USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Troy > A history of the Troy citizens corps, Troy, N. Y > Part 3
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Nor these alone their title claim To honour in the corps' good name. Not these alone, in words of cheer, Claim at our hand attention here. It were, in sooth, a song half sung, A tale half told, a glass half full, Did we not speak of sergeant Bull ; Along the ranks his voice has rung Since Fairchild's day. .
His steel has not been tried alone Where peace upon his armor shone ;
For he, in Indian war, 'tis said, Has robbed the turkey of his head, And slain the gander gray.
See, on the right, in foremost line, Stout Casey's shoulders shine ; Waving above the tallest there, His heavy plume is high in air.
Close to the "Corporal," in the rear, Oh, " Rock.," thy ample size is there, None other, in that brave array, Could "cover " such a huge "K. K."
Nor Adancourt shall be forgot, The man who hid the dinner pot ! The jolly soul, whose ready wit No cloud has ever darkened yet. Purveyor, he, with bluff command, Asked at the commissary's hand For beef and pork, for rum and bread For fifty men, and all, he said,
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
Beneath their jackets, ample rim, Were made of calibre like him ! Well might the commissary say, "Let peace come at an early day !"
These all in battle rank were found When Helderbergh was rebel ground, These in the camp's rude feast have fared, The bivouac's chilly rest have shared, The winter march have dared.
And in these ranks of mimic war, Come other valiant sons of Mar'. Guide of the left, see, even now Ben. Knowlson rears his gentle brow ; And sergeant Jones, who does not call Himself akin to grim old " Paul,"
And Woolsey, name on ocean known;
* *
And Babcock, ever glad to bring, To cheer the hour in festive ring, A joke, a yarn, a lay. Of martial mould, in stature tall, He is a doughty corporal, His comrades say.
This sonorous epic is signed " A. P. V. S." Rio de Jano., March, 1847.
NEW UNIFORM.
At a meeting of the Corps held April 5, 1847, it was decided to obtain a new dress uniform, viz : Dress coat and pantaloons. These were to be of green cloth, as be- fore, coat trimmed with lace, shoulder knots, etc. The lowest estimate of the cost per man was $22.00, the high- est was $25.00. To raise the necessary funds, the follow- ing plan was adopted, ($1,000 to $1,100 were needed). Each member was to pay an assessment of $2.00 per week until the entire amount due from him was paid. No cloth was to be cut for any uniform until it had been entirely paid for. The Corps at that time was clear of debt, and it was hoped by this method to keep it so. There was, however, considerable trouble in the matter. The men did not pay up promptly. Capt. Peirce offered
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his resignation in July, 1847, but it was not accepted. The business dragged on for some years before it was finally settled.
To give some idea of what was done and what was thought about among the citizen soldiery in those days when the engagements in the valley of Mexico seemed great battles, we give rather copious extracts from the minutes of the company. Mr. J. T. Woolsey, who was secretary for some years, was an enthusiast in Corps matters, and entered into the spirit of the parade attend- ing a military funeral with quite as much zest as a Mot- ley or a Napier might display in treating of the cam- paigns of the Netherlands or of Spain. To him we are indebted for many facts which the ordinary secretary would pass over in silence.
It should be stated here that Morton Fairchild, for many years First Sergeant of the Corps, on the break- ing out of the war with Mexico raised a company, and with it entered the First New York Volunteers. Captain Fairchild led his company with marked gallantry through every battle of Scott's campaign, and was honorably mustered out with his regiment at the close of the war.
BENNINGTON.
FUNERAL OF LIEUT. COL. MARTIN SCOTT.
1848-The following is from the minutes of the Troy Citizens Corps: Troy, March 1, 1848. The Corps, num- bering twenty-five muskets, and accompanied by the United States Arsenal Band from Watervliet, left the armory in stages for Bennington, for the purpose of at- tending and assisting in the funeral ceremonies in honor of the late Brevet Lieut. Col. Martin Scott, U. S. A., who was killed in the attack on the Molino del Rey, near the city of Mexico. Arrived at Bennington about 5 o clock P. M., and quartered at Hicks' tavern.
Bennington, March 2, 1848. After breakfast the Corps fell in and marched to the Court House, where they drilled until 11 o'clock, when they took their place on the right of the line and escorted the funeral procession
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to East Bennington and back to the church. There, after the usual services a eulogy, was pronounced by Gen. Geo. R. Davis of Troy, and a dirge played by the band. The procession was then reformed and marched to the cem- etery adjoining the church, where the deceased was in- terred with Masonic rites and with the honors of war. This being done, the Corps escorted home the friends of the deceased, and then proceeded to evening parade on the square. About 5 o'clock P. M. beat the retreat and broke ranks, having been under arms eight hours, and marched about five miles.
Bennington, March 3, 1848. A special meeting was held early this morning, at which resolutions were adopt- ed expressing the thanks of the Corps for the many cour- tesies received since leaving home. At 9 o'clock A. M., after giving three cheers for Bennington, and receiving three in return, we left for Troy, where we arrived about 41/2 P. M. Marched from the Northern Hotel to the resi- dence of Gen. Wool, and serenaded his lady, and pro- ceeded thence to the armory, where the parade was dis- missed.
SYRACUSE.
FUNERAL OF GEN. WM. D. HOPPING.
From the minutes of the Troy Citizens Corps : Troy, April 18, 1848. The remains of General Hopping having arrived last night by the steamer Mason, were taken in charge by eight files from the Troy Citizen Corps as a guard of honor, and deposited in the armory for the night. At 7 o'clock this morning they were placed on board the cars under charge of the Troy Citizen Corps. The Corps then left the armory for Syracuse as an escort, number- ing thirty muskets and accompanied by the United States Band from Watervliet Arsenal, all under command of Capt. McArdle of the New York City Guards. Capt. Peirce was unable to take the command on this occasion, in consequence of the illness of his partner in business. The command of the Corps was thereupon tendered by its officers to Capt. McArdle, who had already equipped himself, with the intention of taking his place in the
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ranks. On arriving at.Schenectady, the escort was joined by the Schenectady Independent Artillery, Capt. Springer. numbering twenty-three muskets, with Hitchcock's mar- tial music. Arriving at Utica about 12 o'clock M., we marched without arms to Baggs' Hotel. Left at 1 o'clock, having been joined by the Utica Citizens Corps, Capt. H. R. Hart, numbering forty muskets, and accompanied by the Utica Brass Band.
Arrived at Syracuse about 412 A. M., where we were re- ceived by the Syracuse Citizens Corps, Capt. J. F. Mi- nard, and the Lafayette Grenadier Guards, Capt. Pfohl. After the reception, the corpse was placed under the es- cort of the Utica Citizens Corps. and the column formed in the following order, viz: The Schenectady Citizens Corps on the right, the Lafayette Grenadier Guards, Troy Citizens Corps and the Utica Citizens Corps on the left flank as guard of honor. We then marched to the Syra- cuse House, where the remains were taken in charge by the committee appointed to receive them. The Troy Citizens Corps, were quartered at the Syracuse House, where every attention was paid to them by the gentle- manly proprietor. At 8 o'clock P. M. the Corps fell in for a "McArdle drill," in full uniform, and drilled until 10 o'clock.
Syracuse, April 19, 1848. The Auburn Guards, Capt. Russel, numbering twenty muskets, and the Albany Burgesses Corps Capt. Humphreys, numbering thirty- eight muskets, arrived about 8 o'clock A. M., and were received by the Syracuse Citizens Corps. The Corps fell in at 9 o'clock, and proceeded to the Malcolm House, and drilled one hour. At 10 o'clock the Corps took their place on the left of the line, as a guard of honor. After the performance of the funeral services in the house and the delivery of a eulogy from the piazza of the Syracuse House, the procession commenced moving, about 11 o'clock ; marched down Salina Street and up Onandaga, Mulberry, and James Streets, to the cemetery, where the Episcopal funeral service was read. Three volleys were then fired over the grave by the Syracuse Citizens Corps,
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when the line was re-formed and marched back to the Syracuse House, and the parade was dismissed. At 4 o'clock the Syracuse Citizens Corps and the Troy Citizens Corps escorted the Auburn Guards to the railroad. At 6 P. M. the Troy Citizens Corps had a full dress parade ; and at 612 P. M. the Albany Burgesses Corps. At 872 P. M. the latter left for Albany.
Syracuse, April 20, 1848. At 8 o'clock A. M. the Troy Citizens Corps and Utica Citizens Corps paraded, march- ing through the principal streets, and left Syracuse with the Schenectady Independent Artillery at 9 o'clock. Ar- rived at Utica at 1212 P. M. Marched through Broad, John, Elizabeth and Genesee Streets, leaving about 1 o'clock.
About 7 o'clock P. M. arrived at Troy, where we were received by a detachment of twelve men, composed of the old members of the Corps, under Capt. Peirce, who escorted us to the armory. After receiving the thanks of Capt. McArdle for their gentlemanly and soldier-like deportment during their absence, and giving three cheers for Capt. McArdle and three for the "Old Guard," the Corps broke ranks.
Extract from Syracuse paper, April 25, 1848 : " At a final meet- ing of the committee having in charge the 'funeral honours,' etc., held at Syracuse the 24th April, the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted :
' Resolved, That this committee, in behalf of the citizens of Syracuse, tender their warmest acknowledgments to Capt. McArdle, the officers and members of the Troy Citizens Corps, for their kind services in taking charge of the remains from the hands of the committee and escorting them to this city ; and for the perfect manner in which they performed the duty of escort guard, showing themselves fit represen- tatives of the beautiful and enterprising city whose name they bear.'"
FIRE.
About half an hour after the adjournment of the regu- lar meeting of the company, May 1, 1848, a fire broke out in the stable, in the rear of Halstead's Hotel. A few members of the Corps were promptly at the armory, and succeeded in removing everything to the National Hotel
3
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
before the fire reached the Military Hall, which it did in about fifteen minutes.
RECEPTION TO GEN. WOOL.
From the minutes : "Troy, Friday, August 18, 1848. The Corps having received information this morning that Maj. Gen. Wool would be in New York Saturday morning, a parade was ordered. The Corps was in line at 5 o'clock P. M., with 42 muskets, under the command of Capt. A. H. Peirce, accompanied by Quarter-master James M. Lemon and Judge Advocate Amos K. Hadley, of the staff, and embarked for New York on the steamer Empire, Capt. Tupper. There were also in the party the United States Arsenal Band, the committee of the common council, Recorder J. S. Olin and Aldermen Sage and Watrous, and the committee of citizens, James Van Schoonhoven, Uri Gilbert and T. Vail.
"August 19, 1848. After a pleasant trip and excel- lent fare on board the Empire, we arrived in New York this morning at about 5 o'clock. The Corps was re- ceived at the landing by the 'New York City Guards,' Capt. McArdle, and by them escorted to the Astor House. There we received Gen. Wool and staff with military honours, and conducted him immediately to the steamer ' Hendrick Hudson,' which left in a few minutes for Albany. Soon after leaving New York the Corps fell in and were reviewed by Gen. Wool, who expressed himself very much pleased with their appearance and general deportment.
"When the General and escort were at dinner, Capt. Peirce gave, ' The health of our illustrious guest, Gen. Wool.' To this the Corps responded with nine cheers. Gen. Wool then arose, and after complimenting the Corps, gave as a sentiment, 'The citizens of Troy and the Troy Citizens Corps.' When the General sat down, Mr. Hadley rose and addressed him on behalf of the escort, and concluded by giving, 'The heroes of Buena Vista, Generals Taylor and Wool.' This was also re- ceived with nine cheers.
t
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" About 7 o'clock P. M. arrived at Troy, and were re- ceived at the landing by the Troy City Artillery, Capt. Brintnall. The Corps and Artillery then escorted the General to his residence on First Street, through a dense crowd of citizens, who blocked up the streets nearly the whole distance. On arriving at his residence, Gen. Wool briefly addressed the escort and citizens, after which the band played 'Home, Sweet Home.' The Corps then returned to their armory under the escort of the Artillery, where, after receiving the thanks of Capt. Peirce for their general and individual good conduct during the excur- sion, the parade was dismissed."
A member of the Corps who was engaged in the reception of General Wool, relates this incident. On being toasted as one of the heroes of Buena Vista, the general proceeded to explain his relations with Gen. Taylor in that battle. The latter, he said, was in com- mand and fully entitled to the credit. But as much had been printed in the papers about the plan of battle, he would take this opportunity of stating the exact facts. The day before the battle was fought, Gen. Taylor, anticipating a certain disposition of the Mexican forces, had formed his plans accordingly; and then, as he was himself obliged temporarily to be absent, had left the charge of the army and the execution of these plans, in case of an attack, to Gen. Wool. In the morning the enemy appeared, but in a manner materially different from that expected. Gen. Wool was accordingly com" pelled to re-arrange the entire plan of battle, and that on the very eve of attack. On the return of the com- mander-in-chief, the General explained to him the ar- rangements he had made; and they met with Gen. Taylor's prompt and hearty approval.
The story of the battle that followed, he said, was fa- miliar to all. More than once the Americans were really beaten. But the Mexicans failing to perceive this, the lines were closed up and the struggle continued, until finally a hard-earned victory was fairly won.
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
PRESENTATION OF SWORD TO GEN. WOOL AT TROY.
From the minutes: "Wednesday, August 23, 1848, The Corps was in line this morning at 6 o'clock, with 43 muskets, and proceeded immediately to the foot of State Street, where they received the New York City Guards, Capt. Wm. M. McArdle, accompanied by the United States Band from Governor's Island. Thence proceeded to Washington Square, where the Syracuse Citizens Corps, Capt. J. F. Minard, the Utica Citizens Corps, Capt. H. R. Hart, and the Schenectady Independent Ar- tillery, Capt. Springer, each company accompanied by a brass band, had just arrived by railroad, and had been received by the Troy City Artillery, Capt. Brintnall. All the above corps then passed in review, after which our Corps took its place on the right and the battalion marched through several streets. The Syracuse Citizens Corps and the Schenectady Independent Artillery were guests of the Troy City Artillery, while the other two companies were conducted by the Troy Citizens Corps to their armory. At 10 o'clock A. M. fell in and marched to Albany Street, where the line was again formed. After receiving the Albany Republican Artillery, Capt. Fredendal, and the Washington Rifles, Capt. Triegler, which companies had just arrived from Albany, we marched through Albany, Third and State Streets to Second, and halted with the right resting on Washington Square. Here we received Gen. Viele, marshal of the day, and aids.
About 11 o'clock marched to the residence of Gen. Wool on First Street, where he was received, on behalf of the military corps present, with a short address by Gen. Viele. To this Gen. Wool responded as follows :
" But yesterday I was in the midst of the enemies of my country- to-day I am surrounded by the friends of my youth and the associations of many happy years. To the soldier who has devoted his whole life to his duty, no reward can equal the sympathy of friends. The noble manner in which I have been sustained by my native State, and par- ticularly by the citizens of Troy, has filled me with the deepest emo- tion ; so much that I feel utterly incapable of expressing the dictates of a grateful heart. Receive my thanks, sir, for the flattering manner
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
in which you have alluded to my services in the last war, and in that which has just closed. Whatever I was fortunate enough to perform in the former, now belongs to the history of the past ; in the latter, it has been my good fortune to be associated with one of its most extraor- dinary battles.
"I see, sir, in the citizen soldiery here present, the same kind of force that gained the day in that unequal struggle. The volunteers on the field sustained the glory of their country in one of its darkest hours, and finally, though attacked by forces so far superior that to resist was thought madness by some, after the most heroic sacrifices gained a victory unsurpassed by any of the war. The battle of Buena Vista must teach our country that its strength lies in her sons, and that in the hour of danger the citizen soldier is able and willing to face the enemy either on our own soil or in a foreign land, and that its honour and glory can be entrusted implicitly to his care."
The line was then reviewed by Gen. Wool, after which the procession was formed and commenced its march. The Troy Citizens Corps took their place on the left as a guard of honour, flanking Gen. Wool and his staff, the latter consisting of Adjutant Winship and Aids McLean and Totten. They were accompanied by the Governor's staff, consisting of Adj. Gen. Stevens, Col. Van Vechten and Col. Cannon, also Gen. Storms and staff, Majors Bogert, Mumford and Morgan, Major Barker and staff from Watervliet Arsenal, Major Cooper and staff from Albany, Hon. Millard Fillmore, Hon. C. Morgan and Hon. John Wentworth.
After marching through all the principal streets, the procession halted in front of the court house, where Gen. Wool was addressed by Geo. Gould, Esq., and by His Honour the Mayor of Troy, by whom he was presented with a handsome sword, on behalf of the corporation and citizens of this city. After the ceremony of presentation, the General was escorted to his residence, when the pa- rade was dismissed.
PRESENTATION OF SWORD TO GEN. WOOL AT ALBANY.
From the minutes of the Corps: "December 30, 1848. Parade. The Corps fell in at 10 A. M., numbering 24 muskets, marched to the armory of the Troy City Artil- lery, and received honors. Marched thence to the Man-
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
sion House, where Lieut. Col. Peirce took command of the battalion ; then directly to the residence of Maj. Gen. Wool, received him and escorted him to the bridge, when the Corps and Artillery took sleighs, and the whole party proceeded to Albany.
On arriving at the Patroon's bridge, the General and escort were received by Maj. Gen. Cooper and staff, the Washington Rifle Corps and the Albany Republican Artillery. Then marched to the capitol, where the sword voted to Gen. Wool by the State for his distinguished services in the late war with Mexico, was presented to him by Gov. Young. The General received the sword with an appropriate speech, which he concluded with the following remarks addressed to the military companies present :
" Citizen soldiers ; for the honour you have conferred on me this day, and the interest you have manifested on this occasion, please to accept my sincere and hearty thanks. Your fine appearance and mar- tial bearing, bespeak your discipline and instruction. A government supported by a citizen soldiery must be the strongest in the world. As long as you can appear, as on this occasion, and at similar public assemblages, with arms in your hands, the republic will be safe. But if the time should arrive when the people shall be prohibited the right of keeping and bearing arms, the freedom which we so highly prize will have departed. Let us cherish, then, this invaluable privilege- this great conservative feature of our free institutions-which, while it banishes the necessity of large standing armies, renders the republic invincible."
After the ceremony of presentation was finished, the battalion broke ranks, and partook of refreshments ; then they again fell in and escorted the General to Troy. De- positing arms and knapsacks in their armories, the Corps and Artillery proceeded to the residence of Gen. Wool, by his invitation, and partook of a hot collation. After starting a few bottles of champagne, the General gave as a toast, 'The Troy Citizens Corps and the Artillery, al- ways my friends ;' which was responded to by Captain Brintnall with an appropriate sentiment. First Sergeant George Babcock, of the Corps, gave this, 'Our host- whether at home or on the field of battle, always a host.' Several other complimentary and humorous toasts were
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
drunk, and after passing the evening very agreeably, the companies left for their respective armories."
PARADE AT THE EXECUTION OF HALL AND O'DONNELL :
By order of the Mayor, Hon. Francis N. Mann, to keep the peace, March 15, 1849.
From the minutes of the Corps: "The Corps met at the armory at 10 o'clock this morning, and awaited the orders of the Sheriff until about 2 o'clock P. M. Then, accompanied by the Troy City Artillery, under Lieut. Adancourt, they marched to the jail, and were posted in the street in front of the entrance, just as it began rain- ing. After standing in the rain long enough to get wet through, we were ordered inside, where we stacked arms and broke ranks, leaving a small detachment of sentinels at the door. After the executions had been through with a short time, the crowd of witnesses came down, and the Corps and Artillery were marched up stairs to behold the scene, and then marched down again. They were then marched down to the basement to get some- thing to eat, but got about nothing, and then marched up again.
"About five o'clock P. M. we were relieved from duty by the Sheriff, and the Corps immediately proceeded to the armory, escorted by the Artillery.
" The Corps turned out for this nasty job twenty-three muskets, and the Artillery thirty-four muskets."
EXCURSION TO SARATOGA.
From the minutes of the Corps : "August 29, 1849. . The Corps fell in at 712 o'clock A. M. with three officers and twenty-four non-commissioned officers and privates, accompanied by Cook's Albany Band. Marched to the cars and started immediately for Saratoga. Arriving there at 11 o'clock A. M. fell in again at the station, and marched directly to Union Hall, where we broke ranks. At 5 o'clock p. M. the first lieutenant arrived with a squad of eight men from Troy.
"At 6 o'clock P. M. paraded with thirty-three muskets, marched through several of the principal streets, and
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
went through various evolutions. Halted in front of Union Hall, beat the retreat, closed ranks, marched to the yard and broke ranks. In the evening a portion of the Corps got up a small cotillion party at Union Hall.
"Saratoga, August 30, 1849. The Corps fell in after breakfast, about 9 o'clock, and marched through the village nearly an hour. After this returned to Union Hall, broke ranks and dispersed in different directions, each man to enjoy himself on his own hook until dinner time. At 5 o'clock P. M. fell in for our return to Troy. After giving three cheers for our host and hostess of Union Hall, we took our departure. Arrived in Troy about 61/2 o'clock. Made a short parade through the princi- pal streets, giving Maj. Gen. Wool a marching salute ; then to the armory and dismissed."
RIOT-1850.
From the minutes: "June 25, 1850, 834 P. M. The Captain announced to the Corps that the Mayor had just given him orders to hold the Corps in readiness to turn out at the signal of three taps on St. Paul's church bell, to suppress a riot threatened in the southern part of the city. Notices were sent to most of the members not present, and at about 912 P. M. the first sergeant was sent to the United States Arsenal at Watervliet for 150 ball cartridges.
"At about the same time the house of William Hunter on the corner of Liberty and Hill Streets was broken into and fired by the mob, in defiance of the civil authori- ties present, and entirely consumed. The people con- gregated around the scene of action then quietly dis- persed to their homes. The armory was kept open until 1272 o'clock."
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