History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 19

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922

USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19

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).

On the 2d of May, Gen. Hooker's army lay along the turnpike in front of Chancellorsvillc. Gen. Howard, with the 11th Corps, of nine thousand men, was on the extreme right, about two miles from Chancellorsville. At five P.M. Gen. Jackson, with thirty thousand men, attacked this corps, and drove it back in confusion towards Chancellors- ville. That night our forces attacked the rebels, and drove them from the ground which they had taken from Gen. Howard's corps. The Union lines were then reformed, with Reynolds on the right, Slocum in the centre, and Sickels on the left.

Early in the morning of the 3d, the rebels, in great force, attacked the two divisions under Sickels, and the fighting soon became general on the left and centre. They fought until noon, our forces being pressed back towards Chancel- lorsville by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. The loss on both sides was ten thousand killed, and as many wounded.

At eleven o'clock in the evening of the 2d, Gen. Sedg- wick received orders from Gen. Hooker to advance towards Chancellorsville, demolishing any force that might attempt to bar his way, until he should strike the rear of Lee's army. As soon as he commenced his march the enemy opened fire on his columns. At daybreak he entered Fred- ericksburg; at cleven he stormed and carried the heights, carrying Cemetery Heights under a heavy fire of artillery, and thence pushed on and captured Marye's Hill. He took two hundred prisoners, some guns and camp-equipage, the force of Barksdale being too small to resist his advance. The rebels retreated about three miles on the road from Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville as far as Salem Church. The fight at Chancellorsville being over, Gen. Lee sent Gen. McLaws to reinforce the troops under Barksdale and check the advance of Gen. Sedgwick. The position of the rebels was a strong one, the flanks well covered with woods, and repeated attempts by the Union forces to carry them were unsuccessful. The fight lasted until dark. Early in the morning of the 4th Gen. Sedgwick received a dispatch from Gen. Hooker, saying, " You must not try to force the po- sition you attacked at five P.M. Look to the safety of your corps." That morning-the 4th-the whole rebel army was concentrated on Sedgwick's division, forcing him back to the Rappahannock, and at night across it. On Tuesday night Gen. Hooker withdrew his whole army across the river, and the troops returned to their old camping-grounds near Falmouth.

From the diary of an officer of the 16th Regiment I ex- tract the following, giving an account of that regiment from the 13th of April until after the battle of Chancellorsville :

" April 13 .- Orders came to-night to have eight days' rations in haversack and knapsack, and be ready to mareh by to-morrow night. Cavalry went up the river this morning. This all looks like immedi- ate work on hand. Most beartily hope we may be successful.

" 14th .- All are getting ready to take the field, storing extra baggage with the quartermaster, putting guns in fighting condition, examin- ing ammunition, ete. The men work cheerfully to get ready for work ahead. Cloudy to-night; fear we shall have a storm. Have my things all packed. Orders just come to stop cooking rations. What is the meaning ?

" 15th .- Storming terribly this morning, with every prospect of continuing some time, still raining at bed-time.

" 16th .- Cleared up this morning. The rain will not make the roads very bad, the ground is well settled. Weighed a man's load, ineluding eight days' rations, as per late order ; it weighed sixty-one pounds,-pretty beavy for a man to tug around. All quiet, no indi- cations of moving.

"17th .- Division review ordered to-morrow. A Swiss officer to be present.

" 18th,-A beautiful day. Review came off as ordered ; regiment appeared well. Gen. Brooks gave the 16tb the credit of appearing the best in the division. Had a regimental inspection this afternoon to see that the men had their eight days' rations, as ordered. All quiet ; no news from the cavalry ; no news from anywhere. This state of inactivity cannot last long.

" 20th .- Rained all day.

" 21st .- All as quiet as though we were out of the world instead of being surrounded on all sides by thousands and tens of thousands of brave soldiers.

"27th .- Orders to be ready to move in the morning. All are getting ready. The 1st, 11th, and 12th Corps went up the river to-day.

" 28th .- Orders to remove at three P.M. Commenced raining about ten A.M. Orders that no fires be built to-night. Moved down to the river and halted in column ; found we were to cross the Rappahannock on pontoons at eleven P.M., the 3d Brigade first, our brigade second, our regiment to lead the brigade. The pontoons were not all brought to

MILITARY HISTORY.

the river until three P.M. We all feel the risk we run should the rebels try to prevent our crossing; but we are determined to do our best. Our regiment will fight to the death.

" 29th .- Crossed, as proposed, at four this morning. The 3d Brigade were met with a severe musketry fire. We on the opposite bank thought at first they had all been killed or taken prisoners, but the boats returned and we crossed double-quick. We lost none. The rebels have fallen back about a mile; pickets firing slowly. Our regiment in second line. Hear nothing from our right. Seven P.M. -In command of a fatigue party of five hundred men throwing up a rifle- pit in front of our position ; finished at eleven P.M.

" 30th .- Slow, drizzling rain. No alarm during the night. Rebel pickets fallen back across Deep Run. Rebels still hold the city. Orders just came from Hooker, and were read to the regiment, stating that our right had got into such a position as to compel the rebels to leave their works and fight us on our own ground or fall back towards Richmond. Relieved the front line at sunset. Rebels do not fire at us, though we are in easy range of their works on the hills. Had muster.

" May 1st .- Been on the front line all day ; have had charge of the picket-line since eleven A.M. Reynolds has crossed below us; had more trouble than we. Our right has been firing all day ; sounds as though it was on this side over the river, over the hills from us; hear nothing from them. Were relieved at sunset, fell back to the river- bank, down nearer Reynolds, under good cover; had a good night's rest.

" May 2d .- Were under arms at eight A.M., and moved a little far- ther to the left. Some firing by Reynolds. Fine weather. Pickets advanced across the run, driving the rebels in splendid style. Think we shall advance to-morrow.

" May 3d .- Under arms at two A.M. Commenced to advance across the plain, and took up same position as last winter. Soon we were moved a little to the left in the road. Lay there till noon. Saw our right clearing the hills back of Fredericksburg; they did it in fine style. About two P.M. we moved to the right through the city and up the plank-road ; about two miles out we came across the rebels again. We drove them two miles easily and were in high spirits, when we struck tbeir lines drawn up to the right and left of the road behind a thick underbrush. We charged into the underbrush, and were greeted with a terrible fire of musketry. We returned it until the regiment was cut to pieces ; got hit in the thigh just before we fell back.

" Monday, 4th .- After helping to rally the regiment last night I rode back to the field-hospital, where I had my wound dressed. During the night I was taken back to Falmouth with the other wounded. Our regiment had lost very heavily, also our whole brigade. The regi- ment did nobly, but no regiment could stand the fire that was poured into us, and the brush was so tangled that we could not see three rods or keep the line. Our regiment was the last to fall back. This after- noon the rebels have cut through between us and the corps. Our wounded are all taken to the north side of the river. Hard fighting over there to-night.

" May 7th .- Our regiment has lost none since Sunday. They pro- tected the crossing at the Ford."

An extract from a letter written by Capt. Pliny Moore, Company C, 16th Regiment, is as follows :

" May 5th, 1863 .- We left our camp near White Oak Church April 28th, at three o'clock P.M., and under cover of a fog marched to the river, one mile below Fredericksburg, where we arrived about dusk. About cleven o'clock tbat night we started for the river-bank, where we were obliged to wait until near morning for the pontoons, sixty in uumber, to be placed in the river. Wben all was ready the 3d Brigade of our division were embarked in the bonts, and just at dawn they all started across togetber. It was ono of tho most beautiful sights I ever wit- nessed. We could just distinguish the black boats on the water, and saw them disappear in the gloom on the opposite side. Every ono was expecting them to be fired into, but not a shot was fired. Wo heard them strike the opposite bank, and had just comuienced to congratu- late ourselves that wo were to meet with no opposition, when a volley from tho opposito bank was poured into them. Then all was confu- sion for n moment or two; our regiment was ordered to firo a volley across, which wo did, and thon all was quiet. We supposed that our inen bad given themselves up. Gon. Brooks immediatoly orderod the 16th to go across, which was done in fine style, when we found that

our men had gained the opposite bank, and that the enemy had left. Our loss was very slight. We immediately established our lines and held them until Sunday morning, but constantly under arms, our pickets fighting most of the time, and shells whistling around us. Sunday morning we were turned out at one o'clock A.M., and advanced and occupied the position we had when we were over before. As soon as it cleared off the fight commenced on both sides. We were exposed to the most fearful shelling we ever had for two or three hours, but had only one man wounded. On the right they made an assault on the heights, and finally carried them. We were immediately marched around through the city on to the front, and commenced driving the rebels; they had a battery, and would make a stand at good places until we had advanced about three miles on the Gordonsville road, where the enemy had taken a position behind a small strip of woods on a hill. There we had a severe fight, and were repulsed, the enemy having been strongly reinforced. Our regiment made a charge into the woods, and lost one hundred and eighty-five in killed, wounded, and missing. The following is a list of the killed and wounded in my company : Ira Johnson, Seth Thomas, and Heman Robinson, killed.

" Corps. Ed. McCarty, Silas Cochran, John Howes, Charles Lucas, Rufus Robinson, Mitchell Bully, and privates Danforth, Leary, Parks, Varino, Soper, wounded.

"Sergt. Christian, privates Chappel, Collins, Downey, Garrity, Hilliard, Hills, Mooney, Putraw, Redmond, Williams, Wilcox are missing.

" Some of them are probably killed, others wounded, and others will probably make their appearance shortly. There was not a man in the company but received bullet-marks about him. I had my cap shot off, and was hit by a spent ball on the arm. Col. Palmer was wounded in the leg.

"P. S .- We were surrounded by the enemy yesterday, and were obliged last night to recross the river."

In this engagement Second Lieut. Wm. E. Hesselgrave, of Company B, was killed ; Capt. W. L. Best and Lieut. A. C. Bayne, of Company G, were wounded ; Lieut. Nelson Cozzens, of Company H, was wounded; and Capt. Wood, of Company K, was taken prisoner. Col. Seaver had several bullet-holes through his elothing, but fortunately eseaped uninjured.

The regiment had now been in service nearly two years, and on the 10th of May the following special order was issued from

" HEADQUARTERS SIXTH ARMY CORPS.

" The term of service of the 16th New York Vols. having nearly expired, the regiment will procced at once to Albany, N. Y., the placo of enrollment, where it will be mustered out of service.

"The quartermaster department will furuish transportation from Falmouth.

" The general commanding the corps cougratulates officers and men of the regiment upon the honorable termination of their period of duty. They have deserved well of the republic upon many battle- fields and in many tiresome marches.

" Through all the vicissitudes of these two years of servico they have preserved for their regiment an unblemished record. For their faithful service and gallant bearing upon all occasions, the general commanding thanks them in his own name aud for the country.

" By command of MAJ .- GEN. SEDGWICK."

Gen. Brooks issued the following special order :

" HEADQUARTERS IST DIVISION, 6TII CORPS. " Mny 10, 1863.

" The undersigned is happy to add his testimony to the good char- acter of the officers and men of the 16th N. Y. Vols., whose term of service is about to expire.

. " Their gallant conduct through the campaign, and especially in tho battle near Salem Church, excited his unbounded admiration.

" It is needless to sny how much he regrets to lose them. His best wishes for their futuro happiness go with them.

" W. T. H. BROOKS, "Brig .- Gen. Commanding Division."

HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

The 16th Regiment left camp near Falmouth, passed through Washington May 11th, and arrived in Albany at six o'clock on the morning of the 14th.

The following extract from an Albany paper, May, 1863, gives an account of their reception in Albany :

"The Sixteenth had a glorious reception in Albany on the 14th. They were met by the Fire Department and escorted through several of the principal streets to the capitol, where Governor Seymour wel- comed them in the following speech :

"'Soldiers of the 16th Regiment,-With the close of this day will expire the two years for which your regiment was mustered into the United States service. Your thinned ranks are most eloquent wit- nesses that your duty as soldiers of the Union has been religiously discharged. When, on the 15th day of May, 1861, you were mustercd into service your regiment numbered eight hundred stalwart men. You went forth with your banners fresh and beautiful; you return them worn and tattered, but more beautiful and more sacred to us, from the perils and hardships through which they have been borne.

"' I congratulate you upon your return to our State, and upon the prospects of your speedy reunion with friends at home. Many who went out with you in the vigor of manhood and health have been denied this privilege. The records of the battles of West Point, Gaines' Mills, Crampton, Antietam, and Fredericksburg will account for the five hundred missing soldiers. Their bones are crumbling upon the Peninsula and whitening the hills of the Blue Ridge. We welcome you, their comrades in arms, and in behalf of the people of the State, whom you have so honorably served, invoke the richest bles- sings of Providence upon you. We will place your torn banners, amid others which have come to us from the battle-field, in the archives of the State, and cherish them as precious memorials. Soldiers ! you are now about to return to your homes in the northern part of the State. You will soon look forth upon the beautiful waters of Lake Champlain, the rolling St. Lawrence, and Lake Ontario, along whose different shores most of you reside. You will return to the duties of civil life, prepared, we trust, to discharge them with the same fidelity and honor you have manifested in the field.

"'And now let me give you a kindly caution before bidding you farewell. You are ahout to enjoy that repose to which you are so justly entitled, and to receive a portion of that pay you have so hardly and honorably carned. Be prudent, be careful, and do not let the designing or the unprincipled rob you of your money ; keep it for the hour of sickness, and for the aid of those near and dear to you.

"'Again, as the Governor of the State of New York, and the com- mander-in-chief of its military forces, I thank you for your patriotic services.'

" Col. Seaver's reply :

"'To YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALBANY :

"'I desire to express to you the thanks of this regiment for this cordial and enthusiastic welcome, so unexpectedly extended to us. It is the more gratifying inasmuch as it was unexpected.

"' I need not speak of the thinned ranks, of the trials and sufferings patiently borne, of the sickness, disease, and battles which have so reduced our numbers. These have all become familiar topics in the history of all armies. You have heen pleased to allude to the services of this regiment in flattering terms. I trust that these services have not been rendered in vain, that all these sufferings will uot, under Providence, be allowed to pass for naught. The reception extended to us this day is a cheering indication that they will not. The en- thusiasm of your citizens, old and young, shows clearly enough that the heart of the people is still heating to the truc measure; that their devotiou to the old flag is as deep and undying as it was when the storm of battle first hroke upon Fort Sumter.

"' I would that every soldier in our armies were here to-day to wit- ness the enthusiasm. It would warm their hearts and nerve their arms to more powerful blows and to more glorious deeds. But while this may not be, the spirit of the people can be imparted to them.

"' Let it go forth from the press, from executive halls, till the armies of the nation shall feel that there is but one people and one sentiment in all the loyal States, and that people and that sentiment are with the army in favor of a speedy and honorable termination of this war, and the restoration of the power of the government of the United States over all that are now in rebellion.

"' This will be worth more than thousands of armed men, and will be most potent in influence.

"'To your hands, sir, I am pleased to deliver the colors of this regiment, that they may be preserved in the archives of the State. They are beaten by storm, torn by many a hostile bullet, but I believe they have never been dishonored.

"' Let them remain as a testimony to the brave men who have fallen in their defense, and to those who are soon to return to their homes, sobered by discipline and chastened by much suffering.'

"Fifteen of the wounded soldiers accompanied the regiment in car- riages. The tattered banners of the regiment attracted general atten- tion. They have been in eleven battles, and are reduced to mere shreds.

"The 16th, when mustered out May 22d, numbered about three hun- dred and fifty men. Since they went into service, two years ago, they have lost five hundred and eighty-seven men, killed and wounded."

The following is a list of the names of the officers* of the 16th Regiment New York Volunteers at the time of its organization, May, 1861 :

STAFF OFFICERS.

Thomas A. Davies, colonel, appointed May 9, 1861; appointed acting brigadier-general, July 18, 1861; commanded 2d Brigade, 5th Division, from July 15 to Aug. 12, 1861, when he was relieved and appointed brigadier-general, commanding 7th Brigade.

Samuel Marsh, lieutenant-colonel, appointed May 9, 1861; died of wounds received in action at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. Buel Palmer, major, appointed May 15, 1861.

William B. Crandall, surgeon, appointed May 15, 1861.

John H. Mooers, assistant surgeon, appointed May 10, 1861 ; resigned Aug. 7, 1862.

Rev. Royal B. Stratton, chaplain, appointed June 24, 1861 ; resigned. Joseph Howland, adjutant, appointed May 10, 1861; promoted to assistant adjutant-general to Gen. Slocum, Sept. 17, 1861 ; pro- moted to colonel, March 7, 1862; wounded in action at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862; resigned on account of wound.

Arthur De Wint, quartermaster, appointed May 10, 1861; resigned May 7, 1862.

COMPANY A.

David A. Nevin, captain, appointed April 25, 1861; resigned July 18, 1862.

Peter L. Van Ness, lieutenant, appointed April 25, 1861; promoted to captain, Co. I, Nov. 11, 1861 ; resigned Dec. 6, 1862.

Charles L. Jones, ensign, appointed April 25, 1861 ; promoted to lieu- tenant, Sept. 7, 1862.

COMPANY B.

James M. Pomeroy, captain, appointed April 30, 1861; resigned July 18, 1862.

Wilson Hopkins, lieutenant, appointed April 30, 1861; promoted to captain, Oct. 14, 1862.

George L. Eastman, ensign, appointed April 30, 1861 ; resigned Oct. 7, 1862.

COMPANY C.

Frank Palmer, captain, appointed April 30, 1861 ; promoted to major, July 4, 1862; promoted to lieutenant-colonel, Sept. 29, 1862; wounded at battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863.

Royal Corhin, lieutenant, appointed April 30, 1861; promoted to cap- tain, July 4, 1862 ; resigned Aug. 7, 1862.

Pliny Moore, ensign, appointed April 30, 1861; wounded at Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862; promoted to captain, Aug. 7, 1862.

COMPANY D.

George Parker, captain, appointed May 2, 1861.

Albert M. Barney, lieutenant, appointed May 2, 1861 ; promoted to captain, Co. E, June 26, 1862; promoted to lieutenant-colonel of 142d N. Y.

Robert P. Wilson, ensign, appointed May 2, 1861; promoted to adju- tant, Sept. 20, 1861.

# Mrs. Palmer, in her excellent history of the 16th, also furnished the editor with a complete roster of the regiment, but inasmuch as the names of enlisted men appear in other portions of this work, it is not inserted in this connection.

Rank Palmer

MILITARY HISTORY.

COMPANY E.

John L. Stetson, captain, appointed May 7, 1861; promoted to licu- tenant-colonel of 59th N. Y., March 13, 1862; killed at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.

Ransom M. Pierce, lieutenant, appointed May 7, 1861; promoted to captain, March 13, 1862; discharged by surgeon's certificate, June 25, 1862.

Charles H. Bentley, ensign, appointed May 7, 1861; promoted to lieutenant, March 13, 1862; promoted to captain, June 26, 1863.

COMPANY F.

John C. Gilmore, captain, appointed May 15, 1861; promoted to major, Sept. 29, 1862.

John A. Vance, lieutenant, appointed May 15, 1861.

Joseph Holbrook, ensign, appointed May 15, 1861; died Aug. 28, 1861.

COMPANY G.

Martin N. Curtis, captain, appointed May 3, 1861; resigned Oct. 17, 1862.

Simon C. Vedder, lieutenant, appointed May 3, 1861; resigned Sept. 18, 1862.

William L. Best, ensign, appointed May 3, 1861; promoted to licu- tenant, Sept. 13, 1862; promoted to captain, October 17, 1862; wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 8, 1863.

COMPANY H.

Warren Gibson, captain, appointed May 7, 1861; shot through the head, making him totally blind, and left the service in eonse- quence.

Alanson M. Barnard, lieutenant, appointed May 7, 1861; killed in action, June 27, 1862, at Gaines' Mills, Va.

Archibald S. Tucker, ensign, appointed May 7, 1861; resigned May 28, 1861.

COMPANY I.

Joel J. Seaver, captain, appointed May 7, 1861; promoted to major, Nov. 11, 1861; promoted to lieutenant-colonel, July 4, 1862 ; pro- moted to colonel, Sept. 29, 1862.

Frederic F. Wcad, lieutenant, appointed May 7, 1861; transferred to 98th N. Y., Oct. 7, 1862.

Milton E. Roberts, ensign, appointed May 7, 1861; resigned Nov. 18, 1862.

COMPANY K.

William W. Wood, captain, appointed May 7, 1861.

John McFadden, lieutenant, appointed May 7, 1861; died of wounds received in action at Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862.

Ilenry J. Carlton, ensign, appointed May 7, 1861.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Frederick C. Tapley, sergeant-major, appointed May 15, 1861 ; pro- moted to captain of Co. B, July 6, 1861, vice James M. Pomeroy, resigned.

Charles F. Moore, quartermaster sergeant, appointed May 15, 1861.

Howard B. Utter, drum-major, appointed May 15, 1861; discharged Sept. 24, 1862.

George Gaunt, hospital steward, appointed May 15, 1861.

Newel C. Rebena, nurse, appointed May 15, 1861.

Frank II. Fulsom, cook, appointed May 15, 1861.

The following are staff-officers who joined the regiment later :

Rev. Andrew M. Miller, chaplain, appointed Nov. 11, 1861; resigned August, 1862.

Rev. Francis B. Hall, chaplain, appointed Oct. 17, 1862.

Charles C. Murphy, assistant surgeon; appointed Aug. 7, 1862; re- signed Jan. 18, 1863.

Charles J. Pardce, assistant surgcon ; appointod February, 1863.

The following are company officers who were appointed after May, 1861.

Androw C. Baync, ensign, Co. A, appointed Sept. 13, 1862; promoted to first lioutenant, Oct. 17, 1862 ; wounded at tho battle of Chan- cellorsville, May 3, 1863.

Charles H. Brown, ensign, Co. II, appointed Aug. 13, 1862. Nelson C. Cozzens, first lieutenant, Co. H, appointed June 27, 1862; wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863.

William H. Davies, quartermaster, appointed Oct. 28, 1861.

A. Dodge, second lieutenant, Co. B, appointed Oct. 7, 1862 ; promoted to first lieutenant, Jan. 21, 1863.

Oliver B. Flagg, first lieutenant, appointed Sept. 29, 1862.

S. W. Gleason, first lieutenant, Co. I, appointed Aug. 9, 1862.

William W. Hutton, second lieutenant, Co. D, appointed June 26, 1862 ; died from wounds received Sept. 14, 1862; died Nov. 18, 1862.

Enos llinman, second lieutenant, Co. I, appointed Dec. 6, 1862. William R. Helms, second lieutenant, Co. F, appointed Oct. 14, 1862. William E. Hesselgraves, second lieutenant, appointed Oct. 9, 1862. William H. Jameson, first lieutenant, Co. K, appointed Aug. 8, 1862. Edwin C. Knapp, first lieutenant, appointed Oct. 14, 1862.

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 19

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 922

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922