USA > New York > History of the Twenty-second regiment of the National guard of the state of New York; from its organization to 1895, pt 2 > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 2148
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563
HISTORY
OF THE
22md
Ewenty - Second Regiment
OF THE
NATIONAL GUARD OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK
From its Organization to 1895
FORT WAYNE & SELER COZ MO
THE PUBLIC PILLARS
BY
GENERAL GEORGE W. WINGATE
Pt. 2
NEW YORK : EDWIN W. DAYTON, PUBLISHER AND BOOKSELLER, 641 MADISON AVENUE.
563
ДНЕ ВЛОГІС ПЛАКАВА
1757/98
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history of the twenty: Second Regiment
tail dress coat was considered as sufficiently effective as a mere matter of display, but was not as neat and sol- dierly as the white coat, nor was it sufficiently distinct- ive. For fatigue, the regiment adopted a blouse, to be worn with the blue trousers, thus doing away with the necessity of having two complete uniforms. The dress hat, epaulets, etc., were not changed. In 1870 the regiment adopted a cartridge box, having the regimental monogram, costing $2.87, and a new cap pouch and bayonet sling.
In 1880 the helmet was adopted instead of the French dress hat. The latter was gladly dispensed with, as it was very uncomfortable, the weight being thrown too much upon the forehead. It is doubtful, however, if the black helmet adopted by the State has been any improvement over the dress hat, either in appearance or in comfort. The white helmet certainly is both. The full dress white coat, when adopted, cost $24; trousers, $10; dress hat, $4; pompon, 50 cents ; fatigue coat, $9; cap, $2; belt and .plate, $1.50; car- tridge box, $2.25; bayonet sheath, 75 cents; knapsack, $4.50 ; overcoat, $16. Total, $75.
In June, 1895, there was added to the uniform of the Twenty-second a campaign hat for field service. This was a high, broad-brimmed, soft, drab felt hat, such as is worn in the Army. It was similar to that worn by the members of Landis' Battery in the campaign of 1863 .*
At the same period the first sergeants of the regi- ment were given a sword instead of a rifle. This was a partial return to the times of the War, when every
* See cut, page 162.
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STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
383
TWENTY-SECOND CHASSEUR UNIFORM, 1868. COL. REMMEY AND SPECIAL DETAIL.
Pre. Hertz, R. Pte. Lowerre. A. Sergt. Jos. Bird, A. Col. Remmey. Capt. Wingate. A. Pte. J. P. Castree. A. Compl. J. P. Wingate, A. Lieut. Freeland, D. Corpl. J. H. Kissam, D). Sergt. Gro. Arnold. Pte. W. A. Du Bois, A. Curpl, Fred M. Geer, D.
history of the twenty- Second Regiment 6 385
sergeant carried a straight, cross-hilted sword, besides his rifle and bayonet. The doing away with the carry- ing of a rifle by the first sergeants was an innovation. It was also a decided improvement in the direction of efficiency. Their rifles were always in their way, par- ticularly in the performance of- the duties required of them under the new drill regulations. Although the change deducted one rifle from the firing force in each company, the first sergeants could perform their duties so much better without it as to more than compensate for this loss.
STATE HISTORLIN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
1
CHAPTER XXXVII.
INAUGURATION OF RIFLE PRACTICE BY THE TWENTY- SECOND.
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A S previously stated,* the original members of the Twenty-second had received some in- struction in firing at Baltimore and at Harper's Ferry.
This had been of the most rudiment- ary character and had taught them but little more than how to load and fire their pieces with ball cartridge.
During the Pennsylvania campaign there was no instruction whatever in re- gard to shooting. Those members of the regiment who had not served in the field with it in the preceding year were so absolutely ignorant in regard to the use of their rifles that they did not know whether, in loading, to put the bullet into the barrel base or point first. This was explained to them, and they were also taught to reload when the charges in their rifles were wet. But here all attempts at instruction stopped. The utter ignorance in regard to the use of their rifles displayed by his comrades
* See, as to Baltimore, Chap. V., page 45, and as to Harper's Ferry Chap VII., page 63.
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history of the twenty- Second Regiment
in these two campaigns made a deep impression upon the mind of the writer, then a member of Company A, he having been always familiar with firearms, and being a good shot himself. When, in 1866, he became captain of Company A, he determined to endeavor to instruct its members in the use of the rifle. At that time his brother, J. Phelps Wingate, also a member of Company A, was in England, where he had been compelled to go to recover from the effects of typhoid fever which he had contracted while guarding Webb's shipyard .* The writer obtained from him copies of the text-books used in the English Volunteers and in the British Musketry School in Hythe. From these he prepared a system of instruction in aiming drill and candle practice, in which he drilled his company. Capt. Radcliffe B. Lock- wood, of Company H, which drilled on the same night as A, besame greatly interested in the matter and drilled his company in the same manner. The two companies united in putting up a series of small targets along the east wall of the main armory for candle practice. These, at first, were ordinary candles, but later consisted of small tin discs, having for a bull's eye a circular hole an inch in diameter, behind the centre of which was a small gas jet, a plan which was devised by Capt. Lockwood. The explosion of a cap on the muzzle- loading rifles then in use threw a column of air from the barrel with considerable force, so that if aim was taken at the bull's eye with the muzzle of the rifle a foot away, the light would be extinguished, if the aim was true. After this practice had been continued for some months the writer succeeded in inducing the con-
* See Chap. XXXII., Draft riots, page 332.
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history of the twenty: Second Regiment
tractors with the supervisors then repairing the armory, to construct a target at the northeastern end of the drill room. This was built of square pieces of wood, so placed that the bullets would go into the ends to prevent split- ting, and enable the target to be renewed. The writer obtained the idea from the wooden pavement which was then being put down in the streets. Practice was had with reduced charges at this target on Saturday nights. The progress in shooting made by Companies A and H. and the interest taken by their members in the matter, ex- cited considerable attention in the regiment, and in June, 1868, when the Long Branch encampment was decided upon by the Board of Officers, it was determined that rifle practice should constitute one of its principal feat- ures. To stimulate interest in the shooting, the regi- ment provided several handsome prizes, and others were offered by Gen. Aspinwall and PLATE XXVIL GENERAL WINGATE'S TARGET. others. At the request of the FRONT ELEVATION GDE ELEVATIOL Board of Officers, the writer pre- pared the rules for the firing in- tended to be performed during the camp, which were officially promulgated August 12, 1868, in regimental orders.
In connection with Capt. Geo. J. Clan Ranald (Company F), the writer supervised the practice. He devised for use, during this encampment, a double re- volving target, since known as "Wingate's Target,"* which, at the time of this writing, is in use at West Point and several other army posts.
*This is described in Blunt's " Small Army Firing Regulations," page 173.
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STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y. history of the twenty: Second Regiment
389
The value of the armory instruction which, Com- panies A and H had received was demonstrated by their members winning nearly all the prizes at Long Branch. The natural result of this was to induce the other com- panies of the regiment to give an increased attention to the subject.
As there was no book to be had from which the officers could obtain the in- formation necessary to en- able them to instruct their men in shooting, the writer was requested by the Board of Officers of the Twenty- second to prepare some- thing of that description to be printed for regimental use. In compliance with this request, he wrote a small pamphlet, based upon the system that he had developed in the instruction of Com- panies A and H, which he presented to the Board of Officers in April, 1869, at which date he was compelled, much to his regret, to resign from the regiment, in con- sequence of removing from New York City. The regulations contained in the pamphlet were officially adopted, and the Board, at the same time, presented to their author a handsomely-engrossed and framed set of resolutions, expressing their thanks for the services he had rendered to the regiment in this matter, and " for his long and faithful services as Secretary of the Board." These regulations were printed by the regiment, and
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history of the twenty- Second Regiment
were used by its officers for several years in instructing their companies, with marked success. This instruction was then, and for a long time after. peculiar to the Twenty-second, nothing of the kind being attempted in any other command either of the National Guard or in the Army.
An excursion was made to Sing Sing by the Twenty- second in June, 1870, for the purpose of testing the progress that had been made in rifle practice. Com- mittees were appointed, under whose supervision markers' pits were dug and revolving targets erected, such as had been used at Long Branch. A firing man- ual was also adopted, and a number of prizes were offered by the Board of Officers as rewards for the best shots. The writer (who, as above stated, had resigned from the regiment) was requested to supervise the shooting, and did so. The firing was at 200 yards' standing, and a very creditable degree of skill was dis- played, although it was raining, which made it difficult work with muzzle-loaders. The first prize was won by John H. Turner (A); the second by J. H. Glock (F); the third by Joseph Crowell (C); fourth, Alex. Roux (B) ; fifth, W. L. Crowell (C) ; sixth, H. B. Thompson (F) ; seventh, William B. Kemp (B). Extracts from the in- structions thus prepared for the use of the Twenty- second were published in the Army and Navy Journal on September 11, 1869, and led to the practice being taken up by the Forty-seventh of Brooklyn and Sixty- fifth and Seventy-fourth of Buffalo, and one or two other National Guard organizations. The matter was also taken up by New Jersey, the National Guard of which had several days' official target practice in Sep-
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History of the twenty- Second Regiment
tember, 1869, and October, 1870, by orders from Maj .- Gen. Plume. The Twenty-third of Brooklyn also went to Long Branch for target practice on October 4, 1871. The instructions which had thus been prepared by the writer were afterwards elaborated by him in a series of articles published in the Army and Navy Journal dur- ing 1869 and 1870, which excited much discussion in military circles. They led to the formation of the National Rifle Association in September, 1871, of which their author was made secretary, and afterwards vice- president and president. These regulations constituted
· FIRING LYING PRONE.
the foundation of " Wingate's Manual of Rifle Prac- tice," which was written at the request of the National Rifle Association to supply a book which would serve as a manual of instruction for the National Guard. This work was adopted by the State of New York and by other States, and was for a number of years the official and, in fact, the only text-book upon that sub- ject, and is the foundation of the system of rifle practice now used in the Army and in the different States .*
* Capt. S. R. Blunt, U. S. A., in the preface to his "Instructions in Rifle Firing," adopted by the Secretary of War December 20, 1838, states: "Gen. Geo. W. Wingate, formerly the General Inspector of Rifle Practice of the National Guard of New York, who first introduced rifle practice as a regular part of the military instruction of the National Guard of this coun- try, permits me to use his 'Manual of Rifle Firing,' which, besides being
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History of the twenty- Second Regiment
" Armory Practice, Under the Regulations, of Capt. Wingate, Prepared for the Twenty-second," was pre- scribed by Col. Porter in regimental orders on Feb- ruary 3, 1870, and was thereafter followed by the regi- ment until " Wingate's Manual" was officially adopted by the State of New York.
It will thus be seen that the action taken by the Twenty-second constituted the true inception of the movement to introduce rifle practice as a part of the military instruction of troops, which led to the estab- lishment of Creedmoor, and which practice has now become universal in the National Guard of the country and in the United States Army. The regiment may therefore justly claim to have originated this important military innovation, which is conceded by all soldiers to have so largely added to the efficiency of our troops, both in the Army and National Guard.
In 1871 the National Rifle Association began the construction of its range at Creedmoor. The Twenty- second appointed a committee of officers on aiming and firing on September 4, 1870. At this time Capt. Geo. J. Clan Ranald, of Company F, vigorously pressed the subject of rifle practice, so as to insure that the
the first exponent of the present system of practice, also contains advice and suggestions which the Army marksmen have long followed; he also furnished me with a large amount of manuscript which he had prepared . upon rifle firing for the Army. This I have found of great value, and have largely used, especially that part relating to the practice and training of rifle teams, upon which subject Gen. Wingate has had an experience and opportunity for observation hardly equalled by any officers of the Regular Army."
* The late Major-Genl. T. W. Sherman publicly stated that he considered that the introduction of rifle practice by the National Guard of New York, as a part of military instruction, was equivalent to the addition of more than a Division to the military forces of the United States.
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STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
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GENERAL GEO. W. WINGATE,
GENERAL INSPECTOR OF RIFLE PRACTICE, N. G. S. N. Y.
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History of the twenty- Second Regiment
regiment would be prepared when Creedmoor should be opened. He was fortunate enough to have in his company one or two riflemen who had been prominent in Wimbledon, and with their aid and experience soon had his company as enthusiastic as himself. Adjt. Harding, being a good shot, was also deeply interested in the matter. Company F formed an association, hired a field at Clifton, N. J., upon which they erected iron targets and constructed a regular rifle-range ac- cording to " Wingate's Manual." This range was com- pleted and ready for operation in 1872, a year before the opening of Creedmoor. The following is the official application for permission to use this range :
COMPANY F TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT N. G. S. N. I.
NEW YORK, May 15, 1872.
His Excellency JOEL PARKER,
Governor State of New Jersey, Freehold, N. J.
SIR :- I have the honor to inform you that the members of Company F Twenty-second Regiment N. G. S. N. Y., having formed a permanent organization for the practice and improve- ment in rifle shooting, have arranged to hold the first annual prize meeting on Saturday, July 6, 1872, at Clifton, N. J., and respectfully request that you will accord my command the priv- ilege of entering and shooting in the State of New Jersey.
I propose to have iron targets erected, proper mantlets constructed for the markers, and to conduct the matches in strict accordance with the rules and regulations adopted and in use in Great Britain and Canada, and will pledge myself that the utmost precaution shall be taken to insure the safety of the con- testants and spectators.
I enclose herewith a copy of the rules and regulations adopted by the company, which I trust will meet with your
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history of the twenty- Second Regiment
approbation. Should you accord me the privilege, 'I shall esteem it an honor if you will countenance the meeting by your presence.
Very respectfully,
GEO. J. CLAN RANALD,
Captain Company F Twenty second Regiment N. G. S. N. I.
The Remington breech-loading rifle was issued to the regiment in September, 1872, and its introduction was a great help to the new movement.
On December 20, 1872, steps were taken in regard to the formation of a regimental rifle association. This resulted in a meeting of the regiment on March II, 1873, at which Col. Porter presided. At this meeting "the Twenty-second Regiment Rifle Association " was formed, each company of the regiment being repre- sented in its management. This Association there- after had the direction of rifle practice in the Twenty- second, taking charge of the range and organizing a number of different rifle matches.
This range at Clifton was used by the members of the Twenty-second during the years 1871, 1872 and until Creedmoor was regularly opened for practice in 1873, the regiment going there as a body twice during 1872. The use of the Clifton range was also granted to several companies of the Seventh and Seventy-first, who were desirous of improving themselves in shooting. The first annual prize meeting of Company F was held at Clifton July 6, 1872. In addition, systematic armory practice was kept up by the regiment during IS72, one of the companies being required to shoot each night, under careful regulations. The rules of the National Rifle Association were adopted by the regiment June
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STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE,
ALBANY, N. Y.
397
THE WINNING TEAM, CREEDMOOR, 1873. Pte. Canfield. Pte. Carmichael. Lieut Horsfall. Capt. W. J. Harding. Lieut. Dunning. Drum-Major G. A. Strube. Pte G. P. Freeman. Pte. L. Backer. Pte. A Cocks Sergt. J. Magner.
Sergt. Berrian, Ptc. J. Barry. Pte. R. B. Lockwood.
Sergt .- Maj. A. J. Roux.
Seret. W. H. Murphy.
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History of the twenty- Second Regiment
3, 1873. The benefit of this instruction was apparent in the first matches of the National Rifle Association, where the team of the Twenty-second swept everything before them.
At the opening match of the National Rifle Asso- ciation June 21, 1873, the Twenty-second team made a score of 263 points as against 161 for the United States Engineers and 158 for the Twenty-third N. G., the next competitors. This team consisted of Capt. Harding, captain of the team, Lieut. Horsfall, Sergt .- Maj. Roux, Drum- Maj. Strube, Sergts. Murphy and Wagner, Privts. Backer, Brill, Carmichael, Cocks, Freeman and Lockwood; reserves : Lieut. Dunning, Privts. Barry and Howard, and was selected by the Board of Management of the Regimental Rifle Asso- ciation.
CREEOMOOR
N.R.A.
0873
General Shaler's Badge for the highest score in First Division match, Won by Private A. Cocks, Twenty second Regiment.
At the fall meeting of the National Rifle Associa- tion in 1873 the teams from the other regiments had greatly improved, but not enough to equal that of the Twenty-second, which won the First Division match by a score of 263 against 235 of the Twelfth and 239 of
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history of the twenty: Second Regiment
the Ninth, their closest competitors, and the Army and Navy Journal match by a score of 211 against 152 of the Seventy-ninth, 151 of the Twelfth, and 10S of the United States Engineers. The team also won the State prize, besides a large number of prizes in individual competitions.
PRESENTEO
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AREY & NAVY SCUFINAL
CRECOMOON
Their success created great excitement in the regiment. The Board of Officers tender- ed the team a vote of thanks, and had a large picture of its members, taken in a group, hung in the Officers' room.
It also presented to each member of the team a copy of the picture and an engrossed set of resolutions of thanks, certified by the President and Secretary of the Board of Of- ficers.
The humiliating defeat Army and Navy Journal Cup. Won by the Twenty-second. which they had sustained stim- ulated the other National Guard regiments to such exertions that the following year, while the Twenty-second team won the State prize, they were unable to make the " clean sweep " which had pre- viously been their custom. In 1873, upon the establish- ment of systematic class-firing at Creedmoor, the Clifton range was given up. Some of the companies of the regiment then joined the National Rifle Association in a body, and the members of the Twenty-second were conspicuous in its matches for many years.
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STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
- At a regular meeting" of the Board of Officers of the Greenty Second falantry National Guard State of New york had ar the regimental Armory on the eleventh day of July 1873
I was meantmongly resolved that the thanks and sincere congratulations of the Board of~ Officers of The Twenty Second Infantry National Guard State of New York are hereby extended to Captain Harding Erentenant Horsfall, Sery Naper Roux, Drum Major Strube Very" Freeman, Maguer, and Marley- and Finales Backer, Brill, Caranreboot, Cocks, and Lockwood, which Gentlemen as a Competitive Team representing the Twenty Second Infantry, contended successfully" on the occasion of the opening of the Creedmoor Kunge
by the National Rifle Association, and were fortunate as the Winners of the Requmental " Jean" prze ancho majority of the individual buzes
Resolved that we recommend to then the continuance of careful and steady practice will the used , and commend their efforts and records to the emulation of the Members of the Requmentito general, that by earrest and persevering practice, surfu efficiency and excellency in the use of the Rifle maybe attained as shall more than ever enkutte the Gentlemen of the Twenty Second Infantry to the appreciation, confidence and. colli. .mendations of their fellow Glizens
Jos , P. Javie
altest
Jaich Sorter
Lieutenant 225 Infantry Secretary of the Board
. Colonel 22nd Infantry: President of the Board.
RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED TO TWENTY-SECOND RIFLE TEAM, 1873.
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History of the twenty- Second Regiment
It is to be regretted that the success attained by the team in these first matches induced a more lavish ex- penditure upon their support and maintenance than was judicious, and more than the regiment could afford. A camp for the team was kept at Creedmoor for several years which was very expensive. This, coupled with the disappointment arising from the inability to win everything in the later matches, as had been the original custom (al- though the team always shot well), led in December, 1875, to the dis- bandment of the Regimental Rifle Association, and, after a few years, to the discontinuance of the organi- zation of a team by the Twenty- second. In 1877 the Twenty-second established a challenge badge to be shot for at Creedmoor. In 1879 Lieut .- Col. Belknap presented a Adj .- General Rathbone's Badge for highest score in State Match (1873). Won by Private Leon Backer, Twenty- second Regiment. handsome trophy for competition by company teams in the armory, which has since been regularly shot for. The failure to maintain a team had the same effect in dimin- ishing interest in rifle practice in the Twenty-second that regimental histories have shown that it produces in other organizations. The possession of a team of twelve men, however skilled shots they may be, in itself adds but little to the shooting strength of the regiment. But experience has established that the competition for places upon the regimental team, and the victories it wins, do much to stimulate and maintain the general interest in shooting. The team men are of great assistance as in-
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STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
M
R
ENTRANCE TO CREEDMOOR RANGES.
200 YARDS' FIRING AT CREEDMOOR.
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structors, particularly when the regiment is doing its "class-firing." They are also valuable in instilling among the younger members of the regiment an idea of the im- portance of learning to become good shots, and gen- erally in keeping up the interest of the regiment on the subject. Without a regimental team this is difficult to accomplish. The Twenty-second, while occupying the Fourteenth Street Armory, labored under peculiar diffi- culties on account of the very poor facilities the armory afforded for practice. These, coupled with the abandon- ment of a regimental team, caused such a falling off in the interest taken by its members in rifle practice that in a few years it lost its posi- tion as the leading regiment in the State in that respect. State Prize, 1874. Won by Twenty- second Regiment. Score, 295. Since its removal to the new armory, where its mem- bers have the advantage of a good rifle-gallery, and through the indefatigable exertions of Captain M. E. Burnton, its present (1895) Inspector of Rifle Practice, its standard of rifle-firing has rapidly improved.
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