered by Governor Edwin D. Morgan, was fired from the Battery. The Military was formed on Fourteenth Street, and after being reviewed by the Governor, wheeled into column by companies, and marched down Broadway, up Park Row, through the east gate of the City Hall Park, and in passing gave a marching salute to the
1861 WAR — OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. 25
City Fathers. The NINTH paraded six companies of twelve files, with full band and drum corps.
On March 4th, President Lincoln was duly inaugurated, and the Ship of State entered upon a tempestuous sea.
By special order No. 27, March 2ist, A. G. O., Albany, Company B, of the Twenty-third regiment, " National Grays," was transferred to the NINTH, and became Company F. This company was organized and mustered into the State service, May 4th, 1860, but owing to the fact that a sufficient number had not been enrolled to entitle the organization to a regimental charter, the transfer was made. The officers of the new company and date of rank, were : Captain Allan Rutherford, May Qth, 1860 ; First-Lieutenant, Edward Thorn, sarn2 date ; Second-Lieutenant, Charles R. Braine, April gth, 1861.
On the 25th of March, a regimental order directed that the quarterly meeting of the Board of Officers be held on April 6th. at their room, No. 71 University Place, corner of East Thirteenth Street, at which the committee on regimental name would report. On the 2Qth, another regimental order was issued, from which we make the following: extract :
o
The members of this command are hereby directed to appear, in full fatigue uniform at the City Armory, corner of Elm and White streets, on Friday evening, the 19th of April next, at eight o'clock, at which hour the Regimental line will be formed, for instruction and drill in street firing.
WAR. The following are copies of official documents :
HEADQUARTERS, PROVISIONAL ARMY, C. S. A.
Charleston, S. C., April \ \th, 1861.
SIR . The Government of the Confederate States has hitherto forborne from any- hostile demonstration against Fort Sumter, in the hope that the Government of the United States, \vith a view to the amicable adjustment of all questions between the two Governments, and to avert the calamities of war, would voluntarily evacuate it.
There was reason at one time to believe that such would be the course pursued by the Government of the United States, and under that impression my Government has refrained from making any demand for the surrender of the fort. But the Confederate States can no longer delay assuming actual possession of a fortification commanding the entrance of one of their harbors, and necessary to its defense and security.
24 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1861
I am ordered by the Government of the Confederate States to demand the evacua tion of Fort Sumter. My aides, Colonel Chesnut and Captain Lee, are authorized to make such demand of you. All proper facilities will he afforded for the removal of yourself and command, together with company arms and property, and all private property, to any post in the United States which you may select, the flag which you have upheld so long and with so much fortitude, under the' most trying circumstances, may be saluted by you, on taking it clown.
Colonel Chesnut and Captain Lee will, for a reasonable time, await your answer. 1 am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brig a flier- Genera! Commanding . Major ROBERT ANDERSON,
Commanding Fort Snmter, Charleston Harbor, S. C.
[The Reply. |
FORT SUMTER, S. C., April 11, 1861.
GENERAL : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, demanding the evacution of this fort, and to say, in reply thereto, that it is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor, and of my obligations to my Government, prevent my compliance. Thanking you for the fair, manly, and courteous terms pro posed, and tor the high compliment paid me,
I am, General, very respectfully your obedient servant,
ROBERT ANDERSON, Major First Artillery, Commanding . Brig. -General BEAUREGARD,
Commanding Provisional Army.
CHARLESTON, S. C., April \2th, 1861, three-twenty A. M.
SIR: By authority of Brigadier-General Beauregard, commanding the Provisional Forces of the Confederate States, we have the honor to notify you, that he will open the fire of his batteries on Fort Sumter in one hour from this time. We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
JAMES CHESNUT, JR.,
A ide- de-ca mp . STEPHEN I). LEE,
Captain, C. S. Army, Aide-de-camp. Maj. ROBERT ANDERSON,
U . S. Army, Commanding Fort Sumter.
HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES.
Charleston, S. C., April I2///. 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit the enclosed copy of a correspondence with Major Anderson, in consequence of which our fire was opened upon Fort Sumter at half-past four o'clock this morning, as already communicated to you by telegraph. The pilots reported to me last evening that a steamer supposed to be the Harriet Lane, had appeared off the harbor. She approached slowly, and was lying off the main entrance, some ten or twelve miles, when the pilot came in. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General Commanding*
i<S6i FORT SUMTER EVACUATED. 2$
At half-past four o'clock, on the morning of the I2th, the Rebels opened fire on Fort Sumter. It is not necessary to rehearse the action of Major Anderson and his brave asso ciates ; suffice it to say, that afte-r a bombardment lasting nearly two days, and when most of his guns were dismounted and the garrison in danger of being destroyed in the conflag ration caused by the burning buildings, the Major was obliged to surrender. The evacuation took place on the I4th, the vic tors " graciously " allowing the vanquished to salute and haul down their flag, after which they were transferred to the. steamer Baltic, lying off the bar, and conveyed to New York.
The news that the Rebels had. t; let loose the dogs of war," spread with lightning rapidity wherever there was telegraphic communication, and from thence by word of mouth to every hamlet in the land. From that moment, the citizens of the North and South — with a few exceptions — casting aside party ties, made their choice to stand by their sections, each side appealing to the God of battles, and praying that He would grant them the victory.
In all the Northern cities, towns, villages and hamlets, meetings were .held to discuss the strange situation. The people resolved to support the Government and those officers- legally elected to enforce its laws, pledging their honor, lives,, and treasure, to that end.
SUMTER.*
BY J. WOODRUFF LEWIS. I.
Sullen clouds the night o'er-cast,
But in the murky gloom, An eager host is gathering fast. Impatient for the bugle's blast — The martial note — to some the last,
That summons to the tomb.
* These lines were written by Major Lewis, after reading the telegraphic account of the attack on Fort Sumter, and delivered at the close of an entertainment, " An Evening with the Poets," at Canton, N. Y., April 17, 1861, after which he announced his immediate departure for New York to enlist in the 9th Regiment for the War. The announcement was received with great enthusiasm.
-6 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1661
II.
Hark, that roar ! Night thrills and quakes !
It is the signal gun ! That booming from the Battery wakes The mother's hopes and fears, and makes The patriot heart, for loved one's sakes,
Weep tears for War begun '
And now the guns from Sumter tell
Back the answering tale ! While from the shores adjacent knell, The doom of men by shot and shell, The fall — the groan— the wild farewell — While battle-smoke, like pall of Hell.
Makes new-born widows pale !
IV.
Oh, shattered Hopes! Oh, night of Tears!
Do not thy curse extend ! By all the future's coming years. By all humanity dreads and fears — Oppression's bonds — the wrong that sears — By each home that manhood rears — By all a noble heart reveres —
May God the Right Defend !
On the 1 5th the following was issued :
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
A PROCLAMATION :
WHEREAS :. The laws of the United States have been for some time past and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law :
Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State authorities through the War Department.
I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long endured.
. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the force hereby called
1861 THK MXTII VOLUNTEERS. 2/
forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union, and, in every event, the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid, to disperse and retire peaceably, to their respective abodes, within twenty days from date.
Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do, hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. The Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at twelve o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety and interest, may seem to demand.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the Independence of the United States, the eighty-fifth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President,
WILLIAM H. SF.WARD,
Secretary of State.
On the 1 9th, in obedience to order No. 5, the NINTH assembled at the City Armory, and after drill a meeting was held, resulting in the
HEADQUARTERS, yrn REC.T. N. V. S. M.,
.-///-// i9///, 1 86 r. SPECIAL ORDER, / No. 10. (
The members of this command having voted unanimously to tender their services to their country, in this hour of its need, it becomes necessary immediately to take steps to place the Regiment upon a war footing, and recruit it to a war complement.
A Regimental Recruiting Station will therefore be forthwith opened, at the Armory of Company A (Captain Johnson), at ?Io. 481 Broadway.
Commandants of companies will each detail two men from their respective com mands daily, until further orders, whc will report for duty to the officer in command of said recruiting station, from eight A. M. till seven P. M.
An officer will be detailed to remain in command of said station, daily, from eight A. M. till seven P. M., as follows:
From Co. A, on Saturday 2oth inst., ; from Co. C, on Monday, 22nd inst. ; from Co. D, on Tuesday, 23rd inst. ; from Co. F, on Wednesday, 24th inst. ; from Co. B, on Thursday, 25th inst. ; from Co. E, on Friday, 26th inst. ; from Co. G, on Saturday, 27th inst. ; and will report for subsequent days in the same order. Adjutant Coppinger, Captain Davis, Quartermaster Henriques, and Lieut. Banks are appointed to solicit and collect subscriptions to assist in defraying the expenses of equipping recruits. By order of
COLONEL M. M. VAN BEUREN.
J. B. COPPINGER,
Adjutant.
28 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1861
On the 23rd a special meeting of the Board of Officers was held, at which it was decided to petition the Adjutant-General, to allow the NINTH to serve as light infantry instead of heavy artillery. The application was informally made, and on the 8th of May the following extract from the letter received by Captain Rutherford was made public ;
A petition from the officers of the NINTH regiment to be ordered to do duty as light infantry has been received.
The application should properly come from the commandant of the regiment. Will you please get the Colonel, or, if he has resigned, the Lieutenant-Colonel, to make -an application to that effect.
On the /th of May, an inspection and parade was held in Washington Square, at half-past one P. M., the men appearing in fatigue uniform with overcoats.
On the iith regimental orders No. 13 announced the acceptance of the resignation of Colonel Van Beuren, and ordered an election to be held on the i6th inst. to fill the vacancy.
Colonel Michael M. Van Beuren first entered the military service of the State of New York as a member of the "Napoleon Cadets," about the year 1840, of which company he was afterwards Captain. Next he was Major of the Ninety- seventh (ununiformecl) regiment ; then Lieutenant-Colonel of the Twelfth regiment. On February ist, 1854, he was elected Colonel of the Eleventh regiment, and resigned in May, 1858. Upon the re-organization of the NINTH, June 25th, 1859, he was commissioned its Colonel, and his appointment was endorsed by the Board of Officers on the following 6th of December. Although he desired to retire from active military life, Colonel Van Beuren testified his loyalty, and the interest he took in the fortunes of the NINTH, by contributing one thousand dollars towards equipping the regiment for the field.
On Thursday, the i6th, a meeting of the Board of Officers was held to elect a Colonel. Lieutenant-Colonel Hallick hav ing refused to allow his name to be used, the choice fell upon ex-Colonel John W. Stiles, late of the Eighth and Third regiments. He was unanimously elected.
COLONEL JOHN W. STILES.
1861 OFFICERS WHO REMAINED TRUE. 29
On the i Qth day of April — the day upon which, through Governor Morgan the services of the regiment had beqn tendered to the government, — the NINTH was composed of only six companies, averaging about fifty men each. Stronger regiments were first accepted, however, until the State's quota, under the call for seventy-five thousand men, had been filled. Steps had been taken — as narrated — to fill up the companies, and also to raise new ones. Unfortunately for this purpose, a number of officers resigned. Those of the original officers who remained true to the interests of the regiment in this
O
hour of need, and who were mustered into the U. S. Service on the 8th of June, were, Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Hal- lick, Adjutant John B. Coppinger, Engineer Henry L. Stevens,
Surgeon's- Mate Edward H. Andrew ; , Company A ;
Lieutenants Louis Billon and John Deppeler, Company B ; Lieutenant Charles E. Prescott, Company C ; Captain John W. Davis and Lieutenant Edmund R. Greene, Company D ; Captain William Atterbury and Lieutenant Henry S. Brooks, Company E ; and Captain Allan Rutherford and Lieutenant Charles R. Braine, Company F. Company G, familiarly known as the "Growlers" during the war, was recruited during the month of April, through the efforts of the Captain of Company E, \Villiam Atterbury, Sergeant-Major John Hend- rickson, and Sergeant Joseph D. Wickham, who were elected on April 25th, Captain, First and Second Lieutenants, respect ively. Lieutenant Coppinger and Corporal Matthew S. Gregory also exerted themselves to recruit the company. Company H, "the Hams," was originally organized by Mr. James Young, principally from the members of the Volunteer Fire Department, and the transfer of " fire laddies " from other companies ; but as sufficient progress had not been made, about May 2Oth, Mr. Young withdrew, and Messrs. George Tuthill, John T. Lock- man and Charles E. Tuthill completed the organization, and were elected on May 24th to the various positions in the order named. In January, Captain Lovell of Company C, went South, where he was soon rewarded with a Major-General's
3O THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1861
commission in the Rebel army, and assigned to the command of Department No. i, headquarters at New Orleans.
The officers of the several companies, besides attending to the recruiting, drilled their commands daily, generally choos ing Washington Square for that purpose.
At this time the militia regiments — with one exception, the Seventh, — had none other than company quarters, and those were not large enough for even company drill, battalion movements perforce were performed in the open air — in some convenient lot on the outskirts of the city, or in the public parks.
Great care was exercised in the selection of the men com posing the NINTH, each applicant was obliged to undergo a critical examination by the surgeon, and so strict were the officers respecting persons of doubtful moral character, that few such gained admittance. While some financial aid was given by the Union Defence Committee, many of the mem bers purchased their own uniforms. The fatigue uniform, worn upon entering the service, consisted of a cap of the French pattern, braided in gilt, the regiment's number in front ; a jacket, and overcoat with cape of dark blue; the cuffs of jacket and coat, and coat cape, trimmed with red ; the trousers were dark blue with a stripe of red cloth down the sides. The equipments were of morocco with brass ornaments ; the regi mental number was painted on the back of the knapsacks.
The regiment had now eight companies, embracing over eight hundred men, and after having waited for weeks in daily expectation of orders to proceed to Washington, the men became much dissatisfied and urged the officers to assume the responsibility and go ahead. Upon it being represented to them that the U. S. Government would gladly accept the services of the regiment on its arrival in Washington, it was decided to leave the city as soon as transportation could be secured, and without waiting for authority from the State of New York.
The following orders explain themselves.
i86i PREPARING FOR WAR. 31
HEADQUARTERS, pTH REGT. N. Y. S. MILITIA,
New York, May 24*6, 1861. GENERAL ORDERS, ) No. 9! f
The members of this Command are hereby directed to assemble for muster (with out arms) in full fatigue uniform, with knapsacks, and overcoats rolled thereon, at Washington Square, south side, right resting on Wooster Street, on Saturday, May 25th, at two o'clock, P. M. Every man is required to be prepared for instant departure, to which end he will have his entire kit in complete order, as the regiment will march immediately, if it can be got in readiness. Blankets will be supplied on the requisition of the commandants of companies, by Quartermaster Henriques, at Headquarters, No. 71 University Place. All the officers and non-commissioned officers of the regiment are directed to report themselves at Headquarters, Saturday morning, at nine o'clock, for special orders in regard to their companies. The Drum Sergeant and Corps are directed to report to Adjutant Coppinger, on the ground, at ten minutes before two P. M. By order
JOHN W. STILES,
Colonel Commanding.
J. B. COPPINGKR, Adjutant.
HEADQUARTERS, 9th REGT. N. Y. S. MILITIA,
New York, May 24/6, 1861. .SPECIAL ORDERS, £ No. 16. \
In order that the regiment may be prepared to march to the seat of war at twenty- four hours' notice, orders for which may be expected daily, special attention is called to the following :
Officers will report daily, at nine o'clock, A. M., at the regimental headquarters, for orders.
Commandants of companies will report to the Colonel, for orders to fill vacancies, of commissioned or non-commissioned officers. Officers who have not received their commissions will report the same.
Quartermaster Henriques, or his assistant, will be at headquarters daily, from nine A. M. to eight P. M. to attend to requisitions from companies for clothing and equipments which may be necessary to complete the outfit of their respective com mands.
The Quartermaster is directed to prepare the necessary requisitions for the regi ment, upon the State Quartermaster and Commissary.
The requisition for clothing and equipments will be filled by the Union Defense Committee. The requisitions of the companies to complete their equipment, must be consolidated this day, and handed to the Union Defense Committee, Commandants of companies will see that their men are furnished with the following spare clothing, viz.: two flannel shirts, two pairs woolen socks, one pair woolen trousers, one pair boots or .shoes.
All clothing should be marked with the owner's name.
By order
JOHN W. STILES,
Com m a tiding . J. B. COPPINGKR, Adjutant.
32 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1861
The following is copied from the Herald (New York) of May 26th :
THE NINTH REGIMENT.
THEIR PARADE YESTERDAY. THEIR DEPARTURE TO-MORROW.
In obedience to a general order, issued from the headquarters of this regiment, the men assembled yesterday afternoon in Washington Square, for muster and inspection by the Union Defense Committee. The Commander, Colonel John W. Stiles, instructed all his men beforehand to have everything in complete order.
At the appointed time (two o'clock) the regiment formed, the right resting on Wooster Street.
The radiant sunshine which sparkled athwart the vendure of the parade ground, and flashed against the brilliant uniforms of the gayNlNTH.made the scene a very pleasing one to the hundreds of persons who had congregated to witness the parade. This regiment is composed of as fine a body of men as any that have yet left the Empire City, and every one of them fills his uniform to perfection. They are mostly above the medium height, and look both intelligent and respectable. The proficiency which they showed yesterday was gratifying in the extreme, and proved that the men had not been idle from the time they entered on a soldier's duty.
After the review in Washington Parade Ground, the regiment was inspected by the Union Defense Committee in Fourteenth Street. The Colonel has issued an order for the members of the regiment to assemble at two o'clock to-morrow, which is as follows :
GENERAL ORDERS, )
HEADQUARTERS, NINTH REGIMENT,
New York, May 26, 1861.
No. 10.
This regiment will march for Washington on Monday afternoon the 271)1 inst. Members of the command are hereby directed to assemble at their respective armories (without arms) in full fatigue uniform, with knapsacks packed and overcoats rolled thereon, haversack, canteens, etc., on Monday afternoon, the 2/th inst., at two o'clock.
The regimental line will be formed at three o'clock precisely, on Fourteenth Street, right on Broadway. Officers will carry their overcoats slung. The non-commissioned staff and drum corps will report to Adjutant Coppinger on the ground, at ten minutes before three.
. All company officers baggage must be delivered at regimental headquarters, No. 71 University Place, corner Thirteenth Street, before twelve M. on Monday.
First sergeants are directed to inspect the kit of every man in their respective com mands, and report to the Adjutant on the ground, with their companies, at ten min utes before three P. M.
By order of
COLONEL JOHN W. STILES. J. B. COPPINGER,
Adjutant.
Mr. Charles K. Herrick, of 75 John Street, notified the regiment that he would supply the members, gratis, with one
l86l THE START FOR THE SEAT OF WAR. 33
thousand havelocks ; a most kind and generous act on his part,- and which was gratefully acknowledged by the regiment.
The afternoon of the 2;th found the men assembled according to orders. Line was formed on Fourteenth Street, the right resting near University Place. As the regiment was about to leave the State without the sanction of the Governor, the men were without arms, those previously used belonging to the State. Eight hundred and fifty men answered to roll call. The officers, on being called to the front and center, were briefly addressed by ex-Colonel Van Beuren, who feel ingly expressed the honor and pleasure it gave him to see the regiment before its departure ; he wished all an early and safe return. The ranks, meanwhile, had been broken by the rela tives and friends of the men. Many mothers and sisters could hardly be induced to part with their dear ones. As for wives, few in the regimenc were old enough to possess such connec tions — for boys they were, the average age being less than twenty-three years. Sweethearts were plenty, however, and they, too, had to say "good-bye, God bless and preserve you," to , their favorite soldier lads. Many a silent prayer was offered up for the safety of all.
At last the command " Fall in," was given, and with elastic step and determined carriage, the uniformed citizens marched— at about four o'clock — to the stirring strains of the band and drum corps. The column was formed by platoons, and marched through Fourteenth Street to Broadway, into which it wheeled with much difficulty, owing to the crowd of people which thronged into the thoroughfare. The march was of a very different character from the parade of peaceful times ; in many places the street was so densely packed that it was diffi cult to make any headway, and the shouting and cheering which greeted the regiment at every step was deafening. Loyal lasses actually kissed the boys, while presenting them with more substantial tokens of their affection, in the shape of necessary articles for use in the field — pin-cushions, housewife, and the like.
The great heart of the metropolis beat strongly in
34 THE NINTH NEW YORK. May
sympatny and in encouragement for the gallant fellows who represented its loyal and vigorous manhood, and the people who lined the streets voiced the popular sentiment by every conceivable demonstration of admiration and affection. The march was continued down Broadway to Cortlandt Street, thence to the Jersey City ferry, which was reached at half-past six o'clock. Here the throng was so dense that great delay was occasioned, and it was not till seven o'clock that the lines were cast off and the boat allowed to proceed to Jersey City. As the men marched on board the boat to the tune of " The Girl I left Behind Me," cheers rent the air, which drowned for a time the music of the band. It was with many sighs of regret that both the girls and the band were left behind.
A sad accident, causing the first loss of life in the regiment in its war history, occurred as the train came to a stop near Bordentown. The careless discharge of a pistol in the hands of a member, almost instantly killed Private Thomas C. Pollock of Company D. He was standing on the canal bank at the moment, and when shot fell into the water. Private Charles H. Gesner, of Company D, plunged in and recovered the body, from which life was already extinct. The corpse, in charge of the gallant Gesner, was returned to sorrowing friends in New York.
After many delays the train reached Camden at five o'clock on the following morning, the regiment crossing the Delaware river to Philadelphia, and, marching through the streets to the Baltimore Station, it was again on the cars at seven o'clock. The loyal city of Wilmington, Delaware, was soon passed ; and when the train stopped at Havre-de-Grace, some little excite ment was occasioned by the discovery of a rebel flag floating over one of the houses. A few of the members visited the house and compelled the owner to haul down the rag and hoist the stars and stripes. The Susquehanna was crossed, by the ferry-boat Maryland. Baltimore was reached at one o'clock in the afternoon, and as the NINTH were without arms, it was expected that the Eighth, N. Y. S. M., would receive and escort them through the city to the Washington Station ; but no-
l86l ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON. 35
escort appeared. The crowd, which soon gathered, was an orderly one, but it was easy to see that the advent of the NINTH was not pleasing to the majority. Some few patriotic and fearless people offered the men ice water and other refresh ments, which were gladly accepted, the men being much fatigued by the excitement of the past two or three days. A train was in waiting when the regiment reached the station ; the men were soon on board, and the cars rolled out. The Relay House was passed without a halt. Union troops were noticed all along the line performing guard duty. At five o'clock in the afternoon — the 28th — the NINTH reached Wash ington, the two hundred and twenty-eight miles being covered in twenty-one hours. The men were happy in the thought of having arrived safely at their destination, and were ready to do their part towards the defense of the Capital.
36 THE NINTH NEW YORK. May
CHAPTER III.
WASHINGTON.— THE ROCKVILLE CAMPAIGN.
The NINTH in Washington. — Armed and Equipped. — Reviewed by the President. — Camp Cameron. — The Seventh N. Y. S. M. — "General Orders, No. 12." — Guard and Picket Duty. — A Laughable Adventure. — Beauregard's " Beauty and Booty " Proclamation.— -Mustered In. — Register of the Regiment. — Colonel Stone's Com mand. — The Maiden March. — Rockville. — The First New Hampshire.— The Camp. — On the March Again. — An Alarm. — Darnestown. — Camp Stone. — Camp Sanford. — Detail for Picket. — Poolesville. — The Potomac. — Camp Hall. — Picket Firing. — Muster and Inspection. — Election of a Major. — Point of Rocks. — Detachment sent to Sandy Hook. — Celebration of the Fourth of July. — " Baptism by Fire." — The Loss. — Sharpsburg. — Into Virginia. — Letters.
f T would be difficult to describe the condition of affairs at this time. Loyal men knew not whom to trust. Regular army officers were resigning and casting their lot with the secessionists, and many in the civil service were held in dis trust. Almost a majority of the inhabitants of Washington were disloyal ; a large number remaining so through the whole war, while a few acted as spies for the Confederates.
The Woodward building, on Pennsylvania Avenue, near Tenth Street, was designated as quarters for the regiment ; some of the members, however, found better accommodations at hotels and boarding-houses. Not having as yet been sworn into the service, the men were privileged to go where they pleased.
The following day was spent by most of .the regiment in rambling about the city, scanning the bulletin boards for the latest news, and comparing notes with chance acquaintances.
On the 3Oth, the regiment marched to the Arsenal, at the foot of Four-and-a-half Street, where Harper's Ferry smooth bore buck and ball muskets, caliber .69 were issued ; after which it marched in review at the White House, before Presi dent Lincoln, his Cabinet, and General Scott.
1 86 1 CAMP CAMERON. 37
On the morning of the 3ist, it was announced that the regiment was to occupy Camp Cameron, on Meridian Hill, where the Seventh N. Y. S. M., were then quartered ; the thirty day's term of that regiment having expired, they had been ordered to New York. A detail for guard duty was at once made, consisting of Captain Allan Rutherford, Officer of the Day ; Lieutenant Erastus R. Miller, Officer of the Guard ; and Sergeant Angus Cameron, Sergeant of the Guard. They proceeded to Camp Cameron and relieved the Guard of the Seventh.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, line was formed, and the regiment marched to its first camp, two miles distant on the Harper's Ferry road. The Seventh was found drawn up in line, and as the NINTH marched by, it received the compli ment of a salute.
The camp was taken possession of at half-past five, the Seventh leaving the NINTH as a legacy their wall-tents, all of which were floored, and many of them containing mattresses, chairs, wash-basins, etc., while some were even supplied with a generous quantity of canned meats and other substantial comforts, all of which were thankfully received, and the extreme generosity of their fellow soldiers fully appreciated.
The following order was issued for the government of the
camp :
HEADQUARTERS, NINTH REGIMENT,
Camp Cameron, Washington, D. C.
May 3 is/, 1861. GENERAL ORDERS, \ No. 12. \
Reveille will be heat at sunrise, under the direction of the officer of the guard, \vhen the men will rise, and sentinels leave off challenging. A commissioned officer will, fifteen minutes thereafter, superintend the roll call of each company, by the first sergeants, upon the company parades, and the captain of each report the names of absentees to the Colonel or commanding officer. Immediately after the reveille roll call, the tents of each company, and the space around them, will be cleaned and put in neat order by the men of the companies, superintended by the chiefs of squads or messes, and the quarters of the guard by the guard or prisoners.
" Peas upon a trencher " will be beat at seven o'clock. " Troop " is to sound or beat at eight o'clock for the purpose of assembling the men for duty and inspection Before guard mounting.
Company drills from half-past eight to half-past nine battalion drills from ten to eleven A. M., and dress parade at half-past five P. M.
38 THE NINTH NEW YORK. May
The morning reports of the companies, signed by the captains and first sergeants, will be handed to the Adjutant before eight o'clock A. M. and be consolidated by the Adjutant within the next hour, for the information of the commanding officer of the regiment.
The guard for each day will be one captain, one lieutenant, one sergeant, three corporals, and ninety-six privates, furnished by detail from each company.
Guard mounting at half-past nine, at which time the officer of the day, the officer of the guard and the detail for the day, will assemble on the regimental parade and be formed by the adjutant and the sergeant-major.
The " Surgeon's Call " will be sounded immediately after guard mounting, when the sick, able to go out, will be conducted by the first sergeants to the hospital tents, for the examination of the surgeons. Patients unable to attend the dispensary will be visited by the surgeon.
The camp will be inspected every day at five P. M. by the officer of the day, assisted by the officer of the guard, when every man will be at his post — muskets stacked oppo site respective tents — quarters clean and orderly.
Every man is required to give the strictest attention to the care and appearance of his uniform and equipments, and will be held accountable for any loss, damage, or injury thereto, other than reasonable wear.
" Roast Beef " at twelve M.
" Retreat " will be sounded at sun-set, for the purpose of warning officers and men; for duty, ami reading the orders of the day.
"Tattoo" will be sounded at half-past nine P. M., after which no soldier is to be out of his tent or quarters, unless by special leave ; and at ten o'clock, the " Taps '" will be given, when all noise must cease in camp, and lights be extinguished.
The body belts will be worn on all occasions when the men are out of camp ; and no article of dress, other than the regular uniform, will be permitted to be worn by offi cer or soldier when on duty, or when out of camp.
Divine service will be held on Sunday at ten A. M. Every officer and soldier, not on duty or the sick list, is expected to be present, in uniform, without arms.
All absentees at roll-call, without leave, will be punished by being deprived of recreation for one week, or otherwise, in the discretion of the commanding officer of the regiment. No compliment by guards or sentinels will be paid between Retreat and Reveille. Strict order and regularity will be maintained by the commandants of companies, and they will be held accountable for a want of disipline in their respective commands, and will take proper measures to enforce it. The Articles of War will be read by the commandants of companies to their respective commands, immediately after Inspection ; and they will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United States.
Loaded arms shall not be placed in stack ; nor shall any piece, except those of the Guard, and for immediate target practice, or in apprehension of attack or necessity for defense, be kept loaded upon camp-ground.
The " Assembly " is the signal to form by company.
" To the color " is the signal to form by battalion.
" The Long Roll " is the signal for getting under arms in case of alarm, or the sudden appearance of the enemy.
" First Sergeant's Call ;" one roll and four taps.
" Sergeant's Call ;" one roll and three taps.
i86i HALT! WHO GOES THERE? 39>
" Corporal's Call ;" one roll and two taps. " For Drummers ;" the drummers' call.
By order of Official. J. W. STILES, Colonel Commanding.
J. B. COPPINGER, Adjutant.
The parade ground at once became the scene of the active: school of the soldier, and the men soon showed remarkable proficiency in the manual of arms. Since crossing the borders of the State of New York, the regiment had been merely a body of armed and uniformed citizens, without any military status whatever, and it is greatly to their credit, that amid the many difficulties encountered, from April iQth — the day they volunteered — to June 8th, the date of their muster into the U. S. service, nothing occurred to mar their record. Nearly two months, during a period of actual war, is a very long time to hold a body of patriotic men together, who are anxious to meet the foes of their county. The NINTH'S experience before it left New York cost it quite a number of members, who hastened off to join organizations more fortunate, in that their services were earlier accepted by the government. Night duty for the first week was very exciting, especially from about ten o'clock till dawn, the sentries imagination building an enemy out of anything animate or inanimate that their ever-watchful eye or ear could detect, and causing general alarms almost without number. If the leaves of a tree or bush were agitated,, an enemy was supposed to be lurking behind it, and then upon the stillness of the night would ring out the challenge r " Halt ! Who goes there ?" If a reply was not received, that fact would add to the fear of the already half-frightened greea soldier boy.
It was the oreneral belief, which to a certain extent wa&
o
true, that enemies were hovering about the camp night and day. Quite near the camp was situated the buildings of Columbia College, and when it was reported that lights were frequently seen displayed at the windows at night, and that the lights appeared to the observers to be of various colors, it was believed that they were signals to the enemy. The pupils.
40 THE NINTH NEW YORK.
had all left, most of them for southern homes, and only the janitor and a few officials remained. All the more reason for believing the rumors. In the excited and uncertain condition
o
of affairs at this time, the mere report of such an occurrence was proof positive that treason lurked in the institution. A detachment under the command of proper officers was detailed to visit the college and arrest all guilty or suspicious char acters, and to seize all treasonable apparatus. A rollicking Irishman, belonging to a cavalry company stationed near by, hearing of the " secret " expedition, asked permission to join it and, being a general favorite, his request was granted. At low twelve the force started. On approaching the objective point the commanding officer sent a portion of his men around to the rear door, and also placed sentries at the four corners of the building to prevent the escape of any fleeing parties, while with the main body he boldy advanced to the front entrance.
A series of thundering raps upon the door with the hilt of his sword, and which re-echoed through the empty building in an unearthly manner, finally brought some one to an upper window with : " What's wanted there ?" uttered in no very gentle tone. " This is a detail of the guard ; we wish to enter the building; come down and open the door." With an imprecation which sounded like " Damn you and the guard ?" the head disappeared and the window was closed with a bang. After waiting a few moments and hearing nothing further from the inmates, the officer again raised his voice, and said that if the door was not opened in three minutes he would enter by force. After three minutes by the watch had expired, an order to break open the door was given, and several men, with the butts of their muskets, soon punched off the fastenings, when the party entered the main hall. Leaving a guard at the door the others made their way upstairs, encountering no one until they entered a room on the top floor. Noise enough to awaken the "Seven Slee jers " had been made, and yet, there, upon a bed, and apparently sound asleep, lay two men. The night was a hot one ; the occupants of the room evidently
l86l OH ! OH ! MURDER ! HELP ! 4!
had not expected company before being awakened, and as they lay upon the bed, clothed with little else than a deep sleep, their photographs, if exposed for sale, would doubtless have been suppressed by a Comstock. One of the occupants lay on his side with his back to the door, and as soon as the Irish cavalryman grasped the situation, he, with a " whisht boys .!" approached the sleeper. On coming up through the halls the rollicking O'AIally had picked up an old rusty broad-bladed saber, this he now raised, poised it a moment to be sure of his aim, and then brought the flat of it down with a whack upon the unprotected buttocks of the sleeper. With a yell like a Comanche Indian, the victim sprang from the bed.
"Oh! Oh! Murder! Help!" he shouted, trying at the same time to cover the sore spot with his hand and arm. The boys were convulsed with laughter, some of whom — the executioner among them — fairly rolling on the floor in their efforts to do justice to the ludicrous scene.
The poor victim finally found words to demand what was meant by the outrage. It was some time though before he could be pacified, and assured that the assault upon his person was merely a practical joke, and that it had nothing whatever to do with the " official" visit of the guard. Finally the man himself joined in the laugh — which was still kept up — but with a somewhat gruesome countenance. He wasn't able to sit down comfortably for a good while after his misadventure.
But what of the treasonable signal lights ? A couple of lanterns, such as are used in the higher educational institutions for the purpose of illustrating studies in natural philosophy, were found, but there was nothing treasonable or unusual
o
in that.
But there was also discovered quite a number of hazel sticks, six inches long and about three eighths of an inch in diameter, which, it was said, had been used to form letters or characters, and by being held up in front of the strong light of the lanterns, could be read by the initiated at a great dis tance. These little sticks, then, were the only substantial trophies of the midnight visit ; they were distributed among
-42 THE NINTH NEW YORK. June
the men, and one of the party had his still preserved as late as 1880.
The following lines, written by a member of the regiment while at this camp, shows that the poetic spirit was present, and that thoughts of Home and Mother helped to while away
the tedious night hours :
ON GUARD.
At midnight, on my lonely beat,
When shadows wrap the wood and lea, A vision seems my view to greet
Of one at home that prays for me.
No roses bloom upon her cheek —
Her form is not a lover's dream — But on her face so fair and meek
A host of holier beauties gleam.
For softly shines her silver hair,
A patient smile is on her face, And the mild, lustrous light of prayer
Around her sheds a moon-like grace
She prays for one that's far away —
The soldier in his holy light — And begs that Heaven, in mercy may
Protect her boy and bless the right.
Till, though the leagues lie far between,
This silent incense of her heart Steals o'er my soul with breath serene,
And we no longer are apart.
So, guarding thus my lonely beat,
By shadowy wood and haunted lea, That vision seems my view to greet
Of her, at home, who prays for me.
A few ciays after reaching Camp Cameron, New York papers were received containing an address to the people of Northern Virginia, issued by General G. T. Beauregard, then in command of the rebel forces at Manassas. This document was afterwards familiarly known as the " Beauty and Booty " proclamation ; and is here given in order to show the feelings
l86l BEAUTY AND BOOTY. 43
which animated one of the leaders of the Southern army at
that time :
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ALEXANDRIA,
Camp Pickens, June 5, 1861.
TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE COUNTIES OF LOUDOUN, FAIRFAX AND PRINCE
WILLIAM :
A reckless and unprincipled tyrant, has invaded your soil. Abraham Lincoln, regardless of all moral, legal, and constitutional restraints, has thrown his abolition hosts among you, who are murdering and imprisoning your citizens, confiscating and destroying your property, and committing other acts of violence and outrage too shocking and revolting to humanity to be enumerated. All rules of civilized warfare are abandoned, and they proclaim by their acts, if not on their banners, that their war cry is, " Beauty and Booty." All that is dear to man, your honor, and that of your wives and daughters, your fortunes, and your lives, are involved in this momentous contest.
In the name therefore of the constituted authorities of the Confederate States, in the sacred cause of constitutional liberty and self government, for which we are con tending in behalf of civilization, and humanity itsslf, I, G. T. Bsauregard, brigadier general of the Confederate States, commanding at Camp Pickens, Manassas Junction, do make this my proclamation, and invite and enjoin you by every consideration dear to the hearts of free men and patriots, by the name and memory of your revolutionary fathers, and by the purity and sanctity of your domestic firesides, to rally to the stand ard of your State and country, and by every means in your power compatible with honorable warfare to drive back and expel the invaders from your land. I conjure you to be true and loyal to your country and her legal and constitutional authorities, and especially to be vigilant of the movements and acts of the enemy, so as to enable you to give the earliest authentic information to these headquarters, or to the officers under my command.
I desire to assure you that the utmost protection in my power will be extended to you all.
G. T. BEAUREGARD, Brigadier General, Commanding ,
One day a detachment from the regiment, under command of Captain Tuthill, left camp on some special duty, and as it was not to return till after dark, the countersign was imparted to the commanding officer.
o
On returning, and when within a mile or so of camp, Joseph T. Hallock and his chum, of Company H, had occasion to " fall out " for a special purpose, and before they could rejoin the command, it had passed beyond the first out post. By a little eloquent pleading, the two men were able to satisfy some of the pickets of their right to pass, but as they
44 THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1861
had several more posts to encounter before reaching camp, Hallock's chum determined to obtain the countersign, and upon approaching the next post, before the man on duty could challenge, he did so, and called out : " Halt ! who goes there?" "A friend," was the reply. "Advance friend, and give the countersign," .and the sentry obeyed. Thus armed, the boys had no further difficulty in passing the other posts ; they reached camp juot as roll call was completed and the Captain was wondering what had become of them
On the. 8th, the regiment was mustered into the service of
O
the United States — to serve during the war iinless sooner discharged. Captain William D. Whipple of the regular army was the mustering officer, and Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, was present to witness the ceremony. The regiment was formed in a hollow square on the parade ground, when Colonel Stiles made a brief address, explaining the oath which each man was expected to take, and, at the same time,, giving those who did not wish to be sworn an opportunity to retire. Eight hundred and thirty-seven men, with uplifted hands, swore fealty, even unto death, in defence of their coun try's honor and flag. About forty men concluded that they had seen about all they wanted to know of active soldier-life, and refused to be mustered. Senator Henry Wilson subse quently introduced a bill into the Congress, which became a law, defining the term of service of all those regiments who had taken the oath to serve " during the war," to be : " three years unless sooner discharged."
The following is the register of the original war officers, and the number of enlisted men upon the rolls of the regi ment, up to September ist, 1861.
Colonel.
John W. Stiles.
Lieut. Colonel. Major.
William H. Hallick. William Atterbury.
Adjutant. Quartermaster.
John B. Coppinger. Henry L. Stevens.
l86l WAR REGISTER AND NUMBER OF MEMBERS. 45
Surgeon. Asst. Surgeon.
John R. Bigelow. Howard Pinkney.
Chaplain.
Benjamin T. Phillips. Non-commissioned Staff Officers and the Band, 39.
Company A.
Captain, Joseph J. Morrison.
First Lieut, John Dalrymple. Second Lieut., Ed. H. Andrew.
and 102 men.
Company B.
Captain, John Deppeler.
First Lieut, Louis Billon. Second Lieut, Fred Guyer,
and 8 1 men.
Company C.
Captain, Charles E. Prescott
First Lieut, Erastus R. Miller,* Second Lieut, \Vm. H. Draper, and 101 men.
Company D.
Captain, John W. Davis.
First Lieut, Edmund R. Greene. Second Lieut., Jas. B. Van Buren, and 104 men.
Company E.
Captain, Henry C. Smith.
First Lieut, Henry S. Brooks. Second Lieut., Wm. T. Gal- braith, and 103 men.
Company I\
Captain, Allan Rutherford.
First Lieut, Charles R. Braine. Second Lieut, Angus Cam eron, and 1 06 men.
Company G.
Captain, William Atterbury.f
First Lieut, John Hendrickson. Second Lieut, Joseph D. Wickham, and 103 men.
* Promoted Captain, Company L, September I, 1861. t Promoted Major, July i, 1861.
4° THE XIXTH XEW YORK. June
Company H.
Captain, George Tuthill.
First Lieut, John T. Lockman. Second Lieut, Chas. E. Tut hill, and 98 men.
Company I.
Organized July 17, 1861. Captain, Peter J. Claassen.
First Lieut, Geo. H. Wheaton. Second Lieut, Eno J. Claassen, and 80 men.
Compa ny K. Organized June 20, 1861, as a Light Battery.
Captain, Thos. B. Bunting.
First Lieut, Walter M. Bramhall. Second Lieut, Jos. W. Martin, and 122 men.
Company L.
Organized August 31, 1861.
Captain, Erastus R. Miller.
First Lieut, A. Martin Burtis. Second Lieut., Andrew B.
Stiles, and 97 men. Total, 1175.
Movements were now on foot to secure the line of the Upper Potomac. General Robert Patterson, in command of a force of Pennsylvania Militia, had advanced toward the river by way of Hagerstown and Williamsport, and Colonel Charles P. Stone, of the Fourteenth U. S. infantry, had been placed in command of a force, of which the NINTH formed a part— the other organizations being the First New Hampshire ; First and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania ; Second, Third, Fifth and Eighth battalions District of Columbia Vols. ; Griffin's Battery D, Fifth U. S. light artillery ; and Captain Owen's and Magruder's troops of cavalry — for the purpose of co-operating in the movement. Colonel Stone's orders directed him to seize Edward's Ferry, and, if practicable, cross and take possession of Leesburg and effect a junction with General Patterson ; he Was to intercept supplies sent from Baltimore
1861 THE MAIDEN MARCH. 47
to the enemy in Virginia, and was enjoined " to proceed with caution, and by no means to hazard the safety of (the) expedition."
At three o'clock in the afternoon of the Qth, the regiment was ordered to make ready to march, and, inasmuch as it was expected that the men would only be absent from camp for a week or two, all extra baggage was ordered to be left behind in charge of acting Lieutenant David W. Anderson and a camp guard. Reveille sounded at daybreak of the loth, and after roll-call the men set about getting breakfast and finishing their packing. The sun shone brightly, and by the time the Maiden March began, the heat was very oppressive. The knapsacks were carried in wagons, thus relieving the men of burdens that would have caused many to drop out by the way or abandon their loads.
The direction of the march was towards Rockville. The roads were bad, full of stones and very dusty ; still the men tramped gaily along, exerting themselves to the utmost, happy in the belief that the end would bring them nearer the enemy, whose prowess they had not then learned either to fear or respect.
Late in the afternoon the First New Hampshire was met, the sight gladdening the hearts of the men in both regiments, who lustily cheered each other, for were not both organi zations enlisted in the same cause — " Uncle Sam's defense?" A blue coat or a black skin was the only sure token of friend ship for the Union that its soldiers met with, when once they crossed Mason and Dixon's line ; not but that there were some loyal white people within its belt, but they seldom dared to express their sentiments ; some of those in Virginia that were Lold enough to do so, paid the penalty in the destruction of their property when the Union forces were withdrawn from their neighborhood. ' To the men of the NINTH, at this time, danger appeared everywhere ; still it was a fact that little was to be met with, north of the Potomac.
Foot-sore and weary, the march was continued until about seven o'clock in the evening, when the regiment arrived in the
48 THE NINTH NEW YORK. June
vicinity of Rockville, eighteen miles distant from Camp Cameron. Details for camp guard were at once made, and supper was eaten. Many of the men were so tired, that with out any further delay they rolled their blankets about them, threw themselves upon the ground, and in a twinkling were sound asleep. The minor realities of war were being gradually realized by the gallant youths.
On the following morning the tents were taken from the wagons and pitched, After several attempts they were pro nounced correctly placed, according to the regulations — a work requiring no little skill and experience, as the accompanying diagram of a model camp will show.
The location of the camp was at the Fair Grounds, on the outskirts of the town of Rockville, Montgomery County. Maryland. In the eyes of the men Rockville was a very small place, though its inhabitants were not small people in any sense, for they showed many courtesies to the members of the regiment during the brief encampment. At dress parade nearly all the townspeople, white and black, were present to witness the movements of the soldier boys, for few of the people had ever before seen a whole regiment in line, and all appeared highly gratified at the sight. After the parade had been dis missed the camp was stormed by the members of the First New Hampshire, who rushed with enthusiasm to fraternize with their fellow volunteers. Hand-shaking, cheering, singing and dancing were indulged in, the recollections of which can only die with the participants. One organization was from the granite hills of the East, the other from the sea shore of the
o
Empire State. A return visit was made to the camp of the New Hampshire boys, situated just across the road from that of the NINTH, where an exceedingly pleasant hour was spent, much in the same manner as boys usually play together. The band of the First treated the NINTH to several fine selections, adding greatly to the festivities, which were kept up till tattoo warned guests and hosts that it was time to separate. Half an hour afterwards, when " taps " were sounded, lights were
A MODEL CAMP
LENGTH, 461 PACES WIDTH, 4OO PACES
|
GUARD TENTS |
||
|
1 PARADE • <*——__ ___ |
GROUND |
* |
|
COLOR LINE h nn nn nn nn nn nn an nn an D nn an an nn nn nn nn nn nn n nn nn nn nn nn nn nn nn nn n nn nn nn nn nn nn nn nn nn n nn nn nn nn nn nn nn nn nn |
LJULJUU |
|
|
ID nn nn nn nn n |
D nn nn nn nn |
r |
|
COMPANY |
QUARTERS |
|
|
i! n n n n KITCHENS |
n n n n KITCHENS |
c |
|
a |
nn i — i n |
|
|
NON.COM.STArF. |
POLICE GUARD. SUTLER. NON. COM. STAFF. |
|
|
nn nn nn nn nn |
nn nn an nn an |
|
|
COMPANY |
OFFICERS |
|
|
"HI a - n a |
nan |
|
|
|* COLC |
>NEL |
|
|
p 9 9 Q g |
9 9 9 9 9 |
|
|
WAGONS DD ana an WAQONS |
||
|
STORES SERVANTS TEAMSTERS |
||
|
CO UJ |
||
|
O OFFICER |
S SINKS |
IT O Z |
1861 FIRST COUNTERMARCH. 49
extinguished, and the men sought repose from the labors and amusements of the day.
During the jollifications of the evening, the men of the NINTH determined to have a brass band, the soul inspiring strains heard during the evening prompting them to that decis ion. A committee was afterwards appointed, the necessary subscriptions secured, and at a later period, the arrival and incorporation with the regiment of an excellent corps of musicians, under the leadership of George Neyer, gave the men great satisfaction.
The "Reveille" was sounded early on Wednesday morn ing, the 1 2th, and the men ordered to strike tents, pack up, and be ready for the march. At eight o'clock line was formed, and the regiment left its second encampment. The weather was warm, though not as sultry as on the previous march ; the roads were somewhat worse. During the day the first scare occurred, through a report coming from the rear that the wagon train had been attacked. Colonel Stiles immediately countermarched the regiment on the double quick, and after retracing about a quarter of a mile, word came that the teamsters had only been frightened by a stampede of some horses in an adjacent field. The march was then resumed, and at two o'clock in the afternoon the column passed through Darnes- town, on the outskirts of which a site was chosen for camp. Guards were soon posted and tents pitched. The extent of the march was ten miles. Darnestown, an ancient-looking village, is situated in Montgomery County, near Seneca Creek ; the houses were much scattered ; the people displayed con siderable Union feeling — sentiments which even in many parts of Maryland it was dangerous to express. Several citizens invited members of the regiment to dine with them, which unexpected courtesy was gladly accepted by a score or more of the men.
Camp Stone — so named in honor of the commander of the expedition — had been judiciously selected, in a cleared field, bordered partly by woods ; water was near at hand, and of good quality. The surroundings were very attractive ; in fact
5O THE NINTH NEW YORK. June
nothing better could be desired, except by the chronic grumb lers, a few of whom the NINTH, in common with every other regiment, possessed. On the I3th the district in which Darnestown was situated held an election for congressman, resulting in the choice of the Union candidate, which gave great satisfaction to the Union troops and loyal inhabitants.
Company, battalion and skirmish drills were now of daily occurrence, ending at sundown with the usual dress-parade, which ceremony called together many of the inhabitants for miles around, and to whom it was a novel sight, and much more interesting than their usual market or fair gatherings. The men soon learned that the South contained its share of those willing to earn an honest penny. Peddlers — more pro-, perly speaking farmers — their wives, sons and daughters, brought into camp, pies, biscuits, cooked fowls and such like, for which they found ready sale ; home-made apple jack was also smuggled within the lines, but woe to the vender who was
oo
caught in the act, for his — or her — stock was unceremoniously confiscated.
After a pleasant stay of five days, tents were struck on the i 7th, and at eight o'clock, under a bright and beautiful' moon, another march was begun. The route led through the small village of Dawsonville, and at ten o'clock a halt was ordered
£>
and the regiment went into bivouac near Seneca Creek.
Early the next morning camp was established, and named in honor of Major-General Charles. W. Sanford, of the First Division N. Y. S. M. As soon as the tents were pitched the usual 'routine of camp duties were resumed. The thrifty inhabitants — white and black--— soon made their appearance, loaded with creature comforts for the soldiers. These people appreciated the old saw : "It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," for the opportunity, was now afforded them of exchang ing supplies for cash — money being a scarce article thereabouts at that time. During the day, -Companies B, Captain Deppe- ler; and D, Captain Davis, under Captain Davis, the senior; were ordered to Sugar Land Bottom, near the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, in order to perform picket duty. .The detach-
l36l THE NIGHT MARCH TO THE POTOMAC. 51
ment found a comfortable site in an orchard near the Potomac, and called it Camp Van Beuren. It was about ten miles dis tant front regimental headquarters.
It was not expected that the regiment would remain long at anyone place, consequently, at eight o'clock in the evening of the 2Oth, when orders were given to pack up, no one was surprised. The men were anxious to go ahead, and felt happy when in the advance. The night proved to be a most beautiful one, a bright moon contributing to make the trip very enjoyable. After a five mile march, near the town of Poolesville, a halt was ordered and bivouac established for the night. Reveille turned the NINTH out, and " Peas upon a Trencher "called them to an early breakfast the next morning; but it was not until three o'clock in the afternoon that the march was resumed. The day was very warm, and many of the men soon showed signs of weariness, but not to that extent exhibited on their first day out from Camp Cameron. The roads were in better condition than those previously marched over, and the men were becoming more inured to the hardships of a soldier.
It was only the constitutionally weak who suffered much at that time.
The sight that a thousand times amply repaid the men for the fatigue of the march, was the first view of the Potomac, and which caused shouts of delight that must have been heard by the enemy on the Virginia shore. Could it have been known at what cost of life and treasure, the full and undisputed pos session of that historic river was to be gained, the exclama tions would have been those of rage against its so-called defenders, who were posted not more than a mile distant from the opposite bank. A halt was soon made^ and camp located on quite a high hill, over-looking both the Potomac and Monocacy Rivers. Guards were posted, -tents pitched, and the place named Camp Hall, in honor of General William Hall, in whos'j brigade the NINTH served when in New York. •
o
In the morning, the 22nd, the usual round of camp duties and pleasures were renewed. Clothing, arms and accoutrements
52 THE NINTH NEW YORK. June
were cleaned ; while reading, writing, ball-playing and like amusements, served to fill up the time not devoted to drill. Taken altogether, it can be readily seen that a soldier's life has less of idleness than is generally supposed, this, too, at a time when battles were not engaging their attention. Quite a stir was made during the day by a report from Company E, which was on picket duty at Nolan's Ferry on the Potomac, to the effect that some of their men had been fired on while bath ing in the river; fortunately no one was injured, still it was a reminder that serious business might be expected should an attempt be made to cross the border.
On leaving camp for picket duty it was customary for the men to carry with them one day's rations, and their overcoats and blankets; in other words, to go in "light marching order." On the 2/th, Company F, Captain Rutherford, relieved Company A, Captain Morrison ; the duty was light, with just enough of danger to make it interesting, and the men enjoyed the respite from daily drills and dress-parade.
On the 29th, regimental general orders directed that the regular muster and inspection should take place at four o'clock on the following Sunday afternoon ; the field, staff, and non commissioned staff at the flag-staff at regimental headquarters, and the several companies at whatever point they happened to be stationed.
On the ist of July, and in accordance with the laws governing the militia of the State of New York, an election for Major was held, resulting in the choice of Captain William Atterbury, of Company G. The same day, also, John E Bigelow, M. D., reported to the regiment as its surgeon, by appointment, under date of June 25th. He was not mustered however, and returned to New York a month or two after wards.
At about four o'clock in the afternoon, orders were received, directing the companies remaining at headquarters, to march to Point of Rocks, the camp to be left in charge of the Guard. By the time the march began, the rain came down in torrents, and continued without intermission through-
i86l POINT OF ROCKS. 55
out the night. The route was by way of the canal tow-path, which hardly allowed four men to walk abreast. Owing to the rain and darkness, it was nearly midnight before the six miles were marched.
A stone house stood near by where the regiment halted, and was soon filled with wet and hungry soldiers, while those unable to obtain shelter were obliged to stand round till day light. No fires were allowed, and those who did obtain cover had to lie down in their wet clothing.
At daylight on the 2nd, the rain ceased. At eleven o'clock companies B and D reported at regimental headquarters ; they had been absent from the regiment since the i8th of June, and in their endeavor to join the regiment, had first gone to Camp Hall. When the tents arrived and had been pitched, Camp Stiles — so named in honor of the Colonel — was established. At Point of Recks, the Potomac is about three-quarters of a mile wide ; the bridge had been destroyed by the rebels ; the abutment on the Virginia shore bearing a flag-staff from which floated the stars and bars, the first emblem of secession seen by the NINTH on hostile territory. The men were eager to organ ize an expedition to attempt its capture, but the frowning guns of the enemy's battery commanding the position admonished them that they had better wait for orders before running any serious risks.
On the 3rd, Colonel Stone ordered Colonel Stiles to detail two companies for special service ; Company A, Cap tain Morrison, and Company C, Captain Prescott, were so assigned, under command of Major Atterbury, who, upon reporting to Colonel Stone, received instructions, at four o'clock in the afternoon, to proceed to Sandy Hook, eight miles up the river, opposite Harper's Ferry. Boarding a train, that point was reached about six o'clock.
The morning of the Fourth, the eighty-fifth natal day of the country, was ushered in by the firing of salutes, and with the limited means at command, the men endeavored to get up a celebration worthy of the occasion. At noon the men were formed into a hollow square and addressed by Colonel Stiles ;
54 THE NINTH NEW YORK. July
in the afternoon they marched to Colonel Stone's headquar ters and cheered him, the Colonel responding in a compliment ary and patriotic speech. Then the men sang several national songs and were about to disperse when the loud and continued whistling of a locomotive was heard. The men hurried to the
o
station, when the exciting but sad news was imparted that the detachment sent to Sandy Hook, the day before, had been fired upon by the enemy — W. S. H. Baylor's dismounted cavalry — from their position on the south side of the river ; the result being that one or two were killed and several wounded. Inasmuch as this was the NINTH'S " Baptism by Fire," and the first occasion of loss in battle, the excitement was intense. The regiment hurriedly boarded the train, but reached the scene of action too late to be of any assistance, or to avenge the injury done their comrades.
It was learned that a few men of the detachment had that morning crossed the river in a skiff for the purpose of cap turing a " Confederate " States flag, which could be plainly seen flying from the flag-staff in the arsenal grounds at Harper's Ferry. The men reached the southern shore in safety, and going at once to the staff, hoped to be able to haul down the flag and make their escape before being discovered by the enemy. It -was found, however, that as the halyards were knotted it would be necessary to climb the pole. This occupied considerable time ; but Edward W. Butler, of Com pany C, finally cut down the emblem of Secession, tore it in pieces, which he divided among his companions, reserving one piece for Colonel Stiles. The daring adventurers hurried back to the river and were nearly across before the enemy reached the bank. The rebels at once opened fire, but the bold Yankees reached the Maryland shore in safety.
The rebels now directed their fire at the pickets stationed along the river bank, wounding one or two. The men had been ordered never to be the first to commence picket firing, and even now they did not return it — inasmuch as the enemy's fire had been drawn by an unauthorized movement on their part'. Meanwhile Captain Morrison, hearing that some of the
1861 KILLED AND WOUNDED IN BATTLE. 55
detachment were wounded, started on the double-quick with the rest for the scene of action. Arriving at the river the best
o
possible position was obtained, and the captain ordered the enemy's fire to be returned. Little injury was done to the foe, but owing to the exposed position of the men of the NINTH, a number of casualties occurred. When the firing ceased, it was found that one man was killed and three wounded. John E. Banks, of Company G, a volunteer with the detachment, was shot through the heart. The body was afterwards tenderly placed in a coffin, the head resting upon a pillow of daisies gathered in a field near by, and the remains sent by express to his relatives in New York. Ernest Geid- ecke, of Company A, after passing safely through eight battles, fought in defence of his native land, received a fatal wound in this his fir-,t engagement with the enemies of his adopted country. The ball lodged in his abdomen, causing great pain and suffering, during which Sergeant William F. Scott, of Company A, and Harvey B. Denison, of Company G, did all in their power to alleviate his condition, but the poor fellow died at half-past ten in the evening. The wounded were Henry V. Williamson, of Company G, also a volunteer, and Fredk. R. Warner, of Company C. Thus the NINTH honored the Fourth of July, which was begun in the harmless manner described, to be followed by the more serious action of the afternoon. That night and the following day the regiment remained in bivouac near Sanely Hook, on the track of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
At two o'clock on the morning of Saturday, the 6th, the men were notified to prepare for the march, but it was not until seven o'clock that the column moved. Sharpsburg, in Washington County, was reached at noon. This was found to be a thoroughly loyal town, and the first the NINTH had entered, whose people boldly flung to the breeze the American flag. Cheering and shouts of delight were heard on every side as the regiment gallantly marched through the main street. A halt was made on the outskirts in order to cook pork and coffee ; but when several of the citizens who had followed, saw
56 THE NINTH NEW YORK. July
the bill of fare, they invited many of the men to return home with them and be their guests at dinner. The wives and daughters of these patriotic citizens, as a sign of their loyalty, hurriedly sewed together strips of red, white and blue into flags, which, accompanied with kind words of cheer, were given as souvenirs to the lucky boys on their leaving to rejoin the regiment. Colonel Miller, a veteran of the war of 1812, was especially enthusiastic in entertaining his guests, and presented company G with a small Union flag. At six o'clock the beat of the drum called the men into line, and with renewed courage and strength the march was resumed. The road was rough and hilly and it was not until ten in the evening that Bakers- ville was reached, and the regiment went into bivouac in the woods near by.
Immediately after breakfast on the /th, line was formed and the head of column pointed northwest. The regiment passed through Williamsport, on the Potomac, at eleven o'clock, and upon arriving at the river, near Falling Waters, the men were ordered to prepare to ford the stream. Some took off nearly all their clothing, others only their shoes and stockings, then with musketa at a right shoulder, and with bundles of clothing hanging from the bayonets, the NINTH entered the water, which was about knee deep, and in this most unfashionable attire entered upon the " Sacred Soil " of Virginia. Arriving on the southern side, fires were built with which to cook coffee and dry wet clothing. While thus engaged the approach of the other portions of the command, among them the First New Hampshire, was noticed. The First, after disrobing, marched into the river, and when about, half way across halted, while the band played " John Brown's Body," after which they completed the passage of the river, marching past the NINTH who cheered them lustily. A junc tion with General Patterson's forces had been established.
For the purpose of showing just how the men felt and acted " behind the scenes " in their every-day life, and how little the private soldier knew of what was going on about him — outside of his own personal experience— to show the motives which
1861 WHAT WAS WRITTEN HOME. 57
governed his actions, the hopes and fears which possessed his mind while in camp, on the march and in battle, the Editor proposes, as the record progresses, to give extracts from letters, written during the first fifteen months of service, b^ members of the NINTH to relatives and friends.
June 2nd. * * * To-day was my turn to cook. I did it up in fine style, and while dishing the vegetables, spilled them on the ground ; but I washed them off again, and the boys eat them without noticing the sand.* * * Had an alarm last night; we were out and ready in short order; it proved to be a false alarm, and after being ordered to sleep on our arms, we turned in. Fancy a loaded rifle for a bed-fellow. I turned over once, and ran the bayonet in my arm. I was on picket guard from 1:30 Friday till noon Saturday, with four hours off, and only two crackers and one red herring to eat. Came in faint and sleepy. * * * The Garibaldi Guards are near us, also the Fourteenth Brooklyn. * * * John can give you a better description of our camp than I can. (The names of some of the tents had been changed) for instance : my residence is " Excelsior," No. 14 Rutherford Place ; next door is " Dyass Hotel ;" across the street is the " Golding House," where Hen Gushing resides; Ed Barnes is above me on the same side. He is too full of the " Old Nick " to think of a name. * * * Straw berries are plenty ; boys sell them in camp for eight cents a quart — cheaper than pick ing. Must stop and prepare for inspection. Heavy guns have been firing all day. Saw seventy-four prisoners in the Navy Yard yesterday ; they looked downcast.
Darncstffwn, Md.,June Just got your letter. Left Washington, Monday, eight A. M. Marched all day through the hottest sun I ever felt. At midnight reached Rockville. I was in the rear guard for the protection of the baggage-train, which consisted of twenty-one four- horse wagons. There were about sixty of us — our position was a dangerous one, as we were in the rear, liable to be picked up by the enemy lying in ambush. Had to build roads for the wagons on several occasions ; one time took down several rods of rail fence, as the horses could not move the wagons through the mud. We were tired, hungry and sleepy, and anxious to reach a place of rest, as we did not like the idea of sleeping on our post and being shot the next day. Nothing would save a man in that case; it seems hard, but is just, as many lives might be lost by one man's fault.* * * We only get two mails a week, and we send a guard to Washington for them. * * * We leave soon for Harper's Ferry. The NINTH has the post of honor — that is the advance of the division. * * * Saw an old woman yesterday ploughing corn and smoking a pipe. We suffer for water on our marches, as we dare not drink from wells for fear of poison, so drink and fill our canteens from brooks. Sometimes we can't wait for a stream, then we call out some of the family and make them drink ; if it don't kill them we help ourselves. I am feeling very sore to-day from our march.
58 THE NINTH NEW YORK. July
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST VALLEY CAMPAIGN— TO WINTER QUARTERS.
The Ravages of War. — Camp Hallick. — Battery, Company K. — Martinsburg. — Foraging. — Bunker Hill and Charlestovvn. — The NINTH'S First Capture. — Arrival of the Band. — March to the Rear. — Bolivar Heights. — Camp Atterbury. — John Brown's Cave. — General Patterson Relieved by General Banks. — The Department of the Shenandoah. — Maryland Heights. — Camp Davis. — The First N. H. Volunteers leave for Home. — Camp Deppeler. — Carrolton. — Buckeystown. — Camp Rutherford. — Arrival of Company I. — The Second N. Y. S. M. — Camp Smith. — Anniversary of Company D. — Adjutant " Coppinger Murray." — Camp Sports. — The Thirteenth Mass. Volunteers.— Ball's Bluff.— Camp Tuthill.— Muddy Branch. — First Camp Prescott. — General Scott is Retired, and McClellan. Appointed General-in-Chief. — Malaria. — Darnestown. — Third Camp Prescott. — On the March. — Gainesville. — Letters.
morning of the 8th of July opened clear and pleasant. At noon, the march was resumed, and it was then very warm. The route led over roads that were deep with dust, hav ing been traversed by the men of both armies, as was evi denced by the absence of fences and the presence of smoulder ing fires, dead horses and deserted houses. Later on, while
o
marching parallel with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, it was noticed that the track had been destroyed for miles, the rails and ties piled together and burned by the retreating enemy, reported to be eleven thousand strong, under General Joseph E. Johnston. At three o'clock Martinsburg was reached, near which a portion of General Robert Patterson's troops were passed, they having crossed the river on the 2nd and driven the enemy from the town. The NINTH marched about a mile beyond, going into bivouac upon a hill-side, which was named Camp Hallick, in honor of the Lieutenant-Colonel. During the night the men were thoroughly drenched by a rain-btorm, but minded it little.
Company K, Capt. Thomas B. Bunting, Lieutenants W. M.
1861 BATTERY, COMPANY K. 59
Bramhall and Joseph W. Martin, reported to the regiment on the gth. This command had been recruited mainly in Railway, N. J. It was organized as a light battery and was composed of a very intelligent body of men.
In several of the militia regiments — previous to the war — Company K was known as the artillery company, but few of them were supplied with guns. When Company K of the NINTH was being recruited for artillery service, the members expected that their battery would be part and parcel of the regiment in the field, and the organization was known as the
o <->
" Ninth New York Battery." In order, however, to secure greater efficiency in that arm of the service, the military authorities decided to place all the light artillery under some competent officer, as chief of that branch, or to assign the bat teries to brigade or division commanders. Company K had been mustered into the service for " the War," at New York, on June 2Oth, but the officers were not commissioned until in January, 1862.
Upon arriving at Washington the company was sent to Camp Cameron, there to await equipment. Field guns were scarce at that time, and when ordered to the front, but two small pieces, both old and almost unserviceable, were all that had been furnished.
When ordered to report to the NINTH, the company put their two pieces, horses, ammunition and baggage upon the cars, and proceeded via Baltimore and Harrisburg to Hagers- town, Md., where they hitched up and thence marched to the' Potomac, crossing the river near Williamsport. The water was deep and the ford difficult to cross at the time, and the green artillerymen had some rough experience in getting their oains on to the Virginia shore.
O Q
Inasmuch as the question has been raised since the war whether or not the battery ever was attached to the regiment, the following letter, written by Captain Bunting on June 29th, 1887, is given
Upon going to Washington, the Battery went into camp, at Camp Cameron, on Fourteenth Street, where Lieut. Anderson was in command of a detachment of the
6O THE NINTH NEW YORK. July
NINTH, and whom I succeeded as Camp Commander. We remained there until some time in July, then joined the regiment at Martinsburg, Va., arriving late in the day, reporting to Colonel Stiles, making a parade next day with the regiment, and being ordered soon after to report to General Negley, who was in command of a Pennsyl vania Brigade. With him we marched to Harper's Ferry, from there to Darnestown, Md.. from this point we were ordered to Poolesville, Md., reporting to General Chas. P. Stone, then in command of the " Army of Observation."
From camp in Poolesville I wrote to the Governor of the State of New York, ask ing that commissions should be sent for the officers of the Battery, " Light Co. K, 9th N. Y. S. M.," and calling his attention to the fact that we left New York with his permission and were entitled to the commissions. (I think up to that date the com missions had been refused to the officers of the regiment on the ground that the regi ment left the State without the Governor's order or permission.)
There was little delay in receiving the commissions, but they changed the name of ths organization to " Sixth New York Independent Battery," and the commis sions were so issued.
Until these commissions were so received, we did beyond question belong to the NINTH New York, and every one in the command so understood it.
Very truly yours,
T. B. BUNTING.
Martinsburg, the county seat of Berkeley County, pre vious to the war, was a town of considerable importance ; the repair shops of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad were located there, and gave employment to a large number of men. A strong Union feeling existed at the beginning of hostilities. As the Union and Confederate troops alternately occupied the place, the result was a great destruction of property, and most of the inhabitants were compelled to leave. The Southern troops, before retreating, had burned the railroad buildings and rendered useless much valuable machinery, including about thirty-five locomotives ; they also burned some three hundred cars and many more were "ditched" into a creek.
Major-General Charles W. Sanford, commanding the First Division of New York State Militia, was in command of the troops in the vicinity, with headquarters in the late residence of Robert J. Faulkner (formerly U. S. minister to Russia), who having joined the cause of the rebels had retired within their lines. A review of all the New York regiments there-
O
abouts was held one day ; General Sanford being the review ing officer. While here the NINTH took its first lesson in foraging, and judging from the quantity of fowls, honey,
i86i A FAMINE AND A FEAST. 6 1
vegetables and tobacco brought into camp, the men proved apt scholars. This seeming robbery was, to a certain extent, due to the inefficiency of the army commissary and the actual wants of the men.
Rations were scarce and irregularly issued, while much that was provided was unfit to eat. Being without tents, the men were obliged to improvise shelters of brush, the few who succeeded in procuring boards with which to roof their huts, being looked upon with envy by their less fortunate comrades. While the heat during the day was intense, the nights were cool and chilly.
Owing to the variety of uniforms worn by the troops of the contending armies, the men of Patterson's command were ordered to wear a strip of white cotton cloth on the left arm above the elbow ; this was also to serve as a bandage in case of wounds.
On the 1 5th, Colonel Stone's brigade was reorganized, and consisted, besides the NINTH, of the First New Hamp shire, Seventeenth and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania. At about nine o'clock in the morning the command marched, and at one in the afternoon halted near Bunker Hill, the cavalry advance having encountered the rear guard of the enemy who had evacuated Harper's Ferry in the forenoon. The artillery, till then in rear of the infantry, was sent forward at a gallop, and after a few shells had been fired into the woods which con cealed the enemy, the advance was continued towards Win chester. A short distance beyond Bunker Hill the infantry halted and went into bivouac, the troops tired and hungry after their tedious tramp of some ten miles. The men were also glad of the rest which the following day afforded, and so no doubt were the people of the neighborhood, as it gave them an opportunity to trade with the soldiers.
They soon thronged the camp bringing bread, biscuit, milk, etc., which were gladly purchased. Berries, too. were plenty, and the men were not long in satisfying their craving appetites. In order to prevent pillaging, orders were issued to the effect that death would be the penalty for a violation of the
62 THE NINTH NEW YORK. July
rule. At dress parade, the Colonel, in trying to impress upon the men the importance of strict obedience to this order, got a little mixed, and unwittingly originated a " bull " by solemnly declaring that " Deatk without punishment" would be the late of the transgressors.
The troops resumed their forward movement on the morn ing of the i /th. When near Middleway the cavalry again encountered the enemy, and the artillery was ordered to the front, but the guns were not used. The NINTH was sent for ward to support the cavalry and repel any attack that might be made. After remaining in line for half an hour or so in a newly-mown field, and no enemy appearing, the march was continued. After passing through Middleway the direct road to Charlestown was taken, the troops arriving there at eight o'clock. Although only thirteen miles had been covered, the march was a severe one, owing to the rough roads and hot sun.
The next morning a few citizens timidly ventured within the camp, and informed the men that their bivouac was in the very field in which John Brown had been hung, whereupon many of the men scoured the neighborhood for relics of the gallows upon which the unfortunate hero had paid the penalty of his rashness. There was no mistaking the sympathies of the people living in the vicinity — they were all " Secesh " to the core. Public opinion — where there had been any laggards — had sent every young man of any respectability into the Confederate army, and none but the aged or physically dis abled remained at home. This did not surprise the Union soldiers, they expected such would be the case ; if there was any class of people the men detested — next to a Northern Copperhead — it was the sneaking individuals met with in the South, who were Unionists or Confederates according to their surroundings for the time being.
During the day, companies B and E, Captains Deppeler and Smith, were ordered to march about three miles in the direction of Winchester, where it was learned that a number of cars, loaded with corn, were standing upon a track of the
l86l MARCHED IN RETREAT. 63
Shenandoah railroad. The cars were round, a rope hitched to the train, and company E acting as the motive power, they were hauled back to Charlestown, Company B bringing up and protecting the rear. The arrival of this first capture of the enemy's stores by the NINTH was hailed with shouts of joy, especially as no casualties had occurred to the force engaged.
On the iQth, as a result of the efforts made at Camp Stone on the iith of June, the regimental band of eighteen pieces, under the leadership of George Neyer, arrived. In the even ing the regiment was treated — much to its delight — to a choice selection of patriotic music. The usual routine of the camp was now resumed, the officers and men when off duty either visiting the town or rambling about the vicinity. Quite unex-
O O J **^
pectedly a movement to the rear was begun on the morning of the 2ist. This caused great disappointment. With the single exception of the skirmish — the river dividing the hostile forces — at Harper's Ferry, on the 4th, no opportunity had been afforded the NINTH of engaging the enemy, and now, just when it seemed that an action was pending, a retreat was ordered. It was not known then that the "Army of North eastern Virginia," under General Irvin McDowell, was at that moment fio-htinsf the battle of Bull Run, nor that the bulk of
o o
Johnston's army had left the Valley two days before, for the purpose of making possible a defeat of the Union army on the plains of 'Manassas, and that the only force in front of Patter son's twenty thousand men, was a mere rear-guard, left there for the purpose of deceiving the Union general.
The march in retreat was a leisurely one, over a good macadamized road, and when Bolivar Heights was reached, the regiment bivouacked for the night. The Heights are* about a mile south of Harper's Ferry, and near by was the little hamlet of Bolivar, the former home of most of the employees in the U. S. Arsenal. After it was found that the regiment was to remain awhile, the bivouac was named Camp Atterbury, the location being changed once in order to secure a better drill and parade ground. Company drills alone were
64 THE NINTH NEW YORK. July
practiced, and this gave the men considerable spare time, which they utilized in exploring the surroundings. ' The cave where John Brown had secreted his " army " of twenty-five men, and with which he purposed doing battle against the people of Virginia and freeing their slaves, was discovered and visited, and the spring of ice cold water found there was appreciated, fully as much, perhaps, as the romance attending the movements of old " Ossawatomie."
The following orders explain themselves :
GENERAL ORDERS, ) No. 33. \
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA,
Harper's Ferry, Va., July 2 ^th , 1 86 1 .
The term for which the troops from Pennsylvania were called into service having expired, and nearly all of them having returned to their homes, the commanding gen eral, by direction of the War Department, relinquishes the command of this depart ment on the expiration of his term of service.
The commanding general regrets to leave you. It is with satisfaction that he recalls to you that you have steadily advanced in the face of the enemy, greatly- superior in numbers and artillery, and offered battle, which they refused until pro tected by their strong intrenchments at Winchester.
You have done all that was possible and more than could have been expected or demanded, and if advantage has not been taken of your sacrifices, and if the fruits of
your campaign have been lost, the fault cannot be imputed to you.
********
R. PATTERSON,
Major-General Commanding . GENERAL ORDERS, ) NO. 34. \
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE SHENANDOAH,
Harper's Ferry, V a., July 2*,th, 1861. .
By virtue of orders received from the War Department, Major-General N. P. Banks hereby assumes command of this department. By order of
GENERAL BANKS. ROBERT WILLIAMS,
Asst. Adjt.-Genl.
Reports of the enemy's advance towards Harper's Ferry- induced General Banks to practically evacuate the place, and on the 28th the NINTH, with the bulk of the little army — now about six thousand strong — recrossed the Potomac. The march to the ford, although short, was a very dusty one, and on emerging from the water the men presented a rather dirty and bedraggled appearance. The march was continued
i86i
CAMP DAVIS. 65
to the summit of Maryland Heights, where, on the following day, after the tents, which had been forwarded from Point of Rocks, were pitched, Camp Davis, in honor of the captain of Company D, was established. The distances marched up to this time aggregated one hundred and thirty-two miles.
<_>o o j
The men were thoroughly disgusted at the result of their first campaign in the enemy's territory, and from which they had retreated without firing a shot or suffering a single casualty. The fatigues of the march and the discomforts of the bivouac, during the three weeks of " active " service, did not seem to have injured the men, but had rather served to " season " them. No serious cases of sickness had occurred, and the NINTH was in condition to respond to any demands that might be made upon it.
Such was the importance of the commanding position on the heights, which overlooked both Loudoun Heights and Harper's Ferry, that it was decided to fortify the place ; the only objection to its permanent occupancy being the lack of water, that necessary fluid having to be brought from Sandy Hook at the foot of the mountain. The men were called upon to perform a variety of work, to cut wood, work on the forti fications, and guard trains, besides their regular guard and picket duty. Company drills were also performed, the limited extent of clear or level ground precluding battalion move ments.
On the 28th Captain Morrison resigned to accept pro motion in another organization. He first entered the State service as a member of the Seventh regiment in 1855, ^ut soon removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he joined the St. Louis City Guard and became its commander. His great popularity was evidenced by a rival organization, the " Independent Guards," presenting him with some silver plate, in July, 1860. In April, 1861, he'enrolled forty of the City Guard for special U. S. service, but Governor Claiborne F. Jackson, a strong Secessionist, refused to arm them, when Captain Morrison returned to New York, and on the 26th of that month was elected Captain of Company A, of the NINTH.
5
66 THE NINTH NEW YORK. August
Early in August Surgeon Bigelow retired to civil life. This was much regretted, for, during the short time he had been with the regiment, such had been his attention to the sick, though few in number, that he had gained the respect and •esteem of every member of the command. Only two deaths by disease had occurred, both from typhoid fever ; the bodies were buried in the vicinity with military honors, and shortly afterwards one of them was disinterred and forwarded to New York for final burial.
In the absence of more stirring events, the expiration of the three months' term of service, and its departure for home, of the First New Hampshire regiment, was a matter of much interest to the NINTH. The Granite State men — many of them — were loath to leave the field without having met the enemy. A close friendship had for some time existed between the two regiments, and the final parting could not but produce feelinos of regret. Those of the NINTH off duty went down
O O J
to Sandy Hook to see the First off on the cars and, as souvenirs of mutual comradeship, an exchange of caps and jackets was freely made. When the train moved off cheer upon cheer rent the air with such force that the enemy — if within hear ing — must have wondered what was up.
On the 6th a U. S. Paymaster arrived in camp and paid (in specie) each member of the regiment for twenty-three days services. The men had been hard up for some time, and had it not been for the liberality of the sutler, who gave almost unlimited credit, many would have fared badly. On the /th the rank and file of the regiment were taxed fifty cents each towards the expense of organizing the band, which amount was cheerfully paid, and believed to be a good investment. " Pre pare to march," was almost a daily order, only to be counter manded before night ; but the long rest of eighteen day's was well improved, and the drill and discipline gained was of great service in all subsequent operations.
While the NINTH was on the summit of Maryland Heights "" observing " the enemy on the opposite side of the river. General Stone's division was located near Poolesville. On the
i86l THE NINTH WANTED. 67
13th General Scott ordered Banks to withdraw his troops from Maryland Heights, and form a new defensive line along the Monocacy River, between Frederick City and the Potomac. General Stone's pickets were to watch the fords and ferries between Great Falls and Point of Rocks ; while General Banks was to look after the Upper Potomac as far as Williamsport.
About the middle of the month scouts informed General Stone that the enemy, located in force near Leesburg, Va., contemplated a crossi'ng in his front. Stone's force was weak, and what few guns he had were small and of short ranofe; and
ra c>
on the 1 6th he wrote McClellan asking for guns of longer
and two additional regiments — " the Fifteenth Massa-
o
chusetts, now at Washington, and the Ninth New York State Militia, now with General Banks." General Stone evidently •entertained a high opinion of the NINTH, formed from what he had seen of the regiment while under his command. General Banks, perhaps, had equally good reasons for refusing to loan the NINTH, and the transfer was not made.
At eight o'clock on the morning of the i 7th Camp Davis was abandoned, the NINTH taking its place in brigade line of march, with the Third Wisconsin, Twenty seventh Indiana, and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania. These regiments replaced the New Hampshire and Pennsylvania troops, whose three months' term of service had expired. Brigadier-General Charles S. Hamilton was in command. The route of march was northeast, over rough roads frequently crossed by small watercourses, up hill, down dale, and cross lots. While pass ing through the villages of Knoxville and Jeffersonville, the hearts of the men were cheered by the display of Union flags, in recognition of which the band treated the citizens to its best music. The strains of the "Star Spangled Banner" brought forth cheers and "God bless you" from the patriotic people. Shortly after passing through Jeffersonville a halt for an hour was made to allow the men to prepare coffee, after which the march was continued till near nightfall, when a bivouac was
O
formed upon ground owned by the the descendents of Charles Carroll, a signer of the immortal Declaration of Independence.
68 THE NINTH NEW YORK. August
Carrollton, except from a historical point of view, was a mean place and totally unfit for a camp ground ; it was low, wet and marshy, and the water obtainable for drinkino- and cookino-
c> &
purposes, very poor. Captain Deppeler, in whose honor the bivouac was named, was not much elated.
On this day General Scott issued the following order :
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, August \~Jth, 1861.. GENERAL ORDERS, ) No. 15. [
The Departments of Washington and Northeastern Virginia will he united into one, to which will be annexed the Valley of the Shenandoah, the whole of Maryland and of Delaware, to be denominated the Department of the Potomac, under Major- General McClellan * * * who will proceed to organize the troops under him into divisions and independent brigades.
At half-past six on the morning of the i8th, the men were in line again, and soon passed through the village of Buckeystown, thence over the Monocacy River, and camped about noon two miles beyond. Captain Rutherford was hon ored by the name of this camp, which was pitched upon a hill in an opening in the woods, and but a short distance from the river which, at this point, was a narrow and shallow stream, but admirably adapted for washing and bathing pur poses. Good spring water was also plenty and near at hand. Dress-parade was numerously attended by the people of the neighborhood, who showed great interest in all the move ments. The thrifty visitors did not come empty-handed, and as soon as the parade was dismissed, displayed a tempting assortment of luxuries, which were eagerly purchased by the men. Lager beer and lemonade were also offered outside the line of guards, and it was said that a wink of the eye and the display of the proper collateral produced whiskey too. Where- ever the latter was discovered in the hands of the men, or of the peddlers, by the officers on duty, the contraband article was confiscated, ostensibly for hospital use, but those who were despoiled, were uncharitable enough to say — and believe- that the captured article seldom got as far as the hospital tent. Tobacco and cigars were sold by nearly all the huck-
lS6l COMPANY I ARRIVES AT THE FRONT. 69
sters, and this caused no little dissatisfaction to the regimental sutler, who, when the men were out of money, had given them liberal credit. Patronizing outsiders, and " Rebs " — so he styled them — at that, he thought a poor requital of his favors.
On this day a member of Company B, who had been sick and partially deranged for some time, committed suicide, the Chaplain of the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania officiating at the funeral.
Just about dusk on the 2ist, Company I reported for duty with the regiment, from Camp Cameron, where it had been stationed the past month, and was cordially received by the men at the entrance to camp ; they having turned out to see the "well drilled" company, as such a reputation had preceded it.
To the words of command Hep ! Hep ! Hep ! to keep the step, the company entered and became a part of the house hold of the NINTH.
The officers were, Captain Peter J. Claassen, and Lieuten ants George H. Wheaton and Eno J. Claassen.
The company had been enrolled in the militia service of the State for the usual period of seven years, and on the ijth of July was mustered into the United States service for "three years or during the war," by Captain S. B. Hayman, ;th U. S. Infantry.
On the 2Oth of July, the company had left New York, and the next day reached Washington. No little excitement was occasioned among the members when the news of the defeat at Bull Run was received. The company was put underarms and the men expected to participate in the defence of the city. Drilling was vigorously prosecuted during the sojourn at Camp Cameron, and the men passed through the same experience all new soldiers encounter. The Seventy-ninth Highlanders, N. Y. S. M., from the city of New York, and veterans of the Bull Run campaign, were encamped near by during the early part of August, and the new company wit nessed an instance of the execution of military law, that was
/O THE NINTH NEW YORK. August
doubtless of benefit to them. For reasons which appeared good to them, eight companies of the Seventy-ninth refused to obey certain orders, and during- the day much excitement was occasioned among the members of the regiment. Towards evening their camp was surrounded by regular troops, under command of the Provost Marshal, Brig.-General Andrew Porter, and under penalty of being blown out of existence by artillery, for further refusal to obey orders, were commanded to " fall in." They fell in, and were marched off under heavy guard. The regimental colors were taken from them, not to be restored until they had re-won them upon the field of bat tle, and a number of the members were sent as prisoners to the Dry Tortugas, Gulf of Mexico, where they were kept at hard labor until the following Spring. Trouble had arisen in other regiments about this time, and General McClellan found that heroic measures were necessary to quell these incipient mutinies.
On the morning of the 2ist, Captain Claassen started with his company to join the regiment, proceeding by railway via Relay House and Frederick Junction, arriving, as has been stated, at the close of the day.
After a week's stay at Camp Rutherford orders were again received to move, and at five o'clock on the afternoon of the 26th, line was formed, the column marching an hour later. The regiment left camp to the inspiring strains of "Dixie." The direction was south, over rough and muddy roads, and after dark the marching became very tiresome. Shortly after ten o'clock a halt was made near the town of Urbana. Soon after breakfast the next morning the march
O
was resumed, the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania leading the brigade. The roads were bad, and much delay was caused by the men being obliged to stop and remove their shoes and stockings, before wading through the brooks ; bridges were few and crossed only the larger streams. The column halted a short distance beyond Barnesville, and bivouacked in a field amid stacks of prain, which the men were forbidden to touch,
O
the rules being strictly obeyed while daylight lasted. During
1861 CAMP SMITH. 71
the day Lieutenants Charles R. Braine and William S. Stryker, and Privates Michael T. Burke and Michael Dum- phrey of Company I, and others, were detailed for duty with the Signal Corps.
At half-past seven on the morning of the 28th the men were again on the march ; the rain falling in torrents soon rendered the roads almost impassable, and swelled the streams to such an extent that they were difficult to ford. When near Poolesville a halt was ordered and the men went into a wet bivouac. During the day the Second N. Y. S. M. (Eighty- second N. Y. Vols. ) from New York city was met. The si<rht of each was a treat to both regiments, and notwith-
o o
standing the wet condition of all, the discomfort was forgotten for the moment, as familiar faces were recognized here and there in the two regiments. The First Minnesota and Fifteenth Massachusetts were also met and kindly greetings exchanged. At eight o'clock the next morning the column was again in motion. After passing through Poolesville a.id Dawsonville, the route led towards Darnestown, and when within a mile of the place the regiment went into camp.
Camp Smith, in compliment to the captain of company E, was regularly laid out ; the location was a most desirable one, ground level, good water and plenty of it, and trees enough near by to afford a grateful shade during the heat of the day to those off duty. The whole of Banks' division, consisting of the brigades of Generals Abercrombie, Hamilton and Williams, besides the artillery and a small detachment of cavalry, was camped in the vicinity. The neighboring people soon thronged the camps and a lively trade in eatables and drinkables was established.
On the 4th of September marching orders — afterwards countermanded — were issued. A game of baseball, between companies C and G, resulted in a victory for the former by a score of eighteen to twelve. On the 13th the regiment was inspected by General Banks, and on the following day Company I, was detailed for guard duty at his headquar ters, where it remained until October 29th.
72 THE NINTH NEW YORK. September
Monday the i6th was the second anniversary of the organization of Company D, and its members assembled in front of the tent of Captain Green, — who had succeeded Captain Davis, resigned — for the purpose of celebrating the event. The company street had been profusely decorated with flags, and in the evening a display of Chinese lanterns gave the quarters a gay and picturesque appearance. Re freshments, though of a somewhat primitive character, were not wanting, and full justice was done the bill of fare. Songs, recitations and one or two speeches constituted the literary portion of the programme, which were a credit to the partici pants and most enjoyable to the audience, consisting of nearly the entire regiment.
At this time the Legislature of Maryland was nearly equally divided between Unionists and Secessionists ; an adjourned meeting was to convene at Frederick on the lyth, and it was hoped by the " Secesh " wing that an ordinance of secession would be passed. The Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, ordered General Banks to arrest the secession mem bers, and nine or more of the House of Delegates were placed in durance vile. The Senate failed to convene.
Moving orders were received on the 2ist, but the command to " fall in " failed to materialize. On the 22nd, Company L, Captain Erastus R. Miller with Lieutenants A. Martin Bur- tis and Andrew B. Stiles, reported for duty, and was gladly welcomed.
The company had been recruited during the month of Auo-ust through the efforts of Messrs. E. R. Miller, A. M.
O O 0
Burtis, S. S. J. Briggs and H. V. Williamson, all of whom were elected to office in it ; the uniforms were furnished by Messrs. Brooks Bros., and mostly paid for by the members.
On August 3 ist, at the Elm Street arsenal, the services were accepted by the U. S. Government for the term of " the war " by Major Frederick Townsend, i8th Infantry ; Captain F. S. Larned, i2th Infantry; Captain S. B. Hayman, ;th Infantry; mustering officers.
1861 KNAPSACK DRILL. 73
Camp Cameron was the station of the company from about September 4th, until leaving to report to the regiment.
The NINTH now had ten companies present for duty.
On the following day, Surgeon Charles J. Nordquist reported for duty, having been appointed to succeed Surgeon Bigelow.
Second Lieutenant Charles E. Tu thill was promoted Adjutant, vice Coppinger resigned. The latter had been Adjutant since 1860, and was a gentlemen respected by every member of the regiment. He had joined the renowned " City Guard " in the fifties, bringing with him a ripe experience of active service in the British army, acquired in India under General Havelock. In 1859, ne was elected First Lieutenant of Company E, and shortly afterwards was made Adjutant. His resignation bore date September ist, and was caused by his being summoned to England to take possession of the paternal estate.
Camp Smith was one of the places where the men had abundant opportunity to amuse themselves when off duty. During the day, ball-playing, pitching quoits and even marble- playing were indulged in. Singing and serenading were of nightly occurrence, the serenade generally bestowed upon some popular officer, and when that list was exhausted many of the rank and file were complimented. The old fire laddies, too, would frequently rush through camp yelling and whoop ing, as they dragged an old cart or wagon in imitation of run ning " wid der machine."
The private soldier never felt like bestowing upon the inventor of knapsack drill ihe thanks Sancho Panza gave the author of sleep. To carry a knapsack filled with bricks or stones was sometimes imposed in the sentence of a regimental court-martial, but when a regiment was ordered out on drill in heavy marching order, it also savored of punishment, and annoyed and tried the men as much as if intended for that purpose. Those who ordered such drills doubtless followed the book of " tactics," and, of course, blundered in that as well as in other matters when common sense should have been the
74 THE NINTH NEW YORK. September
guide. The tacticians seem to have lost sight of the fact that soldiers hardly ever carry their knapsacks within the range of shot and shell, for, if they were not left at some convenient point under orders, they were very unceremoniously cast aside as soon as the men entered the battle-field. But it was laid down in the " tactics " that such drills were necessary — there fore they must be practiced. The NINTH endured the afflic tion for the first time on the 25th.
Thursday the 26th was designated by the President as a day of Thanksgiving, and was honored by the NINTH and the rest of the division by parading at Darnestown and being reviewed by General Banks. A large concourse of visitors graced the occasion, and the review passed off with great eclat.
While the NINTH was formed for battalion drill, one day, an incident occurred which served to bind still more closely the ties of friendship that had existed for some time between the regiment and the Thirteenth Massachusetts. The latter had been ordered to Williamsport, and wishing to pay their comrades a parting visit, marched in line up to within a few paces of the NINTH. Halting, they gave "Three cheers for the New York NINTH." The NINTH returned the compliment, upon which the Thirteenth resumed its march. These two regiments — one from Boston, the other from New York — never ceased to be firm friends, and it was their good fortune to be closely associated for nearly two years afterwards, sharing the fatigues of the march, the pleasures of the camp, and the perils and dangers of the battle-field.
On the last day of September, the sound of heavy guns in the direction of the Chain Bridge, indicated that the army of the Potomac was feeling the enemy. Early in the month, under the personal direction of General McClellan, an advance had been made from the defenses along Arlington Heights, from the vicinity of the Chain Bridge, and the enemy driven back at every point. Frequent rumors of a move on the part of Banks' army, too, kept the men of the NINTH in constant expectation of an active campaign, an event desired
l86i THE MARCH TOWARDS BALLS BLUFF. 75
by both officers and men, for as yet they had realized none of the " glory " resulting from active service.
The month of October, a most delightful season of the year, opened with a review of the division at Camp Stone, the NINTH marching to that place in the morning and return ing during the afternoon.
Service at Camp Smith was by no means light, for, in addition to the routine, details were made to perform picket duty at Seneca Falls, five miles distant, and also for patrol guard at the village of Darnestown. The eight weeks passed here were of great benefit, in the matter of drill, both officers and men becoming very proficient in the tactics frequently of so much importance on the field of battle. The four months' wear and tear showed its effects on the tents, many of which were in a leaky condition and unfit for service. Diseases were contracted here from which many of the men dated the begin ning of their disability.
While the regiment was engaged in drill on the 2ist, orders came to dismiss the men and prepare to march immediately. Shortly after knapsacks had been packed and tents struck it grew dark, when the litter of the camp was gathered into piles and burned, the men sitting around the fires and speculating upon the cause of the sudden movement. Stories were retold and old lies swapped over again, until eight o'clock, when Lieutenant-Colonel Hallick gave the order, " Forward, March !" and the column moved to the tune, " Oh, carry me back to old Virginny." The evening was clear, the weather mild, and the roads in pfood condition. The route led through Dawson-
o £>
ville, a short distance beyond which the road was crossed by a creek ; there was no bridge other than a log spanning the stream, and as few cared to walk that in the dark, most of the men waded across. Shortly after midnight the regiment passed through Poolesville, and upon inquiring of a guard, who was pacing back and forth in front of a house, it was learned that the body of Colonel E. D. Baker, of the Seventy-first Pennsylvania, but better known as the First California regi ment, lay within, and that he had been killed during the day
76 THE NINTH NEW YORK. October
at Ball's Bluff. The cause of the hurried night march was now revealed. Instinctively the men quickened their steps, anxious to reach the scene of the battle, and render assistance and succor ere it should be too late. It was gathered from passi ~g stragglers of Stone's command — many of whom were half naked, having thrown off part of their clothing in their frantic endeavors to swim across the river on their retreat from the disastrous battle — that unless help was at hand by daylight, all yet remaining on the Virginia shore, or on Harrison's Island in the river, would be either killed or captured.
Rain began to fall shortly after the column passed through Poolesville ; but the rapid march was continued. As the river was approached, the stragglers from the defeated comman-d increased in number ; men by twos, tens and twenties, many of them wounded, were streaming towards the rear, and all telling the same sad story of disaster and defeat. For lack of proper conveyances many of the wounded were being trans ported in the common baggage wagons, and as the heavy cumberous vehicles jolted over the rough places in the road, the cries and groans of the unfortunate occupants were a sad accompaniment to the distressing scene.
On arriving at Conrad's Ferry, the canal was crossed, when the regiment halted and the men were ordered to load their muskets ; the inarch was continued down the towpath, until about four o'clock, when the column halted after a fatiguing march of sixteen miles. With nothing more than a blanket to keep the rain from above or the dampness from below, the men tried to snatch a few minutes' repose. At nine o'clock they were aroused. All were hungry ; no rations had been carried by the men, and the wagons -had not arrived. Fortunately a few boxes of abandoned crackers were found and divided ; at noon the commissary wagons brought a full supply.
From those who had been engaged in the unfortunate affair of the day before, it was learned that Colonel Baker, under orders from General Stone, had crossed with his own regi ment,— the Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts, and the
f
1861 BATTLE OF BALL'S BLUFF. 77
Forty-second " Tammany " New York Regiment, and two or three pieces of artillery, in all about twenty-one hundred men; for the purpose of driving the enemy, supposed to be in small force, from Leesburg, and holding the ground so taken if practicable. General Stone, meanwhile, was to make a demonstration at Edward's Ferry, a short distance br-low, with another brigade, and cut off the enemy's retreat in that direc tion. About one o'clock in the afternoon of the 2ist the battle began. For a while the Union troops were successful in hold ing the enemy, who appeared in large force, in check, but they were finally compelled to fall back, which they did, at first, slowly and in good order. The death of Colonel Baker at this juncture precipitated matters, and the command devolv ing upon Colonel Milton Cogswell, of the Tammany Regi ment, he ordered a retreat to the river. The retreat became a rout. Many brave men formed on the bluffs near the river, and for a short time held the enemy at bay, but they, too, were finally obliged to abandon the hopeless task and seek safety in flight. The bluffs were steep, and as the Union soldiers jumped, slipped, or fell over, they plunged into the water, hoping at least to gain Harrison's Island. The two or three boats that had been used in ferrying them over had been upset or otherwise rendered useless. It was a terrible strug- <de for life. Many were shot while in the water, and the wounded drowned in the swift current. The killed, wounded and prisoners amounted to the appalling number, compared with the force engaged, of one thousand and fifty.
On hioh eround, half a mile back from the river, on the
o o
Maryland shore, a few pieces of artillery had been posted, commanding Harrison's Island and the Virginia shore beyond. Upon the Island were still many of the men, some severely Avounded, and the work of transferring these to the Maryland shore was slowly progressing. Somebody had blundered, for there was an utter lack of the proper means of transportation. A couple of scows only, capable of carrying perhaps thirty persons each, were all that had been provided. All the dead- save the bodies of Colonel Baker and one or two other
78 THE NINTH NEW YORK. October
officers — and many of the wounded had been left in the hands of the enemy, who retired, during the night, near to their intrenchments in the vicinity of Leesburg.
General Banks had accompanied his men, and on his arrival assumed command. General McClellan had tele graphed that the position on the Virginia shore and Harrison's Island should be maintained at all hazards. About four thousand men, including cavalry and artillery, were sent over durincr the forenoon of the 22nd. The NINTH, with the rest
o
of the brigade, remained on the Maryland shore, and occupied the river bank, sheltered by the trees and shrubbery. About two o'clock in the afternoon the order to fall-in was oriven, and
C>
in the midst of a heavy rain-storm the brigade started, halting, after a march of four miles, in bivouac for the night.
At three o'clock on the morning of the 23rd, the drums beat the reveille and after the men had swallowed their coffee, line was formed and the column headed for Edwards Ferry, near which a halt was ordered and Camp Tuthill, in honor of the Captain of Company H, was established. The land belonged to an officer in the Confederate service, and as there was a good supply of the necessary article in the fields, the men liberally supplied their wants and enjoyed the luxury of repose upon beds of clean, sweet straw. From a hill close by the camp, the Virginia shore was plainly seen, and when the sound of artillery and musketry was heard during the fore noon, the men went to that point and witnessed a portion of Stone's division driving the enemy back into the country.. Night closed without the NINTH being called into line.
Nothing of importance occurred on the 24th until just before " taps," when the long roll was beaten and the men hurried into line. Colonel Stiles, who had been absent from the regiment during the march to Conrad's Ferry, addressed the regiment, expressing his regret at not being present at that time ; he also cautioned the men to keep cool and not get excited, in case they were called into action, and enjoined upon both officers and men to strictly obey such orders as might be given them. The regiment remained in line for
1 86 1 MUDDY BRANCH. 79
some time and was finally dismissed, but the men were cau tioned to sleep on their arms, and be ready to jump at a moment's notice.
Daylight of the 25th revealed the fact that the Union troops which had been operating on the Virginian shore had all returned to Maryland.
On this day, too, the detail which had remained at Camp Cameron, as a guard, when the regiment left there in June, reported at headquarters, Camp Cameron having- been aban doned as a military post.
The reverse at Ball's Bluff, although an insignificant affair of the war, was productive of serious consequences to the plans of General McClellan. The movement had been origin ally ordered in connection with the advance of the left wing of the Army of the Potomac, a portion of which had occupied Fairfax Court House, but the unexpected defeat, and the strength and ability displayed by the enemy, caused him to countermand it. Several of the advanced posts were aban doned, while all the troops that had crossed the river above the Chain Bridge were withdrawn to the Maryland side.
At eight o'clock in the morning of the 26th, the NINTH bade farewell to Camp Tuthill and marched in the direction of Poolesville, thence towards Seneca Creek, going into bivouac near the stream at half-past two in the afternoon, after a march of eleven miles. Rabbits were found to be plenty ; during the afternoon many were captured and formed a pleasing variety to the bill of fare.
The next day was Sunday. At eight o'clock the regiment was again in line, and after passing through Dawsonville, marched towards Muddy Branch Creek, upon the banks of which Camp Prescott, in honor of the Captain of Company C, was established. The ground was low and swampy, besides being covered with a thick growth of underbrush ; the men worked hard to render the place habitable, but their labors were in vain. The drinking water was unfit for use — was even said to be poisonous — and it was hoped a move would at once be made to a more eligible site.
8O THE NINTH NEW YORK. October
On the 29th, Company I, that had been on duty at General Banks' headquarters since September i4th, returned to the command.
At dress-parade, in the evening, a stand of colors, sent to the regiment by the Common Council of the City of New York, were formally presented and were received by Colonel Stiles, who responded on behalf of the NINTH. The flags had been brought from New York by Lieutenant Wickham, who reached the regiment on the 24th, accompanied also by about one hundred recruits.
At his own request, General Scott was retired late in the month of October, and on the ist of November, President Lincoln appointed McClellan General-in-Chief. From McClellan's Oiun Story, page 200, we quote :
On Nov. i, 1 86 1, the following letter was received from the President.
Private. EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Nov. ist, 1 86 1. Maj.-Gen. GEO. B. McCLELLAN :
My Dear Sir : Lieut.-Gen. Scott having been, upon his own application, placed on the list of retired officers, with his advice, and the concurrence of the entire Cabinet, I have designated you to command the whole army. You will, therefore, assume this enlarged duty at once, conferring with me so far as necessary.
Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN. P. S. — For the present let Gen. Wool's command be excepted.
A. L.
McClellan decided to suspend further operations in the field, until the troops, through drill and discipline, were bet ter fitted to perform the important work in store for them.
Notwithstanding the oft-repeated reports to headquarters respecting the unhealthy location of the camp, which were daily corroborated by the increased list of sick, the beginning of November found the NINTH still in that miserable place. A grave mistake had been made in its selection, and the disorders suffered by the men were plainly traceable to the impure water and the malarial condition of the locality. The name of the stream, Muddy Branch, was enough to condemn it, and it did not belie the term. Unless, because of some pressing military
1861 CAMP PRESCOTT. 8 1
necessity no troops should have been kept there, even over night, but to such bad judgment many a veteran now owes the aches and pains, and broken constitution, which he will carry to his grave. Murmurs of discontent were heard among the men. Had the regiment been composed of mercenary soldiers no doubt a mutiny would have broken out, and the performance of further military duty refused until a change of camp had been effected. Finally, Surgeon Nordquist appealed directly to General Branks, when authority was given to move, the chancre bein<>f made on the sth.
o *> *-*
The regiment moved less than a mile away from Muddy Branch, and re-established Camp Rrescott in a clear open field, near which there was an abundance of good water. The change was productive of great good to the men ; most of the sick rapidly recovering, although a few no doubt were perma nently disabled. By the 2oth the weather had changed ; much rain had fallen ; the roads were bad ; it began to look as though there would be no more active campaigning that sea son, and that the army would likely go into winter quarters. During the day, however, the regiment moved, marching1 about
o J ^> o
four miles in the direction of Darnestown, where the third Camp Prescott was established.
Shortly after the tents had been pitched, and while he was lying clown to rest, Private Emile S. Ferrero, of Company A, was severely wounded in the leg by the accidental discharge of a musket in the hands of a careless comrade. A wound re ceived in this manner was peculiarly aggravating; a good sol dier is always ready, if not willing, to run his chances of being wounded in battle, with the enemy, but when disabled through the carelessness of a comrade, the attending pain and suffering seems increased. In this case the wound resulted in the per manent disability of the unfortunate man, and after partial re covery he was discharged from the service.
On the 23rd General McClellan, in special orders, No. 154, ordered the "Sixth New York Independent Battery" to re port to Brigadier-General Joseph Hooker, at Camp Baker, Lower Potomac. Up to this time the battery had been serving;
82 THE NINTH NEW YORK. November
either under General Banks or Stone, and had taken part in several important movements. On the i6th of October it had accompanied Colonel Geary, of the Twenty-eight Pennsyl vania, on a reconnoissance to Harper's Ferry, and was honor ably mentioned in his report . At the disastrous battle at Ball's Bluff, Lieutenant Bramhall, while unable to get his own guns up the steep bluff, worked one or two smaller pieces belonging to another battery, and (receiving several wounds) that gallant officer rendered such efficient service that he was mentioned in the reports. After doing duty on the Lower Po tomac during the winter and following spring, the battery ac companied the Army of the, Potomac to the Peninsula, and fol lowed the fortunes of that command until mustered out of the service.
The first snow of the season fell on Sunday, the 24th. The event, though productive of much discomfort, caused some little satisfaction, because it was something new to talk about; the men were growing restless and uneasy by reason of their very mild kind of soldier life, and anything new or out of the usual order served to while away the time. Though the men of the NINTH had all cheerfully taken the oath to serve during the war, none at that time believed that their services would be required longer than from six to twelve months. The result of the battle of Bull Run, however, dispelled that illusion. Still, it seemed strange that the summer and fall should pass with out their engaging in a battle; that all the " active" service they were to perform should consist of marching and counter marching. Little does the rank and file of an army know how much a brief waiting may sometimes accomplish, in the compli cated strategy of a campaign.
Thursday, the 28th, was the first regular Thanksgiving sea son that the members of the NINTH had spent away from their homes. Pork and beans, crackers and coffee, repeated every day, had made that bill of fare somewhat monotonous, but as the men seldom eat these government rations without plenty of seasoning in the form of hungry stomachs, this fare always tasted good. So it did on this Thanksgiving, and although
l86l THE MARCH TO WINTER QUARTERS. 8^
the men all hankered after "a good square meal "of something" better, the " rations," were disposed of without much grum bling.
Captain Henry C. Smith, of Company E, resigned on the 3Oth. He began his military career as a member of the Second regiment, July 4th, 1848, was made First Lieutenant of Company D in 1849, and Adjutant of the regiment in 1850. On May i ith, 1852, he was commissioned Captain of Company F, Seventy-First regiment, and on April 27th, 1861, Captain in the NINTH.
At eleven o'clock on the morning of the 2nd of December Camp Prescott was abandoned, and the NINTH marched to join the division, then being distributed in winter quarters in the vicinity of Frederick City. A pioneer force went in advance to pat the bridges in a passable condition. The roads were partly frozen, and as men, horses and wagons broke through the crust, the march was a very tiresome one. Towards evening the regiment bivouacked in a field by the roadside near the village of Barnesville. The march was resumed at eight o'clock the following morning, and soon after passing Barnes ville, Sugar Loaf Mountain was observed, upon the summit of which the Signal Corps had been established. The march was continued through Buckevstown, and to within two miles of
o f
Frederick City , when, late in the afternoon, after the day's march of about sixteen miles, a halt was ordered and the tents pitched in a piece of woods. At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 4th line was again formed, the Monocacy River crossed, and,, marching to within a couple of miles of Ijamsville, camp was located in the woods on Hoffman's farm, about five miles dis tant from Frederick City.
LETTERS :
Darncstown, Md., Sept. iind, 1861. This is Sunday, and as cold as winter. Received yours yesterday. The
gave me the new shirt. I'm very proud of it. We think we will be ordered into winter quarters soon, and hope it will be in Haltimore. We are expecting a fight every day, and are both ready and anxious for it. * * * As our rations are bacon and biscuit, we spend all our money for extras on the march. If we get a loaf of bread it's twenty-five cents, and everything in proportion. * * * The Twenty-ninth
84 THE NINTH NEW YORK. December
Pennsylvania are in the next field and are a little jealous that we receive the most attention (at dress-parade). We expect a new company to-day — L. * * * I am nearly well of my rheumatism and quite fleshy, but a few days since, while practicing-, loading and firing by companies, the man on my right slammed his gun down on my foot, smashing two of my toes, so I am quite lame. * * * Doctor says I'll have my head knocked off yet. * * * The rebel troops are supposed to amount to near 300,000, while we have about 400,000, and when we meet there will be fierce work. * * * There is no liquor to be got here except ordered by surgeon. Just had dinner — beef soup, not like you make — mere slops. Good-bye now. Write soon.
Oct. \f)th, 1 86 1.
Being rainy am excused from drill, and as our company is on duty to-morrow, I will write what I can to-day, and thank you all for the box I received. I think, from the variety it contained, you must all have had a hand in it. Everything acceptable, as you'd have thought if you had seen our mess pitch into the good things. E. B. has got a commission in some other regiment as lieutenant. We are very tired of doing nothing, and would be glad for an order to march into Virginia.
Camp Prescott, Muddy Branch, Oct. y>th, 1861.
* * * Was on guard last night, and it was the worst I ever saw ; very dark, and the brush so thick you could not see a man till close to him. The water is very bad. We drink from same brook the horses do, and wash ourselves and clothes in it too. The drums are beating for dinner — we call it " roast beef." I don't know what we are to have, but am willing to bet my commission against the St. Nicholas (I expect the one as soon as you get the other) that it is bean soup and, as I'm awful hungry, will go see. It was bean soup and hard-tack. * * * I had to throw away part of my clothes to lighten my knapsack, on our last march to Edward's Ferry, but saved enough for the present.
Muddy Branch, Nov. 6th, 1861.
Yours just received. Very happy to get it. It has rained two days, and is very cold. We have moved camp out of the woods to an open field close by, to save the few that were well. We are a little more comfortable, as the' sun reaches the tents now, and dries them a little. Our tents are two inches deep with mud ; we gather cedar boughs and spread on the floor, but still the dampness strikes through. Over 400 men of our regiment reported sick yesterday and to-day, from the damp and bad water. We can't blame General Banks; we hold a very responsible position, and must stay until the rebels vacate opposite, where they are in large numbers. They seem well contented over there, and I imagine are laughing at us. If they move, we move, as we must not let them cross (the Potomac), but if we get a chance, over we go. I hope if we are ordered over they won't send a few at a time, to be shot off as in Colo nel Baker's case, but send the whole division, then we will stand a chance. * * * We received McClellan's appointment as Commander (General) in Chief of our army with delight, and made the country ring with cheers, believing him to be the man for the times. We've had enough of old fogyism, and don't believe in trying to starve them out ; we want them whipped, and came for that purpose, and won't be satisfied until they — or we — are whipped.
* * * I will tell you about our mess ; it may interest you. We are fourteen in family — not the happy family — but a lively set of fellows. We have just finished sup per, and lighted candles. No. i is handsome Johnny B , the pet of the mess,
1861 TAKE YOUR CHOICE. 85
evidently thinking of home, as he says nothing ; No. 2 needs no description, as it is your
loving brother ; No. 3 is N. L. W , reading a magazine ; No. 4 is Sam F , who
called to see you for me ; No. 5, Sergeant G , out promenading in the mud ; No. 6,
Archy P , teasing W ; No. 7, R. S , reading ; No. 8, Matt. S , repairing
his wardrobe ; No. 9, is my old friend George T , reading your last letter ; we are
like brothers, and keep together on all marches and in camp. No. 10 is William
S , he is eighteen years old, is six feet two inches tall, and weighs no pounds.
You can imagine his style. No. n.Snm 15 , whom we call noisy; No. 12 is
Joshua H , who is getting ready to retire, by scraping the mud from his place on
to some other person's place — very accommodating. Nos. 13 and 14 are away sick. Ask K which of the men she prefers. I'll see she gets him, if the rebels don't.
S6 THE NINTH NEW YORK. December
CHAPTER V.
CAMP CLAASSEN, WINTER QUARTERS.
Frederick City, Mel. — " French Leave." — Court-Martial. — Log Huts. — Deaths in Camp. — Resolutions of Sympathy. — Brigade Reviewed.— A Military Execution. — Christmas Festivities. — Bright Muskets. — New Year's Day, 1862, — Officers visit Frederick. — Visit of ex-Adjutant Coppinger. — Death of Lieutenant Colonel Hal- lick. — Mud and Slush. — Field Officers Appointed by the Governor. — The " Eighty- third New York Volunteers." — Dissatisfaction. — The Lament of the Involuntary Volunteer. — Western Gun-Boat Service. — A Challenge to Mortal Combat De clined. — Petition for Transfer to the Heavy Artillery. — Washington's Birthday. — Orders to Move.— Letters.
T7REDERICK CITY the capital of Frederick County, was selected as the headquarters of the Department of the Shenandoah, General Banks occupying the residence of Gen eral Bradley T. Johnson, who was then in the Confederate Army.
Frederick wore the appearance of having been a very pros perous city, but at this time many of the business places and some of the finer private residences were closed, while some were occupied for military purposes. The majority of the inhabitants were loyal, many of them testifying in frequent visits to the army hospitals, and by care for the sick, their hearty sympathy for the Union Cause.
The camp, which was named in honor of the Captain of Company I, was situated on the gentle slope of a hillside on what was known as Hoffman's farm ; the field was surrounded on three sides by woods, principally of pine, while the fourth was open ; water was abundant and of good quality. On the very day the regiment arrived many of the men took — in camp parlance — " French Leave," /. e., absented themselves without permission, in consequence of which, on the 5th, orders were issued to the effect that all such delinquents would be court- martialed. By the following day a sufficient number had been apprehended, and the court proceeded to make an example of
§3-
o
IS § <3 S «
E^ c r! _£-£
•^ £ 1 4 £|
C I U c fc
U U
u
D. D. O. o. Q- O,
rt rt re rt ct rs U U U U 'O U
U
R
E -5 £ S.
O *•
rt ce ^p — 3 j= -r c C U < U
V CJ
II
|3
ii '. c
rt 3.2,
3 .Si J-
c<^; S
1861 CAMP CLAASSEN. 87
them ; non-commissioned officers were reduced to the ranks, while the privates were sentenced to perform from two weeks' to a month's fatigue duty.
The clay after the arrival in camp the men began to build log huts, some completing them with roofs of shingles, while others merely built the walls of logs and stretched the tents on top for a covering. The spaces between the logs were daubed with clay, boards formed a Mooring, and sheet-iron stoves, purchased at Frederick, were used to heat the huts ; altogether the quarters were very comfortable indeed. The style of architecture was almost as varied as the number of shanties, giving to the whole a somewhat odd appearance. Daily, three men from each company were allowed passes to leave camp, and as the majority preferred to visit Frederick, a citizen of that place established a line of stages making two rouad trips every day, and did a thriving business. A Mr. Beatty, a Union refugee from Virginia, received permission to compete with the sutler in the sale of luxuries, using for that purpose a large covered wagon, which, from its supposed resemblance to that ancient harbor of refuge, was called " The Ark." A photographer soon opened a "gallery" near the camp; an oyster peddler, too, made regular visits, and between