USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Troy > A history of the Troy citizens corps, Troy, N. Y > Part 6
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At the August meeting of the Corps, the following preamble and resolution of thanks to the officers con- nected with the Tenth Regiment were adopted :
WHEREAS, This company has been attached, during its term of service in Albany and West Albany, to the Tenth Regiment N. G. S. N. Y., and has received many attentions from its officers ;
Resolved, That the Troy Citizens Corps tender their thanks to Col. A. J. Parker, Jr., Lieut. Col. Edward Bowditch, Maj. John L. Mc Ewen. Adj. John Palmer, Quartermaster John W. McHarg, Com- missary Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Surgeon Lewis Balch, Capt. G. D. Weid-
* This recalls a similar action of the old Corps in 1839, after the week in the Helderbergs.
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
man, Col. Robert S. Oliver and Capt. G. Sard, Jr., for the many at- tentions and courtesies shown them at Albany and West Albany.
Resolutions of thanks were also adopted to Mr. Mather and family for kindness shown to sick members of the Corps. Mr. Mather was also elected an honorary mem- ber of the company.
BEMIS HEIGHTS.
The Centennial Anniversary of the Battle of Bemis Heights was observed on the battle-ground by an elabor- ate celebration. There was a procession, an oration by the Hon. Martin I. Townsend, an address by Lieut. Gov. Dorsheimer, a poem by Prof. Robert E. Lowell of Union College, and a history of the battle by Mr. J. A. Stevens of New York. This was followed by a sham battle.
The morning of Tuesday, September 19, 1877, was as beautiful as one could wish. The mercury started at 62° at day-break, and did not at any time rise above 70°. A pleasant breeze was blowing all day. The Corps met at the armory at 6 o'clock A. M. At 7 o'clock, headed by Doring's full band, the Tibbits and Citizens Corps and the Tibbits Cadets marched to the depot, where they took a special train for Mechanicville. Here the troops embarked on canal boats for Bemis Heights. Their navigation on this tempestuous voyage was attended with little incident. It cannot be learned that any of the men became sea-sick, and all dangers of storm and wreck were happily avoided. It is said that most ocean steam- ers which meet with disaster come to their fate by collision with others. Doubtless with this maxim of seamanship uppermost in his nautical mind, that veteran salt, Supt. Dougrey, of section three, had forbidden the downward passage of all boats while the flotilla should be moving. To enforce this wise precaution, the superintendent moved in front of the convoy of trans- ports in his official ice-breaker. And so, as in time long ago the Grecian fleet was led in safety over Homer's " much roaring sea" to the strand of the well-walled Troy, in like manner this fleet of modern Trojans was at length moored securely by the tow-path of classic
5
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
Bemis Heights. This village, as Mark Twain would say, is not a village at all, but consists of a single tavern with the usual complement of bar-room and sheds. Here all was animation. Vehicles of all sorts were pouring in from every direction, dust was floating in a dense cloud, and people were trooping by on foot, all bound to see the sights to the uttermost. The Troy troops effected a safe landing from their tempest-tossed craft, and re- paired to a field near the hotel. There, after the usual delays, the procession was formed, and took up its line of march for the battle-field, somewhat over a mile dis- tant. The soil in the road was found to be very loose in its habits, and all the military companies regretted that linen dusters were not an article of uniform. The column was composed of about 1000 men.
Although not large, the display was certainly interest- ing, and the sight of so many dusty legs keeping exact time was very pleasing, especially to the numerous spec- tators who were indigenous to the neighborhood. It was fully 12 o'clock before the column arrived at the speaker's stand, and it was then promptly dismissed for refresh- ment. Our hungry heroes were marched into a large tent, where their appetites were satisfied without any reminiscences of West Albany.
Fully 15,000 people were packed in the space around the speaker's stand, where most of them had been stand- ing since about 10 o'clock, in the fond delusion that the exercises would begin at 11, as advertised. It was 12:30 o'clock when the president called the assemblage to order. After prayer by the chaplain, the Hon. Martin I. Towns- end was introduced, and delivered a masterly oration. The brief address by Mr. Dorsheimer, the poem, and the historical address, were worthy of the occasion. The literary exercises closed at about 3 o'clock, and were succeeded by a banquet, at which the bidden lamented only the brevity of time. At 4 o'clock, the order was given to " fall in" for the sham battle. This was designed as a grand military pageant, which should be a histori- cally accurate fac-simile of the orginial battle, so far as modern uniforms and breech loaders could allow.
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
The battle was preceeded by a review of all the mili- tary present, by Maj. Gen. Carr. After this formality was duly completed, the bloody strife began. The enemy's cav- alry were led by Lieut. Henry J. Goldman, U. S. A., their infantry by Lieut. A. Lee Myer, U. S. A .; and they had be- sides an artillery train consisting of one small field piece. This formidable array was strongly posted behind and in a close thicket which bordered the northern end of the field. The revolutionary troops were commanded by Gens. Carr and Alden. It is not certain which of the two was designed to represent Benedict Arnold ; but both performed prodigies of valor, and each, as nearly can now be ascertained, emerged from the fight unscathed.
The battle was opened by the Tibbits Corps, who were deployed as a line of skirmishers, and began a vigorous fire on the enemy. After maintaining the attack stub- bornly for some time, the veterans were forced back on the main body of infantry, which consisted of the rest of the brigade drawn up in line of battle. This main line now delivered their first fire lying down, and then im- mediately rose and charged at a double-quick on the thicket. The firing became rapid, and the battle was raging at its utmost fury. The enemy's artillery train was served with great skill and effect, and the cannon of our side, posted on a small eminence at the left, were unable to silence it. By a happy inspiration of some- body in command, however, two pieces were sent rapidly to the extreme right, which transfer of forces the enemy kindly permitted without making a crushing charge on the weakened left. Being thus enfiladed by a very ter- rible fire, the enemy were forced to cease using their bat- tery. A movement of our reserve (the Burleigh Corps), in the execution of a plan of deep strategy, now put to flight the enemy's cavalry, and the final attack was made on his infantry. At the command "Fours right about," incessant volleys from front and rear ranks respectively were delivered at the thicket. The enemy then inglori- ously fled, and the bloody field was won. The victors were begrimed with smoke, covered with glory-and
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
dust, and dripping with prespiration ; just as they would have been dripping with gore had the battle been as real as it was noisy, and had all been as unfortunate as that gallant private whose nose came in unexpected collision with his file leader's gun-barrel. The Troy Times said (and the Times is a military paper): "It was conceded by all that the firing by rank of the Citizens Corps was far superior to that of any other organization in line."
The homeward trip was uneventful. Again the perilous canal was traversed in safety, a musket being consigned to its depths as the sole loss of the day. The boys reached Troy in the evening, tired, but happy.
Saturday evening, September 29, occurred a pleasant reminder of Camp Carr. A delegation from Co. F, Ninth Regiment, met the Corps at the armory, and pre- sented an elegantly engrossed and framed set of resolu- tions, expressing the kind feelings of Co. F, and their appreciation of courtesies shown them by the Troy Citi- zens Corps at West Albany.
At the inspection on the 23d of October, the Troy companies mustered as follows :
Troy Citizens Corps,
103 men.
Tibbits Corps,
64
Tibbits Cadets,
82
Battery B
47
The Corps appeared for the first time with the knap- sacks which had been bought with the West Albany money.
During the winter season of 1877-8 five military receptions were given, all at the armory but the last. This was held at Harmony Hall, on the 23d of April. These were occasions of much enjoyment to the Corps and their friends. The program included a brief exhibi- tion drill, followed by dancing until a reasonably late, or possibly early, hour. Many of the elite of Troy and vicinity were present, besides representatives from vari- ous other military organizations. Few will forget the picture made by the bright uniforms of scarlet and of blue, the elegant costumes of the ladies, their flashing
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
diamonds outshone by more lustrous eyes, the hall draped with flags and military emblems, and the dancers float- ing in interminable mazes to the music of Doring.
FUNERAL OF CAPT. HALE.
January 14, 1878, Capt. and Brevet-major Owen Hale, of the Seventh Cavalry, U. S. A., was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, the Citizens Corps acting as escort, and firing the customary three volleys over the grave. Capt. Hale was formerly a resident of Troy. He entered the army as a private soldier at the outbreak of the rebellion, being then only seventeen years of age. So gallantly did he perform his duty that at the close of the war he was transferred to the regular army with the rank of first lieutenant. He was killed in the fight with Chief Joseph's Indians on the 30th of Sept'r, at Bear Paw Mountain.
FUNERAL OF COL. HITCHCOCK.
Col. James R. Hitchcock, of the Ninth Regiment, died at his home, April 12, 1878. Col. Hitchcock had won the affectionate regard of our Corps while they were" acting under his command at West Albany. To express their sorrow at his death and their respect for his mem- ory, the Corps attended his funeral. This was held in New York on Monday, the 15th April. About 90 men were in line, with Doring's Band. Col. Hitchcock was buried with full military honors. The pall-bearers were Brig. Gens. J. M. Varian and D. D. Wylie, Col. E. F. Clark, of the Seventh Regiment, Col. J. Porter, of the Twenty- second, Col. George D. Scott, of the Eighth, and Col. Charles S. Spencer, of the Fifth. After the services at the Dutch Reformed church, Forty-eighth street and Fifth Avenue, the procession was formed in the following order : The Seventy-first Regiment, led by Col. Vose, and the Eleventh, Col. Unbekant ; the hearse, with the Ninth Regiment as escort, and the Troy Citizens Corps. The line of march was down Fifth Avenue to Fourteenth street, thence through Broadway to the Battery. The burial took place at Staten Island.
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
From the Army and Navy Journal of the same week we take the following:
" The Troy Citizens Corps was the observed of all observers, its showy uniform, coupled with its solid fronts and splendid maching, winning encomiums even from the most critical. It seemed in steadi- ness and precision fully equal to any company in the first or second division."
On the 21st of May, 1878, occurred the spring meeting of the Third Division Rifle Association at Grand View Park. In the military match, the team of the Sixth Separate company were the victors, their competitors being representatives from "A" Co. Tenth Regiment; two teams "I" Co., Tenth Regiment ; Twenty-fifth Regiment, two teams, and the Albany Jackson Corps. The successful marksmen were sergeant W. H. Stillman, sergeant E. P. Mann, private J. G. Zimmermann, Jr., and private Wm. P. Mason.
The independent parade was held this year on the 19th of June. The Corps appeared in full dress uniform, with Doring's Band, closing with dress-parade on Washington Square.
August 21st, 1878, J. G. Zimmerman Jr. did honor to his company by winning the marksmanship prize at Grand View range. There were numerous competitors, and by the rules of the contest final possession was given only after winning at three matches.
From the Army and Navy Journal, October 12, 1878-" SIXTH SEPARATE COMPANY INFANTRY, NEW YORK (TROY). Capt. James W. Cusack's fine command, known as the " Troy Citizens Corps " was inspected and mustered at their armory on September 26, by Col. Philip H. Briggs, A. I. G. It was a sore disappointment to the com- pany that the rain storm prevented it from parading out of doors, and tendering to the inspecting officer the honor of a review, and also executing movements in the school of the company in order that he might judge of its proficiency in drill. It was out of the question, however, and they had to be content with executing the details of inspection and muster indoors. The company was uniformed in a dark blue short frock coat and trowsers with very little trimmings, brass shoulder scales, black belts and helmets. This is their service uniform, and a handsome one it is, the red coats being reserved for full dress occasions. Of the two, the service uniform is the more handsome. The details of inspection were perfect, and every article
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
of uniform, arms, and equipment was found in most excellent shape by the inspecting officer. The muster resulted : Present, 2 officers, 5 sergeants, 5 corporals, 2 musicians, 78 privates, total 92 ; absent, 1 officer, 1 sergeant, 3 corporals, 6 privates, total 11 ; agregate 103. Last year the company mustered present 104, absent 12, total 116; thus showing that the captain has complied with the law in reducing the command to the maximum. The company is in magnificent shape, is a credit to the citizens of Troy and to its officers, and is one of the very best organizations in the service of the State of New York."
An extract from the Albany Argus of January 19, 1879, will sufficiently show the social amusements in which the Corps were interested during that winter.
"The Troy Citizens Corps public drills, which are followed by receptions, have proven such enjoyable affairs that not only do repre- sentatives of the first families of Troy attend them in large numbers, but also many of the leading society people of Albany. To be sure it is quite a distance to go to Troy for an evening's entertainment, but those who have made the trip for the purpose of attending the recep- tions given by the Citizens Corps of that city have been more than re- paid for their trouble. Last Tuesday evening one of the receptions referred to took place. It more than surpassed the one given a few weeks ago. Among the Albanians present were Col. Amasa J. Par- ker, Jr., and staff, also several of the line. officers of the Tenth regi- ment. Dancing was commenced at 9 o'clock, directly after the public drill of the Corps-which, by the way, was an excellent one- and was continued until 12 o'clock, when the gay party broke up. We understand the Corps expect to give two more receptions before the close of the season. One will occur just previous to Lent, and the other, at the conclusion of it, will be held probably at Harmony Hall, and will be gotten up on a grander scale than any that have preceded it."
At the February reception the badges for marksman- ship were presented to their winners by Maj. Gen. Carr. The general prefaced the presentation with these words : Gentlemen of the Sixth Separate Company :
It is with great pleasure that I address you this evening, and confer upon you the reward which you have so nobly won by your patient perseverance in rifle practice and excellence in marksmanship. This duty is particularly gratifying to me as I look back and recall a similar occasion last year when I presented ten members of this command with like badges. At that time I predicted that if you would devote a por- tion of your leisure hours to target practice, still greater results would be accomplished another year. My predictions have been fully veri_ fied, and it is very gratifying to me, personally, to be able to announce
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
that the Troy Citizens Corps stands fifth in point of marksmanship of the 169 companies in the National Guard of this State, and second in the Third Division-qualifying 46 members as State marksmen. It is a fact of which the Sixth Separate Company has every reason to feel proud. Just here I wish to make another prediction-if the same commendable enterprise which has signally marked this separate com- pany in the past, be continued, another year its standard will be raised even still higher, and it will occupy a more honorable position in the national guard than it holds at present. The time is not far distant when a certain degree of accuracy in target practice will be one of the necessary qualifications of a successful soldier.
At a meeting of the Corps held Tuesday evening, June 6, 1879, Capt. Cusack tendered his resignation as captain of the company. The captain had for some time been considering such action, expressing the opinion that there was abundant material in the command from which to select a commanding officer, and that his long service entitled him to retire and make way for a younger man. The Corps did not at all agree with this way of thinking, and very promptly took measures to induce him to with- draw his resignation. The petition to that effect was signed by every man in the organization, as well as by a large number of honorary members and leading citizens, and it was backed up by such unanimity of sentiment and by so earnest representations that Captain Cusack finally felt constrained to yield, although doing this at no little sacrifice to personal and business convenience.
Col. Philip H. Briggs, Assistant Inspector-General, inspected the Troy troops in June, 1879. In his report he made this commendatory reference to Capt. Cusack's company. "Military appearance and soldierly bearing excellent. Evidently one of the best disciplined and drilled companies in the state service." This little com- pliment had the more value in the eyes of the Corps from the fact that Col. Briggs was well known for the peculiar rigidity of his military notions, and had an eagle eye for defects in the guard. The Army and Navy Jour- nal, June 21, 1879, had this item :
" The Citizens Corps, as this company is familiarly designated by the good people of Troy, made a handsome showing in their neat Prussian uniform and "pickelhauben," knapsacks with overcoats
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
strapped, and ready to move to the front at a moment's notice, during the parade for annual muster and inspection on June 9. Prompt obedience to orders is one of the guiding rules of the company, so when Col. Briggs, A. I. G., announced that he was ready, Capt. James W. Cusack gave the command " Prepare for review." As Troy has three Separate Companies of Infantry, there is considerable rivalry as to which shall carry off the palm on all occasions of parade, drill, and ceremony, and as on this inspection all three were out, it be- hooved the Sixth Company to look well to its laurels. The Twelfth Company first passed under the argus eye of the inspector, receiving praise for its steadiness and soldierly appearance ; but the line of glistening bayonets, the solid front, and perfect equipment of Capt. Cusack's company, caused the eye of the inspecting officer to brighten with pleasure, and did he speak he might have said : Here, indeed, is a company of soldiers ! The review, which was only in line, was simply perfection, not a movement being discernible along the line during the inspection ; indeed to the spectators it seemed that hardly an eye was winked, so stolid were the men. * * * The inspection of uniform and equipments was as satisfactory as the review, while the muster, although it showed a loss of one in the present, was most
gratifying in its completeness. The company is handsomely equipped in every particular, while in drill and discipline it has few equals and perhaps no superior in the state. It is a credit to the City of Troy, the State, and its officers. The result of the muster was : Present, 3 officers, 13 non-commissioned officers, 2 musicians, 73 privates- total, 91 ; absent, 1 non-commissioned officer, 11 privates-total, 12 ; aggregate, 103. Last year there were 92 present, 11 absent-total, 103. Capt. Cusack keeps his roll within the requirements of the military code, refusing ali applications to enlist while he carries 103 officers and men."
The national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the re-unions of the societies of the Army of the Potomac, of the Army of the James, and of the Ninth Army Corps, took place at Albany on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 16 and 17, 1879. Many distin- guished guests were present, including the President of the United States, the Governors of several States, and numerous civil and military celebrities. Among the ceremonies of the occasion a great parade was projected, in which, besides the posts of the Grand Army, the local military should take part. The Troy companies of infantry were assigned the honor of escorting the Presi- dent of the United States, and formed for that purpose a red, white and blue battalion, composed of the Troy
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
Citizens Corps, the Tibbits Veteran Corps and the Tib- bits Cadets, in that order. The steamer Golden Gate was chartered for the trip by our Corps. They left Troy at 7:45 A. M. and were in line about ninety strong when the procession moved at 10:45 o'clock. The boys were on their mettle, and did some creditable marching, receiving much commendation. They were entertained after the parade by the Albany Zouave Cadets, "A" Co., Tenth Regiment, in a most bountiful fashion.
As Artemus Ward would have said, " This is sarkasm:"
From the Albany Evening Journal, July 23, 1879: "Some of the Troy papers have heard the usual monthly unfounded rumor that Gen. Carr is to be 'removed,' and are correspondingly indignant. Don't be alarmed, good Trojans. Keep cool. If it comes to the worst, you can send down your Citizens Corps and clean out the Tenth regiment, the Twenty-fifth, the Albany Burgesses Corps, the Albany Jackson Corps, the Fire Department and the Police Force, inside of fifteen minutes."
On Friday evening, the 25th July, 1879, a meeting was held at the Troy House for the purpose of organizing an old guard to be attached to the Citizens Corps as an auxiliary body. It was decided that those eligible to membership should be veteran soldiers of the war, hon- orably discharged members of National Guard who should have served their full term of enlistment, and former members of the Old Citizens Corps prior to its disbandment. The uniform afterwards adopted was similar to that of the Old Corps, viz : Invisible green, trimmed with black braid. The coats , chosen were double-breasted, with gilt bottons. There were also French chapeaus, black belts and regulation swords, with black scabbards. C. W. Tillinghast was chosen Presi- dent and W. E. Kisselburgh, Secretary.
The shooting match of the third division rifle associa- tion was held at Grand View Park, on the 18th of July. The 500 yards championship match was won by E. A. Burdett of the Troy Citizens Corps, J G. Zimmermann, Jr., being second and W. H Stillman third.
BRIGHTON.
The summer excursion this year was down the Hudson to Brighton Beach. The Corps left Troy Tuesday eve-
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
ning, August 19, on the City of Troy. They were ac- companied by Maj. Gen. Carr and staff, by the Old Guard, a number of honorary members and prominent citizens, and by Doring's Band. During the preliminary parade, and as the boat left Troy, a salute was fired from Starbuck's Island by Battery F. As the excursionists passed the residence of E. Thompson Gale at Greenbush, they were greeted with a display of fireworks; and a salute was fired from the summer home of Nelson Daven- port. Reaching New York at 7 o'clock Wednesday morn- ing, a large delegation from the Old Guard of that city were found waiting on the dock to receive the Trojan vis itors with " the honors of war." Escorted by the cour- teous soldiers, the Corps marched to the Gilsey House for breakfast, and, as one of the New York papers put it, " they attacked the viands bravely." Then re-embarking on the steamer Minnie Cornell, the company sailed at once for the beach. An extract from a New York paper of Thursday will tell the story from the point of view of a looker on :
" It was a special concert night at the Brighton, and the result was a crowd of large proportions. The afternoon audience was an im- mense one. Scattered about very thickly in the audience were over 100 gentlemen clad in natty uniforms of blue, with red-banded, peak- less caps, something like those worn in the English army. Inquiry proved that this dashing corps was the Troy Citizens Corps, an inde- pendent military organization, which holds the same relation to Troy that the Old Guard does to New York, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company does to Boston, or the Burgesses Corps to Albany. They were under the command of Capt. James W. Cusack, and Lieutenants LeGrand C. Cramer, James L. Thompson and Geo. D. Smith. The command mustered 90 men, and was accompanied by. Doring's full band, about twenty-five members of the Old Guard of the Corps, and fifty invited guests. It was a summer excursion, and, of course, the Troy boys, being bent upon a good time, came to Coney Island.
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