USA > New York > Franklin County > Historical sketch of the Sixteenth Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteer Infantry, April 1861 - May 1863 : St. Lawrence. Clinton. Franklin. First reunion, Potsdam, NY, August 31st and September 1st, 1886 > Part 1
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Historical sketch of the Sixteenth Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteer Infantry, April 1861 - May 1863 : St. Lawrence. Clinton. Franklin. First reunion, Potsdam, NY, August 31st and September 1st, 1886 > Part 1
USA > New York > Clinton County > Historical sketch of the Sixteenth Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteer Infantry, April 1861 - May 1863 : St. Lawrence. Clinton. Franklin. First reunion, Potsdam, NY, August 31st and September 1st, 1886 > Part 1
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Gc 973. 74 N42th 1757864
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00822 4443
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE 16th
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT
N. Y. S. VOLUNTEER INFANTRY:
APRIL, 1861-MAY, 1863.
ST. LAWRENCE. CLINTON. FRANKLIN.
FIRST REUNION,
POTSDAM, N. Y., -
August 31st and September Ist, 1886.
F ยท
8349
. 536
[THOMPSON, WILLIAM W 3
Historical sketch of the Sixteenth regiment N. Y.S. volunteer infantry, April 1861-May, 1863 ... First reunion, Potsdam, N. Y., August 31st and September 1st, 1886. [Albany, N. Y. , 1886] cover-title, 58, c4jp. plate. 26cm.
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TAX- 15- 1970
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/historicalsket00thom
H. R.Ward
"GAINS HILL." CHARGE OF THE SIXTEENTH NEW-YORK VOLUNTEERS, JUNE 27, 1862.
.
REQUEST.
Comrades :
The time has come to write the history of our regiment. This feeble attempt is a beginning. Its only merit is that the dates and figures are true to the records, which have been collected from the official accounts at Washington and Albany, and involved days and nights of labor to collect. Should another attempt be made to carry out more fully the history of the Sixteenth, and such a work should be written, not only of this Regiment but of all the northern New York Volunteers - one worthy of the subject - every man who had part in the events of their history can contribute to that work, for without such aid no history can be written. Read this little sketch, recall the events, write out the facts on the blank margin, adapted for this purpose, the names, dates of the killing, wounding, injury and death of every member of your company, together with other facts of interest, and send to me. Do this while life and health remain. I prom- ise to jealously guard all memoranda that may come to me, and to deliver them to any one who will compile the work, should I not do so.
Yours sincerely,
WM. W. THOMPSON,
August 28th, 1886.
Albany, New York.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE
Sixteenth Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, FROM APRIL, 1861, TO MAY, 1863.
THE ALARM.
IN April, 1861, the loyal people of St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties, conscious of the peril to the Federal Government, to the pro- tection of which they had pledged themselves, amid the sullen echoes of Sumter's guns, gathered around their alters, swearing that they would not be deprived of their heritage and that they would not be despoiled of the fruits of their father's contests, that neither the might of Armies, nor the craft of Treason should prevail against their established, dear-bought, pecul- iar American Liberty. And when the first official call of the nation's Presi- dent for aid "to maintain the Laws and suppress Rebellion " reached the hills and rolling pastures of these patriotic communities, loyal fathers and mothers, wives and sisters, had already devoted their sons and husbands and brothers to their country. The men of the Sixteenth Regiment were mar- shaled in military bands,ready to move upon the enemy at once. And we knew even then that men who volunteered themselves to represent such loy- alty, to defend in war such a cause, must, indeed, render a good account of themselves, they must return from the conflict " with their shields or upon them." Standing for these counties, to be tried in the fearful crucible that awaited it, the Sixteenth Regiment went forth, harnessed for the fight, self- devoted to the Republic. Its members did not take up arms in thought- lessness, or in restlessness, or for the prize of a military career, not dazzled by the pomp and glories of war, but simply and wholly for duty's sake and for their Country. When their work was fully accomplished they returned to the duties of civic life. They returned in triumph and honor, bearing their shields, but, alas, not all, for some of them, and how many, it was the Spartan alternative " upon their shields."
The achievements of the Sixteenth, as indeed the glorious and heroic records of the Eighteenth, the Sixtieth, the Ninety-second, the One Hundred and Sixth, the One Hundred and Forty-second and the various other organi-
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Historical Sketch of the
zations of Northern New York, speak a language of their own, leaving the historian little to chronicle, further than to enumerate the facts of their deeds of valor. For these breathe the fervid eloquence of patriotism, of loy- alty, gallantry, fortitude, and fidelity to Country, which no words, however marshaled, can express.
Time has not allowed, nor has it been attempted, to follow out in detail all the facts, incidents and minor events of our history. The fervor of the spontaneous movement to organize, here and there a company, having such ready response that two and three were filled to overflowing ; the presenta- tion of flags ; the preparation of useful mementoes which only love could conceive and devotion execute ; the emotions of sorrowful, but willing hearts, that gave us an affectionate farewell and a God-speed ; the sad and bitter parting from those near and dear, which in so many cases was the last on earth ; the mingled sorrow and satisfaction beaming in the father's face, his heart aglow with gratitude and pride, that he had a son good and brave enough to become a guarantee of the perpetuity of the Union ; the long farewell look at the scenes of our birth, which to us had been our happy homes and all we then knew of the world ; and the silent reflections, which came to us when the eye no longer caught the familiar features of our youth, as we were rolled rapidly into the fearful unknown ; each of these tender reminiscences would, in itself, form a chapter of supremest interest . to one and another, as it marks the first flow of those tears of bereaved love, that have ever since rained, and which will fall yet how often or how long, even mother, or wife, or sister cannot tell. But fond and tender as these suggestions are, we must pass on to other, and thrilling, scenes.
How full of life, how full of courage and fiery zeal, company after company marched from their homes to fight the great fight and give up their lives if need be ! Between April 15th, and May 8th, 1861, the various companies were organized and arrived at Albany, cheered and sustained by the splendid ovations which everywhere greeted them. May 9th the Regiment was formed and the first field officers elected, who on the following day received their commissions. At this time more or less distrust existed in Co. B, its Captain proved unworthy, and the first sergeant, in disgust, deserted ! In Co. G two of its privates, becoming " homesick," refused to be mustered in. Captain Curtis, than whom the Army contained no braver or better soldier, made an example of them by marching them about the parade ground with " white feathers " stuck in their caps and, to the tune of the " Rogues March," drummed them out of camp. On the 15th the Regiment was mustered into the United States service, and was a part of the Army of the Union. Then followed the daily drill and discipline at the Industrial School which made the Sixteenth
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16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry.
a first-class regiment from its date of muster ; and on the 30th it located a few miles below the city on the "Norman's Kill" and its new quarters called " Camp Morgan." Here the Regiment was uniformed and equipped and partially armed, during its stay receiving the most marked and kindly attention of the citizens. June 24th, that grand old War Governor, Edwin D. Morgan, and staff, reviewed the Regiment, and nearly eight hundred sturdy sons of Northern New York established themselves more fully in the confidence and received the commendations of the Governor and the vast concourse of citizens who " had never before witnessed such excellent drill and soldierly bearing " and the exhibition target practice showed that the Regiment contained many skillful marksmen with the rifle.
FORWARD MARCH.
About noon on June 25th, the Regiment " broke camp " and marched to Steamboat landing amidst tremendous cheering from the assembled multitude, waving of handkerchiefs, throwing of bouquets, - the ladies showering oranges, cakes and other edibles upon the men, filling their can- teens with coffee, and in every way displaying their patriotism and esteem for the Regiment.
Embarking in the evening, the Regiment reached New York in the early morning of the 26th, and landed at the foot of Fourteenth street, from whence it marched to Washington square, where, at 3.30 P. M., the Regi- ment received an elegant stand of colors and a National flag,- the former made by the donor and mounted by Tiffany & Co.,-the generous gift of Mrs. Joseph Howland, who from first to last, as mother and nurse, was ever the guardian angel of the Sixteenth. This noble lady and her sister, unostentatiously, contributed lavishly in money and time to the alleviation of the suffering of the sick and wounded and in every way did their full duty and made their great " sacrifice at the altar of their country."
In his address, Mr. Robert S. Hone said :
"COL. DAVIES :- It is my privilege to stand here this day as the representative of Mrs. Joseph Howland, to present, in her name, these beautiful colors to the gallant Regiment under your command. She wishes me to make this presentation in as few words as possible. Her heart is, as you know, full of the tenderest emotions at this moment of departure of the Sixteenth Regiment for the seat of war, to take its full share of the perils, and to reap its full share of the glories of the campaign, and I can vouch for it that she, as fully as any one of you, is doing her duty, making her sacrifice at the altar of her country. Your mission is a sacred one. You go forth, representa- tives of this great State, battling for the nationality of your country, ready to lay down your lives, if need be, for the maintenance of law and order, on which rest all the foundations of society; the safety, happiness and well-being of yourselves, your families, your fellow citizens, are dependent upon your success in this holy cause. Go forth, then, fearlessly and cheerfully, in the full assurance that the prayers of those you leave
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Historical Sketch of the
behind will daily ascend to the Throne of Grace in your behalf, to nerve your arm, and to cheer your absent hours. I cannot more fittingly conclude than by quoting two lines from that beautiful hymn to the flag of Our Country :-
"Then conquer you must, for your cause it is just, And this be your motto, -' In God is our trust.' "
Col. Davies briefly responded to the address. He assured the' ladies that it would ever be the dearest privilege of himself and his command to fight under the banners that day presented them. One was the revered flag of their country, the symbol of a nation's greatness and a people's freedom and happiness ; a flag endeared to them by every association, and by every tie that can link a patriot's heart to the home of his fathers. The other flag was endeared to them from henceforth, as the gift of a kind and gentle heart, who, in the hour when their country had called for their ser- vices, had prompted her, with her own hands, to prepare a regimental flag for them,- a flag which would ever call back their thoughts to the friends they had left behind them. Already my command is deeply indebted to Mrs. Howland for many articles of apparel of which the men had need while in Albany. This is not a time for speech-making, for I can assure you that this command prefers that its deeds shall speak for it, and the speech of this Regiment will be made behind these flags on the battlefield.
Col. Davies then delivered the State flag to the color sergeant, who bore it to the line. Waving the National flag before the Regiment, he asked each company if they would defend it. A prolonged " Yes," rang from one end of the line to the other, followed by deafening cheers and waving of caps, with wild enthusiasm. And that promise was faithfully kept. .
The line of march returning led to Pier No. 2, North river, through Union square, around the statue of Washington and down Broadway, the regimental band discoursing fine music and the crowds of people that lined the streets gave the Regiment most hearty and sincere greeting. Re-embarking, the Regiment remained on transports until the 27th, and then moved to Elizabethport and took passage on the New Jersey Central Railroad to Easton, thence to Harrisburg. Leaving the latter place on the 28th reached Baltimore, where, before entering the city, ammunition was issued. Marching through Baltimore in silence, a crowd of leering assassins, whose hands were red with the blood of the murdered boys of the Sixth Massachusetts, demanded of Col. Davies : - " Colonel, where is your music?" " In our cartridge boxes," was the prompt reply of the Colonel, and the Sixteenth was the first regiment to pass through that city without some form of attack. Reaching Washington on the morning of the 29th, the Regiment encamped about a mile from the Capitol, where it remained under orders nearly two weeks. It was here placed in Col.
7
16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry.
Miles' division and second brigade, composed of the Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Thirty-First and Thirty-Second New York regiments, under command of Col. Davies. Crossing the Potomac, July 11th, from the Navy Yard, and reaching Alexandria, it encamped a little west of the city, under the guns of Fort Ellsworth, then building.
BULL RUN.
The boys had hardly time to reflect that they were now on the "sacred soil " and that earnest work would be expected of them, when the advance against the enemy at Manassas was ordered. In command of the revered and beloved Lieut .- Col. Marsh, the Regiment marched from camp July 17th via. Braddock road to Fairfax Station. Coming upon the camp of the Fifth Alabama, a few shots were exchanged when the enemy fled, leaving a good dinner, ready prepared, which the boys discussed with a relish in presence of six sallow prisoners, who dined with less mirth. Early the fol- lowing morning, July 18th, marched to Little Rock Run, near Centreville, and halted till the morning of the battle, Miles' division forming the reserve. On the 21st the Regiment marched over Centreville Heights and down to Blackburn's ford, where the division held the left bank of Bull Run until dark. Here Col. Davies, left by the unfortunate condition of Col. Miles, in command of the reserve division, distinguished himself. Indeed, to him is due the credit of saving the army from a real as well as an imaginary defeat. After taking every precaution to prevent surprise by stationing a strong force at every avenue of approach, he sent his pioneers to fell trees and obstruct the roads, in order to prevent the approach of the enemy. Not a moment was lost, and the axes of the pioneers resounded through the woods and valleys from early morning until 3 P. M., when for miles the whole surface appeared as if recently swept by a tornado.
The good effects of this movement were experienced not long afterward, when a large body of the enemy was seen returning from a vain attempt to pass over those roads, and they were scattered by a shower of shot from the batteries. In the meantime it had become evident that the enemy were forming in large numbers upon our left, and accordingly about 4 o'clock, P. M., two companies of skirmishers were sent into the woods at our rear, supported by the Thirty-second Regiment. Soon, about two thousand cavalry and three thousand rifles of the enemy were seen at our left, filing through an opening in the woods, and coming into a valley about a quarter of a mile distant. They were permitted to advance until the rear of their column had entered the valley, when our forces were ordered to change front so as to face them, and a company of infantry was placed between every two cannon. The Sixteenth Regiment was
8
Historical Sketch of the
then stationed on the right and the Thirty-first on the left of the guns. There, a well-directed shot from the 24-pounder fell among the rebels who brought up the rear, with such force as to kill several and cause the remainder to rush in close confusion into the lowest part of the valley. Then our batteries poured forth so deadly a deluge of grape and canister that the howl and groans of the wounded smote our ears even through the roar of the artillery. Yet the rifles of the enemy were not silenced, and for twenty minutes round after round did they fire, their shot flying harmlessly over our men, who were on the opposite slope of the hill lying on their faces in safety, no one of them being injured except Lieut. Hopkins, of Co. B. Sixteenth New York, who received a slight wound in the foot. Every effort was made by the foe to provoke our infantry to return their fire, but to no purpose ; our artillery alone replied, and they were obliged to retreat with greatly diminished numbers and in great confusion. Too much praise cannot be given to Col. Davies for forbidding the infantry to discharge their pieces, and to the soldiers for the self-control in obeying while exposed to so hot a fire. Had they disobeyed, the cavalry would have made a charge before the muskets could be reloaded, and, destroying our left, would have swept with fury upon the astonished center.
After dark the great retreat was ordered, and Col. Davies command appeared to be all that remained of the magnificent army of three days before. The Sixteenth continued its march to Alexandria, and arrived there on the 22nd, in as good condition as when it left, except the wound- ing of Lieut. Hopkins. The retreat was made in six hours, and covered the whole distance passed over in an advance of four days. The entire army made good time on the 22nd.
The boys were now veterans, and it was a source of amusement to them to have members of the new regiments, who were constantly arriving, look them over as curiosities, and in the light of the long inactivity which fol- lowed the tragical farce of First Bull Run, that battle became ancient his- tory and the boys unconscious relics, before the " On to Richmond " of the following year.
The following is Col. Davies' official report of his part at Bull Run. Col. Miles, remaining for several weeks too full for utterance, made no report of his division :
HEADQUARTERS 2ND BRIGADE, 5TH DIVISION, July 27, IS61. To Col. Miles, commanding 5th Division :
Agreeably to general order No. o, the 2nd Brigade, commanded by me, consisting of the Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Thirty-First and Thirty-Second Regiments, and Company G, 2d Artillery (Green's light battery), took the advance of the Fifth Division, moving on Fairfax Court House by way of the old Braddock road, south of the turnpike road. I
9
16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry.
found the road very difficult for heavy artillery, and barricaded by trees felled across the road as often as once in a quarter of a mile, requiring the constant use of the pioneer corps. After passing over many of these barricades, we came to a blind barricade, directly across the road, and evidently intended for artillery; after making reconnois- sance, we found a small picket posted behind it, when my advance pickets were ordered to charge and fire upon them, which they did, dispersing it under a running fire. No one on our side was injured, and we never turned aside to ascertain whether any of the enemy were killed or not; the pickets reported, however, seeing several men fall.
This running fire and reconnoissance was continued to within one mile of the Fairfax Court House, the enemy continuing retreating and firing upon our advance pickets at every convenient opportunity. After the exchange of fires, a reconnoissance was made, discovering many abandoned masked batteries, and at last quite an extensive temporary fortification about one and a half miles from Fairfax Court House, out of which we drove the enemy, who left their camp equipage, clothing, swords and the like. We then pressed into the encampment of the Fifth Alabama Regiment, which fled before us, eaving many valuable articles, guns, camp equipage, tents, corn, stores and personal baggage of all sorts, and their hospital sick-taking the road, as we understood, to Cen- terville and Manassas Junction. At this point, having received information that Gen. McDowell had taken possession of Fairfax Court House, the Fifth Division encamped partly on the ground of the Fifth Alabama, and the balance in the vicinity of the cross- roads.
I have to report to you that we had three men wounded-one in the leg, one in the side, and one through the hand; we did not stop to examine the effect of the shots which were made, but it is reported to me that as many as fifteen or twenty were seen to fall in the woods. I have to report to you further the energetic manner in which Lieut .- Col. Young, of the 1Sth Regiment, in charge of the advance guard, performed his duty, and, further, that not a single man of any regiment fell back for an instant, but, on the contrary, the most determined bravery was displayed by every man who came in contact with the enemy. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. A. DAVIES, Col. Com. 2nd Brigade, Fifth division, Troops of north-eastern Va. F. H. COWDREY, Acting Assistant Adj .- Gen.
What followed the unhappy termination of the engagement at Manassas is familiar to every one. The Sixteenth shared in the universal gloom which for a time settled down upon the nation. Instead, however, of occa- sioning despondency and despair, the Bull Run defeat furnished an addi- tional incentive to action, and the soldiers impatiently awaited their time.
THE WINTER OF '61 AND '62.
The Regiment remained in camp near Fort Ellsworth, engaged in routine and picket duties, until Sept. 15th, when camp was moved to the site of Fort Lyon. Here it was assigned to the Second brigade, Gen. Slocum's, in Franklin's division. This brigade was composed of the Sixteenth, Twenty- sixth and Twenty-seventh New York, and Fifth Maine, regiments. A few
10
Historical Sketch of the
weeks later, Oct. 4th, the Twenty-sixth New York was assigned to some other brigade and the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania took its place, and was not subsequently changed during the period of service of the Sixteenth, except by the addition of the One hundred and twenty-first New York early in September, 1862. The position of the brigade in the Army of the Potomac, however, was changed. Upon the organization of March 13th, 1862, it was the Second brigade (Slocum's), First division (Franklin's), First corps (Mc Dowell's). In May, following, it was the Second brigade, First division, Sixth corps (Franklin's), and in this relation it remained until it left the field, at which time Gen. Brooks was in command of the division, Gen. Bartlett of the brigade, and Gen Sedgwick of the corps.
The spot where the regiment encamped from Sept. 15th to Oct. 7th was designated " Camp Lyon," after the hero of Springfield, Mo., and Slocum's brigade built the fort known as " Fort Lyon." A thousand axes soon felled the dense forest of half-grown pines, and in six days heavy siege guns were mounted, to which were added many others as the work progressed. Here the entire camp was surrounded with breast-works, and daily rumors of " the enemy are advancing in large numbers," compelled them to go to their daily work, rifle in hand, and to sleep at night upon their arms, ready to repel an attack at a moment's notice. The long hours of work, the constant vigil, and the low grounds on Hunting creek, produced much sickness, and numerous fatal cases of typhoid fever, and long suffering, occurred during the Fall and Winter. October 7th, the regiment moved to a site half a mile to the south- east of Fairfax Seminary, and went into winter quarters at " Camp Franklin." Here the long, weary days and nights were passed in the exercise of all sorts of ingenuity to stretch the small wedge tents to the proportions of fair sized dwellings, with marvellous success; in reading, keeping clean, drilling, perpetrating practical jokes, and in many cases several Canadians, who were unable to read or write, were taught both, and the real pride of these men when they could write and read their own letters, was ample reward to the patient instructors. On one occasion, the two wings of the Regiment engaged in a snowball battle, and it is amusement to this day for the boys of the respective contestants to relate how their side defeated the other ; of course, both sides won easily. Now and then picket duty along the Orange and Alexandria turnpike relieved the monotony ; when out for a week or two, the pickets would organize little squads, and in the dead of night actually visit the camp of the enemy, in disguise, or go within the enemy's lines, visit some still or tobacco factory and bring away a good individual supply.
The grand review by Gen. McClellan took place while the Sixteenth
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