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 15
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On May 21, ISS3, at Niagara Falls, 153 Virginians, from the Shenandoah Valley, responded to the invitation ; eighty-three of the number being veterans of the Fifth Virginia. They were all noble types of the Confederate soldier, true gentlemen in every respect. They were quartered as the guests of the regiment at the Interna- tional Hotel, and despite of the severe rain which continued during their visit, all seemed to enjoy the occasion.
Nothing more impressive can be im- agined than the exercises attendant on the return of the flag, which were held on May 22d, in the pavilion at Prospect Park.
On his return, having been paroled and exchanged, he gave the relic to Colonel Major J. W. Newton, of Staunton, Vir- ginia, dressed in the full uniform of an officer of the late Confederate Army, on behalf of his regiment, returned the flag with cordial words, saying : Brown. For twenty years the colonel treasured it as all that was left to us of our colors which had been " lost but not dis- . graced " at Cedar Mountain. In 1882, while visiting the flag-room in the War De- "In the name of the Fifth Virginia Infantry, I now present this flag to its honored and worthy owners. and as an eye-witness at the time of its capture, in justice to you I delight to say that, losing it under the circumstances you did. reflects no discredit on partment, at Washington, D. C., where the flags were stored, in a collection of recap- tured Union colors, which had been found in Richmond when the city was taken in | you. * * * Take it, my valiant friends, and treasure
البيان.
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THE BATTLEFIELD OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
it as the emblem of a reunited country, signify- ing the return of the affections and good-will of brave men who met in strife on the field of battle."
Colonel Brown received the flag on be- half of the Association.
At the sight of the flag which Colonel Brown and Major Newton then held up to view, the entire audience arose to their feet amid deafening shouts and cheers. Many veterans shed tears of joy at the sight of the torn and shredded remnants of their once beautiful banner
Colonel Bowen, at the time of the battle of Cedar Mountain captain of Company D, who led his company in this charge and was taken prisoner, at this juncture could not restrain the impulses of his earnest nature, and, stepping forward with an apology for interrupting the exercises, asked, as the representative of Company D - the color company - that he be allowed to kiss the flag, which he did with great feeling. This touching incident was re- ceived with renewed cheers.
It was not many months before an invi- tation was received from the Virginians for a return visit to the lovely Shenandoah Valley.
The invitation was accepted, and the visit was made on the return of the anni- versary of the Twenty-eighth's reunion, May 22, 1884. One hundred comrades, with as many more, consisting of their wives and friends, made the journey by way of Baltimore, Harper's Ferry, and Winchester to Staunton. From Baltimore on, the route was one that long ago was familiar to the Twenty-eighth veterans.
At Harper's Ferry they were 'met by the booming of cannon, this time, however, in friendly greeting, instead of hostile defi- ance. At Woodstock and Harrisonburg addresses of welcome were made and re- sponses given by members of the party. Staunton, the objective point, was reached on the evening of the 21st, the citizens ex- hibiting their kind feelings by acts of open- handed hospitality, for which they are justly famed. Not only their hearts, but their homes were thrown open to the Northern visitors, and with such a warmth of feeling that all were welcomed as old friends.
On the 22d the public exercises were held in the large opera house at Staunton, after a march through the streets, which . were profusely decorated with flags and bunting. Everywhere was displayed the sign :
"Welcome, Twenty-eighth, to our hearts and homes."
The meeting was one of intense interest to all participants. . Speeches of hearty welcome were made, and responses given, that were full of patriotic eloquence and fervor, and could not fail to bring the citizens of Virginia and New York into a more cordial feeling of friendship and good will.
The visitors, accompanied by many of their hosts, then journeyed to Lexington, where the tomb of General Lee was dec- orated with flowers by Colonel Brown in behalf of the Twenty-eighth New York Regiment.
AN EPISODE FROM THE BATTLEFIELD OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN, AND THE NIGHT SUBSEQUENT TO THE BATTLE.
By F. A. CAMANN, Company K.
VER that wheat-field we sped in double quick pace upon the enemy lying in ambush behind the rail fence on the edge of the opposite woods. The missiles that were sent upon us did us but little harm, as but now and then a comrade from our closed column sank wounded to the ground. The arms of the enemy either did not carry far enough or their aim was taken too low. Whizzing, the bullets turned up the ground before our feet and excited the dust.
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Our first tendered volley acted devas- tatingly upon the enemy, and what was
spared by the bullet had to feel cold steel. Getting over the rail fence the fleeing re- mainder was pursued through the woods. Here a joint moving forward came to an end, as the woods prevented such a pur- suit, and most of the combatants had to be guided in their action by their own judg- ment.
The majority of our comrades charged forward without having reloaded their rifles, but the writer of this sketch consid- ered it advisable to have his arms ready for further use. While loading I noticed a
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
little to my left the fence being torn down and shifted toward there in order to reach the woods. Trying to reobtain the direction of the charging comrades of my company, I turned now to the right, and, advancing in right oblique tendency, I ob- served an approaching column moving along the edge of the woods and coming from our right flank, which at first sight I considered to be reinforcements for us. But at second thought this could hardly be pos- sible, when my attention was called to sev- eral differently-shaped flags, which con- vinced me that the enemy had moved a column in our rear and we were cut off from our reserves. This column's point of view, though, were apparently more the grounds over which we had made our charges than the dismembered combatants in the woods, for I did not observe that we were molested in our rear.
I failed to meet my company, but struck the regimental colors, carried by the color- bearer, and accompanied by two or three non-commissioned officers, as color-guards. Isolated members of our regiment at my right and left were pressing forward. In charging forward the color bearer turned his face backward and summoned for a more speedy pushing forward, hence I con- cluded that comrades of my regiment were still advancing in my rear. As my com- pany's position in the line of battle was left of the regimental colors, I supposed I had moved too far to the right and turned more to the left while the colors moved on toward the right. That was the last I saw of our regimental flag.
Without meeting much hinderance, cov- ering myself where possible and necessary, I moved on. The woods in front of me 1 were thinned, there being more shrubs than trees, while right and left large trees were predominating. Reaching the other edge of the woods, and trying to enter the excavated road. I was compelled to jump over the slain, so thickly were they lying there. On the other side of the road I mounted the bank and stood not far from the declivity of a hill, at the foot of which a valley dilated. In front of me, at about the distance of a gunshot, the fleeing enemy could be observed. It seemed to be the remainder of a regiment, and may have numbered about seventy-five men. If I am not mistaken, there was an officer mounted on horseback and a few officers on foot, in vain trying to bring the body to a halt. Once more I made use of my ;
rifle, and, as I put it down to reload, heard behind me across the road a familiar voice (I think it was that of comrade Pecktill of my company) saying that orders had been given to fall back, as we had been cut off by the enemy, which, of course, I knew since I entered the woods.
After loading my rifle I turned about, but saw nobody ; am therefore not able to tell who called me. In the woods there were but few of our men who tried to cut their way through, and of our opponents there were also but few. One I met. We both made ready to fire at the same time, but my opponent let down his gun, mak- ing an attempt to get out of my reach. Remembering that my rifle was not capped. I tried to do so now, but could not succeed quick enough, as my cap-box was de- ranged. My opponent seeing my linger- ing, raised his gun, aimed at me and fired. It was a skip for dear life I made, and the builet struck behind me against a shrub. Without meeting another adventure I got through the woods into the open wheatfield. But I was exhausted. My chest panted, and my breath threatened to give out. So I dragged myself up to a stack of sheaves, behind which I dropped down.
After but a short while someone stepped up and demanded my surrender. Getting up, I found that I was not his only pris- oner. . This fatality I had to share with four others. One was a first lieutenant from the Fifth Connecticut, who had one of his shoulderstraps (I think it was the left) shot off. Another was from the Sec- ond Massachusetts ; the third from the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania ; but from what regiment the fourth was I am unable to say. Our captor could not manage to get us in front of him, so we all went side by side towards the line of the enemy; while there was firing from the front and the rear. I did not like the situation at all, and considered means to escape. When we reached the brook that flowed through the field not a great distance from the woods, I managed to be a little in the rear. and let myself fall lengthways among. the high grasses into the water, my head turned toward the right flank of our col- umn of attack. Here I had found a safe place of concealment in the watery ele- inent. Should the field remain in our possession, I had escaped from imprison- ment. At the other hand, there might be
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NIGHIT ON THE BATTLEFIELD. OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN.
a chance to get off during the dark of the night. As I remained unmolested, I laid me deep in the water as comfortably as possible, my head resting dry on a grass hiHock, my body almost covered with water. Whoever momentarily passed by had to take me for one stretched out in everlasting slumber.
The billows of battle waved over me. To repulse the enemy, three charges were made over me, but were repelled as many times. With every repulse and repel the bullets struck right and left in the banks of the brook, but I lay low enough to be out of danger. After the enemy had re- pelled the last repulse, it became quiet. Soon after evening set in.
But with the fading of the day the disk of the moon scattered lustering light over the field, sowed with killed and wounded. The rattling of musketry ceased entirely, only the roaring of artillery continued till about midnight. Instead of the repeti- tion of musketry, voices became audible --- voices of the wounded, languishing for a drink of water. The longing and calling for it grew louder, more vehemently, and increased almost to distraction. Heart- rending was the lamenting, moaning and groaning of the wounded and dying. Merciful Samaritans came and brought the refreshing draught. Among those crying for water one was very urging. Maybe it came from one being wounded very seriously. When the water carrier came near him, he cried, " I am Lieutenant Y. from Company X of the Fifth Connecti- cut. Give me a drink of water." The reply was, " Whether lieutenant or not, it makes here no difference. Others must quench their thirst too." Many a dying soldier received ease in his death struggle by the refreshing draught.
The shrieks of pain and lamentation faded gradually. With the mother's name on the lips the moaning of many a young dying soldier ceased. Many an older sol- dier, leaving wife and children behind him, died lisping the names of the loved ones. Some struggled hard with death ; others seemed to pass over quiet and content. At about midnight it was quiet ; only now and then a sighing or a low moaning was heard.
A little after sunset my attention was called to some noise, sounding like the gathering of persons, at not a great dis- tance to my right. What I conceived
after a while was a reporting of a number of men present in companies of regiments. It seemed some brigade general had put up his temporal headquarters there. Of the regiments reporting were three at least, if not, all from Virginia. The num- ber of present or accounted for were : Of one company five, of another eight, some twelve, seven, nine, fifteen, etc. If I re- member right, the highest number was eighteen. The number of men from these regiments seemed to be according to these reports hardly more than seventy. In figuring up I found that from the whole brigade there were scarcely more than about 300 men reported for duty. As dis- consolate as was the roll call of these regi- ments must have been that of ours after this battle.
At hearing distance my hiding place was the rendezvous of all that were get- ting water to refresh the languishing wounded. The water seemed to be more plentiful here than all round about. At first they came single in silent diligence. After a while two met, and conversation developed. Near by I heard the follow- ing dialogue :
"See, there lies one in the deep water."
" Yes, it must be one of ours." "No, it is one of theirs."
" But he has a stripe on his pants "
" Some of them have stripes too."
" Let us search his pockets."
"Oh, no, do not ; let him alone."
How I felt at such a conversation ? Well, it was not at all a matter of indifference to ine, and it made my blood run hot.'
The terror which surrounded me less- ened gradually, and I commenced to con- sider how it might be possible to get away there. The only possibility was in the dark of the night. But with such a bright moonshine like this every attempt was ex- cluded. The position of the moon con- vinced me that her light would be obscured only by the break of the new day.
My moist lair had been my comfort after the heat of the battle. It was a soft and pleasant place of concealment ; but when it became clear to me that there was no escape it grew wet. I began to feel cold, crept out the water and sat down on one of the dry hillocks of grass. I felt chilly and commenced to shiver, and at daybreak I called a passing soldier, asking him to bring me to my captured comrades.
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
WHY SHOULD WE MOURN?
GEO. H. MAXWELL, Company B.
IN THE entire army of the Rebellion, both Federal and Confederate, there could not be found a braver lot of men than the officers of the Twenty-eighth Regiment New York Volunteers. They proved their loyalty, bravery and military knowledge on many a well-fought battle- field. Whether in victory or defeat, in the advance or retreat, the military discipline inculcated in the rank and file of that gal- lant regiment by their officers made the Twenty-eighth Regiment one of the best in the entire service.
The officers had good material to work with, for the Twenty-eighth was one of the first to respond to the call of our be- loved country to save it from an igno- minious end. It was made up from the very best of our young men of that day, who left their homes and those who were so dear to them, lucrative positions, to fight for the country that gave them birth - not for bounty, therefore it's no wonder that with such officers and men the Twenty-eighth won the praise and love of all who had their country at heart.
To this day the living cherish the memory of the dead, many mourn the loss of their dear ones who fell in battle. Why should we mourn the loss of our beloved Colonel Dudley Donnelly. or that true type of a soldier, Adjutant Charles P. Sprout ? Both of these brave officers fell early in that terrible conflict ; gave up their lives that their country might live ; fighting des- perately for the flag that they loved - for . many a brave Confederate - fighting for what they thought was right-lay dead near where poor Sprout was found, as an evidence
of the desperate defense he made for his life and the Union. I often heard Adjutant Sprout say he would never surrender. " Death before surrender," he would say, and he kept his word. When I heard of his death I wept like a child. Some say it's unmanly to weep, but tears shed over such heroes are honest tears and come from the well of truth. But we should not mourn the loss of these brave men or many others of that gallant regiment who fell in those dark days of our country. My limited vocabulary will not admit of bridg. ing over the grief of those who were more closely related to those dead heroes, but why should any mourn or fear that which will eventually come to us all. Is not death a greater blessing than life ? Death is not the end. We will know and love again the dear ones whom we loved here. We are all children of the same Father, and the same fate, Death, awaits us all. Then do not mourn their loss. I some- times think the child who dies before he can lisp the name of mother is better off. Who knows what misery he may have escaped. This life is but one continual struggle for both rich and poor. Absolute contentment is a stranger here. This world is but a dark planet. We hope and believe there is a brighter one awaiting us all, and it is by Death's door we reach it. Then, are not they who have gone before far more blessed than we poor mortals who are left to continue the bat- tle of life? I believe so ! Therefore, let us be Christians. Help the living, cherish in our hearts the dead, but not mourn their loss.
" FOR TWO YEARS UNLESS SOONER DISCHARGED." AN INCIDENT IN OUR HISTORY.
By GEO. W. MAYBE, Company H.
D URING the late summer or early au- tumn of 1861, while the Twenty- eighth Regiment was in camp at Berlin, a discussion arose as to the time limit of enlistment of the members, and this was brought about by the fact that some regiments of three
months' men had been discharged and had returned to their homes. Many of the members of the Twenty-eighth had en- listed under the call for three months' men, but, as it afterwards proved, before the regiment was duly organized and mustered
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INCIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE REGIMENT.
into service at Albany, the quota of three months' men had been filled, and it was decided to muster the Twenty-eighth in as two-year men, and the men were so mus- tered into service. This was not known to most of the rank and file, and at the time of which I speak nearly all of the novelty of soldiering had worn off and the desire to return home was strong with very many members of the different companies, and the murmurings and mutterings grew stronger as the days, weeks, and even months rolled by, and no word of muster out came to the ears of the boys. At last threats of shooting the officers, and with arms in hand of marching to the capital and demanding a muster-out, or if dis- charged, where we were, and each man going home, reached the ears of Colonel Donnelly, and one afternoon, while on dress parade, he spoke about the matter, telling the men plainly that they had been mus- tered in for two years, and explaining how it came to be so done, and then referring to the threats to shoot the officers, he said in substance, while standing facing the entire regiment, drawn up in line, with
guns in their hands, " Here I am," and plac- ing his hand over his heart, "here is the vital part ; if you want to shoot me, take good aim and fire to kill." The silence was oppressive for a moment, when three hearty cheers broke forth for the colonel, and the best of good feelings entered the breast of every man, and the colonel could have led these men into any place. The boys then settled down to business, and, as we all know, completed their term of enlist- ment (so many as lived and had ability physically to do so), and returned to their homes, although many of the members of Company H re-enlisted in the Second Mounted Rifles and again faced the enemy ; but, wherever they are at this date, I think the incident above referred to, will recur to them. That incident, and the carrying of the colors in a wagon when we marched from Charleston to Harper's Ferry, by the order of the colonel, he say- ing that " he would never carry his colors in a retreat," are two incidents in the early history of the regiment that made very deep impressions on my mind, and each will be among my very latest recollections.
. A FEW INCIDENTS IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-EIGHTH NEW YORK.
By FRANK N. WICKER, New Orleans, La.
B UT few incidents worthy of note not | heretofore recorded came under my observation or within my recollection dur- ing the brief period of my active service with the Twenty-eighth.
In looking back, however, through the long vista of time since the regiment was mustered in at Albany, May 22, 1861, I recall with pride the magnificent appear- ance of that splendid organization as it marched through the city of Baltimore, Md. - a city at that time, 1861, perme- ated with more disloyalty and hatred for the starry banner than the famed fire-eat- ing denizens of Charleston, S. C.
It was well known to the rank and file that the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, which passed through the Monumental City a short time before, had been fired on from the windows and housetops along the line of march, and indications pointed to a similar reception by the Twenty-eighth The regiment was brought to a halt on the outskirts of the city where Colonel
Donnelly, in his characteristic cool, de- liberate, yet inspiring manner, directed that the rifles be loaded and that the men maintain a stolid indifference to any taunts or threats on the part of the civil- ians, many of whom were assembled in groups here and there at the various street corners, but who were soon afterwards very much in evidence in places of safety. Whatever the cause, whether through a sudden feeling of admiration for the old flag, or intuitive respect for a body of well- drilled, well-equipped, determined-looking men, with their short rifles and long, gleaming sword bayonets, no insults were offered or acts of disloyalty manifested by the inhabitants during the march through their city. The writer, several months afterwards, in Maryland, picked up a belt on the inside of which was in- scribed, " Battle of Baltimore, April 19, 1861," evidently referring to the attack on the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, before referred to.
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
Soon after crossing the river at Wil- liamsport the regiment witnessed, in the terrible destruction of railroad property, torn-up tracks, ditched engines, broken machinery, burned cars, depots, round- houses, etc., etc., the first real evidence that a state of war existed. The boys sur- veyed the scene, but indulged in few com- ments. Their thoughts quickly reverted to the peaceful homes and loved ones from whom, in many instances, they would for- ever be separated.
The first engagement in which a de- tachment of the Twenty-eighth took part was on a foraging expedition. The expe- dition having. arrived at a point which promised a goodly supply of forage of all kinds for both man and beast, broke ranks, the members of the detachment scattering in different directions according to their individual inclinations. Some sought re- pose on the inviting grass in the fence corners, others visited neighboring farm- houses, where fresh milk could be obtained, while another small party strolled into an adjacent cornfield. Although in the ene- my's country, no organized troops were known to be in the vicinity, hence the or- dinary precautions to prevent or guard against surprises were omitted. Thus, while resting in fancied security, a hand- ful of Confederate cavalry ( Home Guards ) made a sudden dash, firing a volley into the cornfield party, and instantly killing Isaac Sly. The rattle of musketry brought the foraging detachment quickly into line, but too late to capture the enemy or avenge the death of poor Sly, whose lifeless re- mains were tenderly placed in one of the forage wagons, and the expedition re- turned to camp. Sly being the first mem- ber of the Twenty-eighth Regiment to fall at the hands of the enemy, his death created a profound sensation, not only among his late comrades, but throughout
the entire section of Western New York, from which the regiment was recruited. This was war.
The Twenty-eighth and other commands under Major-General Patterson having ad- vanced to the Valley of the Shenandoah, it was understood that General Patterson re- ceived instructions to harass and annoy the Confederate General Johnson's flank, in order to prevent the latter from forming a junction with General Beauregard at Man- assas. Instead, however, Patterson's divi- sion remained inactive and finally executed a retrograde movement, the Twenty-eighth bringing up at Harper's Ferry and going into camp on Bolivar Hights It was on this march that Colonel Donnelly ordered the colors of the regiment furled and placed in the baggage wagon, remarking at the time that the colors of the Twen- ty-eighth should not be carried at the head of the regiment during a retreat. This was the first intimation that the regi- ment was not actually advancing on the enemy.
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