USA > New York > Steuben County > A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people, Vol. I > Part 55
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
Rice took this as an indication that the enemy's intention was to flank the train before it could reach the plank road, and to the com- manders, whose unflinching troops had silenced the enemy, he said, "Move forward your men to protect the train. You cannot assist me. Move forward; save the train." They obeyed. The fallen leader should have been borne to the train by those around him and prompt- ly succeeded by the captain next in rank, but that was shamefully or thoughtlessly neglected, and the blame attached to the whole ex- pedition, instead of those who ought to have been held responsible. Instantly upon the assault being commenced Captain Rice dispatched an orderly to General Gregory for reinforcements. It was not long before the long roll was beating in the camp of the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth and Lieutenant Colonel Townsend quickly led his other eight companies, under command of General Gregory, to the rescue. Meeting the train at our picket line, the general ordered it to camp and all its guard to "about face," and, with the rest, con- front the enemy, if necessary, and bring in Captain Rice's body. The body was found after dark. It had been stripped naked and shot once through the waist and twice through the head. On the 5th and 6th of February the regiment was engaged in the battle of Hatcher's Run. In the thick of the fight, on the second day, Lieutenant Colonel Burr rode along the line in front of the brigade, amidst a storm of leaden hail, and rallied and strengthened his men to stand firm. The One Hundred and Eighty-ninth, under Captain Stocum, did gloriously. Two of the regiment were killed and eleven wounded in this action. On March 6, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Burr was presented by the regiment with a noble black horse pur- chased for six hundred dollars, in token of his gallantry displayed on the field at Hatcher's Run, on the 6th of February. The regi- ment participated in several hard engagements during the final cam- paign of the war. At Lewis' farm brisk skirmishing deepened into a spirited conflict. Companies A and B and a portion of F com- posed the skirmish line, under Adjutant Rodney, which, followed by the regiment in line of battle, advanced through bushy woods, obliquely to the right, struggling with the enemy, who were con- stantly giving way. The One Hundred and Eighty-ninth had none killed, but twelve wounded. Company B took twenty-five prisoners, with three horses and their equipments. A report of the engage- ment at Gravelly Run says: "So conspicuous was the success of the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth that their brave conduct was complimented by their brigade, division and corps commanders." At four o'clock in the afternoon Major Withey, with three com- panies, was sent to the skirmish line, supported by the other seven companies of the regiment in line of battle. Advancing on double- quick, left wheel, the regiment closely pressed the fleeing enemy. 'Thus they were completely flanked. Thereupon a charge was made all along our line, by which six thousand Rebels, with their arms and ammunition, were captured, and the battle of Five Forks, the key of Petersburg and Richmond and the downfall of the Rebellion turned gloriously in favor of the Union. In this decisive charge every officer and man was in his place; General Gregory, closely fol- lowed by the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth, being the first whose horse leaped the enemy's fortifications, and who struck down with his sword those who attempted to raise their guns to take his life.
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On the 3rd the news of the evacuation of Richmond evoked the wildest cheers and enthusiasm. Passing through Mannsboro and Dennisville, the regiment struck the Danville road at dark on the 4th, seven miles east of Burksville, and immediately were ranged in line of battle to encounter the forees of Lee trying to elude Sheri- dan, who had intercepted him in his westward flight. Hastily ereeting breastworks across the railroad, the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth lay down behind them for the night, no enemy appear- ing. On the morning of the 5th planting batteries, strengthening earthworks and maneuvering forces indicated the proximity of the enemy. Soon the regiment was ordered to advance and assist the cavalry in capturing a body of Rebels, but they had not proceeded far when shouts of vietory were heard, and jubilant troops of cavalry came back bringing many captured battle flags. On Sunday morn- ing, the ever-memorable 9th of April, the regiment was summoned to renew the march. Word was brought that Lee, completely sur- rounded, was engaging Sheridan, intent on cutting his way through. Marching towards Appomattox Station, the regiment met forty cannon, numerous wagon trains and army stores, and at the depot four railroad trains of supplies, captured the previous night by the cavalry, wlio were now struggling with the advance of the ensnared Lee. The enemy, unconscious of the presence of the Fifth Corps, in support of Sheridan's cavalry, were slowly but surely repelling it, expecting to break through its lines and escape. Forming in line of battle in an open field half a mile in the rear of the cavalry line, which was fighting briskly but giving way, Companies A and F, of the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth, being deployed as brigade skirmishers, advanced and relieved the cavalry, who moved off to the right of our corps and took their position in the invincible cirele, whose toils now surrounded the greatest hope and army of the Re- bellion. Coolly and steadily the Union columns advanced under volleys of shot and shell poured upon it from the Rebel batteries. The infantry skirmish line having become hotly engaged with the Rebels, the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth proceeded at a double- quick to their support. Rapidly the enemy drew back, and the Union column rose to the brow of the hills around Appomattox Court House. Here the grandest military view ever presented to mortal sight appeared. Wherever the woods did not intereept the view Grant's dread phalanx of embattled hosts-infantry, cavalry and artillery-were seen converging down the slopes towards Lee's hostile and defiant battalions. On both sides the banners were still floating in the breeze. Generals and their mounted aides and offi- cers were hurrying to and fro, directing the movements which were to decide the issues of the four years' war. The double eirele of skirmishers came into eloser confliet. The One Hundred and Eighty- ninth, with fixed and pallid features, moved onward, expecting every moment to participate in the most overwhelming ontburst of fire and death and ruin that ever shook a battlefield. Then across the fields, at a terrible speed through the Union brigade skirmish line, eame Lee's orderly, bearing a flag of trnce and exclaiming "Cease firing. General Lee surrenders with all his forees." Instantly the iron spell, which had bound every man to his fate in the expected confliet, was riven, and in an unrestricted confusion of shouts and demonstrations of joy, officers and men gave the wildest vent to their
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feelings of gratitude and delight. Thus ended the history of the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Volunteers, one of the bravest regiments that ever recruited a portion of its men from Old Steuben.
THE JOHNSON GREYS.
This military organization was organized in Hornellsville, New York, in November, 1877, and adopted the name of the "Johnson Greys," in honor of W. H. Johnson, better known to the people of Hornellsville as "Harry" Johnson. The organization mustered twenty-four men, whose ages varied from sixteen to twenty years. The object of the organization was to obtain the drill and discipline to which a military organization is necessarily subjected. The com- pany was independent of the state or of any orders but those issued by its officers. The company occupied as its headquarters the third floor over the Babcock hank, now the Bank of Steuben, in Main street. The members of the organization purchased twenty Spring- field rifles and, commencing in March, 1878, drilled twice each week, with William H. Reynolds acting as drillmaster. The or-
ganization gave a grand ball on the evening of December 28, 1877. The proceeds of the venture were used for the purchase of twenty- five uniforms of the same material and after the pattern of those worn by the Seventh Regiment, of New York city. At a meeting of the "Johnson Greys" held March 8, 1878, the following officers were elected: Captain, William H. Reynolds ; first lieutenant, Frank H. Bennett; second lieutenant, Clayton D. Mosher ; first sergeant, Augustus G. Boynton ; second sergeant, John Fitzgibbons; third sergeant, Frank Shaut; first corporal, S. O. Smith; second cor- poral, W. H. Brooks; third corporal, Fred Shaut; fourth corporal, Michael J. Markham; fifth corporal, Fred Kingkade. The follow- ing was the roster of the organization: W. H. Johnson, president ; John C. Rewalt, vice president ; C. D. Mosher, secretary ; Frank H. Bennett, financial secretary ; W. H. Brooks, treasurer; Robert V. Goodrich, armorer ; William H. Reynolds, A. G. Boynton, Frank Gartside, S. Olin Smith, William Hawley, John Fitzgibbons, Frank Shaut, Charles Sutton, M. J. Markham, John Ossincup, George Ball, William Wagner, Fred Shaut, Fred Kingkade, Edward Lawrence, E. Sheridan, Fred Dows, Malcom Ingham and Myron R. Lake. Dur- ing the winter of 1877 and the spring of 1878 the organization be- came very efficient in drill. On Saturday morning, July 13, 1878, the "Johnson Greys" left Hornellsville for the purpose of marching to Seneca Point, on Canandaigua lake, where the company camped for several days. The "Greys" halted on the Seneca street bridge, which spans the Canacadea creek, and, at the command of the cap- tain, fired a salute before leaving the city. The command was ac- companied by its baggage wagon, containing tents, provisions and extra clothing and cooking outfit. The first camp was made on the hill just south of Haskinsville, on the night of the 13th of July. Camp was struck early Sunday morning, and the company marched to Loon lake, where they were delightfully entertained. At sunset Sunday evening, July 14th, the company gave an evening parade. The organization left Loon lake Monday morning and marched to Cohocton, where they went into camp. While here the baseball team of the "Greys" played a game with the Cohocton nine and
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
were badly beaten. After the game the "Greys" were entertained at a dinner provided by the ladies of the church. The command left Cohocton Monday evening, having voted to make the march to Seneca Point at night, when the air was much cooler. They marched through Naples and arrived at Seneca Point early Tuesday morn- ing and immediately went into camp on the shores of Canandaigua lake. While in camp each man did his own cooking and looked after his arms and equipments. On Wednesday W. H. Johnson, after whom the organization was named, came to Seneca Point and char- tered a steamer, after which the members of the company were given an excursion around the lake. On Thursday morning, July 18, 1878, the command broke camp and commenced its march back to Hornellsville, where it arrived Saturday, July 20th, after a most successful outing, which demonstrated that the "Greys" were fully able to make the long march of over eighty miles and to take care of themselves under all circumstances should their services ever be required by the government. The "Johnson Greys" continued to be prominent in the military and social life of Hornellsville until their final disbandment, which occurred in 1880.
THE FORTY-SEVENTH SEPARATE COMPANY, N. G., N. Y.
The organization of the Forty-seventh Separate Company fol- lowed a conversation in Hornellsville between Avery McDougall and Captain C. G. Thyng, commanding the Forty-third Separate Company, of Olean. Captain Thyng and Avery McDougall were conversing on the advisability of organizing another fire company in Hornellsville, when Captain Thyng remarked, "Why don't you or- ganize a military company in this city?" The suggestion was at once acted upon by Mr. McDougall, who personally talked with a number of young men on the subject, receiving their assurance that they would join such a company, if organized. Within a short time the required number of men for its formation had been secured, and Mr. McDougall communicated with the state authorities on the subject. The situation was carefully gone over by the authorities, and on September 29, 1891, Avery McDougall received a communi- cation stating that on September 30, 1891, officers representing the state of New York would be in Hornellsville for the purpose of in- specting and mustering into the service of the state a company of National Guard from that place. In accordance with the communi- cation Adjutant General Josiah Porter and Assistant Inspector Thomas McGrath, of the National Guard; Captain N. B. Thurs- ton, of the Twenty-second Regiment, New York city; Brigade Surgeon Herman Bendell, of Albany, and Surgeon D. S. Burr, of the Twentieth Separate Company, of Binghamton, appeared at the Grand Army Hall in Hornellsville on the evening of September 30, 1891, for the purpose of mustering into the service of the state the company raised through the efforts of Mr. McDougall. General Por- ter made a sensible address to those assembled for the purpose, im- pressing upon them that, while there were many pleasant things about their proposed organization, it also had its serious side, as they were enlisted for five years and were liable to see serious service in that time, but all present signed the roll and passed the inspection. When a sufficient number were accepted to authorize the formation
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of a company and the election of officers, an election was held for captain and first lieutenant. In view of the prominent part he took in the organization of the company, Avery McDougall was elected captain. Following the election of captain, Francis G. Babcock, Jr., was elected first lieutenant. The following is the roll of those who were sworn in on September 30, 1891: Charles H. Armsted, Louis H. Bell, Allen V. Burdett, Frank Barker, William H. Bene- dict, Thomas R. Burkey, Daniel W. Boyer, George W. Combs, Ben L. Craig, John Cullen, William S. Charles, Everett S. Dexter, Fred S. Dows, William E. Donnelly, Fred B. Dickey, Joseph Erlich, Henry Erlich, Arthur Eaton, Thomas B. R. Fitch, George H. Gros- venor, Frank F. Gerber, Weston Good, Charles O. Green, Robert V. Goodrich, Goodwin P. Humphrey, Charles D. Hawley, Ernest H. Hill, Leon L. Hough, William W. Hawley, Fred W. Kraft, H. Sey- mour Lang, Clayton D. Mosher, Fred C. Miller, John McDougall, Frank J. Nelson, James J. O'Connor, William H. Prangen, Sumner R. Rowley, William H. Reynolds, James E. Sharp, Myron Shults, Frank A. Simmons, Edward F. Schwingle, Charles E. Squires, Will- iam J. Spencer, Ralph E. Squires, Charles W. Tuerke, Edwin D. Waldorf, John W. Wignall, William A. Wettlin, Milo W. Waldorf and Charles A. Yale. The company was officially designated as the "Forty-seventh Separate Company, National Guard, New York." A few days after the organization of the company orders were received by Captain McDougall to hold an election for the office of second lieutenant of the organization on Wednesday evening, December 23, 1891. Pursuant to orders, the command assembled in the city hall for the purpose of electing a second lieutenant. The candidates for the office were Charles A. Yale, H. S. Lang and William S. Charles. On the second ballot Mr. Charles received a, majority of all the votes cast and was declared elected. At this time the members of the Forty-seventh Separate Company were neither armed, unifornied or equipped, nor did they have a suitable place in which to hold their weekly drills. Requisitions were at once made on the adjutant gen- eral of the state for uniforms, arms and equipments, and the county of Steuben was petitioned for an armory in which to drill. With characteristic energy the county officials soon secured a site for a temporary armory at the corner of Main and Pardee streets, and tlie erection of a wooden building, to be used as an armory, was at once begun. The armory constructed by the order of the board of super- visors was completed early in 1892, and shortly thereafter the com- manding officer of the organization received Remington rifles, blue trousers, blue blouses, caps and cartridge belts and bayonets suffi- cient to equip the command. A meeting of the company was called and Wednesday evening was voted as the time upon which to hold the weekly drill during the season. The first parade of the organiza- tion was on Memorial Day, 1892, when it acted as an escort to Doty Post No. 226, G. A. R. This was the first public appearance of the command, and it was greeted with a storm of applause from the armory to the head of Main street. During the summer of 1892 the switchmen of the various railroads entering Buffalo made a demand for an increase in pay, which was refused. The men there- upon struck. After various acts of disorder the sheriff of Erie county called upon the governor for troops, and several regiments were dispatched to the scene of the disturbance. It was not thought
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
that the Forty-seventh Separate Company would be ealled to Buf- falo, for at that time they had received none of their mess or camp equipment and not a man in the organization boasted a military overcoat, but on Sunday evening, August 21, 1892, Captain Me- Dougall received the following orders from headquarters of the Fourth Brigade: "You are directed to assemble your command and come to Buffalo on special train now on the way to Hornellsville. Bring ammunition and one day's rations. Report to Colonel Dowd, Twelfth Regiment, Camp No. 1. General P. C. Doyle." The news of the receipt of this order spread about the eity like wildfire and created a genuine sensation. Sergcants and corporals were sent about the city and notified the men of the command to report at the armory at once. To Private Melvin E. Butcher belongs the honor of standing the first trick of guard duty ever performed by a mem- ber of the company. When he reported at the armory the com- manding officer placed him on guard in front of the building, with orders to allow no one not a member of the organization inside. The men were soon notified and immediately assembled at the armory. The assembly was sounded at 8:30 o'clock P. M., and the men quickly fell in line. After inspeeting his command Captain McDougall de- tailed Lieutenant Charles to remain in the city and pick up six men who could not be found, after which the order was given and the command swung out into Main street and commenced its marel to the Erie depot, where it was to board a special train for Buffalo. Mayor Willetts made a very nice speech to the organization and their friends, who had assembled at the depot to see them off, in which he cautioned them to remember that they were soldiers. The speech was most timely and was deeply appreciated by all. The train pulled out of Hornellsville at 9:30 P. M. and arrived at Camp Dowd, Buffalo, at 1:15 A. M. The command immediately detrained and were marched to a line of tents used by the Twelfth Regiment, of New York city, who were doing guard duty at the time. To inen accustomed to the luxury of sleeping in a soft bed, that first night of soldiering was a nightmare, but the boys made the best of the situation. The following morning red blankets were issued to the company, and these were used in lieu of overcoats. From the faet that the members of the command wrapped their blankets about them to keep out the chill morning air, they were immediately christened "the Indians" by the rest of the eamp. Lieutenant Charles reported in camp during the afternoon of Monday with the six men left behind Sunday. To chroniele the events of the week at the strike would be to write a book. Suffice it is to say that the Forty-seventh Separate Company stood their full share of the guard duty, did their share of the fatigue duty, got as wet in the drench- ing rain as any other command and rapidly learned the rudiments of soldiering. During the week the full equipment of the company arrived in camp and was delivered to the men. Tuesday afternoon the Forty-seventh Separate Company was assigned to guard the Nickel Plate Railroad property, and here, for the first time sinec leaving home, the boys had the luxury of butter, which was deeply appreciated. Saturday morning Captain McDougall received orders for his command to return home in the evening, and the reading of the orders caused the men to shout with delight. Shortly after three o'clock Saturday afternoon the command entrained for Hor-
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
nellsville, in company with the Twenty-sixth and Thirtieth Separate companies, of Elmira. The company arrived in Hornellsville at 6:40 P. M. Saturday evening, August 27th, after having spent a week doing strike duty. A special dispatch to the Elmira Telegram that evening states: "Hornellsville is proud of her soldier boys to- night, and its people gave them a reception upon their arrival which cannot fail to live in their memory for years to come. The whole town was out, and a more sincere or generous welcome than the boys received during their march to the armory would be difficult to imagine. Their arrival occurred at 6:40 o'clock, and on board their train were the Twenty-sixth and Thirtieth Separate companies, of Elmira. A vast throng was present at the depot and cheered the boys to the echo. F. G. Babcock, with his accustomed generosity and thoughtfulness, had arranged to dine the boys at Rodger's Erie dining hall, and the invitation was accepted by Captain MeDougall on behalf of the company. After the good things which Mr. Rodgers had provided were devoured the company gave three cheers for Mr. Babcock, in which every member sincerely joined. Upon leaving the depot the entire company formed in line and, headed by the Hornell Cornet band, marched up Loder to Canisteo street, to Main and down Main to the armory. At the depot cheers were inter- changed between the three companies. The boys were brown as berries and in excellent spirits. Their duties were performed man- fully, and no company will return home with a better record than the Forty-seventh. "The toy soldier boys,' which some people dubbed them a week ago, have developed into genuine veterans. All honor to the gallant young members of the Forty-seventh."
The company's first annual inspection and muster was held in the armory on the evening of September 6, 1892. The inspection was made by Inspector General Thomas McGrath, who was as- sisted by Captain N. B. Thurston, inspector of rifle practice. The inspection was most gratifying to both officers and men. In April, 1893, a bill passed both branches of the legislature of the state ap- propriating the sum of $32,000 for the erection of an armory for the - Forty-seventh Separate Company, at Hornellsville. The news of the passage of the bill was received with great rejoicing by the members of the organization and their friends, for the bill was not passed without a great amount of hard work on the part of its friends. There was some opposition to the passage of the bill in the assembly, and Francis G. Babcock, the leading citizen of the city, accompanied by ex-Mayor James B. Day and H. Seymour Lang, went to Albany in the interest of the bill. Mr. Babcock con- ferred with Governor Flower, Lieutenant Governor Sheehan, Con- troller Campbell, General Porter, Speaker Sulzer, Senators Cantor, Parker, McClelland and Walker, and with their assistance and the assistance of Assemblyman Buck the measure was passed. The county of Steuben appropriated the sum of $10,000 for a site for the armory, and after a thorough investigation of the different plots of ground offered the committee purchased the Windsor property, at the corner of Seneca and Washington streets, as the site for the new armory. On the evening of June 23, 1893, while the members of the company were engaged in their weekly drill at the armory, the veterans of Doty Post No. 226, G. A. R., headed by Commander Scott, marched from their rooms to the armory and presented the
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organization with a beautiful service flag. The presentation was made by Commander Scott, who stated that he was confident that the hands into which the colors were consigned would emulate the deeds, if occasion offered, of those who so bravely defended it in 1861 and would never permit it to be dishonored or defeated. Cap- tain McDougall received the flag, and, in behalf of the company, expressed their gratitude for the gift, and especially their appre- ciation of the friendly interest always manifested for them by the veterans of the war for the Union. On Friday evening, June 30, 1893, the Forty-seventh Separate Company, aggregating seventy offi- cers and men, assembled at the armory- pursuant to orders from headquarters of the National Guard, for a tour of instruction at the state camp at Peekskill-on-the-Hudson. Headed by the Hornell City band, the company marched to the R. H. and L. railroad depot in Seneca street, where at 8:50 P. M. the company boarded a special train that would take them to Peekskill for their first tour of camp duty. The command arrived at Roe Hook at 2:30 P. M. Saturday, July 1st, and immediately detrained and commenced the march up the hill to the camp. Immediately upon their arrival in camp the Forty-seventh was assigned to the street it was to occupy during the week, and each man was assigned to quarters. The company did its full share of the duties required during the week and gained much valuable information relative to the duties of a soldier. On July 4th, at 11:00 A. M., Governor Flower arrived in camp and received the salute, with all the troops in camp in full dress drawn up in line. After the governor had reviewed the troops a salute of forty-four guns was fired by the battery stationed at the camp. While the men were at dinner in the big mess hall the governor, accom- panied by the commanding officer of the camp, came into the build- ing. A perfect storm of applause greeted his appearance. When the cheers had ceased the governor made a neat little speech to the guardsmen, in which he commended them for the work they had done. The governor then came opposite the tables occupied by the Forty-seventh and addressed them. He stated that he understood that a bill had passed the legislature appropriating the sum of $32,000 for the ereetion of a modern armory in Hornellsville. He assured the company that they had performed their duties in a soldierly manner while at the switchmen's strike in Buffalo and that the organization had a great future before it. He ended his speech to the company by stating that when the bill appropriating the money for their armory was brought before him he would sign it at once. This caused the company to break into a storm of cheers, which the governor gracefully acknowledged. The following days of camp duty were uneventful, and at three o'clock Saturday after- noon the company entrained at Roe Hook for home, arriving at the armory shortly before eleven o'clock Sunday morning. In dismiss- ing the company, Captain McDougall expressed his appreciation of the excellent work done in camp and repeated some of the kind com- pliments received from the officers in charge of the camp. On Sep- tember 17, 1893, the members of the company assembled at the armory for the purpose of going into camp for three days at Bath, New York, in company with the Thirtieth Separate Company, of Elmira. The camp was made on the Soldiers' Home grounds. The usual drills, parades and guard duty were performed until Septem-
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