USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y. > Part 135
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The militia is essentially a State Institution, so rec- ognized by the Constitution, while the regular army remains under the cxclusive control of the general government. Though the entire militia of the State is liable to military service, it is undesirable that a large portion should be permanently organized or under con- stant training, but it is necessary that a small number should be kept in training and discipline, ready for any emergency that might suddenly arise; in the cities they are a valuable auxiliary to the police, while their presence maintains good order and prevents lawlessness.
A force of 10,000 men in this State has proved suf- ficient, and these are located in the citics where their assistance is most likely to be required. In every in- stance, where the New York State National Guard was called on by the State authorities or the National Government, it responded promptly and effectively. In April, 1861, New York State sont eleven regiments
of her National Guard, more than seven thousand offi- cers and men, to the threatened National Capital; in addition, six regiments of the State Militia volunteered in the beginning of the war and served honorably for three years; more than five thousand officers for volun- teer regiments were furnished by the Militia of this State. In 1862 and '63, twenty-six regiments, N. G., S. N. Y., marched to the relief of Pennsylvania and Mary- land; some, returning, quelled the draft riots in New York; in 1864, ten regiments were mustered into the United States service for a hundred days; in 1864 and '65, the National Guard stood on duty on the frontier against threatened raids from Canada, and protected the lives and property of our citizens. Fortunately, since the war, there has been little occasion to call upon the National Guard, still they are the pride of the State for their public spirit and discipline.
The supreme command of the State Militia is vested in the Governor, ex-oficio, who appoints his staff and commissions the officers of the force, after their clec- tion.
The National Guard, State of New York .- The Constitu- tion of the State, of April 20, 1777, ordained that the militia at all times, hereafter, as well in peace as in war, shall be armed and disciplined and in readiness for service.
Act of the Legislature, passed April 4, 1786, provides for the organization of the militia : Each company of infantry to consist of 11 officers, and not less than sixty-five privates; each company of horse of 11 officers, and forty horsemen; each company of artillery of 17 officers and 44 men. Four companies of infantry to constitute a battalion. and two battalions a regiment; each regiment to have two light in- fantry companies as flank companies. Four regiments to form a brigade, commanded by a brigadier-general, and one troop of horse and one company of artillery attached to each brigade. The whole to be divided into two divisions.
Act passed April 17, 1834, organizes the State in eight military divisions, each of not less than two nor more than four brigades; each brigade of not less than two nor more than four regiments; each regiment to be of eight companies, to which may be added two flank companies of cavalry, artillery, light artillery or riflemen, and one section of flying artillery.
1194
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Act passed April 23, 1962, directs the organized militia to be known hereafter as the National Guard, and to consist of eight divisions, thirty-two brigades, one hundred and twenty- eight regiments and battalions, and such number of batteries, troops or squadrons as may be formed according to law, but empowers the Commander-in-Chief to increase this force in case of war, invasion, etc.
Act passed April 25, 1866, directs that the National Guard should not exceed 50,000 enlisted men, except in case of war, invasion, etc.
Act passed May 6, 1868, provides that the strength of the National Guard should not exceed 30,000 enlisted men, except in case of war, invasion, etc.
Act passed May 8, 1869, reduces the strength, except in time of war, invasion, etc., to 20,000 enlisted men.
Act passed April 30, 1875, creates an inspector of rifle practice for each regiment.
Act passed May 18, 1878, leaves the number of divisions discretionary with the Commander-in-Chief, and authorizes the organization of separate companies.
Act passed April 23, 1883, fixes the aggregate force of the National Guard in time of peace to be no less than 10,000, nor more than 15,000 enlisted men; a regiment to consist of not less than 8 nor more than 10 companies, with 3 field and 7 staff officers and 11 non-commissioned staff offi- cers; a battalion to consist of not more than six nor less than four companies, with 2 field and 4 staff officers and 11 non- commissioned staff. Companies are each to consist of 18 officers and not less than 31 nor more than 64 privates. Batteries are each to consist of 3 commissioned and 13 non- commissioned officers, and 2 drummers, and not less than 48 nor more than 93 privates. A Gatling gun battery shall con- sist of 3 commissioned and 13 non-commissioned officers, and 1 trumpeter, not less than 32 nor more than 84 privates.
December 31, 1883, the National Guard consists of forty separate companies of infantry, of one battalion of infantry of four companies, of fifteen regiments of infantry of one hundred and thirty-three companies, of seven batteries of artillery; in all, one hundred and eighty-four companies or- ganized in eight brigades, and these in four divisions; armed, the infantry with the Remington breech-loading rifle, calibre 50, and the artillery with three-inch steel guns, twelve-pounder mountain howitzers, twelve-pounder field howitzers, twelve-pounder Napoleon guns, and Gatling guns.
By the consolidation of the National Guard in Jan., 1882, the Fifth Brigade became the Third and the Eleventh was made the Fourth.
Second Division, National Guard, State of New York, Head-quarters, 49 Court street, Brooklyn, N. Y .- Maj. Gen. Edward L. Molineux joined the Brooklyn City Guard (Co. G, 13th Regt.) in 1851. In 1861, he joined the 7th ; was promi- ment in the formation of the 23d, and afterwards its Lieut .- Colonel; was Brigade Inspector and helped to re-organize the 11th Brigade. In August, 1862, he raised the 159th N. Y. Vols. as Lient .- Colonel; in October, was commissioned Colo- nel: took part in Banks' expedition in Louisiana ; was wounded in the face at Irish Bend, April 14, 1863 ; in July was appointed Asst. Inspector-General on Gen. Franklin's Staff ; subsequently Provost-Marshal General and Commis- ioner to Exchange Prisoners ; in 1861, he was Military Com- mander of the La Fourche District, and later, had command of all the forces north of the Red river; afterwards was with Sheridan in Shenandoah Valley, and promoted Brig .- General for gallantry at Fisher's Hill, Winchester and Cedar Creek ; in 1965, held command at Savannah, and in June was made Mihtary Commander of Northern George ; was brevetted
Major-General for "gallant and meritorious services." He has been an active supporter of the National Guard, and an original director of the National Rifle Association. His labors in behalf of military instruction in schools resulted in the adoption of his method in many schools. He was ap- pointed Major-General August 30, 1868; of 2d Div., May, 1884.
Brig .- Gen. Christian T. Christensen, Third Brigade, Com- manding Second Division Sept. 17, 1883, to May, 1884. First Lt., 1st N. Y. Vol. Inf., April 23, 1861; Aide-de-Camp to Brig .- Gen. Phelps, August 5, 1861; Capt., 1st N. Y. Vols., Nov. 5, 1861; Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Wool, Dec. 31, 1861; Prov. Mar. of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., April 9, 1562: Maj. and Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Wool, July 17, 1862 ; Asst. Adj .- Gen., Dept. East, March 11, 1863; on duty in office of Secretary of War, Sept. 18, 1863 ; Lt .- Col. and Asst. Adj .- Gen., Military Division of West Mississippi, May 11, 1964; honorably discharged, July 22, 1865; Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols .; Major, 13th Regt., July 17, 1879; Lt .- Col., Dec. 19, 1879 ; Brig .- Gen., July 12, 1880.
Lt .- Col. J. Henry Storey, Inspector. Lt .- Col. Herbert S. Jewell, Inspector of Rifle Practice. Lt .- Col. John Y. Culyer, Engineer. Lt .- Col. Albert E. Lamb, Judge-Advocate. Lt .- Col. J. Lester Keep, Surgeon. Lt .- Col. Henry Arthur, Quartermaster. Lt .- Col. William B. Overton, Commissary of Subsistence. Maj. Robert Herbert, Aide-de-Camp. Maj. Walter K. Rossiter, Aide-de-Camp. Col. Henry T. Chapman, Jr., Supernumerary Officer, attached to duty with Staff as A. D. C. And Third and Fourth Brigades, and the Third Battery of Artillery.
Third Brigade, Head-quarters, Brooklyn, N. Y. Col. James McLeer, Fourteenth Regiment, Commanding Third Brigade since September 17, 1883. Lt .- Col. William J. Denslow, As- sistant Adjutant-General. Maj. Philip Ferdinand Kobbe, In- spector. Maj. Howard Ackerman, Inspector of Rifle Prac- tice. Maj. M. Frederick Christensen, Ordnance Officer. Maj. George Washington McNulty, Engineer. Maj. William C. Beecher, Judge-Advocate. Maj. James Watt, Surgeon. Maj. Edwin R. Trussell, Quartermaster. Maj. Gustave 1. Jalın, Commissary of Subsistence. And Thirteenth and Fourteenth Regiments of Infantry, and the Seventeenth Separate Company.
Fourth Brigade, Head-quarters, 49 Court street, Brooklyn. N. Y .- Brig .- Gen. Wm. II. Brownell, Commanding. Private, Co. E, 47th Regt., Oct. 12, 1869; Corp., Nov. 20, 1871: Sergt., July 24, 1872 ; 2d Lieut., May 13, 1873; 1st Lieut., Jan. 20, 1874; Capt., Oct. 10, 1874; Maj., Dec. 23, 1874 ; Lt .- Col., Dec 29, 1875 ; Col., Sept. 5, 1877 ; Brig .- Gen., Sept. 5, 1851. L.t .- Col. Charles N. Manchester, Asst. Adj .- Gen .: Private, 1st R. I. Cavalry, fall of 1861; 2d Lieut., Sept. 27, 1861; Capt., June 21, 1862; Maj., 2d R. I. Cavalry, Jan. 19, 1863; Lt. Col., Jine 22, 1863; resigned July 11, 1863; Lt .- Col. and Asst. Adj .- Gen., 11th, now 4th Brigade, June 16, 1879. Maj. Gustave A. Roullier, Inspector. Maj. Morris B. Farr, Inspector of Rife Practice. Maj. Harrison B. Moore, Ordnance Officer. Maj. Richard H. Poillon, Engineer. Maj. Wm. W. Goodrich. Judge-Advocate. Maj. Joel W. Hyde, Surgeon. Maj. Davel S. Babcock, Jr., Quartermaster. Major Clifford 1 .. Middle- ton, Commissary of Subsistence. Capt. William T. DeVigne, Aide-de-Camp. And Twenty-third, Thirty-second and Forty- seventh Regiments of Infantry.
The Second Division, National Guard of the State of New York, has existed since the institution of the Militia. Formerly, the district comprised the counties on Long Islan I and the tive counties north of New York, and included the 5th, 6th, 7th and 11th Brigades. But a new district was made, leaving Kings, Queens and Suffolk counties in the District of the Second Division, including the 5th, 6th an l
1195
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
11th Brigades; the district of the 5th and 11th Brigades was Kings county, and of the 6th, the counties of Queens and Suffolk. In the consolidation of the National Guard, the 3d and 4th Brigades were assigned to Kings county. Maj. Gen. Aaron Ward, of Sing Sing, commanded the Second Division until 1858, when he was succeeded by Gen. Har- manus B. Duryea (of whom an extended sketch will be found elsewhere), previously in command of the 5th Brigade. In 1869, Gen. Duryea resigned, and Maj. Gen. John B. Wood- ward was appointed.
After the organization of the National Guard, the Second Division leaped into new life and activity. Gen. Woodward is an old militiaman. In 1854, he joined Co. G. of the 13th, and served as private, Corporal, Sergeant and First Sergeant; was elected 2d Lieut., Feb. 13th, 1861; Captain of Co. E., Nov. 13th, 1861; Lieut .- Colonel, June 25th, 1862; Lieut .- Col. of the 23d, Feb. 5th, 1863; Colonel of the 13th, Mar. 23d, 1863; and was appointed Major-General of the Second Divi- sion March 24th, 1869. He weut out with his regiment when it was called out by the government.
The Third Brigade (the 5th prior to 1882) was formed at the same time with the Second Division. Until 1862, it was the only Brigade in Brooklyn, and comprised the 13th, 14th, 28th (formerly 72d) and 70th Regiments; the first three were infantry; the last named comprised three companies of artillery and five of cavalry; it has since been disbanded and tlie 2d (cavalry) Regiment and a battalion of artillery formed from the old organization, were for a short time attached to the Brigade. Previous to 1858, Maj .- Gen. H. B. Duryea com- manded the 5th Brigade, aud was then succeeded by Brig .- Gen. Philip S. Crooke (a biographical sketch is given elsewhere), until his resignation in 1870. His successors in command were : Bvt. Brig .- Gen. Fowler, of the 14th; Col. Cropsey, senior Colonel of the Brigade; Brig .- Gen. Thomas S. Dakiu (of whom more extended mention is made hereafter); Brig .- Gen. James Jourdan, Jan., 1876.
The Thirteenth Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y .*- In 1847, the State resolved upon a thorough re-organization of the militia, I to reduce the number of brigades and regiments, and place the citizen soldiery on a military basis. Under this re-adjustment the 13th Regiment was organized on the 5th of July, 1847, with Abel Smith as Colonel, Edwin Beers as Lieutenant- Colonel, and John H. Gaus as Major. The companies were : Right-flank, company of light artillery, Brooklyn City Guard, Capt. J. N. Olney; Co. A, Pearson Light Guard, Capt. J. J. Dillon; Co. B, Washington Horse Guard, Capt. J. McLeer; Co. C, Brooklyn Light Guard, Capt. Charles Mor- rison; Co. D, Williamsburg Light Artillery, Capt. Lewis; Co. E, Williamsburg Liglit Artillery, Capt. Hanford; Co. F, Oregon Guard, Capt. Walsh; Co. G, Waslington Guards; and Co. H, Jefferson Guard, Capt. Willys. The companies at this time had different uniforms, one, at least, wearing the dress of the old Continentals. The City Guard (Capt. R. V. W. Thorne, now deceased) wore red coats, and the City Light Guard, white coats. The Continentals were commanded by Captain Burnett.
After a few years, the German companies from Williams- burg were detached, and formed the nucleus of the Twenty- eighth Regiment.
The Thirteenth, among other troops, was called out June 4, 1854, to assist in quelling the disturbance caused by tlie fanatic who called himself the " Angel Gabriel," and it rendered effective service in restoring order.
In 1855, there was a Division Encampment at Kingston. Gen. H. B. Duryea commanded the Brigade (including the
Thirteenth), and Gen. Aaron Ward, the Division, which was composed of militia from several counties. In 1858, the gray uniform was adopted, and the Regiment made its first parade in the new dress at the celebration of the introduction of water into Brooklyn, on the 27tli of April, 1859. Some of the com- panies, which refused to adopt the gray, withdrew from the Regiment, which comprised at this time the Artillery, Capt. Richard Thorne; Co. A, Capt. John Sullivan; Co. B, Capt. Oliver Cotter; Co. C. Capt. Joseph S. Morgan; Co. E, Capt. B. G. Edmonds; and the left-flank company, Capt. Charles Bethon; in all about four hundred men on the rolls. Col. Smith still commanded, with Robert B. Clark as Lt .- Col., and Elbert Willetts, Major.
In 1860, Co. B was consolidated with Co. C, and Co. B of the 14th Regiment (the celebrated drill company of the city) was transferred, and became Co. B of the Thirteenth Regiment. The command thien comprised eight companies in a good state of drill and discipline and fully equipped, including knapsacks and overcoats. During all this period, the organization occupied the armory at the corner of Henry and Cranberry streets, subsequently used by the Gatling Battery, and now given over to commercial purposes.
During the exciting times immediately preceding the out- break of the war of the Rebellion, the Regiment was several times assembled secretly to assist the police in case of neces- sity. In April, 1861, occurred what was characterized as the " Navy Yard Scare." Captain (afterwards Commodore) Foote, then in command of the yard, communicated to Mayor Powell his belief that an organized attempt, by rebel sympathizers in New York, would be made to burn the government property. Captain Foote had but eighty men, the attack was feasi- ble, and the assailants could have readily escaped. The Mayor stationed a thousand policemen near the Yard and the principal ferries, and the militia (including the 13th) were under arms. The preparations, thus promptly and effectually made, frustrated the designs of the sympathizers.
Immediately upon the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men, the 13th unanimously tendered its services; and, on the 23d of April, 1861, the Regiment, 600 strong, left the armory on Cranberry street for the seat of war. Over 200 were left behind, owing to lack of equipments, who joined their com- rades about two weeks later. Embarked on a steamer, the Regiment proceeded to Annapolis, reported to Gen. B. F. Butler, and was quartered in the Naval Academy. The militia regiments of New York left in the following order : the 7th ou the 19th; tlie 6th, 12th, and 71st on the 21st, and the 13th (the fifth in succession) on the 23d.
It remained in Baltimore, and, at the expiration of its three months' term of service, at the request of Gen. Dix, then in command at Baltimore, who made an appeal in per- son, it remained a fortnight longer, and until the demorali- zation consequent upon the first battle of Bull Run had passed away. During its absence, a relief guard of Co. G had been formed, which became, subsequently, the nucleus of the 23d Regiment. On the return of the Regiment in July, this guard turned out to receive it. Capt. (afterwards Col.) Everdell commanded the escort, and the welcome was mag- nificent and hearty. A collation was served at the Park Barracks, New York, the site of the present Post-office, under the auspices of the Common Council Committee. Lt .- Col. Robert B. Clark was in command, and the Regimeut still comprised eight companies.
Many of its officers and men then and later entered the Volunteer service, and it is said that the 13th furnished a larger number of officers from its ranks than any militia or- ganization, except the 7th. One entire company of the 51st N. Y. Vols. (Col. Ferrero) was recruited by Capt. Samuel H.
* By Horatio C. King.
1196
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Sims, formerly Lt. in Co. B. Col. Abel Smith raised the 87th New York, and was killed by accident while superiu- tending the organization. Capt. Joseph Morgan, of Co. C, afterwards became Col. of the 90th N. Y. Vols., in which Capt. John Sullivan, of Co. A, was a Captain. Capt. Morgan also raised and commanded the 148th N. Y. Vols. John Manly was made Captain iu the 159th N. Y. Vols., and was killed at Irish Bend, La. The 3d N. Y. Vols., Col. Abel Smith, Jr .; 51st N. Y., 139th N. Y., 79th N. Y. (Highlanders), 47th N. Y., 5th N. Y. Artillery, aud 37th N. Y., were indebted to the 13th for many excellent officers. Maj. John H. Walker, of Rankin Post 10, G. A. R., was takeu from the ranks of Co. D, by Gen. Scott, and made an officer in the Regular Army. But it is impossible to follow the names in detail. At least 600 of those who were connected with the 13th entered the army and navy aud served their country with zeal and fidelity.
Upon the retirement of Col. Smith, Lt .- Col. R. B. Clark was elected Colonel, with John B. Woodward as Lt .- Col., and S. K. Boyd as Major. May 2, 1863, the Regiment again responded to the call of the Federal Government, and pro- ceeded to Baltimore, where, after a march of four miles, it encamped just outside of Fort McHeury. The camp was christened "Camp Crescent." June 6th, four companies of the Regiment embarked for Fortress Monroe, thence to Nor- folk. The remaining four companies, which left Baltimore June 7th, went direct to Portsmouth, Va., and the entire Regiment, a few days later, arrived at Suffolk, Va. Here it was brigaded with the 2d, 4th, and 25th N. Y., and the 1st Del., Gen. Max Webber, commanding, relicviug veteran regiments, which were sent at once to the Peninsula. The country around was held by the Confederates, and the duty was both arduous and fraught with danger. The camp at Sutfolk was called "Camp Crooke," after the commander of the 5th (N. Y.) Brigade, General Philip S. Crooke, recently de- ceased. It formed a part of the extreme left wing of Mcclellan's army, and rendered very effective and valuable service. At a review by Gen. Dix, commanding the Corps, accompanied by Gen. Mansfield, the Division, and Gen. Webber, the Brigade Commander, Gen. Dix complimented the organization as a "superior Regiment." Picket duty and the usual accessories of war, except actual collision with the enemy, occupied the time uutil the expiration of the term of service, when, on August 31st, the men turned their faces homeward, and agaiu received a most cordial welcome.
Again, in June, 1863, and for the third time, the Regiment was called into active service, and, with other New York militia, was hurried to the front. Col. John B. Woodward was in command, with W. A. McKee as Lt .- Col. The pres- ence of the militia organizations in l'ennsylvania enabled veteran regiments to go to the immediate front, and, al- though no one of them was under fire, their service was of incalculable benefit to the Union cause. They had many weary marches, and suffered privations hard for unseasoned troops to bear. The overwhelming defeat of the Confeder- ates, at Gettysburg, and their final retirement across the Potomac, rendered the services of the militia no longer in- dispensable, and, in consequence of the draft riots in New York, in July, 1863, the 13th was ordered home, and during August did guard duty in the city while the draft proceeded, preventing further outbreak.
In 1866. Col. Woodward was succeeded by Col. James Jourdan, late commanding the Second Division. He, in turn, was succeeded by Col. Thomas S. Dakin, in 1869, and upon the latter's election as Brigadier-General, Lt .- Col. Frederick A. Mason was chosen Colonel. In 1870, Philip H. Briggs (Inspector-General on the Staff of Governor Grover
Cleveland) was Lt .- Col .; Edward S. Daniell, Major, and Samuel Richards (late Asst. Adj .- Gen. of the Second Division), Adjutant. The Drum Corps Association was organized in 1869.
Col. Jourdan was re-elected in February, 1872. The last parade from the old armory took place at the Prospect Park Parade-ground, October 12, 1875, with a review by the Com- mander-in-Chief, and the Regiment was mustered and in- spected in its present armory, corner of Hanson place and Flatbush avenue, on October 26th of that year.
Lt .- Col. Briggs was elected Colonel in Jan., 1876, vice Gen. Jourdan, elected Commander of the Fifth Brigade. Capt. Harry H. Beadle was elected Lt .- Col., and William R. Syme, for some time Adjutant, was made Major. Lt. William A. McKee succeeded Major Syme as Adjutant.
Since the war, the Regiment has rendered some practical duty worthy of special mentiou. It was ordered out to pre- vent the threatened lynching of the murderer of Mr. Van Voorhis, a popular builder of South Brooklyn. On the oc- casion of the Orange riots in New York, July 12, 1871, it was called into service to repress disorder in Brooklyn, and was then sent to New York, where it assisted in the maintenance of order until relieved by Gen. Shaler, of the First Division. When the duties conscquent upon the terrible catastrophe at the Brooklyn Theatre (December, 1876) had nearly exhausted the police, the 13tli volunteered its services, and remained on guard at the Morgue, and the buildings on Adams street, where the remains of the burned were collected.
On July 23, 1877, the Regiment was ordered under arms by the Governor, together with all the State troops, and the prompt action of Governor Robinson, undoubtedly, preserved the State from the devastation which bcfell Pennsylvania and Maryland in the destructive railroad riots of that year.
Col. David E. Austen was commissioned July 13, 1877. He was a national guardsman of long experience, having en- listed in Co. H, 7th Regiment, in February, 1859, accompany- ing that Regiment in its campaign at the opening of the war. In Nov., 1862, he was elected First Lieutenant, Co. I, 47th Regiment, and was made Adjutant, August, 1863 (promoted while crossing the Long Bridge); Captain of Co. I, March, 1864; Major, October, 1865 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Jannary, 1868 ; and Colonel, May 9, 1868, which position hc retained until his elcctiou to the command of the 13th. In the sum- mer of 1863, he accompanied the 47th Regiment to Virginia, in respouse to the call of the government. He was relieved at his own request Dec. 3, 1883, and was succeeded in com- mand by Gen. A. C. Barnes, April 20, 1884.
Lieut. George A. Phelan was Adjutant of the 13th on the accession of Col. Austen, and was succeeded by Lient. Henry D. Stanwood. The latter resigned, and was followed by Lieut. Cyrus A. Hubbard; and, at the deccase of Lient. Hub- bard, the present Adjutant, George B. Davis, was selected.
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