USA > New York > Boots and saddles. A history of the first volunteer cavalry of the war, known as the First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, and also as the Sabre regiment. Its organization, campaigns and battles > Part 2
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Not content with seizing upon such Government prop- erty as was unprotected or abandoned by its traitorous defenders, South Carolina proceeded to attack a Gov- ernment fort in one of her harbors, defended by the now immortal Major Robert Anderson and his handful of brave and patriotic soldiers.
In the early dawn of the ever-memorable 12th of April, 1861, the Southern war-cloud suddenly burst over the devoted heads of Major Anderson and his men, in Charleston harbor, crushing Fort Sumter, which they then occupied, and compelling its evacuation; but the shock of those rebel guns also aroused the people of the North to a true sense of the situation and to the stern necessity of preparing for civil war.
" Up from the South the wild news came. " Far flashing on its wings of thame; " Swift as the boreal light which flies " At midnight through the startled skies- " SEMTER HAS FALLEN! SUMTER HAS FALLEN !"'
Very soon the North was ablaze with patriotic indig- nation, and, without distinction of party, resolved that
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the Union should be preserved and rebellion crushed out.
On the 15th of April President Lincoln called out 75,000 of the militia, for a period of three months, to enforce the laws and quell the insurrection, and, through- out the North, men of all ages, from the mere stripling to the man with hoary locks, hastened to the recruiting offices to enroll; while mothers, wives, sisters and sweethearts vied with each other in urging their loved ones to respond to the call of duty.
The following lines very aptly illustrate the senti- ments of the loyal people at that time :
"Lay down the axe, fling by the spade, Leave in its track the toiling plow; The rifle and the bayonet blade. For arms like your's are fitter now. And let the hands that ply the pen, Quit the light task, and learn to wield The horseman's crooked brand, and rein The charger on the battle field."
The levy was soon raised, but the cry was, " Still they come ! " and regiment after regiment of volunteers was organized, all over the North, in anticipation of their services being needed.
" And there was tumult in the air. The fife's shrill note, the drum's loud beat. And through the wide land everywhere, The answering tread of hurrying feet."
" And there was mounting in hot haste, the steed. The mustering squadron and the clattering car,
Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, And swiftly formed in the ranks of war."
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FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
CHAPTER II.
First efforts to raise volunteer cavalry-Ezra H. Bailey and others in New York city-William H. Boyd and others in Philadelphia-Carl Sehurz authorized to raise the first regiment-William H. Boyd au- thorized to raise the first troop-Account of the " Philadelphia Light Horse."
FROM the defiant attitude and gigantie preparations of the South, after the fall of Fort Sumter, it soon became evident that a great civil war was inevitable ; and that a large and well organized army would be required by the Government, if the Union was to be preserved. It is conceded by all modern writers on the subject of war, that a certain proportion of cavalry is indispensa- ble in every well organized army; but the President had neglected to call for any of that arm when he issued his call for the militia. The few regular cavalry possessed by the Government were scattered over the Western frontiers, in small detachments, watching the Indians, and could not well be spared from their posts to meet this new enemy in the field. It was natural to suppose, therefore, that some volunteer cavalry would be required. if the war was to go on, and, acting upon this supposi- tion, " Young America " began, in various parts of the North, to organize troops for that arm of the service, without waiting for authority from the Government.
On the 16th of April. the very next day after the President had issued his first call for troops, the follow- ing appeared in the New York Tribune :
" WANTED: A CAPTAIN OF CAVALRY."
" The Cavalry department of the Northern army is, without dount. the one most lacking in efficiency. To supply this flagrant need is the desire of several gentlemen of this city, two of whom have, in their handsomest manner, offered to supply horses and equipments for the
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first fifty volunteers, for a troop now forming, who shall be unable to mount and equip themselves. All that is needed now to effect an or- ganization is a competent leader, and to any one sufficiently well versed in tactics to command such a troop, a superb horse. half brother of the celebrated Pa'chen, and a full suit of regimentals, will be guaranteed. Those desirous of joining, will please call upon G. W. Richardson. No. 21 Maiden Lane."
Mr. Richardson had many callers in answer to this ad- vertisement, all anxious to know the full particulars concerning the contemplated cavalry organization ; and he found that he must either give up his business to at- tend to them or close his doors against them. In his flilemma he called upon a young friend, named Ezra II ... Bailey, and it was agreed between them to hire a hall and call a meeting. Accordingly they advertised a meeting to be held at No. 765 Broadway on the evening of the nineteenth.
When the time arrived they were gratified at finding about one hundred and fifty gentlemen present, and the meeting was organized with Mr. Richardson as chairman and Mr. Bailey as secretary Speeches were made by a number of those present, the greatest enthusiasm pre- vailed, and they resolved to raise a troop at once and offer their services to the Government.
In order to carry out the sentiments of the meeting a committee, consisting of Messrs. Richardson, Bailey and HI. B. Todd, was appointed to take charge of the movement until an organization could be effected.
A Mr. DeForest offered them the free use of his hall and garden, known as " Palace Garden," for recruiting purposes, which was gladly accepted ; and the next day a recruiting office was opened there, and duly published. In a few days enough men were secured to organize a troop, which so clated the projectors of the movement that they determined to raise a regiment.
FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
Among the moving spirits in the organization were Ezra H. Bailey, Alonzo W. Adams, Jenyns C. Bat- tersby (who had served in the English cavalry), Chas. HI. Ogle (a graduate of West Point), Joseph K. Stearns, Abraham Jones (who had served in the U. S. Dragoons), Thos. R. Levitt (son of the Editor of the N. Y. Indepen- dent), Daniel H. Harkins (a young actor), Henry B. Todd, Harry B. Hidden (brother-in-law to Win. Webb, the N. Y. Shipbuilder), Clifford Thompson (brother to "Doesticks,") and J. Howard Kitchen (afterward Colo- nel of the 6th N. Y. Artillery, and killed at Cedar Creek.)
Very soon these would-be cavalrymen found them- selves involved in a task which they had not dreamed of. Money was needed to feed the recruits and keep them to- gether, and the financial part of the undertaking became very burdensome. The gentlemen whose names are given above bore the expense out of their own private purses for several weeks, and tried hard to get some competent and influential man to take hold of the or- ganization and procure its acceptance by the Govern- ment; but none seemed willing to enter into a matter that required them to put their hands into their pockets. and which met with no favor from the ruling powers.
Finally some patriotic friends lent a helping hand and kept the ball rolling. Thus they were encouraged by personal friends and admirers, while the Government. that needed their services, frowned upon their every effort to raise cavalry for its defence.
In a short time enough recruits were obtained to war- rant the formation of four troops, when a temporary organization was deemed necessary. for the purpose of giving shape to the movement and to aid in recruiting.
There was a great stir among the numerous aspirants
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for military honors when this fact was announced, and many set to work canvassing among the men to secure their suffrages in the coming election for officers.
There was great commotion and much confusion when the night appointed for the election arrived, and the aspirants for office, each backed by a force of his friends and admirers, appeared in all their " war paint," ready for the fray. A judge and tellers were duly ap- pointed, after much loud talk, and the voting com- menced. Great was the anxiety of the candidates during the tedious process of depositing the ballots, and great was the excitement when the judge finally arose to an- nounce the results.
As the names of A. W. Adams, J. C. Battersby, D. HI. Harkins and Joseph K. Stearns were announced as the four captains, cheers and hisses were uttered in profusion by the opposing forces.
Then followed the names of E. H. Bailey. C. H. Ogle. Abraham Jones. Thomas R. Levitt and Harry B. Hidden, as lieutenants, which gave rise to another burst of mingled applause and hisses. Finally, order was restored, and the captains were called upon for speeches, upon which they promised " to lead their bold troopers to glory or the grave," and were duly applauded. F. LI. Bailey desired the position of quartermaster, and was duly appointed to act in that capacity.
After the election, several disappointed aspirants left the organization in disgust, but their loss was not inju- rious, and matters went on swimmingly without them.
Hon. Bayard Clark, then late a member of Congress, and formerly a Colonel in the U. S. Dragoons, went to Washington, at the earnest solicitation of the officers, to see about obtaining authority to organize the regiment
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
and bring it into the field ; but he met with no encour- agement. Then a Major Merrill, who had also served in the United States Dragoons, made an effort in the same direction, but with no better success.
Colonel May, of Mexican fame, was then invited to the coloneley by the officers, but he would accept noth- ing less than a brigadier's commission, and had to be stricken from the list.
It seems the Government did not want cavalry just then ; so things began to look " blue," and many gave it up in despair. Captain Eagle, of the United States Cavalry, then on recruiting service in New York city. encouraged the little party by his presence, and gave them some good advice. He also sent a non-commis- sioned officer to help instruct the men in drill and the various duties of cavalry soldiers. There is something about the wild dashing life of a trooper that attracts adventurous spirits and holds them by its charms, and this seems to have been the mysterious power that held this party together.
They had succeeded in filling up the four troops, but there they seemed to " stick." on account of the difficul- ties of getting into service. and it began to look as if the organization would have to disband or die a natural death. They heldl out, however, and became a potent element in the first regiment of volunteer cavalry, as the sequel will show.
The city of " Brotherly Love," where I then resided. was not to be outdone by "Gotham," and several cavalry organizations had been started there, with a view of teaching the Confederates that the doctrine of secos- sion was a fallacy, and the act of secession an impossi- bility.
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I had been a sergeant in the First United States Dra- goons, and had returned from California at the close of 1856, perfectly satisfied with my experience as a soldier, and willing to give up the business and settle down for life.
I thought I had bid a final adieu to "war's rude alarms," and should spend the remainder of my days in the peaceful pursuits of trade; but at the first sound of civil war I caught the infection, and resolved to buckle on the harness, once more, in defence of the Union.
While I was thinking over the matter an advertise- ment appeared in one of the daily papers, inquiring for a person competent to instruct a troop of cavalry in the United States tactics, and I immediately offered my ser- vices.
On the 26th of April two young gentlemen, named. respectively, Gilbert H. Newhall and Osgood Welsh. called in reply to my letter, stating that they repre- sented the "Philadelphia Light Horse," composed of young men from Germantown and vicinity, commanded by William Rotch Wister, Esq., of the Philadelphia Bar, and satisfactory arrangements were effected.
I met them next day, at the residence of Mr. G H. Newhall. near Germantown, a suburb of Philadelphia, where I found about a score of troopers ready to mount ; and after a few interchanges of civilities, I proceeded to put them through a preliminary drill, to see how they could ride and manage their horses. I found them ex- perts in those respect -.
They were all fine-looking young men, dressed in French cavalry uniform, wearing sabres and revolvers, and mounted on fine horses, with military equipments. On the Ist of May we took possession of an unused race-
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
course, at Chestnut Hill, near Germantown, with the unoc- cupied inn and stables attached, where we had ample ac- commodations for both men and horses, and the grounds were admirably adapted for a Cavalry School of Practice.
Discipline was observed in accordance with the United States Army. Regulations. The men slept on straw shake-downs on the floors of the inn; answered reveille roll-call at break of day ; groomed and fed their horses ; cleansed the stables and policed the barracks and grounds ; drilled on foot in the forenoons and mounted in the afternoons, and performed guard duty at night. Hundreds of ladies and gentlemen, in carriages and on horseback, came to witness the mounted drills, and we felt duly stimulated by their presence; the ladies waving their handkerchiefs and the gentlemen cheering when we performed any evolution which excited their admiration.
On a fine June day it was an animating sight to be- hold the grand stand filled to overflowing with young ladies, the elite of society, all elegantly attired in their gauze-like garments of pure white, or delicate pink or Mue, their beautiful faces radiant with pleasurable ex- citement. as they witnessed the dashing horsemanship of the gallant young troopers, riding at the " heads" in the ring, with sabre or pistol, or taking the " ditch or bar" at flying leaps. And, anon, charging in line across the fields; then ploying into column ; then deploying as skirmishers, firing blank cartridges as they advanced ; then charging as foragers, and rallying at full speed upon the reserve. We generally went through the sabre ex- arrive at open order. in front of the stand, so that the lelies might be enabled to watch the different individ- vals as they executed the euts, thrusts and parries, at the word of command.
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Upon such occasions young Walter S. Newhall was the observed of all observers. He had earned a National reputation as a cricketer, and during our exercises every eye was upon him. He was one of the best horsemen in the troop, and the way in which he controlled the fiery young charger that he rode was truly admirable; while the grace, strength and skill which he exhibited in the use of his sabre. never failed to elicit rounds of applause.
After drill it was usual for the troopers to act as es- corts to the young ladies on horseback : and the beauti- ful sylvan lanes, leading to and from the romantic banks of the Wissahickon, presented gay and lively scenes during those charming afternoons. And at night the old woods rang with pleasant echoes, as we strolled leisurely along the banks, bathed in the cooling waters, or rowed upon the silent and softly flowing stream. But these things were not to last.
Up to this time those engaged in the cavalry movc- ment were acting solely upon their own authority, as the Government had not given them the slightest encour- agement to hope that they would ever be called upon to " fight, bleed and die" for their country.
But the Government soon discovered that the war could not be carried on successfully with three-months' militia ; and also that a ferr mounted men would be ne- cessary. So a call was issued for a large force of volun- teers to serve for three years or during the war; and of this force one regiment was to be cavalry.
As this was to be the only regiment of volunteer cav- alry called into service (?) the following circular was is- sued. in order that all might have a share in the honors ; provided they were willing to pay for the privilege and save the government any expense in that behalf:
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May. 1, 1861. To the Governors of the several S'a'es, and all whom it may concern :
I have authorized Colonel Carl Schurz to raise and organize a volun- trer regiment of cavalry, For the purpose of rendering it as efficient as posible he is instructed to enlist principally such men as have served In the same arm before. The Government will provide the regiment with arms, but cannot provide the horses and equipments. For these tice saries we rely upon the patriotism of the States and the citizens, and for this purpose I take the liberty of requesting you to afford Colo- nel " S." your aid in the execution of this plan.
(Signe1) SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
This was the first regiment of volunteer cavalry duly authorized to be raised :
The government had at last sounded :
"BOOTS AND SADDLES,"
and " Young America" began in earnest to prepare for the fight.
Colonel Sehurz immediately set out for New York to begin the work of recruiting, but stopped at Philadelphia, on his way, when he heard of some gentlemen engaged in organizing a regiment of cavalry in that city known as "Chorman's Rangers." To these he made known his appointment. and invited them to join him: assuring them that no more volunteer cavalry would be called for or accepted by the Government. General Scott be- ing of opinion that the war would be of too short dura- tion to warrant the expense and time necessary to pre- pare them for efficient service. And that the nature of the probable field of operation ; was not adapted to the movements of large bodies of that arm.
These gentlemen listened respectfully. but declined to join Colonel Schurz, except William .H. Boyd. one of the lieutenants, to whom he gave authority to raise a troop for his regiment. This was the first troop of vol- unteer cavalry duly authorized to be raised. Colonel
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Schurz was desirous that Pennsylvania should raise a battalion, which would give her the right to a major, and also a voice in the appointment of the other field and staff officers of the regiment. In view of this, sev- eral gentleman undertook each to raise a troop, but did not succeed. Captain Boyd persevered, however, and, although the difficulties were great, he finally succeeded. of which we shall learn more fully hereafter.
On the 4th of May, the War Department issued Ger- eral Orders, No. 15, in reference to the organization of the three years' regiments. By that order, the men of " the cavalry regiment " were required to find their own horses and equipments, for which they were to receive fifty cents per day, (afterwards reduced to forty cents), but if a man lost his horse from any cause, he must furnish another, or serve on foot.(!)
A troop had to be presented to the mustering officer, completely organized, with a minimum aggregate of seventy-nine men, before a man could be mustered into service.(!) Hearing of these orders at Chestnut Hill, we exerted ourselves to fill up the troop, in order, if pos- sible, to be the first volunteer cavalry in the field And for the purpose of getting into this regiment. Captain Wister visited Washington to see the Secretary of War. The following note was received after his return :
WAR DEPARTMENT, June 14/h. 1961.
Captain WILLIAM ROTCH WISTER.
DEAR SIR :- This Department. I am instructed by the Secretary to say to you, will accept your light horse company, to be attached to the regiment of cavalry being formed to serve for three years or during the war, if ready to be so mustered, and will. in that event, furnish the holsters, pistols, and swords, but not the uniforms. her e- or equipment.
Very Respectfully. (Signed) J. P. SANDERSON, Chief Clerk.
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
This did not help us, as seventy-nine men had still to be presented, all able and willing to comply with Gene- ral Orders, No. 15, before we could be mustered into ser- vice. It was arranged that William Rotch Wister should be captain, W. P. C. Treichel first lieutenant, and myself second lieutenant. The troop presented me with a suit of uniform, together with sabre, belts and spurs ; also a navy revolver and full set of regulation Horse-equipments.
We rode all over the country, among the farmers' sons, in quest of recruits, and visited the towns and vil- lages in several counties adjoining Philadelphia, where we heard of mounted "Home Guards." to see if we could induce any of them to join us. Our gay uniforms, flashing sabres and prancing chargers were universally admired, and many patriotic young men would fain have joined us, but the conditions imposed by the Gov- ermment were thought too hard to be complied with. Captain Wister and others of the troop visited Reading to see if Captain Sydenham Ancona's troop, whose head- quarters were at that place, could be induced to join us; but they declined. We next visited Captain Shel- meyer's troop, at Shelmeyer's Mills, about ten miles from our quarters ; and they also declined.
There was another troop, composed of farmers' sons, known as the "Wissahickon Cavalry," commanded by Captain S. W. Comly, whose headquarters were at White Marsh, some three miles from our quarters, and their captain invited us to pay them a visit. Accordingly, we et out one morning, and, on arriving at the designated place, were received by Comly's troop with due military honors. The two troops were then drilled as a squad- ron. after which we all sat down to a bountiful repast provided by Captain Comly.
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Several of these young men joined Wister's troop, and others promised to do so, which greatly encouraged Captain Wister and his men, I may say here that Cap- tain Comly and his troop turned out, in 1863, during the Gettysburg emergency, and were mustered into the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, where they rendered valuable services, their captain rising to the rank of ma- jor in the regiment before being mustered out at the end of their six months' term.
During our sojourn at Chestnut Hill we were invited to all the "flag-raisings" (which were very numerous) within a radius of twenty miles; and our gay young troopers were the "observed of all observers," especially on the part of the fair sex, who always attended in great numbers. We occasionally gave exhibition drills, for the purpose of exciting the young men present to join us ; and as nothing of the kind had ever been seen by the people of those parts, our horsemanship and man- œuvres elicited unbounded applause. The young troopers would frequently electrify the assemblage with a stirring chorus or patriotic song; after which we were sure to have a large increase of visitors at the barracks.
Occasionally the troop gave a "hop." which was al- ways a success, and many a gay flirtation took place on those occasions. We had a piano at the barracks, and nearly every member of the troop knew how to perform, so there was no lack of good music.
While we all enjoyed those patriotic and convivial oc- casions, we were not unmindful that we had organized for a sterner purpose. Captain Wister had become very proficient in drill, knowing how to handle the troop to the entire satisfaction of all, and we were becoming im patient to get into service. Every effort was put forth
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to fill the troop to the required standard, but to no pur- pose, and it was finally determined to disband; every man signifying his determination to get into service as best he could, and soon as he could. Accordingly, on the 30th of June, we bade each other farewell, and re- turned to our homes in order to seek service under the Government in whatever capacity she might be willing to receive us.
These young men had obtained great proficiency in horsemanship and drill, being able to go through all the troop movements at a gallop, and ride over a twelve fect ditch or a five feet hurdle at a flying leap, with sabres drawn. They also thoroughly understood the use of the sabre and revolver.
They were chagrined at not getting into service as a troop, and some even thought that the two months spent at Chestnut Hill were only so much time wastel; but there is a maxim which says : " No time is lost in stop- ping to whet your scythe." And so it proved. The Government soon after called out a large force of vol- unteer cavalry, and those young men were then sought after to help organize and drill the new regiments.
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