USA > New York > Erie County > Centennial history of Erie County, New York : being its annals from the earliest recorded events to the hundredth year of American independence > Part 43
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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
While it is impracticable to notice all of the numerous insti- tutions which have sprung up in the city of Buffalo within the last twenty years, there is one of them, the objects of which are so intimately connected with a history of Erie county that some mention of it cannot well be omitted. On the very last day of December, 1862, a few gentlemen of Buffalo signed a certificate, associating themselves together as a corporation, to be called " The Buffalo Historical Society." Its object, as stated by its constitution, was "to discover, procure and preserve whatever may relate to the history of Western New York in general, and the city of Buffalo in particular, and to gather statistics of the commerce, manufactures and business of the lake region, and those portions of the West that are intimately connected with the business of Buffalo." A very great measure of success has rewarded its efforts, and a vast amount of valuable infor- mation has been brought together, and arranged in admirable order in its archives.
480
RETURN OF THE TWENTY-FIRST.
CHAPTER XLII.
1863.
The Twenty-first Regiment .- Its Return .- The Forty-ninth during the Year. -- The One Hundredth in South Carolina. - Assault of Fort Wagner .- The Usual Result .- " A Mighty Nice Thing to be inside of."-The Night Attack .- Another Repulse. - Terrible Loss .- The Siege of Wagner .- Tall Men called for .- The Fort Abandoned .- The Rest of the Year .- Wiedrich's Battery .- The One Hundred and Sixteenth .- Plain Store. - Assault of Port Hudson. - Death of Col. Chapin .- The Siege and Capture .- Other Services .- The Eighty-ninth Colored Regiment. - Home Affairs.
The year opened with a feeling of sadness weighing on the whole North, on account of the numerous disasters of the pre- ceding campaign. The Twenty-first New York remained on provost duty during the rest of its term. Capt. Sternberg was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel. The last of April, its time having expired, the regiment started for home. Its total strength had been reduced to four hundred and ninety-five officers and men. At Buffalo it received a grand ovation. Again the Union Continentals turned out under their distinguished commander. The 65th and 74th regiments of militia, and nearly the whole fire department, was in line, to greet the returning heroes, and hundreds of banners ivaved in welcome, on either side of their pathway. At the Central School the flag given to the regiment two years before was returned to the donors, the same young lady who had presented it in its unstained beauty, now receiving back the tattered and war-worn banner. Then, after the neces- sary formalities, the Twenty-first was disbanded, and the first regiment of volunteers ever enlisted in the county of Erie dis- solved into the community from which it sprang.
The Forty-ninth again took the field in the spring of 1863, being part of the third brigade, second division of the Sixth corps. At Chancellorsville it was under fire, but not in the hot- test of the fight. With the rest of the corps it marched north- ward, watching the enemy as he moved toward Pennsylvania. At 5 p. m., July 2d, the Sixth corps arrived on the field of Get-
481
THE FORTY-NINTH AND THE ONE HUNDREDTH.
tysburg, after having accomplished the tremendous feat of march- ing two hundred and fifty miles in seven days, carrying arms, accoutrements, ammunition and rations. The Forty-ninth, how- ever, was held in reserve during the rest of the battle. Through the remainder of the season it was engaged in those marches and countermarches in Northern and Central Virginia, which formed so large a part of the occupation of the army of the Po- tomac. Early in December it went into winter-quarters, near Brandy Station. Up to this time the regiment had been singu- larly fortunate in escaping loss. Not an officer had been killed, and very few of the men. Just at the close of the year the " veteran " order was issued, calling on the soldiers to reënlist for three years more, the new term to commence forthwith, with- out waiting for the end of the old one. Of the Forty-ninth, a hundred and forty-nine accepted the risks of another term.
The One Hundredth regiment, having left Gloucester Point just at the close of 1862, sailed to Carolina city, North Carolina, and thence, after a month's stay, to Hilton Head, South Caro- lina. The last of March it was attached to the army of 16,000 men ordered against Charleston, and was selected to lead the advance in landing on Folly island, near that city. Having landed, matters remained comparatively quiet till the arrival of Gen. Gilmore, in June.
Capt. Payne was the scout of the command. He developed a peculiar tact in that direction, and was constantly employed, either alone or with a few men, in making reconnoissances both by land and sea. The summer was one of the greatest hardship. Dragging heavy guns into place, building batteries, and similar work was accomplished on a sandy island, under a burning sun, amid ten thousand insect annoyances, while malarial fever made constant havoc in the ranks.
On the 10th of July, our troops, under cover of artillery and piloted by Capt. Payne, landed in force on Morris island, still nearer Charleston and partially occupied by the enemy. Had an assault been immediately made, perhaps the foe's principal de- fense, Fort Wagner, would have fallen. But the men were much affected by the heat, and it was determined to defer the attack till the next morning. During the day the rebels were rein- forced. At the appointed time the 100th New York, and six
482
THE ASSAULTS ON FORT WAGNER.
other regiments selected for the purpose, made the assault. The ground to be traversed was a level plain, every part of which was swept by the guns of the fort. The ditch was crossed, and even the parapet scaled by some of the Unionists, but the charge ended, as so many others ended on both sides, in the retreat of the assailants. In a vast majority of cases the column which attacked an intrenched position, whether composed of Unionists or Confederates, was obliged to fall back.
I never read the account of such an attack and repulse, with- out being reminded of the words of an old Union citizen, who had fled to the little fort at Pilot Knob, Missouri, when Price made his great raid through that State, in 1864. Some time after, I heard the old gentleman telling how the rebels attacked with overwhelming numbers, how they poured in their shot and shell, how every time they charged it seemed as if they must succeed, and how, every time, they were driven back in confusion. "I tell you, boys," said the old man, " a fort is a mighty nice thing to be inside of." There was a world of military wisdom in that homely expression.
Despite the reverse of the 11th, another assault was ordered for the night of the 18th of July. Then three brigades advanced to the attack, General Strong's leading, followed first by Colonel Putnam's, and then by General Seymour's. The One Hundredth was in Putnam's command. General Stephenson's brigade acted in support. At the head of Strong's brigade marched the 54th Massachusetts, a colored regiment, led by the gallant Colonel Shaw.
Seldom have the records of battle shown a more desperate conflict. Along the level sand marched the three brigades, their way lighted up by the incessant glare of the enemy's cannon, the balls of which were constantly crashing through the advanc- ing lines. Soon grape, canister and musketry mowed them down by the score. The fort was strongly built, heavily armed and amply manned. Yet the column pressed gallantly forward. Many crossed the ditch and mounted the wall, and for a short time held a corner of the fort. But the position they had gained was commanded by guns from the opposite side. Colonel Shaw was killed on the crest of the parapet, falling among scores of his dark but devoted followers. General Strong was wounded.
483
FRUITLESS VALOR.
His brigade wavered. Putnam's command came hurrying up, the One Hundredth led by Colonel Dandy and Major Nash. Seymour's brigade followed. But it was in vain that they strove to force their way into the fort. Sergeant Flanders planted the flag, presented to the One Hundredth by the Buffalo Board of Trade, on the wall, but was immediately shot down. Corporal Spooner snatched up and saved the fallen banner. Major Nash was severely wounded. General Seymour was wounded. Colonel Putnam was killed. Not a brigade commander was left. The men, disheartened, began to retire, and soon the whole force was fleeing over the sandy plain, past the many corpses of their comrades, and the still more numerous wounded. Stephenson's brigade had been ordered forward, but was halted on learning of the retreat.
Fifteen hundred and seventeen (out of a column of possibly six thousand men) was the total loss in that terrible onslaught. In the One Hundredth, Adjutant Haddock and Lieutenant Runckle were killed, and Lieut. Cyrus Brown mortally wounded. Besides Major Nash, Lieutenant John McMann was fearfully wounded, Captain Rauert seriously, and Captain Granger and Lieutenant Friday slightly-eight officers killed and wounded, out of about twenty engaged. No less than eleven sergeants were wounded.
In regard to this fight, Colonel Dandy, an old soldier of the regular army, in a letter to the Board of Trade, said : " I cannot " forbear expressing my admiration of the officers and soldiers " of the One Hundredth. Under the most galling fire sustained "by any troops since the commencement of the war, the regi- "ment marched unflinchingly in line, right on the works of the " enemy. I did not see a case of misconduct. All was done " there that brave men could do, and, if we did not succeed in " taking the place, it was because, under the circumstances of " the attack, the condition of the enemy and strength of the " place, it was impossible for brave men to take it."
After the assault had failed, a siege was immediately com- menced. Enormous one-hundred, two-hundred, and three-hun- dred-pound guns were placed in battery, and directed against Wagner and Sumter. It was then that the celebrated " Swamp Angel " battery was constructed, in a marsh where the mud was
-
484
THE SIEGE OF FORT WAGNER.
sixteen feet deep. The lieutenant of engineers ordered to con- struct it declared the task utterly impossible. He was directed to proceed, however, and to call on the depot quartermaster for everything he needed. The next day he made a requisition in due form for a hundred men eighteen feet high, to wade through mud sixteen feet deep, at the same time requesting the surgeon to be prepared to splice the eighteen-feet men, if taller ones should be needed. General Gilmore did not appreciate this facetiousness, the lieutenant was arrested, and another officer constructed the battery, making a foundation of bags of sand, brought from the beach at night and flung into the mud.
In toils like these the One Hundredth passed the summer. Often the inflowing tide filled the trenches and covered ways, so that the men had to stand guard knee-deep in water, with their trousers rolled up and their shoes and stockings suspended from their necks. They were a hardy set, however, and suffered less from sickness than almost any other regiment in the depart- ment. Captain Payne continued to patrol the channel in his boat, at night, often sending up rockets to show the position of rebel steamers, and, in at least one instance, causing the destruc- tion of a vessel by our artillery. But at length the daring scout was captured, and a long imprisonment rewarded his services.
Near the 20th of August Fort Sumter was silenced-though not captured-by Gilmore's batteries. Meanwhile, with paral- lels and zigzags, the engineers crept up to the counterscarp of Fort Wagner. Balls were constantly crashing and shells explod- ing among the working parties. The One Hundredth had a hundred and fifty men killed and wounded during the fifty days of the siege. On the 7th of September a third assault was or- dered, the One Hundredth New York being again selected as one of the attacking regiments. But a terrific cannonade of forty hours warned the rebels of what was coming, and, when the troops advanced, they were agreeably disappointed to find that the enemy had abandoned their long-defended stronghold.
During the rest of the year the One Hundredth remained on Morris island, rebuilding and guarding the batteries, for the late capture did not give Gilmore either Charleston or Sumter. The hardships endured were still severe, and some men were killed and wounded, but neither the hardships nor the dangers
485
THE FIGHTING BATTERY.
were great, compared with the terrible days of the spring and summer.
Besides those removed by death, many officers resigned dur- ing the year, and numerous promotions took place from the ranks. . Lieutenant-colonel Otis resigned early in the season. Captain Payne was recommended to fill his place, but was taken prisoner before his commission arrived, so that he could not muster. Lieutenants Dandy, Evert, Newell, Brown, Gardner and Lynch were promoted to captains. Sergeants George H. Stowits, James Kavanaugh, James H. French, Frederick Sand- rock, William Evans, Carlos H. Richmond, Myron P. Pierson, Edward Pratt and Benjamin F. Hughson were commissioned as lieutenants, the two last having been severely wounded at the storming of Wagner.
In December, a small portion of the privates reënlisted for another term, but the experience of the past summer had been a terrible damper on the romance of military life. Col. Dandy, with a number of officers and men, went to Buffalo on re- cruiting service, and obtained a considerable accession to the regiment.
The sturdy battery of Captain Wiedrich had its first severe conflict, during the year, at Chancellorsville. When Burnside fell back, Captain W. was obliged to leave two of his pieces-at one of them all the men but one were shot down ; at the other, four horses were killed. In all, four men were killed and four- teen wounded. After many a wearisome march, the battery was again in the thickest of the fight, at Gettysburg. In fact, it seemed never to miss a battle. In that glorious triumph of the Union arms, Wiedrich's battery lost three men killed, and Lieu- tenants Salm and Stock and seventeen enlisted men were wounded, making a total of twenty-two killed and wounded, out of about a hundred and twenty engaged.
In September the battery was sent to Nashville, and thence to the vicinity of Chattanooga. In November it was present at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, but fortu- nately escaped loss in both conflicts, and during the rest of the year.
The One Hundred and Sixteenth remained near New Orleans till March. Col. Chapin's soldierly qualities were so manifest,
486
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH.
that his regiment was transferred to a brigade in which the other colonels were his juniors, in order to get the benefit of his ser- vices as acting brigadier. His command was in Gen. Augur's division. In March that division went up the Mississippi to the vicinity of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson. Though taking part in many tedious movements, the One Hundred and Six- teenth was not in any serious engagement until the 21st of May. .
On that day Gen. Augur, with two brigades, one of which was Colonel Chapin's, was marching north to seize "Plain Store," which he was ordered to hold till the arrival of the main army, which had been operating in western Louisiana. The point named was a mere Southern cross-roads store, with two or three houses, but of some possible strategical value, being situated at the intersection of the road running east from Port Hudson with the main road from Baton Rouge to Bayou Sara. It was four miles from Port Hudson, the only great rebel stronghold south of Vicksburg. The other brigade, Colonel Dudley's, was in ad- vance, and during the afternoon drove back a force of the enemy, and then the command prepared to bivouac at Plain Store.
A battery of artillery, supported by a regiment of nine- months' men, held a position in advance, on the Port Hudson road, and was soon strongly attacked by the enemy. The com- mand was turned out, and presently the 116th New York and 49th Massachusetts were detached from the brigade and sent forward to act under Gen. Augur's immediate orders. They had almost reached the battery, when a tremendous outburst of musketry was heard close before them, and a mob of panic- stricken nine-months' men broke through the ranks of the Forty-ninth Massachusetts, also a nine-months' regiment, caus- ing great confusion. The value of Colonel Chapin's persistent drill and rigid discipline was at once seen. Major Love, who was in command, shouted to his men to " stand fast," and every man obeyed, and with unwavering ranks the One Hundred and Sixteenth stood till the demoralized crowd had passed to the rear, and then again moved forward. It was soon met by Gen. Augur, under whose orders it formed line. It had hardly done so, however, when a body of the enemy, which had gained its rear, suddenly opened fire on it. A "fire in the rear" is pro- verbially demoralizing, but the regiment at once faced about and
487
BATTLE OF PLAIN STORE.
returned the fire with perfect coolness. I now quote directly from Captain Clark's volume :
" Some twenty or thirty rounds had been discharged when General Augur, who was near, enquired of Major Love if his regiment would stand a charge. The Major replied : 'The One Hundred and Sixteenth will do anything you order them to.' ' You have my order then, sir,' said the general. Riding down . the front of the regiment, exposed to the fire of his own inex- perienced men as well as that of the enemy, Major Love informed the commandant of each company of the general's orders, then rode back to the center of the line, and taking off his old felt hat waved us on, leading us about twenty paces in advance. The yell which now broke from our throats, and echoed through the woods, had that in it which the enemy must have felt to their finger tips. They knew what was coming, and stood not upon the order of their going, but went at once, retreating across an open field and into another belt of woods, where making another stand, we were halted and commenced to return their fire. But a very few rounds of ammunition were discharged, however, when General Augur, who had followed our movement, ordered us to charge a second time, which was as successful as the first, utterly routing the rebels, and ending the battle of ' Plain Store.'"
Thus, in its first battle the One Hundred and Sixteenth achieved a brilliant success. Thirteen men were killed and forty-four wounded in the regiment, during the short time it was engaged, showing that it was opposed by no inconsider- able foe. Lieut. Borusky was mortally wounded. After the battle, General Augur publicly congratulated Colonel Chapin, declaring that for the victory he was mainly indebted to the valor of the 116th New York volunteers. Said the general : "They have most gallantly driven Miles' Legion, who claim never to liave been driven before."
Two days later Banks arrived, and Port Hudson was invested. A council of war determined to endeavor to carry the fortifica- tions by assault. Each brigade was to be preceded by a storm- ing party of two hundred special volunteers. Fifty was the number of enlisted men required for this terrible duty from the 116th New York ; sixty-six volunteered, besides Major Love, Captains Higgins, Kinney and Wadsworth, and Lieutenants McGowan, Grey, Ferris, Morgan and Dobbins. Not half of these officers could be employed, and the little detachment was placed under the command of Lieutenant Morgan.
488
THE ASSAULT ON PORT HUDSON.
. On the 27th of May the assault was made. The ground in front of the fortifications was cut up by numerous ravines, and for a thousand yards the trees had all been cut down, forming an almost impenetrable " slashing." About two o'clock in the after- noon came the order to advance. Col. Chapin led the brigade storming-party out of the woods, and directed them on their course, and then turned to lead the brigade itself, which came not far behind. It was met by a storm of cannon balls and bullets, and soon became entangled in the slashing. Chapin urged forward the men with alternate cheers and threats. Very early in the engagement he was wounded in the knee. He continued to press on, but in a few moments was shot through the head and instantly killed. The brigade being left without a commander, and the line being hopelessly broken up by the slashing, the men sought shelter and returned the enemy's fire. The field officer. (Lieutenant-colonel O'Brian, of the 48th Mass.) commanding the brigade storming, was killed as near the in- trenchments as it was possible to get. In a brief space of time the One Hundred and Sixteenth had a hundred and one men "killed and wounded, besides Colonel Chapin killed, and. Lieuts. Grey, Morgan and Jones wounded, the last mortally. In the brigades on the right hand and the left, the result was similar. It was found impossible to work their way through the slashing, in face of the leaden hail that rained from the rebel breastworks, and late in the afternoon the army retreated to the shelter of the forest.
The loss of Col. Chapin was deeply deplored, not only by his own regiment but by the whole army. The universal testimony of his brother soldiers is that no more devoted or more gallant officer ever wore the American uniform, and even in professional skill the young Erie county volunteer was surpassed by very few. In commemoration of his services, President Lincoln sent to his sorrowing father a commission appointing Colonel Chapin a brigadier-general, to date from the day of his death, and Post Chapin, of the Grand Army of the Republic, keeps his memory green among his comrades.
After the failure of the assault, a siege was begun, and the usual slow approaches were made toward the enemy's works. On the 14th of June the One Hundred and Sixteenth, with other regi-
FURTHER SERVICES IN 1863. 489
ments, made a feigned attack (in skirmish line) on the enemy's center, while the forces on the right and left again attempted to enter the works. In this they were unsuccessful, but their lines were in some places advanced to within fifty yards of the forti- fications. ' The regiment whose course we are following lost one officer (Lieutenant Linahan) and four men killed, and twenty- three wounded. Even after all these disasters, when a call was made for volunteers for another storming party, twenty-four gallant soldiers of the One Hundred and Sixteenth promptly responded. With others destined for the same desperate service they were organized and drilled in a special brigade. Before, however; they were called on to act, Vicksburg surrendered to General Grant, and immediately afterwards General Gardner, the commander of Port Hudson, gave up the now hopeless task of defense, and yielded to General Banks.
A few days later the regiment went to Donaldsonville and was engaged in a sharp conflict in defending it from the rebel forces of General Taylor. Captain Tuttle was instantly slain while saving a piece of artillery of which the horses had been killed. The regiment remained on the Mississippi till Septem- ber, when it was moved into western Louisiana, where during the rest of the year it did a good deal of marching, but no serious fighting.
Meanwhile Major Love was commissioned as colonel, and Captains Higgins and Sizer as lieutenant-colonel and major: The new colonel, having recovered from his wound, resumed command. Numerous other promotions had taken place, since the organization of the regiment. - Lieutenants Wadsworth, Gray, Atkins, Seymour, McGowan, Carpenter and Ferris. had been made captains, and Sergeants Orton S. Clark, Jacob C. Newton, George N. Brown, John H. Rohan, George W .. Miller, Charles Borusky, Charles S. Crary, Charles E. Paine, Philip J. Weber, Andrew Brunn, William J. Morgan, and George H. Shepard, were promoted to lieutenants.
When the rebels broke into Pennsylvania, numerous regiments of militia from that State and New York were hurried for- ward to aid in stemming the tide of invasion. Among them were the 67th and 74th, from Erie county. The former, com- manded by Colonel Chauncey Abbott and Lieutenant-colonel
32
490
LOCAL POLITICS.
Clough, went to Harrisburg, where it was held, with other forces, some thirty days, to prevent a possible irruption of the enemy in that direction. The Seventy-fourth, under Col. Wat- son A. Fox, was marched as far as Maryland, but did not come in sight of the foe.
At home, the political warfare raged with red-hot intensity. In Erie county, the Democrats still held control, and in the fall of 1863 elected James M. Humphrey State senator, Francis C. Brunck county treasurer, and Jonathan Hascall, of Brant, sur- rogate. The following assemblymen were chosen at the same time : Walter W. Stanard and Frederick P. Stevens of Buffalo, Timothy S. Hopkins of Amherst, and Seth Fenner of Aurora.
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.