USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Troy > A history of the Troy citizens corps, Troy, N. Y > Part 9
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The return home was enlivened by the reception at St. Albans. The Corps debarked at that place for sup- per, and found the Ransom Guards drawn up at the station, with their excellent band. Escorted by these, line of march was taken up for the Welden House. When the party were fairly seated, the band of the Guards, which had unnoticed taken post on the piazza, struck up a lively air. This agreeable serenade was kept up through- out the meal. The Guards themselves with towels in their belts and effervescent weapons in their hands, mean- while opened on the Corps a lively fusilade of popping corks and fizzing liquids. This was closed by a parting volley of cigars. Captains Cusack and Stranahan, on behalf of their respective organizations, formally ex- changed kind words, and the Troy company finally started from the depot under a hailstorm of good wishes, and regretting the brevity of the visit to St. Albans. This little episode was by far the pleasantest part of the entire trip. The genial and whole hearted Ransom Guards by their delicate courtesies won a choice place in the recol- lections of the Corps.
The railroading on the way to Troy was a series of delays. Hot boxes attacked in succession each of the various cars of the excursion, and hour after hour was spent in cooling them off. At each stop the boys poured from the train, and enlivened the night by college songs, stag dances and ludicrous parades.
Meantime in Troy a large crowd packed the Union depot and all its approaches, waiting to receive the wan- derers. It was supposed that they would reach home at 8:15, and the Tibbits Veteran Corps had prepared a most elaborate welcome for their comrades in arms. But the
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
time slipped by and no excursionists. Nine, ten and eleven o'clock came, and no train. And to add to the cheering spirits which usually accompany delay, the skies were lowering, and rain seemed just ready to put another veto on the Citizens Corps. But at last at 11:20 the long-expected train rolled into the depot, amid the thunder of cannon fired by the Fourth Battery, the glare of Greek fire and the cheers of the assembled thousands. The Veteran Corps were drawn up on Broadway and sa- luted their friends as they passed. The Citizens Corps then halted, the Veterans moved to the front, and a mid- night march was made over the prescribed line. Fire- works and colored lights blazed on every street, church bells rang joyous peals, houses were illuminated and draped with flags, and a multitude of friends gave a hearty welcome. At Seminary Park the troops were halted and witnessed an elaborate display of pyrotechnics, pro- vided by the Tibbits Corps. At this time a drizzling rain began, which dampened both the people and their enthusiasm, and as the line of march was resumed the crowds gradually melted away. In the smaller edition of Harmony hall, the two companies stacked arms and laid off their accoutrements. The visitors were then escorted to the main hall, where an elegant collation was spread. Seats were provided for 280 persons, and soon each was occupied. After full justice had been done to the creature comforts, addresses of welcome were made by Captain Hunt and Captain Egolf. Three hearty cheers were then given by the Corps for their gallant entertainers, and the pleasant company broke up. The Veterans had shown their mettle in war by honor- able service on the field of battle. They showed by their magnificent reception of the Citizens Corps, as they had shown before, that they are not easily surpassed in the arts of peace.
In the still, small hours, ranks were broken at the armory, and the members of the Troy Citizens Corps scattered to their several homes. They were contented.
On the 28th of October, the Tibbits Veteran Corps re-
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
turned from a few days' trip to Philadelphia, at which city they attended the ceremonies of the bi-centennial celebration. They were received on arriving in Troy and escorted to their armory by the Citizens Corps. No attempt was made to rival the grand reception which had been tendered by the veterans the month before. That was generally conceded to be unapproachable. But soldierly courtesies were extended, in token of the good feeling which existed between the two organiza- tions.
From the Albany Argus, Sunday morning, October 29, 1882 : "The annual inspection, muster and review of the Troy Citizens Corps on the 27th inst., was a brilliant success, and among the many who wit- nessed were not a few Albanians. The strength of the command was shown to be 103. At the conclusion of the inspection Gen. Oliver stepped to the front, and, addressing the officers and members of the Citizens Corps, said that it was not customary for an inspecting officer to compliment a command, but the company he had just in- spected had shown such remarkable proficiency in drill, and had per- formed their duty in such a soldierly manner, that he felt it his duty as inspector general of the State of New York to compliment the men and also Capt. Cusack for their proficiency as a military company, ranking equal to any organization in the National Guard or to any company of the regular army that he had seen." * * *
Inspector General Oliver's annual report for 1882 made the following references to the Troy Citizens Corps :
"Sixth Separate Company (Citizens Corps), Troy: Standing 82 ; average percentage present, 84 ; military appearance, excellent ; guard duty, good; manual, excellent ; military courtesy, good ; school of company, excellent ; ceremonies, excellent ; accoutrements and equipments, condition and adjustment, excellent ; clothing, condition worn, adjustment excellent. The command is composed of the very best young citizens of the city. *
* * The Twenty-second Regi- ment, of New York, has the honor of standing first in merit among regiments-namely, 75. The Sixth Separate Company, of Troy, first among companies, 82."
From the Daily Telegram, January 10, 1883-" Ninety-three officers and men of the Citizens Corps were in line last evening at the armory. The company wore blue uniforms, helmets and spikes, scales and black body belts, and presented a very fine appearance. A large number of ladies and gentlemen were present by invitation, including a delegation from the Citizens Corps of Saratoga and military men from New York and Brooklyn. The occasion for this unusual gather-
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
ing was the presentation of the marksmen's badges which were won by member of the Corps at the rifle shoot some time since. The badges, fifty-six in number, were presented to as many soldiers by Col. F. N. Mann, president of the company. After the presentation, Capt. Cusack drilled the men in company movements, deploying as skirmishers in skirmish practice, and in rifle drill, in all three of which the company excel. The Corps certainly never did better than at last night's drill. The utmost satisfaction was felt by the friends of the Corps, and words of commendation fell from the lips of the several visiting military men present. The evening's exhibition concluded with a dress parade. Lieut. Geo. D. Smith acted as captain of the first company, Sergt. William H. Shields captain of the second, First Sergt. William J. Macdonald as adjutant, and Capt. Cusack as colonel of the regiment. At the conclusion of the dress parade and other exercises the applause was general. The company points with pride to its record. It now stands number 18 among the 127 companies in the State in rifle practice, and is first in company movements, march- ing, rifle drill, and the other particulars which are regarded as cri- terions of perfection in military tactics. Troy should certainly feel proud of the Citizens Corps."
From the Troy Times, January 31, 1883: "The armory of the national guard was the scene of a very brilliant assembly of repre- sentative citizens and visitors, civil and military, which met last eve- ning in response to invitations to witness the first drill for the season of the Troy Citizens Corps, Capt. J. W. Cusack, commanding. The hall was beautifully decorated with flags and military emblems, the com- pany flags of the Tibbits Corps and Citizens Corps being conspicuous objects. Doring's Orchestra inspired the feet of the many dancers who crowded the floor after the company drill. Among the guests who were present were Commodore Price of the navy, Col. Alfred Mordecai, Capt. Clifford and Lieut. Gordon, of the Watervliet arsenal, Gen. J. B. Carr and staff, Gen. J. B. Stonehouse, Col. John S. McEwan and Col. Fred. Phisterer of the adjutant-general's office, Col. E. L. Gaul of the Old Guard of New York, representatives of the Albany military, Revs. T. A. Snively, Horace Brooks, Donald MacGregor and William H. Fish, and the following members of the legislature : The Hon. Thomas E. Benedict of Ulster; the Hon. Elbert O. Farrar of Onondaga; the Hon. Charles J. Henry of Kings; the Hon. William J. Thomson of Jefferson; the Hon. Thomas V. Welch of Niagara; the Hon. Myron B. Ferris of Tioga; the Hon. George Z. Erwin of St. Lawrence; the Hon. William T. O'Neil of Franklin; The Hon. Oscar H. Price of Chautauqua and the Hon. Richard A. Derrick of Rensse- laer.
The Albany Press and Knickerbocker, whose representative, Major MacFarlane, was present, speaks in the following handsome manner of the drill: "At 8 o'clock, by order, the company was in line in
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
quarters. At 8:15 o'clock line was formed in the drill room, and Sergt. Will Macdonald with his characteristic skill called the roll, which is done so systematically as to cause an assembly clerk to blush. The company was then turned over to Capt. Cusack and the drill inaugu- rated. Marching in column, by sections and company, obliquing, forming in column by sections on the right and left, left and right front into line from sections, right into line and other movements, were executed with clock-work precision. The skirmish drill was a feature of the evening, and in its execution the Corps did itself credit, deserving the applause so lavishly bestowed. The manual was exe -- cuted in faultless style, every man moving as if by machinery. As a whole, the drill was one that causes a man who loves soldierly bearing and precision to feel proud of the exhibition. The Citizens Corps of Troy justly deserves the title of a model organization, and we con- gratulate Capt. Cusack upon the high state of proficiency to which he has brought his command."
A bill for a new armory for the Troy companies of the national guard was introduced into the legislature of 1883, early in the session, and passed both houses with- out difficulty. Gov. Cleveland signed it on the 15th of March, to the great delight of the Troy military. The bill appropriated $75,000, not more than $30,000 of which were to be expended for a site. This sum was afterwards increased by $7,000, appropriated by the county. The place chosen was the International Hotel property, on the southeast corner of River and Ferry streets, with adjoin- ing lots, having a frontage of 125 feet on Ferry street and 150 feet on River street.
The second and last reception of the Corps for the season was held at the state armory, Tuesday evening, March 27. No pains were spared to make the event a memorable one. A description of the arrangements of the room we quote from the Times of the 27th :
"The Troy Citizens Corps will receive Gov. Cleveland and its other invited guests to-night, in a room that will be as bright and beautiful as the decoration of banners and burnished arms and grace- fully arranged insignia of war can make it. A new face has been put on the armory drill rooms in honor of the occasion, and the walls will fairly blaze with ornaments. Flags of all nations are disposed along the sides of the room, and banners surmount and flank badges and other military emblems. The walls are studded with large counter- parts, carved in wood, painted, gilded and lettered, of the badges of
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
the different companies to be present. There are badges, backed by crossed flags, of the Citizens Corps, the Tibbits Veteran Corps, the Tibbits Cadets, the Albany Zouave Cadets, Company K, 7th Regi- ment of New York, the Ransom Guards of St. Albans, Victoria Rifles of Montreal, the Old Guard of New York and others. Intermingled with the badges are knapsacks of the companies, each lettered with the initials and surmounted by one of the dress hats of the organiza- tion. On the south wall is the painted legend, "Welcome to the Old Guard of New York," which bears the badges of the welcoming and the welcomed company. There are several placques bearing the Citi- zens Corps badge. At intervals groups of sabres are mounted on a back ground of silver and red, making a pretty effect. Mirrors on each wall will reflect the radiance of the occasion. A battery field piece will be an impassive bystander at one end of the room. The Corps pin, surmounted by that of the Old Guard of New York, is a prominent decoration. The band-stand is enclosed by a unique rail- ing of crossed sabres. Stacks of guns with guidons mark the space reserved for the invited military guests."
From the Times of Wednesday, 28th : "The Citizens Corps recep- tion last night, combining as it did the attractions of social elegance, military glory and skill, and the presence of distinguished officers of state, was one of the most brilliant events of the kind that ever oc- curred in this city. The handsomely decorated drill room at the armory was crowded by 8 o'clock with a select assemblage of citizens and guests from out of town. Shortly after that hour Gov. Cleveland arrived, accompanied by Adj. Gen. Farnsworth, Inspector Gen. Briggs, Brig. Gen. Oliver and others. These distinguished officers, with Maj. Gen. Carr and staff, watched with great interest the drill and dress parade of the Corps. After the military evolutions, dancing was con- tinued until 11 o'clock. After the dancing had begun, Gov. Cleveland left the room to accept the hospitality of the Hon. C. E. Patterson.
THE DRILL.
"The military gentlemen present, though prepared in a measure for an exhibition of unusual proficiency in company movements and the manual of arms, from the last two reports of the Inspector General, which placed the Citizens Corps first in the national guard organiza- tions of the State of New York, were surprised and delighted with the drilling of Troy's crack command, and frequent hearty applause at- tested the appreciation of the spectators of the performance of Capt. J. W. Cusack, his officers and men. Gov. Cleveland was so pleased with the exhibition that he indicated his pleasure by applauding several of the company's evolutions. A distinguished army officer declared he believed the Troy Citizens Corps was not only the best national guard organization in the country, but certainly was the equal, if not the surperior, of any company in the regular army. Praise like this
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cannot be otherwise than exceedingly gratifying not only to the officers and members of the Corps, but to Trojans as well, who evince such a lively interest in their worthy military organization. After Maj. Gen. J. B. Carr, accompanied by his full staff, had reviewed the commands, a dress parade was held, with Lieut. James L. Thompson acting as adjutant of the battalion. It is needless to speak of the accuracy with which the men performed the manual of arms, or the perfect dress preserved in marching and wheeling, for it is well know that the Troy Citizens Corps always do well on every occasion, and more es- pecially is this true of such an event as the reception last evening.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
"Among the distinguished guests besides Gov. Cleveland, were Maj. Gen. J. B. Carr and staff, Maj. Gen. Farnsworth, adjutant-general of the State, Brig. Gen. Briggs and Col. Tilden, of the governor's staff, Brig. Gen. J. B. Stonehouse and Col. Jno. S. McEwan, assistant adjutant generals; Brig. Gen. R. S. Oliver of Albany, and Major LeGrand C. Tibbits of the Fifth brigade staff; Lieut. Col. A. Mordecai, Capt. D. J. Young, Capt. A. L. Varney, Capt. J. C. Clifford, Lieut. W. B. Gordon, U. S. A., stationed at Watervliet arsenal; Senators Lansing, Jacobs, MacArthur and Browning; Assemblymen Derrick and Sweet; Geo. W. Skelton of New York, and other members of the Old Guard. In addition Captains Egolf, Steenberg, Cole and Chadwick, and officers of their commands, and many of our prominent citizens were present.
THE COLLATION.
"At 11 o'clock the visiting military were entertained at a collation given them by the Citizens Corps at the Troy House. The spread was simply delightful, and embraced not only the substantials, but such delicious and toothsome delicaces as strawberries from the sunny south. Capt. R. W. Hunt, whose graceful wit and ready tact make him indispensable on such occasions, took charge of the intellectual repast, and under his inspiration many good things were said and sung by the company. * The entire affair was handsomely conceived and carried out, and was a most charming close to the 1883 receptions of the Citizens Corps."
On the 5th of May, E. Coleman Webb, the devoted choir-master of St. Paul's church, and a member of the Corps, died at his home in Virginia. On the afternoon of Sunday, May 20, a memorial service was held in St. Paul's. The Corps attended in uniform, about 90 strong. The Rev. Dr. Harison made a short address, and read the action of the vestry. The services were very im- pressive, and bore witness to the loving memory in which
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James H. Lloyd, Protographer,
Handy
Sullivan, Arthur W. Mackie. Corporal Frank W.
89. Thomas, Frank ". 40. Harden, Chas, H
41. English, Lawren : A. 42. Hofroyd, Geo. E. 48. McKallor, Chas, 44. Russell, Marcus I). 45. Burdett, Edward A. 46. Morrison, Leon -d 47. Harrington, Jos oh H. 48. Arnold, G. Walt 49. Gale, Edward Courtland 50. McCoy, Corpor. Percy B. 51. Douglas, Edwar ! A. 52. Templeton, Gec A. 53. Cox, Edgar W. 54. Wheeler, Geo. I. 55. Van Zile, Wm. H 56. Clark, Warren { 57. Raymond, Lewi. W.
58. Powell, Geo. B. 59. Saxe, Wm. A. 60. Earl, Wm. S .* 61. Curtis, Samuel G. 62. Wyley, Wm. J. 69. Torrance, James R 61. Sherrerd, John M. 6% Sheldon, Geo. H. 66. Holley, S. Frank 67. Getman. Timothy W .* 68. Lloyd, James H. 69. Steenberg, Walter S. 70. Burton, Casper V. W. 71. Drake, Chas. F. 72. Griswold, Frank B. 78. Van Santvoord, V. Prest. Seymour 74. Burden, Howard H. 75 Lec, George H.
76. Robertson, Gilbert D.
77. MacArthur, Arthur 78. Miller, Joseph E. 70. Church, Chas, N. 80. Brown, Milton P. 81. Inwood, George R2. Avery, Fred. W. 89. Smith, Wm. H .* 84. Hydorn, J. Bartlett 85. Handy, Co. Clerk Isaac F. 88, Hicks, Corporal Horace L. 87. Collins, George R. 88. Judson, Harry P. 89. Potter, Jr., Wm. H. 90. Caswell, Sergt. Herbert M. 91. Tyler, Corporal Charles H. 92. Brintnalf, Charles S. 93. Stover, Edward R. 94. Hyde, George F. 95. Krum, Jr., Franklin
90. Frear. Edwin A. 97. Harrington, Arvin W. 99. Schuyler, Henry P .* 99. Kelly, Wm John 100. Hunt, Robert W.+ 10[. McLean, Le Roy." 102. Hall, Derick L. 163. Smith. Samuel D 104. Carr, Corporal William G. 105. Squires, Robert 106. Bridges, Corporal Wm. R. 107. Mann, Herbert R. 108. Brewster, Fred. C. 100. Kemp, Jr., William 110. Chapin, James C. 111. French, George L. 119. Wilkinson. Jr., Joseph B. 119. Hislop, Thomas W. 114. Whiton, Walter L.
115. Morse. Philip A. 116. Ross. E. Ogden 117. Kellum Charles D .* 118 Gay, Willard F. 119. Knickerbocker, Charles E. 120. Vosburgh, Charles C. 121. McCarthy, james F. 192. Davis, Secretary Charles M. 129. Ingram, Orange S .*
194. Everett, Sergt. Edward L. 125. Cragin, Irving F. 196. Hoyt, Thomas S. 197. Vanderheyden, Treas. Philip F .* 124. Tupper, Sd Lieut. John H.
129. Macdonald, 1st Sergt. William J. 180. Fursman, James C. 131, Buell, Fred. F 192. Farnham, Charles 138. Norton, Rowland S. 184. Cleminshaw. Charles G.
135. Wotkyns, Tom S. 186. Tillinghast, 2d Corp. Charles W. 137. Tappen, Charles J. 138. Mann, Q. M. Sergt. Elias P. 139. Baermann, Palmer H. 143. 149. 140. Thompson, E. Ray 141. French, Samuel D .* Kisselburgh, W'm. E .* Shields, Sergt. Wm. H. 144. Mason, William P.
147 145. Smith, Od Lieut George D. 146. Russell, John L .* Barnes, William H 148. Mann. Jr., Prest. Francis N. 149. Murray, Edward F.
150. Schuyfer, Asst. Sur. Clarkson C 151. Thompson, Ist Lieut. Jas, L. 159. Stillman. 1st Sergt. Wait H. 153. Virgil. Ebenezer H .* 154. Vail, Ex-1st Lieut. Ezra R .*
155. Cramer. Ex-1st Lieut. LeGrand C 158. Cusack. Captain James W.
Wales, Philip M. Thompson, Chas. E. . Wrisley, Wells H. Horton. Wm. H. . Webb, E. Coleman Lobdell, Archie S. Morse, John W. D Strait, E. Smith 1. Benson, Robert C.
Van Schoonhoven, Lansing Getty, James F.
Thompson, Hobart W. Williams, John F.
Wells, Joseph A.
Comstock, Fred. C.
Norton, Corporal Frank E.
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No. 44 Third Street, Troy, N. Y.
KEY TO PHOTOGRAPH OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
20. Smith, Corporal Henry T. 21. Manning. John G. 22. Newell, Chas. A. 23 Thompson. John E. 24. Halladay, Horatio H .* 25. Barker, William+ 26. Ashley, James F 27 Reynolds, John H .* 28. Church, Andrew M .* 29. Winne, Jr., Wm. C .* 30. Gilbert, William E .* 81. Cross, Thomas C. 82. Lobdell, George 83. Walker, Wm. W 84. MacLean, Wm. B. 85. White, Chas. A. 86. Marshall, Edwin T. 87. Otis, George H .* 88. McClelian, Sam'I P.
157. King, Edwin .A. 158. Waters, Cbas. V. 139. Foster, Samuel 160. Townsend, Jr., Rufus M. 161. Buell. Sergt. Wm. C. 152. Madden, Corporal W'm. B. 169. Vail, Thomas 164. Boughton. Edward H. 165. Spalding, Rowland A. 166. Burden, Sergt. Joseph W. 167. Alden, Harry M. 10. Blake. Frederick 169. Thiessen, W'm. M. 170. Griswold, John Wool 171. Zimmermann, Jr., J. Godfrey 172. Green, Edward M. To complete Groupe.
x Members of Old Guard.
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
Mr. Webb was held by his associates, both in the church and in the Corps.
On Thursday, June 7, the Troy Citizens Corps pro- ceeded to Albany, at the invitation of the Albany Zouave Cadets, to participate in the annual parade of that or- ganization. Notwithstanding a generous quantity of rain the program was carried out, including a street parade and a dress parade in Washington park. The Ca- dets then escorted their guests to the hall of the new public market, where an elegant collation was served.
On Wednesday evening, June 20, the Corps made their annual parade for 1883, ninety-three strong. The uni- form was white helmets and trowsers and red coats. Rain fell in copious showers, but did not prevent the usual skirmish drill and dress parade in Washington square.
CAMP AT PEEKSKILL-1883.
In 1882 the state military authorities secured near Peekskill, on the bank of the Hudson, a suitable portion of ground for a camp of instruction. Here various or- ganizations of the national guard were assembled in that year, and carefully trained in all the duties of camp life. It was found that the resulting improvement was not only what was learned during the week on the ground, but also the impetus which was given to the desire to excel in the regular work at home. The increase in the efficiency of the guard was of incalculable value.
In July, 1883, it came the turn of the Citizens Corps to do a week's duty at the camp. Preparations were made with the usual care, and on the 14th of July the com- mand embarked on the steamer Belle Horton with high anticipations. How those anticipations were realized may as well be told in the words of one of the news- paper correspondents, who had a share in the events narrated.
Special dispatch to the Troy Observer : "Steamer Belle Horton, Saturday, July 14. At 8 o'clock this morning the Citizens Corps, eighty-five officers and men, marched on board this trim craft for the voyage to Peekskill. The men wore knapsack, haversack and canteen, and had the air of preparation for an arduous campaign.
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HISTORY OF TROY CITIZENS CORPS.
An avalanche of valises had preceded to the boat, and it was evi- dent that the boys meant to take a large piece of civilization to the wilds of the state camp.
"The gallant Captain Cusack was in command, and his air of stern determination showed that he fully realized the weight of responsi- bility resting on his shoulders. The military honor of Troy was in his keeping, and he meant it to suffer no loss. Promptly the hawser was cast off, and amid the cheers of a crowd of friends on the dock, these Trojan argonauts of later times set out in pursuit of so much of the golden fleece reputation as Peekskill might afford. The day has been superb, and the sail down the ever beautiful Hudson replete with sights of unvarying interest. I need not describe the Hudson for any Trojan reader, Other rivers are longer and deeper, and bigger every way, but one must travel far to find one more lovely in scenery. On reaching the Highlands all eyes were bent on the wonderful cuttings of the West Shore railroad. This road is a genuine triumph of engineering skill. It makes possible the impossible, and shows that the limits of human endeavor are receed- ing fast. Gangs of Italians here and there were yet at work, and long trains awoke the valleys of the western Highlands with the. unwonted sound of the locomotive whistle.
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