History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 24

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 24
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 24

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).

As soon as we reached the city our soldiers lent the fire companies their assistance in staying as far as it was possi- ble the fearful destruction, and yet it must be confessed that there were no very serious regrets at seeing the city burn. The citizens looked and appeared decidedly crest- fallen. One of them expressed, doubtless, the general sen- timent, while conversing with one of our officers as the troops were moving in triumph through the streets, "I never expected to see this !" Just then his startled eyes caught a glimpse of a coming colored regiment, and in ap- parent utter despair he sighed, " And colored troops, too !" The slaves so suddenly made free by our coming were frantic in their joy. One colored woman, rather venerable with years, was noticed standing just by the side of the moving column, bowing again and again to the passing army and shouting at the top of her voice, " Tank you, tank you !" All seemed inspired with the same spirit of gratitude and joy. Our regiment was marched into and halted at a rebel fort, just in the east edge of the city, and some of the officers rode hastily through the once stronghold of rebel- lion to see more in detail the sights. We rode past Libby to find it deserted, and a little farther on, on the opposite side of the street, was Castle Thunder, with its massive doors wide open. We rode in, and our horses' hoofs awoke doleful echoes along the large hall as we stooped to peer into the prison-dens that opened out to the front and right. All were tenantless,-only one dilapidated- specimen of " Southern poor white trash" putting in an appearance. Then we rode along the edges of the raging flames as they were marching on in triumphant fury, as though appointed to purify by fire this iniquitous sink of rebellion, and re- joicing in their mission of retribution. The principal busi- ness part of the city was by this time a vast sheet of flame, capped with heavy rolling clouds of black smoke. There was at least a measure of melancholy satisfaction in the thought that all this destruction was kindled by the hand of rebellion itself, which, like the wounded serpent, had sent its own envenomed fangs deep in its quivering life. Before the raging wave of fire the citizens were retreating, struggling to bear away the more valuable of their effects, while some of the streets, thought to be more secure, were literally blockaded with costly furniture. We rode around to the mansion so recently occupied by Davis, the president

and central figure of the gigantic treason, and found that, for prudential reasons, he had hastily left a few hours pre- vious, not caring to entertain in person his Yankee callers. The doors were swinging wide, and we dismounted and walked in and showed ourselves around, as no one appeared to do that servicc. The furniture appeared undisturbed, and the mausion seemed to need only occupants, which some of our generals soon furnished, taking possession of the deserted headquarters of rebellion as headquarters for the Union forces. We rode from here to Capitol Square, and reconnoitered the Capitol buildings, which were neither very spacious nor gorgeous. The Confederate Congress did not seem to be in session just now, and everything was in confusion. The wind was sporting with Confederate bonds outside, as some soldiers had assumed the dignity of secre- tary of the treasury pro tem., and had scattered the Con- federate " promises to pay" with a liberal hand. After a pretty thorough canvass of the captured and burning city we returned to the fort, in which we had made our tem- porary camp. The week passed much after this manner until Saturday, when we were ordered out for a grand re- view. Our regiment was the advance but one in the march- ing column. It was not a little amusing, as we took our place in the line in the midst of the crowd of citizens who crowded to witness the sight, to hear our drum corps strike up with more than usual spirit, " Kingdom Coming," the tune to the then familiar negro melody, " Massa run, ah ha, darkeys stay at home." The demonstrations of the colored people on witnessing the review were at times frantic for joy beyond all description. They jumped, danced, hooted, shouted, sang, laughed, cried, making every demon- stration their ecstatic joy could invent. You could hear them say on every hand, " Dis is what ize bin praying for. Ize so glad to see you all. You all haz cum at las'. We know'd you would cum. Jus see, daze don't look like de sesesh ; daze all clean cloze, daze all neat, daze all jem- mun. Did you ebber see de like ob dis ?"

But amid all the rejoicing of the colored people the white people looked on in evident sadness. Such a sight was clearly a source of mortification to their Southern pride, and crushing to all their cherished rebel hopes. Though they durst not express their emotions aloud, they looked sullen and mad. We marched through the prin- cipal streets of the city, and on our return passed Castle Thunder and Libby, now the assigned quarters of rebel prisoners, who in their turn were looking through those grated windows. The next day was our first Sabbath in Richmond, and was a thanksgiving-day with the regiment, the chaplain preaching appropriate to the occasion, and all felt at least glad of the day and its privileges. Night closed in, and up to this we had since coming to Richmond had no very definite information as to the movements of Grant and Lee, but during the night heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of Bermuda Hundred. It was rapid and furious, and sounded much like the firing of gunboats. Some who were awake and listening suspected that there must be some news, and that this was the firing of salutes. About this time an orderly rode up to Col. Hindes' tent, Col. Moffitt still being on detached service as provost-marshal in the city. Soon Col. Hindes called out,

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MILITARY HISTORY.

" Chaplain, doctor, quartermaster," as these officers were in hailing distance, "you want to just get up now and hear the news !" One at least had mistrusted something, and was getting into his uniform at a lively rate. The regiment was routed out in haste, and the news just officially received announced in the terms of the dispatch, " Lee lias surren- dered the Army of Northern Virginia to Lieut .- Gen. U. S. Grant." " Three cheers,-now, hip, hip, hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah !" Three more were ordered and given, and again three more rang out on the night air. Then followed one of the most indescribable scenes ever witnessed. The whooping, shouting, and antics performed by grave and dignified officers as well as men were most marvelous. Hats and caps went up, and even the chaplain threw his hat away, but finally concluded to save it as a relic, if no- thing more. No idea can be formed of the wild rejoicing. The like was never witnessed or even imagined before. Some of the company officers went around and ordered their men to be ready to march for Plattsburgh in the morn- ing. "Chaplain," said Col. Hindes, "you go right down and engage me a state-room on the best boat." " No, you need not do that, I will have a whole boat. We will have a boat apiece." We laughed, shook hands, while some said to others as they exchanged congratulations, " You meet me at Wetherill's, you meet me at the Cumberland, or at Fouquet's." About the same scene was enacted in every regiment about us. In some the officers first up dragged the rest from their cots by the heels, and they in their turn would assist in serving the more tardy ones the same. It is not strange that we rejoiced. It was the consummation of our cherished hopes ; the dawning of the long-fought-for glorious morn of peace, the end of our perils, and home, sweet home, seemed now so near. The familiar countenances of loved ones seemed looking full in our face, and all the endearments and comforts of home- life came rushing on our fancy in one mighty tide. We of the outer picket, the swamp couch, the charge in the furious battle, we of hunger and thirst, of the night pesti- lence and noonday destruction, we knew how to rejoice as others could not. We felt just like letting pent-up nature loose for once for the most extravagant delight, and in this childish and innocent way we did it most effectually. After an hour or two we again retired to our couches to dream of " home, dear old home," and all was hushed to quiet. We werc soon ordered across the James, and pitched camp a little out from Manchester ; and just as we were getting set- tled we were ordered to Dover Mine, some seventeen miles above Richmond. From this time forward the regiment was employed at different points in guard duty. For nearly a year still, at Hucgunaut Springs, City Point, Culpepper Court-House, Fredericksburg, Gordonsville, and Lynch- burg, we were engaged in general provost duty. Some of the time only a part or small detachment of the regiment in a place. At length the long-wished-for day came, and the 1st of February, 1866, found us ordered in from differ- ent points, at City Point, Va., and soon on transports for Hart's Island, near New York City, where, on the 6th day of February, we were mustered out of service, and bidding each other a soldier's adieu, we joyfully faced towards our several homes and loved ones.

REV. NATHAN WARDNER.

Nathan Wardner was born in Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1833. He was educated at New Hampton, and at the age of eighteen years entered the gospel ministry. He is a prominent member of the Wesleyan Methodist ministry, and at present is president of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. He is also connectional evangelist and general missionary agent. As chaplain of the regiment, whose history he has so pleasingly and truthfully told, he won the esteem of both officers and men, and was not only a faithful chaplain but a true soldier.

Chaplain Wardner is thus referred to by Gen. Butler, in an address delivered to the " Soldiers of the Army of the James," dated, " Before Richmond, Dec. 11, 1864:"

"Chaplain Nathan Wardner, of the 96th New York Volunteers, is specially commended for charging with his regiment on the ad- vancing column, ready to administer the lasting consolation to the dying."-(EDITOR.)

STEPHEN MOFFITT

was born in Clintonville, Clinton Co., N. Y., Aug. 6, 1837. He is a son of Patrick Moffitt and Catharine Mulvy, the former a native of county Leitrim, Ireland, and the latter of county Sligo, Ireland. They emigrated to America in 1830. At the age of fifteen years young Moffitt went on board of the steamer " Francis Saltus" as " cabin-boy" for Capt. Lot Chamberlain, so long the popular commander on Lake Champlain. Here he remained in the employ of the Champlain Transportation Company until the breaking out of the late Rebellion, when he opened a recruiting office in Plattsburgh, and was the first man who enlisted in the 96th Regiment, New York State Volunteers. He enlisted as a private, and upon the mustering in of the regiment was made first lieutenant of Company B. Upon the death of Capt. D. M. Parsons he was promoted to captain, his commission bearing date Oct. 13, 1862. May 19, 1863, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel ; on May 31, 1865, was commissioned colonel of his regiment and brevet briga- dier-general United States Volunteers. From April, 1863, to 1864, while lieutenant-colonel, he served on Gen. Wessell's staff. He was also a member of Gen. Gibbons' staff, and was provost-marshal of the 24th Army Corps from its organiza- tion to the close of the war. The history of Gen. Moffitt's military career is a record of many of the severest battles of the war .* He was a courageous, efficient, and kind commander, and in an unsuccessful charge of the Army of the James, at the second battle of Fair Oaks, Oct. 27, 1864, while the enemy were driving them back amid a terrific fire of shot and shell,* he lost a leg in the endeavor to carry from the field a wounded private who was crying piteously for help. This man was a member of the 118th Regiment, a stranger to the general, whom he has not seen from that time to the present. This private still lives, and owes his life to this magnanimous act.

At the battle of Plymouth, April 16, 1864, he was cap- tured and sent to Libby prison, and subsequently to Dan- ville and Macon, Ga., and was one of the fifty officers placed under fire at Charleston, S. C., when that city was bombarded by the Union fleet. He was mustered out with the regiment Feb. 6, 1866.

# Sce history of 96th Regiment.

HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

At the close of the war he returned to Plattsburgh, and was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue. In 1867 he was elected clerk of Clinton County, and was re-elected in 1870. In January, 1873, he resigned this office and was appointed warden at Clinton Prison, and remained there until a change of administration in 1876. He re- signed January, 1876, and in the following May was ap- pointed collector of customs for the district of Champlain, and is the present incumbent of that office. He is a Re- publican in politics, and one of the leading members of that party in Northern New York. He was a delegate at large from this State to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia that renominated Gen. Grant for the Presi- dency, and was a member of the Republican State Com- mittee for the years 1868-73.

CHAPTER XXII.

MILITARY HISTORY-(Continued).

The Ninety-eighth Regiment .**

THIS regiment was raised in Franklin and Wayne Coun- ties during the years 1861 and 1862. It was composed of seven companies from Franklin and three from Wayne. The various companies assembled at Albany in February, 1862, and went into barracks at Camp Rathbone. While here they received the State and National colors, and before leaving were armed with the Austrian rifle. The personnel of the regiment was fine, and Governor Morgan said of them, that in "general appearance New York has sent no better regiment to the war."

The following were the field and staff officers as mustered into the service: Colonel, William Dutton ; Lieutenant- Colonel, Charles Durkee; Major, Albon Man ; Adjutant, Edward H. Hobbs; Quartermaster, George H. Clarke ; Surgeon, William G. David; Assistant Surgeon, G. B. Balch ; Chaplain, William C. Hubbard ; Sergeant-Major, William B. Rudd ; Quartermaster Sergeant, William H. Rogers ; Commissariat, Horace D. Hickok ; Hospital Stew- ard, Henry D. Whitbeck.

The line officers were as follows :

Company A .- Captain, Edward J. Mannix : First Lieu- tenant, Samuel J. Austin ; Second Lieutenant, George P. Lyman.

Company B .- Captain, Benjamin Russell ; First Lieu- tenant, John J. Wood ; Second Lieutenant, Daniel H. Stan- ton.

Company C .- Captain, Lucien D. Ellsworth ; First Lieutenant, Sylvester S. Willard ; Second Licutenant, S. W. Langdon.

Company D .- Captain, James Doty ; First Lieutenant, Silenus Washburn ; Second Lieutenant, Wm. H. Barney. Company E .- Captain, Orlando F. Miller; First Lieu-

tenant, Seymour L. Andrus ; Second Lieutenant, Charles A. Powell.

Company F .- Captain, William Kreutzer; First Lieu- tenant, D. L. Norton ; Second Lieutenant, L. A. Rogers.

Company G .- Captain, P. B. Wolff; First Lieutenant, Eleazer Mulholland; Second Lieutenant, Edward T. Rice.

Company H .- Captain, Charles W. Crary ; First Lieu- tenant, Amos S. Kimball ; Second Lieutenant, David Storms.

Company I .- Captain, Alfred Wakeley ; First Lieuten- ant, William H. Adams ; Second Lieutenant, E. M. Allen.

Company K .- Captain, Charles R. Birdsall ; First Lieu- tenant, George N. Williams ; Second Lieutenant, Hoyt D. Chapman.

From Albany the regiment proceeded to Washington, via New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, and went into camp at Kalorama Heights, or Meridian Hill, as it is some- times called. Upon its arrival here, the 98th was assigned to Gen. Casey's command, and at once began a rigid sys- tem of drill and camp duties. It drilled twice a day, six days in the week, and had inspection on Sunday. While here the 3d Brigade was formed, consisting of the 81st, 85th, 92d, 93d, and 98th Regiments, and assigned to Casey's division. Here the regiment remained until March 28, 1862, when marching orders were received, and Casey's division left the old camp-ground, and, passing through Washington, was soon on the road to Alexandria, which place was reached just before midnight. Here they re- mained until April 1st, when they embarked for Newport News. The regiment was landed in Hampton Roads on the morning of April 2d, and it immediately marched to its camping-ground in a peach-orchard, at the right of Newport News. The camp was called by the soldiers " Peach- orchard Camp." While here one amusing incident oc- curred. "The colonel was absent in charge of the brigade, and, for some reason, Maj. Man was in command of the regiment on the night of the 3d. Without saying a word to any one, he resolved to exercise us in the very important duty of getting ready for a battle on the very shortest no- tice possible. In other words, he desired to see how quickly he could get the men in line.

" About one o'clock of the morning, he went quietly to the tent of the boy Wolff, the drummer, shook the drowsy curls of slumber from his head, and bade him go on the the color-line and beat the long roll.

" The long roll is an alarm. It bids the infantry form immediately to meet the enemy. The boy obeyed. The men awoke, and with the greatest haste and precipitation grasped their clothes and equipments, and formed in front of their tents in every possible condition of a hasty toilet.

"The major did not try to conceal his pleasure, but, standing before them in the starlight, said, ' I am perfectly satisfied with your promptness and expedition ; it is just three minutes since I called the drummer.' He then told them that he had ordered the long roll beaten to see how quickly they could form, that no enemy was near, and that they could go to their quarters again. The men greeted the major's speech with a shout and laugh and yell that tore night's concave.

' But the alarm of our long roll had roused the guards of

* Compiled from "Notes and Observations made during Four Years of Service with the 98th Regiment, New York Volunteers, in the War of 1861," a thorough and scholarly work, written by William Kreut- zer, colonel of the 98th, now an attorney-at-law, residing in Lyons, N. Y.

MILITARY HISTORY.

the whole army, and far and near it was repeated ; regiment after regiment fell in, until the Army of the Potomac stood to arms. The noise and uproar roused the watchies on the gunboats and frigates in the river ; the navy, wishing a hand in the battle, or assault, got up steam and cleared for action.

"The next day, Gen. Casey sent for the commanding officer of the 98th, Maj. Man, and required an explanation. The major, glowing with patriotic zeal and animation, re- plied that he was practicing his regiment, just at the time, in the very useful exercise of forming to meet the enemy on a sudden emergency. It was said that the expressions of anger and vexation painted on the face of the author of the ' Book of Tactics' melted into a broad and complacent smile, as he remarked, 'Major, you were very thoughtless, and must not on any account do so again.' The men of the regiment never forgot this ridiculous indiscretion."

February 14th marching orders were received, and early on the following day the regiment was en route to take the position assigned it in the line before Yorktown. After marching all day they bivouacked, and on the following morning went into camp. This camp was called "Camp Winfield Scott," and from here the regiment sent over one hundred and fifty-eight to the hospital.

The 98th was in the reserve at the battle of Willians- burg, and escaped the fearful slaughter of that sanguinary field.

The following memoranda was made at Fort Magruder, May 6th, by the historian of the regiment, Col. Wm. Kreut- zer : " Yesterday afternoon and evening, Gen. McClellan had his headquarters at Mr. Adams' house, a half-mile in rear of our line of battle across the Yorktown road, where Hooker, Smith, and Kearney were fighting. We have seen him several times with staff and escort riding about in the rain, having consultations, making observations, and giving directions. By the agitation of the troops we can tell where he is.

" Our regiment-in fact, our division-was kept on the move and awake all last night; our generals fancied the enemy making a concentration for a sortie, or heavy attack. The darkness was intensc, and the rain poured down until three o'clock. We held our arms in our hands, and either stood at attention or marched through the wood, brush, mud, water, and fields, tired, wet, sleepy, and hungry.

" At four A.M. of the 6th, the regiment marched about eighty rods to the right of Mr. Adams' house, and took a position in a field along a rail-fence, with an oak and pine wood in front, and there became a part of the second line of battle.

" All was quiet ; not a random picket-shot disturbed the morning hours. Insensibly our discipline relaxed, and many of us snatched an hour's sleep, holding, resting, or lying on the fence.

" Soon after six, while the men were making coffee in their tin cups, and dividing the contents of their haversacks among each other, Gen. Cascy's adjutant informs us that the enemy has evacuated, and that we must join in the pursuit. At hearing this, said Lieut. Adams, ' Anything for a change.' 'All promenade,' said Licut. Washburn, as he shouldered a roll of blankets and two rifles belonging to

some sick men. 'On to Richmond,' said Capt. Mannix, as he placed himself at the head of A company and began the march. Our road crossed a tributary of Queen's Creek, on the head of a mill-dam, and passing through an evacu- ated redoubt, ran over the field on which Hancock made his brilliant advance the evening before. Two or three hundred of the enemy's dead still lay where they fell. His wounded were collected in a barn or shed near the battle- ground.

" Arriving at Fort Magruder, the division sent details to bury the dead down the Williamsburg road. The regi- ment dispatched twenty men with an officer to Camp Win- field Scott to store the tents and surplus articles at York- town, and return with the baggage and provisions."

The regiment remained at Fort Magruder until the 9th ; at this time it numbered seven hundred officers and privates.

The regiment passed uninterrupted to Williamsburg, and on the 10th advanced ten miles farther, to Roper's Church. Here they remained until the 13th, and then marched to New Kent Court-House. The 19th finds them at Dispatch Station, near the York River Railroad. While at New Kent several of the sick were sent to Baltimore ; among the number were Lieuts. Norton and Hollenbeck, Sergts. Wm. B. Rudd and Win. H. Rogers.

On the 23d the regiment crossed the river, and on the following day came upon the enemy, wlio opened a fierce cannonade upon the 98th and Regan's battery. Says Col. Kreutzer, " For more than twenty minutes he concentrated upon us his heaviest fire. Shells whistled, whizzed, whirred, and whirled before, behind, and over us. They exploded in the air ; and the fragments flew about our heads, leaving the least possible windage. The heel of one fell before the writer, and, spinning around like a saucer on a table, glanced away to the left. Many were hit and hurt ; many hairbreadth escapes occurred ; but one man only was killed.

" On the right of the road, our advance drove the enemy from a grain-field, an orchard, and some farm buildings ; on the left, they entered the wood, and we could mark their progress by the receding sound of the rifles. When the skirmishers cleared the wood, they perceived the enemy's line of battle formed a short distance beyond, ex- tending on both sides of the Williamsburg road, and three- fourthis of a mile from Seven Pines.

" Naglee immediately ordered the advance of his whole line; and, while the shells were bursting thickest around us, the 98th was ordered forward. Marching by the front, it performed the movement in such a manner as to receive that general's praise."

With the advance of the line the batteries took new positions, and by well-directed fire drove the enemy from the field.

On the 26th the regiment advanced to Seven Pines, and went into camp in a wood near White Oak Swamp. From this point, May 31st, Col. Dutton was sent to Savage Sta- tion, and from thenee to New York, where he died, July 4th, of disease incurred in the line of duty. On the same day the regiment participated in the battle of Fair Oaks. Ncar eleven A.M. the firing along portions of the picket line became frequent, and Casey was informed that the enemy was massing large bodies of troops before his outposts.

HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

A little later two shells sent by the foe went screaming high in air over our camps. These were the signals for the curtain to rise and the columns of attack to advance.

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 24

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