History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 29

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 29
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 29

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The 118th Regiment entered the service with an aggre- gate of nine hundred and eighty-three men; it was rein- forced at intervals, by three hundred and fifty rceruits, but returned from the field at the expiration of its term with only three hundred and twenty-three in its ranks, embracing both officers and privates. Immediately upon joining the army the regiment commenced a series of active and inecs- sant duties. It formed a part of Peck's force in the mem-

orable defense of Suffolk, and was employed in the arduous raids along the Black River. It was warmly engaged through two days and often under a heavy fire in a con- tinued skirmish with the rebel sharpshooters near Suffolk, and participated in the feint upon Richmond in June, 1863. The brigade to which the 118th Regiment was attached was in the advance, and the regiment was ordered to destroy parts of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad. While the regiment was engaged in executing this service, two companies, A, Capt. Norris, and F, in the absence from severe sickness of Capt. Livingstone, commanded by Lieut. Cunningham, were advanced as skirmishers along the rail- road, towards the South Anna River, and, after cautiously procceding about one mile, came in contact with the rebel pickets. The command continued to advance in line under a sharp and constant fire, the enemy slowly retiring, and speedily, in addition to small arms, they opened a fire on the Union troops from batteries in front, commanding the line of the railroad, and on a flank. The companies under this concentrated fire were compelled to retreat, and fell back in order, assuming a strong position in a wood, behind a ditch, with an open field in front. During this movement Lieut. Cunningham received a painful wound from a spent ball, but did not leave the field. Maj. Nichols soon after appeared on the ground with two fresh companies, D, Capt. Riggs, and a company of the 99th New York. These companies deployed on either side, and the line thus formed made a rapid advance. A warm action ensucd, in which the command was subjected to a heavy fire of mingled bul- lets, shot, and shells. The enemy were at length driven back along their whole front, except at one point in their position, which was obstinately maintained and appeared to be fortified. This point, which proved to be a breastwork of plank, Lieut. W. H. Stevenson, of Company F, proposed to capture, and calling for volunteers for the service, selected five of the first who offered. He rapidly advanced in the dark behind a screen of bushes, which flanked the rebels' position on the right, and with fixed bayonets and loaded guns rushed upon the breastwork with a wild shout. Al- though surprised the enemy attempted a resistance, but the gallant Stevenson killed one with his revolver, wounded a second, captured the remainder of the party, consisting of thirteen men, who were brought into the Federal lines. This dashing exploit initiated the brief though brilliant career of the stripling hero. The constaney and resolution of the regiment was first tested on this occasion, and the conduct of the officers engaged and the steadiness and dis- cipline of the troops received the highest encomiums.

The 118th continued attached to the column of the Jamcs until the spring of 1864, and was engaged in opera- tions near Norfolk and Bermuda Hundred. It composed a portion of Wistar's command when it advanced to Bot- tom's Bridge from Williamsburg in an attempt upon Rich- mond.

It at this time constituted a part of the 2d Brigade, 1st Division of the 18th Corps. Gen. W. F. Smith com- manded the corps, Brooks the division, and Burnham the brigade. All these officers were eminently distinguished by their fighting qualities and high reputation. Early in May the army marched upon the ill-omened expedition

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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

against Fort Darling, on the James, which was terminated by the fatal results at Drury's Bluff. The march from the commencement to its disastrous issue was a constant scene of fighting and skirmishes. On the 10th Companies D, F, and K were advanced in a skirmishing line, the last held in reserve, while the remainder of the regiment was de- ployed. The coolness and bearing of Lieut. Stevenson, of F, and Kellogg, of Company D, were conspicuous, and the steadiness of the whole line was eminently distinguished .*

The 118th, four days after, captured with small loss a series of rifle-pits, redoubts, and batteries, which formed a strong advance line of the enemy. This work, from the form of its construction, afforded no protection to the Fed- eral troops. The enemy occupied a short distance in front far more formidable works, mounted with heavy guns, and during the whole day the 2d Brigade was exposed to a se- verc fire of shells from this work. One of the missiles crushed the head of Sergt. Place, of Company K, a brave and intelligent soldier. Throughout Sunday, the 15th, the brigade maintained this exposed position, which was soon to acquire a dread and bloody prominence in one of the darkest pages of the war. Heckman's brigade, lying to the right of the 2d, formed the extreme right of the army linc. Between Heckman's brigade and the James there was an interval of a mile in length, which was left unoccupied, ex- cept by a few feeble and scattering posts of colored cavalry. No intrenchments had been constructed either in front of the Union lines or' on the flank ; excepting such as were hastily thrown up, under the direction of commanders of particular brigades or regiments. The ground had been previously occupied by the Confederates, by whom scattered and irregular redoubts, trenches, and rifle-pits were con- structed ; but these were so arranged that they afforded no protection to the Union troops in their present position. The line held by the 2d Brigade stretched along a deep ex- cavation which had been made by the rebels, and at this time was filled with water. A standing-place was formed for the brigade by leveling a narrow space between this ditch and the embankment created by the earth thrown up in its construction.| Slight bridges were at short intervals thrown across the trench. These precautions proved a few hours later of infinite importance. The embankment was thus converted into an imperfect defense, which in the sub- sequent action afforded great protection to the troops. Gen. Brooks conceived the novel and happy idea of ex- tending a telegraph wire in front of the brigade ; but un- fortunately, Heckman's brigade was without even this feeble protection, and lay totally exposed to the assault of a vigilant foe.]

At three o'elock in the morning of the 16th the 118th was aroused and at its post, in conformity to special orders, or its established practice. The air was loaded with a thick, dank fog, which the opening dawn but slightly dissipated. As sun-

rise approached, the advance or movement of troops was noticed in front, but in the obscure light the color of their uniform could not be distinguished nor their evolutions de- termined. A few shots from Belger's artillery, in front of the brigade, were thrown into the ravine along which these troops were advancing, and they were seen to halt and lie down. A staff-officer, who at that moment appeared on the field, pronounced them to be Federal pickets retiring, and ordered the firing to cease. Small white flags or signals were dis- tinctly discerned waving in the mist, and voices shouted from the obscurity, " Don't fire on your friends." The musketry had already become sharp on the right, but the 2d Brigade had received no orders of any kind. There was a period of fearful suspense and hesitation. Capt. Ransom, of Company I, unable to restrain his impatience, leaped upon the embankment, and, firing his revolver, ex- elaimed, "This is my reception of such friends." The last chamber was scarcely exploded, when he fell, pierced by a ball that passed through his body, and shattered an arm. Doubt no longer existed of the character or purpose of these troops, and the 118th instantly poured a volley into the advancing line. The front rank of the enemy now rushed impetuously forward and in the dimness of the light stumbled over the wires, while those in the rear, press- ing after them, all were hurled together in a promiscuous mass, their ranks broken and thrown into inextricable dis- order. Many of the enemy involved in this confusion threw down their arms and surrendered, and were sent to the rear. Up to this point the 118th had achieved a success. It was vigilant, and the contemplated surprise had been defeated ; but Heckman's brigade was surprised and nearly flanked, from the undefended space on its right. It had fallen back, and at one time the whole brigade were prisoners ; but in the tumult, and amid the dense mist and smoke, escaped. The 8th Connecticut, next on the right of the 118th, was attacked in flank, doubled up, and disappeared from the field. The 118th was now exposed to a crushing fire in front and upon the right flank. The extemporaneous traverses which it had constructed at this crisis were most effective, affording a partial protection, and for a while the resistance of the regiment appeared to be successful ; but it was en- veloped by an overwhelming force, and a terrific and san- guinary conflict ensued. In this desperate aspect of the battle, each man was directed to gain the rear without re- gard to discipline. A few embraced the opportunity to retreat ; others still sustained the fight, while the wounded implored their comrades not to abandon them, and more than one noble life was sacrificed to preserve these sufferers from the horrid calamities of a hostile prison-house. The regiment was soon after rallied, and made a gallant stand ; but was compelled to fall back : again advanced a short space, and ultimately retreated in order. Capt. Dominy, the senior officer, succeeded to the temporary command of the regiment, on the disability of Col. Nichols.

The dire aceldama was ennobled by deeds of daring heroism and instances of exalted devotion. An intrepid young lieutenant, Henry J. Adams, of Elizabethtown, at the moment the regiment was breaking, seized a standard, and shouting the words so familiar to scenes of home and festive joyousness, " Rally round the flag, boys," attenipted

# The firmness and constancy of the skirmishing line drew out from Burnham's adjutant-general the emphatic tribute, "There is a line the rebels can't break."

¡ Contrary to the prevailing opinion, I am assured by an officer who participated in the campaign that the 118th at least was supplied with intrenching tools.

¿ The inspiration I have imputed to Gen. Brooks has been also ascribed to other sources.

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MILITARY HISTORY.

to arrest the retreat, and essentially aided in rallying the troops. Capt. Robert W. Livingstone, of Company F, early in the action moved from the cover of the cmbank- ment in order to communicate with Col. Nichols, and while standing a moment exposed, was struck down by a frightful wound in the shoulder. His gallant young lieutenant, W. H. Stevenson, who was behind an embankment and in a situation comparatively secure, saw him fall, and, calling on the men to bring in their captain, rushed out to Livingstone's assistance, accompanied by four of the company. Living- stone admonished them of the great exposure they incurred, and urged that he might be left; but Stevenson persisted in his generous purpose, and in a moment after fell dead at his commander's side, a sacrifice to duty and friendship. Two of the brave men* were prostrated by wounds, were captured and died in Southern prisons. Livingstone, as he was borne from the field, was struck by another shot, that terribly lacerated his foot and leg. He languished in great suffering fourteen months in a hospital before his severe wounds permitted a return to his home, a mutilated and disabled soldier. t

The regiment was not pursucd by the severely punished enemy, and was immediately rallied by its own officers. It maintained a bold and defiant attitude until most of its wounded were borne from the field. In that conflict, scarcely extending over the space of half an hour, the 118th out of three hundred and fifty men engaged lost one hundred and ninety-eight privates and thirteen officers in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Amid all these disasters and sacrifices the regiment had captured and sccured two hundred prisoners, a greater number than it retained fit for duty. Among the killed on this fatal day was Capt. John S. Stone, of Company K .¿ Lieut. Stevenson was killed and Lieut. Edgar A. Wing, Company E, a youth of high promise, who had joined the company only a few days be- fore, was mortally wounded, taken prisoner, and died the next day. Lieut .- Col. Nichols was slightly wounded in the side and hand, from which his sword was stricken by a shot ; and his clothing, as was that of several other officers, was riddled by bullets. Adj. John M. Carter lost an arm and was captured; Capts. Livingstone and Ransom were severely wounded; Lieuts. Treadway and Sherman were wounded, and Capt. Dennis Stone, Company A, and James H. Pierce, Company C, taken prisoners. The army on the same day fell back to Bermuda Hundred and fortified ; but the stricken and fragmentary 118th were exempted from the toil of intrenching.

On the 29th of May the 18th Corps, embracing the 118th, embarked in transports, and passing down the

James, ascended the Pamunkey and landed at the White House. Directly upon disembarking it was rushed to the front, and on the 1st of June joined the Army of the Po- tomac. On that day near Cold Harbor commenced a battle which continued until the 3d, and was one of the most severely contested and sanguinary engagements of the war ; but its incidents and results have been singularly veiled from the public eye. The 18th Corps occupied a position in front of the Union army. The 118th was engaged in the bloody scenes of these conflicts, but not unconnected with its corps. Its casualties were extremely severe. At times exposed to a heavy fire in front and enfiladed by a battery and rifle-pits, to escape annihilation the troops were compelled to lie prone upon the earth, while a tempest of Minié-balls, shot, and shells hurtled just above them. The dead could neither be removed nor buried, and their corpses were thrown upon the breastwork, with a slight covering of carth strewn, upon them, and thus their decaying bodies aided to form a bulwark for the protection of their living comrades. The taint from the decomposing mass became almost insufferable before the corps was withdrawn from the trenches.§ The sufferings of the regiment through the trying ordeal of those eight days were extreme. It lost at Cold Harbor seventy men and officers. Among the cas- ualties were Lieut. Michael Reynolds, of Company A, killed, and Capt. Jacob Parmerter, of Company E, severely wounded, with the loss of a leg.

An impregnable line in front arrested all advance by the Union army, but the enemy was held in an equally tena- cious and unyielding grasp. The 18th Corps sustained its exposed position, and in the end formed a curtain behind which, on the 12th, Gen. Grant accomplished his perilous and memorable flank movement which effected the change of his basc. When this bold and remarkable operation had been accomplished, the 18th also hastily abandoned its intrenchments and fell back, unopposed, to White House, and returned to its previous field of duty. On the 15th of June the 118th was engaged in the attack on Petersburg. Here it suffered a heavy loss in the death of Maj. Charles E. Pruyn, who was in temporary command of the regi- ment. While standing in an exposed position, and in the act of surveying the works he was preparing to assault, he was struck and horribly mutilated by a shell. He had acted as adjutant in the organization of the regiment, and its singular proficiency and high discipline were chiefly im- puted to the skill and assiduity of his services, sustained by the field-officers, pre-eminently by the military attainments and persistent zcal of Col. Keese. | Lieut. Rowland C. Kel- logg was also wounded by the explosion of a shell. Capt. Levi S. Dominy, of Company B, succeeded to the imme- diate command of the regiment.

* George Miller and William Huff. Their names are worthy of commemoration.

t Capt. Livingstone gives utterance te this just and feeling tribute te the memory of Stevenson : " No more gallant and generous spirit was offered among the victims of the war." Ne praise of Licut. Stevenson-his gallant ardor-his dash-his generous friendship- can be misplaced .- Major Livingstone's Letter.

# Capt. Stone, before entering the army, was pastor of the Prosby- terian Church at Au Sable Ferks. Although singularly modest and retiring in his habits, he was disposed from the impulses of duty to engage in the conflict, and when a large number of tho intelligent and energetic youth of the vicinity offered to enlist under his com- mand, he freely and promptly offered his services to the country.

¿ An intelligent and gallant officer, who was present in some of the most severe battles of the war, said to me that the terrible fighting at Cold Harbor " far exceeded everything he had witnessed; that the field was literally swept by the storm of bullets, and that a hat raised a short space from the ground would instantly be riddled by balls."

|| Major Pruyn had been first lientenant in the 97th, but resigned and became attached to the 118th. In the summer of 1863 he was appointed major, on the recommendation of n large part of the line- officers of the regiment, a majority of whom held senior rank .- Major Livingstone's Letter.

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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

The fierce and protracted siege of Petersburg exacted from the 118th the most arduous and exhaustive duties. Night succeeded the day, days rolled into weeks, and the weeks formed months, but their toils had no mitigation, while their endurance and dangers were perpetual. Now exposed to the burning sun and breathing the arid sand, and now struggling in mud and water; often suffering for drink, seldom able to wash, and never changing their clothing for rest. Constantly shelled and frequently en- filaded by new batteries ; burrowing in the earth to escape projectiles, against which ordinary intrenchments afforded no protection, the troops were yet joyous, patient, enduring, and full of hope. Amid all these exposures and suffering, after it had recovered from an almost universal prostration by chills and fever at Gloucester Point, and although mov- ing in a malarious region, the 118th was always vigorous and healthy. The rigorous ordeal to which it was now subjected continued with brief relief until the 29th of July, when the regiment was withdrawn to aid in the support of the storming column, which was designed to assail the en- emy's works on the explosion of the long-projected mine. They witnessed in sadness and humiliation the disastrous failure of that magnificent experiment. On the 27th of August, after a term of two months, the 2d Brigade was relieved from its arduous trench duties. During the long period of one hundred and thirteen days, the 118th had marched and toiled and endured, with no quiet repose, and almost incessantly subjected to the fire of the enemy.

A single month the 118th was permitted to repose, after its prolonged and severe service, in a pleasant encampment near the southern banks of the James. In that interval the 96tli had been attached to the 2d Brigade. This brigade, by the proficiency of its drill, its exact discipline, and general efficiency, had become conspicuous and univer- sally esteemed second to no other in its distinguished corps. On the 27th September, every indication presaged the re- newal of active duty. Rations for two days were ordered to be prepared. An unusual earnestness and activity were manifested by the generals and their staffs. The next night, the tattoo, suggestive of repose, had scarcely sounded, when the brigade was ordered to move promptly and in profound silence, leaving their tents standing. Previous to breaking camp, the 118th and the 10th New Hampshire had by a special order exchanged their Enfield guns for the Spencer repeating rifle, a tremendous weapon in the hands of resolute and expert marksmen. This selection by the corps commander was a distinguished recognition of the efficiency of the preferred regiments. At three o'clock on the morning of the 29th the division, led by the 2d Brigade, was passing over the James upon a pontoon bridge, which had been completed the same hour. The sound of the movement was suppressed by earth or other substances strewn upon the bridge. On reaching the north bank of the river, the 118th and 10th New Hampshire were thrown out as skirmishers and flanker's, while the remainder of the command was advanced along the road in column. Soon after daybreak a brisk fire was opened by the enemy's pickets, which fell back on their reserves, and the whole were forced rapidly back through a dense wood for the distance of more than two miles, when the Union column

entered upon open ground. A strong earthwork was now revealed in front, and mounted with heavy guns. This formidable work was Fort, or rather Battery, Harrison, and Gen. Stannard instantly ordered Burnham to take it by assault. The 96th and 8th Connecticut forming the storm- ing column, were supported by the 1st and 3d Brigades of the division, with the 118th New York and 12th New Hampshire as skirmishers on their flank. The column rushed impetuously forward along the open space, met by a furious plunging fire from the enemy's lines. When it reached, after this rapid advance along a distance of nearly three-fourths of a mile, the base of the eminence upon which the works were erected, the column, breathless and exhausted, paused in a position comparatively protected. As we have already seen, the enemy was hastening rein- forcements to the point of attack, and the commander both of the division and brigade, alarmed at the posture of af- fairs, sent a member of his staff to order an instant assault. Lieut. George F. Campbell, Co. C, 118th, aid to Gen. Burnham, dashed across the plains exposed to the whole range of the enemy's fire, and, unhurt, communicated the order. In the strong tribute of the official address this was pronounced a most gallant act. The two regiments impetuously scaled the hill, mounted the parapet, and their gallant color-bearers planted simultaneously their flags upon the works. The enemy precipitately abandoned the lines, falling back to other works, while their own guns were turned upon theni with deadly effect. In the act of train- ing one of these guns upon the fugitives Gen. Burnham was mortally wounded, and died in a few minutes after.

While these events were in progress in the centre, the skirmishing support had approached the fort, and used their terrible rifles in picking off the gunners in the works and demoralizing the defense. Lieut .- Col. Nichols, with the 118th, after being distinguished " for his cool conduct of the skirmish lines in the general assault, captured two redoubts on the right of the fort during the main assault. Lieuts. N. J. Gibbs and H. J. Adams were the first men in the redoubts, and promptly turned the captured guns upon the retreating enemy. Surgeon F. G. Porteous, of the 118th, was officially noticed with strong recommendations for bravery and attention to duties, being the only surgeon in the brigade advancing with his regiment in the charging column."*

The 2d Brigade now moved upon two intrenchments in front, and captured them successfully, driving the enemy back upon their third and last defense on this line of works. Fort Harrison had thus been snatched from the jaws of the Confederate army, which lay in great force immediately con- tiguous, and was too important a position to be relinquished without a desperate struggle. The last line captured by the Union troops was exposed to the fire of the enemy's gun- boats and to assault, and it was deemed expedient to fall back upon Fort Harrison. The enemy vigorously pursued, and in this movement both Col. Donohue and Lieut .- Col. Nichols were severely wounded. The night and the suc-

# These notices of the 118th I extract from the address of Gen. Butler to the Army of the James. He also refers with warm appro- bation to the conduct of Corp. Michael Finnigan and Private Frank Jandrow of the regiment.

BY HOWARD & CO

N auguri

The subject of this sketch dates his ancestry in this country back to Newton Ransom, a native of Colchester, Conn., who was born in about the year 1710. His son, Elisha, was born Dec. 24, 1753. Roswell, son of . Elisha, and father of the subject of this notice, was born in Shelburne, Mass., Sept. 22, 1781. He married Ruth Kingsley on the 19th of March, 1807, and their family consisted of the following : Nancy; Adaline, Augustus, Sabrina, Irena, and Harry Sawyer, all of whom are living, except the two former.

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 29

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