USA > New York > Brief history of Company B, 27th regiment N.Y. volunteers; its organization and the part it took in the war > Part 2
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The Regiment here took a steamer for Alexandria, arriving about the 24th, marched to near it- old camp ground, and formed its old line of pickets. It remained here a few days only, when it took up
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it- line of march for Centreville, which it reached about the 31st of August. Here it was thrown in front, to check the advance of the enemy and to cover the retreat of Gen. PorE; but it was not heavily engaged in battle. It followed the retreat to Alexandria, and went into camp near Fort Lyon. The Regiment was not long permitted to remain inactive, however. On the 6th of September it crossed the Long Bridge, and marched through Washington and Georgetown to Tenallytown, where it arrived the next morning, and continued on its march until it reached South Mountain on the 14th.
Here the Regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and drove in the Rebel pickets. Company B came to a stone wall within one hundred yards of the enemy, and here the Regiment silenced the enemy's battery with their rifles. The Regiment was fighting CoBB's Legion, of the Georgia troops; and as the Rebel General rode down the road to cheer on his men, bis horse was shot from under him by Company B's boys. The old Reb. barely escaped with his life. As the men shot at him, bis horse went down; and when the boys reloaded their muskets, he was not to be seen. For about one hour the battle raged furiously, when Gen. BARTLETT made a charge with the rest of the Brigade, and drove the enemy up and over the mountain. The Regi- ment rested on the mountain's crest, after an action of about three hours. It was here that BILLY BELDEN lost his arm, which eventual- ly caused his death. He was afterward promoted to Lieutenant; and he will ever be remembered by the Company as a true and faithfu soldier. At Antietam our Regiment supported batteries in that me- morable corn-field. under a heavy fire of artillery all day. The fa- mons corn field was honey-combed with balls, and the trees wore filled with unexploded shells.
Permit me here to give a sketch of the manner in which an attack is planned and executed: The Union armies usually made offensive movements, and our battles were those of attack rather than of defense. The commander of an attacking army first thoroughly learns by all means at his command, such as spies, scouts, deserters, prisoners, re- connoissance, &c., the position of his enemy; he then determines the point and mode of attack. Ordinarily the attacking army is brought almost within striking distance of the enemy, one or more days pro. vious to the general conflict. The outpost of the defending army is driven in and by a number of skirmishes its position is farther devel- oped and its intentions understood When the time for the general conflict approaches, the principal commanders are informed, and usn- ally two attacks are made -one a feint and the other a real one.
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While each Corps generally has a reserve of its own, an entire Corps may be held as a grand reserve while the Cavalry is posted on either flanks.
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I will now go back to where I left the 27th. Neither our Brigade nor our Regiment were engaged here, the corps lying in reserve. Af- ter the battle the Regiment took up its line of march, reached Cram- ton's Gap near Berlin, crossed the river on pontoons, and resumed its march until it reached Belle Plain Landing on or about the 4th of December. It was here the boys were encamped in the snow. The members of Company B will not forget their friend the Sutler about that time. The Regiment had not received any pay for some time. One evening at about dusk the 16th and 27th N. Y. made a grand ral- ly on the Sutler; and " the consequences were " the men next day could be seen exchanging right hand gloves for left, some trading butter for tobacco, &c. I will not state here the cause of the raid, as the boys are all aware how it occurred. Just ask one of the Compa- ny, and he will tell you. The Regiment remained at Belle Plain un- til about the 10th; then marched to the Rappahannock, at White Oak Church, and went into camp.
I will state here, before going farther, that after the battle of An- tietam the Regiment went into camp near Bakersville, Md., and re- mained nearly one month. While at Bakersville the boys will re- member the darkeys who stole Gen. Stocty's wine and cigars. They were marched through camp with barrels over their heads fixed in such a way as to have their heads come out at the top, while their arins protruded through holes in the sides. As they were marched along they were met at each Company's street by handfuls of flour from the men, which was thrown into their faces, filling their eyes and mouth. Such looking darkeys were never heard tell of before. When they were let loose the men got a blanket, and they were thrown up in it. All at once they started to run, and the men started after them. The darkey's jumped into a small creek and swam to the opposite side.
While in Maryland the boys did picket duty at Nolan's Ferry, Dam No. 3, on the Potomac. Here some of the Company B boys used to plague the enemy, whose pickets were on the opposite side. An enemy would get behind a tree, and our boys would Keep him there from early morn until dark. Some of the Company exchanged news- papers with the enemy, and exchanged salt for tobacco, &c. One day some Company A boys (27th) were stationed at that point, when one of the enemy's pickets came from behind a tree. After firing
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at each other for some time, one said-" Let's have a little talk." " All right," says Company A to the other; "go alicad." Company A-" Why do you want to break up the Government?" Secesh. - "Because you Yankees want to destroy our institutions and put the nigger on a level with white men. Company A-" We aren't Yan- kees; we are northern men, and we don't want to injure you or your institutions, but to protect all loyal citizens in all their legal rights." Secesh .- " Wal, this is a d-d bad war, anyhow. Good-bye!" Then another Secesh. says-" Hold on !. Don't shoot yet! I'll sing Dixie, and Rob will dance." Company A-" Go ahead!" Secesh. conimenes to sing and his comrade to dance, when Company A cries " Time!" and the "Johnnies" rush to their hiding places; when they sing out "All right -- bang away!" and the firing begins again.
A good story is told of one of the Regiment while stationed on vi- dette. While the two armies lay near each other at Fredericksburgh, a solitary sheep was walking along on the Rebel side. A Rebel vi- dette fired and killed the sheep, dropped his gun and advanced to get his prize. In an instant he was covered by a gun in the hands of one of our boys, who said-" Divide is the word, or you are a dead John- ny!" The proposition was assented to; and there between the vi- dettes the Rebel skinned the sheep, and took his half, and moved back with it-while his challenger dropped his gun, and went for the other half of the sheep, and resumed the duties of his post amidst the cheers of our boys-who expected to help cat their share of the mut- ton.
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The model American soldier is patient, Tikes camp life, is good-na- tured and jolly, makes fun for his comrades, is always ready for any duty, helps do the cooking for his tent-mates and himself, washes a shirt occasionally for a tent-mate, has his knapsack ready to start at a moment's notice, spends all day Sunday cleaning his guu, can eat raw pork on a march, sleeps with his boots and cap on, carries his pocket full of ammunition, doesn't consider it healthy to drink much water ou a march, has his tent up and supper cooked within ten minutes after a halt, knows where to find plenty of rail-fences, always has plenty of straw to sleep on, doesn't have too high an opinion of his officers, wouldn't do anything for the Colonel, thinks the Major ought to do something to keep from getting lazy, thinks his Captain a first. rate fellow, won't stand any nonsense from his Lieutenant, don't like battles better than anybody else, but is ready to do his duty, tries to take care of his health, sends home all his pay, intends to buy land and settle down when the war is over, never spends much money at
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HISTORY OF COMPANY B.
so many days longer!" and at night they would cut a notch on a log over the fireplace, to remember. One incident I remember while in camp here, which I will relate. A heavy rain set in, almost drowning the boys out of their tents; and CROSBY II., our Lieutenant at that time, was returning to his quarters one night about 12 o'clock. His tent was at the foot of the Company street, and he had dug a deep bole instead of putting up logs. As he stepped in he immediately found himself in water up to his arms, and he came near beirg drowned. He said he got out just about as soon as he could, with his boots full of water. The night heing cold, he woke up some of the boys to build a fire. He thought he would not sleep in his tent any longer; he did not consider it healthy.
I forgot at the right time to mention that JACOB RODENBACHI, of our Company, was badly wounded, taken prisoner and sent to Libby, at Richmond. He had to undergo more hardships during the time he was a prisoner than during the whole of the campaign. He was one of our best soldiers.
After the engagement at Fredericksburglı Gen. HOOKER took com- mand of the Army. The men said " Old JOE is a first-rate fellow; he gives us all the potatoes we want to cat-something we haven't had before!" On or about the 28th of April the 6th Corps, under Gen. SEDGWICK, crossed the river at about the same point where the Divi- sion crossed in January. The morning before the boys got marching orders it was reported through camp that we were going to cross the river again-and so we did. I will give the reader a detail of the march.
The bugle has blown for reveille. The roll called by the Orderlies. Breakfast is scarcely over when the bugle at Brigade headquarters sounds " Strike tents!" In a moment all the Regiment bugies catch up the sound, and all blow " Strike tents! Strike tents!" A regular shout now goes up from the men. In a moment one can see acres of tents melt away like April snow. Soon all of the tents and blankets are tied up in little bundles, ready at the proper signal to be shoul- dered by the men. The field, which a few moments ago was white with canvass houses, is now covered with armed men standing among the smoking camp fires. After a time the proper signal is given by the Bugler, FRED BENDER, of the 24th, and every man takes his place in the ranks. At the same time the Orderly calls to the men to " Fall in" At last we move off. We get out to the road. Some Artillery or Cavalry is ahead of us. "Halt!" is blown by the bugler. Arms are stacked. We lie around for a hour or more, when the bugle
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HISTORY OF COMPANY B.
so many days longer!" and at night they would cut a notch on a log over the fireplace, to remember. One incident I remember while in camp here, which I will relate. A heavy rain set in, almost drowning the boys out of their tents; and CROSBY II., our Lieutenant at that time, was returning to his quarters one night about 12 o'clock. His tent was at the foot of the Company street, and he had dug a deep bole instead of putting up logs. As he stepped in he immediately found himself in water up to his arms, and he came near beirg drowned. He said he got out just about as soon as he could, with his boots full of water. The night being cold, he woke up some of the boys to build a fire. He thought he would not sleep in his tent any longer; he did not consider it healthy.
I forgot at the right time to mention that JACOB RODENBACHI, of our Company, was badly wounded, taken prisoner and sent to Libby, at Richmond. He had to undergo more hardships during the time he was a prisoner than during the whole of the campaign. He was one of our best soldiers.
After the engagement at Fredericksburgh Gen. HOOKER took com- mand of the Army. The men said " Old JOE is a first-rate fellow; he gives us all the potatoes we want to eat-something we haven't had before!" On or about the 28th of April the 6th Corps, under Gen. SEDGWICK, crossed the river at about the same point where the Divi- sion crossed in January. The morning before the boys got marching orders it was reported through camp that we were going to cross the river again-and so we did. I will give the reader a detail of the march.
The bugle has blown for reveille. The roll called by the Orderlies. Breakfast is scarcely over when the bugle at Brigade headquarters sounds " Strike tents" In a moment all the Regiment bugies catch up the sound, and all blow " Strike tents! Strike tents!" A regular shout now goes up from the men. In a moment one can see acres of tents melt away like April snow. Soon all of the tents and blankets are tied up in little bundles, ready at the proper signal to be shoul- dered by the men. The field, which a few moments ago was white with canvass houses, is now covered with armed men standing among the smoking camp fires. After a time the proper signal is given by the Bugler, FRED BENDER, of the 27th, and every man takes his place in the ranks. At the same time the Orderly calls to the men to " Fall in" At last we move off. We get out to the road. Some Artillery or Cavalry is ahead of us. "Halt!" is blown by the hugler. Arms are stacked. We lie around for a hour or more, when the bugle
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sounds " Attention!" The men take arms and move off again. We go perhaps two miles, when we run into some wagon-train, blocking up the road again. We stop and lounge around for another hour or two, and then move on again. Soon we overtake the blockading train. A team of mules is stuck in the inud. Drivers are whipping and cursing, and wagon masters and guards are trying to pry the wheels, which are sunk almost out of sight in the mud-but it is no go. It is useless to wait here, so we take to the fields and bushes on either side of the train. The officers cry-" Close up, men!" Then we take a double-quick for about two miles, to catch up with the rest of the Corps. And so it goes with the soldier.
We passed one day an old frame-house, the boards of which had been torn off and burned, and the frame stripped of everything ex- cept the roof, we noticed that some soldiers had placed a large board over where the door had been-" Admittance Nir!" and in large let- ters, written with chalk where the hall had been-" Rooms to Let." At another time we were passing a large deserted plantation, and saw where in the gateway that opened into the yard in front of a little old negro cabin some soldier had placed the bed of an old buggy, and had set on it a cook-stove, in which a fire was burning. On a board stuck up over the gate was written in large letters with chalk-" Hot Coffee here at all hours!" and on the side of the old cabin was written in like manner-" Pigs' Feet-Fresh Oysters-Hot Coffee-Warm Meals at all hourx!" &c., &c. As the men went trudging along one would per- haps cry out " How are you, Restaurant?" and another-" Bully for the Restaurant!" another-" Cooking-stoves are played out!" as he went waddling along, almost played out himself. An Orderly comes along on horseback, "how far to camp?" "Two miles and a half," he cries along the line as he passes by; but those Virginia miles, where they say " two shoots and a horn-blow," or " a sight and a half," I reckon are long ones.
After numerous patience trying stops, we finally reach camp-upon a steep hillside, while there is plenty of level land in the neighbor- hood, rocky, and a perfect thicket. Who made such a selection of a camp as this? No matter; it has been done by proper authority, and our duty is to submit. We march by faith, we fight by faith, we crawl up on the hillside and in among these rocks and bushes by faith. We have no faith, however, to believe that the officer who selected such a spot in which for us to camp, camps to night himself in such a place! There are more curses than prayers among the boys in the bushes, just now. We have had no dinner to-day, and we have had
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a forced march of over twenty miles. At last the fires are kindled, coffee is made, with a little salt-horse and crackers we make our sup- per. We spread our blankets among the bushes, lie down, and are soon oblivious to the toils, trials and dangers of this "cruel war." Morning dawned, clear and bright, and found the 27th on the banks of the Rappahannock river, ready to cross in pontoons. As the Regi- ment advanced, it was met by the enemy's pickets. After an ex- change of fire the enemy's pickets fell back, and the Regiment crossed the river, our men holding their own ground against the ene- my's shot and shell. At last a deep ravine was reached, where we halted and exchanged fire with the enemy for some time. At last the firing ceased, except now and then a shot from the sharp-shooters, who were busy while the Regiment expected orders to charge-which or lers did not come. In that ravine under a hot sun we lay until about three o'clock in the afternoon, when we heard the men cheer- ing. Upon looking up we could see the gallant 6th Corps advancing toward the enemy's heights on a double-quick. Then the music be- gan. The 27th was held back to support the pickets, and our boys sent up cheer after cheer to see the enemy retreat from his strong- hokl. Our Regiment fell back after a time, and also the pickets, (our Regiment was the picket's support in case of an attack,) but we soon reached the city and gained the Heights; and as darkness fell upon us the fighting ceased for the day. At dawn next morning a squad of men from our Company was detailed as videttes-G. M. BELDEN (in command,) J. C. BOURNE, J. KNOBLOCK, GIBSON DUNN, D. E. BUELL, TOM HILLIARD, FRANK HECOX, RAYMOND LAWRENCE and ROBT. DURKEE. They advanced to a house beyond the picket-line, and stationed themselves to watch the enemy's movements, occasion- ally exchanging a shot with him. The boys were posted behind the fences and barn near the house, when they espied come cavalrymen coming toward them from the enemy. They all kept their places un- til the cavalrymen rode up near them, and then at a given signal jumped up with muskets to their shoulders and demanded a surren- der. The Seceshers obeyed, but they hated to surrender to private soldiers One was a Colonel of Cavalry, one a Colonel of Infantry, and one an Orderly. They were sent to headquarters.
After about two hours the boys said " Look out for a fight! They will miss their men, and will send ont reinforcements." Sure enough, at about 4 p. M. the enemy's pickets began to advance, but were held at bay by our rifles. A telegraph line of men was posted from us to general headquarters. Word was sent in that the enemy was advanc-
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HISTORY OF COMPANY B.
ing. An inquiry came back, what Regiment the videttes belonged to. "The 2ith New York," was the answer; and soon the response came-"27th, hold your places as long as possible!" And the boys dil hold their places until the enemy came up in force; then they loaded, tired and fell back. Number 1 front rank fired and fell back twenty paces, while number 2 rear rank did the same. This is the way we held the enemy back. One Regiment (the 27th) held at bay more than two Divisions of the enemy's Infantry. But it was dark, and we did not know how many we had to contend with until after- wards. The Colonei of the 18th N. Y. rode toward Col. ADAMS and spoke to him. Col. ADMis rode along the line and says " Put in aud walk, men, because it is ary necessary." I think that was about as lively a walk as I ever saw. The boys will tell you that Bull Run was nowhere (for the length of time) compared to this. We fell back to U. S. Ford and crossed on pontoons, while the enemy was send- ing shot and shell itfter us; bat come to find out, the Corps had fall- en back, and left our Regiment to hold the enemy in check, though the boys did not know at the time anything about it. There were about 533 killed, wounded an l missing out of the Brigade, GEO. WAL- RATH and ROBERT DispRow were taken prisoners from our Company. HENRY BROWN and SERGANT HOOPER were wounded. HENRY BROWN was shot in the leg, breaking it instantly. He was taken to the rear, where the surgeons attended him.
't daylight next morning we crossed the river, where we halt- ed and took breakfast. The Company being out of provisions, some hard tack was sent to us frota the Quarternrister's. One box was of. peculiar shape and labeled different from the rest of them. It was marked " B. C. 603." Various interpretations were given, but all were rejected until Private D declared it was all plain enough-couldn't be misunderstood, in fact. " How so?" was the cager inquiry from the boys " Why," said he. " it is ? years before Christ!" (003 B. C.) The boys thought he was about right. They were the hardest tack we had sten during the service.
After breakfast the Regiment fell in line and took up its line of march for the old camp, which it reached at about dark. The next evening an order was read off on dress parade by the Adjutant, that the Regiment's time was nearly out-two years-and asking us to re- enlist; but no one offered to do so. The boys had counted the num- ber of days they had to stay, and some of them the hours. At length the morning came on which we were to take our departure from Dix- ie. Cheer after cheer was sent up; the bands commeneed to play;
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and the boys, bidding the three-year troops good-bye, were soon on the march for Falmouth, when they took the cars for Washington. Reaching Washington, they took cattle-cars for Elmira. I guess those cars were about stripped of their sides. The men kicked them to pieces and left nothing but the top. At every station along the route the men would send up cheer after cheer. The people brought them refreshments at nearly every station, and nothing was thought too good for the boys. At last we reached Elmira, and took up quarters in our old barracks after two long years of absence; and here we were met by a committee sent out by the citizens of Lyons to wel- come us home. We remained in Elmira a few days, when the Com- piny received permission to return home to Lyons for a short time, until the men could be mustered out of the service and paid off.
The 27th came home in May, 1863, with about 600 men; leaving the State two years before with something over 1100 strong. It was re- ceived and welcomed by Gen. BARTLETT at Elmira, in a speech made in front of the Brainard House. The General said he was glad to see the fullness of the ranks, after the dangers the Regiment had passed through. As a Colonel, he said he loved the old Regiment, and had relied upon it on many occasions. No Regiment in the service had won a more desirable fame. The Gen. withdrew, followed by three rousing cheers from the Regiment; after which the men were dis- missed.
Company B left Elmira at 5 o'clock on Wednesday morning, May 20, 1863, for Lyons. Arriving at Geneva, the boys were met by num- bers of citizens from Lyons, with carriages to take us to our long. loved home. We reached Lyons shortly after 12 o'clock, and dis- mountel from the wagons near the railroad track, where we were met by the Board of Trustees, Military Organizations, Fire Compa- nies and Bands of Music. Then we formed in line and marched into the village. All along the line our townsfolk, and especially the la. dies, exerted themselves to the utmost to show their appreciation of the services of the gallant Company whose patriotism, coolness and courage had been demonstrated on many a well-fought field. No words can convey an adequate impression of the tumult of joy that swept through the bosoms of both the welcomers and the welcomed. All along the route every available space in the street, the doors, the windows and the yards, were crowded with people, endeavoring to express in every conceivable manner their joy at the return of the Company. Our old battle-flag was borne proudly along, and thon- sauds of eyes were dimmed with gratitude and pride as they gazed
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upon its tattered, bullet-torn folds. Col. ADAMS rode the horse that bad carried him safe throngh all the battles since his promotion to the command of the 27th. The most affecting scene of all was that when the Company arrived nearly opposite Mrs. McEI.WAIN's resi- dence, where the orders was given to reverse arms, and we marched in Company front past the house of one of our brave boys who lies beneath the southern sod. More than one of the boys endeavored in vain to repress the tears which would come into his eyes, as he thought of the brave boy who fills the soldier's grave in Virginia.
The Company arrived upon the Fair Ground. Here we exchanged greetings with hosts of friends who came flocking around us; then we were marched into Floral Hall, where a sumptuous dinner await- ed us, gotten up and served by the ladies of Lyons and the friends of the Company. After dinner came a speech of welcome, from Rev. Mr. MONTGOMERY-one of the best I ever heard; appropriate, con- cise, eloquent, and not too long. Referring to the brave fellows who are sleeping the sleep of death under Virginia sod, he brought tears to every eye by his tender, sympathetic remarks. Said he: "We cannot soon forget the names of ALLEE, of DUNN, of GAUL, of HOLMES, of MCELWAIN, of METZKER, of SEAVY, of MILLS, of KEES- LER, of MOREY, of ANDREWS, Of BRINK, of HENNIGAN, and of STRICK- LAND;" and further on-" officers and soldiers, it is because you have had a share in the great work of saving the Union that we welcome you to-day. It is because you have been fighting to defend us in our property and homes, that we thus tender you a most grateful wel- come. Happy families are waiting to receive you. Happy hearts are waiting to embrace you. Prize them as among earth's best treasures; and amid the duties and pleasures of those happy homes, see to it that you show yourselves christian men and christian patriots." Af- ter the address, came singing-a song composed for the occasion by Mrs. ANNA R. HALLIDAY, of Lyons, and dedicated to the 27th.
The 27th Regiment, in which Company B had an honorable place, was in most of the important battles fought on the soil of Virginia, and acquitted itself (as all know) with credit to the members thereof and to the respective towns, represented therein. The same may be said with equal truth of the other Companies in our Regiment. A nobler body of men never left the State; and no other Regiment en- dured more hardships. Many who left Elmira with the Regiment have found a soldier's grave, and many are home maimed for life.
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