USA > New York > History of the Ninth Regiment N.Y.S.M. -- N.G.S.N.Y. (Eighty-third N. Y. Volunteers.) 1845-1888 > 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 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
Gc 973.74 N42nej 1932157
REYNOLDS HISTORICUS GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 2114
£
10 20
HISTORY
OF THE
Property of the New York World. LIBRARY.
NINTH REGIMENT
N. Y. S. M. - - - N. G. S. N. Y. (EIGIITY-THIRD N. Y. VOLUNTEERS.)
Property of the New York WeARA! LIBRARY.
1845-1888.
HISTORIAN GEORGE A. HUSSEY.
EDITOR WILLIAM TODD.
PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF VETERANS OF THE REGIMENT. NEW YORK. This Book le thu Prop Algoat the New York World.
---
1932157
NEW YORK STATE FLAG. CARRIED IN THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, AND THROUGH THE WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN.
9
W3M
.
COPYRIGHT, 1889, BY VETERANS OF THE NINTH REGIMENT, N. G. S. N. Y. (All Rights Reserved.)
A'
PRESS OF J. S. OGILVIE, 57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK.
-
DEDICATION.
TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
NINTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M.
(EIGHTY . THIRD NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. ) AND N. G. S. N. Y.
WHO HAVING SERVED THEIR COUNTRY FAITHFULLY, IN WAR AND IN PEACE, LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN HONOR,
THIS VOLUME IS FRATERNALLY DEDICATED.
0 " 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.
This Book is the Property of the New York World.
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. Hussey-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 times of peace, the best authorities have been consulted- Government Records, Histories of Campaigns and Regiments, and Monographs on special topics.
WILLIAM TODD.
ALBANY, Janvary I, ISS9.
---------
CONTENTS
PAGE
ENGAGEMENTS OF THE REGIMENT xiii
ENGAGEMENTS OF COMPANY K xiv
STATIONS OF THE REGIMENT. XV
RECAPITULATION OF THE MEMBERSHIP 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 58
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
[is]
..
X
CONTENTS.
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 ISI
CHAPTER XI.
After Antietam .-- Under General Burnside. . 201
CHAPTER XII.
Battle of Fredericksburg .- Reports, etc.
2IS
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.
0
Three Days' Battle of Gettysburg .- Pickett's Charge .- Reports, etc. 268
CHAPTER XVI.
The Mine Run Campaign .- Winter Quarters, 1863-4 28g
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.
CHAPTER XIX.
PAGE
The Regiment Returns Home. - Record of Battles and Losses 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., 1869. 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, IS71 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. 590
1
xii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Death of Colonel Hitchcock, 1878 .- Colonel Ryder, 1879 .-- The Regi- PAGE ment revisits Washington, 1881 .- Colonel William Seward, 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. 623
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, ISS8 688
REGISTER OF THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS FROM 1859-1888. 713
INDEX 721
LIST OF PRINCIPAL ENGAGEMENTS.
1861. July 4.
Sandy Hook, opposite Harper's
Ferry,
Maryland.
1862. August 9.
1862. August 20-23.
Rappahannock Station, Virginia.
1862. August 28.
Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia.
1862. August 30.º
Second Bull Run,
Virginia.
1862. September I.
Chantilly,
Virginia.
1862. September 14.
South Mountain,
Maryland.
1862. September 17. Antietam,
1862. December 11-13. Fredericksburg,
1863. April 29-30.
Fitz Hugh's Crossing,
Virginia.
1863. May 1-4.
Chancellorsville,
Virginia.
I 863. July 1-4.
Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania.
1863. November 28.
Mine Run,
Virginia.
1864. May 5-7.
Wilderness,
.Virginia.
1864. May 8.
Laurel Hill,
Virginia.
1864. May 9-21.
Spottsylvania, Virginia.
1864. May 23-27.
North Anna (Totopotomoy), Virginia.
1864. June 1-3.
Cold Harbor (Bethesda Church), Virginia.
For losses in engagements, see page 359.
Maryland.
Virginia.
Cedar Mountain, Virginia.
LIST OF PRINCIPAL ENGAGEMENTS.
1861. July 4.
Sandy Hook, opposite Harper's
Ferry,
Maryland.
1862. August 9.
1862. August 20-23.
Rappahannock Station, Virginia.
1862. August 28.
Thoroughfare Gap,
Virginia.
1862. August 30.º
Second Bull Run,
Virginia.
1862. September I.
Chantilly,
Virginia.
IS62. September 14.
South Mountain,
Maryland.
1862. September 17.
Antietam,
Maryland.
1862. December 11-13. Fredericksburg,
1863. April 29-30.
Fitz Hugh's Crossing,
Virginia.
1 863. May 1-4.
Chancellorsville,
Virginia.
1863. July 1-4.
Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania.
1863. November 28.
Mine Run,
Virginia.
IS64. May 5-7.
Wilderness,
Virginia.
1864. May S.
Laurel Hill,
Virginia.
I864. May 9-21.
1864. May 23-27.
1864. June 1-3.
Spottsylvania, Virginia.
North Anna (Totopotomoy), Virginia.
Cold Harbor (Bethesda Church), Virginia.
For losses in engagements, see page 359.
Virginia.
Cedar Mountain, Virginia.
ENGAGEMENTS
IN WHICH
COMPANY K (SIXTH NEW YORK INDEPENDENT BATTERY) TOOK AN ACTIVE PART. EITHER BY SECTION OR AS A WHOLE, 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 1. Malvern Hill, Va., Aug. 5.
Kelly's Ford, Va., March 17.
d
1863. Chancellorsville, Va., May 2. Gettysburg, Pa., July 3.
Brandy Station, Va., June 9.
Shepherdstown, W. Va., July 16. Sulphur Springs, Va., Oct. 12. Auburn, Va., Oct. 14. Bristoe Station, Va., Oct. 14. Parker's Store, Va., Nov. 29.
Brock Road, Va., May 6. Island Ford, Va., May 10. Ashland, Va., May 11. Richmond Hill, Va., May 12.
St. Stephens Church, Va., Oct. 14. New Hope Church, Va., Nov. 27. Culpeper Ford, Va., Dec. 1.
1864. Todd's Tavern, Va., May 7-8. Beaver Dam, Va., May 10. Glen Allen, Va., May 11. Ennons Chapel, Va., May 28.
STATIONS OF THE REGIMENT.
June, 1861,
July and August, 1861, -
Brigade of General Stone.
- Division of General Banks, Department of the Shenandoah.
September, 1861, to 2nd Brigade, Banks' Division, Army of the Potomac.
March, 1862,
April, 1862, May and June, 1862, 1
1 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of the Rappahannock.
3d Brigade, 2nd Division, 3d Corps, Army of Virginia.
3d Brigade, 2nd Division, Ist Corps, Army of the Potcmic.
July and August, 1862, September, 1862, to May, 1863, May, 1863, to February, 186.4, March, 1864, to June, 1864,
S 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Ist Corps, Army of the Potomac.
$ Lend Brigade, and Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac.
- February, 1862, - 2nd Brigade, Ist Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac.
S Abercrombie's Brigade, Department of the Shenan- doah.
RECAPITULATION OF THE MEMBERSHIP IN 1861-1864.
Field and
Staff Officers.
Non Commis-
Officers and sioned Staff
Band.
Company A.
Company B.
Company C.
Company D.
Company E.
Company F.
Company G.
Company H.
Company I.
Company K.
Company L.
Grand
1
1 Members who volunteered in the years 1861-1862 ..
I 2 12 M
22
39
133 72
117 66
134 76
144 +9 208
133 62
122 76 198
134 74 208
127 61 188
118 76
180 |127 63
748
3 Total membership of the companies, officers, band, etc. 3
22
39
205
183
210
195
1194
243
1 58 1185
2,278
4 Officers who were killed in battle, or died of wounds or disease. . . . -
4
3
2
I
2
I
.
. .
..
.
10
5 Enlisted men who were killed in battle, or died of wounds or disease .. .
5
24
26
18
29
26
15
25
21
25
15
27
251
6 Officers who were wounded in battle and discharged 1 therefor ..
6
1
-
..
. .
..
..
..
. .
. .
. .
4
7 Enlisted men who were wounded in battle angl discharged 1 therefor. . .
7
.
8
4
2
2
3
5
I
3
4
4
3
3
42
9 Enlisted men who were discharged for disability con- tracted in the service .. .
9
..
4
40
25
42
35
35
3-4
31
36
27
15
26
.350
10 Officers, and enlisted men, who were promoted to com- missioned office out of the regiment.
10
4
3
8
22
22
12
23
13
9
8
9
148
11 Officers, and enlisted men, who were transferred to the 97th N. Y. Vols., Vet. Res. Corps, or discharged by the A. G. O ...
II
I
18
66
62
74
72
66
70
72
49
66
103
73
792
12 Officers who were mustered out at expiration of three years term of service. .
112
5
.
2
2
3
2
3
. 3
3
2
3
3
2
33
13 Enlisted men who were mustered out at expiration of three years term of service ... .13 14 Officers, and enlisted men, who were missing in battle, or deserted the service ..
. .
5
IO
16
S
11
13
17
14
22
17
78
IO
221
14
9
40 205
37
29
21
25
28
35
41
40
12
29
346
15 Total changes in the years 1861-1864 inclusive ..
15
22
39
3
.. . .
4
2
I
2
-
3
3
.
27.
33
12
37
316
18| Total killed, died of wounds, disease, and the wounded 18
7
2
63
59
60
80
66
53
70
52
67
34
71
684
fro Total of officers promoted in, and out of, the regiment. . 19 22
3
1 17
13
27
30
??
28
21
10
17
14
240
4
12
10
9
7
12
3
7
6
6
.81
8 Officers who resigned, or were honorably discharged the service .. .
8
16 Officers wounded in battle but not discharged therefor. . 16 17. Enlisted men wounded but not discharged therefor . .. 17:
.
2
27
26
29
36
20
28
30
198
208
1 88
194 :243 I I
185
2,278
183
1210
208
195 4
I
22
!AX
Totals.
No.
No
1,530
2 Recruits who were assigned in the years 1863-1864 .. .
-
.
-
I
5
.
..
This Book is tho Proporty of the New York World.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
I. 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. 188
8. Antietam, Md. Battlefield Map .. 194
9. Fredericksburg, Va. Battlefield Map. 224
Io. Colonel Hendrickson, r863. Portrait .. 256
II. Gettysburg, Pa. Battlefield Map, No. 270
12. 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. 1 350
17. Seat of War in Virginia. Map No. 2. 350
18. 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 .
22 . Colonel Hitchcock, 1875-8. Portrait. 580
572
23. Colonel Ryder, 1879-82. Portrait. 606
24. Colonel Seward, 1882. 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.
IN December, 1887, there appeared in the columns of the New York Tribune, a sketch of the life of General Samuel J. 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, IS14, in the old NINTH 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- 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 NINTHI regimental district. The Military and Naval Chronicle, of August 9th, 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.
3
FIRST DISBANDMENT.
1850
Company F.
Captain, John N. Hayward; First Lieutenant, John I. Ireland ; Second Lieutenant, E. T. Butterwinkle.
Company G.
Captain, David Sherwood; First Lieutenant, Jacob I .. Seabing ; Second Lieutenant, Andrew P. Van Tuyle.
Company H.
Captain, Francis Tillon ; First Lieutenant, --; Second Lieutenant, Henry B. 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 27th 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 Sth 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 respecting 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
.
1850
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
4
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 14th., and 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 17th, 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-
5
THE S. F'S.
1855
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 organiza- 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 18th, 1866, ex-Captain Phelan addressed a letter to the editors of the Irish People, from which additional light is gained as to the status of the regiment during the fifties.
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 and 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 of 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 3d.
At the time of disbandment the register of the officers was 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.
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.
7
THE PRESENT NINTH ORGANIZED.
1859
Company K.
Captain, Felix Duffy ; First 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 France, 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 25th, 1859.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) No. 18. 1
* *
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
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.