USA > New York > A brief history of the Twenty-Eighth Regiment New York State Volunteers, First Brigade, First Division, Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac, from the author's diary and official reports. With the muster-roll of the regiment, and many pictures, articles and letters > Part 13
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When the regiment was at Front Royal in June, 1862, the ride had to be made back to Middletown ; and, as the mail did not arrive there till dark. the distance to Front Royal of some twelve miles had to be made in the night, arriving at camp
about midnight. Sentinels on the way would suddenly challenge from the dark- ness, -" Who goes there ! " and to say that this boy was often simply " scared " at real and imaginary foe, would be to tell only half the truth. If his hair could have been seen in the pitchy darkness of that lonely road,-through woods a large part of the way,-it is believed it would have been discovered lifting his cap bodily from his head.
The old mail-box was allowed to ride in the headquarters wagon on marches, and its weight was often observed. But many a comrade's knapsack was lightened by having some of the heavier things carried on long marches in this box, unknown to the driver, for the box was marked " U. S. Mail," and the boy had the key.
The last service the postmaster of the Twenty-eighth New York ever did in his official line was to get the mail at Stafford Court-House and distribute it to the members present. Several com- panies were on detached service whose mail could not be delivered. He was com- pelled to carry it, expecting to reach them soon. Colonel Cook was riding " Dolis" and the boy was in the ranks carrying a gun. The companies were never again to- gether at the front, as the four which were in the battle of Chancellorsville were taken prisoners, and when captured with his com- pany, the post boy had the letters for the absent ones. These were carried safely to Libby Prison, then on around to Annapolis, and when Lockport was reached, were dis- tributed to the men, thus closing an ex- perience of two years' service that was full of hardships, deprivation and pleasure, but no regrets.
DETACHED SERVICE.
By J. BYRON LOVELL, Company C.
T HIS subject, in connection with the historical record of the regiment, deserves brief mention. It seems to be an opinion among those ignorant of the facts, that a man on special duty, detached from his company and regiment, had a "soft snap," when, in fact, the reverse was the case. Any soldier, detailed from his com- mand on any special duty in the Q. M., A. A. G., C. S. or P. O. departments, had to obey the orders given, and very often had duties to perform which properly belonged
to those above him in rank. Many of these were arduous and repulsive ; and. besides, this deprived him of the home- like life of his company. Unless by good fortune, he became attached to a mess com- posed of his unfortunate associates, he be- came an object of charity, depending upon surroundings for subsistence. With the exception of guard duty, he was subjected to all of the exposures in camp and field. and, as to dangers and 'suffering, he had his full share, being constantly at the front.
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FORAGING IN THE VALLEY.
ISAAC SLY.
Private Company A, the First Man Killed by a Rebel Bullet in the Twenty-eighth Regiment.
By GEO F. GOULD, Company C
T HE Twenty-eighth Regiment New York Rifle Volunteers had been lying in camp for several days somewhere between Martinsburg and Winchester, Va., summer of 1861, and the ambitious heroes who composed that regiment were getting very tired of loafing. Nothing chafed the spirit of the boys - or we might call them troops - like a condition, however brief, of masterly inactivity. They refused to be comforted unless they were on the war path all the time. They disliked so much drilling and policing of camp, guard mount- ; ing and dress parades. Their ideal of a brave soldier life was to take a rebel bat- tery every morning before breakfast, storm a line of breastworks to give them an ap- petite for dinner, and spend the afternoon charging with cold steel the serried col- umns of the foe, climbing over heaps of slain and wading around through seas of - gore.
"Companies A and C have been detailed to help- guard a forage train to-morrow," said Orderly Wadhams one evening. "We have got to light out early: so you want to be up 'n' dressed, with your cartridge boxes full 'n' a day's rations in your hav- ersacks. Be sure your guns are in good order, for, likely as not, we'll have a skirm- ish before we get back." Members of the other companies watched the preparations with jealous eyes ; envious because they were not detailed for the expedition in- stead of companies A and C.
" Say," said Sergeant Gould to his chums, Privates Woods and Holtzheimer, " had I not better write a letter home? Who Knows but we will be dead as door nails by to-morrow night."
" The deuce," said Woods. " What's the ise of having a funeral before there is any corpse ? We have been through one skirm- :sh and did not get hurt, and I have made up my mind there is no use getting into a New over a thing that may happen and may not. Don't cross the river until you get to the bridge. If we are going to be killed we can't help it. So let us not fret our lives away." And Woods crammed a Handful of hardtack and boiled beef into his haversack.
Woods' view of the matter was not with- out its effect upon Gould and Holzheimer. Indeed, it cannot be denied that there was a great deal of common sense in his home- ly philosophy. Sooner or later every sol- dier came gradually to adopt Woods' idea as the governing principle of his military career.
"I would not wonder if you are about right," said Gould as he sliced up some bacon to have it ready for an early break- fast. "You are better than medicine to keep a fellow from getting the blues."
In the morning Orderly-Sergeant Wad- ams came around and stirred the boys up an hour before reveille, as they were to start at daylight. The primary object of the expedition was forage for the animals. the supply of which had run short, Be- sides this, each man had a secondary pur- pose, and that was to gather in something on his own hook that would satisfy his longing for a change of diet. This was always the unwritten part of an order to " go foraging."
Daylight was just streaking over the camp when Company C, equipped in light marching order, leaving knapsacks behind. moved out to where the wagons were in line. ready for a start. Company A soon joined us there. The impatient mules were braying and flapping their ears, as if they understood that they were to be the chief beneficiaries of the raid. "Pile in boys," said the Orderly, and we clambered into the wagons.
The guards were permitted to ride until there were symptoms of danger.
Early in the war of the Rebellion the government furnished each regiment with wagon-master and drivers, experts in the business, but later on their places were filled by the soldiers ; most of the wagons were dispensed with, and the soldiers car- ried on their back, tent, blanket and rations. Then the muleteers, bestriding the big "wheelers," cracked their long whips, addressed to the mules the usual words of exhortation, and the procession drew out upon the stony pike and took a brisk trot. Considerable foraging had I already been done in the vicinity, and it
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y S. VOLUNTEERS
was expected the train would have to go' out several miles in order to accomplish its object. The boys were in fine spirits and enjoyed the morning ride, albeit the jolting of the wagons gave them a thorough shaking up.
" I guess they forgot to put any springs in when they built these 'waggins,'" said Woods, as he shifted his position so that he might catch the bumps in a new place for awhile.
" Just thinking that way myself," replied Gould ; "but all the same it beats travel- ing on the hoof all holler, and don't you forget it."
Three or four miles out from camp the train was halted while the officers in command made inquiries of a cadaverous native, who was sunning himself on the fence, and whose principal occupation seemed to be watching or guarding his property and chewing tobacco, and dis- tributing the resultant liquid around in a promiscuous way.
"Good morning, stranger," said the quartermaster. "Have you any corn on your place ?"
" Hain't got a dog-goned ear left," was the surly answer. "Some o' you-unses men wus out here yesterday 'n' tuk every bit I hed."
This may or may not have been true. Inquiries of this nature always developed the fact that it was a man's neighbors who had plenty of "corn ;" he never had any himself.
" Thar's ole man Sanders," he con- tinued ; "he lives two looks and ye' right smack up from hyar. I'low ye'll git sum if ve go thar. He growed a power o' cawn this yeah. He sold a heap, but I reckon he's got a right smart lot left."
During this time Woods and Holz- heimer, sent for that purpose, had been making a hasty examination of the out- buildings on the place. They reported that they could find nothing in the way of forage. If the man had any corn he had carefully concealed it.
The boys did not report that they had been in the garden and filled their haver- sacks with tender onions and a few radishes sandwiched between. Of course, the ques- tion was not asked them-consequently, "mum" was the word. Somewhat later the three chums could have made a report if required.
The train started on to pay a visit to " ole man Sanders."
"Say, Mr.," asked Lieutenant Warren, as we rode past; "is there any rebs around here ?"
" There waz a few Confedrit critter men riden 'bout hyar this mawnin. Mebby ye'll run agin 'em afore night."
" How many of your boys are among them ?"
" We-uns is all Union."
" Just as long as we are around, I sup- pose," said Warren.
About half mile further on those who were in the lead, rising to the crest of a hill, saw, or thought they saw, a few vagrant cavalrymen or guerrillas, probably the latter. The train was halted and d's- positions were made to meet any emer- gency likely to arise. The main body was formed in advance ; a line of skirmishers were deployed in front, and flankers were thrown out on either side. Thus pro- tected, the mule drivers again cracked their whips and the column moved cau- tiously forward.
" Now keep your eyes skinned," said Sergeant Gould to Woods and Holtz- heimer, as they trailed along through the woods and fields and over fences on one of the flanks. "If any of those rebs come dodging around here, let us try and have the first crack at them and get the start of the rest of the boys." Keeniy alert, with rifles loaded and capped, they crept carefully along, poking their noses into every building. It was clear that there would not be anything in the nature of a surprise, if the whole line was as well taken care of as the particular point guarded by Gould, Woods and Holzheimer. " It is some like huntin' squirrels, ain't it, George," says Crist., as they forced their way through a patch of briars. "Wall, yes," replied George ; "but this appears to be more exciting. You know squirrels don't shoot back at a fellow."
In due time the Sanders plantation was reached. A thorough search showed that there was an abundance of corn on the place to load the wagons, and arrange- ments for a sudden transfer of the prop- erty were quickly made. A part of the force established a cordon of picket posts around the working party, covering all the avenues of approach with reserves at con- venient points. Captain E. W. Cook of Company A, with a squad of men, among them private Isaac Sly, were stationed ahead on picket. The men were placed on each side of the road, behind the fence.
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ISAAC SLY'S DEATH.
Distance from the reserve about quarter of a mile. Part of the reserve were al- lowed to rest at ease : while the other part stacked their arms, and entered briskly upon the work of confiscation. The part resting at ease were allowed to feast on some delicious cherries on trees to the left of the road. Lieutenant Warren was among the boys, and gave us permission, after consulting with the assistant-surgeon, who said : " Let them have all they want ; the acid is just what they need." So War- ren said : " Boys, climb up and help your- selves;" and the boys were not there many seconds before the cherry orchard looked as if captured by a flock of black- birds. and Warren's orders were quickly obeyed. All done with but very little cere- mony. The trees were loaded with fruit of the choicest kind. In about ten or fifteen minutes the boys were ordered down, to go and relieve those that were loading the corn, and allow them to fill up on cherries.
The first assault was made on a well filled corn house, one of a group of dilap- idated outbuildings a short distance from the dwelling. Old man Sanders pro- tested with profane vehemence, reinforced by the old woman and the entire family of children. The head of the family cursed and swore, and his wife and the big girls looked as if they wanted to do the same thing, as they wrung their hands, their eyes flashing fire, while the small fry stood around and sobbed with a vague idea that some dire calamity had befallen them.
The old Virginian declared that he was a U'nion man. It was noticed that there were no young men around as there should be, according to the economy of nature, to preserve the balance of sex in so large a tamily. The officer in command asked him where all his sons were.
" Wall, I kaint tell yer zactly whar they is." was the reply. "They ain't to hum just now. I low they've got a right to go away if they want ter."
The officer had been informed by some of the slaves that there were several repre- sentatives of the Sanders family in the rebel army.
The old man's avowal of loyalty was taken for what it was worth. That it was not rated at a high figure was well attested by the appearance of the planta- tion an hour later.
Meanwhile, the soldiers kept right along in the duty assigned them.
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The corn was surrounded by wagons, and in scarcely more time than it takes to tell the story six or eight of the wagons were heaped with the contents.
The mules wagged their ears and brayed in anticipation of the supply of rations they would have when they got back to camp.
"Fo' de Lawd, boss," said an old darkey, who had been roosting on the fence watch- ing the spoilers, "I nebber seed de crib empty so quick since I'se bawn. You-uns all is pow'rful smart, dat's shuah !"
All at once, crack! crack! crack ! in quick succession, came the sound of Rem- ington rifles, intermingled with sounds of lesser caliber, from the direction Captain Cook had taken a couple of hours before.
An attack had been made on our pickets about a quarter of a mile ahead of us. All was in commotion, the drums beat the long roll, and the bugle blew the assem- bly. "Fall in, Company C!" came the quick, low order from Orderly Wadams. It did not take but a few moments, and the reserve were in line of battle.
Then Gould, Woods and Holtzheimer were ordered to go forward and learn what the firing meant. They advanced cautiously, and soon found out that a squadron of cavalry or guerrillas had made a dash up the road, intending to surprise and capture the foragers, but were sur- prised themselves by running up against our pickets.
Captain Cook was on the alert, and opened a brisk fire upon them from both sides of the road, checking the rebels, who opened fire on our pickets.
The pickets kept up their fire and fell back toward the reserve, keeping well out on the flanks so as not to come direct to- ward the reserve.
Private Isaac Sly could be plainly seen out in a meadow, walking slowly back, loading his gun. Then he would kneel down on one knee and take deliberate aim and fire. He was in this act when a bullet struck him in the head. Poor Ike was the first man of the Twenty-eighth Regiment to be killed by a rebel bullet.
The reserve coming up in sight, the rebels beat a hurried retreat Several of the rebels were hit, but managed to get away.
The killing of Sly cast a gloom over everybody connected with the raid. The boys carried him to where the wagons were. Many tears were shed for our comrade.
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
He was placed in the wagon or ambulance, and the column marched silently back to camp, arriving after dark. That night our camp. generally very lively, was still as death out of respect for our dead com- rade. The Lockport boys, comrades to Sly, could be seen in squads talking about the good qualities of Ike as a brave soldier.
troubled with roll call, tattoo or reveille until Gabriel blows his horn for the " recall of all."
He was buried with military honors. After these were paid, the escort returned to camp with very sad hearts, each one wondering who would be the next. "A sad farewell and we left him alone in his glory." Poor Ike did his whole duty as a soldier and gave his life that his country might live. He believed in one country
Next day was a day of mourning for our lost comrade. He was laid to rest in his everlasting sleeping abode. Not to be ! and one flag, and that " Old Glory."
OUR FIRST INVASION.
By Capt. JOHN WALLER, Company H.
T `HIRTY- FIVE years is a long time to look backward for vivid recollections on a life well advanced in its rounds of daily ups and downs. and yet there are portions of every life that was ever lived that will remain in niches of the memory . as long as things hold together.
Of this class of events was the stu- pendous Civil War of 1861-5, that tried the stability of free government and the Union of States as never before, and put to the test of endurance a people, such as has rarely if ever been equaled in modern times.
The boys will all remember what a whirl of army equipments and warlike prepara- tions greeted the Twenty-eighth Regiment New York Volunteers when it encamped in Washington in June, 1861, and how gen- erally uncomfortable were all the surround- ings. Mud, mules, army wagons were in the ascendant. When the order came to move to the front no one was sorry. All must remember the long detour by rail from the Capital to Hagerstown, and the march thence to Williamsport. We reached there at night. Other regiments were before us. Camp fires were burning in all directions.
Next day, July 7th, we were in line as soon as coffee and hard tack had been dis- posed of and headed for the Potomac. No bridge, no boats; water high, morning cool ! Ah ! it causes the cold chills to run down my back to think of it, even at this late day. We were not compelled to buffet the waves with sinewy arms as Cæsar did the Tiber, but waded across knee-deep or more, and thus invaded the "sacred soil " of "Old Virginia," marched thence to
Martinsburg, an important station on the B. & O. Railroad, where we found some- thing of the dreadful destruction of war in the wrecks of thirty or forty locomotives, etc.
July 15th, Bunker Hill was reached. The rebels had been in possession here, but fell back as the Union army advanced, after a slight skirmish, in which but little damage was sustained on either side. On the 17th proceeded to Charlestown, twelve miles distant, remaining there till the 21st, when orders came to go to Harper's Ferry, a point of great importance. Encamped there on high ground. Here, also, were very marked evidences of what war means. The large government armory buildings had been utterly ruined. This place pos- sessed much interest for Union soldiers as the scene of the John Brown tragedy ; and there were not many points about it not interviewed by them during the seven days we remained there. Indeed, if there were any places inaccessible to Union soldiers about the time referred to, they were never heard of.
From Harper's Ferry we went to Knox- ville, again fording the Potomac ; thence to Berlin, Md., where we were without tents-our wagons having been detained.
On August 2d, an incursion was made into Virginia for the purpose of capturing a squad of rebel cavalry, but they got away. In crossing the river one of the boats was swamped, leaving several men up to their waists in water. Half dozen or so found temporary refuge on a big rock, and demanded of those wading ashore to "advance and give the counter- sign !"
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AN EXTRACT FROM THE DIARY OF SERGEANT HICKS.
For several weeks the Twenty-eighth Regiment did valuable service on picket duty on the Potomac, where constant effort was being made to keep up communications between Washington and Maryland by men who had taken refuge in Virginia or lived there, and were fully in sympathy with the secession movement, with those less pronounced, but fully identified with the movement, remaining within the Union lines. Efforts were unceasingly and per- sistently made to obtain information as to
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measures the government would probably adopt, as well as keep posted in regard to the anti-war feeling in Baltimore and elsewhere. It therefore required constant alertness and untiring vigilance to success- fully guard the many points of communi- cation ; and the Twenty-eighth was se- lected for this very responsible duty until the advance up the Shenandoah Valley.
Above are a few recollections of earlier events that may be interesting to the old " boys."
CAPTURE AT POINT OF ROCKS, VA. From the Diary of Sergeant W. L. HICKS, Company E.
Contributed by C. B. GILLAM, Sergeant-Major.
J ULY 17, 1861, left Bunker Hill before daylight ; passed through Smithfield, which was deserted by all able-bodied men ; lay in ambush in a piece of wood till near 4 P. M .; again formed line ; con- tinued our march to Charlestown, and went into camp about three-quarters of a mile south from the spot where John Brown suffered the extreme penalty of Virginia law. Twelve miles from Bunker Hill to Charlestown.
July 21, 1861, at 5 o'clock A. M., struck tents, marched 7 miles and went into camp on
Bolivar Hights. The rebels had mounted a battery of four guns, rifled 32's, but had spiked and left their guns. Captain Doubleday removed the spikes, and with very little trouble got them in working order. After we had been in camp only one day it was reported that immediately after leaving Charlestown. a body of rebel cavalry came and occupied the place. A detachment under the com- mand of Colonel Donnelly was sent to ascertain their position and strength. This rumor proved untrue. The only trophy of the expedition was a rebel captain and four bottles of blackberry brandy. While en- camped here, General N. P. Banks super- seded General Patterson. The disastrous battle of Bull Run had been fought the day we marched to Bolivar Hights. The 25th our tents were struck, baggage packed and sent over the river. We were left on the Hights without covering and almost without food.
July 2Sth, left Bolivar Hights ; marched through Harper's Ferry ; forded the
Potomac ; marched through Sandy Hook, and went into camp near Weaverton.
July 29, 1861, in the afternoon struck tents and moved down the river a few miles, and went into camp near Berlin, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
While encamped here the regiment was mostly engaged in picket duty, being sta- tioned by companies along the river for some 10 or 12 miles above and below Ber- lin and " Point of Rocks." About the Ist of August word was brought to the regi- ment that a small body of rebels was quartered at Lovettsville, a village across and about five miles from the river. A detachment of about 100 men, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Brown, crossed the river in the night and marched in the vicinity of the town, and halted to await daylight. They halted near the bivouac of the rebels, but they had learned something of the expedition and had left. They had commenced prepara- tions for breakfast, but left everything, even the feed for their horses behind them. Awhile after sunrise some women came loaded with provisions, that had been ordered the night before for a good breakfast. The ladies were much sur- prised when they found the change in parties, which they did not till they were in the midst of them. They manifested considerable delight at the change, and invited the whole party to the village. In the course of the forenoon the village was visited, and the men most hospitably en- tertained. Not a reb was to be found. The party returned to camp the next day.
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT V. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
Two companies, "A" and " E," were stationed at the " Point of Rocks." When the two companies above mentioned marched into the village a party of rebel cavalry left it, crossed the river and took up their quarters in a tollhouse and vicin- ity, and seemed inclined to watch the progress of affairs. August 9, 1861, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Brown, with a detachment consisting of Company "B," Captain Bush, and Company " F," Captain Fenn, crossed the river at Berlin in the evening, and during the night marched down the river on the Virginia side to opposite " Point of Rocks," for the purpose of sur- prising and capturing the party at the toll- house. The colonel had informed Captain Cook of his purpose, that Cook might render assistance if required. The first
intimation Captain Cook had of the pres- ence of Colonel Brown was a little after daylight, a volley of musketry, quickly succeeded by another, was heard from across the river, followed by a few scat- tering shots, and all was still. The sur- prise was complete, but owing to the dim- ness of the light and proximity to tiniber some of the rebels escaped. Ten were captured, one was killed. Twenty-one splendid horses and the arms and accou- trements fell into the hands of the party as trophies. Captain FitzGerald, Company " E," was sent across the river to demolish and burn the stables and huts that the rebels had erected.
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