USA > New York > Camp and field life of the Fifth New York volunteer infantry. (Duryee zouaves.) > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
It was a proud day for the Fifth. Their faces were bronzed by exposure, and every man of them felt and looked like a soldier ; but on the other hand, how many a silent tear was dropped, or a murmured prayer offered by a mother, sister, or wife for the safe return of the well-beloved one who was so proudly marching to do battle to preserve a nation, and die, if need be, under the flag that was waving above him with its stars and stripes, the emblem of the States, one and inseparable. The regiment marched to City Hall Park, which it reached about half-past five o'clock, where they were reviewed by Mayor Wood, Judge Edmonds, Judge Davies, Aldermen Brady and Henry, and others of the Common Council. Superintendent Kennedy and Inspect- or Carpenter, with a squad of twenty-six of the Eleventh Precinct Police, were in attendance. A large number of ladies and gentlemen occupied the balcony of the Hall, among whom were General Nye, Dr. A. B. Mott, Controller Haws, and a number of the officers of Colonel Blenker's regiment. After going through a parade drill, the Zouaves marched up Broadway through White and North Moore Streets to the pier, receiving an ovation at every step. Fi- nally, a little before sundown, they were all embarked on the good steamship Alabama, Captain Schenck, and bound for Fortress Monroe. Kind friends and well-wishers had not forsaken them yet, and as long as the steamer could be reached, they were showered with fruits. In the meantime
.........
32
Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
the rigging and sides of the vessel were swarming with Zouaves, some of them climbing even to the trucks, and waving their fez caps in the air. As the steamer drew off into the stream, the air was rent with cheers.
The vessel made a short stop in the bay, and then de- parted on her seaward path. It was a beautiful moonlight night, the reflection of the moon's rays on the water making it look like molten silver. The ship was too much crowded for comfort, but as it was not a pleasure excursion, the men did not murmur, but made themselves as comfortable as their new circumstances would permit. Some, unused to the sea, soon became unpleasantly conscious of the change ; the ship rolled when it reached the swell of the Atlantic; but the majority of the men enjoyed the novelty of the situation. About seventy-five miles out, the steamer was saluted with a prize in tow, which was shortly afterward followed by an- other. On Friday, the 24th, as we were steaming along, the cry suddenly resounded through the ship, " Man overboard !" The ship was quickly hove to, and the officers and guard kept the men in their places. In a few moments some of the sailors were seen carrying one of their shipmates below, wet and dripping. The result showed that he was severely injured.
On Saturday, the 25th, we were in sight of Fortress Mon- roe and the men-of-war in the offing, the crews of which manned the rigging, and loudly cheered us-a compliment which we returned with loyal vigor. We were landed at the Government wharf by the steam-tug Yankee, near the Hygeia Hotel, and were surrounded by swarms of soldiers, who asked all manner of questions, and said that they had but just cleared out the little village, the Newport of Virginia.
It was not many minutes before every cottage was looked through, and all sorts of odd traps were found, but of little value. One of the boys appeared dressed in a complete militia uniform of the ancient style. This amusement did
33
From New York to Virginia.
not last long, a vigilant guard under orders having brought the men to a halt. It was saddening to see a deserted village ; one old negro and a few stray dogs and cats were its only remaining inhabitants.
The regiment was soon formed and marched about two miles, and encamped, or rather bivouacked, the main body being located in a wheat-field, the outward post.
. The Colonel took possession of the Segar mansion, which was delightfully situated near the waters of the bay, and Company G, Captain Denike, was encamped in a beautiful orchard near by, as his guard of honor.
This was a splendid location for a camp, with good water and plenty of oysters, fish, etc., close at hand. A short dis- tance from this place the largest female seminary in Virginia was located, but now, of course, deserted, except by the family in charge, with a few slaves. The town of Hampton is about one and a half miles distant, on the other side of Hampton Creek. The bridge connecting with the town was burned the day of the landing of the Zouaves, by the Confederate, Major Carey, and some of our men, skirmish- ing on their own account, crept near enough to see the rebels in the act. The Zouaves were complimented by the Con- federates, at this time, with the name of " Red Devils," which they retained during the war.
2*
35
Our First Camp in Virginia.
The regiment bivouacked for the night, having as yet no tents. Guards were established on the outskirts of the camp, and soon all were slumbering, except those on post.
About midnight two shots were heard, and instantly there was a tremendous sensation. The drums sounded the long roll ; it was taken up in the other camps, and excited men were rushing to arms. Some who were not yet supplied with muskets formed in line with the rest, with dirk-knives and revolvers in hand, ready to fight for their lives. But it was soon learned that one of the sentries had mistaken a sentry of another regiment for a Confederate, and blazed away, and was fired at in turn by him. Happily no blood was shed, and we passed the night without being scalped, after having one other false alarm. These incidents served at least the purpose of good exercise in an important part of a soldier's life.
The events occurring in the regiment were described by a correspondent of the New York Times (Friday, May 31), in the following letter :
1764833
" CAMP BUTLER, NEAR HAMPTON, VA., - Tuesday, May 28, 1861.
"The New York Fifth, Colonel Duryée, and Second, Colonel Carr's, regiment, are still encamped between Fortress Monroe and the old village of Hampton, one of the first settled in Vir- ginia. The advent of the Zouaves seems to have produced a panic throughout the surrounding country. The inhabitants have all fled, with the exception of a few who adhere to the cause of the Union. 'Red Devils' is the complimentary appel lation which the Secessionists have bestowed upon the follow- ers of Colonel Duryée.
"On Sunday night, Captain Waugh, with his entire company, occupied the Female Seminary, a large building, on an elevated site near the camp, which had given shelter to the enemy. The American flag now waves over it, and can be seen for miles around. The same day Captain Kilpatrick made a reconnois-
36
Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
sance, bringing back valuable information concerning the forces of the foe. Major-General Butler, on Monday, reviewed the Zouaves, and expressed to Colonel Duryée and his officers his delight with the excellent discipline of the corps, and his appre- ciation of the abilities of the commandant."
A Confederate of the enemy had been using the cupola on the top of the Seminary, as a lookout, and from his lofty position, from which the country could be seen for miles around, had been in the habit of signaling information of anything occurring in the neighborhood of the fortress. Colonel Duryée therefore took possession of the building, and, placing the band on the roof, they played the "Star Spangled Banner," while he raised the stars and stripes to the flag-staff, amid the cheers of his nien.
General Butler issued the following proclamation, appoint- ing Colonel Duryee to the command of all the forces at Old Point Comfort :
FORTRESS MONROE, VA., May 27, 1861. 5
SPECIAL ORDERS, NO. 5.
Colonel A. Duryee, Fifth Regiment New York Volunteers, will at once assume command of the camp of the two New York regiments, Segar's farm, and issue such orders and make such regulations, consistent with the Articles of War, as will insure good order and a thorough system of instruction and discipline ; he will see that a proper guard is posted each night over the well, and on and near the bridge leading toward the fort, in such manner that there can be no danger of harm to them. Any depredations committed on the property of citizens, or any un- necessary inconvenience imposed upon them by any member of the command, must be promptly noticed, and reported in writing to the Major-General commanding the Department.
By command of Major-General BUTLER. GRIER TALMADGE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
37
Our First Camp in Virginia.
PROCLAMATION BY COLONEL DURYÉE.
To the Inhabitants of Hampton and vicinity :
Having been placed, by order of Major-General BUTLER, in command of the troops in this vicinity, outside of the walls of Fortress Monroe, I hereby notify all, that their rights of person and property will be entirely respected ; that their co-operation in maintaining law and order is expected, both by reporting every violation of them when committed by any one attached to the camp, and by preserving local order and restraining such of their fellow-citizens as may entertain perverted intentions.
You can rely that all offenses against you will be severely punished ; that no effort will be spared to detect the guilty ; and that you, as a community, will also be held responsible for every act committed by any one of your number where the particular offender is not surrendered. Be assured that we are here in no war against you, your liberty, your property, or even your local customs ; but to keep on high that flag of which your own great son was the bearer; to sustain those institutions and those laws made by our ancestors and defended by their common blood.
Remember all these things, and if there be those among you who, maddened by party feeling, misled by willful falsehoods or a mistaken sense of duty, have thought to obliterate the national existence, let them at least pause till they learn the true value of what they have imperilled, and the nature of that into which they are asked to plunge. We have all confidence that in Virginians in arms against us we have honorable foes, whom we hope yet to make our friends.
COLONEL A. DÚRYÉE, Acting Brigadier-General.
The Times correspondent, a few days later, photographed the Fifth as follows :
CAMP BUTLER, NEAR HAMPTON, VA., Sunday, June 2, 1861. 5
The friends of Colonel Duryee's Zouaves, who greeted with so nuch enthusiasm their first public parade in New York, would have been gratified beyond measure had they been here yesterday
38
Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
to witness the battalion-drill in the morning, conducted by Lieu- tenant-Colonel Warren, and the brigade evolutions, under the direction of Acting Brigadier-General Duryée, in the afternoon. A command composed as this is, constantly under military dis- cipline, in camp, makes wonderful progress in the course of a single week. They are something more than holiday soldiers, who know how to make a brilliant dress parade, on State occa- sions, over Russ pavement. If you could see them maneuvering on rough, plowed ground, covered with dust, forming in line of battle, springing into column, compressed into close column by division, deploying into hollow square, charging bayonet as one man, firing by file, by company, and by wing-performing with precision all the evolutions which make war wonderful and soldiering a science-you would imagine that they were veterans of very long standing, rather than hewers of wood, and drawers of drafts, and drivers of quills, who have left their trades, their banking-houses, or their professions, to fight for the old flag that traitors have dared to dishonor.
We have, as yet, had no collision with the enemy, but it has not been because no opportunity has been afforded the secessionists. for coming in daily contact with the things they loathe.
On Tuesday, May 28th, Captain Judson Kilpatrick, an officer educated at West Point, in command of Company H, who knows no fear -- except the fear that he shall not speedily have an oppor- tunity of paying his compliments to the foe-left camp with forty men, and proceeded to the bridge at Hampton, which had been burned by the enemy, designing to repair it. He found it so much injured that with the implements at hand he could not re- construct it. He built two docks, took possession of about thirty boats, opened a safe and easy communication with the village, crossed, took possession, and after posting a strong guard at the bridge-head, scoured the country for miles. After leaving the village, he received information that about one thousand seces- sionists were at hand. Nothing daunted, the intrepid Captain, throwing out scouts in advance, rapidly passed up the road toward Yorktown, and arrived at Newmarket Bridge just in time to see a small force of the enemy pass over, taking up the planks as they left. On his return he dispersed a body of twenty-five
39
Our First Camp in Virginia.
men, who had fired on Mr. Isaac Case, agent of Messrs. Wheeler & Wilson, of sewing-machine celebrity, who accompanied the regiment to take care of a charger, worth $Coo, presented to Major J. Mansfield Davies by that firm. He captured one horse, three mules, four drums, harness, several hundred bushels of grain, arms and military stores. Leaving these in charge of a small guard, commanded by Lieutenant Carlisle Boyd *- one of those quiet, gentlemanly men, who at the post of danger generally give a better account of themselves than the blusterers-he re- turned to Hampton, where he caused to be published to the as- sembled citizens the proclamation of General Duryée. Again crossing the stream, he raised the Stars and Stripes on the build- ing but recently occupied by Colonel Mallory, of the Confederate army. His men stood around him while the ceremony was per- forming and greeted the flag with rousing cheers. The Captain made them a stirring little speech, to which they responded heartily. And then, after a day well spent, marched back to camp, bearing many trophies with him.
The next day, May 29th, Capt. Hiram Duryea, of E Company, marched far back into the country, meeting armed men who fled like deer at his approach. His men were "sp'ilin' for a fight," and bitterly denounced " the chivalry " for the retiring manners for which they are becoming noted in these parts. He brought back large quantities of provisions and tools.
The same day Lieut. Jacob Duryee, of Company G, son of the Colonel, raised the flag of our Union over ex-President Tyler's summer residence, " Marguerite Villa," at Hampton. It was an offset to the performance of Mr. Tyler's daughter, who a short time since, it will be remembered, hoisted a secession flag at a village somewhere at the South. On Thursday, May 30th, Capt. Robert S. Dumont, of Company B, went on a scouting expedition. in the course of which he met many armed men in uniform, who uniformly carried themselves back into the interior of old Vir- ginia at a quadruple quickstep. Lieut. Dumont, with a few men, drove a superior force into the woods, and returned with a very lire feather in his cap. Capt. Dumont brought back informa- tion of so much importance concerning the position of the op-
* Captain U. S. A. (1878).
40
Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
posing forces, that it was communicated to Gen. Butler in a writ- ten report. Capt. Denike, of Company G, and Capt. Swartwout. of Company F, have made similar armed excursions with equally important results. Col. Duryée himself, with a small force, a few days ago returned into camp from Hampton, bearing with him the first secession flag that has been captured,* and a quan- tity of arms, odd portions of uniforms, etc., which had belonged to the secessionists. This morning the men attended divine serv- ice on the lawn in front of the Colonel's quarters. Rev. Dr. Winslow, the Chaplain, conducted the exercises and preached a very eloquent sermon. Dr. Winslow is a parson of the old Revo- lutionary school, and, on the Colonel's staff, will be as serviceable in the field as he is in the pulpit. Yesterday, under his direction, a bridge was built over a little stream which divides one of the outposts from the camp.
Thus the week has passed, not without its excitements. Rumors were constantly brought into camp that the enemy was advancing in force, and the men have slept on their arms nightly. They evince an excellent military spirit.
The appointment of Col. Duryee to the post of Acting Briga- dier-General leaves Lieut .- Col. Warren in command of the Zou- aves. Col. Warren has been many years in the regular service, is an accomplished officer, and an excellent disciplinarian. A few nights ago, when scouts rushed in out of breath, reporting that the enemy was advancing in a large body to cut off the picket guard at Hampton Bridge, Col. Warren, without alarming the camp, proceeded with only three men to take command of the guard, and remained all night with it. It was not rashness on his part, by any means, for he knew well how to post his little force so that the enemy could not get the best of him.
The Adjutant of the regiment, Joseph E. Hamblin, has been offered the position of Adjutant-General, but has declined it. He fully deserved the compliment, and the whole regiment was
* This flag, which still had a threaded needle sticking in it, was presented by Col. Duryce to the New York Historical Society. The first Confeder ite flag taken in the field was captured in Alexandria, Va., on May a3d, by two Union men named William Mespelon, of New York City, and Samuel Smith, of Queens County, N. Y. On May 24th Col. Ellsworth captured the Confederate flag, and lost his life, at Alexandria, Va.
-------
.
41
Our First Camp in Virginia.
pleased with it. But the whole regiment would have united in a protest against his leaving the command ; and his reason for declining the promotion was that he was so much attached to the regiment that he could not endure to be detached. No man in the regiment has performed multifarious and arduous duties bet- ter, and is more respected by his brother officers and beloved by the men than Adjutant Hamblin.
There are now four regiments encamped here-Col. Allen's, Col. Carr's, Col. Bartlett's, and the Zouaves. The laws protect- ing the property of private citizens are strictly enforced by the Brigadier, and those of the people that remain are on excellent terms with the soldiers, while families that at first fled are begin- ning to return. As soon as it becomes generally known that they will nowhere be safer from insult, violence, and lawlessness than within our lines, the deserted villages in this delightful neighbor- hood will again be populated.
We have experienced as yet but few comparatively of the hard- ships of a soldier's life. We are particularly fortunate in being sent to this delightful Old Point Comfort. It is one of the healthi- est places in the world, and no point could have been selected at which an army may be concentrated, provisioned, and kept in good sanitary condition, that is superior to this. And nature's great bath-tub lies at our feet. We may go further and fare worse. G. C.
On Tuesday, the 4th, only two companies were left in camp ; the rest were sent on a scout to Fox Hill, about five miles distant. They were accompanied by the Troy regi- inent and others, and expected to have a fight. The night before had been a trying one; the regiment was out on parade, when a storm, which had been threatening to break at any moment, burst upon them in all its fury. The men were dismissed to their tents, but before reaching them were completely drenched. The tents were small, and not being water-proof, the rain soaked through so much that the inmates and the contents were thoroughly wet. The earth floors caught the drippings, and were soon turned into muddy
42
Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
beds. The men passed a sleepless and disagreeable night ; the whole camp was flooded, and the next day blankets, overcoats, Bibles, and Prayer-books were spread out to dry, and the men waited patiently for their clothing to dry on their backs.
The provisions were scant at times, and the officers were disposed to be cross-a feature which did not make matters any more cheerful.
Much of the spare time of the men when off duty was oc- cupied in cleaning their arms and accoutrements, and it was required of them that they be kept in prime order, or the guard-house or extra duty awaited the delinquent ; and as nothing was allowed to rub them with, the men were com- pelled to use earth and old pieces of rags, if they could be procured. But all, both officers and privates, were held to a strict account in their various spheres of duty, and the discipline was very severe. It may have been rigorous, but it was the only way to make good soldiers of such a diver- sified body of men as composed this regiment.
. On Wednesday, June 5th, Sergeant I)-, of Company G, resigned as a non-commissioned officer, on account of being reproved by Captain D --- , of Co. B, the officer of the day, for not compelling six men who had been with others on a scout of fifteen miles that day, to leave their supper immediately, and take some prisoners down to Fortress Monroe. The Captain himself had been lying in camp all day. Exposure and hard service were beginning to show their effect on the men, and there were a number on the sick-list, several being sent to the hospital. In the morning the sound of heavy cannonading was heard in the distance. It was probably some of the men-of-war bombarding Con- federate batteries near Norfolk.
Captain Winslow, Lieutenant Hoyt, and Lieutenant Fer- guson, with Company K, and a company of the Second Troy Regiment, made a nocturnal expedition into the interior,
.
43
Our First Camp in Virginia.
capturing two men, a secession flag, uniforms, and other trophies.
According to the following extract from the New York Daily Times, the flag was presented to the Union Defense Committee of New York :
"Quartermaster Bailey Myers arrived yesterday from Fortress Monroe, bringing the secession flag which was captured by Colo- nel Duryée's "Red Devils," the Zouaves, at Hampton. The trophy was sent by Major-General Butler through Quartermaster Myers to the Union Defense Committee, with a letter highly compli- menting Colonel Duryee and his command. The flag is made of a coarse red and white flannel, with a blue field of the same material, the stars, eight in number, being made of white cloth ; the ends are somewhat whipped out by the wind. It is at the rooms of the Committee."
The Fox Hill expedition having returned, I can not do better than give the full report of Lieutenant-Colonel War- ren, who was in command :
CAMP BUTLER, June 4, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of an ex- pedition in front of our lines, on the 3d and 4th instants. About 4 P.M. on the 3d instant I was handed a communication from Colonel Allen, addressed to Colonel Duryée, commanding the brigade, which was as follows :
CAMP DIX, June 3, 1861.
COLONEL DURYÉE :
SIR :- I am directed by General Butler to call upon you for a detachment of men to accompany three companies of my regi- ment to ascertain the correctness of the reported capture of 126 officers and men of the regiment, this morning, at Fox Hill, and, if so, to recapture them, or if not, to conduct them in.
In haste, yours, W. H. ALLEN, Colonel First Regiment.
And, at the same time, I was directed to have ready a detach-
.
44
Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry.
ment for the purpose. Orders were right away given by me to Captain Hull, Captain Kilpatrick, Captain Winslow, and Captain Bartlett, to have their companies in readiness, with canteens, haversacks containing one day's rations, and fifteen rounds of ammunition in their cartridge-boxes. This was promptly com- plied with, and at 5 P.M. we received the order to march, cross the river at Hampton, and interrupt any parties returning toward Yorktown or Williamsburgh from the neighborhood of Fox Hill. Owing to sickness and the number of men detailed for guard, the aggregate force of the four companies was only eight officers and 200 men. As Captain Kilpatrick's company were drilled in the duty of skirmishers, it was thrown in advance after crossing over to Hampton, and seized the cross-road about a mile beyond, at which point any land expedition returning from Fox Hill would be compelled to pass. The main body passed through Hampton, but being overtaken by a violent rain-storm, took shelter in an abandoned house, and waited there till dawn of day. Numbers of colored persons were examined, and all agreed that no force had passed in the direction of Fox Hill, nor could any rumor of the capture of Colonel Allen's men be discovered.
I determined, however, to advance in the direction of Yorktown sufficiently far to show forces at that place that they could not conduct small expeditions with impunity so near to us, and be- sides to assure the citizens that all our authorized expeditions would respect peaceable persons and property. With these ob- jects I concluded to go to a place called the County .Bridge, about nine miles from Hampton, where there was said to be a battery of several cannon, and capture it if practicable. About two and a half miles beyond Hampton we came to Newmarket Bridge, which spans a branch of Bark River. This was partially destroyed by fire, but not so much so that we did not succeed in making it passable in a few minutes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.