USA > New York > History and honorary roll of the Twelfth Regiment, Infantry, N.G.S.N.Y. > Part 2
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" CHAS. W. SANDFORD, Moj. Gen. First Division. " JOHN EWEN, Brig. Gen. Fourth Brigade."
II .- The Commander-in-Chief coincides with Gens. Sandford and Ewen in the propriety of the consolidation, and is pleased to direct that it be' effected in the manner propo-d in their communication.
III .- To this end it is hereby ordered that Companies A and C of the Twelfth Regiment be consolidated together : that Companies B and HI of the same regiment be consolidated together : that Com- panies G and E of the same regiment be consolidated together : that . the companies so consolidated, with Company D of the same regi- ment, be transferred to and consolidated with the Tenth Reziment. under the command of Col. William Haley: and that Company F of the Tenth Regiment be transferred to the Eleventh Regiment, same Brizade.
IV .- Gen. Ewen will superintend the consolidation hereby ordered. and will, as soon as it is effected, direct the several commandants of
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TWELFTH REGIMENT.
companies thus consolidated or transferred to report for duty to the commandants of the regiments to which they are transferred.
V .- After the consolidation has been completely effected, Col. William Halsey, commanding the Tenth Regiment, will transmit to these Headquarters a roster of his regiment, giving the letters of com- panies, the names of their officers, and the number of non-commis- sioned officers and privates therein respectively.
VI .- All officers rendered supernumerary by the provisions of this order will report to this office.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief. FRED'K TOWNSEND, Adj. Gen.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, N. Y. S. M. SPECIAL ORDERS No. 3.
NEW YORK, March 18, 1859.
The foregoing Special Orders No. 56 are promulgated.
Brig. Gen. Ewen will issue the necessary orders to carry the con- solidation into effect, and will make report to the Adjutant General and Major General as soon as the consolidation is completed.
By order of
CHARLES W. SANDFORD, Maj. Gen. R. C. WETMORE, Division Inspector.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, N. Y. S. M.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 1.
NEW YORK, May 24, 1859.
I .- The suspension of the promulgation of Special Orders No. 3 to the Twelfth Regiment, pursuant to a writ of alternative mandamus fre ..: the Supreme Court, since annulled. having rendered modifications therein expedient, it is ordered that these Special Orders be, and the summe are hereby, substituted therefor, so far as that Regiment is con- cerned.
II .- Special Orders No. 56 from General Headquarters, and Spe- cial Orders No. 3 from Division Headquarters, are hereby promul- gated.
III .- Pursuant to said Orders, it is hereby ordered that Companies Aan I C of the Twelfth Regiment be consolidated together, under the chand of Capt. George Hf. Barr, the smior Captain, and trans- f ried to and consolidated with the Tenth Regiment, and designated as Company A of said Regiment ; that Companies B and II of the
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HISTORY OF THE
Twelfth Regiment be consolidated together, under the command of Capt. Wm. Huson, the senior Captain, and transferred to and consoli- dated with the T'enth Regiment, and designated as Company H of said Regiment ; that Companies G and E of the Twelfth Regiment be consolidated together, under the command of Capt. James A. Boyle, the senior Captain, and transferred to and consolidated with the Tenth Regiment, and designated as Company F of said Regiment ; that Company D of the Twelfth Regiment, commanded by Capt. John D. Ottiwell, be transferred to and consolidated with the Tenth Regiment, and designated as Company D of said Regiment ; and that Company F of the Tenth Regiment, commanded by Capt. Henry L. Klein, be transferred to the Eleventh Regiment, and designated as Company G of said Regiment.
IV .- Capt. Henry E. Gotleib, commanding Company C of the Twelfth Regiment, will, on or by Monday, the 30th day of May in- stant, cause a copy of these and Regimental Orders, and also Com- pany Orders directing members to report without delay to Capt. George H. Barr for duty, to be served upon the members of his Com- pany, and cause a copy of said Orders, with a return of service there- of, to be served upon the Commandant of this Brigade, and also upon Capt. Barr, on or by Wednesday, the 1st day of June next. He will also at sueb time furnish Capt. Barr with the roll of the members of his company, with their places of residence.
V .- Capt. Garret H. Dyekman, commanding Company H of said Regiment, will, on or by Monday. the 30th day of May instant, cause a copy of these and Regimental Orders, and also Company Orders di- reeting members to report without delay to Capt. Wm. Huson for duty, to be served upon the members of his Company, and cause a copy of such Orders, with a return of service thereof, to be served upon the Commandant of this Brigade, and also upon Capt. Huson, on or by Wednesday. the Ist day of June next. He will also at such time furnish Capt. Huson with the roll of his company, with the places of residence of the members.
VI .- Capt. Iligbie Carpenter, commanding Company E of said Regiment, will, on or by Monday, the 30th day of May instant, canse a copy of these Orders, and Company Orders directing the members of his company to report without delay for duty to Capt. James A. Boyle, to be served upon the members of his company, and cause a copy of such Orders, with a return of service thereof, to be served upon the Commandant of this Brigade, and also upon Capt. Boyle, on or by Wednesday, the 1st day of June next. He will at such time furnish to Capt. Boyle the roll of the members of his company, with their places of residence.
VIL .- As soon as the duty directed by the IV., V .. and VI. para- graphs of these Orders shall be performed. the consolidation of the several companies referred to in paragraph Il. shall be considered effected.
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.TWELFTH REGIMENT.
VIII .- Capts. Boyle, Huson, Barr, and Ottiwell will, on or by Fri- day, the 3d day of June next, report to Col. Wm. Halsey, of the Tenth Regiment, for duty, and at such time furnish him with a copy of a corrected roll of their respective companies, with the places of residence of the members.
IX .-- The senior officers in the respective grades of the companies consolidated together and transferred to the Tenth Regiment, are con- tinned in command; the junior officers in such grades are rendered supernumerary.
X .- The officers of such companies will be as follows, viz. :
Company F, Tenth Regiment-Captain, James A. Boyle.
..
¥
H,
66 Second Lieutenant, Charles Cudlip. Captain, Wm. Huson.
First Lieutenant, John N. Dixon.
Second Lieutenant, Wm. Gee.
A, 4
Captain, Geo. H. Barr.
..
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First Lieutenant, Henry W. Ryder. Second Lieutenant, John Quincy Adams.
XI .- Licut. Col. Henry A. Wecks, commanding the Twelfth Regi- ment, will cause these Orders to be promulgated to the commissioned officers of his command, on or by Friday, the 27th day of May in- stant, and will furnish to the Commandant of the Brigade a copy of the Orders so promulgated, with a return of service thereof, on or by Monday, the 30th day of May instant.
XII .- Brigade Major Taylor will cause to be supplied to Lieut. Col. Weeks a sufficient number of these General Division and Brigade Orders, with blank Regimental Orders, for promulgation to his com- mand, and will also cause to be supplied to Capts. Gotleib, Dyckman, and Carpenter a sufficient number of the Brigade Orders, with blank Company Orders, for promulgation to their commands.
XIII .- After the consolidation has been completely effected, Col. William Halsey, commanding the Tenth Regiment, will transmit to General and Brigade Headquarters, respectively. a roster of his regi- mont, giving the letters of companies, the names of their officers, and the number of non-commissioned officers and privates therein respect- ively.
All officers rendered supernumerary by the provisions of Special Orkrs No. 53, from General Headquarters, hereby promulgated, will. ngat to the Adjutant General.
By order of
Jous EwEN, Brig. Gen. Commanding.
HOEFEr TAYLOR, Brigade Major and Inspector.
.
First Lieutenant, Fred. T. Locke.
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HISTORY OF THE
HEADQUARTERS TWELFTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M. GENERAL ORDERS NO. -.
NEW YORK, May 27, 1859.
The foregoing Special Orders from General, Division, and Brigade Headquarters, are hereby promulgated for the information and guid- ance of this Regiment.
By order of
HENRY A. WEEKS, Lieut. Col. Commanding. WV. G. WARD, Adjutant. EDWARD M. FISHER, Serg. Major.
But with characteristic alacrity and love of justice, the Twelfth, immediately after the issuing of the aforementioned Order, resolved to go to Albany and show the Governor and his staff that the charges preferred against the Regiment were entirely devoid of truth. Therefore, with an excellent band and 226 officers and men, it visited the State Capital, and received the plaudits of the people and the honors of the military ; but the looks of State officials were cold, and the visit of the Twelfth (in their opinion) savored of insubordination. Not receiving the treat- ment and redress which it expected and merited, the Twelfth, on its return, drilled regularly, but refused to report for duty to Col. Halsey, preferring disbandment to degradation.
On the 20th of July, 1859, it paraded for the last time as the " Old Twelfth." Accompanied by an admir- ing multitude, it proceeded to the State Arsenal in Brooklyn, and there delivered its arms and equipments.
Chagrined, but not disheartened, the command return- ed to New York, and experienced from all classes sym- pathy and respect. Though broken by the false rep- resentations of envious parties, the Twelfth had in it a lustre that could never decay. The regimental organ- ization was still kept up, and the following order issued :
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TWELFTH REGIMENT.
HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENCE GUARD, TWELFTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M.
NEW YORK, 1859.
ORDER - No. 3.
This Regiment will assemble in fatigue dress, for Battalion Drill, at the Division Armory, on Wednesday, the 24th inst., at 716 o'clock P.M.
In accordance with the unanimous decision of the Board of Officers, · the Regiment will hereafter be designated, in connection with its nu- merical distinction, as the INDEPENDENCE GUARD-a name commemo- rative of our earliest national existence, suggestive of our rights and privileges as citizens, and a worthy stimulant to such exertion as shall reflect lustre both on it and ourselves.
In making this announcement, your Commandant acknowledges the pleasure and satisfaction derived from such an exhibition of unanimity of feeling and interest, as shown by the relinquishment of company distinctions ; and is thereby fully convinced, that all individual prefer- ences. or company prejudices, have yielded to a mutual determina- tion that the future success and prosperity of the Regiment shall be the prominent object of our exertions.
By order of COL. J. S. COCKS, W. G. WARD, Adj't Twelfth Regiment.
EDMD. W. FISHER, Sergeant Major.
On the 16th of November. 1859, a new organization was effected, and an order issued from General Head- quarters creating five companies, and assigning them to the Twenty-Second Regiment. Immediately there- after Col. Coeks resigned.
The companies assigned as above retained the title of " Independence Guard," and the Twelfth was thus for a time merged in the Twenty-Second. About the period of this numerical change the following officers were chosen :
Col. (now Brevet Major General U. S. A.) Daniel Butterfield : Lient. Col. Henry A. Weeks. The first Order issued by Col. Butterfield to his new command read thus :
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HISTORY OF THE
HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENCE GUARD, TWENTY- SECOND REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M.
NEW YORK, December 7, 1859.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 1.
The officers and non-commissioned officers of this Regiment are hereby ordered to assemble for drill at the Mercer House, on Wed- nesday, December 14th, at 737 P. M. Fatigue Dress-Overcoat.
The Regiment will assemble for drill at the Division Armory, White Street, on Monday, December 19th, at 737 P. M.
Fatigue Dress-Overcoat and Body Belt, without arms. The drills will not be public.
· At the first regular meeting of the Board of Officers, the Bill of Dress and By-Laws of the former organization, Independence Guard, were unanimously adopted until otherwise ordered by the Board.
The officers and non-commissioned officers are expected to be thoroughly familiar with the first thirty pages, Vol. I. Scott's Tac- tics, and ready to answer any questions in regard to same previous to the drill above ordered.
Col. BUTTERFIELD will attend at the Division Board Room, White Street, on Monday, December 12th. from 316 to 5 P. M. for the pur- pose of issuing warrants to, and examination of, the non-commissioned officers.
Commandants of companies are requested to make returns of the elections for Sergeants on or before that time, and to furnish the Ad- jutant with a complete roster of their companies, giving residence and place of business of every member.
The attention of officers is called to the following paragraphs in the book of " General Regulations," viz., 43-454 to 498-525-526.
STAFF APPOINTMENTS.
Henry A. Bostwick, Adjutant. Francis HI. Saltus, Ordnance
Henry Slack, Surgeon. Officer.
Aibert HI. Nieolay. Quartermaster. Tino. Timpson, Ass't Engineer,
Richard S. Palmer, Paymaster. (Acting Enginecr.)
By order of COL. DANIEL. BUTTERFIELD. HENRY A. BOSTWICK, AAdjutant.
It soon became apparent that the aforesaid numerical change was detrimental to the organization. Hence, Col. Butterfield petitioned the Commander-in-chief to restore the old and acceptable number Twelve.
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TWELFTH REGIMENT.
The wished-for numerical restoration took place on or about the first of January, 1860. The command again paraded eight full companies, as the Twelfth Regiment, N. Y. S. M., on Washington's Birthday, 1860. For the Twelfth and its friends, that was a joyous and triumphal parade.
In the following Spring and Summer a system of morning drills was successfully introduced, which proved beneficial in a physical as well as in a military point of view. Lieut. Col. Weeks resigned in September of the aforesaid year.
In pursuance of Division and Brigade Orders, this Regiment assembled for parade, in full uniform, on Thursday, October 11, 1860, at the reception of the Prince of Wales. Maj. Gen. Sandford conferred upon this command the honor of receiving the Prince, and escorting him to position in line. In the course of the same month (October) the Regiment proceeded to Staten Island for target practice.
On the 25th of the following November, Col. Butter- field awarded prizes and medals to the best marksmen in the Regiment, at Madison Square. Toward the close of the same year, the Regiment assembled in full uniform-blue trowsers, white gloves, and white pom- pon, with fatigue caps slung, and procceded to Staten Island for field drill. On their return to the city, the command received and escorted to their quarters the Fifth Regiment, Col. Schwarzwaelder, on their return from Bedloe's Island.
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HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER THIRD.
WHEN Southern traitors threatened riot and rebellion should Abraham Lincoln proceed to Washington for inauguration, the services of the Twelfth were secretly offered to the Government. The whole com- mand made arrangements to accompany the President elect, in citizen's dress, to rendezvous at a certain point, where they would be furnished with arms and equip- ments. Said plans and details were submitted to and approved by Lieut. Gen. Winfield Scott.
The Twelfth alone can claim the honor of having been the first regiment which offered its services for the sup- pression of rebellion. Immediately after inauguration, Col. Butterfield and his officers held several meetings to devise means and adopt measures for placing the com- mand in efficient condition.
On the night of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the Regiment adopted the chasseur uniform. Its ranks were filled to the maximum standard, and its services tendered to the Government.
Accordingly, the command, numbering nine companies, Ieft New York for Washington, on the 21st day of April, 1e61. There were 650 raw recruits, in addition to said companies. The Baltic (the steamship in which the Regiment sailed) cleared for Fortress Monroe, but instead of going up the Potomac, the vessel was ordered to Annapolis, by Gen. Butler. After landing and taking a brief repose, the Regiment started for the Junction. On the following Sunday the Twelfth reached Washington, and without delay built wooden huts in Franklin Square.
On the id of May. 1861. Major, afterward Gen. MeDowell, mn-tered the command for three months into the United States service. The drill and discipline of Camp Anderson, as the camping ground was styled,
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TWELFTH REGIMENT.
were admirable and rigid. Hence, the Twelfth, whilst there, were frequently called Regulars.
On the 23d of May, 1861, the Regiment crossed the famous Long Bridge, and was the first Union regiment that set foot on the sacred soil of the " Old Dominion." Its station was at Roach's Mills, at that time the most exposed position.
" The position of the Federal troops around Washington has ex- perienced no material change, with the exception of the return of the Seventy-First to their old quarters at the Navy Yard. The Twelfth New York Regiment may be said to take the post of honor, being the first to cross Long Bridge, and the first to receive an attack after the army of the invasion crossed into Virginia."-New York Herald, 1861. " Col. Butterfield's Twelfth Regiment, which has its location on the heights toward Arlington, is in equally good condition, and anxious for an early contest with its country's assailants. The Twelfth was justly and highly honored by Gen. Mansfield in being given the lead in the movement of Thursday night. It was the first regiment to enter Virginia, and if needs be will be the last to leave it. In ten minutes from the time the order was given on Thursday evening, the men were ont of their beds, dressed an I in marching order, and so quietly did they leave their city encampment, that the residents in the city were not aware of their departure until the following day. In all that pertains to strict discipline, accurate drill, and soldierly bearing, the Twelfth Regiment is unsurpassed, and an honor to its accomplished Colonel."-New York Post, 1861.
" An incident came to our knowledge a few days since which we take pleasure in giving place to, inasmuch as it exemplifies the old adage, 'One good turn deserves another,' and shows the cordial sol- dierly feeling which exists among the military.
" In the Summer of 1859 the Twelfth Regiment were ordered by the Major General commanding the First Division to deliver up their arms. The order caused much ill-feeling among the members of the Regiment, but it was obeyed. On marching to the Brooklyn Arsenal, which was the place assigned for the custody of the muskets, the Regiment were reviewed by the Mayor and Aldermen Dayton and Van Brunt, of Brooklyn, who also extended other courtesies to the Regiment.
" On the arrival of the Fourteenth Regiment in Washington last week, the corps was but insufficiently provided with music. Alderman Dayton was at the capital. and desiring that the Brooklyn boys should make a fine appearance on marching up Pennsylvania Avenue, knowing full well that mansie was a necessary adjudet, proceeded to the camp of the Twelfth Regiment, and ingnired for Col. Buttertiell. That gentlemen was not present, but Lieut. Col. Ward was sent for.
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HISTORY OF THE
Alderman Dayton briefly explained the position of the Fourteenth, and Lieut. Col. Ward, remembering the kindness of the Alderman three years before, ordered the regimental band to proceed to the depot and play for the Brooklyn boys. The band went down to the depot on a double quick march. The regiment was all formed, the band took up their position, and the Fourteenth marched up the avenue the observed of all observers, making a decidedly brilliant appearance."-New York Post, 1861.
On the 2d of the following June the Twelfth returned to Washington, and on the 7th of July was ordered to Hagerstown. The command had now been recruited to the grand number of 1,023. After bivouacking in Hagerstown Woods, it moved to Williamsport, forded the Potomac, marched all night, and arrived at Martins- burg on the 9th, just at the dawn of the morning.
About this time Col. Butterfield was appointed acting Brigadier General. The Fifth, Twelfth, Nine- teenth, and Twenty-Eighth New York Volunteers com- prising his command.
On the 15th of July the Twelfth moved to Camp Patterson. at Bunkers Hill, Md. ; thence, ou the 17th, to Camp MeClellan, at Charlestown. and on the follow- ing Sunday proceeded to Harper's Ferry, and occupied a position on Bolivar Heights. Afterward they passed to the ground near the Indiana Zouaves, and called the same Camp Butterfield. Then the services of the Regiment were tendered to and accepted by the War Department.
On the 26th of July, 1861, Companies A, B, C, and E crossed the Shenandoah, and took possession of the block-houses built by the rebels on Loudon Heights. There they remained till after the evacuation of Har- per's Ferry by Gen. Banks. They were the last troops to eross the Potomac, and had to ford two rivers before rejoining the army.
On the 28th of July the Regiment was forwarded to Knoxville, Md. ; thence ordered to New York, where it arrived on Friday evening, August 2, 1561, and received _ a grand and flattering welcome.
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TWELFTHI REGIMENT.
CHAPTER FOURTH.
THE New York troops were called out on the 27th of May, 1862, for a second term of three months' service. The Twelfth at once volunteered. After some delay in procuring uniforms, arms, and equipments, it departed for Baltimore.
Company A was ordered to drill in Fort McHenry, and the balance of the Regiment sent to Harper's Ferry. Here a brigade was formed by the Twelfth and Twenty- Second New York, and the Eighty-Seventh Ohio. The Twelfth encamped near the neat village of Bolivar, on the heights overlooking the Potomac.
The daily routine was as follows :
Reveille at sunrise.
Surgeon's call, 5.30 A. M.
Drill, 6 till 7.30 A. M.
Guard mounting, 8 A. M.
Company drill, 9 till 10.30 A. M.
First Sergeant's call, 12 M.
Roast beef, 1 P. M.
Fatigue, 2 P. M.
Battalion drill, 4.45 till 6.45 P. M. Tattoo at 9 P. M.
SUNDAY MORNINGS.
Inspection at 8.30 . M.
Religious services at 10.30 A. M.
The Regiment having a large number of inexperienced recruits, required incessant drill. Accordingly, it lost no time. And ere long, its every member became a proficient in tactics.
When Gen. Wool reviewed the troops at Harper's Ferry, he particularly noticed the Twelfth, and remarked that its mancurrings could not be surpassed by Regulars.
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HISTORY OF THE
When the Eighty-Seventh Ohio reached Harper's Ferry, hungry, wet, and weary, Col. Wm. G. Ward, then commandant of the Twelfth, called upon his regi- ment to send them a large quantity of coffee, boiled and prepared. This may seem an incident unworthy of notice, but any soldier who served in the field will duly appreciate it. And the Ohio Regiment appreciated it too. For immediately thereafter they gratefully ac- knowledged the exhilarating beverage, in a series of complimentary resolutions.
The Twelfth Regiment's term of service expired on the 27th of August, 1862. But, instead of returning to New York, as did other regiments, it volunteered to re- main till the 15th of October, to aid in the defense of the Union works, and in the instruction and formation of regiments sent on under the call for 300,000 three years men.
The Twelfth remained at Harper's Ferry until its communications with the North were cut off by the rebels, who crossed the Potomac after the second battle of Bull Run. Soon after, the rebel army, under Stonewall Jackson, recrossed the Potomac at Williamsport. pro- ceeded to Charlestown, and advanced upon Harper's Ferry, driving in before them Brig. Gen. White's com- mand.
Col. Miles, Commander of Harper's Ferry, made no preparations for its defense, except the cutting down of a few trees on Loudon and Maryland Heights. He sent Col. Ford to Maryland Heights with a large force. But on Friday. September 12th. Col. Ford was repulsed at Solomon's Gap, and compelled to retreat to the place whence he came.
On the morning of September 13, 1862, heavy mus- ketry firing began on Maryland Heights, the enemy attempting to capture that position. Company I of the Twelfth had been drilled in artillery practice ; and Capt. Acorn, commanding, took his mountain howitzers to defend the assailed " Heights." In the desperate en- gagement on Maryland Heights, the One Hundred and
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TWELFTH REGIMENT.
Twenty-Sixth New York became disorganized in con- sequence of Col. Sherrill being horribly wounded. Col. Ford immediately ordered a retreat, and commanded Capt. Magrath, of the New York Artillery, to spike and destroy his splendid battery of siege guns. that crisis said order was indeed severe, but obedience, even unto death, is a soldier's duty. Hence the cannon were spiked, dismounted, and hurled down the hill. Capt. Acorn, however, brought his howitzers and am- munition safely down.
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