USA > New York > Franklin County > Historical sketch of the Sixteenth Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteer Infantry, April 1861 - May 1863 : St. Lawrence. Clinton. Franklin. First reunion, Potsdam, NY, August 31st and September 1st, 1886 > Part 2
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Historical sketch of the Sixteenth Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteer Infantry, April 1861 - May 1863 : St. Lawrence. Clinton. Franklin. First reunion, Potsdam, NY, August 31st and September 1st, 1886 > Part 2
USA > New York > Clinton County > Historical sketch of the Sixteenth Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteer Infantry, April 1861 - May 1863 : St. Lawrence. Clinton. Franklin. First reunion, Potsdam, NY, August 31st and September 1st, 1886 > Part 2
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II
16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry.
were encamped at Camp Franklin ; the troops, over seventy-five thousand, were assembled at Bailey's Cross-Roads early in the day to await the arrival of their chief. Towards noon Gen. McClellan appeared, accompanied by President Lincoln and other distinguished personages, and as the party rode along the front of the line, cheer after cheer rent the air. Having assumed a stationary position on an elevated spot, the various commands passed in review before them. The day was mild and beautiful, the roads in good condition, the men in fine spirits, and the review presented a most imposing spectacle, surpassing anything of the kind ever witnessed in America. If any American, any man, did for personal or political ends trifle with or sacrifice that grand army-had the heart to do it-then total depravity is possible and infinite wisdom can err.
The shooting of Johnston, under sentence of court-martial for desertion to the enemy, his clever capture by Col. Jackson of the 5th Maine, his undoubted foul intent, which, if successful, must have endangered many better lives than his own in the Sixteenth, was also a source of temporary interest. After sentence, Johnston was placed in an open wagon, seated on his coffin, and carried before the division, formed in three sides of a hollow square. He was then placed in about the center of the square, seated upon his coffin, blindfolded, and shot by a detail of his own com- pany, and then as he lay upon the ground, the fatal wounds exposed, the division was marched so that every man came within two feet of either side of the body. For some days Cos. B and G of the Sixteenth were in danger of having to furnish the detail of executioners, because these companies were on picket at the time, and Johnston's plans were to lead the enemy upon them in the night. The officers at least informed Cos. B and G that no one need hesitate to act, as the guns would be handed loaded to the detail and one of the guns have a blank cartridge, and which no one knew. Few regrets were expressed when the danger passed, for the true soldier wants and yields a fair show when the question of a human life is at issue.
Here Col. Davies left the Regiment, with many regrets, but his merited promotion, and the acceptance of his place by that grand man, Col. Joseph Howland, alleviated what otherwise would be a source of personal loss to every member of the Sixteenth.
THE ARMY MOVES.
On the roth of March the Army of the Potomac unfurled its banners and began the forward march. Comprised of legions of brave men per- fected in discipline through long months of drill, supplied with everything pertaining to the material of war, and headed by a general the very men- tion of whose name inspired deeds of daring-in this grand army were cen-
12
Historical Sketch of the
tered the nation's hopes. The long delay was ended, the public pulse quickened, and with light heart and elastic step the volunteer marched away, confident that he moved to victory.
The Sixteenth took up the line of march to Fairfax Court House and bivouacked until the 14th, and then returned to Burton's Tavern, and thence the next day to the old camp. It was here that the army learned that the enemy had retreated, after beleaguering the capitol, blockading the river, and keeping the army at bay for more than six months. On the 6th of April, as part of McDowell's Corps, the Regiment went by rail to Man- assas Junction, and from thence marched ten miles to Cattett's Station, through a drenching rain. After remaining here three days, the order annexing the division to McDowell's command was revoked, and Gen. Franklin returned by rail to Alexandria to form a part of the expedition to the Peninsula. April 19th the Regiment embarked and arrived at Ship Point, near the mouth of York river, on the 22nd, landed and remained on shore until the evacuation of Yorktown. While here the boys waded far out into the river and bay and gathered an abundant supply of fresh oysters and clams, on which they feasted with a relish. An innumerable army of insects, known under the general appellation of wood-ticks, were very annoying. They would burrow in the flesh of both man and beast, and, regardless of the consequences, "pinch " and pull with all the tenacity of the horse leech. On May 3d the Regiment re-embarked and moved to Yorktown, where it remained till the battle of Williamsburgh, on the 5th, and the following morning moved up York river to West Point, landed at Brick House Point, on the south side, just at night, threw out pickets and kept constant vigil through the night, under orders to challenge no one, but fire upon every object that should approach from any direction. The following morning was fought the battle of West Point. Only companies F and G were engaged, under the immediate command of Capt. Gilmore. In this battle the enemy practiced the most barbarous brutality upon our wounded. One of the Sixteenth had his throat cut and another had not less than seven bayonet stabs on his body ; neither of these had otherwise fatal wounds, and all of the dead and wounded were stripped of their valuables and clothing. Comment is unnecessary.
The following abstracts from the official reports show the fighting quali- ties of the companies engaged. Captains Gilmore and Curtis are the only officers of their rank specially commended. The other companies sup- ported Porter's and Ayers' batteries during the engagement. The records show Companies F and G to have lost six killed, sixteen wounded and two missing : total, twenty-four.
In his official report of West Point, Gen. Franklin, then commanding the division, says :
13
16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry.
"Two companies of the Sixteenth N. Y. Regt. were in the commencement of the engagement and behaved well. Captain Curtis (later General), in command of one of them, was severely wounded."
And Gen. Newton, in his report, says :
Gen. Slocum generously furnished me with three companies of the Sixteenth N. Y. Vols., and Capt. Gilmore, who commanded them, has received the commendations of his superior officers for the skill and gallantry displayed during the action. Capt. Curtis, whilst bravely leading his company in a charge, was shot in the left breast and severely wounded.
At the conclusion of the action, the Regiment marched three miles up the York river to Eltham, and encamped for a day ; thence towards Cum- berland three miles, and remained two days. Here the Sixth Corps was organized. Cumberland was reached on the 15th; White House on the 16th, and Tunstall's station, five miles from White House, on the 19th, and encamped at Cold Harbor. From this point, the Regiment made an advance upon Mechanicsville, and in the absence of the enemy, who had gone on a like raid, reached the village, captured several prisoners, the officer's baggage, mail and a quantity of supplies ; had a pleasant visit with several ladies and returned to camp without the loss of a man, though some sharp skirmishing took place. A few days after, some other com- mand made a like attempt and that place was taken only after a hard fight. The Regiment later encamped there upon the battlefield and by climbing trees, the steeples of Richmond could be seen and the ringing of church bells distinctly heard. From this camp, Co. B, during the battle of Fair Oaks, skirmished across the Chickahominy and had a spirited bout with the enemy but lost no men. Returning to Cold Harbor the Regiment assisted in building bridges, the enemy's sharp-shooters keeping up a constant fire from the tops of trees, behind logs, and from every object of concealment, by day ; and, not content with this sort of annoyance, they frequently threw shot and shell at our encampment, many of them striking among the tents, and got up demonstrations, compelling the Regiment to " turn out " at very unreasonable hours. Standing knee-deep in the water, six hours, or bearing on their shoulders huge logs, under this sort of inconvenience in no way contributed to their comfort. Co. B, however, was more fortu- nate than the others. Lieut. Geo. L. Eastman, though in very feeble health, remained with his company, and daily, at the noon rest, weak as he was, prepared at the camp kettles of coffee, beans and beef, hired a " coon " and bore them to the weary boys. He was ever a man, and had not his health failed him, against which he hoped and struggled many months, he would have made a record second to no officer in the Sixteenth. The custom, so prevalent at the commencement, was soon almost dis-
14
Historical Sketch of the
continued, as too costly for both sides, and now, instead of "blazing away " on the slightest pretext, the pickets patrol their beats, day after day, within speaking distance, without molesting one another.
The Regiment crossed the Chickahominy on the 20th of June and rested on the field of Fair Oaks, and all nature showed evidence of that murderous conflict, when tens of thousands bore down upon barely a division, and unsuccessfully tried to cut them off, or thrust or crush them into the river. ,
Nearly three months had now elapsed since the Army left Alexandria and begun the Peninsular Campaign. Yorktown had been evacuated, the bloody battles of Williamsburgh, West Point, Fair Oaks and Seven Pines, besides several lesser engagements fought, the troops arrived before and around Richmond, and our labors were about to be crowned with success by its capture. And on the evening of the 26th the news of a great victory spread through the Army, creating the wildest joy. Men who had by con- stant hardship, and by continually looking on death, almost forgotten the feelings of joy, now broke out in loud shouts of gladness; but while the Army was rejoicing at this temporary success, it was losing one of the grandest opportunities ever presented it for entering the enemy's Capital. The whole plan of Lee was based upon a false calculation. He believed that the main body of our Army was on the North side of the Chicka- hominy, but in fact only Porter remained on that side. Under this error, Lee had brought nearly the whole Army across the river. This was known to our generals, for while positive information was received that Jackson, with his large army, was marching to our rear ; the prisoners taken were none of them from his command. Thus, between our main force, of over eighty thousand men, and Richmond, less than twenty-five thousand of the enemy guarded their long line of works. A concentrated assault of the four corps, on the south side of the river, must have resulted in the utter rout of the forces opposed to them, and the road to Richmond free and clear. But the error of Lee was never suspected, and this grand opportu- nity was lost. During the night Porter fell back to Gaines' Hill, and the fearful battle of the 27th, fought only to be followed by the great retreat and the five day's fighting which succeeded. Truly, "Some one had blundered." The official reports of the commanding officers give the part taken by the Sixteenth in that memorable disaster, which was so unneces- sary and which blasted every hope and the gallant army, whose suffering, heroism and courage entitled it to victory. After June 27th, 1862, the Sixteenth is known as the " straw hat " men of history, who fought hardest, suffered most, and who could not be driven by the enemy, and never dis- obeyed an order, except when commanded to retreat.
15
16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry.
The Regiment was engaged on five of the seven day's retreat and sustained losses as follows :
KILLED. WOUNDED.
MISSING.
June 27th, Gaines' Hill.
46
194
54
29th, Garnett's Hill
I
3
3
" 30th, Savage Station
3
5
2
July Ist, Glendale.
2
13
3
" 2nd, Malvern Hill
I
5
II
53
220
73
Total Casualties
346
In his official report, dated July 8th, 1862, near Harrison's Landing, Va., Gen. H. W. Slocum, referring to Gaines' Hill, says :
"Col. Bartlett's Brigade took position on the extreme left of the line. He was subse- quently ordered to the right of the line to support Gen. Sykes, whose troops, fatigued by the long contest of this and the previous day, were nearly overpowered by the over- whelming numbers of the enemy. Great credit is due the brigade commander, Col. Bartlett, for his vigilance and untiring efforts on the field, as well as on the night marches. He was constantly with his command, cheering his men by noble example as well as words.
The loss of the division in officers was particularly severe, not only in numbers but in the character of those killed and wounded. Lieut .- Col. Marsh was mortally wounded while in the thickest of the fight and has since died, and Col. Howland was so severely wounded as to be unfitted for duty.
Of the many officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers I cannot here speak in detail. Like soldiers and like men they performed their duty and met their fate, and a grateful country will long bear them and the thousand nameless heroes of this conflict, who have offered up their lives at the nation's shrine, in lasting and honored remem- brance.
H. W. SLOCUM,
Commanding First Division, Sixth Corps."
In his official report Col. Joseph J. Bartlett, commanding the brigade, under date of July 7th, 1862, referring to Gaines' Hill, says :
" At 5 o'clock P. M. I was ordered by Gen. Sykes to bring forward my men to support the troops on his left and a portion of his own command, who were unable longer to withstand the fierce attacks and withering fire of the enemy, who were slowly but surely forcing back the right of the entire line of battle. At this juncture I ordered forward the Sixteenth New York Volunteers, Col. Howland commanding. From the position of the regiment it was necessary to change front forward on first company under the most terrific fire of musketry, with the shells and round shot of two batteries raking over the level plain, making it seemingly impossible for a line to withstand the fire a single instant. But with the calmness and precision of veteran soldiers the movement was executed, and the line, giving three cheers, long and loud, rushed on to relieve their now routed friends, led by their noble Colonel and myself in person. The position was gained. The enemy now hurled his fresh troops in double numbers against my line, directing his heaviest fire upon my left, and the Twenty-Seventh N. Y. Volunteers and Fifth Maine staggered back under the fearful fire; but it was the recoil of the lion to
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Historical Sketch of the
gather new strength to support the undaunted resolution of every breast, and once more every man sprang to the front, where they nobly maintained the fight, without giving an inch of ground to the enemy, until long after darkness showed the flash of every mus- ket, and revealed to the enemy how small a force was holding them in check. To meet the fire which came from our left Col. Howland, who held the right of my position, changed front forward on tenth company, and the line thus established held its position until all firing of musketiy had ceased on the field, except that from my own brigade.
From the moment the Sixteenth was engaged up to 8 : 30 P. M. that Regiment nobly held the position assigned to it, and the men regretted the necessity which compelled them to retire from the field.
With many painful regrets I have to report the loss of 500 officers and men; Lieut .- Col. Marsh was mortally wounded in the neck by a Minie ball whilst riding in front of his regiment, waving his sword and cheering on his men to noble deeds. The service has lost in Lieut .- Col. Marsh an able officer and a true patriot, and his brother officers a genial companion and noble friend.
To Col. Joseph Howland I am indebted for maintaining the extreme right of my line, for nobly leading his regiment to the charge, and retaking two guns from the enemy. Whatever of noble, moral, physical and manly courage has ever been given by God to man has fallen to his lot. Cheering his men to victory he early received a painful wound, but with a heroism worthy of the cause he has sacrificed so much to maintain he kept his saddle until the close of the battle, and not till then yielded to the painful and exhausted condition to which he has been reduced.
Major Seaver established a name on this occasion of which he may well be proud. He was fearless, enthusiastic and efficient, and nobly fills the place made vacant by Col. Howland and the lamented Lieut .- Col. Marsh. JOSEPH J. BARTLETT,
Col. 27th N. Y. Vol., Commanding 2nd Brigade. Capt. H. C. RODGERS, A. A. G."
Every official report of the different commands engaged make reference to the wonderful charge of the Sixteenth, but the following can only be given. Col. Cake, of the Ninety-Sixth Pa., says :
" At this moment Major Seaver, of the Sixteenth, rode up seeking the Brigade com- mander. He informed me that his Regiment was doing good work, but needed sup- port. I doubted the propriety of moving my line, but as he strenuously urged it, begging me for the " love of God " to close in on their left, I took the responsibility and moved my Regiment to the right until my men mingled with his. For more than one hour after this both regiments poured in their fire. Any disposition on the part of the enemy to charge us, when we first came upon the field, seems to have been recon- sidered, as their fire slackened and was much easier to bear as the day declined.
At 7: 15 o'clock P. M. Col. Howland, of the Sixteenth, rode up to my center and informed me that his ammunition was giving out. We advised together, concluding not to retire until dark, he agreeing to fire until his men reached the last cartridge and then to rest with his pieces charged. While the enemy's fire was growing feebler in our front we were still subjected to an ugly cross-fire of round shot and musketry, that cut us obliquely from the right." (Signed) H. L. CAKE, &c.
Report of Maj. Joel J. Seaver, Sixteenth New York Infantry, of the battle of Gaines' Mill :
1 7
16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS, SIXTEENTH REGT. NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. ) June 28th, 1862.
SIR :- On Friday, the 27th inst., this regiment, under command of Col. Joseph How- land, in pursuance of orders from brigade headquarters, left its camp with the brigade at 5 o'clock A. M., near Courtney's house, on the south side of the Chickahominy river, to support General Porter's corps, then being engaged by the enemy on the north side of the river, in the vicinity of Gaines' Mill. The regiment was held at Duane's Bridge until 2 o'clock P. M., at which time the brigade was moved down the river and crossed at Alexander's Bridge, arriving on the field of battle at Gaines' Hill at about four o'clock P. M., this regiment leading the brigade to its position, assigned by Col. Bartlett, commanding, on the right of the field. Here the regiment was formed in line of battle, and rested in a ravine, which protected it from the enemy's batteries, which. were sweeping the field in every direction. In reaching this position from the point where we entered the field, near the center of the line, we were compelled to pass over a level plain a distance of about 500 yards under the fire of cannon and musketry, where three of our men were struck and disabled by a cannon-shot.
After lying in the ravine some fifteen or thirty minutes the regiment was, by order of Colonel Bartlett in person, advanced in line about 100 yards to a position on the plain, where it was halted for some five minutes and the men ordered to lie down. Again we were advanced some 50 yards to a fence, where we once more halted for a few minutes, when we again advanced, passing the fence and engaging the enemy, who were not over 50 yards distant.
Our forces had already been compelled to retire from the crest of the hill, leaving one section of a battery in the hands of the enemy. Steadily and with unbroken front the Sixteenth continued to advance, the enemy giving way before it, until it had regained the ground that had been lost and retaken the guns, one of which had been turned upon us. Here a road passed over the top of the hill, with high banks on either side, in which the enemy had thrown themselves to resist our advance. Across this road we pressed amid a shower of bullets, and on the opposite side Colonel Howland ordered the regiment to change front forward on the tenth company, to oppose the fire of the enemy, which then seemed most destructive on our left. The change was made in good order, and our men poured in a deadly fire, before which the enemy wavered and fell back. We held this position for about one hour, until our ammunition was nearly exhausted, when, by direction of Colonel Howland, I endeavored to procure a fresh supply. Failing in this, however, I requested Colonel Cake, of the Ninety-sixth Penn- sylvania Volunteers, who was lying on our left, to come to our support. He accordingly moved the right wing of his regiment to the point indicated, and with his assistance we continued to hold the place till night set in, when the brigade, under the personal direction of Colonel Bartlett, was led from the field in as good order as it had been led on, with the exception of the heavy losses it had sustained. During our engagement, which lasted nearly one hour and thirty minutes, the Fifth Maine and Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers were doing efficient service in line on our left.
I regret to report that in the early part of the engagement Colonel Howland received a flesh wound in his left thigh, but he still kept his horse, unmindful of aught but his duty and his command, and with the most undaunted bravery and marked coolness, rode through the leaden hail from right to left along his line, and continued to direct the movements of the regiment and cheer on the men during all the fight and conduct- ed the regiment from the field. His wound will disable him from duty for several weeks.
2
18
Historical Sketch of the
Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh received a severe wound in the neck very soon after the regiment had crossed the road on the hill, a Minie-ball entering the left side of the neck and lodging against the vertebra. He bore himself bravely during the engage- ment, and at the instant he was struck he was riding up the line waving his sword and in the act of delivering a message to Colonel Howland. Before the message was de- livered, or its purport made known, he was struck by the ball and fell instantly from his horse, and was borne off the field in an insensible condition.
Among the casualties to the officers of the line I have to report the death of Lieut. A. M. Barnard, Co. H, who was struck by a musket-ball in his forehead and instantly killed. Capt. Warren Gibson, Company H, was about the same time struck by a musket-ball, near the outer corner of the right eye, the ball passing through, back of and destroying the eye, and coming out near the left temple. Both these officers were nobly and fearlessly discharging their duty at their posts and cheering on their men. The command of the company devolved on Sergt. James M. Hamilton, who behaved with coolness and courage, and did himself great credit during the remainder of the day. Lieut. McFadden, Company K, had his right leg shattered below the knee, by a shell, Acting Adjt .- Lieut. Pliny Moore, Company C, was severely wounded in the right arm and side by a musket-ball, while in the fearless discharge of his duty on the field, Lieut. Charles Bentley was wounded slightly by a ball cutting off the end of his left thumb.
Where no man faltered; where every one, officers and men, did their duty so nobly and so well, taking and persistently holding a position under a raking cross-fire, which reduced our ranks fully one fourth part, to particularize would be invidious, so far as I was able to observe the conduct of the troops not a man left the ranks till he was compelled to from wounds or to bear off a wounded comrade, and any temporary con- fusion or disorder caused by moving the battalion under a steady and galling fire was promptly corrected by the company officers, whose co duct, as well as that of the men under their command on this occasion, deserves the highest commendation.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. J. SEAVER, Major, Commanding Sixteenth N. Y. Vols. R. P. WILSON, A. A. A. G., 2nd Brig., Ist Div., 6th Prov. Army Corps, A. P.
The incidents, the horrors, the awful scenes of the "Seven Days " retreat are too appalling and numerous for mention here. The wounded of three days had been collected at Savage Station, who, in addition to the sick, sent here after the retreat had been decided upon, presented an indescrib- able reality of woe. The writer lay in the midst of thirteen wounded, passed over by the surgeons as beyond help at 9 o'clock P. M. June 29th, of whom Corporal Johnston of his own company was one, and at 6 : 30 A. M. the next morning he was the only survivor. In front of the amputating tents the legs and arms, cut off, formed great heaps, tons in weight, many of the feet still having shoes on them. To add to the gloom and suffering of this multitude, they were informed that all who could not join in the march would be left behind. A large number of the poor fellows, deter- mined not to fall into the hands of the enemy, started bravely out, and through all the retreat their weak and emaciated forms could be seen strug-
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