USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Troy > A history of the Troy citizens corps, Troy, N. Y > Part 7
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"They came down yesterday morning on the Troy boat, and were received by the Old Guard, of New York, who escorted them to the Gilsey House, where the command had breakfast. Then they took the boat Minnie Cornell to Coney Island, landing at the Iron Pier and marching thence to the Hotel Brighton, where they were quar- tered. The command was accompanied by Maj. Gen. J. B. Carr and his staff. At 5 o'clock last evening a dress parade and drill was held
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on the plaza in front of the hotel, and the company was reviewed by Maj. Gen. Carr. The troops presented a fine appearance, and their evolutions were marvelously well executed. They were fully equipped with arms and accontrements, and appeared in full dress uniform, which consists of scarlet coat, white trowsers, white cork helmet, and white cross belts. It is a very brilliant and dashing dress, and the command presented a very elegant appearance. Many of the rank and file are young men, and it is easy to see they are from the best society in Troy. To-day the Corps return to New York, where a re- ception will be tendered them by the Old Guard. The review last evening was witnessed by fully 10,000 people, and the Corps was heartily applauded."
After the dress parade and review the company was dismissed until Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, when the men again fell in and another dress parade was held in front of the Brighton Beach Hotel, at the urgent re- quest of members of the Old Guard and of many other military gentlemen who were present. The Trojans were then escorted to the iron pier, where a generous collation was tendered by the New York Old Guard. Then again embarking on the Minnie Cornell, the Corps left for New York, whence they immediately proceeded for Troy on the Saratoga.
The excursion was a most enjoyable one throughout, and all were especially pleased with the many courtesies and the unstinted hospitality received.
On the return of the Tibbits Veteran Corps from their excursion to Hartford, Conn., on the 30th of August, the Troy Citizens Corps turned out and gave them a rousing reception. This was no more than fitting as expressing the respect and hearty good comradeship entertained by the Citizens Corps for those gallant men.
At the fall meeting of the third division rifle associa- tion on the 9th of October, Sergeant W. H. Stillman and private J. G. Zimmermann, Jr. successfully maintained the honor of their company. In the four matches open to their competition, sergeant Stillman won in the first, over twenty competitors ; also in the second, against twelve competitors; in the third Stillman and Zimmermann were tied for the first place, among nineteen entries, the prize going to Zimmermann because his shots were thought a
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shade better ; and in the last, Stillman took the prize from six opponents. At the contest next day between teams from different organizations, the Troy Citizens Corps team captured the second prize, the first going to Whitehall. Our team consisted sergeant Stillman and privates Arnold, Hicks, Madden, Mason and Zimmer- mann.
Death first came to the active ranks of the new Corps on the 26th January, 1880, when private John W. Morse died after a very brief illness. The usual military honors were paid to the dead comrade, the Corps at- tending the funeral in a body, and a squad detailed for that purpose firing three volleys over the grave.
On the 16th January, 1880, Capt. Cusack and a delega- tion from the Corps attended the reception of the Old Guard in the Academy of Music, New York. These re- ceptions are famous for bringing together representatives from a large number of the crack Corps of the Country. On the night in question, the following commands were represented : Boston Tigers, Lancers, Independent Ca- dets, Amoskeag Veterans, Providence Light Infantry, Putnam Phalanx, New Haven Grays, the officers of the First Division N. G. S. N. Y., Seventh Regiment Veterans, Albany Burgesses Corps, Troy Citizens Corps, Utica Citizens Corps, State Fencibles and City Troop of Phila- delphia, Washington Light Infantry, of Charleston, S. C., Savannah Blues, Mobile Cadets, Clinch Rifles of Augusta, Ga., Fifth Maryland, of Baltimore, Norfolk Blues, Louisiana Grays of New Orleans, and others. The offi- cers of the army and navy stationed in the vicinity of New York, and members of the several diplomatic Corps, were also present at the festivities.
FUNERAL OF GEN. TIBBITS.
Gen. William B. Tibbits, a former member of the Corps, who had won a reputation as a gallant officer of Cavalry in the war of the rebellion, died at his home in Troy, Feb- ruary 10, 1880. The funeral services were such as were appropriate to his military rank and distinguished ser-
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vices. The Citizens Corps acted as escort to the re- mains, proceeding first to St. John's Church, where the religious exercises were held, and thence to Oakwood Cemetery. The funeral procession was large and im- posing, comprising, besides our Corps, the Tibbits Corps and Cadets, military friends of the deceased from abroad, veterans who had served under him, employees of the Wood Mowing Machine Co., and many others. It had been raining for some time, so that the streets, more especially in the upper part of the city, were in a terrible condition. The three Corps, however, waded patiently ' through the mud, and the rain seemed not to deter the throngs that crowded the sidewalks. At the cemetery the body was placed before the family vault, and, after prayer and benediction by the Rev. F. L. Norton, three volleys were fired by the Citizens Corps. The casket was then borne within the vault, and the soldier's funeral was ended.
On the evening of Sunday, the 16th of May, the Corps in uniform attended divine service at St. John's church, and listened to an eloquent sermon by their chaplain, the Rev. Frank L. Norton. At the request of the Corps the sermon was afterwards published.
DECORATION DAY IN NEW YORK.
Decoration Day, 1880, (on the 31st of May, as the 30th came on Sunday,) was observed in New York with elabo- rate ceremonies. At the invitation of the Old Guard, the Citizens Corps formed part of the procession in that city, uniting' with the Old Guard and the State Fencibles of Philadelphia in a red, white and blue division. The uniform of the Fencibles was blue and that of the Old Guard white. The Corps embarked for New York Sun- day evening in the steamer City of Troy, accompanied by the Old Guard of the Citizens Corps and by Doring's Band. The Tibbits Corps courteously escorted them to the boat. Arriving at about 7 o'clock, a committee from the New York Old Guard were found in waiting, and by them the company were escorted to the Gilsey House. After a bountiful breakfast, to which the men paid their
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respects with great zeal, the line of march was taken up for assigned place, where the usual amount of waiting was performed with great ability. The procession finally moving, the Corps was formed in two platoons, sixteen files front, and took its place in the line, preceded by Doring's Band and the Old Guard. The line of march was long, and the famed mud of New York abundant, and much like a very tough article of soap grease. Still the boys marched well enough to receive considerable applause from the long lines of spectators, and to be noticed with commendation by the Army and Navy Jour- nal, and other papers. The State Fencibles did some exceedingly good marching. After the parade was dis- missed the red, white and blue divisions were entertained by the Old Guard at the armory of the latter with characteristic hospitality. The return to Troy was made the same night, on the City of Troy.
The third annual parade of the Corps was held on the 15th of June, the Albany Zouave Cadets, (Co. A Tenth Regiment), being invited to participate. Both companies wore white helmets, belts and trowsers, the coats of the Troy Citizens Corps being scarlet, and those of the Al- bany Zouave Cadets blue. Doring's and Austin's Bands furnished music. After the line of march was completed, a dress parade was held in Washington Square, Capt. John H. Reynolds, of the Zouaves, acting as major. The proceedings of the day were closed by a spread at Har- mony Hall. Appropriate speeches were made by Cap- tains Reynolds and Cusack, and a general good time enjoyed by all. The Corps escorted their guests to the boat amid a blaze of Greek fire. The Cadets won golden opinions in Troy for their fine discipline and soldierly bearing.
Gen. Robert S. Oliver, Inspector General of the State, who inspected the Citizens Corps on June 21, returned the muster rolls of the command to Capt. Cusack a month later with the following endorsements : "Disci- pline, perfect ; drill, excellent ; equipment, excellent ; military appearance, excellent. An almost perfect or- ganization."
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From the Morning Telegram, February 17, 1881 : "The report of the Inspector General of the National Guard of the State of New York, which is embodied in the report of the Adjutant General of the State recently forwarded to army headquarters, contains among other statistics of interest to the members of the National Guard, a tabular statement of the standing and average attendance at parades, etc., of the military organization of the State.
"There are thirty-six separate companies of infantry, and the Sixth Separate Company, the Troy Citizens Corps, Captain James W. Cusack, stands the highest on the list, its standing being rated at 78, and the per cent. of attendance at 92. This is a record of which not only the members of the Citizens Corps should be proud, but the citi- zens of Troy as well."
Morning Telegram, February 18, 1881: "The Citizens Corps of this city not only stands No. 1 of the thirty-six separate companies, but it also stands No. 1 of all the companies in the national guard of this State."
In the list of separate companies, the Tibbits Corps ranked second, and the Tibbits Cadets fifteenth. Battery F stood fourth in the list of batteries.
It was at about this time that the reduction and re organization of the national guard of the State was begun, in accordance with the views of the Commander- in-Chief, Gov. Cornell. The number of men on the rolls was reduced from 20,000 to 13,000, by disbanding all organizations which were thought to be weak or in any way untrustworthy. Among those to suffer were the Tenth and Twenty-fifth Regiments of Albany. That the morale of the various companies in Troy was held in good repute at headquarters, was sufficiently shown by the fact that the official ax did not visit this city.
Decoration Day, 1881, was observed in Troy by a parade of the local military, veterans of the war, etc.
From the Troy Times, Friday, June 17, 1881. " The Citizens Corps, in white helmets, red coats and white trowsers, held its annual parade last evening. The Corps was under the command of that excellent military gentleman, Capt. J. W. Cusack, and numbered 104 men, in- cluding the old guard, with Lieut. Ingram commanding. The march- ing was superb, with movements by fours, double and single rank distances and "obliques." A passing review was given at the resi- dence of Maj. Gen. Carr. The final evolutions at Washington square were witnessed by many spectators. The movements of a skirmish drill were executed by the company for the first time in public. The
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precision with which the orders of Capt. Cusack were obeyed, and the celerity and grace with which the difficult manœuvres were performed, often evoked hearty applause. The Corps deployed as skirmishers by right and left flank, rallied by fours in circles, with loading and firing repeated three times, rallied by platoons with loading and fir- ing, marched by platoon front, formed a hollow square and deployed as skirmishers to the front. It was evident that a street mob would get cold comfort from the Citizens Corps. A dress parade was then held. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Lieut. Cramer, Lieut. Thompson acted as first lieutenant, Lieut. Smith as second lieutenant and First Sergeant Macdonald as adjutant of the battalion. The drill yesterday was the last of the season, but the company will participate in the general inspection on June 28. The Citizens Corps, which was reorganized in December, 1876, now numbers 112 enlisted men, and can safely challenge comparison with any other military body in the State."
The annual inspection of 1881 was held Tuesday, June 28, on Green Island. Owing to the serious illness of his wife, Capt. Cusack, for the first time since the formation of the company, was unable to be present at a parade. First Lieutenant LeGrand C. Cramer took the com- mand, Second Lieutenant James L. Thompson acting as First Lieutenant. The four companies, Citizens Corps, Tibbits Corps, Tibbits Cadets and Chadwick Guards of Cohoes, formed a battalion, under Capt. Chadwick, the senior captain present. Gen. Rodenburgh acted as in- spector, and was assisted by Lieut. Col. Vail of General Carr's staff. The Troy Citizens Corps turned out 89 men
On Wednesday, June 29, the Corps were called to sympathize with their captain in the loss of his estimable wife. Mrs. Cusack was a daughter of the late John B. Townsend. She was a faithful worshipper at St. John's church, and was beloved by all who knew her.
MONTREAL.
The Province of Quebec held a grand exhibition at Montreal in September, 1881 ; and partly to visit that, partly to see the Canadian city and vicinity, and in part also to make the better acquaintance of the Sixth Fusi- liers, between whom and our Corps various courtesies had already been interchanged, and who had cordially urged
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the visit, it was determined to make an excursion to Montreal. The plan was made to go on Monday, the 19th, attend the formal opening of the exposition on the 20th, and return Wednesday evening, the 21st. The Corps had no intention of invading Canada in a hostile manner, and permanent conquest of the country was cer- tainly far from their thoughts. It proved, however, about as formidable a task to get across the Dominion line with arms in their hands as if their foray had been met with the serried resistance of all the British regulars and Pro- vincial volunteers in the province. This is said in no spirit of depreciation of British valor, which our country- men have tested on too many stricken fields to doubt. It is meant merely as a somewhat adequate expression for the mighty power of red tape, in the apparently inter- minable coils of which the Corps was entangled at the outset. Captain Cusack applied for the requisite per- mission to Adjutant General Townsend, at Albany. He transferred the application to Secretary Blaine, who handed it to the representative of Great Britain, the Hon. V. Drummond, at Washington, who forwarded it to the Governor General of the Dominion. This gentleman consulted at once with the twelve members of the council, and they, on the recommendation of the Minister of De- fense, granted the desired permission. This permission then traveled back through the same channels in due form and with all possible decorum, until it reached its source at Troy, and then a great sigh of relief went up from nearly two hundred Yankee breasts. They were going.
The invading expedition comprised the Troy Citizens Corps, 81 men, Capt. James W. Cusack, commanding ; Maj. Gen. J. B. Carr and staff ; the Old Guard, and a large number of invited guests. It was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of a beautiful fall day that this force seized upon a Delaware and Hudson train at the Union depot, and rolled therefrom with their faces set toward the north star. As the train was a "special," good time was made so long as on American ground. A stop was made at Plattsburgh for supper. When the locomotive was
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changed on the sacred soil of Canada it was discovered that the engineer was highly endowed with prudence, and the rest of the trip was made at a correspondingly safe rate of speed. At St. John's the train was boarded by a delegation of welcome from Montreal, consisting of L. T. Hall of the Montreal Field Battery, Capt. J. B. Abbott of the Third Victoria Rifles, Dr. J. C. Cameron of the Sixth Fusiliers, and Lieut. Col. T. Lyman of the Montreal Volunteers. It was 1112 o'clock when the train rolled through the Victoria bridge and into Bonaventure station. A reception was expected, but no one had dreamed of a welcome so royal from military and civic authorities and from citizens as the Corps found on leaving the train. Nearly midnight as it was, fully 10,000 people were gathered around the station. At the west end of the platform were drawn up the Sixth Fusiliers, Lieut. Col. Gardner, a kilted company of the Fifth Fusiliers (Royal Scots), Capt. Robert Esdaile, and the Montreal Field Battery, Lieut. Col. A. A. Stevenson. These troops formed three sides of a hollow square, within which were His Worship Mayor Beaudry and Messrs. Henry Bulmer, President of the Permanent Exhibition Committee, Alex. McGibbon, President of the Citizens' Committee, M. H. Gault, M. P., M. P. Ryan, M. P., C. J. Coursol, M. P., J. J. Curran, Q. C., F. B. McNamee and others. Maj. Gen. Carr and staff stepped from the train and were in- troduced to the mayor and other citizens by Col. Steven- son, and were warmly received. The Corps then marched up to complete the square, Doring's Band and the Old Guard in advance. The Montreal bands struck up " Hail Columbia," and the vast throng raised three ring- ing cheers. Doring responded with "God Save the Queen," and the Corps closed up the square, advancing with flying colors, and were given full military honors.
The mayor now stepped forward and addressing the general, staff and corps, extended to them a hearty wel- come. The people of the United States, he said, are of the same race that compose the Canadian people, and no- where will they find a more sympathetic reception than
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in Montreal. He was certain he expressed the views of every citizen in saying that they were greatly honored by the visit of so prominent a body of men, and that the remembrance of the event would be another link which would unite the two people. It was a pleasant duty for him to extend to the Troy Citizens Corps, and to those accompanying them, the freedom of the city during their stay.
Capt. Cusack returned thanks in a few well-chosen words, and introduced Mr. B. H. Hall of Troy. That gentleman responded to the Mayor's speech with his ac- customed eloquence, closing with an earnest invocation for the Queen, the President of France and the President of the United States. The procession then moved down Bonaventure street, up Beaver Hall hill and along Dor- chester to the Windsor Hotel, where the Corps were to be quartered. The streets and windows were thronged with spectators. Fire works were sent up from Victoria and Dominion squares, and at the former place especially the sight was a beautiful one. The water from the foun- tain rose to the height of nearly 100 feet, flashing back the light from the numerous street lamps and windows from the colored fires and from the bursting rockets which showered down their flame.
At the doors of the Windsor the escort left their visi- tors, and the Corps marched into the great rotunda of the hotel. Here they came into line, and the band played British and American national airs, preparatory to dis- missal.
And now came the sad news which put an end. to all festivities. Colonel Kisselburgh whispered a moment to Capt. Cusack, and, receiving a brief answer, turned to the Corps and announced that a telegram had just been received with the tidings that President Garfield was dead.
In the afternoon, before leaving Troy, the word from Elberon was re-assuring, and no one of the party dreamed of the fatal end coming so soon.
For some moments there was silence, and then the command was dismissed, under waiting orders.
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Telegrams of inquiry were at once sent to Troy and Albany, and the answers which were soon received con- firmed the sad intelligence beyond any doubt. It was evident that the excursion was at an end, and that all the hospitable plans of the people of Montreal must be dropped. The Sixth Fusiliers had tendered the Corps an excursion for Tuesday morning down the Lachine rapids. The Allan steamship Parisian was then to be thrown open to inspection. At 2 o'clock P. M. the Corps were to form the escort of his honor the Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, at the formal opening of the Provincial exhibition. A hop at the Windsor for that night was also contem- plated, and various other pleasures were marked out for the remainder of the visit. It was plain that the resour- ces of Canadian haspitality were bountiful and it was not intended that the American visitors should discover their limits.
A meeting was at once organized, and the following action taken :
At a meeting of the officers and members of the Troy Citizens Corps of Troy, N. Y., Gen. Carr and staff, the Old Guard of the Corps, and the honorary members thereof, held at the Windsor Hotel, Montreal, on the morning of September 20, 1881, Charles W. Tillinghast was elected Chairman and William E. Kisselburgh, Sec- retary. On motion of Gen. Carr the chair was authorized to appoint a committee of five to draft resolutions ex- pressive of the sorrow of the Company at the death of his excellency, James A. Garfield, President of the United States, and the following were so appointed : Maj. Gen. J. B. Carr, the Hon. B. H. Hall, Capt. James W. Cusack, Col. Aaron Vail and Col. M. H. Burton. The committee were also instructed to report what action should be taken by the Corps in view of the calamity occasioned by the death of the President. The following resolu- tions being reported from the Committee were adopted unanimously :
" The intelligence of the death of James A. Garfield, the President of the United States, has reached us at this city, at an early hour of
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this day. We are here as the guests of the sixth fusiliers, of other military organizations, and of the city of Montreal. This sad event terminates the strong desire we have entertained to participate in the courteous manifestations of kindness which have been accorded us. In returning our most cordial thanks to the soldiers and citizens of Montreal for the kindness already shown us by them, and for the in- vitation given us to share other days of enjoyment, we express our deepest regret that our anticipations have been ended by a sorrow so great and a grief so poignant as that which has now overwhelmed us.
"From every part of the United States, from Canada, and from all portions of the civilized world, will be sent forth expressions of sorrow at the death of President Garfield. To these we join our own regrets, as sincere and as heartfelt as any that will be promulgated elsewhere by others. The great and noble character that he has maintained during so many years of public service, the excellence of his military career, the noble endurance that he has manifested during his pro- tracted illness, have endeared him to us all, and have won for him a place in the annals of our country by the side of its noblest patriots and rulers.
"In view of these circumstances it is resolved that we will return to our homes at the earliest practicable moment, bearing with us the kindest remembrance of the heartfelt courtesies that have been ex- tended to us in this city, and expressing our keen regret that they have been ended so suddenly by a grief so overpowering."
The following letter was also addressed to the citizens' committee of Montreal :
MONTREAL, September 20, 1881 .-- To the Chairman of the Citizens' Committee of Montreal -- DEAR SIR : At a meeting of the officers and members of the Troy Citizens Corps, Gen. Carr and staff, the Old Guard and honorary members of the Corps, held at the Windsor Hotel in the early morning of this day, it was unanimously resolved that, by reason of the death of James A. Garfield, the President of the United States, those who participate in this meeting and the Corps will return to their homes at the earliest practicable moment ; and further it was resolved that our warmest thanks be returned to the citizens of Montreal for the kindness already shown us, and for those in which we have been invited to share ; and that our keenest regret be made known that so sad an event has compelled us to forego so much anticipated enjoyment.
C. W. TILLINGHAST, President.
W. E. KISSELBURGH, Secretary.
The citizens of Montreal returned the following reply through their committee :
CITIZENS' COMMITTEE ROOMS, NO. 131 ST. JAMES STREET, MON- TREAL, September 20, 1881 .- C. W. Tillinghast, President Troy Citi-
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