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 4
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The ill feeling grew apace, and one thing brought on another, till one day there were sounds of war in the usually quiet precincts of Elm Park. A lager beer saloon, close by, was the focus of the excitement, and the representatives from Germany, Hungary, Prussia, Austria and Poland were in a perfect frenzy.
Men and officers were seen buckling on their sabres and pistols, and hastening to the scene of the uproar, and soon there was a regular pitched battle going on be- tween the rival parties, who each claimed " Lincoln" as their patron. To any one not acquainted with German demonstrativeness the scene would have been appalling. as the noise was terrific ; but the " beer was nearly all froth," and not much harm was done after all. To be sure several Teutons on both sides were slightly wounded, and there was a lively foot race, as our Germans demor- alized their enemies and pursued them across the fields into their own camp. This was the first battle in which our regiment participated, and victory had perched . on our banners, which was regarded as a good omen.
I will now have to leave the New York boys for a while, and pay a visit to Captain Boyd at Philadelphia.
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
CHAPTER IV.
Captain Boyd's troop mustered in-Arrival a: Washington-Skalkers from Bull Run-Camp Meigs-Off for Dixie-First Charge by Vol- unteer Cavalry-The "chivalry" put to flight-First cavalryman killed in the war-General MecleHan compliments Captain Boyd and his men-The New York companies arrive at Washington- Organization of the Field and Staff-List of the Officers.
0 N the first of July. 1861. Captain Boyd, with a squad of his men, took possession of the bar- racks at Chestnut Hill, which had just been vacated by the " Philadelphia Light Horse." He had recruited over three hundred men, during the months of May and June, and had spent nearly all his ready means in defray- ing their expenses. They would stay with him for days. and sometimes for weeks, living at his expense, and then, tired of waiting. they would slip off and join some infantry regiment about to be mustered into service.
He had secured quite a number of trustworthy and Patriotic young men, however, who remained at their own homes, awaiting such time as he should call for them : and feeling confident that the Government would soon be compelled to employ cavalry, and find horses for them too. he persevered.
He had not long to wait, for on the 10th of July an order was issued from the War Office, directing the proper departments to furnish horses and equipments to companies of volunteer cavalry as fast as mustered into service : and then we knew that Mr. Cameron, the Sec- rotary of War, had . wilted."
General MeDowell was about to move upon the enemy att Bull Run, and required that some cavalry should be furnished him : hence the order.
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New life was thus infused into recruiting for that arm of the service, and-
" Boot, saddle, to horse and away !"
was the word in every mouth.
I united with Captain E. S. Jones to raise a troop for the First Kentucky Cavalry, afterwards known as the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, assisted by C. F. Gillies, who had served with me, as a sergeant, in the First United States Dragoons, in California; but in a day or two afterwards I was waited upon by Captain Boyd, to see if I would accept the second lieutenancy of his troop, which was then ready to be mustered in, and deeming a "bird in the hand worth two in the bush," I accepted his offer.
On the 17th of July we appeared before Major Ruff, the United States mustering officer, and the surgeon be- can his inspection. He rejected several men whom we supposed to be well qualified to serve as troopers, and passed several men who were not at all qualified, and managed to reluce our numbers one man below the minimum, so that we were turned away without being mustered. Just think of it ! and then think of the large bounties, and the draft, and the other means resorted to afterwards to obtain recruits.
The men were sent back to Chestnut Hill, and the captain went to Camden, N. J., after a squad of ro- eruits he had heard of there. These he had to purchase from those in charge of them. and being short of cash he gave his gold watch in payment. He had parted with a valuable horse some time before for a similar purpose. Some of those follows got away from him before he got them to a place of safe keeping. but a sufficient number remained to warrant us in appearing before the muster-
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FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
ing officers again on the 19th. The surgeon began to reject again, and the Captain, fearing another failure, sent several trustworthy men to procure temporary sub- stitutes.
This they did by offering a few dollars apiece to some laboring men, telling them that they would be permitted to "skedaddle" as soon as we got mustered in. The ruse worked well, and soon the roll was completed and the troop mustered in; upon which the boys gave three rousing cheers for the Union and three groans for the Southern Confederacy.
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Major Ruff had been my commanding officer at Car- lisle Barracks. Pa .. in 1853. when I first entered the reg- ular army, and he expressed himself well pleased at see- ing me among the first to take up arms for the Union.
The officers of the troop were Captain William H. Boyd. First Lieutenant William W. Hanson and Second Lieutenant James H. Stevenson.
As Captain Boyd had been the first duly authorized to raise a troop, he was determined to be first in the field. and nothing could satisfy him till he succeeded.
We had only two days to spend with our families and friends, the last being Sunday. On that day some of us attended divine worship at the North Baptist church. Eighth street above Master. of which we were members. The services had special reference to the departure of the troop and there was a large attendance.
The pastor, Rev. William S. Hall, was full of patriot- ism. and many of his congregation had gone to the war through his earnest appeals and fierce denunciation of butman slavery.
His own two sons were then at the front. and the eldl- est was shortly afterwards killed in battle.
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Mr. Hall hal the names of all who went to the war from his congregation engrossed on a large sheet of bristol board, beautifully framed and hung upon the wall in rear of the pulpit, where the whole congregation could see it.
When any of the boys got wounded a red seal was affixed to his name, and if killed a black seal was affixed. There were many red and black seals on that list when the war ended.
Shortly after the close of the war Mr. Hall died. Just before his death he desired that the "stars and stripes" might be his winding-sheet; and his wish was complied with. He had ren lered invaluable services to the Twentieth Ward Bounty Fund Committee, and the ward had acknowledged his services by presenting him with an elegant and costly testimonial.
A great n any of Boyd's troop were young men of good families residing in the city, and when the time came to take leave of mothers, sisters and sweethearts. the task was a hard one. To those who were leaving wives and children it was still harder, but no one thought of shrinking from the stern duty before him on that ac- count.
On Monday, July 22d. we assembled at the depot, Broad and Prime streets, to take the cars for Washing- ton. Hosts of friends accompanied us, to say good-bye, and there were some affecting scenes enacted before we got away. .
We arrived at Washington at 5,30 p. m., that day. and were quartered for the night in a building on " E" street. between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. now known as the " Imperial Hotel." Captain Boyd soon procured rations and cooking utensils; but the trouble
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
was to find a cook. I was the only officer who had seen service, and the captain turned the troop over to me.
I called for two men who had been in the military ser- vice before. Two held up their hands. One of them, John Hickey, had served several years in the United States Marines, and the other, William Ward, had served in the United States Artillery, in Mexico; both of them knew how to cook of course.
I detailed these two men as cooks, sent a squad to get fire wood, and in a short time the men were diseus- sing their first soldiers' ration with many a joke and facetious comparison.
They were scarcely done supper when the captain arrived with several wagons, loaded with uniform cloth- ing and blankets, and the boys set to work to unload them, in order to make themselves comfortable for the night.
Seeing them thus engaged, the officers started for Willard's Hotel to get some supper, and write to their friends that they had arrived safely at the Capital. After supper we strolled out to look at the city. Pass- ing along Pennsylvania avenue we noticed a crowd of men and walked up to see what was going on. In the centre were several soldiers covered with dust, some carrying muskets and bayonets, and others unarmed, and one of them was " holding forth " at a great rate. We soon discovered that a battle had been fought at Bull Run the day before, and our army defeated. These men astonished the crowd of eager listeners with some of the most marvelous stories of the prowess of the " rebels." The " Louisiana Tigers." according to their account. were more to be dreaded than the genuine tiger himself in his native jungles. The " rebel shells"
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were like young earthquakes, carrying death and de- struction wherever they fell. But the " Black Horse Cavalry " were like demons mounted upon fiery dragons, and their swords fearful to think of.(!) We noticed several of our boys in the crowd drinking in every word, and no doubt wishing they were safely home. John Hickey, our old marine, who had been imbibing pretty freely, stepped up and inquired when the battle had commenced. " Yesterday morning," was the reply. " When did it end ?" " Towards night," said the sol- dier. " How far is it from here to Bull Run? " About forty miles." said the soldier, evidently a little annoyed at being thus questioned. "Well," said Hickey." with a sneer, "yees needn't be afeard of the . Black Horse Cavalry,' for the divil, himself. coukl'nt catch yees!" The soldier snatched his musket. as if he would resent the " soft impeachment," but Hickey was not to be frightened, and snatching another from one of the squad, he put himself in an attidude of defence; giving an Irish whoop, as he did so, that set everybody to laugh- ing. The laughter riled Hickey a little, and he as- sumed the offensive. The crowd attempted to interfere, but Hickey, who understood the bayonet exercise thoroughly, gave the musket two or three scientific " twirls," which caused them to fall back, and then, with bayonet at a charge, he planted himself in front of his antagonist. shouting : " If that's yer game, come on. I'm yer man !"
The soldier " couldn't see it." and, amid the illy-sup- pressed laughter of the crowd. the squad of skulkers, for such they were. disappeared. and Hickey was a hero for the time being.
On returning to the hotel we found several commis-
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY. 39
sioned officers from the front, surrounded by a gaping crowd eagerly listening to their stories of " the field of blood." and of the wonderful feats of the "rebels."
The President. I have understood, sent for some of those officers, and they regaled the Cabinet with tales of horror calculated to make them tremble for the safety of the Capital, and for their own "bacon ;" but those officers were drawing largely upon their own im- aginations, as it shortly afterwards appeared that they had only " beheld the battle afar off." and had set out for Washington before the retreat had really begun.
Before retiring for the night, the Captain and I walked over to see how the men were making out. We found them sitting in a circle around Ward and Hickey. who were astonishing them with stories of their own exploits in Mexico, and on the " briny deep," quite as improbable as those toll by the stragglers from Bull Run.
We had arrived just one week after the time limited by Secretary Cameron ; but things had changed and we were welcome. On the 23d of July, the day succeeding our arrival in Washington, we drew our equipage and went into camp on East Capital Hill, which we named "C'amp Meigs." Here we were in the midst of a large encampment of infantry.
On the 24th we received our horses, arms and ac- contrements, and the work of drilling commenced. I had to act as instructor of both officers and men.
Guard was mounted that night, for the first time, and about eleven o'clock I stole up to the picket rope and began untying one of the horses. The sentry spied me I gave the alarm, but. as he had no ammunition. I was not afraid. and began to fire my revolver. The whole
----
------
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HISTORY OF THE
camp was aroused, and their was a lively time for a lit- tle while, until the matter was explained.
For several days everything gave way to horse-break- ing, which at times looked like neck-breaking, as a re- fractory horse would pitch his rider into the air like a "spread eagle," causing him to perform "ground and lofty tumbling" with astonishing agility. The boys had nerve, however, and soon conquered their horses.
On the 7th of August orders were received to cross the Potomac and report at headquarters, Alexandria, Va., for duty. We immediately struck tents and crossed the Long Bridge, and found ourselves the first volun- teer cavalry in the field.
The Virginia side of the Potomae was lined with the camps of MeDowell's army, just returned from the dis- astrous field of Bull Run. They stretched from Arling- ton, where MeDowell had his headquarters, clear to Alexandria, and the Confederates occupied the hills only a few miles to the southward.
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On arriving at Alexandria we found General William B. Franklin in command, who sent an "aide" to show us where to encamp. He located us in Peyton Grove, at the western end of the main street leading to Fairfax Seminary. This we called "Camp Elizabeth," in honor of the Captain's wife.
We had but little room to drill here. so the men were ex- ereised on foot and in the manuel of arms. Orderlies were furnished at headquarters every morning. the clean- est and most soldierly-looking men being selected, which proved a great incentive to cleanliness.
On the 16th of August a sergeant and twelve men of the troop were ordered to Bailey's Cross Roads, about
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FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
seven miles south of Alexandria, to examine the coun- try in that vicinity.
The next day I was sent to Philadelphia to get some recruits from the three-months' men, then returning home at the expiration of their term of service.
On the following day, Sunday, August 18th, Captain Boyd was ordered out with his whole troop, to make a reconnoisance in the direction of Mount Vernon. He had with him Lieutenant Hanson and a Dr. Herrick. who had been assigned to us as surgeon, and Lieutenant Gibson, of General Franklin's staff. When in the vi- cinity of Pohick Church, as the company was marching by fours through a dense woods, one of the advance came galloping back, and, in an excited manner and tone of voice loud enough to be heard by all, informed the captain that there was a regiment of rebel cavalry drawn up behind the woods waiting to entrap him !
This created general consternation, and, in the confu- sion, the troop wheeled about in the road and faced towards camp. Just then another of the advance guard was seen approaching at speed, waving his hat as a sig- nal to the troop to be off, which they were not slow in obeying.
They had not proceeded far, however, when Oliver B. Knowles, one of the three men who had been sent in ad- vance, came up at a gallop, and finding the captain in rear of his men informed him that he had been near enough to the enemy to count them; that there were only a squadron of them ; and gave it as his opinion that the troop could." lick 'em."
Boyd immediately dashed forward. and on reaching the head of his retreating forces ordered a halt. He then informed his men of what he had heard, and of 4
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his intentions to attack the enemy, and that they must follow him. To which the men replied that they had only obeyed orders, and were willing to follow wherever he would lead.
The captain then took young Knowles, and his own nephew, Sergeant W. H. Boyd. and after ordering the troop " about," placed himself and those two young men in front, and commanded : forward !
They moved cautiously until young Knowles pointed out the position occupied by the enemy, which was but a short distance abead, when every man drew his revolver and got ready for action. In a moment a challenge was heard in front, and then the captain's voice rang out : "charge and cheer!" and away they went, like a whirlwind, yelling and firing as they ad- vanced.
The enemy were so taken by surprise that they fired but one volley, and then trusted to the speed and bottom of their fine horses to keep them out of harm's way. Two Confederate saddles were emptied, however, and the boasted "chivalry" driven in confusion from the field, by this little troop of Philadelphians, who had only been in service one short month.
The pursuit was continued for several miles, but it was of no use. as the Confederates had the best horses, and distaneed their pursuers. Boyd's casualties were one man killed and one missing.
Poor Jacob Erwin fell mortally wounded at the first fire from the enemy. John V. Williams and Washing- ton Lancaster were thrown from their horses, and were supposed to have been captured ; but Lancaster came walking into camp in a few days, worn out with fatigue, and almost famished with hunger. He said Williams re-
FIRST CHARGE-Pohick Church, Va. Aug. 18, 1861.
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FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
fused to accompany him, but set out in the direction of the enemy's lines. We found the evidence of his per- fidy on entering Centreville the following spring.
The boys procured a cart and harness from a neigh- boring barn, and hitching one of the horses to it, brought the body of Erwin back to camp. The horses of Wil- liams, Lancaster and Erwin kept with the column and were brought safely back ; so that nothing was lost.
Erwin was the first cavalryman killed in defense of the Union, and this the first charge made by volunteer cavalry in the war, on the Federal side.
General MeClellan complimented Captain Boyd and his men before the whole of General Franklin's com- mand, while on review, on the 22d of August. and prom- ised to see that they got better horses.
In a few days afterwards, General Stoneman con- demned nearly every horse in the troop, and others of a better quality were furnished in their stead.
It will be noticed that the coolness, intelligence and courage of young Knowles saved the troop and its offi- cers from what might have been a disgraceful panic, and led to a spirit-stirring victory. Such men are always invaluable in times of excitement and danger. Their example acts like magie, and makes them a host in themselves.
This young man was the son of Levi Knowles. a highly respectable merchant of Philadelphia. He had graduated from school at the age of fifteen, and entered his father's counting-house, where he was still engaged when the war broke out, being then only eighteen years of age. He at once made up his mind to enter the ranks in defense of the Union, and his parents, being as patriotic as he, offered but slight objections. He
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was over six feet tall, of a wiry, muscular frame, and a good horseman ; so he choose to be a trooper. These pages will show that he chose wisely. and that his record is a bright one all the way from Pohick Church to Ap- pomattox Court House.
The troop never forgot this first lesson in the art of war, in which they discovered that the "Southern Chivalry " were not invincible, and that a bold charge is'more glorious and more apt to be successful than a hasty retreat. In the four years of war that followed. I never knew them to retire before equal numbers of the enemy, but have often known them to attack and defeat superior numbers, under the inspiration of the " Pohick Yell," as they called the cheer which they had given when making their first charge.
Civilians may smile at this, but every soldlier, and especially every trooper, knows how potent a rousing "yell" is when making an attack upon the enemy. The Indians never fail to give the " war whoop," and the " Confederate yell" has become a matter of history, so that I may consider "yelling " an acknowledged element in deciding the issue between contending hosts, without fear of being laughed at.
In this charge, the men had made a mistake in drawing their pistols instead of their sabres, but they had not yet learned the use of that most valuable weapon of a cavalryman. A swift horse, a good pair of spurs, and a sharp sabre, are the chief weapons of a trooper. Pis- tols and carbines are but incidentals. and should be used only upon picket, or on the skirmish line; but seldom in a fight, and never in a charge. The boys soon found this out, however, and the regiment afterwards acquired the sobriquet of " The Sabre Regiment."
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FIRST NEW YORK (LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
On the 22d of August, I got back to camp with a dozen fine recruits, and among them, William D. Hall. the only surviving son of my old pastor, of whom I have already spoken.
On the 27th of August, just that many days after the time limited by the Secretary of War. Colonel McRey- nolds arrived in Washington with nine troops of the regiment ; the Michigan troop not having arrived and another having been left in New York to fill up its ranks.
They had been kept in New York an unusually long time, and the officers and men had become very impa- tient to be at the front. First, their uniforms were in the hands of contractors, and much delay was ex- perienced on this account ; and when received they were of the poorest material and made in the most unskillful manner.
Then there were numerous bills against them for rent and subsistence, which they had no money to pay, and their ereditors were importunate. Finally, Captain Adams was sent to Washington to see Quartermaster- General Meigs, and he succeeded in untying the knot that bound them to the New York contractors.
On the 25th of August, the regiment assembled in line for the first time, and. after considerable speech- making, some admiring friends presented Colonel Me- Reynolds with a magnificent gray horse and fine set of equipments. Several other officers were also the recipi- ents of testimonials from friends and admirers.
They had been so long in the city that they had be- come known to everybody ; and as they represented so many families in good social standing, they had plenty of friends and admirers. Besides, they were the First
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Cavalry, which also made them very popular, especially with the fair sex, great numbers of whom visited the camps every fine afternoon, to witness the exercises and flirt with the gay young officers.
When they came to take their departure for the seat of war, there were many hearts that followed them in thought, and many were the prayers that went up for their success in the fieldl and their speedy return home. As they marched away to take the boat there was no lack of cheers from the assembled multitude. who had come to see them off. and white handkerchief's were waving from every window, while many fair cheeks were stained with tears of grief.
On arriving in Washington, they went into camp at Moore's farm, on Seventh street, near Park Hotel. a low, swampy, stumpy piece of land, which was turned into a lake by every shower of rain.
The regiment had not yet been organized. The com- pany organizations were complete, but they could not act independently of the regiment, and the officers won- dered about the delay in appointing the " field and staff."
General Stoneman came to hear of their condition. and at once directed the Colonel to organize his regi- ment and get it ready for duty in the field. This order produced a great leal of commotion among the aspirants for promotion, and all manner of schemes were resorted to in order to influence the Colonel in his appointments.
A. W. Adams, who had been elected the first captain of Company A. and afterwards captain of Company Il, had given way in each instance to others. and entered as a lientenant in one of the German companies, with the understanding that he would be one of the majors,
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FIRST NEW YORK ( LINCOLN) CAVALRY.
and every effort was put forth by the officers who then ranked him, to defeat his appointment.
At length the Regimental organization was completed, as follows :
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel-ANDREW T. MCREYNOLDS. Lieutenant Colonel-FREDERICK VON SCHICKFUSS. First Major-CHARLES H. OGLE. Second Major-ALONZO W. ADAMS. Third Major-AUGUST HAURAND. Adjutant-JENYNS C. BATTERSBY. Quartermaster-EZRA H. BAILEY. Commissary-B. FRANK MCREYNOLDS. Surgeon-FREDERICK ELLIOTT. Assistant Surgeon-GEORGE M. BEAKS. Chaplain-REV. CHARLES M. REIGHLEY.
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