USA > New York > Cayuga in the field : a record of the 19th N. Y. Volunteers, all the batteries of the 3d New York Artillery, and 75th New York Volunteers > Part 2
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19TH NEW-YORK INFANTRY.
paper forthwith, and in a very few days Moravia had a full com- pany. On May 6th the company took the oath of service with Mr. Stephens as Captain, and Lieuts. W. C. Squire and Edward D. Parker. For a time the choice of the Captaincy wavered be- tween Mr. Stephens and Mr. Squire, but the latter withdrew from a contest with a man of the culture, ability and experience of his colleague, and the choice was made as stated.
And now the volunteers were reinforced by a War Democrat of Auburn-that sturdy soldier and patriot, Capt. Charles H. Stewart, commanding the Willard Guard, Company D of the 49th Militia. The Willard sustained at this time, as they have ever since, the reputation of being the crack company of the regiment, and Capt. Stewart wanted to lead the corps to the war intact, as, had the regiment gone en masse, he would have done. Since it was not to be, he called the company under arms April 24th, paraded it in the streets of the city, and made a speech to it from the old Exchange Hotel steps. He told the men he proposed to volunteer. Any or all his old comrades that wanted to go he should like to have join him.
Then marching to the Armory, he began recruiting. Some of the Willards joined him. Before night he had organized a splendid company of men. He was mustered in with it, May 6th, with Lieuts. John Wall and Antoine E. Robinson.
Capt. Solomon Giles, a lawyer of the village of Weedsport, gave to the regiment its eighth company. He was the second Cayuga county man who tendered his services to the Governor in expectation of war. His tender was about January 20th, 1861. The Weedsport company was mustered in May 7th, with Capt. Giles and Lieuts. Augustus Field and Marquis D. Nichols.
Capt. John H. Ammon's company raised in Auburn, with Geo. W. Thomas and R. B. Kimberly as Lieutenants, was mustered in May 7th.
Last but not least, a splendid company organized under Capt. James R. Angel in Union Springs, with A. H. Carr and Lester W. Forsting as Lieutenants. It mustered in May roth, com- pleting the Cayuga regiment.
In the organization of these companies loyal citizens actively aided by all the devices ardent patriotism could suggest. War meetings were held in all parts of the county. War sermons were preached. Swords and uniforms were presented to officers, revolvers to the men. Volunteers were subsisted by citizens without expense while they were awaiting orders to march. In Auburn nearly $6,000 was subscribed for the benefit of families of volunteers ; $3,000 in Port Byron, and large sums in other
23
LOYAL CITIZENS HELP ON THE WORK.
places. Among the most zealous in this patriotic work were Geo. Humphreys, Mayor of Auburn; Gen. Segoine, Benj. F. Hall, Charles P. Wood, Theo. M. Pomeroy, Wm. C. Beardsley, Dr. Theo. Dimon, Wm. Allen, E. A. Thomas, Rev. Dr. Charles Hawley, Rev. Henry Fowler, Rev. B. I. Ives, Dr. S. Willard, Father Creedon, Benj. B. Snow, Geo. P. Letchworth, Richard Steel, C. Morgan, Rev. Day K. Lee, Geo. O. Rathbun, Theo. P. Case, Geo. Rathbun, Wm. P. Robinson, E. G. Storke, A. H. Goss, C. H. Merriman, J. R. Cox, E. H. Avery, of Auburn ; Henry Morgan, Edwin B. Morgan, of Aurora; H. V. Howland, W. A. Halsey, F. M. King, of Port Byron ; John L. Parker, of Moravia ; Rev. S. S. Goss, and others.
When volunteering began, many of our citizens desired to encamp the Cayuga regiment in Auburn until organized, clothed and equipped. A gloomy chapter in its history would have been avoided had this been done; but the volunteers were opposed to it. The law designated Elmira as the rendezvous and our soldiers were ambitious to be there among the foremost. Companies hurried thither in consequence as fast as formed.
Capt. O'Brien with an Oswego company was the first at the Elmira rendezvous. Close at his heels was Capt. Ashcroft, arriving April 27th, at eleven P. M. For a day or two these two small, gallant bands of men enjoyed the distinction of being the only volunteers in a city, which, ere long, would resound with the tramp of whole patriotic brigades.
Cayuga's first three hundred reached Elmira, by cars from Auburn, late at night, Monday, April 29th. Baker commanded, as senior Captain, his company, with those of Kennedy, Gavigan and Schenck constituting the detachment. Tumbling from the train as it came to a halt in the Eric depot, the men formed in column under the escort of the Auburn Brass Band. There was little of an impressive character in its appearance as this detachment, tired, sleepy and straggling, stumbled through gloomy and deserted streets in the direction of the quarters assigned it by Gen. Van Valkenburg, commanding the post. Clad in citizen's dress, no two alike, with hats slouched over their heavy eyes, pants tucked in their boots, and equipped with nothing more warlike than bundles tied up in bandanna handkerchiefs, carpet bags and clay pipes, they bore no promise then of that splendid reputation for discipline and efficiency, that made their regiment famous from Virginia to Florida later in the war. The officers only wore uniforms and arms.
Under the guidance of a staff officer, the detachment marched to the junction of Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue, two blocks
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19TH NEW-YORK INFANTRY.
west of the depot. Here loomed dimly up to view in the enfold- ing darkness, that renowned and ancient pile entitled the Old Barrel Factory of Elmira, known in military circles as Barracks No. One. Two stories and a half high, large, long and roomy, it stood in a large enclosure, on the east side of, and facing the street, and at right angles to the Erie railroad track, which ran along by the north side of the yard. Here the new comers found the Oswego and Seneca Falls men, who had sat up to welcome them, and now turned out in great excitement and joy to give them a hospitable reception.
A soldier's ration of cold meat, mush, bread and coffee was speedily issued and eagerly eaten, for the men were famished. Double blankets were then given out. Straw shaken down on the floors made bedding, and Capt. Baker was directed to make his men comfortable for the night. It was rough accommoda- tion for those who had left luxurious feather beds and snowy sheets the day before, but the straw was dry and abundant and the volunteers were tired, and they betook themselves to it with great satisfaction. Gen. Van Valkenburg and Chas. B. Walker, his Adjutant General, saw all arrangements made in person. They did not leave till 2 A. M., when the last Cayugan had pulled his dark brown blanket around him and nestled down to dreams in the straw, with the proud reflection of having beaten the whole of Western New York at the rendezvous, excepting only his comrades from Oswego and Seneca Falls. During the night, train after train thundered by on the railroad, with clang of bell and roar of wheels, shaking the building till it rattled, but that was a music all soon became accustomed to, and it ceased to disturb them.
Capt. Baker, placed in command of Barracks No. One, next day drew on the Quartermaster of the post for lumber, and pro- vided the barracks with all needed appointments. Bunks were built, partitions were put up to separate company and officer's rooms ; rough sheds were erected in the yard for mess houses, and a guard house and other buildings were introduced, as they came to be needed. Everything was roughly built, but answered the purposes they were intended for. Troops were pouring into Elmira so fast, that the General commanding could but barely provide accommodations for them, even in the most general manner. By May Ist, he had eight regiments on his hands and volunteers were arriving by hundreds every day.
May 9th, Capts. Stewart, Giles and Ammon arrived to the great joy of the Cayugans, who impatiently awaited the time when the regiment would be organized. The new companies
25
ARRIVAL OF MORE COMPANIES.
were quartered in Beecher's church several days before rooms could be provided for them at the Barrel Factory. Capt. Stephens arrived on the roth, was quartered a short time in a public hall, and was then transferred to the barracks of the Cayugas. Capt. Angel arrived on the 11th.
Companies from other counties were crowded into the Barrel Factory also for a short time. Among them was one from Wa- terloo. It lodged in the loft of the Barracks, next the roof. The lower story men called it "The Swallows." At one time, Capt. Baker, as commandant of these Barracks, had 900 men under his supervision.
Capt. Ashcroft did not at first design entering the Cayuga regiment. He was solicited to join a command being organized under Adj .- Gen. Townsend, and was promised a field officer's commission. He was finally persuaded to join our reg- iment. At one time, a Lima company proposed to go in, in Ashcroft's stead. But the Lima Captain heard an Auburn officer swear. His men would not serve among those from whom there was danger of hearing profanity. So they went into the regi- ment of Col. Joe Chambers. It was hard luck for them. Chambers afterwards, in his stuttering manner, alluded to them affectionately as " those darned pious cusses." This Chambers, by the way, tried to get some of the Cayuga companies into his regiment, Stephens' particularly. He promised Stephens a Ma- jor's commission.
May 14th, the State Military Board, in session at Albany, re- solved on motion of the Attorney-General :--
" That the companies commanded by Captains John T. Baker, Owen Gavigan, Thomas H. Schenck, Charles H. Stewart, Jno. H. Ammon, Solomon Giles, Nelson T. Stephens, J. E. Ashcroft, T. J. Kennedy and J. R. Angel, be severally accepted and formed into a regiment to be numbered No. 19, and that orders be forth- with issued for the election of regimental officers thereof."
This put an end to Col. Chambers's figuring for any of the Cayuga men.
The election took place at the headquarters of Gen. Van Val- kenburg, in the Brainard Block, preliminary to which a caucus was first held in a private room. Captains O'Brien, Chambers and others were present. Several citizens of Auburn, also, Theo. M. Pomeroy, Wm. C. Beardsley, Benj. F. Hall, Dr. Dimon, Wm. H. Carpenter, Geo.W. Peck and others. A general discussion took place. Many names were proposed, especially for the Colonelcy. Col. John A. Dodge, of Auburn, had the honor of being promi-
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19TH NEW-YORK INFANTRY.
nently spoken of. Horace V. Howland was also named. Some of the officers thought of that staunch old war horse, Gen. Segoine, who, they believed, was capable of taking the regiment like a whirlwind through rebeldom to the Gulf. Captains O'Brien and Chambers had aspirations to the command, but they were hope- * lessly wrecked in the discussion. Captains Stephens and Giles presented the name of John S. Clark, which received the earnest endorsement of the committee from Auburn.
Major Clark was a native of Cayuga county, resident at Auburn, a civil engineer of experience. He was tall, stalwart, rugged. Energy, positiveness of character and iron will were written on every feature of his bold countenance. He wore no beard and was stern, imperious and peculiar in manner, though possessing a kindly heart." In April, happening to be in Wash- ington, he shouldered a musket in Cassius M. Clay's famous battalion for the defense of the Capital in that hour of anxiety and peril. He served therein till, upon the arrival of troops, it was disbanded. Magruder's regular battery of artillery was for a time the only other defense of Washington. One day, Major Clark learned from Hon. Fred. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, the painful anxiety of the Government at being cut off from the North. No tidings had been received for several days. Baltimore rebels had cut off the telegraph wires in all directions, and stopped the trains. Of eleven messengers sent out by the Government, ten had been turned back and one captured. Major Clark promptly offered to attempt any service for the Govern- ment and said he thought he could get through. Mr. Seward was very much pleased. After consultation, he brought Major Clark verbal orders from the President to Gen. Butler, to come through, by any route, as quick as he could. Leaving his valu- ables with D. C. Littlejohn, then in Washington, Major Clark drove at sunset out to Bladensburg. Then he struck across the . country on foot. Reaching the Patuxent, he found rebels at each bridge with bonfires. Crossing the river on a log, the water being ice cold, nearly freezing him, he pushed on, and reached Chesapeake bay at daylight, having walked forty miles. A negro took him to the frigate Constitution. Commodore Rod- gers at once sent him in a barge to Annapolis, where he found Butler, and delivered his orders. He returned to Washington on foot with the 7th New York, carrying a musket all the way. The arrival of Butler was hailed with rapture in the Capital, and Major Clark's courageous service was the theme of every tongue.
The proposition to place him at the head of the Cayuga regi- ment was acquiesced in by the officers in session at Elmira. The
27
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
other field officers were then quickly agreed upon. When the caucus closed, the officers repaired to Gen. Van Valkenburg's office and deposited their formal ballot. Clark was elected Colonel, three voices dissenting. The choice was then made unanimous by acclamation.
For Lieutenant-Colonel the choice fell unanimously on Clar- ence A. Seward, Esq., of New York, a scholarly and affable gentleman, a lawyer and a nephew of Secretary Seward. No man in the regiment ever enjoyed a more thorough popularity during his stay in it than he.
For Major, the choice was unanimous for James H. Ledlie, of Auburn. Major Ledlie boasted an Irish descent. He was a young man of medium stature, well proportioned, graceful, with a dark, flashing eye, possessing an active mind and bril- liant talent as a civil engineer and a politician. His most strik- ing characteristics were his remarkable affability and dignity. The Cayuga regiment always loved and warmly admired him.
Special Order, No. 195, A. G. S. N. Y., May 17th, confirmed the field officers designated above. Col. Clark arrived on the 18th. The staff of the regiment was then appointed as follows :-
Surgeon-Theo. Dimon, M. D., of Auburn ; a thoroughly competent Surgeon, and a gentleman of unusual ability and force of character. He had had the previous experience of service on Gov. Burnett's staff in California, and in the Physi- cianship of Auburn Prison. The men always found him a kind and true friend.
Assistant-Surgeon-Benjamin Howard, M. D .; a Surgeon of extensive practice in New York city, London and Paris.
Quarter-master-John Chedell, of Auburn ; a dashing, ener- getic, popular fellow, of good qualities socially and otherwise.
Quarter-master-Sergeant-Dennis Sheil, of Auburn ; a young and able Irishman, a faithful and good soldier.
Sergeant- Major-Charles Tomlinson, of Auburn ; a popular, hard-working and competent officer.
Chaplain-Rev. Henry Fowler, of Auburn ; a man that all loved for his ability and excellence of character.
State Paymaster-Paul C. Woodruff, of Auburn ; one of the most popular fellows in the regiment at all times, but especially on pay day.
Drum-Major-John Bingham.
Fife-Major-Hiram Adle.
With field and staff thus constituted, the regiment felt a great and general satisfaction. Nearly all were novices in war ; but
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19TH NEW-YORK INFANTRY.
the men felt safe and strong in the leadership of officers of such known ability and intellect, especially since it was generally believed that Secretary Seward approved the choice made and would do all he could to help the regiment commanded by theni. The 19th at once dubbed itself "The Seward Regiment," and resumed its work of training.
Camp life in Elmira had many singular experiences-some dismal enough, yet interspersed with little gilt-edged occurrences that enlivened the gloom and revive in memory to this day only to give pleasure.
It must be confessed that the drilling was gloomy work, anx- ious as all were to learn. On taking command of Barracks No. One, Capt. Baker ordered two drills, at 8 1-2 A. M. and 2 P. M., respectively. But the Barracks had no proper parade ground. The companies, therefore, took to the fields, those adjoining the Female College being a favorite resort. This would have been agreeable in the extreme had not the weather, in early May especially, been cold, raw, rainy and muddy, which made drilling dreadfully dreary, unattended as it was with the cheering beat of the drum, the flash of arms, the self-respect inspired by soldierly uniforms and the proper paraphernalia of war, none of which were connected with the first month's experience at Elmira. A general lack of sufficient clothing made the bad weather doubly irksome. The men had mostly left overcoats and changes of linen at home, supposing the Government would issue clothing on arriving at the rendezvous. Not getting any, they grew uncom- fortable in a fornight. In this emergency, thoughtful and patri- otic hearted ladies of Auburn and of Elmira made donations to the men of towels, linen and clothing, which proved a great relief and elicited heartfelt blessings on the generous spirits who supplied them. It is surprising how little it takes to make a soldier-whose lot is generally a hard one-happy, and to enliven his spirits ; and the kindnesses of the ladies to the old 19th while at Elmira will never be forgotten by its members.
While the Cayuga men bore mud, bad weather and thin cloth- ing without a murmur, one item in their experience they revolted at. Fresh from comfortable homes and tables spread with the snowiest of linen, bountifully supplied with appetizingly cooked meats and vegetables and fragrant decoctions of Java and Young Hyson, with cream and a more or less wide array of delicacies, the volunteers found the transition to corned beef, salt pork, boiled potatoes, soft bread, mush, clear coffee and machine made hash, which formed their soldier's ration, rather severe. It was a forty-five cent ration, too,-a princely one for soldiers. Many
29
RAID ON THE HASH MACHINE.
a time afterwards were the men thankful to stay raging hunger with even a five cent handful of inhabited hard-tack. But in Elmira they were slow in getting used to it, even with appetites sharpened by long drills.
Hash was one of the staple articles of food. It was prepared in the shanty in the corner of the Barrack yard, used as a cook house by the contractor. What old 19th boy does not remember the hash machine? That devourer of scraps was going, with noisy clatter, day and night; trains would thunder by on the railroad with a roar ; brass bands would fill the air with martial strains ; the cheers of the soldiery would shake the ancient buildings ; but nothing would ever drown the steady music of the hash machine.
For some days the meat, and occasionally the hash, had been of a character to excite the alarm of olfactories. The hash was sometimes burnt. One day a volunteer discovered in his ration something which he swore was the end of a dog's tail, the fur still on. Waving the obnoxious chunk aloft on his fork, he went down the mess room showing it to his comrades. The yard, soon after, was full of excited soldiers. Several circum- stances occurred to fan the rising flame of discontent against the contractor. A moment more and there was a terrific shout. The cook house was tumultuously invaded. An avalanche of men sprang in through the delivery windows, amongst the cheers of a crowd outside, driving out the occupants pell mell. The hash machine was banged and smashed to flinders, and then there followed a general raid on the whole establishment. Stumbling, as he came in through the window, one volunteer plunged feet first into a barrel of eggs. Covered with yolk to his ears, he emerged a fearful looking apparition, but, undaunted, made for three other barrels of the same commodity. These also he overturned and smashed. A huge darkey stuck his head in the door. A volley of eggs and chunks of meat saluted him ; he retreated precipitately. Two barrels of soft soap were tipped over, and beans, mush, hash, potatoes and meat flew in every direction. The establishment was completely turned topsy-turvy and the volunteers returned to their quarters. Some of the men were sent to the guard house for this affair ; but the regiment had better rations after it.
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The deprivations of camp life in the ration department were sometimes relieved from home. Barrels of goodies came some- times from Auburn. Once there came a plum pudding, aro- matic with spices, which created a sensation. Huge cakes came now and then. One royal specimen was inscribed "If any man
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19TH NEW-YORK INFANTRY.
attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." Sums of money, the gifts of patriotic friends, aided to replenish a poor larder and provide comforts. Dr. Willard gave the sol- diers $50 ; Theo. P. Case and Clarence Seward each $100 ; E. B. Morgan sent $500. The thankfulness of the men found ex- pression, as gifts were announced, in hearty hurrahs, and reso- lutions of thanks.
Muster into the United States service took place May 22d. The companies formed into line, one at a time, in the barracks yard, and were carefully inspected by the United States Muster- ing Officer at the Post, Capt. W. L. Elliott of the U. S. Mount- ed Rifles. The. roll of each company was called over, the men were counted, and then the company took the oath of allegiance and swore to serve its officers and the government faithfully till discharged the service.
The period for which they were so sworn in was three months. This was a miseraole error. The call for troops of April 15th was indeed for men to serve three months, the North at that time being unboundedly confident that war was to be only a ninety day affair. But in a fortnight's time, that delusion had faded entirely from the mind of the Government.
On the first of May, the Attorney General of New York wrote to the Secretary of War :-
"Such is the patriotic zeal of the people of the State, that it will be a great disappointment to them if they are not permitted to raise thirty-eight regiments for the public service instead of seven- teen. The Military Board therefore respectfully requests, that the United States Government will receive from the State of New York, at such depots within the State as the United States Government may choose to indicate, thirty-eight regiments of .volunteers for two years' service, unless sooner discharged, of such arm of the service as it may require, and assume at the depots the instruction, pay and subsistance of such troops."
. May 3d, the Secretary of War replied :-
" I have the honor, in behalf of the Government of the United States, to inform you, that this offer will be accepted on condi- tions named."
On the same day, the President issued a new call for troops, asking for 60,000 men for three years' service. May 6th, the Secretary of War telegraphed Gov. Morgan, asking that all New York regiments be mustered in for three years. Under the law of April 15th, this was impossible. Gov. Morgan so informed
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31
MUSTER IN.
the Secretary of War. But the circumstance is valuable here, as showing that the idea of subduing the rebellion in 90 days, on which the first call for troops was based, had now been exploded, and the Government desired and intended to have its army sworn in for a term of years. It is definitely known, also, that this was also the intention of the Governor of New York, for, when ten regimental organizations had been perfected in Elmira, he defi- nitely ordered their muster in for two years. Capt. Elliott, entirely unauthorized, mustered five of them, the 12th, 13th, 19th, 21st and 26th for three months. He was stopped right there and sent out of the State.
The men of the 19th expected to serve for two years. On the day of muster, they learnt for the first time that they were to be received for three months only, and several of them doubted as to whether the proceeding was right, and wished to be sure. They begged leave, and were permitted to ask Capt. El- liott, before swearing in, distinctly how long they were to be held. He said distinctly, "Three months, my men ! The Government is not so hard up for troops as to want you for two years. It won't take you for two years." The men were satisfied. They were willing to go for any length of time, long or short, and cheer- fully took an oath, which was kept, to serve their country faith- fully for three months.
'The companies were enrolled in the order following : Com- pany A, Capt. Baker ; Company B, Capt. Kennedy ; Company C, Capt. Ashcroft ; Company D, Capt. Gavigan ; Company E, Capt. Schenck ; Company F, Capt. Stephens ; Company G, Capt Stewart ; Company H, Capt. Giles ; Company I, Capt. Ammon ; Company K, Capt. Angel.
Uniforms were issued, Friday May 24th. It was a dav of excitement A neat uniform is the pride of a good soldier. The men were eager to don the army blue. They were furthermore suffering for warm and comfortable clothing. When the boxes, containing the suits, were delivered at the barracks, the joy of the regiment knew no bounds. That feeling suffered an early demise. There was tossed out to each volunteer a cap, jacket, pair of pants and overcoat. They were not of army blue. The great Empire State had seen fit to clothe the 19th regiment in a shabby gray. The brave fellows, however, anxious to get suits of any description, donned them good naturedly. Then came out the whole truth. The uniforms had been made of a coarse, fluffy, flimsy material, called shoddy, full of fine flocking, which on shaking sifted out, filling the eyes, irritating the skin, and covering the floor with refuse. A heartless fraud had been ยท perpetrated.
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