USA > New York > Memories of the 149th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inft., 3d Brig., 2 Div., 12th and 20th A. C > 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
Gc 973.74 N42col 1764909
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01083 5129
MEMOIRS
.. OF THE
149th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inft.
3d Brig., 20 Div., 12th and 20th A. C.
BY
CAPT. GEO. K. COLLINS.
.
SYRACUSE, N. Y. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 1891.
:
-
1764909
1
3.
=
CAPTAIN GEO, K. COLLINS.
eoebast
·
C
F 8349 .581
Collins, George Knapp, 18371- Memoirs of the 149th regt. N. Y. vol. inft., 3d brig., 2d div., 12th and 20th A. C. By Capt. Geo. K. Collins. Syracuse, N. Y., Pub. by the author, 1891.
viii, 426 p. front., illus., plates, ports. 22}".
:
1. U. S .- Hist .- Civil war-Regimental histories-N. Y. inf .- 140:1. 2. New York infantry. 149th regt., 1862-1865.
. 1 62835
TO
MY LOVING WIFE AND AFFECTIONATE AND VENERABLE MOTHER, WHO SHARED WITH ME THE ANXIETIES AND INDIRECTLY THE DEPRI- VATIONS OF THE SERVICE. THIS WORK IS
DEDICATED.
PREFACE.
A portion of this work was written several years ago in par- tial redemption of a promise made the children of the author, and with no settled purpose as to its publication. When the writer was chosen Ilistorian of the Regiment, it was deemed best not to change what had been written, but continue the original plan to a conclusion. The work as completed is not a history in any sense, but a simple relation of incidents connect- ed with the regiment, coming to the knowledge of the writer, presented from an individual standpoint. In fact, the reader is pre-supposed to have a fair knowledge of history, and those who have not are respectfully referred to Doubleday's "Chan- eellorsville and Gettysburg", Henry M. Cist's "Army of the Cumberland", and to Cox's "Atlanta" and "The March to the Sea," etc., for general details.
The journal of the 149th from Savannah to Goldsboro has been retained in this book, at the risk of tediousness, in the belief that no just appreciation of the hardships of that campaign van be obtained without it, yet, the general reader can omit its persual if he chooses.
Comrade! this book has been written under peculiar hard- ship- and embarrassments and without hope of reward; be in- Anlgent with its faults, and if you wish a better history write it yourself.
The writer acknowledges himself indebted for information
vi
PREFACE.
to every source open to him, and particularly to the letters of Moses Summers, entitled the "Sword and Pen", published in the Syracuse Daily Standard. He is also indebted for aid and assistance, among others, to Nelson Gilbert, Isaac Foster. John Ilixson, Oliver Ormsbee, and last, but not least, to his dear daughter Nellie, whose patient hands have contributed so much towards the completion of the work, and without whose loving kindness and sympathetic co-operation during many weary days and months it probably would never have been written.
The principal part of the line engravings in this work are from sketches made during the service by members of the regi- ment (mostly by Lieut. George J. Sager), and have the merit of faithfully representing actual scenes and occurrences; the other line engravings are re-productions from the work entitled "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War", published by the Century Company. The battle scene at Gettysburg is from an oil painting by the well known war artist, Edwin Forbes, made specially to be reproduced in a bronze tablet for the memorial momument of the 149th now (1891) being created on Culp's Hill, Gettysburg, Pa. Mr. Forbes's work needs no com- mendation from any one, but we take pleasure in saying. we believe this picture will meet the approval of every member of the regiment as a correct delineation of the scene portrayed. The other half-tone engravings, with one or two exceptions. are from photographs taken during the war, or made recently for use of the author.
G. K. C.
Dated Syracuse, N. Y., March 4, 1891.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I-The Organization, the Departure, and the Arrival at Arlington Heights . 1
CHAPTER II-Camp Chase .
11
CHAPTER III-Frederick City and Sandy Hook 21
CHAPTER IV-Pleasant Valley and London Heights 30
CHAPTER V-Bolivar Heights . 43
CHAPTER VI-Reconnaissance to Charlestown 50
CHAPTER VII-Reconnoissance to Winchester
53
CHAPTER VIII-Bolivar to Fairfax Station 64
CHAPTER IX-Fairfax Station .
CHAPTER X-Fairfax Station to Acquia Creek
84
CHAPTER XI-Acquia Creek 88
CHAPTER XII-Brooks Station
97
CHAPTER XII-Chancellorsville 102
CHAPTER XIV-Acquia Creek to Leesburg
115
CHAPTER XV-Leesburg to Littletown 12.
CHAPTER XVI-Gettysburg . 132
CHAPTER XVII-Littletown to Pleasant Valley
151
CHAPTER XVIII-Pleasant Valley to Ellis's Ford 159
CHAPTER XIX-Ellis's Ford to the Rapidan 17:
CHAPTER XX-Rapidan to the Tennessee 180
CHAPTER XXI-Wanhatchie 194
CHAPTER XXII-Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ring- gold 207
CHAPTER XXIII-Stevenson
CHAPTER XXIV-Resaca . 239
CHAPTER XXV-New Hope Church 252
CHAPTER XXVI-Pine, Lost, and Kenesaw Mountains 263
CHAPTER XXVII-Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta . 273
CHAPTER XXVIII-Atlanta to Savannah 286
CHAPTER XXIX-Savannah to Goldsboro . 301
CHAPTER XXX-Surrender, Grand Review, and Home . 319
APPENDIX.
ROSTER OF OFFICERS AND MEN.
Fil and Staff
. 341
.
viii :
CONTENTS.
Company .1
346 Company F
· 390
Company B
354
Company G
396
Company C
362 Company II
405
Company D
372 Company I
415
Company L
381 Company K
. 421
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Capt. Geo. K. Collins-Portrait .
.
·
Frontispiece
"On to Richmond "-Initial
.
1
" Spirit of the Lanrel "-Inicial
Pontoons and Government Shops at Harper's Ferry, Va. Ilarper's Ferry. Va.
21
Cansus Belli-Initial
30
Col. Abel G. Cook-Portrait
facing 35
Off for Charlestown -Initial
50
Mud at Dumfries, Va. - Initial
64
Fairfax Station. Va .- Initial
74
Gen. George & Greene -- Portrait
76
Gen. Henry A. Barnum-Portrait
facing
82
Bivouac -- Initial
84
Sick Call-Initial
Surgeon James V. Kendall-Portrait
facit g
95
Sunday in Camp-Initial
103
Gen. John W. Geary-Portrait
111
Contentment- Initial
115 125
Maj. WaPer M. Hallman-Portrait
facing 129
" Whoever Saw a Dead Cavalryman ?"-Initial
133 facing 150.
Brigade Post-office -- Initial
151
Gen. Greene's Head quarters, Ellis's Mill
175
Going to Mill. Ellis', Ford
Raccoon Ford. Va .- Initial
140
Crossing the Cumberland Mountains. W. Va.
1×1 194
Color-Seret. Wm. C. Lilly-Portrait
facing 200
Lookont Mountain. Tenn.
Maj. Thomas Merriam-Portrait
facing 212 3
Crackers -- Initia! .
.
3
Maj. Moses Summers-Portrait
facing 37
" Mose" crossing the Tennessee-Initial
Summier Quarters- Initial
Mai. orsen Coville-Portrait
faeing
" Who Killed Gen. Polk ?"- Initial
Third Brigade Head quarters
facing 3
The 149th Regiment at Atlanta, Ga.
facing
Off for the Sea -Initial
Maj. Jacob Knapp- Portrait The Forager-Initial
301
Col. Henr. \ Burhans- Portrait
facing 303 310 facing 319
What was Left at woki-boro - Initial
319
Group of General Officery
Shike poke- Tail-piece
facing 3:39 340
17
John Brown's Fort at Harper's Ferry, Va.
.
Camp of the 11th Regiment at Bolivar Heights. Va.
44
Grave of John Brown at North Elba. N. Y .- Initial
53
New Chance Horsville, Va.
Mending be Flag
At Home. Ell's Ford, .
160
Ellis's Mill
123
Cracker Line-Initial
Christina- Sports .
Office of A \ 1 6 .- Initial
facing 29%
Uni m Refugees
Col. Nicholas Grumbach - Portrait
.
11
Picket-Initial
MEMOIRS 149th REGT. N. Y. INFT.
CHAPTER I.
THE ORGANIZATION, THE DEPARTURE, AND THE ARRIVAL AT ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.
1
Ox the 5th day of August, 1862, there appeared in the Syracuse Daily Standard (a newspaper printed in the city of Syracuse. N. Y.), under the heading of telegraph dis- patches, the following :
WAAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C .. May 4th. .. ORDERED. First, that a draft of 300,000 militia be immediately called into the service of the United States to serve nine months unless "ON TO RICHMOND." sooner discharged. The See- retary of War will assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the draft. "Second. That if any State shall not by the 15th day of August furnish its quota of the additional 300,000 volunteers
2
2
MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
authorized by law, the deficieney of volunteers in that State will also be made up by a special draft from the militia. The Secretary of War will establish regulations for this purpose.
"Third. Regulations will be proposed by the War Depart- ment and presented to the President with the object of seeur- ing the promotion of officers of the army and volunteers for . meritorious and distinguished services and of preventing the nomination and appointment in the military service of incom- petent and unworthy officers.
"The regulations will also provide for ridding the service of such incompetent persons as now hold commissions.
" By order of the President. [Signed]
"EDWIN M. STANTON, "See's of War."
On the 2d day of the preceding month there had been pub- lished in the same paper a communication to the President signed by the governors of seventeen loyal States requesting him to call for additional volunteers. At the same time was published the reply of the President calling for 300,000 volun- teers and directing the Secretary of War to issue the proper orders to carry the requisition into effect.
Under this first call the County of Onondaga had raised on- ly a portion of the regiment afterward known as the 122d N. Y. Vol. Inft., and it was apparent to every one, on the publica- tion of the second order. that it was not only necessary to fill the regiment recruiting, but still another must be raised in that county to supply its quota of men required by the government. On that never-to-be-forgotten day, it seemed to every one that the time had come when every man must do something for the government, and, if possible, should offer himself in de- fense of the country. The night that closed that memorable day was a sad one to many people in the loyal North, and many a weary head rose from a sleepless pillow on the morrow burthened with the question. " What is my duty in this hour of my country's peril?" The Union army had been worsted below the Potomac, and the Confederate hordes, jubilant at
ORGANIZATION, DEPARTURE, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. 3
their apparent successes, were already threatening an invasion into the loyal States to spread therein devastation and ruin. The capital of the Nation was in peril, and a general gloom rested on the hearts of all loyal people.
The writer of this sketch was at the time looking anxiously forward to an early admission to the Bar of this State, an event which seemed to promise ultimate relief from hard study and self-denial, which had been his portion for four long years, and a period inangarated in its stead of honor and ultimate competency. All these fair prospects were to be abandoned, or indefinitely postponed, by entering the service: The neces- sities of a little family growing upon his hands, a frail body weakened by a recent and nearly fatal illness, with other potential reasons, seemed to forbid a personal participation in the service of the army. Yet the exigencies of the hour re- quired great personal sacrifices, and nearly 2,000 men, laying aside personal considerations, many as great as those of the writer, made the sacrifice required, and before the 18th day of the following month, the regiment recruiting was not only till- el, but another, of which the writer was a member, was sworn into the United States service for three years or during the war.
On the 22d day of August the 122d Regiment was sworn into service, and at & o'clock Sunday morning, on the last day of August, it vacated Camp Andrews and took its departure for the Seat of War by way of Albany.
On the 20th day of August the War Committee at Syracuse officially announced its intention of organizing another regi- ment, and immediately a number of men authorized by it opened rendezvous, mostly in small board shanties erected in the public squares and streets of the city, and commenced re- eruiting for what was then called Onondaga's 4th Regiment. The writer erected a recruiting shanty on Hanover Square contignon- to a large platform from which war speeches were daily made with the sanction of Mayor AAndrews and under the direction of the War Committee. By order of the Mayor, all
.
4
MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
places of business were closed at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and all citizens were invited to assist in obtaining recruits. Sun- . days as well as week days were given over to this all-important. business.
The first persons who enlisted with the writer were George J. Sager, William Bridgford, James Gordon and John W. Vaugh, whose names were enrolled on the 22d day of August .. Some of the proposed companies were quickly filled, owing to private bounties given by well-to-do and patriotic citizens in their behalf, and others were aided by peculiar circumstances affecting the particular companies in question. Company "A" (Capt. Light) was ready and marched into camp the day the grounds were vacated by the 122d Regt. Company "B" (Capt. Grumbach) reernited about half of its men in one day ;. and Company "C" (Capt. Lynch) and Company " D" (Capt. Wilkinson) had each an almost equally marvelous growth aid- ed by large gifts of private bounty. Other companies not so fortunate were slower in obtaining their requisite quota of men .. After a little consolidations were made under direction of the War Committee between the different persons recruiting. Company "I", to which the writer belonged, was the result of a consolidation of men enlisted by three persons who, by agree- ment, accepted positions as follows : Captain, David J. Lind- say ; Ist Lieut., George K. Collins ; and 2d Lient., John T. Bon .. This company marched into camp September 4th, and all the others on or before September 4th.
The camp of this regiment was called "Camp White",. in honor of H. N. White, an honored citizen of Syracuse and, at that time, an esteemed military officer in the militia service of the State. It was sitnate on what was known as the "Fair Ground-", just beyond the city limits (as then defined) in the town of Onondaga south of the present bridge over the Onon- daga Creek on South Avenue. The grounds were enclosed by a high board fence, with entrances at two gates, and rough board barracks had been erected for the accommodation of the officers and men. Warm meals were served just outside of the.
ORGANIZATION, DEPARTURE, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. 5
grounds in an old building theretofore used as an iron foundry. Coffee, boiled beef, potatoes, bread and salt, with occasionally other necessaries, constituted the bill of fare. The men were marched in line by the officers to the mess-house, and generally expressed themselves in no very complimentary terms in refer- ence to the fare. It did seem as if bread and potatoes, with- out butter -- only a little salt-and boiled corned-beef was pretty hard fare to start in with by men who had never been deprived of any luxury their appetites eraved. The food stuck in their throats, and if they had been deprived of other means of satis- fying their appetites, they would have suffered from hunger. However, in the light of subsequent experience, it is just to say the food provided was good, and many, many times afterwards the men were heard to express a wish to return to Camp White" fare.
On the 8th of September the men were supplied with uni- forms, the 18th the regiment was sworn into the United States service by Capt. DeB. Clay, and on Sunday, the 21st, it re- ceived knapsacks, canteens, and other necessary equipments. The latter was a gala day in "Camp White", and all military duties were suspended that the men might be with their friends who had been invited to give them a parting visit.
During the stay, nearly all the officers were presented by their respective friends with swords, belts, sashes, and other needful articles, and on the 22d the regiment became the re- cipient of a stand of national colors presented by Hon. V. W. Smith, Salt Superintendent, in behalf of the officers of the Salt Springs. In a neat speech, Col. H. A. Barnum accepted it for the regiment, and passed the flag, afterwards known as "Old Glory", over to the keeping of the color-bearer. After the de- parture, a stand of State colors was presented by the Jewish ladies of Syracuse, and was received for the regiment by the Mayor of the city.
The officers of the regiment at its organization were, with one or two exceptions, entirely inexperienced in military mat- ters, yet the material, generally speaking, was excellent, and
6
MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
the organization in that respect reflected great credit upon the efficient War Committee which had it in charge. There were. however, one or two ill-advised appointments, the unfitness of which is exemplified by a little incident which took place at this eamp. Guards were placed about the grounds and partieu- lar precaution taken to prevent the men from absenting them- selves withont leave. At night a company roll was called and one of the officers in each company was required to be present. In one company the officer, whose duty it was to be present,. was made to believe that it was his duty to call the roll. The company had been made up by consolidation and, therefore. he was not familiar with the faces or names of the men. As he was unable to read, he was assisted by a wag who stood at his back as prompter. The call proceeded; the wag prompted and the officer sang out the names. After a little the wag prompted the name of " John C. Heenan." "John C. Heenan," eried the officer in a loud voice. "He's at the gate," replied one of the men. "Tom Sayers," prompted the wag. "Tom Sayers," shouted the officer. "He's also at the gate," replied the men ; and so proceeded the roll call with the names of other prize fighters and notables of the time interspersed. Fi- nally, after an interruption caused by the laughter and shouts of the men, the officer gave point to the joke by good-naturedly observing, "I guess they are all on duty at the gate to-night."
Pursuant to orders, the baggage of the regiment was loaded into ears of the N. Y. C. Railroad Co. on the evening of the 22d of September, and on the morning of the 23d. between s and 9 o'clock, the regiment marched down Salina Street and departed in coaches of the N. Y. C. for the Seat of War by the way of Geneva, Elmira, Williamsport, Baltimore, and Wash- ington.
The memory of that embarkation is of having very sad hearts, marching after awkward men in new uniforms, with the shelf creases in them, weighed down with knapsacks, blank- ets and canteens ; great anxiety about getting certain drunken men safely on the ears; excessive fatigue, and much disgust at
ORGANIZATION, DEPARTURE, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. .
the unmannerly conduet of certain citizen friends. It was a. positive relief when the train got under motion and space was put between the men and their well-meaning but indiscreet friends. It seemed to take the form of a patriotic duty, on the part of some, to tone up the hearts of men departing, per- haps forever from family and friends, by generous gifts of poor whisky. If any one reading these lines shall have any doubt on the subject, he may be assured that no patriotic anty of this kind was neglected on that occasion.
The regiment arrived at Geneva about 1 r. M. and was trans- ferred to three steam transports. When it was fairly afloat on Seneca Lake it was a positive relief, as no man could run the guard and there was an opportunity for drunken men to sober down. On one boat, however, an intoxicated man be- longing to Co. D, while the steamer was proceeding, climbed np and road astride the walking beam in motion. Col. Strong ordered him down, but what cared he for military orders? he had no reverence for shoulder-straps, and as for compelling him, where was the man that dared climb up and remove him from his perilous position? When he tired of the amusement, he faerd about and came down in safety.
Six companies were on one boat and two companies each ou the other two. It fell to the lot of the field and staff on this occasion to be co-travelers with the Skaneateles Cornet Band ; therefore, they beguiled the tedium of the journey up the lake with the sound of sweet music. Speaking of this band (which accompanied the regiment to Washington) prompts the remark, that their stock of music was somewhat limited, and being obliging and willing to play whenever called upon, it was the portion of the men, on this memorable journey, to hear the same selections repeated a great many times. Before reaching Washington the men became thoroughly familiar with the pieces played, and whenever the band struck up, they joined in a singing and whistling accompaniment which, if not melodious to hear, was certainly entertaining and the occasion of much hilarity. However, the band was of great service in
1
8
MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
keeping up the spirits of the men and they have always cher- ished the memory of its connection with them as one of the pleasant incidents of their service.
The regiment arrived at Watkins about dark and received refreshments at the hands of the ladies of that place. It was then transferred to cars and proceeded to Elmira, where it ar- rived about midnight, and, after marching about two miles in the dust, tried to find rest in some cold, strawless, cheerless, dirty old barracks. Without a blanket, the writer laid down on the bare slats of a dirty old bunk, and strange as it may seem. in spite of the cold and dirt, he slept. In the morning it appeared that a heavy rain had fallen during the latter part of the night and it was then cold, wet and muddy. One or two companies, not feeling satisfied with the accommodations, ripped out the inside of their barracks and stood around blaz- ing fires made of the ruins. After some delay the regiment was marched to a mess-house where was served a good break- fast of bread and butter, meat and coffee with milk. It is needless to say that it did justice to the meal and was thank- ful.
After spending about two-thirds of a wet and dismal day in receiving firearms and accoutrements, complete except the bayonet sheath>, the regiment was again loaded mpon cars and resumed its journey. The rifles received were Enfield and the men were generally disappointed, preferring Springfield.
The trip from Elmira to Baltimore was made mostly by night, as nearly all of the first day was spent lying by on a switch in an out-of-the-way place. While on this switch, sev- eral regiments of new reernits, which had been surrendered by Gen. Miles at Harper's Ferry, passed on their way west to do duty until exchanged. They seemed much chagrined and mortitied. In passing, Harrisburg was seen on the northeast and a covered railroad bridge spanning the Susquehanna at that point. The stock of provisions which had been provided gave out before arriving at Baltimore and, therefore, the men were in a condition to appreciate the excellent breakfast served
-
9
ORGANIZATION, DEPARTURE, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.
them soon after daylight at the "Soldiers' Retreat" in that place.
Soon after sunrise the regiment embarked on cars of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for Washington. Just after leav- ing Baltimore, and before the ears were under rapid motion, a painful accident occurred. The men, not being supplied with bayonet sheaths, reversed the bayonets on the muzzles of their guns. The sides of the box-cars in which they were being transported were partially eut away so there were square holes through which the men could observe the country and receive light and air. One of the men carelessly let the muz- zle on his gun with bayonet attached protrude through one of these openings. A lumber car passing in an opposite direction hit the innzzle of the gun, tore off the bayonet, and sent it fly- ing with great velocity through the next opening in the same car. In doing so it struck one of Co. A's men in the face, foreing out an eye and badly disfiguring the man for life.
. The regiment arrived in Washington about 12 x. of the 26th of September, disembarked and proceeded to the vicinity of the "Soldiers' Retreat" near the Capitol building.
After crossing the State line of Maryland the railroad was guarded by soldiers and every few minutes the train passed piekets and camp-fires. In and about Washington on every hand were the evidences of military occupation, and dirt and filth marked every feature of the landscape surrounding the Capitol building itself. Nothing presented itself to the eye of a stranger to impress him with awe and respect, as one would anticipate in approaching the capital of a great nation. On the contrary, everything was suggestive of devastation, chronic diarrhea and body lice. There were a few sick paroled pris- oners, in a squalid condition, lying in the streets near the Capi- tol building waiting to be cared for.
After some delay the regiment was marched to the " Soldiers' Retreat" to be served with dinner. The men looked into the building and the general appearance was such that, although suffering from the pangs of hunger, with one accord they ex-
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.