USA > New York > The first hundred years : records and reminiscences of a century of Company I, Seventh Regiment, N.G.N.Y., 1838-1938 > 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
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF
COMPANY
SEVENTH REGIMENT N.G.N.Y. 1838 -- 1938
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 06593 2755
GC 974.7 F51LC
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
Records and Reminiscences of A CENTURY of
COMPANY
I
SEVENTH REGIMENT
N. G. N. Y.
1838 - 1938
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO
THE SPIRIT OF THE NINTH COMPANY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MAJOR FRANCIS GRISWOLD LANDON, BY HIS FRIENDS AND COMRADES
First Troop, National Guard, 27th Regiment, N.Y.S.M., 1838
ONE HUNDRED YEARS
N O, it's not believable that Toujours Pret is a centenarian. It simply can't be so. His very name makes the statement an anachronism, for how can he be ever ready to serve his city, state and country in every time of need if he is an old, old man? And yet this is a history and the records show that the First Troop was organized March 6, 1838. This cannot be denied and, indeed, is referred to in the following pages with no small degree of pride. So after all we MUST believe the truth.
The fact is, however, that Toujours Pret, while tremendously human, is not mortal. He would not recognize the Old Gentleman with the Hour Glass if he met him, and is entirely beyond the reach of his Scythe. And so, as you turn these pages, your indignant resentment of the fact that dear Toujours Pret is an old man will gradually change to a warm glow of satisfaction that our old friend is just as full of the spirit of youth today as he was when you and I were marching with him, and before that when the fiery spirit of Brinckerhoff brought him to the organization of the First Troop one hundred years ago.
The organization of the Troop required no small effort and an untold degree of enthusiasm. It is this auspicious start which has carried this remarkable group of citizen soldiers through the years and caught the imagination of each succeeding generation, aroused its pride to emulate the old-timers and surpass their achievements. Personnel and customs have changed with the times but have always adapted themselves to the new order. Thus we see the Troop re- organized as a line company of infantry and carrying on with greater efficiency and enthusiasm. We see the development of most extra-curricular activities in the Regiment initiated by Company I. Dramatics, inter-company football, glee club, hockey were taken up in turn and carried to such high degrees of excel- lence as to reflect credit and popularity on the entire Regiment.
This story of one hundred years is not limited to a revelation of the enjoy- ments of a few privileged New Yorkers. It contains the grim accounts of the falling of Winthrop in the Civil War, Woodruff in the Spanish War and Leonard in the Great War, each being the first in the Regiment to pass over the Great Divide and show his comrades how a soldier dies. It contains the thrills of action, sacrifice and duty well done. It tells of the Citizen Soldier as the bulwark of his country's defense.
It is a crescendo of achievement up to the active Company of today, which holds every shooting trophy now in competition in the Regiment and proves that in the basic requirement of a soldier, his ability to handle his weapons, it knows no brother.
Not the least interesting development has been the growth of self-sufficiency in the old Regiment. Today the young recruit has a complete athletic club at his
viii
ONE HUNDRED YEARS
disposal, as well as a club where he may bring his friends to dine and dance and see the type of men who proudly carry the banner turned over to them by fathers, uncles and older brothers, and who are determined it shall always go forward.
Yes, Toujours Pret is hale and hearty as a centenarian and will continue so as long as the spirit of youth survives. It is a privilege to have served with him and a blessing to carry the memories this service brought. May he carry on forever !
GEORGE P. NICHOLS.
CONTENTS
Foreword
The Early Years
Chapter I. New York City 1838 and the organization of the Na- tional Guard Troop; riots and parades
1
The War Between the States
Chapter II. The coming of the War between the States; the Tompkins Market Armory; the Troop is changed to a Light Artillery Corps known as Company I; the march to Washington; Theodore Winthrop; Camp Cameron; Infantry at last; Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore; the Gettysburg Campaign; the Draft Riots
24
The 1870's-The William Casey Era Begins
Chapter III. The 1870's; the Orange Riot; the Coming of Captain Casey; the Centennial at Philadelphia; "Who was George Wash- ington ?"; the Tarrytown Camp; The New Armory Fair
55
The 1880's-A High-Water Mark in Ninth Company History Chapter IV. The William C. Casey era; "I" Company Forty-eight Files; drama and music in the '80's; First Peekskill Camp, 1883; retirement of Captain Casey; The Lark Club; "William Tell"; Ninth Company's semicentennial, 1888; "Katharine" and "Mephistopheles" by J. K. Bangs
The Gay 'Nineties
Chapter V. The Gay 'Nineties; "A Modern Columbus" and "Asyou- likeit"; Brooklyn trolley strike; the election of Captain Landon, 1895; football; "The Poisoner of Zenda" by G. W. Carryl; 1898; Captains Landon and Falls visit London and are pre- sented to Queen Victoria
The New Century
Chapter VI. The Croton Dam Strike, 1900; Peekskill Camp with the West Pointers; Company I and Company B visit the Pan- American at Buffalo; Ninth Company Minstrels, 1902; The Sea Fox cruise; the resignation of Captain Landon; Gettys- burg, 1902; Horace DuVal, the poet laureate of the Ninth; the Vincent Shield; Death of Captain Casey, 1905; Captain Mc- Alpin and the Bisley Match; Company I supplies a captain and twelve good men to form Company L; the Taft Inaugural, 1909;
89
PAGE vii
171
CONTENTS
PAGE
the Massachusetts manoeuvres, 1909; Company I Athletics, 1910-1913; Albert Delafield; Captain Houston retires; Captain Hubby takes the Company through the Connecticut Campaign, 1912; the 75th Anniversary Dinner, 1913; "Tin Soldiers" by Rudderow; election of Wade Hayes
The Start of the World War
Chapter VII. Farewell Dinner to Colonel "Dan," 1916; Co. I on the Mexican Border; the Short Hike; the First Hurricane; the Eleven-Day Hike; outpost duty on the Rio Grande; entertained by the old 69th; Home again; Gordon Grant and his "Rookies"; the Welcome Home Dinner by the Veterans
Camp Wadsworth
Chapter VIII. Raising a Regiment for "T.R."; George Nichols goes to Company F as Captain; drafted again into the service of the U.S .; off for Spartanburg, S.C .; eight months in training at Camp Wadsworth; reorganization from 7th to 107th; practice trenches in winter; rifle range at Glassy Rock; Captain Egan succeeds Captain Hayes
Overseas
Chapter IX. Camp Stuart, Va., and off for France, May 10, 1918; on board the Susquehanna; landing at Brest; Pontanezen Barracks; Favières on the Somme; marching through France; our first loss-Billy Leonard; in the line at Dickebusch; Ridge Wood; Ouderdom; move to Beauquesne to the 4th British Army; train- ing; Allaines; Ronssoy, September 27; the Battle for the Hin- denburg Line; Guillemont Farm; Company I loses 84%; the death of Percy Hall; back at Doingt; a company of twenty men ; forward again; Tincourt; Bellicourt; Prémont; Busigny and Vaux-Andigny; the Battle of Saint Souplet; Bandival Farm; Jonc de Mer Ridge; the St. Maurice River; relieved; Glizy and Amiens; move to the Sarthe; Connerré and La Chapelle-St. Remy; Christmas, 1918; the end of active service; Home on the Nieuw Amsterdam, March 9; 1919; Colonel Hayes' letter; the Casualties of Company I; decorations and citations
The First Post-War Decade
Chapter X. The Depot Battalion; reorganization of the Regiment after the War; Colonel Wade Hayes; Ralph Buell, Captain of "I"; the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, 1919; C. Harold Floyd, Adjutant of the 107th; mock review, 1922; death of Captain Clayton; three Company I "Brigadiers"; athletics; Wall-Scaling Squad; Captain Garey and Captain Johnson
214
299
345
369
432
xi
CONTENTS
1930-1938
PAGE
Chapter XI. Veterans' Dinner for the men who enlisted before 1880; the Gambol of the Ancients, Travers Island; the Washington bicentennial celebrated; the revival of rifle practice under Cap- tain Devereux; record-breaking years; Company I takes all the trophies; the Actives, 1938; honored by the Old Guard; the Cen- tennial Celebration of Company I; Finis
470
Appendix I. Roster of Company I from March 6, 1838, to March 6, 1938 523 Appendix II. Honorary Members; list of Captains, First Lieutenants, Second Lieutenants, and Cornets; important promotions within the Regiment; numbers joining, by years; important dates in Company I history; drill rooms, meeting rooms, and armories; tactics or drill regulations; arms; terms of enlistment; State rifle ranges; Cross of Honor men; pleasure trips; historic dates; roster of officers and non-commissioned officers serving with Company I overseas 605 619
Alphabetical Index
I THE EARLY YEARS
THE TOWN WHERE "I" WAS BORN
W ELL, well!" exclaimed Father Knickerbocker, as he adjusted his spectacles and opened his copy of the Commercial Advertiser at the breakfast table one spring morning in 1838, "Will wonders never cease! Listen to this, my dears: The steamship Sirius arrived on the twenty- second having made the trans-Atlantic trip in eighteen days under steam alone, and the following day the Great Western came into the harbor after a record breaking voyage from Bristol to New York of fifteen days!
"With the steam railroad showing its smoky spark-belching head right in the middle of our island and the waters of the Bay desecrated by these marine monsters, what is this world coming to? I ask you. The next thing we'll hear about will be flying machines, yes, sir, flying machines! They're all mad for speed, I tell you, mad as March hares!"
To the land-hungry eyes of the traveller who stood on the deck of the Sirius or the Great Western of that far-off day, a glorious view appeared as the old side-wheelers pushed through the Narrows and up the Bay. Green hills of Staten Island, white beaches and green shores of Long Island, dotted here and there with little villages, green shores of Jersey through the thin blue haze. Off to the northwest the brown ramparts of the Palisades. While straight ahead, framed to the east and west by the waters of her two majestic rivers, sparkling in the sun, backed by blooming orchards, farms, woodland and rocky
Arrival of the "Great Western" off New York, 1838
2
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
heights, facing the land-locked harbor where all the fleets of the seven seas might find anchorage, lay the young metropolis of the western world, a thing of marvellous beauty. No unsightly factories, no belching chimneys, shapeless towers or the hideous creations of the blast furnace and rolling mill then dis- turbed the eye. The tallest visible things were the city's church spires-Trinity or the old Dutch-the largest building, the Merchants' Exchange, newly risen from its ashes.
But it was no mean-sized town that covered the island of Manhattan below the present 14th Street a century ago. There were nearly three hundred thousand souls dwelling on its narrow winding streets and its outlying farms and estates. In the classic, dignified City Hall, then some twenty-five years old, a Whig, Mr. Aaron Clark, sat as Mayor. The Democrats still held the state, for Silas Wright was Governor, while in the White House on the Potomac, a son of New York, the "Prince Imperial," Martin Van Buren, had just succeeded that stormy petrel of politics, Andrew Jackson.
It was the era of the clipper ship and the canal and the new iron horse. South Street was a forest of masts with great bowsprits pushing across nearly to the line of the buildings. The Harlem Railroad was completed. Its locomotive stopped on a line with the present 42nd Street and the light coaches of that day were drawn by horses through the tunnel on Fourth Avenue to the vicinity of Madison Square. Man and his machines were getting under full headway to change the face of the earth and waters thereof.
But the City of New York had just passed through an enormous period of stress. The great fire of 1835 which had practically wiped out the whole section below Wall Street and east of Broadway had been followed by the financial panic of 1837. Ruin stared New York business men grimly in the face.
As 1838 opened up, however, the commercial distress in New York had de- cidedly abated. If there were quitters in those days there were many more stout- hearted and enterprising citizens who put their shoulders to the wheel and on the ashes of the old Dutch city of New Amsterdam wiped out by the flames of 1835 there soon arose a new city.
In the spring of 1838 this renaissance was well under way, thanks to the resumption of specie payment and the general pick-up of business. In March the Bank of England sent one million pounds sterling to the bankers of New York to relieve the situation; and it must have been badly scared over its own investments to have done so neighborly a thing, for another war with England over the "Caroline affair" on the Niagara frontier was thought inevitable. Excitement ran high and the militia regiments filled up.
Crowds daily gathered along the Battery in 1838 to view the incoming or outgoing vessels, and those fortunate individuals who owned horses drove, or rode with their fair ones out to the Parade on what is now Madison Square, to see a drill of the Militia.
The striking uniforms of the military of that day, setting off the manly forms of the beaux, made the heart of many a lovely belle beat faster as the com-
3
THE EARLY YEARS
panies of the 27th Regiment of New York State Artillery swung by the gorgeous reviewing officer in Battery Park or Washington Square.
"Their cocked hats and glittering epaulets, their prancing steeds and clank- ing sabres," says Felix Oldboy, "filled my soul with yearning after the battle- field."
Furthermore, "The Mode of Inspecting a Company" as disclosed by "Regi- mental Orders" of a century ago (which lie before me) were indeed thrilling enough to stir the coldest spectator, especially when, after ranks had been opened in the usual way, the Company Commander in ringing tones sang out :
"Spring RAMRODS!"
Then, run the instructions : "As the Inspector passes, each man recovers arms without orders, cocks firelock, and presents his piece seized between the tail- pipe and feather-spring." Thereupon followed the examination of each piece, cartridge box and bayonet and finally the order :
"Shoulder ARMS! Half-cock FIRELOCK ! Shut PAN !"
The implication being that every member of the outfit left the review "half- cocked" with his "pan closed !"
FIRST TROOP, NATIONAL GUARD
All plumed, like ostriches. .. As full of spirit as the month of May, And as gorgeous as the sun in Midsummer
Wanton as youthful goats, wild as young colts.
This old-time militia, especially that of the training days, when every able- bodied male who had attained his majority turned out in any nondescript uniform that pleased him, for one day of drill and parade-and usually one day's good drunk-was a subject treated with great hilarity by all the humorists and would-be wits of the metropolis.
By 1838, however, while the training days were by no means over, there were many well organized and uniformed military units in New York City recruited from and firmly fixed in its social, business and political life. And keen was the rivalry between them. The "2nd," the "14th," the "9th" and the "27th" regiments comprised the "First Brigade of New York State Artillery"; but fore- most in discipline and general excellence was the "27th"-known as the "National Guards."
All good 7th Regiment men know that the organization was born back in 1824 by the separation of four infantry companies from the "11th Regiment of New York State Artillery." The foot soldiers had for some time been eager to part company with the guns and the occasion came at the time of the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to this country.
A group of officers of the "11th" in all the glory of their shining black boots, white breeches, dark blue dress coats trimmed with red, high choker collars, topped with shakos bearing enormous plumes-were standing in the shade of a tree at the Battery on August 16, 1824. They were waiting for the celebrated
4
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
guest to arrive at Castle Garden and to while away the usual delay on such occasions were discussing the proposed new battalion.
"What shall it be known as?" asked someone.
"Why not call our new corps the National Guards?" replied an inspired member of the group.
This proposal received unanimous and enthusiastic approval and at a meeting of officers at the Shakespeare Tavern on the corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets about a week later the foundations of the 7th Regiment were laid. The four original companies thereafter were known as the "National Guard Battalion" in honor of General Lafayette who had organized and commanded the National Guard of Paris.
Under the able leadership of the first Colonel, Prosper M. Wetmore, the battalion was rapidly built up to eight companies-the uniform changed to "military gray"-when on May 6, 1826, Governor DeWitt Clinton ordered that it be organized into a new regiment to be known as the "Twenty-seventh Regi- ment of New York State Artillery."
For a dozen years or more this regiment pursued the ordinary course of military existence, took part in all the principal events of the city, went to camp, was called out to preserve order during the Abolition riot and to guard property at the time of the great fire of 1835. Still, there was something lacking, some- thing needed to make the organization distinguished and outstanding, to put heart and life in it.
A regimental band of twelve pieces, hired to play at all parades in 1837, failed to supply the lack.
But the 6th day of March, 1838, marked an epoch in the life and history of the future 7th Regiment; for on that day the Ninth Company was born.
Early in the year a petition signed by forty-one persons had been presented to the Board of Officers requesting permission to form a cavalry company to be attached to the 27th Regiment. The proposal to incorporate a troop of horse in an infantry regiment designated as artillery, naturally brought out considerable difference of opinion. Fortunately for the future of the regiment, the desire to increase its numbers overcame all objections and the "First Troop National Guard" was duly authorized and admitted to the fold on the date mentioned.
THE ORIGINAL COMPANY ROLL
"We, the undersigned, do hereby voluntarily ENROLL ourselves as Members of the First Troop, Twenty-seventh Regiment, National Guard, under the command of Andrew B. Brinckerhoff, of the First Division of Artillery of the State of New York, to do duty as CAVALRY, and
"We further agree to provide Ourselves with the Dress, Accoutrements and Equipments which the Regulations of the Company require, and in all things conform to the Acts for the Government and Regulation of the Artillery of the State of NEW YORK, and to support and abide by the laws, of the Troop."
5
THE EARLY YEARS
the undersigned So hereby voluntarily Enrol ourselves
as Members of the First Look, Twenty seventh Regiment Nationale ware under the Command Andrem on Brinckerholt? of the First Division JARTILLERY of the State of New York, to do duty as CAVALRY , and.
We farther agree to provide Ourselves with the Dress, Accoutrements and Equipments which the Regulations of the Company require and in all things conform to the
let's for the Government and Regulation of the Artillery of the State of.
and to support and abide by the Laws of the troy? Hames
Residences
Dates Remarks.
-/
Andrew 9B. Princhechofox
-2
Foster B Williams ×
141 Hester Street
March 1838
William Chi chester
X. 174 Division Street
Abarch ai
1
Edwine Houghtmy
Lauri y6 Watts
×
83 Avenue D.
26 Ft between 3 ave y leyenglou two Munch yth1838
Diamifoco
-7
Laurence
×
127 Barome Street
March 2-1838
Robertwill! Dougall
Lexington Even do yougment
-
Whenuch TB Lane ×
66 Clinton street
About. yıl 1808
- 11
William Piney
x. 194 Houston St
Marchy /35
Promat. Al Simontro X .
Cor of Shove Bedfordo March you 1838
- 13
Malesef Grow X «
deventy death of
March 77858.
- ">
1
X. 487 Grand St
March 7H 1808
- 16
Elias 73. Littell X
54 Houston AF
March 7
- 19
x
wellkdo
Jefe 16.18032
-22
X for Cannon& Houston Sept. 184
-23
Charles Papeg x
x.
174 dublinth gen
July 3x 1845
George & Hawthornex 242 Marca Sheet May 1839 Disminuir
-25
The Roll of the First Troop, 27th Regiment, National Guard, 1838
Most of the members of this corps had withdrawn from the Cadet Lancers of the 9th Regiment, "on account of the predominance of the foreign element in that organization!" "Being composed," says .Colonel Clark, "mostly of young American mechanics of some means, and considerable spirit and ambition, the new troop at once took high rank among military organizations in the same arm of the service."
Diamicia
Command 9° avenue & 24 04 march 7th 1838
William Clash ×
Diamidas
- /71
- 20 Chong Fre Goliaft X 2611 8 3 ª avenue
Golf Clans
Dismissed.
x
X, 29 domphins ettet dept 11h 15%, Dismified
Olha In Coble
match. 1. 123%
×
19 Hudson Ot aprile+ 41845.
6
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Although Andrew B. Brinckerhoff is named in the original roll as the first commander, the Regimental orders of April 17, 1838, state:
A Troop of Horse has been organized and attached to this Regiment, and the following officers have been duly commissioned :
Mr. Robert W. Beach, Captain, with rank from March 6, 1838
Mr. William R. Foster, 1st Lieutenant, with rank from March 6, 1838
Mr. R. Nunns, 2nd Lieutenant, with rank from March 6, 1838
Mr. L. B. Lane, Cornet, with rank from March 6, 1838
Captain Robert W. Beach First Captain of the National Guard Troop. Elected March 7, 1838, resigned August, 1841
7
THE EARLY YEARS
Foster and Nunns did not accept their commissions so the First Lieutenant was Daniel T. Brown and the Second Lieutenant was George W. Allerton, both with rank from March 6.
Under the leadership of Captain Beach the troop at once assumed a leading position among the cavalry organizations of that day, when it was quite likely that every trooper was put to considerable expense for the extra equipment necessary for a mounted man. There was at the outset the keenest rivalry for preeminence in drill and equipment between the "First Troop National Guard," the "Washington Grays" and the "Blue Troop."
The first week in July 1839, there was a regimental encampment at Fort Hamilton on Long Island. The regiment went down the Bay by steamer but a battery of artillery and the baggage-wagons escorted by the Troop marched to the fort overland. This was the Ninth Company's first camp.
On July 2 the entire regiment was brought back to New York by steamer to take part in the parade in honor of the President of the United States, Martin Van Buren, who was publicly received by the city. The year closed with the "Heidelberg War" excitement. This was one of the long existing quarrels between landlords and tenants on the great estates along the Hudson. The Troop assembled with the rest of the regiment at Center Market awaiting orders to proceed to Albany to enforce the law in that vicinity. The orders however did not materialize and the "war" was soon extinguished.
During the annual spring parade in City Hall Park, April 21, Colonel William Jones presented a color, a gift from the Board of Officers, to the First National Guard Troop.
Ticket to the National Guard Troop Ball, 1840
Andrew B. Brinckerhoff Second Captain of the National Guard Troop, 1838-1847
9
THE EARLY YEARS
On July 4, 1840, while leading the Troop during the parade, Captain Robert Beach was seriously injured by the fall of his horse. In April of the same year, the regiment had been called out to preserve peace between the contractors and the laborers on the Croton water works in the upper part of the island.
April 1841 marked the great parade in New York City in honor of the memory of President William Henry Harrison. It is estimated that at least thirty thousand people, including all the military, paraded in a drenching rain storm. In August Captain Beach resigned his commission and was succeeded by First Lieutenant A. B. Brinckerhoff. Captain Beach was a man of fine personal appearance, an excellent cavalry officer and very popular with his command. The minutes of the Board of Officers state that the raising of the Troop was due to his persevering exertion.
In November of this year occurred one of the conspiracies among the "brass hats" of that day to do serious damage to the 27th Regiment. Upon application of several brigadier generals and with the approval of Major General Sanford, an order was actually issued to transfer the First National Guard Troop to the 6th Brigade. When Colonel Jones got wind of the dastardly intention he im- mediately hastened to Albany and informed the Governor that the application had been made without the knowledge or consent of the Troop or any officer of the 27th Regiment. He at once secured a countermand of the order until the subject could be thoroughly investigated.
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.