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 2
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existing then. Relief, however, soon came, in an issue of necessary clothing. On the 18th the paymaster made his first
appearance, paying the amount due from the State. At this time the privates received the munificent sum of eleven dollars per month. Even this was very acceptable, as the sutler, the convenient access to the city, and the universal habit of borrowing from each other, had drained nearly all the pocket-books in the regiment.
On June 12th one of the happiest experi- ences of Camp Morgan life occurred ; when a beautiful flag was raised at the colonel's tent, with speeches and patriotic songs.
CHAPTER II.
TO WASHINGTON- UNDER PATTERSON.
JUNE 24TH TO JULY 28TH, 1861
N JUNE 24th the long expected and welcome order came to be " off for the war." At one o'clock tents were struck at the firing of a can- non, and. with the cheers of the Sixteenth New York Regiment, the members of the Twenty-eighth left camp, and marched in the heat and dust, through the city to the steamboat landing, where they embarked on two barges, lying at the wharf in waiting.
All along the route the line was greeted with enthusiasm, and the waving of hand- kerchiefs, by the crowds in waiting to see the departure. Drawn by a propeller the barges started down the Hudson River, stopping at New York several hours ; then across the harbor to Elizabethport, where the regiment took cars for Wash- ington. The citizens of Western New York had provided a liberal lunch and, by this thoughtful kindness, the long and tedious journey was made with comfort. A royal greeting was given by many towns in Pennsylvania. Hot coffee and sandwiches were supplied in abundance, while cheers and encouragements were received along the entire route.
On the afternoon of the 26th, previous to arrival in Baltimore, the guns were loaded for the first time with ball car-
tridges. The riot and attack on the Sixth Massachusetts troops, April 17th, had caused apprehensions that the Twenty- eighth might also be molested, but no hostile demonstration was made. Many groans were heard, and several cheers for Jeff Davis, to which no attention was paid.
On the march across the city from sta- tion to station, a very severe rainstorm occurred, and all were drenched. After much excitement and delay, the regiment left the city early in the evening loaded in cattle cars, and arrived in Washington at midnight, occupying houses in the vicinity of the Capitol building.
Such was the confusion and haste in bringing troops to Washington at this time, that the Senate Chamber and House of Representatives were used as quarters for regiments ; and the basement was extem- porized into a bakery to make soft bread for the soldiers. No better arrangements could be made in those first days of the war.
The Twenty-eighth went into camp about one mile north of the city, on New York Avenue, where it remained ten days. This camp was named in honor of Senator Harris, of New York State. On July 4th, the regiment participated in the first Grand Review of the war. This was the largest demonstration many had ever witnessed, and consisted of all the troops, in Washington at the time, marching at
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
company front before President Lincoln, Gen. Scott, the Cabinet and other notable personages. The reviewing stand was sit- uated on Pennsylvania Avenue, in front of the White House. This was the first time that many had seen the President ; and proved to be the last they ever saw of Lieutenant-General Scott, who soon after was retired on account of his advanced years. It was a grand pageant, and all thought this splendid body of troops would alone prove sufficient to put down the rebellion in three months, so little did any one then know the magnitude of the task before the country.
The regiment had frequent drills on the flats, and the men improved every oppor- tunity. possible of visiting public build- ings and places of interest. Washington was not then the fine city it has since become ; the Capitol building was not completed ; huge cranes were seen pro- jecting from the unfinished dome; the Statue of Liberty was standing on the ground, ready to be placed in position and acres of uncut stone were strewn about.
On July 6th the Twenty-eighth left the city to join General Patterson's army at Williamsport. Again the regiment was loaded on cattle cars, and started " for the front,-by the rear," as an Irish pri- vate remarked. After an all-night's ride, Harrisburg, Pa., was reached Sunday morning, amid the ringing of church bells. But another kind of "service" claimed the attention of the men, and they left at once for Hagerstown, where they arrived, tired and dusty, early in the evening Here they left the cars for the last time, ever after marching on all occasions until starting for home, two years later.
The citizens of Hagerstown showed many attentions that will always be re- membered with pleasure. They brought to the roadside, where the regiment was halted, lunches, water, soap and towels. Hungry and dusty travelers never have been offered anything more acceptable. With three hearty cheers for this kind- ness, the regiment started for Williams- port, a distance of eight miles, which . place was reached at midnight.
For the first time in its experience, the command bivouacked on the ground, with- out tents, as the wagons did not arrive until the next morning.
was not cold, but clear as crystal, with a smooth sandy bottom, and only two or three feet deep. The crossing effected, the regiment started for Martinsburg, a distance of fourteen miles. This march was on that smooth pike, which was to be such an important factor in the history of the war, and over which, the Twenty-
"MANY A WEARY MILE."
eighth tramped many a weary mile. The regiment was now on the soil of Virginia for the first time, and the men were full of confident enthusiasm.
General Patterson's army of some four- teen thousand men had crossed the river July 2d. After a sharp skirmish at Falling Waters, by the brigades of Colonels Ab- ercrombie and Thomas, the enemy was driven beyond Martinsburg. This Colo- nel Thomas was George H. Thomas, who was soon after promoted general, and obtained such great distinction later in the war in the western army. He is often spoken of as the "Rock of Chicamauga," and known by his soldiers as "Pap Thomas."
The Confederate forces were the Second, Fourth, Fifth and Twenty-seventh Virginia, and General J. E. B. Stuart's Cavalry with Captain Pendleton's Battery of four guns. This brigade was led by General Jackson, soon to be known as " Stonewall Jackson."
The men of the Twenty-eighth New- York have reason to remember this dar- ing Southern leader, whose fame is unsur- passed by any other Confederate General of the war. He commanded the forces,
July 8th, at sunrise, the Potomac was forded. This novel sight caused much merriment among the men. The water [ opposing them on this their first entry into
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SKIRMISH NEAR . MARTINSBURG.
Virginia, and it was the singular fortune of war that placed him and the old Stone- wall Brigade in the front of this regiment in every engagement of its two years' service. The term of enlistment of the Twenty-eighth, and the life of this intrepid commander, both ended at Chancellors- ville, two years later.
As the march continued toward Mar- tinsburg many evidences of the recent skirmish were seen, and all realized they were now in an enemy's country, and the severe duties and trials of a sol- dier's life had commenced. The day was extremely hot, the march a long and dusty one, and when camp was reached, at Martinsburg, all were weary and foot sore. The camp was in a piece of woods and was named after the Hon. Burt Van Horn, a member of Congress, and a distinguished citizen of Western New York.
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The destruction of railroad property here by the Confederates had been very great. Seventy-two engines and many cars and bridges, belonging to the B. & O. R. R. Co., which had their headquarters here, were burned or ruined, to prevent them falling into the hands of the Union forces.
This first night in Virginia will never be forgotten by any member of the regiment. The pickets, from fright, at the strange feeling of being in an enemy's country, commenced firing at imaginary foes in the darkness, and this was kept up nearly all night. Many amusing stories of this occurrence are told. How one soldier fired thirty rounds of cartridges at one stump and hit it every time, being a good shot. How another left his post to tell Colonel Donnelly that he had " an enemy up a tree," and the colonel, with serious face, directed the guard to watch him " till morning, and don't let him down." The officer of the day, it is said, did not make his rounds from danger of being shot by his own pickets.
But the night passed away, and with it the fears of the men, whose nerves were soon to be tried by something more serious than darkness.
It was here at Martinsburg that the severe thunder storm, at night, came on so suddenly, and with such force, that many thought the enemy had made an attack on the camp. It proved to be Heaven's Artillery instead, and was a terrific storm.
On the 10th, Captain Cook with Com- pany A, and Captain Mapes with Com-
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pany C, in connection with four com- panies of the Nineteenth New York, all under the command of Colonel Clark, went some five or six miles north of the town, as a guard to the forage train of Captain Skeels. Co. A of the Twenty- eighth was ordered on in advance, while the wagons were being loaded at a barn Lieutenant Whitcher, with a platoon of the company, marched about half a mile farther to the front, to prevent any sur- prise from the enemy, known to be scout- ing in the vicinity. Captain Cook soon joined these men, where they were posted in squads about forty rods apart. The advance consisted of Lieutenant Whitcher and Privates Davis and Sly. Soon after, a company of about fifty Confederate cavalry dashed upon them, when firing on both sides commenced. Captain Cook always carried a fine Maynard rifle, and was one of the best shots in the regiment. He emptied the first saddle, and then with the men retreated over the fields to a skirt of woods near by, all firing as they fell back. The Confederates returned their fire, and charged down the road to within ten rods of them. Before reaching the woods, while in the act of taking aim, Private Sly received a ball in the chin, passing through the spinal column and killing him instantly. The reserves were now hurried forward by Captain Skeels, when the enemy retreated. Lieutenant Whitcher had a close call, hav- ing the snap of his sword belt cut off by a ball. In the skirmish three of the Con- federates were killed and several wounded.
Comrade Sly's body was brought back to Martinsburg and was buried on the 11th, with military honors, the entire regiment. being present. After a very impressive ser- vice, a detail of his comrades fired a salute of three volleys over his grave. This was the first life taken by an enemy's bullet ; the first offered by the Twenty-eighth New York in the war for the Union. He deserves an enduring monument to his memory.
When the regiment left Washington, thirty-five baggage wagons were allowed ; and even this was thought to be a small number. Many of the officers could not see how they could get along with such limited means of transportation. Soon, however, they learned the important lesson, that a long wagon train greatly burdened an army. At times, later in the war, but one wagon. to an entire regi- ment was allowed. At Martinsburg each
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
company was cut down to one wagon. This seemed a great hardship, and many stores and much private property had to be abandoned or destroyed. The men piled their surplus baggage in the company streets and set it on fire, preferring to see it burn rather than fall into the hands of the Confeder- ates. One company threw away a lot of bacon which, be- ing a trifle mouldy, was thought to be unfit for use; but the wagon master, thinking it might be wanted, carried it · along, and subse- quently, when com- pany provisions be- came short, and the men hungry, sold the bacon again to the ! same company.
JOHN BROWN'S FORT .- HARPER'S FERRY.
The regiment remained at Martinsburg about a week, when on the 15th the order came to move twelve miles to Bunker Hill,
On July 17th the direction was changed to the left and rear, and the army marched thirteen miles to Charlestown, where it remained until the 21st.
This was a great surprise and disap- pointment to the men. All had expected a march to Winchester and an encounter with the enemy. When the order came to march to the rear, the indignation was outspoken on all sides. General Pat- terson was called a traitor, and the men felt the disgrace that this withdrawal, without an engagement, implied. They did not then know that Johnston left their front on the ISth, and on the 21st was leading his troops on the battlefield at Manassas. In response to an urgent call from Richmond, this general had with- drawn his forces from Winchester, and had joined the forces of Beauregard, at the opportune time to turn the tide of battle there from a promised victory. to a Union defeat and rout.
The Confederates had completely eluded Patterson, whose defense for this retro- grade movement was, that the term of service of so many of his troops had nearly expired, that his base of supplies from Harper's Ferry would be much : nearer than from Williamsport, and that the 18th, the day arranged for the advance on Manassas, had passed and, therefore,
the necessity to hold Johnston in the val- ley, was over. But the extent of Patter- son's responsibility for the Union defeat at the first battle of Bull Run is left to the student of history. He was honor- ably discharged the service on July 19th, and made application for a court of en- quiry into his conduct of the campaign. This was refused by the Secretary of War.
The following is from the New York Tribune's account of General Patterson's withdrawal. It shows very clearly the feeling at the time: "The Twenty-eighth New York ( Colonel D. Donnelly ), which is the pride of the whole division, is one of which the Empire State may feel justly proud. It is one of the regiments from which no complaint was heard so long as we were in pursuit of General Johnston's army toward Winchester, but when they were commanded to turn their backs upon the enemies of the country at Bunker Hill and Charlestown by general Patterson they began to show dissatisfaction and even complain of being too unwell to travel. Colonel Donnelly was so dis- pleased with the order that he commanded the Stars and Stripes to be rolled up and put in a wagon. When asked by Colonel But- terfield why he did not carry his colors he replied that 'he would not show his flag in a retreat.' His officers sympathized with him."
On the march to Charlestown a false alarm was given that the enemy was occu- pying a piece of woods in advance on the
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PICKET DUTY ON THE POTOMAC RIVER.
right. For a short time an attack was expected ; the regiment was drawn up in line of battle at a fence. A reconnoiter- ing force soon discovered that no enemy was present, and the incident is referred to as " the charge on the rail fence."
While in camp at Charlestown many pieces of the tree under which John Brown was hung and of the scaffold then pre- served in the jail were gathered and sent home as relics.
The march on the 21st was to Bolivar Heights, above Harper's Ferry, where the regiment remained several days. The last
night there, owing to the report of the disaster at Bull Run, having reached the division, with all its attendant alarm, the men lay in line of battle, open order, under arms, on the ground, without tents.
General Patterson's successor was Gen -. eral N. P. Banks. Under his leadership the Twenty-eighth served more than half its term of enlistment. Whatever may be said of his abilities as a commanding gen- eral, he won the respect of the men of his division, by his kindness. Any soldier could approach General Banks, and all felt in him they had a friend.
CHAPTER III.
IN MARYLAND- BERLIN TO HANCOCK.
JULY 28TH, 1861, TO MARCH IST, 1862.
I
ULY 28th, the regiment left its position on Bolivar Heights, marched down the long hill, through the half-destroyed, historic town of Harper's Ferry, passed the engine house of John Brown fame, and crossed the river near the abutments of the railroad bridge burned by the Confederates on June 14th.
The famous bridge was destroyed and rebuilt during every year of the. war. In 1861, as stated above, again in August, 1862, by the enemy, then in June, 1863, by the Union cavalry under Major Coles, and the last time, by the Confederates in 1864.
After a delay of one day at Sandy Hook, two miles down the river from Harper's Ferry, the march was continued on the 29th four miles to Berlin, where Camp Granger, named for John A. Granger, a patriotic citizen of Canandai- gua, was formed in a beautiful grove, half a mile from the river. Here the regiment remained a month, en- gaged at picket duty ; guarding the river from Berlin to near Point of
Rocks, a distance of ten miles. The Con- federate pickets performed similar duty on the opposite side of the river.
Meanwhile, several raids into Virginia were made. On the 8th of August, Com- pany D of the Twenty-eighth Regiment, and a company from the Nineteenth New York, stationed at Point of Rocks, formed a scouting party and went over the river to Lovettsville, Va., guided by a loyal Virginian named Simons. A company of Confederates, before they could be sur- rounded, escaped from the town. Mfr. Simons, whose life had been threatened, was brought, with his family and goods, back to Berlin. On the 12th, the pay- master arrived, paying the men, in gold, for their first two months' service in the army.
DESTROYED RAILROAD BRIDGE AT HARPER'S FEKKY.
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TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS.
Company 1) of the Twenty-eighth was stationed on a large, densely wooded island situated about midway in the river. The men seemed quite contented with their lot until a Virginian, in looking for his cows, discovered them confined on the island guarded by this company. The cattle had forded the shallow river to graze in the shade, and had been captured and kept unknown (?) to the officers. When repri- manded by the colonel the men claimed they had kept the cows for fear they would be lost, and had only milked them for their care.
Another scouting party, organized and commanded by Colonel Brown, consisting of companies B and F, led by Captains Bush and Fenn, guided by a Unionist named Means, crossed the river on the night of August 15th, at Berlin, and surprised a body of Confederate cavalry, opposite the Point of Rocks, killing one, capturing nine and securing twenty-one splendid horses. One of the best, a blooded black mare, was used by Colonel Brown and proved to be a very fine animal. She was constantly ridden by the colonel, and was shot while carrying him into the battle of Cedar Mountain, one year later.
The regiment left Camp Granger August 2Ist, passed through Jefferson, Buckeys- town and Urbania, and on the 22d camped at Hyattstown, twenty miles from Berlin. On the 29th the march was continued thirteen miles to Darnestown, where the main force of General Banks was en- camped. This division contained some of the finest regiments that served in the war. . Among these were the Fifth Con- necticut and Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, which were brigaded with the Twenty- . eighth New York after this during the remainder of its term of service. The men were congenial companions in camp and on the march. Many lifelong friend- ships were formed with the members of these regiments. In line of battle they were always brave, true and reliable. The Twenty-eighth knew that with such regiments on its flanks they could not be turned by the enemy unless greatly out- numbered. The Second Massachusetts, Third Wisconsin, Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania regiments were also in the division. These were all splendid organizations, with records of which any in the army might be proud. The Second Massachusetts had the unusual good fortune to be commanded by men of
military education and training. The colonel and lieutenant-colonel were both graduates of West Point. This was Bos- ton's crack regiment, and undoubtedly one of the best in the division. The men were soldierly in bearing, good neigh- bors, and in drill and discipline equal to a regular army organization.
The Third Wisconsin had an eventful history. Few regiments in the War saw more varied phases of military experience. The record of this regiment, extending from Winchester to Gettysburg in the Army of the Potomac, is one of distinc- tion and honor. In August of 1863 it, with the Second Massachusetts, Twenty-seventh Indiana, and other picked regiments, was sent to New York City to suppress the draft. riots. Later with the Twentieth Corps it joined General Sherman's army in the West, and marched with that army to the sea.
The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania was the largest regiment in the division. It numbered twelve companies of infantry with one company of artillery, in all about fifteen hundred men, and was commanded by Colonel Geary, who became, after the war, Governor of Pennsylvania.
These regiments were always a credit to the "old First Division " ; they always fought well, both in the Army of the Potomac, and under General Sherman in the West. The record of their noble achievements is written on every page of the history of the Twelfth and Twentieth Corps, and reflects honor upon them all, and the cause for which they fought. The First Maryland, Nineteenth New York, and other good regiments were also in the division, but the Twenty-eighth's acquaintance with them was less intimate than with those mentioned.
The Twenty-eighth New York remained at Darnestown nearly two months in Camp Shuler. This was named in honor of the colonel of the Sixty-sixth New York State Militia of western New York. In this organization Colonel Donnelly had held the position of lieutenant-colonel, pre- vious to his connection with the Twenty- eighth. Many members of the regi- ment had been with him, in the old Sixty-sixth.
Company and regimental drills, inspec- tions, reviews, court-martials and the . usual routine, filled the time at this camp The band was organized here, and always proved a very enjoyable feature of the
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BALL'S BLUFF.
regiment. Its history with the Twenty- eighth is well told in the article by Com- rade Whitmore.
The wives of several officers of the reg- iment arrived at this time, and were most heartily received. The sight of a lady from New York State was a welcome one, indeed.
A grand review was held on the 26th of September in honor of the proclamation by the President, appointing a Fast Day. The entire division was present, and marched with bands playing, banners waving, and in full uniform. It was an impressive sight. The exercises were held in a field, on a stand, around which the troops closed in solid column, the cavalry and artillery on either side. The united bands led the soldiers in singing " My Country, 'Tis of Thee." The Chaplain of the Second Massachusetts preached the sermon, this was followed by prayer ; and the exercises closed by the division uniting in singing a hymn to "Old Hundred."
On the Ist of October the division was again reviewed, marching at common time. and then at quick time, past General Banks and Staff.
October 18th, immediately after dress parade, Adjutant C. P. Sprout was pre- sented with a beautiful sword, hat, sash and spurs by the non-commissioned offi- cers and privates of the regiment, as a testimonial of their high esteem and regard. The presentation speech was made by Sergeant Maxwell of Company B. The adjutant responded in a feeling manner, acknowledging the gift, and ex- pressing the hope that the pleasant rela- tions existing between the officers and men would long continue. Rousing cheers followed his remarks, showing he held a very warm place in the hearts of all.
The quiet of the long stay at Darnes- town was broken on the 21st of October, when orders were suddenly received and the regiment made an all-night's march of twenty miles through Poolsville to Edwards Ferry, arriving there early the next morn- ing. The bloody battle and repulse at Ball's Bluff had been fought the day before. On all sides were seen the horrible evi- dences of the engagement. Ambulances were loaded with the wounded and dying soldiers. Men were lying on the ground unprotected from the cold rain that was falling upon them. Great suffering was experienced, many having lost nearly all
their clothing while swimming the river in the retreat from the battlefield. The Twenty-eighth was marched down to the landing, expecting to cross, but the order was countermanded. In the evening it was again ordered to cross. This also
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