USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 45
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
In the afternoon the enemy, being strongly reinforced, extended their flanks, and made a desperate attempt to turn our left. They ad- vanced in three strong lines, when our brigrade was ordered forward at a trot and deployed. Half of the command was dismounted and placed behind a portion of a stone wall on a ridge of woods, with the Seminary on our right. The enemy being elose upon us, we open- ed an effective, rapid fire with our breech-loading carbines, which killed and wounded so many of their first line that. after a short, heroic struggle to continue and advance, they could stand it no long- er and fell back on the second line. Our men kept up the fire until the enemy, in overwhelming numbers, approached so near that, in order to save our men and horses, we were obliged to mount and fall back rapidly to the next ridge, carrying our wounded with us. The stand we there made against the enemy prevented our left flank from being turned, and saved a division of our infantry.
After Gettysburg, while Lee was falling back toward Richmond, our experience was a repetition of that after the Antietam battle, ex- cept that the engagements were more frequent and severe. Hanging on to Lee's flank, watching every opportunity to harass and punish his retreating troops, we were marching and fighting almost daily. From Gettysburg, until the last of November, when the active cam- paign was closed and the camp established near Culpepper, the reg- iment participated in twenty-six different engagements, some of which were mere skirmishes and others were quite severe cavalry fights, losing in killed, wounded and missing during the time men- tioned something over 150 men. On February 27, 1864, Colonel Markell resigned, and Lieut. Col. William H. Benjamin succeeded to the command. In due time he was commissioned colonel.
From the beginning of the year 1864 to the time of the battle of the
1
455
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Wilderness, the regiment took part in only two engagements; but from that time on the predictions of a lively campaign were verified, and a day passed without a fight of more or less severity was the excep- tion : the regiment distinguished itself by many gallant acts. During March, 1864, the regiment, which had up to that time been in the First Divison, Cavalry Corps, A. P., became a part of the Second Brigade of the Third Division. The regiment accompanied Sheridan on the great raid at Richmond, and took an active part in nearly every engagement. After the raid it was in three quite severe engagements, in one of which, at Hawes Shop, Colonel Benjamin, while gallantly leading the regiment, was wounded.
The Eighth went to Petersburg, and did picket duty in the vicinity of Prince George Court House until the date of General Wilson's raid. Accompanying the raid the regiment lost heavily, on June 22d, cut- ting its way [through the Rebel right at Ream's Station, on the 23d, at Black and Whites, to near Nottoway Court House, where the bri- gade being cut off from the main command had an afternoon and all night's battle, sustaining a loss of 90 men. On the 24th it succeeded in joining the command at Meherrin Station, on the Danville Rail- road; on the 25th, to Roanoke Creek; and at night, to Staunton River; 27th, to Meherrin River; 28th, to Stony Creek Station, on the Weldon Railroad, in rear of the Rebel lines, where all the afternoon and night it was trying to cut its way through, but was again headed off by the enemy and forced to make its way back south nearly to the North Carolina line. After enduring untold hardships, it at last found its way into the Union lines, the regi- ment losing nearly one-third of its number.
August 8th, the regiment was shipped to Washington and proceeded to Winchester, in the Shenandoah Valley, where it was conspicuous in all the 'gallant engagements [under Sheridan, and the Eighth won special mention from both the division and corps commanders.
On October 29, the expiration of its term of enlistment, those en- titled thereto were ordered to Rochester to be discharged and muster- ed out. Many of the men and officers re-enlisted, and, together with those whose term had not expired, were consolidated into a battalion of eight companies and retained in the service. April 30, 1865, four new companies were formed of recruits mustered in for one and two years, and the regimental organization was again completed. Lieut. Col.
456
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Edmund M. Pope, original captain of Company A, was commissioned colonel, February 14th, and he ably commanded the regiment until the close of the war.
On the 27th of February, 1865, the regiment was on the march southward from Winchester, and on March 2d, encountering the enemy in force at Waynesborough under General Early, a sharp battle ensued, resulting in a signal victory for our side, leaving in our hands about 1,500 prisoners, 5 pieces of artillery and 10 battle flags. Major Compson, who commanded the regiment in this engagement, was awarded a Medal of Honor for the capture of a battle flag. The Waynesborough affair over, the march to Petersburg was continued, and the command took a prominent part in the last and effective cam- paign of the war.
This regiment received the flag of truce sent in by General Lee at Appomattox, June 9, 1865. During its term of service it lost in killed, wounded and missing 794 men; participated in over 100 engage- ments, and earned its enviable reputation on many a hard-fought field. But few regiments in the service have furnished as bright a page for history as the Eighth New York Volunteer Cavalry.1
The following-named officers were killed while gallantly fighting in the ranks of the regiment :
Col. Benjamin F. Davis,
at Beverly Ford, Va.
Capt. Benjamin F. Foote,
Beverly Ford, Va.
Capt. Charles D. Follett,
Gettysburg, Pa.
Capt. James McNair, * 66 Nottaway Court House.
Capt. James A. Sayles, 66 Nottaway Court House.
Capt. Asa L. Goodrich,
Namozine Church.
Lieut. Henry C. Cutler, *
Beverly Ford, Va.
Lieut. Benjamin C. Efner, 66 Beverly Ford, Va.
Lieut. James E. Reeves,
Beverly Ford, Va.
Lieut. Richard S. Taylor,
" Strawberry Hill.
Lieut. Carlos S. Smith,
" Broad Run.
Lieut. Benjamin F. Chappell,
" Five Forks.
*Both of these officers were from Livingston County. Lieutenant Cutler was killed June 9, 1863. Captain MeNair was killed June 23, 1864.
1. The foregoing sketch of the Eighth N. V. Cavalry is taken from the address of Colonel William I .. Marshall delivered at the dedication of the monument of that regiment at Gettysburg, June 9, 1889.
457
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTIETH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
In the summer of 1862, a call having been made for 300,000 more troops, the State Government made each Senatorial district a reg- imental district, with a military camp in each one, at some designated point.
The counties of Livingston, Wyoming and Allegany, comprising the Thirtieth Senatorial district, were thus made a regimental dis- trict, with the camp at Geneseo. On the meeting of the Senatorial committee, however, a resolution was adopted requesting the Governor to change the location of the camp to Portage. This was accordingly done, the place of rendezvous being fixed near the famous high bridge, and the enlistment of recruits proceeded with such rapidity, that early in August a sufficient number of men had enrolled themselves in the three counties to form a full regiment, and the 130th Regiment N. Y. V. I. was organized and mustered into service September 3d, 1862. Companies Band K were from Livingston county ; G and I from Liv- ingston and Allegany counties, Cand D from Wyoming county; E, F and H from Allegany county, and A from Allegany and Wy- oming counties. The organization was completed by the election of the following officers :
Colonel- William S. Fullerton.
Lieutenant Colonel -- Thomas J. Thorp.
Major-Rufus Scott.
Adjutant-George R. Cowee.
Quarter-Master --- Abram B. Lawrence.
Surgeon-Benjamin T. Kneeland.
Company A-Captain, James E. Bills; First Lieutenant, John P. Robinson; Second Lieutenant, Charles L. Daily ;
Company B-Captain, Howard M. Smith; First Lieutenant, S. Herbert Lancey; Second Lieutenant, Samuel C. Culbertson.
Company C-Captain, Rowley P. Taylor; First Lieutenant, Oscar R. Cook; Second Lieutenant, Samuel U. Waldo.
Company D -- Captain, Jacob W. Knapp; First Lieutenant, Leon- ard Wilkins; Second Lieutenant, Jared M. Bills.
Company E-Captain, Wheeler Hakes; First Lieutenant, Samuel F. Randolph; Second Lieutenant, Elias Horton, Jr.
458
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Company F-Captain, Jeremiah Hatch; First Lieutenant, Samuel A. Farman; Second Lieutenant, Alexander K. Thorp.
Company G-Captain, Alanson B. Cornell, First Lieutenant, Charles L. Brundage; Second Lieutenant, G. Wiley Wells.
Company H -- Captain, Joel Wakeman; First Lieutenant, Ina Sayles; Second Lieutenant, Sartwell E. Osgood.
Company I-Captain, James Lemen; First Lieutenant, Russell A. Britton; Second Lieutenant, Franklin S. Adams.
Company K-Captain, Andrew L. Leach; First Lieutenant, James O. Slayton: Second Lieutenant, Edmund Hartman.
Colonel Fullerton resigned before the regiment left the county, and on the day that it started for the front-September 6th-Alfred Gibbs, at the suggestion of General Mcclellan, whose classmate he was at West Point, was made Colonel by the Governor's appointment. Col- onel Gibbs brought with him to his task the experience of twenty years' service in the regular army.
It is suitable to record here the fact that Livingston was the first county to furnish its quota for this regiment, having responded with alacrity and cheerfulness to the call for help which came from an im- perilled government, and it was said with just pride that "the patri- otic fervor of her sons continues unabated, and their response to the call for men is still answered by hundreds who unreluctantly sacrifice the comfort, happiness and allurements of home for the stern experi- ence of the camp."
The regiment arrived at Suffolk, Va., September 13th, 1862. A camping ground had been selected for it in the immediate vicinity of the Dismal Swamp. The hospitals in town were soon filled with sick, and, notwithstanding the most skillful medical treatment, many fell victims to the fatal malaria of the swamps. The regiment, neverthe- less, was rapidly perfected in military discipline.
Reconnoissances in large force were pushed as far as the Black Water, which, however, generally failed to develop any considerable force of the enemy in that quarter. In one of these expeditions the celebrated Pittsburg Battery was recaptured from the enemy in a spirited engagement at Bethlehem Church. During these marches the strength and endurance of the men was sorely tested. Oftentimes a hundred miles of burning sands were traversed, with three day's rations carried in haversacks, and straggling was unknown. In order
459
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
that Suffolk mnight with safety be made a base of supplies for future operations, immense earthworks were thrown up, which completely environed the town; pending their completion, autumn and early winter wore away. Large details for picket duty became necessary, for the country was infested with guerillas.
On the 30th of January, 1863, the regiment was aroused at the hour of midnight to take part in a secret expedition commanded by Gen- eral Corcoran. The troops, numbering eight thousand in all, with a proper proportion of cavalry and artillery, were soon moving noise- lessly over the road leading to Carsville. After a rapid march of ten miles the enemy's videttes were driven in upon the main force, com- manded by Gen. Roger A. Pryor, encamped at Deserted Farm.
Then ensued an artillery duel which, for precision "and rapidity of firing has seldom been equalled, never surpassed, in the experience of those who participated.
A dozen guns or more on either side were worked with a zeal which gave promise of annihilation to either party.
The pyrotechnic display, in the midnight darkness, possessed all the elements of sublimity and terror. : By the fitful light of bursting shells could be seen the ghastly features of the dead and dying, and the ground strewn with slain horses, while riderless ones galloped over the field, trampling under foot friend and foe. At the com- mencement of the engagement the infantry were held in reserve, save those ordered to support the artillery, and but little effort was made by General Corcoran to flank or dislodge the enemy, all attention being absorbed by the terrific combat of the artillerists.
The morning dawn witnessed the exciting spectacle of the Rebel army in full retreat, with the whole Union force close upon its heels, and from whose clutches it only escaped by the passage of the Black Water and the destruction of the bridge. This battle, though costly in life and limb, was invaluable in the confidence it gave the men in their ability to stem the torrent of battle without demoralization.
Their courage was put to a still further test. On the 11th day of April Longstreet appeared before 'Suffolk, with an army estimated at forty thousand men. And now the wisdom of Major General Peck became manifest in the careful attention he had given to the defense of Suffolk.
Ascending a signal tree of great altitude, Longstreet beheld a for-
460
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
midable line of earthworks confronting his army in every direction, and surmounted by a hundred guns of large calibre. From the num- ber of encampments visible, it might be inferred that General Peck commanded an army but little inferior to his own in numbers.
After an investment of the town for twenty days, with repeated failures to break through the Federal lines, he raised the siege and hastily decamped, though not in time for the rear of his army to escape a severe punishment. During the siege a successful sortie resulted in the capture of a six-gun battery, together with the cannoniers.
Untoward events at Fredericksburg compelled the abandonment for the time of operations menacing Richmond and its communica- tions from the south, together with the withdrawal of the troops from Suffolk. Passing by unimportant incidents, we next find the reg- iment on board transports, en route for Yorktown. Lee's army has assumed an offensive attitude, and is already moving on Maryland and Pennsylvania. An army of twenty-five thousand men, under the immediate command of Major General Keyes, is started up the Peninsula-the manifest purpose of the expedition, a diversion in favor of the Army of the Potomac, which, weakened by two hard- fought battles at Fredericksburg, and by expiration of term of enlist- ment, is in danger of being overpowered by the Army of Northern Virginia, superior in numbers, and elated by partial success.
Keyes' command is moved with great celerity up the Peninsula, notwithstanding the wretched condition of the roads by reason of frequent rains and travel of the previous year. Halting a day at White House for supplies, Keyes pushes on to Bottom's Bridge, where his army is brought to a stand. Col. Spear, with the 11th Pa. Cav- alry, dashes up to Hanover Court House and captures Brig. Gen. W. H. F. Lee, one hundred prisoners and a large number of army wagons.
While the battle of Gettysburg is being fought and won, the army on the Peninsula is lying idle, and the golden opportunity is lost. The plan of the campaign, magnificent in its conception, miserably failed in its execution. The troops on the Peninsula are now ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, which has just covered itself with glory at the battle of Gettysburg. By unparalleled feats of marching, through mud and constant rain, the army arrives at Yorktown on the
.
1
461
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
noon of the third day from the reception of the order. Transports are in readiness to convey the troops to Washington, and in two days the 130th N. Y. disembarks from the cars at Frederick, Md., the bal- ance of the Brigade having been ordered to New York City to assist in quelling the riot. Lee's army, though sorely punished, has re- crossed the Potomac at Falling Waters.
By a forced night march, the 130th New York overtakes the Army of the Potomac at Berlin, and is assigned to duty at Army Head- quarters, under command of Brigadier General Patrick, Provost-Mar- shal General.
It shares in the exciting race of the two armies, on parallel roads, as far as Warrenton, Va., when this regiment, whose soldierly conduct, while on foot, has elicited especial commendation from Generals Peck, Sykes, and finally Meade himself, is transferred into the mounted ser- vice, by special orders from the War Department, bearing date of July 28th, 1863, and by the Governor of the State of New York is designated as the 1st Regiment of Dragoons, New York State Volun- teers.
Temporarily withdrawn from the Army of the Potomac, the regi- ment is ordered to Manassas, where it is allowed only a month to adapt itself to the cavalry service. To this end, Col. Gibbs, himself a cavalry officer, bends his whole energies. Drills of eight hours a day are instituted, together with nightly recitations from the tactics by the officers and non-commissioned officers. By a singular coincidence the instruction here received is soon to be tested, in the fiery ordeal of battle, on the very drill-ground.
On the 13th of October, the regiment, while on its way to rejoin the Army of the Potomac, encounters the corps trains, the teamsters urg- ing the jaded mules to their utmost speed with whip and voice, for the army is falling back from the Rapidan to the defences at Centreville.
The 2d Corps turns on the enemy, too closely pursuing, and at Bristoe Station inflicts a terrible blow, strewing the ground with corpses, capturing a battery and many prisoners. After a rest of two days, the army resumes the offensive, and is again in readiness to deliver battle. The Reserve Cavalry Brigade takes the lead, Col. Gibbs commanding, his own regiment having the advance of the Bri- gade. Crossing Bull Run, on the night of October 17th, it encounters the enemy's cavalry on the Plains of Manassas. ,
462
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Jets of flame, leaping from pistol and carbine, light up the horizon, and reveal the presence of the foe in line of battle. Notwith- standing the great disparity in numbers, the leading squadron returns the enemy's fire, pouring in volley after volley in rapid succession, with accompanying shouts of defiance. Meanwhile, the other squad- rons have, one by one, come into line, and the rattle of small arms becomes incessant. The horses fretting under the restraint of the bit, and unused to the din of battle, are controlled with the utmost difficulty. The enemy, sheltered by earthworks, thrown up by Beau- regard in 1861, still maintain their position. A charge is necessary to dislodge them; the word is given, and the line advances at a pace continually accelerated until it reaches its climax in the charge. The enemy give way, are driven to Bristoe Station, and four miles of the Orange and Alexandria railroad saved from destruction.
The army of the Potomac moves steadily forward, rebuilding the destroyed portions of the railroad; at Rappahannock Station gathers up a thousand prisoners drives the army of :Lee over the Rappahan- nock, over the Rapidan, and goes into winter quarters in its former position. The winter of 1863-4 is consumed in frequent reconnois- sances and the usual routine of picket duty.
A new order of affairs is inaugurated in April, 1864, for Grant con- trols and directs all movements of the armies of the United States. Let us now follow the fortunes of this regiment so far as it is identified with the operations of the cavalry under Major General Sheri- dan. In the month of May, 1864, the regiment crosses the Rapidan, four hundred strong-the Rebellion arrogant, defiant and full of vitality. Every "section of Virginia has been visited -her fairest fields have been drenched with the blood of heroes -horse and horseman have slaked their thirst in every consid- erable stream in the State.
In the month of May, 1865, this regiment appears again on the banks of the Rapidan-one-half of its number slain or disabled-the Rebellion utterly crushed in the dust.
The first engagement, which occurs on the 7th of May, at Todd's Tavern, is of the most sanguinary character. At 3 P. M. the regi- ment is dismounted and moved across the country for more than a mile at the "double quick." when the enemy are met. With a terrible yell, the Dragoons go to work, loading and firing the
2
463
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Spencer carbine with the utmost rapidity and with deadly effect.
The air seems filled with leaden missiles from either side. For awhile the issue is doubtful, for the support comes up tardily ; but still the desperate, though unequal conflict, is kept up with unabated fury. Night closes in upon the scene. Over eighty of the Dragoons lie upon the ground either killed or severely wounded. The support has arrived and the day is won.
An Aid-de-Camp, who witnessed the affair, remarked to General Sheridan: "I never saw men fight with such desperate valor as did the 1st New York Dragoons; the nien fought like demons."
On the morning following, the battle is renewed with great fury. The enemy is dislodged from his first line of works and driven on to Spottsylvania.
The Cavalry are now relieved by Warren's Corps and 'got in readi- ness for "Sheridan's Raid to"Richmond."
A gallant officer, Captain Ash, of the 5th U. S. Cavalry, loses his life while leading the infantry into battle. On the morning of the 9th General Sheridan sets out with twelve thousand cavalry, with the design of interrupting the enemy's communications with his rear. At Beaver Dam, on the eve of the same day, he destroys a locomotive, train of cars and several miles of the Virginia Central Railroad, to- gether with ten days' rations for Lee's entire army.
At Yellow Tavern, on the 11th, he fights Stuart's Cavalry, kills their leader, and passes within the first line of the defences of Rich mond.
Halting until midnight, Sheridan's column is again in motion, and making for Mechanicsville.
At daybreak, the men, reeling in their saddles for want of sleep, are suddenly aroused by the explosion of torpedoes under the feet of the horses.
At Meadow Bridge, for awhile, the enemy dispute the crossing of the Chickahominy, but are driven off by Gibbs' and Devin's Brigades; Gregg opens with his artillery and scatters the militia hovering about his rear. Near Mechanicsville a spirited affair occurs, in which the 1st New York achieves an important success, without the loss of a man. It happened in this wise: a regiment of the Brigade is sent forward mounted, but being hard pushed by the enemy dismounted. is obliged to fall back, closely followed by the exultant foe. Lieut.
464
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Col. Thorp observing the situation, hastily gives the command to his men, "Prepare to fight on foot." They quit their horses, go forward at a run, discharging their carbines at every leap, and shouting vo- ciferously. The enemy, surprised at the suddenness of the onset, hastily retire, with a loss of fifty prisoners.
Crossing the Chickahominy again at Bottom's Bridge, Sheridan procures supplies at Haxall's Landing, on the James, and, crossing the Pamunkey at White House, rejoins the Army of the Potomac at Chesterfield Station.
Grant is on the point of executing a flank movement, and Sheri- dan is ordered to proceed with pontoons to Hanover Town, bridge the Pamunkey at that point, and hold it until the arrival of the infantry. He carries out his instructions without serious opposition, at the river ; crosses his cavalry and engages the enemy sharply at Hawe's Shop on the 28th, where General Gregg loses heavily. The Rebel cav- alry, after making a slight stand at Old Church, are driven on tow- ards Cold Harbor.
Meanwhile Lee has hurried forward Anderson's division of infantry to this point, and his whole army is following in their footsteps.
Sheridan pits against this division of infantry his cavalry, dismount- ed, and the afternoon of the 31st is consumed in heavy skirmishing.
As the result of the day's work, the enemy are forced out of their breastworks, and driven a mile beyond, with a loss of several hundred prisoners, in addition to the killed and wounded.
During the night Sheridan receives orders to hold the ground al- ready gained at all hazards. His men, though supperless, are sleep- ing soundly from excessive weariness still grasping the bridle reins.
At three o'clock on the following morning the men are aroused from their slumbers, and, without waiting to prepare the morning meal, are put on the line. To each brigade is assigned its own front, which it must hold in any emergency. Lient. Col. Thorp establishes a defen- sive line on the crest of a hill, in front of which is a heavy belt of tim- ber. Fence rails are hastily piled up as a shelter for the men, and a slender barricade is thus formed co-extensive with the front of the brigade. Scarcely is this work completed, and the men closely dis- posed behind it, when a brigade of South Carolina troops, six regi- ments in all, emerge from the woods in front of the barricade in three lines of battle.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.