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 136
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 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was appointed Chaplain m March, 1878. Among Mr. Beecher's predecessors were Rev. Elward Taylor, Rev. J. Halstead Carroll, and Rev. Dr. Henry M. Storrs. In May, 1876, Brevet-Col. Horatio C. King was elected Major. In June was commenced, in the lecture- room of Plymouth Church, the recruiting for Co. G, con- monly known as the Plymouth Company, the largest of the companies, and Capt. W. L. Watson, a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, was elected Captain in July, 1878. An import- ant acquisition was made, also, in the selection of the "veteran " Harvey B. Dodworth, in September of the same year, as band-master, which position he still holds.
May 15, 1879, a parade and review, by Maj .- Gen. Alexander Shaler, commanding the First Division, were had in Madison Square Garden, New York, preparatory to the departure of
1197
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
the Regiment, on May 22d, on its ever memorable trip to Mon- treal, Canada, to assist in the celebration of the Queen's birth- day. The reception by our Canadian neighbors was unprece- dentedly enthusiastic and hospitable. The Regiment partici- pated in the sham-battle and the grand review by the Governor-General (the Marquis of Lorne) and the Princess Louise, and the banquet tendered the officers at the Windsor House, at which the Governor-General presided, will long be remembered for the generous utterances of the speakers respectively, concerning the cordial relations existing be- tween the United States and Great Britain and her colonies. A magnificent flag-one side Canadian, the other American, the gift of the ladies of Moutreal-is treasured with peculiar pride.
In July, 1879, Bvt. Brig .- Gen. C. T. Christensen was elected Major vicc King, appointed Judge Advocate on the staff of Gen. E. L. Molineux, 11th (now 4th) Brigade, aud subse- quently Lt .- Col., vice Beadle, honorably discharged. Capt. J. Frank Dillont (Co. F) was chosen Major and subsequently Lt .- Col., and resigned in the spring of 1881.
October 15th, 1881, it started for Yorktown; remained three days, eliciting the warmest praise for completeness as a militia organization.
Attached to the Regiment is a fine cadet corps, now num- bering over seventy members, mainly from the Polytechnic and Adelphi academies.
A Veteran Association, formed about ten years ago, has proved a valuable aid to the Regiment. Its past commanders were: Col. Henry Heath, Gen. J. B. Woodward, Col. Adam T. Dodge, and Col. Willoughby Powell. Its present officers are: Frederick A. Baldwin, Col .; Michael Chauncey, Lt .- Col .; Smith H. Wing, Major; Henry R. Darby, Adj .; Williau H. Welsh, Quartermaster; and Burdett S. Oakes, Commissary. It usually parades with the Regiment on occasions of cere- mony, and accompanied it to Montreal, Boston and Yorktown. In this body, and also in the Regiment proper, there are many war veterans.
Present status of the Thirteenth Regiment-Ten companies. Third Brigade, Second Division. Armory at corner of Flat- buslı avenue and Hanson place, Brooklyn.
Colonel, Alfred C. Barnes, April 20, 1884. (See page 878).
Lieutenant-Colonel, Theodore B. Gates, May 10, 1881; Bvt. Major-Gen., May 23, 1881; Lt .- Col., 20th mil. (80th N. Y. vols.), June 15tlı, 1861; Col. Sept. 29, 1862; res. Nov. 24, 1864; Bvt. Brig .- Gen., U. S. vols., March 26, 1865. First Lt. and Paymaster, 20th mil., Sept. 11, 1854; Cap. and Eng., 20tlı mil., Dec. 5, 1854; Maj., May 19, 1855; Lt .- Col., June 15, 1861; Col., Sept. 29, 1862; res. Nov. 24, 1864; Maj .- Gen., 5th Div., Feb. 6, 1867; res. March 26, 1873; Lt .- Col., 13th Regt., May 10, 1881.
Major, William H. H. Tyson, May 10, 1881.
Adjutant-First Lieutenant, George B. Davis, Sept. 3, 1880.
Quartermaster-First Lieutenant, J. Fred Ackerman, July 22, 1880; Bvt. Capt., Dec. 13, 1880.
Commissary of Subsistence-First Lieutenant, Lewis M. Reed, June 18, 1883.
Surgeon-Major, James J. Terhune, April 23, 1883.
Assistant Surgeon-First Lieutenant, Chas. E. De La Vergne.
Chaplain-Captain, Henry Ward Beecher, Feb. 8, 1878.
Inspector of Rifle Practice-Captain, Theodore H. Babcock, March 10, 1881.
Captains-William L. Watson, July 8, 1878, Co. G. George B. Squires, Aug. 15, 1879, Co. K. Edward Fackner, Aug. 12, 1881; Bvt. Major, Oct. 26, 1881, Co. E. William J. Collins, Aug. 12, 1881, Co. A. Charles P. Kretchsmar, July 5, 1882,
Co. H. Frauk B. S. Morgau, June 8, 1883, Co. C. William H. Courtney, Aug. 3, 1883, Co. F. William A. Brown, Feb., 1884, Co. B. David M. Demarest, Co. D. J. DeMandeville, Co. I.
First Lieutenants-A. Fuller Tomes, December 5, 1878, Co. G. Joliu T. Jennings, Co. B. William Kerby, June 17, 1881, Co. E. Chas T. Snow, Co. K. Chas. O. Davis, Co. A. Rus- sell Benedict, Co. H. Samuel W. Smith, Co. C. Robt. L. Sillman, Co. T.
Second Licutenants-Samuel T. Skinner, Mar. 3, 1879, Co. G. Chas. W. Held, Co. B. Chas. Bradshaw, Co. A. Henry J. Jordan, Mar. 29, 1883, Co. K. Geo. W. Hunt, Co. C. C. F. Stagg, Co. I. Charles W. Topping, Co. E.
Sergeant-Major, William F. Seymour.
Quartermaster-Sergeant, Chas. Werner.
Com. Sergeant, H. P. Smithi.
Ordnance-Sergeant, Jas. McNevin.
Hospital Steward, Chas. G. Curtis.
Color Sergeants, Heyward Smith, W. L. Conley.
Drum Major, Edward McIntyre.
Band Master, Harvey B. Dodwortlı.
Right Gencral Guide, Arthur Genns.
Left General Guide, W. Roch.
The Fourteenth Regiment, N. G., S. N. Y., is an old mil- itia regiment, first known as the Brooklyn Chasseurs, organ- ized in 1846, with Gen. Philip S. Crooke of Flatbush, its first Colonel; he was succeeded Jan., 1852, by Col. Jesse C. Smith, and he by Col. Alfred M. Wood. Like the other old regiments it was composed of separate companies, each of which had its own uniform, and it was not until 1861, that a common uniform was adopted; i. e., the red zouave dress, in which the regiment won such renown, and from which, and its valor, it received its popular name in the civil war, "red- legged devils." The 14th lias a glorious record of service dur- ing the late sectional struggle; having early won a reputation for gallantry and intrepidity, it was always put in the frout wheu any arduous or dangerous duty was to be done; thus it lost heavily. It enlisted for three years as the 84th N. Y. Vols.
It was mustered into the service of the United States from May to July, 1861, and took part in the following battles: Bull Run, Falmouth, Spottsylvania C. H., Aug. 22, Rappahan- nock Station, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, Groveton, Manas- sas Plains, Chantilly, South Mountain. Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Port Royal, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania C. H., besides many skirmishes. On the expiration of its term of service the ori- ginal members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the veterans and recruits transferred to the 5th New York Volunteers.
Colonels-A. M. Wood, dis. Oct. 18, 1862. E. B. Fowler (Bvt. Brig .- Gen., U. S. V.), mustered out June 1st, 1864.
Lieutenant-Colonels-E. B. Fowler, promoted Col., Oct. 24, 1862. W. H. De Bevoise, dis. May 11, 1863. Robert B. Jordan, mustered out Juue 1, 1864.
Majors -- James Jourdan, dis. Jan. 2, 1862. Wm. H. De Bevoise, promoted Lt .- Col., Oct. 24, 1862. C. T. Baldwin, dis. Dec. 24, 1862. R. B. Jordan, promoted Lt .- Col., June 23, 1863. II. T. Head, mustered out June 1, 1864.
Adjutants-H. T. Ilead, promoted Maj., June 23, 1863. Joliu Vliet, mustered out June 1, 1864.
Surgeons-Jas. L. Farley (Bvt. Lt .- Col., U. S. V.), dis. June 10, 1863. David Larrabee, dis. March 16, 1864. O. Smith, mustered out June 1, 1864.
Captains-A. B. Jordan, promoted Maj., March 19, 1863. J. W. Redding, mustered out June 1, .564. G. B. Mallery, killed iu battle. I. Uffendill (Bvt. Maj., U. S. V.), mustered
1198
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
out June 1, 1564. David Myers, died Sept. 25, 1862. Chas. B. Toby, res. Feb. 1. 1863. T. A. Burnett, mnstered out June 1, 1864. C. F. Baldwin, promoted Maj., Oct. 24. 1862. W. M. Baldwin (Bvt. Maj., U. S. V.), mustered out June 1, 1864. W. L. B. Stears, res. Dec. 11, 1861. A. G. A. llarwickle, dis. Sept. 29, 1862. Jas. HI. Jordan, dis. Jan. 13, 1863 .. W. A. Ball, mustered out June 1, 1864. G. Plass, dis. Nov. 10, 1863. S. Mandeville, mustered out June 1, 1864. J. McNeil (Bvt. Maj., U. S. V.), mustered out June 1, 1864. A. W. H. Gill (Bvt. Maj., U. S. V.), dis. March 12, 1863 (prisoner of war). C. H. Morris, dis. Jan. 18, 1863. W. F. Twibill, mustered out. G. S. Elcock, mustered out June 1, 1864. W. M. Bennett, res. June 30, 1861. G. R. Davey, killed in battle, Aug. 29, 1862.
Immediately after the attack upon Fort Sumter, the 14th was placed upon a war footing; vacancies among officers and in the ranks were filled so quickly that on April 18, 1861, the Regiment was reported to head-quarters as ready to march to the front. Until May 18, it remained in Brooklyn, awaiting orders; by this time the Government declined to receive any more militia regiments, accepting only such organizations as enlisted for three years or the war. Accordingly the com- panies of the 14th were assembled in camp at Fort Greene, and terms of enlistment into the U. S. service proposed to them, which were enthusiastically received, and without a dissenting voice. May 18, 1861, eight companies of the line and an Engineer Corps (aggregating 825 officers and men), under command of Col. Alfred M. Wood, started for Wash- ington, amidst great enthusiasm. They were encamped on Meridian Hill, two miles north of the city of Washington, where they were regularly mustered into the United States service, May 23, by Gen. Irwin McDowell, as the 84th Regt., N. Y. Vols. A detachment from the Regiment was among the first to cross into Virginia. July 2, the regiment crossed the Potomac and camped near Arlington House, where two com- panies were added, making a total of 960 men, and the 14th was assigned to the Brigade of Gen. Andrew Porter. It took part in the battle of Bull Run, July 21, and suffered severe loss. Col. Wood was wounded and taken prisoner; afterward exchanged and honorably discharged, Sept. 28. The Regi- ment, under Lt .- Col. E. B. Fowler, participated in the ad- vance upon Muuson's and Hall's Hills; afterwards went into winter quarters on Upton's Hill, until the Spring of 1862. April 16 it marched to the Rappahannock, before Frede- ricksburg, and engaged with the enemy. Through the Sum- mer, the 14th was on the march mael of the time, following the enemy and repelling attacks. Aug. 28 occurred the sharp battle of Groveton, near Gainesville, m which Col. Fowler, Col. (then Capt.) McLeer, and Lt. Schnig were severely wounded, and Surg. Farley was taken prisoner; Aug. 30 was the second battle of Bull Run, in which the Regiment suffered severely. The capture of South Mountain followed, Sept. 14, where the Regiment lost 30 per cent. of the mnen engaged; three days later it was again badly eut up on Antietam ('reek; after several months of marching and skirmishing, it crossed the Rappahannock, Dec. 12, 1862, under heavy fire; fighting was continued for three successive days. Dec. 23 the Regiment returned to camp at Belle Plains, and Col. Fowler returned to command. Feb. 24, 1563, a handsome stand of colors, sent from Brooklyn, was presented to the Regiment. Apr. 9, the Corps under Gen. Reynolds was received by Pre- wident Lincoln. Apr. 27, The 14th assisted in crossing the Rappahannock at Port Royal and driving the enemy from their entrenchments. May 2, 4 and 5, ocenrred the battle of Chancellorsville, where the Hth was on the right of the line. It was continually in active service and pushed northward to Gettysburg, where it took part in the engagements of July 1,
2 and 3, losing fifty per cent. of the men engaged. The Regi- ment then returned to Virginia, and through the Summer, Fall and Winter of 1863, was marched from place to place in the Rappahannock and Rapidan Valleys. May 4, 1864, the Regiment left Culpepper, on the memorable Campaign of the Wilderness. May 6, orders came for every available man to proceed to the front. Col. Fowler reported to Gen. War- ren 383 officers and men fit for duty. On the Sth the Regiment lost sixty-five men, near Spottsylvania C. H .; Lieut. Schurig was wounded in the arm; on the 10th, 61 officers and men were killed or wounded, Gen. Rice and Lieut. Rae killed, and Capt. Baldwin aud Adj. Vliet wounded. May 22, 1864, came the orders that those of the 14th who had en- listed in 1861 should be honorably discharged and return home; those who had enlisted later were transferred to the 5th N. Y. Veteran Vols., and afterwards distinguished them- selves. The returning regiment was most heartily wel- comed with roar of cannon and cheers of the multitude, ex- pressing Brooklyn's pride in the " fighting 14th."
After the war the Regiment was reorganized. Col. Fowler remained in command until 1873, when Col. MeLeer was cominissioned.
Lt .- Col. Schurig was a member of the 14th long before the civil war; at the beginning of the conflict he enlisted with his old Regiment and went to the front as 4th Serg. of Co. H; was afterwards promoted for gallantry and good conduct to be 1st Lieutenant. He was with the 14th in all its engage- ments, except when wounded and in hospital; his first wound (in the breast) was received at Groveton in 1862, but he returned to the front as soon as recovered. At Laurel IIill, while the 14th made a desperate charge on the enemy's bat- teries, he was shot through the arm, which had to be amputa- ted at the shoulder. After the war, he rejoined the 14th and served as Lieutenant, Captain, Major and Lientenant-Colonel. In 1867 he was elected Register on the Republican ticket; two years later he was nominated for County Treasurer, but was not elected. In 1880 he was appointed Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue in this District. He died in June, 1883, and was buried with military honors.
Present status of the Fourteenth Regiment-Ten com- panies. Third Brigade, Second Division. Armory at corner of North Portland avenue and Auburn place, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Colonel, James McLeer, June 6, 1873 (see page 867); Brevet Capt., N. Y. S. vols .; 1st Lt., Co. C, 14th Regt., May 27, 1565; Quartermaster, 14th Regt., Sept. 9, 1867; Major, Aug. 16, 1-69; Lt .- C'ol., Nov. 7, 1870; Col., June 6, 1873; Commanding 3 Brigade since Sept. 17. 1853.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Harry W. Michell, Oct. 29, 1883; Private. 11th N. Y. S. militia (84th N. Y. vols.), April 18, 1861; Corporal, Ang. 1, 1861; Serg., Nov. 1, 1861; 2d Lt., Feb. 11, 1863; 1st Lt .. July 27, 1863; honorably discharged March 12, 1865; Capt., May 25, 1865; Major, 14th Regt., Mar. 25, 1875; Lt .- Col., Oct. 29, 1883.
Major, Selden C. Clobridge, Oct. 29, 1883; Private, Co. G., 115th N. Y. vols., Aug., 8, 1862; Corp., Ang., 1862; Serg., Jan. 15, 1863; 1st Lt., April 29, 1865; discharged (loss of right arm), June 5, 1865; Brevet Major, N. Y. S. vols. ; Adj., 14th Regt., May 1, 1878; Major, Oct. 29, 1883.
Quartermaster-First Lieutenant, Alexander Barnie, Jr , Feb. 11, 1876.
Commissary of Subsistence-First Lieutenant, Alexander R. Samuels, July 1, 1873.
Surgeon-Captain, James L. Farley, Sept. 5, 1961; Brevet Colonel.
Assistant Surgeon-Captain, George R. Fowler, June 1, 1877.
Chaplain-Captain, J. Oramel Peck, May 22, 1883.
1199
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Inspector of Rifle Practice-Captain, Edwin S. Browe, June 17, 1878.
Captains-John McNeill, Aug. 27, 1862; Brevet Major, Co. HI. Ramon Cardona, July 17, 1865, Co. I. Benjamin S. Steen, Nov. 22, 1872, Co. C. Augustus D. Limberger, Mar. 11, 1879, Co. D. Joseph R. K. Barlow, Mar. 22, 1880, Co. E. William V. Peacon, Co. F. William Wendell, April 11, 1881, Co. G. John J. Dixon, Co. A.
First Lieutenants-John Cutts, Dec. 17, 1872, Co. H. Has- sell Nutt, July 26, 1876, Co. I. John J. Dixon, Mar. 29, 1878, Co. C. James M. White, Sept. 2, 1879, Co. B. William F. Morris, April 27, 1881, Co. K. John H. Curran, May 26, 1882, Co. E. Owen Lewis, June 19, 1882, Co. D. G. Edward Ben- net, Co. G.
Second Lieutenants-Peter Erick Erickson, Mar. 9, 1876, Co. G. Peres A. Packard, Mar. 29, 1878, Co. C. John F. York, Sept. 16, 1879, Co. H. Adolph L. Kline, Jan. 23, 1882, Co. E. Austin O. Crane, Apr., 1884, Co. I.
The Twenty-Eighth Regiment, N. G., S. N. Y., was organ- ized in 1860, with Michael Bennet, Colonel, who was suc- ceeded, at his resignation in 1864, by David Bokee, and in 1863 by Caspar Urban. In 1869 Major Burger was elected Colonel.
The Regiment was ordered April 21, 1861, to march to Washington, D. C., where it arrived, under Col. Michael Ben- nett, eight days later; was quartered in the Capitol building; participated in the advance into Virginia, built "Fort Ben- net" and several redoubts; did guard duty, and was mustered out Aug. 5, 1861, many of the men then enlisting in the volunteer service. It was again ordered out in 1862, but did not leave Brooklyn. June 16, 1863, the Regiment was ordered to Harrisburgh Pa .; was held in reserve at Gettysburgh, and summoned home by the Governor on account of the Draft riots in New York, with Lt. Col. Bokee in command; July 22, the Regiment was mustered out, Lt .- Col. Schepper being in command. Col. Caspir Urban was afterwards mustered in as Colonel. It has since been disbanded.
When the old 70th disbanded, that portion which was cav- alry formed the nucleus of the Second Regiment Cavalry. N. G. S. N. Y., under command of Col. Wm. J. Cropsey. with about 400 mnen in the regiment, but lias since disbanded.
The Third (Gatling) Battery was first organized as Co. "A," 1st Battalion Light Artillery, August 15th, 1864, Brig .- Gen. Jesse C. Smith, then commanding the 11th Brigade, de- tailing Major E. O. Hotchkiss, of his staff, to organize it, and that officer remained in command for some time after. It was armed with howitzers, and made its first public parade in New York City at the funeral obsequies of the lamented President Lincoln.
Major Hotchkiss was succeeded by 1st Lt. Joseph S. Amoore. In 1868 Capt. Amoore resigned. 1st Lt. Ira L. Beebe was elected Captain, who, early in 1870, was appointed upon the 2d Division Staff as Chief of Artillery, giving place to 1st Lt. Wm. H. H. Beebe, but the latter subsequently resigned, and 1st Lt. Julius F. Simons was elected Captain, who re- signed in 1872, and Capt. Ira L. Beebe was re-elected to the Captaincy. During this time the organization was quartered in the old State Arsenal in Portland avenue. the site of the present 14th Regiment Armory. In May, 1875, the Battery having been supplied with Gatling guns and complete horse equipments, it was re-organized into a Gatling Battery, and changed its name to Gatling Battery, Eleventh Brigade. In the fall of 1875 the Battery changed its quarters to the old City Armory in Henry street, previously occupied by the 13th Regiment. Capt. Beebe being shortly afterward elected Brigadier-General of the 11th Brigade, was succeeded in the Captaincy by 1st Lt. Jolin A. Edwards. The Battery served during the railroad labor riots, July, 1877,
About Jan. 1st, 1878, the name of the Battery was changed by the Adjutant-General of the State to "Battery N;" Jan. 1st, 1882, its name was again changed to Third Battery, and it was detached from the 11th Brigade and attached to the 2d Division.
Capt. Jolin A. Edwards resigned in 1882, and 1st Lt. Henry S. Rasquin, the present commandant, was elected in May, 1882, to the Captaincy. In March, 1882, the City Armory having been sold, the Battery was quartered in Gothic Hall, Adams st. On the niglit of Dec. 19th, 1882, it was swept by fire, and in a short hour the Battery was again homeless. Since then the organization has met and drilled in the 14th Regiment's Armory, by kind permission of Col. McLeer. Al- though made heartily welcome by the 14th Regiment, the Battery is necessarily crippled in its efficiency, through hav- ing no fixed quarters of its own; but its prospects are good for soon being provided for in this respect, the Board of Supervisors of Kings County having recently purchased a plot of ground on Dean st., between Washiington and Grand avenues, over 100 feet square, for the erection of au Armory for the command.
The present commandant, Capt. Henry S. Rasquin, was elected May 22, 1882, having previously been 1st Lt. and Ser- geant since his enlistment as private in 1877. He was made Serg., Sept. 29th, 1878; 1st Et., June 20th, 1881; Capt., May 22, 1882. To his popularity and indefatigable energy is in a large measure due the present creditable efficiency and esprit de corps of the command, numbering 70 mnen.
First Lieutenant, William W. Hanold, was elected Sept. 2d, 1882, from Co. D., 13th Regiment. In U. S. Navy from 1865 to 1871; Private, Gatling Battery, Nov. 15, 1875: Corp., Feb. 17th, 1876; Serg .. March 4th, 1878; 2d. Lt. Co. D., 13th Regt., Dec. 10th, 1879; 1st Lt., Nov. 30th, 1880; 1st Lt., 3d Battery, Sept. 2d. 1882. His forte is the howitzer drill, many of the movements therein executed having been introduced by him, based upon experience gained in this branch of artillery while in the United States naval service.
Second Lieutenant. William N. Toshach, is also from the ranks of the Battery, having been elected to thie Lieutenancy in 1884.
Assistant Surgeon-First Lieutenant, Charles P. W. Mer- ritt, 3d Battery, July 30th, 1883.
The armament of this Battery is 4 12-pound mountain howitzers; 4 Gatling guns, calibre 50; 71 Remington carbines, calibre 50; and 9 artillery sabres. A new uniform, consisting of white helmet, scarlet coat and regulation trousers, was adopted by the Battery in the spring of 1884, and first worn in April.
The Fourth (formerly Eleventh) Brigade was organized Dec. 31, 1861, by Jesse C. Smith, who was elected its General.
The Brigade comprises the 23d and 47th Regiments, and the 32d Regiment Battalion (organized in place of the dis- banded 52d). It originated in the necessities of the war. Im- mediately after the Bull Run disaster, 1861, companies of Home Guards sprang into existence in every part of the city. The 23d and 47th Regiments were organized entirely from companies of home guards, which had been called together by the disasters at the front. The first commander was Gen. Jesse C. Smithi, from 1861 till 1868. In 1862 he took the greater part of the Brigade to Pennsylvania, when that State was threatened with invasion. In 1868 Col. J. V. Meserole, of the 47th was unanimously elected in his stead. Gen. Meserole joined the 7th Regiment June 14th, 1855, and served seven years as private, corporal and sergeant. In 1861 lie took command of Co. A, 47th Regiment, then forming; was elected Colonel of the 47th in March, 1862. He commanded the regiment both times when it was called into active
1200
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
service. After holding command for abont eight years, Gen. Meserole resigned in Jannary, 1876, followed by Brig .- Gen. Tra L. Beebe, March 16, 1876; Brig .- Gen. Edward L. Molineux, June 10th, 1879, and Brig .- Gen. W. H. Brownell, Sept. 5th, 1881.
Twenty-Third Regiment, N. G., S. N. Y .- After the de- parture of the old 13th from Brooklyn to the seat of war in April, 1861, a number of friends of Co. G., known as the Brooklyn City Guard, organized for the purpose of aiding the families of its absent members, and of making themselves proficient in military service. This movement was followed, May 1st, by a meeting in Gothic Hall, at which a company was organized for the purposes above stated, and to aet as a substitute for Co. G. in the protection of the city; henee its name, Relief Guard, Co. G., 13th Regt. Its officers were: Win. Everdell, Jr., Capt .; Thos. Brooks, 1st Lt .; L. D. At- water, 2d Lt .; Jolin M. Pratt, Ord. Sergt. A gray uniform was adopted, Gothie Hall was secured for drills, and the name of City Guard Reserve was soon after assumed. Other companies of Home Guards sprang into being, and a desire for a regimental organization was soon manifested. A com- mittee appointed to consider the matter, reported the exist- ence of the following detached companies, comprising some 700 men: Brooklyn Grays, Capt. Blakslee: City Guard, Capt. Bassett; Carroll Hill Guards, Capt. Heath; South Brooklyn Independent Guards, Pres., N. Lane: Capt. Bent's Company: Union Rifles, Capt. Morgan: Guard Lafayette, Capt. J. H. Perry; Union Grays, Capt. Wylie; Relief Guard, Co. G, 13th Regt., Capt. Everdell; Washington Home Guard, Capt. W. II. Crane; Clinton Guards, Capt. Noyes; Ind. Zouaves, Capt. Slipper; Excelsior Guards, Capt. Beers.
At a meeting of the City Guard Reserve, Jan. 6, 1862, after the question of a regimental organization had been left to the commissioned officers, Capt. Everdell reported that the company had been pledged to start the 23d Regiment. Messrs. Farnham, Pratt, Titus, and Everdell, were appointed a committee to select from the roll a permanent committee, with power to draft a plan to organize the 23d Regiment. Eleventh Brigade, N. G., S. N. Y. The committee proposed that half the City Guard Reserre should form Co. A of the new regiment, that Capt. Beers' Company should be Co. B, and the remainder of the Reserre should constitute Co. C; Jan. 20. 1862, Co. A was mnstered into the 11th Brigade, Gen. Jesse C. Smith. Capt. Everdell was elected first Colonel of the regiment, July 14, 1862, res. Oct. 10, 1863, and was succeeded by Col. Calvin E. Pratt. who in turn resigned in March, 1868, when Lt .- Col. Rodney C. Ward was elected Colonel; he resigned, and was placed by the Commander-in- Chief npon the supernumerary list: Lt .- Col. Partridge was his successor, but upon his resignation, Col. Ward was again elected Colonel, and still retains command. The Regiment participated in the Gettysburg campaign, July, 1863, but was not organized in time to take part in the other campaigns with the National Guard. During the labor riots of July. 1877, Gov. Robinson ordered out a portion of the militia; July 291. orders came to Col. Ward to proceed with the 23d to Hornellsville as soon as possible; at eight in the evening, the Regiment marched from the armory, 300 strong, leaving a de- tachment to follow on the next day, under Major A. C. Barnes. The command arrived in Hornellaville at 3.15 l'. M .. July 23, was stationed in and around the station, round- house and yards, guarding railroad property against the attacks of the rioting strikers; it took ont the first train that lad been moved east for several days, repelled several at- tacks, protected track repairers, assisted in the administration of justice, and finally restored order, without the necessity of firing at the rioters. On its return to Brooklyn, July 27,
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.