USA > New York > History and honorary roll of the Twelfth Regiment, Infantry, N.G.S.N.Y. > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
Gc 973. 7. N42do 17580
HISTORY AND HONORARY ROLL
12th
OF THE Twelfth Regiment, Untantry, N. G. S. N. Y.
ENUD
GUARD & V/H.
-PRO
PA
Containing a full and accurate account of the various changes through which the organization has passed since the dato of its formation (1847) to the present; also biographical sketches ef General Butterfield, Ward, and Barlow, and Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, Jr., as well as the names and rank of several hundred members of the "Twelfth " who rose to distinction during the war for the suppression of the Great Rebellion.
M. FRANCIS DOWLEY
COUNSELOR-AT-LAW. NEW YORK.
PUBLISHED, BY T. FARRELL & SON, 107 FULTON STREET, NEW YORK. 1 8 69.
114057
1758061
F 8349 .534
Dowley, Morris Francis.
History and honorary roll of the Twelfth regiment, infantry, N. G. S. N. Y. Containing a full and accurate account of the various changes through which the organ- ization has passed since the date of its formation (1847) to the present: also biographical sketches of General Butterfield, Ward, and Barlow, and Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, jr., as well as the names and rank of several hun- dred members of the "Twelfth" who rose to distinction during the war for the suppression of the great rebellion. By M. Francis Dowley ... New York, T. Farrell & son, 1S69.
war - Regimental histories - N. Y. infantry. 12th regt., 1847- 2-14963 17447
xii. 216 p. 191em 1. U. S. - Hist .- Civil inf .- 12th. 2. New York Library of Congress
F:523.5.12thD
CHE CARL
-
Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1868, by M. F. DOWLEY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.
17년만7
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
PREFACE.
Introduction.
Organization of the Twelfth Regiment ..
1,2, 3, 4
Order to Consolidate the Twelfth Regiment with the Tenth N. Y. S. M. 6
The Twelfth Regiment Merged in the Twenty-Second
11
Departure for Washington, 1861
14
Opinions of the Press
15
Second Term of Service, 1862
17
The Twelfth Regiment at Harper's Ferry, 1862
18
Third Term of Service, 1863.
22
Report of Inspector General Liebenau, Relative to Present Con-
dition of Twelfth Regiment ..
23
HONORARY ROLL.
Astor, Jolin J., Lieutenant Colonel
24
Butterfield, Daniel, Major General. 25
Barlow, Francis C., "
28
Bardett, A., Surgeon.
2-1
Bendix, John E., Brigadier General 65
Cocks, John S., Colonel. 24
Coolidge, F. W., Paymaster 2-4
Daly, J. T., Rev., First Chaplain 21
I'rench, Richard, Colonel. 2.1
Locke, F. T., Brevet Brigadier General
34
Satterlee, Livingston, Lieutenant Colonel.
39
iv
CONTENTS.
Tyng, S. H., Jr., Chaplain. 38
Ward, William G., Brigadier General. 32
Ward, John, Colonel 36
Present Field and Staff Officers of the Twelfth Regiment. 42
A Company 43
B 48
C
58
D 62 65 E
F
76
G
¥
83
II 87
I 91
K
97
Bill of Dress of the Twelfth Regiment 101
Extracts from the Military Code of the State of New York 113
Drills and Parades 140 Compensation for Military Service. 156
Regimental and Battalion Courts-Martial 164 Fines and Penalties 166
Miscellaneous Provisions 188 Addenda.
PREFACE.
THE officers, members and admirers of the "Twelfth Regiment" have long desired to see in print its " History and Honorary Roll." Its compilation being a work re- quiring no small amount of application and research, several shrunk from its performance.
I have culled the materials for this volume from many a mass of old orders, private manuscripts and inspection returns, during the leisure hours allowed by my clients and professional duties.
Owing to the scattered condition of the necessary mat- ter, I frequently thought that it would be said of me as of those who previously attempted the work : " Hic homo writ edificare et non potuit consummare." Still, I perse- vered and the following pages are the fruits of my perse- verance.
That the labor could have been more successfully per- formed by other hands, I know, but not, I believe, by any who could have sought more earnestly to do it well. And if the parties for whom this book is compiled find even a small degree of pleasure and satisfaction in its perusal, I shall deem my efforts amply rewarded. Of those who may criticise, I only ask them to remember that :
" Whoever thinky a faultless piece to see,
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor c'er shall be."
M. F. D.
INTRODUCTION.
THE Twelfth Regiment being a Militia organization, I deem it apropos to present here facts and figures to show the importance and necessity of a well-organized Militia force. Our volunteer troops are, by many, depre- ciated, simply because they are not aware of the invaluable services rendered by said troops to the State and National Governments.
Owing to the admirable manner in which this subject was presented to the New York Constitutional Convention, by Brig. Gen. Selden E. Marvin, Adjutant General of the State, I take the liberty of quoting the following extracts from his article :
"In our State the Militia has been sustained and kept up for more than a half a century and while it has had much opposition at times strewn in its way, it has con- tinued to prosper and its fruits have been apparent in the manner in which it has at all times and under all circum- stances and in all emergencies, discharged its duties.
" Prior to the late terrible conflict, very many of the people of the State looked upon the existence of the Militia with eyes of disrespect and laughed at the efforts that were being made for its support, pouring out invectives of contumely and contempt and, like many of the most im- portant institutions of society and government, the inesti- mable importance of a well-organized Militia was ignored by the great mass and it was only in the consideration of its entire abolition, or in the exercise of its fullest authority and influence in the hour of need, that its indispensable functions were recognized and appreciated. So much op- position was engendered, that those who saw clearly the necessity of maintaining the organization, found many oh-
viii
INTRODUCTION.
stacles to encounter and difficulties to overcome, much self- sacrifice was demanded and the reproaches of the many well-nigh stifled the efforts of the few. But manfully and heroically the battle was fought, the war came and the labor of years was crowned with success.
"The importance of the Militia as a strictly military force can not be too highly estimated. It constitutes the true military strength of the republic, in which the people retain all the power, as in its co-ordinate branch, the civil authority. It is organized in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of the United States and is made applica- ble to the condition of the country in its growing capacity and extended relations. Its governance is under constitu- tions and laws prescribed and regulated by the people and for the support of the Government created by and sustained for the people.
"In a time when taxation is grievous and falls with heaviness upon the people, the Militia, in its relations to political economy, is of the greatest importance. The cost of the maintenance of the entire force of the National Guard in this State in a high state of efficiency, would not support a single regiment of the Regular Army, including all contingent expenses and yet, as has been proved, the Militia would be as serviceable as the forces whose business is war.
" And again, the National Guard, as an auxiliary to the Police Force of the State is indispensable. It is the only reliance the people have in the suppression of riots and the wiping out of local insurrections. To think of maintaining a constabulary force for such emergencies would be ab- surd. The cost for a force sufficiently large for all such emergencies, especially in large centres of population, would be innnense and insupportable.
"The Militia, in its well-conceived organization and with liberal support, exerts a moral influence upon the evil- disposed and thereby prevents the inception of plots or de- signs of organized resistance to the laws. It is, in times of such danger, the sole resource of the people and gives to legislative and judicial decisions their force and intlu- ence. Without such a reliable resource it is possible and even probable, that laws and the decisions and verdicts of
:
ix
INTRODUCTION.
constituted authorities, would be nugatory and despised. A small proportion of the people, if evil disposed, could, by concerted and well-organized action, defy the large ma- jority of peaceable and law-abiding citizens. Such a suc- cessful resistance of law, if even for a very limited period, would demoralize society and the loss of life inevitable in such collisions would be terrible and the value of the property which might be jeoparded would support an ade- quate Militia for centuries.
" In this connection, permit me to furnish a brief resume of the services of the National Guard.
" Whenever it has been necessary in various localities to call upon the military authorities for aid and support, the response has always been attended with promptness and the service effectually performed. The Police Force has always found in the Military a sure and reliable body for its support and it has ever proved effective in the sup- pression of riots and in upholding the civil form of gov- ernment. In the Astor Place riots, the police difficulties, the bread riots of 1857, the Quarantine riots and the anti- rent troubles, the Militia has ever faithfully discharged all duties imposed upon them by the civil authorities. In the late war its services have been largely felt and its intlu- ences have been spread over a large extent of the success that attended our armies.
. " A brief synopsis of the service in the late war, I trust, will not be regarded as tedious or out of place.
"In April, 1861, immediately after the rebellion had been actively inaugurated and the safety of the National Capitol was threatened, the State of New York furnished and forwarded to the points of danger eleven regiments, comprising 7,334 officers and men, whose presence undoubt- elly saved the nation from a great and almost fatal ca- lamity at the very outbreak of actual hostilities. That the State, after so long a period of profound peace, should have been enabled to promptly furnish this force for the National exigeney, is a marked and undeniable indication of the nat- und and innate martial spirit of its citizens. This martial "pirit nobly evinced during the great revolution and re- Killed during the war of 1812, has never been quenched in this State and evor since this last-named epoch, a mili-
x
INTRODUCTION.
tary organization more or less efficient has been sustained under exclusive State influences and authority, without assistance or encouragement from the General Govern- ment and during long years of peace, when the martial profession was deemed the most useless office of man, the New York Militia, at its own expense and despite every discouragement, retained that organization and schooled officers and soldiers for the nation's greatest need.
"In addition to the force above-named, six complete regiments of the State Militia volunteered during the first months of the war and were mustered into the service for and served three years. Over five thousand officers for Volunteer regiments were furnished by the Militia of the State.
"The rebellion having revived in all a military ardor and the advance in military science and the unexpected draft upon the national resources having exhibited defects and suggested their remedies, the Legislature of the State, after consideration, enacted, April 23, 1862, an amended law, which provided for the enrollment of the arms-bearing population and the organization of an active force, entitled the 'National Guard,' with a maximum since fixed at 50,000 men. While this body was in process of organiza- tion, the State was enabled to furnish, from its incomplete ranks, twelve regiments, comprising $,588 men, who were mustered into the United States service for three months,- in May, 1862 ; and again, after the active volunteering and drafts for the general service had depleted their ranks, twenty-six regiments, comprising 13,971 men, marched, in 1863, to the defense of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Again, in 1864, ten regiments of the National Guard were mus- tered into the United States service for one hundred days. During the years of 1864 and 1865, when threatened raids from Canada harassed and distracted the Government, the National Guard, ordered on duty at exposed points of the frontier, relieved the apprehensions of our citizens, saved the detaching of troops from the armies in front of Rich- mond, and frustrated the designs of our enemies.
" This hasty sketch of the service of the Militia of this State displays their efficiency and usefulness at a period when the demands of the General Government, by volun-
-
xi
INTRODUCTION.
tecring or forced drafts from their ranks, constantly tended to impair and disorganize them and exhibits a vitality and znal under every discouragement, which deserves and should receive the respect and consideration of all.
" After the close of the war had returned to the State its hundreds of thousands of veterans, scarred on every great battle-field, the organization of the National Guard was re- sumed and completed, until it now comprises one hundred and ton regiments of infantry, artillery and cavalry and fifty-two thousand officers and men, most of them armed, uniformed and equipped in the most complete manner ; an army of disciplined citizens, representing every class of society ; intelligent, brave and ardent, bound by every relation of life to sustain social and political order and prepared at a moment's notice to vindicate the enforcement of the laws, National or State, or repel invasions from abroad."
Active membership in a regiment like the Twelfth, may be made a physical and moral school for young inen, de- veloping in them qualities which commerce, trades and vivil professions dwarf or destroy. The exercise is healthy, manly and inspiring. The discipline is calculated to make men obedient, punctual and moral. And when the Legis- lature of New York shall have passed a law, making the term of service in the National Guard four instead of scren years ; allowing members of the National Guard going to or returning from drills, parades, or encampments, to ride free on ferries, steam and street cars ; then recruits in abundance will be obtained, by exciting the military instinets which characterize the healthy young men of our State. Recruits thus obtained, are worth ten times as much as those who are " danced into a regiment at military balls" and whose conception of National Guardsmen is limited to showy uuiforms, brass buttons and fascinations to the gray belles of fashion.
The Twelfth Regiment has no recruits of the latter char- .. tor. But its ranks are filled by spirited young men, who to daty through patriotic motives, notwithstanding the Sound inconvenience and expense which the present Militia Law imposes on members of the National Guard. Let the Legislature, at its next session, enact that the
xii
INTRODUCTION .
term of service shall be shortened and that officers and members of the National Guard shall enjoy the other privi- leges aforesaid, and results will follow, pleasant to every enlisted man and beneficial to the State.
M. F. D.
:
HISTORY
OF THE
TWELFTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY.
N. G. S. N. Y.
CHAPTER FIRST.
THE TWELFTH REGIMENT was organized on the 6th of May, 1847. It originated in the blending of the follow- ing flank companies :
Light Guard, now Company A, Capt. Vincent.
City Musketeers, do. B, do. Palmer.
Tompkins Blues, do. C, do. Besson.
City Blues, do. D, do. Johnson.'
Guard Lafayette, do. E, do. Leclerc.
Lafayette Fusileers, do. F, do. French.
Independence Guard, do. G, do. Cairns.
Baxter Blues, do. H, do. Waterbury.
Baxter Gnard, do. I, do. Dyckmau.
New York Riflemen, do. L, do. Jolinson.
The Field and Staff Officers of the Regiment at its formation were :
Colonel, Henry G. Stebbins. Lieutenant Colonel, John J. Astor, subso- quently E. B. Hart. Adjutant, J. B. Stearns. Paymaster, F. W. Coolidge.
Quartermaster, T. C. Fields. Surgeon, A. Burdett. Engineer, J. Livingston. Chaplain, J. T. Daly.
2
HISTORY OF THE
For two years each of the aforesaid companies wore its distinctive uniform. In 1849 they adopted as the regimental uniform a plain fatigue cap and jacket. The Regiment turned out for duty in this dress during the Astor Place riots.
The officer at that time commanding the Twelfth, in Order No. 5, speaks thus of the Regiment's conduct dur- ing said riots :
" The promptness exhibited by the several companies, in compli- ance with an order of scarcely two hours' notice, to assemble on the 16th and 17th insts., to aid in the suppression of a riot then threaten- ing the peace of our city, reflects the highest honor upon both officers and men. The Colonel can not let the occasion pass without express- ing his entire satisfaction of the manner in which the orders to assemble, on both of those days, were obeyed ; and the gratification which his command afforded him by the soldier-like deportment mani- fested while under arms, during a time of so much public excitement. He trusts that there may never again be a necessity for calling upon the Regiment for such unpleasant duty."
In 1853 the Regiment laid aside the plain fatigue cap and jacket, and adopted a most showy and attractive uniform, the famous part of which was the white coat. In these gay regimentals, the Twelfth turned out, 400 strong, to celebrate the opening of the Crystal Palace ; but the parade on Evacuation Day, November 25, 1854, surpassed the latter display in numbers and brilliancy.
The following, from the Military Argus of December 21, 1854, relating to the parade on the 25th of Novem- ber of the last-named year, may be interesting :
The great feature of the day was the Twelfth Regiment, Col. Stebbins, between which and the Seventh a rivalry honorable to both exists. Upon this occasion the Twelfth had decidedly the advantage in numbers, and in fact their marching and wheeling, as well as the manual of arms, was in every respect equal to the National Guard. The following table will show distinctly the relative force of the two Regiments on this day, omitting, of course, the National Guard Troop, which rarely parades with the Regiment.
-
3
TWELFTH REGIMENT.
TWELFTH REGIMENT, COL. STEBBINS.
Field, Line, and Staff 35
Corps of Engineers. Lieut. Hubbard 18
Company A, Light Guard, Capt. Vincent 69
do.
I, Baxter Guard, Capt. Dyckman 32
do.
C, Tompkins Blues, Capt. Besson 32 .
do.
HI, Baxter Blues, Capt. Waterbury . 56
do F, Lafayette Fusileers, Capt. McCauly 28
do. D, City Blues, Capt. Fowler . 50
do. B, Washington Light Gnard, Capt. Thomas .
26
do. G, Independence Guard, Lieut. Boyle 35
do. L, Black Rifles, Capt. Johnson . 94
Pioneer and Sword Guard . 11
do. E, Guard Lafayette and 11 Pioneers . 124
Total 610
SEVENTH REGIMENT, COL. DURYEA.
Field, Line, and Staff
36
Eight Companies, averaging 36 men cach 288
Total .
. 324
The above shows that Col. Stebbins paraded 286 more men than Col. Duryea, a most important differ- enec.
The Twelfth seemed now destined to become the most celebrated regiment in the Union. But all things hu- man are uncertain and mutable. In 1855 the Regiment began to decline, and the future, that appeared so bright, grew dark. This sudden and unfavorable change in the Regiment's condition and prospects was occasioned by the resignation of its noble commandant, Henry G. Stebbins.
Shortly after the resignation of Col. Stebbins, Richard French, the courteous proprietor of the well-known hotel of the same name, assumed command, the field officers bring Col. French, Lieut. Col. Hart, and Maj. Stearns. T !... Cimons white coats were now discarded, and a new i am, consisting of a blue coat, white pantaloons, etc., opted. In pursuance of Brigade Orders, this Regi-
4
HISTORY OF THE
ment paraded, under Col. French, on the 4th of June, 1856. Toward the close of the last-named year, Col. French resigned, and Lient. Col. Stearns assumed com- mand. But he, too, soon withdrew from the organization.
On the 25th of April, 1857, the following officers were chosen :
Colonel, John S. Cocks.
Lieutenant Colonel, Henry A. Weeks. Major, William Watts.
Under command of these new officers, a battalion drill took place on the afternoon of May 20, 1857, at Hamilton Square. Companies A, B, C, D, G, H, and a flank rifle company were present, making a total of 209.
CHAPTER SECOND.
ON Monday, the 14th day of September, 1857, this Regiment paraded in full uniform, white pants, as an escort to the First Regiment New York Volunteers (a large portion of whose officers were furnished by the Twelfth), took part in the reception of the "Scott Legion," of Pennsylvania, companions in arms during the war with Mexico, and subsequently joined in cel- ebrating the glorious anniversary of the surrender of the city of Mexico to the American Army.
The rank and file of the Twelfth, inspected in October, 1857, numbered only 136. But in the following month, a slight augmentation was perceptible at the Division Parade. The Regiment continued to drill with five companies till the 23d of April, 1858. At this time, Capt. Helme's Continentals, numbering twenty-five men, were transferred from the Eleventh, and became I Com- pany in the Twelfth Regiment.
Col. Cocks, in Special Orders No. 5. speaks of the Continentals' transfer as follows: "Capt. John C. Ilelme, having reported himself and command for duty, in compliance with General Orders No. 11, transferring
1
.
5
TWELFTH REGIMENT.
said Captain and company, in accordance with their ex- pressed desire, from the Eleventh Regiment to this, he and his command are received by the Twelfth Regiment with a soldier's welcome."
Immediately after the Continentals joining the Regi- ment, Col. Cocks, in regard to the removal of Company L, from the Twelfth, speaks thus in the aforesaid Order : " It is with sincere regret that the Colonel is obliged to announce the transfer of Company L, which he re- gards as a very considerable loss to the Regiment, and more particularly that of Capt. Louis Heitkamp, whose officer-like and gentlemanly deportment at all times, together with his ability and strict attention to duty, has secured for him the highest respect of his brother officers, and especially that of his Colonel. In thus parting with Company L, the best wishes of the Twelfth Regiment go with the Captain and his command."
At the date of the transfer of the aforementioned companies, the Regiment laid aside the old fiint style for the superior percussion lock. The Engineer Corps took the vacant letter A, and formed a company under command of Capt. George H. Barr.
On account of the Regiment's non-appearance on parade when the remains of ex-President Monroe passed through this city for Richmond (July 3, 1858), Col. Cocks, on a false charge of disobedience of orders, was placed under arrest. This abuse of power reflects no credit on the parties who ordered said arrest. It was the first of several acts bearing the marks of official en- mity which were exercised toward Col. Cocks and his Regiment. Parties in New York and Albany, by misrepresentations, obtained from the State General Headquarters, an Order to consolidate the Twelfth with the Tenth New York State Militia, under Col. Halsey. Owing to the peculiarity and importance of said Order, it is given here in full, to recall to the memories of the : fibers of the Twelfth Regiment reminiscences of by- wone days, which, though at the time of their occurrence occasioned a frown, can now but awaken a smile.
6
HISTORY OF THE
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF NEW YORK. SPECIAL ORDERS No. 56.
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, , ALBANY, March 16, 1859. $
I .- The Commander-in-Chief has had under consideration a recom- mendation for the consolidation of the Tenth and Twelfth Regiments of the Fourth Brigade, contained in the following communication from Maj. Gen. Charles W. Sandford, of the First Division, and Brig. Gen. John Ewen, of the Fourth Brigade :
" HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION N. Y. S. M., } NEW YORK, February 21, 1859.
" To the Commander-in-Chief of the State of New York:
" The undersigned, Commandants of the First Division and of the Fourth Brigade, New York State Militia, respectfully represent that the Tenth and Twelfth Regiments, Fourth Brigade, N. Y. S. M., having at the two last annual inspections fallen in numerical strength much below the standard required by our laws and the good of the service, they recommend that said regiments be consolidated ; and for this purpose they would propose that Companies A and C of the Twelfth Regiment be consolidated together : that Companies B and H of the same regiment be consolidated together ; that Companies G and F of the same regiment be consolidated together ; and that the companies so consolidated, with Company D of the same regiment, be transferred to and consolidated with the Tenth Regiment, under the command of Col. Halsey. And the undersigned further recommend that Company F of the Tenth Regiment be transferred to the Eler- enth Regiment, Col. Bostwick. All which is respectfully sub- mitted.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.