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 20
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 20
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Peter La Fountain, ensign, Co. E, appointed March 13, 1862; re- signed Oet. 7, 1862.
Isaac T. Merry, lieutenant, appointed Dec. 20, 1861; promoted to captain, July 18, 1862.
David A. Nevin, ensign, Co. A, appointed Aug. 23, 1862.
L. J. Pierce, second lieutenant, appointed Jan. 21, 1863.
Henry T. Sanford, second lieutenant, Co. F, appointed Aug. 28, 1861 ; promoted to first lieutenant, Co. A, Sept. 29, 1862 ; promoted to captain, Sept. 29, 1862.
Frederick C. Tapley, captain, Co. B, appointed July 6, 1861.
Samuel W. Webster, ensign, Co. H, appointed June 14, 1861; re- signed.
W. H. Walling, ensign, Co. D, appointed Sept. 20, 1861; promoted to first lieutenant, Co. D, June 26, 1862.
COL. FRANK PALMER
is descended from English ancestry, who settled in New England at a very early period. His paternal grandfather, John Palmer, was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Hoosick, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. William Palmer, father of Frank Palmer, combined the occupations of farmer, mer- chant, and manufacturer. Taking up his residence in Plattsburgh about the year 1840, he engaged in the mill- ing business, building the first mills on the sites now oeeu- pied by the Hartwell Mills. He was also previously engaged in the manufacture of woolen and cotton cloths, and built the mills devoted to that business formerly on Bridge Street. While conducting the milling business he carried on, in conjunction therewith, a general store. He was one of the organizers of the project of a railroad from Plattsburgh to Montreal, also of the plank-road from Plattsburgh to Red- ford. In the war of 1812 he served on the frontier and Lake Ontario.
Early in life he was married to Ruth Haynes, daughter of John Haynes. Their children were Hon. George W., member of Congress from 1856-60, one of three interna- tional judges for adjusting difficulties growing out of the slave-trade, was consul to Candia, in the island of Crete; John, a Baptist minister (deceased) ; Buel Palmer, major of the 16th Regiment, New York Volunteers; Clinton (deceased) ; Charles, a merchant in Plattsburgh ; James (deceased) ; Frank ; and Mrs. Julia P. Wood.
Col. Frank Paliner was born Feb. 15, 1834, received an academical education, and at the age of twenty took the position of elerk in his father's store. Soon after, in com- pany with his brother Charles, bought his father's interest in store and milling business. This partnership continued till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion.
On the receipt of news of the firing on Fort Sumter and the simultaneous call for troops, he was one of the first to
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
respond. A meeting was called, and a sufficient number to form a company at once enrolled, and the officers elected to command were Col. Frank Palmer, as Captain ; Royal Corbin, First Lieutenant; Pliny Moore, Second Lieutenant. This company became Company "C," 16th New York Volunteers, and did efficient service in the many battles in which the Army of the Potomac participated,-in the first battle of Bull Run, campaigns of Peninsula, South Moun- tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, in which last battle Col. Palmer received a flesh-wound in the thigh, which rendered him unfit for further service until his regi- ment was mustered out, some twelve days thereafter.
Since the war Col. Palmer has been engaged in the manufacture of iron from the ore, first at Wood's Falls, remaining there two years, then building his present works at Altona, where he employs on an average one hundred and twenty-five men, turning out two thousand tons of iron per annum.
Col. Palmer was married, Oct. 18, 1865, to Marion Stetson, youngest daughter of John S. Stetson, of Cham- plain.
In politics, Col. Palmer is a Republican, and by that party has been elected to represent his town in the Board of Supervisors for eight terms. Col. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Platts- burgh, N. Y.
CHAPTER XIX.
MILITARY HISTORY-(Continued).
The Ninety-sixth Regiment.#
THE 96th Regiment was organized at Plattsburgh, N. Y., during the winter of 1861 and 1862, under the command of Col. James Fairman. It was mustered into the service of the United States and ready for " marching orders" March 7, 1862. Pending the time necessarily consumed in the final work of recruiting and mustering, the regiment became almost impatient of delay, thinking, as was the common opinion, that the Rebellion would be subdued before we should have the privilege of actual service in the field. This mistake long after-years of marches and battles, of active service in the very "front of the fight," most em- phatically corrected. But the future was to us then all unknown, and we chafed to wave " the star-spangled ban- ner" in the face of the foe, and charge to rout the mustering hosts of rebellion. The coming of the last squad of recruits to complete the required numbers were hailed with un- bounded enthusiasm, and the mustering in was looked upon as a grand event. At length the long-wished-for orders came, fixing the 11th day of March as the marching day. During the few intervening days friends crowded the camp to say their final adieus, and to pronounce their parting benedictions on the heads of brave husbands and sons. Silent tears of affection fell, and many plighted vows of love were whispered low. Many were the partings there that knew no earthly meeting.
As the reveille of the 11th sounded, and the regiment filed away from the government barracks, it was justly the pride, both as to its officers and men, of the section of country from which it had been gathered, and of Platts- burgh, where it had been organized and mustercd. No braver officers and men ever faced a foe or rushed undaunted in the face of death. Truer hearts never beat under the nation's blue uniform than were marching for "the front" that day. Col. James Fairman, the commanding officer, was from the ranks of culture and refinement. He was an orator of rare and commanding gifts, while his superior knowledge of military tactics was universally conceded, and his courage undoubted. Lieut .- Col. Charles O. Gray was a young man of high social standing and merit. Maj. John E. Kelly was from the regular army, and had for some time been connected with the military post at Platts- burgh. From his military service and personal fitness he was well suited to the commission. Surg. Francis J. Da- vignon was a highly-educated French physician. His suavity of manners and great kindness of heart were emi- nently calculated to win universal esteem. Asst. Surg. C. H. Vaughn was fit assistant to such a superior, and equally competent for the duties of his appointment. Quar- termaster John H. Sanborn was from the circles of wealth, and from superior and well-cultivated business capabilities fully qualified for the duties of his office. Adj. James A. Holden was all that could be desired in his relations. To add the name of Chaplain Nathan Wardner fills out the regimental staff at its first organization. Each company was as fitly officered with men well chosen for their high personal bearing, thorough competency, and undoubted bravery. The rank and file of the regiment, which are the real " bone and sinew" for the war, was made up of a class of men largely gathered from relations of influence and respectability, and inspired to assume the relations and perils of the soldier from the impulses of pure patriotism. It was enough for them to know that treason in arms was charging the nation's imperiled life, that defiant rebellion was trampling the banner of their country under its blood- stained feet. Home with its comforts, domestic relations with their endearments, even life itself, were laid as a free- will offering on the altar of their nation's honor and exist- ence.
Washington was the first point of their destination, near which we commenced our camp experience. But a few days were allowed for drill, when the regiment was ordered to Fortress Monroe, Va., to join Gen. George B. McClellan's Peninsular campaign.
The history of the regiment from this time on is one of untold hardships, of long and weary marches, of fierce and sanguinary battles. We shall see its ranks depleted by dis- ease, and thinned by shot and shell, but at whatever cost of ease or life we shall see a soldier's duty faithfully and fear- lessly discharged. The regiment was soon in its allotted place, pressing eagerly along the general line of march, up the Peninsula, and " on to Richmond." At first, unaccus- tomed to the heavy knapsack, haversack, cartridge-box, can- teen, and musket, and equally unaccustomed to the scorch- ing heat of a Virginia sun, the miles seemed long and weary.
# By Rev. Nathan Wardner, Chaplain.
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MILITARY HISTORY.
The first serious obstacle to our advance was met at Yorktown on the 5th of April, where the rebel Gen. J. B. Magruder confronted our march in forec. Our men, and the army generally, were eager to be led to the assault, but the more cautions and gradual method of approach was de- cided upon, and we sat down before Yorktown for an impa- tient month of preparation for a "siege."
Beyond an occasional reconnoissance by our forees, and repelling of sallies from the enemy, but little active service was secn except on picket and with the shovel. Our men had a decided preference for the use of the musket in war, and did not take to the shovel and ditching with the best of grace. But we knew full well that it was a soldier's duty to obey, and when we were ordered to fight we fought, and when were ordered to shovel we shoveled. Though few fell in actual engagement this month of waiting and work, still, disease, the great foe of our army on the Peninsula, was making sad havoc in our ranks in the trenches about York- town, and in the swamps of Warwick. Many of our own regiment fell a prey to the deadly malaria engendered by these Southern lowlands. Just as the elaborate preparations for the " siege" had been completed, and we were hourly ex- pecting to hear the boom of the heavy siege-guns, and be ordered to the charge, it was ascertained that the rebels had evacuated and were in full retreat up the Peninsula. There was something like a feeling of disgust pervading our regi- ment, which was doubtless generally shared, that the rebels should run and not fight, for, in the common parlance of the men, we were " spoiling for a battle," and the chance to shout the victory in some decided engagement. The pur- suit of the retreating encmy was most enthusiastic, hoping to overtake them soon, and put them to utter rout. Whether facts justified the impression or not, there was pervading the rank and file the confident belief that if they were just " let loose" on the enemy they would make short work of all that stood between them and Richmond, and of the Rebellion generally, and with this opinion indulged and constantly affirmed, the soldiers who handled the muskets chafed for the fray. Inspired by such enthusiasm the 96th, instead of fearing, rather coveted orders to the front, and hailed every omen of battle as auspicious.
We pressed cagerly along, under Gen. Casey command- ing our division, up the Lee's Mill road toward Williams- burg, the direction taken by the enemy. They were pressed into an engagement on the 5th of May, ncar Wil- liamsburg, where our regiment received its coveted bap- tism of battle, though with no serious casualties. During the night the enciny withdrew, pursuing their line of re- treat still up the Peninsula. We pursued their retreat, but from the nature of the roads, and the frequent orders to " halt," the pursuit, to us, seemed neither energetic or rapid.
On the 17th we were in the vicinity of Cumberland Landing, and at evening moved on some two or three miles and bivouacked. The next day was the Sabbath, and proved rather an exception in army life,-a day of rest. Religious services were held with the regiment, as was the custom when opportunity presented itself. The words an- nounced as the key-note of discourse were in keeping with our patriotic impulses : " Be strong and of good courage,
fear not nor be afraid of them : for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee nor for- sake thee." We felt that we were contending for the right, and that these words of divine encouragement were our heritage. These army saered services were often oc- casions of much interest, as was not unfrequently the case in our regimental history. It was then our minds and hearts were hushed to quiet musings, and memory trod the aisles of familiar home sanctuaries with the loved we had left far behind, while the solemn question would force it- self upon the soldier's mind in his far-away field of eon- fliet : " Shall I meet them again as of yore, or must our meeting be deferred to the infinite beyond ?"
The next morning we moved on unopposed about five miles farther towards Richmond. On the 20th we received orders to take rations and move in " light marching order." We moved on in the general line of our advance some two miles. The enemy were reported just ahcad. Orders were given, " No straggling ! We are in the midst of the enemy !" We were out on the extreme front, and as far as we could see the 96th was the only regiment out on this delicate and dangerous service. The roads and fields were untrodden since the recent rains, giving evidence that none of our foree had preceded us, excepting a battery of artil- lery, which was just in our front. We bore to the right, past our artillery, and struck the railroad some thirteen miles from Richmond. We moved cautiously, feeling our way down the railroad to the banks of the Chickahominy, being the first regiment to reach the river in that vicinity. From across the river the rebels opened a battery upon us, which, from the inaccuracy of their aim, amounted to only rather a noisy military salute. Many of the shells, how- ever, hissed and shrieked, and burst in full as close prox- imity as was safe, or as we cared to invite them. For the rest of the day and that night we furnished the target for the rebel artillery practice. The rebels having burned the railroad bridge across the Chickahominy during the night, we so far repaired it as to furnish means of crossing for in- fantry. In the morning a part of the regiment crossed this temporary bridge as skirmishers, and felt their way cau- tiously forward to ascertain the position of the enemy. We skirmished about a mile beyond the river, when a move- ment of rebel cavalry on our flank indicated the necessity of falling back, which we accordingly did rather lively. During the day we were relieved, and marched back to rejoin our brigade, the 2d of Cascy's division, which had moved up some distance during our reconnaissance at and across the Chickahominy. On Saturday, the 24th, our regiment was thrown across the Chickahominy, and pushed up to the ex- treme front again, forming the advanee picket line, with our left resting on or near the Williamsburg road. We were in the very face of the enemy, and this and the most of the next day was spent in that solemn, silent vigilance only known and understood by actual experience on the outer picket line in momentary expeetation of a battle.
On the afternoon of the 25th we were relieved, to be pushed out still farther in advance the next day on picket, with our left resting on the railroad at Fair Oaks Station. The day passed quietly, though the enemy could be seen crossing and reerossing the railroad not far in advance.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
The night passed undisturbed, until just at break of day rapid picket-firing was heard on our left, in the vicinity of the Williamsburg road, about a mile away. An officer of our regiment, whose relation, and the kindness of the colonel commanding, allowed him especial liberties, hastened through the intervening woods in that direction to ascertain the nature of the engagement in its bearing upon the expected general battle. Before he reached the place of encounter the firing had ceased. A rebel skirmish line had charged down upon our pickets and had been repulsed. The officer heard some one say a major is killed, and being directed to the place where his body lay, he looked in the face of the fallen major, seeking in vain to recognize some familiar form or feature, when some one was heard to say 96th. The spell was broken. At once the recognition flashed the painful truth. It was our own gallant Maj. Kelly. He was division picket officer of the day, and when the enemy assaulted he led forward some reserve pickets up the Williamsburg road. The enemy, from a thicket which bordered the road, fired the deadly volley only a few feet from the mounted officer. The major fell from his horse, struck with four bullets. The fatal shot severed the jugular vein. On fall- ing from his horse the major rose to his feet, walked a short distance, then sank down a corpse. The sad news was immediately borne to regimental headquarters, when Col. Fairman ordered Capt. Sweeney in charge of his body, who forwarded the precious remains of the fallen hero to his bereaved wife and family at Plattsburgh, N. Y. Major Kelly was held in high esteem by both the officers and men of our regiment, and his loss was most keenly felt. During the day we had some sharp picket-firing, exchanging shots with the enemy's pickets in the vicinity of the railroad, and repelling their attempted advance. Towards night we were relieved from picket, and marched about a mile to the Wil- liamsburg road and bivouacked for the night. Nothing of especial moment transpired that night or the next day. though the impression was general that we were on the eve of a great battle. Towards evening of Friday, the 30th, there came on one of those terrific Virginia thunder-storms, which must be experienced to be fully appreciated. The whole country seemed for a time literally flooded. Our hastily-pitched tents and temporary quarters furnished but poor protection against such a flood, and the night's rest that followed was not all that could have been desired. The morning dawned clear and fair, and the forenoon passed quietly. A little after noon the report of a cannon was heard in our immediate front, and the shot passed just over our camp, falling but a few rods to the rear. Another report and another shot passed over as before.
It seemed but a moment when an aid came dashing up with orders, " Col. Fairman, you will place your battalion under arms immediately." " Fall in! fall in !" was the hasty order, and the inen swung on their cartridge-boxes, and seizing their muskets, were instantly in line of battle. We had been in line so often when no engagement followed that, though there was a general expectation that we should join issue with the enemy soon, we did not feel at all cer- tain that this alarm would result more seriously than others had done. Sharp picket-firing was soon heard just up in the edge of the woods beyond our sight. " Colonel," queried
one of the staff-officers, " do you think we are going to have a fight out of this ?" " That sounds threatening," was the reply. A battery rushed past, taking a position a few rods in advance of us. Some infantry regiments hurried up and took position in line near the battery. The picket firing seemed nearer; they were evidently falling back. There now the long lines of the enemy could be scen bearing down upon us. The artillery opened a deadly fire, belch- ing destruction full in their face, but on they pressed. We saw our advance infantry raise their muskets. A long line of flashing fire and hissing bullets greeted the foe, but as one line melted under the steady aim, another came rush- ing like maddened furies on, returning the fire. The bul- lets came hissing down, dealing death to our regiment, while we were yet waiting. But we were soon ordered forward in the face of the foe. Our right resting on the Williams- burg road, we rushed on to the fell encounter. The order to fire was obeyed with volley after volley, sent with a steady ain. The smoke hung heavily on the field, and one man stooped down to fire under the cloud to secure a better aim. Col. Fairman's horse was evidently wounded, as he became frantic, and plunged in unmanageable fury. The colonel got safely to his feet, and the horse dashed on towards the enemy, who were pressing hard on to us. A fire from our left revealed the appalling fact that we were flanked. Our men were falling like autumn leaves before the furious gale. Largely outnumbered in front, and flanked on the left, the only alternative left was to fall back to support, as it did not come to our rescue. This was an experience we did not enjoy, but the order was given and we fell back to the next line under a most gall- ing fire. So distasteful was this to the regiment that some of them vowed that they would not run if they were killed ; it is due to truth, however, to say that they walked livcly.
We were not surprised ; neither was Casey's division, to which we belonged. We were simply overpowered by overwhelming numbers. Never did men or officers dis- play greater courage, or contest the ground more stub- bornly. Night ended the terrible carnage, while our line had been forced back about one mile, the enemy gaining their advance at great sacrifice. Our gallant color-bcarer, Sergt. Trombly, was killed, Lieut. Benedict was wounded, and Capt. Smith was taken prisoner. Our loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners was about one hundred.
The next morning, June 1st, found what remained of our regiment about a mile in the rear of our position the morn- ing previous. An open field stretched away a short distance in our front to the woods held by the enemy. An impres- sion was on us that we were fully able, in spite of the ex- perience of the preceding day, to fly in the face of the encmy and drive him back on and beyond Richmond. Though depleted in numbers as a regiment, we waited with no little anxiety the order to move on the enemy, which would have been hailed with enthusiasm. No order came, however, granting us the privilege of venting the pent-up fires of our patriotism on the heads of the triumphant foe. During the morning we saw some regiments move up in line of battle to the woods in our front, and open fire into the thicket ; and soon, from the Williamsburg wagon-road, some distance to the right, there was a continuous rattle of
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MILITARY HISTORY.
musketry, evidencing a sharp engagement. The chaplain asked permission of Col. Fairman to take a few picked men and go down to the woods, with a view if possible of getting upon the ground fought over by our regiment the day before, and search for any who might yet be lying on the field wounded and uncared for. The permission was granted, and the squad started for the woods in the direc- tion of the heaviest firing. Before we had crossed the field we saw a splendid horse with fine equipments dash fran- tically out of the woods, and sweep like a winged spirit past us to the rear. It was comparatively a slight circumstance, but that empty saddle, loose, swinging rein, told of the death-dealing work at the front. The enemy were being pressed back. We soon came upon some wounded rebels, one of whom requested to see a chaplain. On being told that a chaplain was present, he earnestly asked for prayers, as death was coming on. We bowed on that bloody field while cannon were thundering and bullets hissing, and commended the soul of the penitent seeker for mercy to gracious heaven, and then pressed on among the dead and wounded scattered here and there through the thick woods. A word was said to a young Georgian, who lay prostrate with a deadly wound. " Wounded, are you ?" "Yes," was the spirited reply ; "if I warn't I should be up and fighting, and if ever I get well I will pay the Yankees for this. I would shoot you now if I could." We had no time to argue with such frantic rage, and pressed to the front just as an order came to " cease firing and fall back !" We were pressing the rebels steadily back. What could such an order mean? So flushed with victory, and so eager were our troops to regain the lost ground, that firing was kept up for some time after the order came. It was not easy checking the on-rushing tide of victory. But at length our men ceased firing ; and with muttered curses on the head of the officer from whom originated the command, they sullenly retired. Though we failed to reach the ground on which so many of our regiment had fallen, wc returned with the consciousness that we had faced every danger to make the effort. Early next morning it was ascertained that the enemy had hastily retired within their former lines, and a small detachment from our regiment was soon on the ground we had fought over with such despera- tion. The wounded had been removed, but most of the dead were yet unburied. They strewed the ground in every direc- tion, blue uniforms and the gray intermingled ; and in some places the dead literally lay in heaps as they had fallen. Just where our regiment was camped when the battle came on, sixteen of the enemy lay on as many feet square, while eight dead horses lay piled together a few feet away. A belt of nearly a mile in width was dotted all over with the bodies of the slain. Parties detailed for the purpose were soon busy, with spade in hand, burying the dead. For the most part a shallow grave was dug by the side of the soldier as he lay where he had fallen, and he was placed in it and hastily covered, with nothing but the fresh carth to mark the resting-place, as nothing more seemed possible under the circumstances. All traces of these graves were soon obliterated, and thousands of our brave men sleep in unmarked and unknown graves, over which the reaper gathers his annual harvest.
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