History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 19

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

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CHAPTER XXIII.

HISTORY OF MONROE SOLDIERY FROM 1861 TO 1865.

MONROE was true for the Union, her citizens were of the best and bravest sol- diers, her press was cheering and devoted, her war committees were indefatigable in exertion, and her daughters were seen presenting colors, gathering hospital

supplies, and themselves volunteering to nurse the gallant sick and wounded in the dreaded and dreadful hospital and batth-field. The history of Monroe in the rebellion would be a graphic recurd of the war in the cast, and to trice march camp, and battle of all would make a valuable library. That some organizations and slight mention is the result of inability to find reliable authority, and is no redee. tion upon their action. The men of Monroe were brave men, and one organization may find itself reflected in the desperate and heroic struggles described of another As the Union was seen imperiled and a war inevitable, Monroe put forth ber strength. The towns and the city vied in gallantry, and within fifteen wontbe over torty organized companies had been raised, and a total of nearly five thethir] men. There had gone out in the Thirteenth Regiment pine companies, and han- dreds Liter joined to fill up their depleted ranks; the Twenty-sisth. two companks: the Twenty-serenth, one company; the Fifty-sixth. two companies; the Thirty- third, one company ; the Eighty-ninth, one company ; the One Hundredth. oce company ; the One Hundred and Fifth, three companies ; and for the Esceihr brigade, three companies. In the Eighth Cavalry were three companies, a like number in the Ira Harris Guards, and one or more companies in Doubleday'> Artillery and in the Van Buren Infantry ; and there was the L Battery of the Fint New York Artillery, besides squads of men for many other regimeuts. As it became apparent that yet stronger csertions must be made, recruiting was made the business of the day ; a camp was established at Rochester, war-meetings were held in villages and city, and hundreds enrolled to turn back Lee's columns from the Northern soil.

A full regiment of twelve hundred and sixty-three men, and known as the One Hundred and Eighth, with a battery and company of sharpshooters included. wa- raised in Monroe before the Ist of September, and close following their departure for the front, a regiment known as the One Hundred and Fortieth was rapidly organized in this county and hurried to the field. Regiments in the field were 'arguly recruited, and the Thirty-third alone received two hundred and forty meo from Mauroc. When the call for three hundred thousand luet was made, but four counties of the State had filled their quotas in the given time; those four were Cayuga, Wayne, Franklin, and Monroe; the last had raised by volunteering three thousand one hundred and twelve men.

The Thirteenth New York Volunteers were organized at Rochester. Eight companies are credited to the city, one to Brockport, Company K, and one to Daosville, Livingston county, Company B. Their colonel was I. F. Quimby. a professor of Rochester University, and a graduate of West Point. Lieutenant- colonel, E. G. Marshall; major, D. M. Dewey ; and among the captains were mra who rose to high positions in later organizations. The regiment departed for Elmira on May 3, and were mustered into service on May 14. for a period of three months. Clothed in a handsome suit of gray and presented with a beautiful stand of colurs, on the part of J. H. Martindale for the ladies of Monroe County, they set out for Washington May 29, and, with the Twelfth New York, passed through Baltimore on the next day, being the first volunteers to reach that city after the attack on the Massachusetts Sixth. On June 3 they crossed the Potomac and encamped at Arlington Heights. Trivial affairs were noted from novelty. discom- forts were felt, and the plaudits of the press were repeated with pride. Days went by with drill and review, and the men were gratified to be armed with Re- mington rifles. The Thirteenth were brigaded with the Seventy-ninth and Sisty- uinth New York and Second Wisconsin, under General Sherman, in the division of General Tyler. On July 16 the army was on the move, the troops supplied with three days' mations. The brigade bivouacked the first night at Vienna. distant ten miles. Next day the advance was continued slowly to and beyond Fairfax. and on the 19th a halt was being made at Centreville. A skirmish took place on the 18th adverse to the Union cause, yet with confidence the movement upon the enemy, strongly posted on the hills along Bull Run, was carried forvard. At two A.M. of the 21st of July the troops were called to arms, and the brigwie marched five miles and halted a mile from the " run." Orders came at ton .I. M. tuadvance across the stream. The men dished into and through the water. lou lly cheering, and ascending a hill caught the first glimpse of the enemy and save them a volley. Firing and cheering. the regiment reached and passed the bodies of men killed or wounded, and ascending a second hill lost two men from Curo- pany C, commanded by Captain Nulte. In a valley the regiment lay down, and as support to a battery became spectators of the new scenes of war. They &# "troops rush forward up the hills, fire, fall on their faces, load, rise, fire, and fall back." Again called to act, the Thirteenth filed alung the valley and advancing op a hillside to the vicinity of a stone house, encountered a severe fire, which was returned with vigor. The colors were bobilly displayed, and son, the suny proving too atrong. the line fell back to shelter. while a body of sont thirty mien remained, and for half an hour i xchangeI fire with the enemy Liter the nazi- ment were engaged merrssfully when onihrerl te retreat, and were among the la-t to leave the field. When they reached the panie-stricken horde about and beyond

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Bull Run the contagion became infectious, and the regiment became scattered into parties and fell back to Washington. The loss in action was eleven killed, twenty-seven wounded, and seventeen missing. The Thirteenth behaved with gallantry, and the colonel proved his fitness to command. Agam organized near Washington, a serious question arose, whether the time of enlistment was for three months or two years. Government decided the latter period, and many a good woldier regarded the act unjust. Some were treated as mutingers, who, had they buvo promptly discharged, would have agaiu entered the service with willing mind and unclouded name.

The fall and winter passed away inactive, save drill, review, and picket, and with »pring the army advanced on Manassas to find it abandoned. The Thirteenth were transferred by transport to Yorktown, and took part in the siege. On May 4 a detail of two hundred men of the regiment, and a part of the Twenty-second Massachusetts, were sent on picket, and soon discovered that the enemy had evac- uated. The men deployed, advanced, and by five A. M. of the 5th of May were within the rebel works. Various movements followed, and resulted in the com- mand being embarked upon the steamer .. Hero" and taken up York river. On the Sth the meu were lauded upon the bank of the river and went into camp. Ou the morning of May 27 reveille was blown at daylight, and the brigade set off in a drenching rain, carrying rations and rubber blankets. Twelve miles in the advance, n halt was made to build a bridge for the passage of artillery, and again the march was resumed, and two hours later the battle-ground of Hanover Court- House was reached. The brigade continued on a mile and a half to destroy a bridge, and returned to find the enemy attempting to turn the Union left flank. The Thirteenth formed line behind the Forty-fourth New York with cheers. Skir- tuishers were thrown forward, aud an advance was made across a plowed lot, a piece of woods, and half-way across a corn-field two rebel regiments advanced and opened fire. The men dropped, returned a volley, and then began to load and fre at will. Fifteen minutes passed. and the enemy were seen leaving the field on a double-quick. Ninety-one prisoners were taken and turned over to General Porter, and one hundred and twenty-seven dead and wounded were found on the Geld. On May 31 reveille aronsed the men at two A. M .; they fell in and marched To Gaines' Mills and took position upon a hill within view of the Chickahominy. Next day the men in liue stood under a scorching sun by the river, while the engineers constructed a bridge to cross it. On June 5 the regiment, with axe or spade, assisted the Fiftieth New York upon the bridge, while a score of men were deployed iu a swamp, waist deep in water. Relieved, and clothes were dried, a ration of whisky taken, and rest enjoyed. Health was never poorer, never so few reported for duty as at this time. Duty knew little intermission, and on June 11 a company drill was called. Here the men. from a camp commandingly placed, saw in the distance to the right the rebel pickets, and daily awaited the advance and the battle which should give them Richmond. Early on the morning of June 19 the regiment were sent down upon the Chickshominy on picket, and proceeded to Cold Harbor, five miles away, to guard against an expected attack. On Mon- day, the 21st, the enemy, from a battery in the woods, opened on the bridge- builders ; but a battery of twenty-pound pieces to the right soon silenced then.

Tuesday, at midnight, tents were struck, knapsacks packed, and a march made to Mech.Iniesville with no result. Other marches followed, and on June 27 the Thirteenth were hotly engaged. and inflicted a loss upou the enemy double their own number, and likewise suffered very severely. On July 3 Jackson had at- takrd the right, and the Thirteenth, with its brigade, were stationed in a ravine as a support. Trees were felled aud rails gathered, and a barricade was rapidly formed. A rebel regiment, the Fifth Tennessee, made an attack, and was chiven back with the loss of their colors and many men. A brigade moved to the at -. tark, and the fighting was continuous and determined. The enemy closing upon the flank compelled the regiment to fall back to the flata. A number of men stound by the colors and attempted to keep the line steady. The regiment lost in killed, wounded, and missing one hundred and one men, and crossed the Chicka- hominy with a loss of everything save arms and accoutrements, wagons, and bag- ;T. Retreat was made to the James, where, at Malvern Hill, the fighting was disperate, and the Thirteenth lost four killed and fifty-five wounded. The army removed to Harrison's Landing, and threw up works and lay several weeks io camp. An attack on August 1 from a rebel battery across the river resulted in a mortal wound from a shell to Samuel Bemis, of Company E. The regiment were strengthened by the return from the prisons south of thirty men, and the arrival of William Downey with a company of eighty-one new men, and had an enrollment of seven hundred.

Harrison's Landing was left on August 14, and returning over formuer battle- 6. i.l-, were cuibarked on transports, and taken up to Aquia creek, and there lateled. Daily long and severe marches followed, and on August 26 the Thir- benth is found on picket at Kelly's ford. The march begun at five A. M. next day was coraluded at siz p.M., and a halt made at Warrenton junction. Again

reveille at two A M, and a long march under a hot sun brought them to within a mile of Manassas junction, and for the last few miles within hearing of a con- stant cannonade. At half-past seven A. M. of the 20th, the regiment took up its line of march for the battle-field, au! being deployed and advanerd ay skirmishers, . remained through the night succeeding on picket. They were called in at day- light, and marched towards Centreville, passing over the Bull Run battle-ground. An attack made by the enemy upon the left wing of the Union lines was pressed so vigorously that the regiments gave way, and at this moment a charge was made by the Thirteenth, which swept up a hill-side under a galling and destruc- tive fire from front, right, and left. The loss was fearful. All the color-guard were wounded, and the flag was rent by balls. To remain way destruction, and amid a rain of balls the regiment retired in some disorder, having lost twenty- niue killed, eighty-feur wounded, and forty-seven missing, making a total of one hundred and sixty lost from a force of three hundred and seventy which went into action. A few days of rest were enjoyed, and on September 6 soft bread was drawn for the first time since leaving the James river. Next morning march- ing was resumed at two, and having traveled fifteen miles to go ten dircet, the men went into camp at Fairfax Seminary, and so far from exhausting them, the service seemed to have toughened their frames and strengthened their spirits. A body of recruits from Mourve, while en route to join the Thirteenth, were involved in a railroad accident on the Baltimore aud Ohio road, and fourteen men lost to the regiment. On September 8, the Thirteenth moved to a camp near Washing- ton, where they remained till the 12th. when they once more made a departure, and marching through Clarksville and Urbana, crossing the Monneacy river, they proceeded through Middletown, and by night of September 15 had reached Boonsville. The battle of Antietam was fought, and Lee was glad to regain Virginia. The Thirteenth lay all day in reserve, and, at one A.M. of .September 18, crossed Antietam ervek, and advancing to the crest of the hill. relieved the Thirty-sixth Ohio, and while deploying a picket line were subjected to a lively fire. The shots became less frequent, and finally ceased, and as morning came, the wounded called out that the rebels had gone, and asked our men to come and bring them in. The brigade advanced toward the Potomac over the battle-field, and halted a half-mile from the river, and lay idle for several days. In a movement across the stream, on the 20th, the regiment with its brigade advanced about 3 mile from the ford, where they threw out a line of piekets, which were violently assailed by a heavy rebel force, a portion of them captured, including thirteen men of the Thirteenth, and the entire command imperiled. Orders to retreat were given by Colouel Marshall, and the brigade retired across the stream: under the protection of the Union batteries, and rallied in the woods on the northern bank. No motive other than a reconnaissance seems to have incited this move- ment, so disastrous to a portion of the regimeut. In camp at Shepardstown on the 21st of September, and called to go on picket on the Marylaod side of the Potomac for twenty-four hours, the command was relieved at three P.M. of the 23d, to fall into line as a support of Griffith's brigade, and for a week the pieket and daily drill occupied the time. On September 30 the regiment was reinforced by the companies of Captains Abbott and Dowuey, numbering one hundred and fifty men, and raising its effective strength to nearly five hundred men. Various changes of' camps, coupled with picket duty, occupied the time till October 29. New shelter tents had been supplied, and the Remingtons had beco exchanged for Springfield rifles. The Potomac was crossed on the 30th, upon a bridge laid by the famous Fiftieth Engineers, and the men looked curiously at the old engine-house where John Brown, with a score of men, bid definee to the State of Virginia, as they marched through the village, then a vast gutler-camp, and took their way over the Shenandoals upon a second bridge, and went into camp on the Leesburg turnpike, about five miles from Harper's Ferry. On November 1 the regiment turned out to muster, consolidate, and assign companies. Old Com- pany HI was put in D, and their place taken by C'aptain Abbott's men. Company K was put in G, and Captain Downey's men formed a new K company, and a large number of promotions were announced. Next morning the regiment set out at six towards Leesburg, and turning to the right, completed a ninety-eight- mile march by six P. M., aud bivouacked a mile from Snickerville, towards which the division under Batterfield had concentrated in expectation of an attack. But a day or two passed, and on November 5 the regiment were called at four A w., and at break of day set forth upon a march to Warrenton. The march of seventren miles continued through Middlebury, and a halt was made four miles beyund. Continuing the march at daylight, the weather became stormy, and snow toll in considerable quantity ; the eimp was made for the night in the woods near White Plains. Following the line of railroad through New filtimore, camp was made three miles from Warrenton, where the reguuent lay some time. Undoubted evi- dence of incap.wity ou the part of MeClellan, and of semi-treason by his subord- inate, Porter, lel to their being superseded, and General Burnside was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac. The change was unpopular with the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

troops, and the new leader at once minde urrangements to march upon Fredericks- burg. The delay io attark enabled Lee and Juckson to occupy and fortify the heights, whence they grimly observed the approaching masses, and silently allowed them to make their crossing.

On December I the entire brigade were ordered on picket, marched twelve miles, remained over night, and returned to camp next morning. Days passed in expectation till December 11, when the men fell out to roll-call at four A.M., struck tents, packed up, and were on the march at daylight towards Falmouth. All day they lay within sight of Fredericksburg, and before dark moved for the night into a piece of woods, maised tents, and enjoyed a good rest. Roil-call at daylight, and then a march to the river's bank. All remained quiet till nine A.M., when the heavy guns opened a thandering but ineffective fire. The Thirteenth lay all day and the night succee ling in position. and at ten A.M. of December 13 fell in ond started for the bridge across the river. Crossing. they passed on through the town out towards the railroad. The enemy op nel with shell, acd one of his missues bursting. wounded two of the men. The mailroad was cut down about aix fuet below the level flat in front of the hill upon which the rebel hat- teries were posted. The brigade to which the Thirteenth belonged formed behind the bank, fixed hayworts, and, at enton ind, rapidly advanced across the Bat towards the batteries, five hundred yards distant. A shower of bullets, shot, and shell swept through the charging ranks and struck them down. To continue was de- struction, and the men lay down, and for thirty-five hours kept their exposed position, receiving the fire of the rebel sharpshooters, and firing at any head or limb shown above the enemy's rifle-pits. In this charge Colonel Marshall was badly wounded and carried from the field. and thence taken to Washington.

Relieved at midnight of December 14, the command marched down to Freder- icksburg, stacked arts on the river street, end rested until dark of the following day, when the order was given, " Fall in, Thirteenth," and, taking arms, the line advanced up to the main street, and lay on their arts till tire A.M. next day. when they were again called up. and marched towards the bridge. It then became apparent that a retreat was in progress. The brigade had crossed the bridge and reached the brow of the opposite bank, when they were countermarched back across the river op into the town, and a line of pickers thrown out They were the rear guard to cover the retreat of the retiring army. No sooner had they left the bridge than it was taken up, and at daylight the men marched to the upper bridge, passed over, and marched back to camp. The loss in the attack upon the enemy had cost the Thirteenth five killed, sixty-three wounded. and seven missing, a totid of seventy-five men. For weeks the regiment hay in winter quarters, and, sive severe pickut duty, were left to quict. Preparations for a forward movement were seen in the removal of all the men uofit for duty to a hospital formed at Aquia creek, and the order to march was daily expected. It came on the evening of January 19, and next morning, after a month of rest, tents were strack. " Pack up" was sounded, and at one p.s. the line of march was begun, and an advance of five miles made before going into camp. Rain came down in sheets and in torrents, and the Virginia clay was soon changed to a deep and tenacious sea of mud .- a continuous quagmire. A mile and a half. and then the advance was abandoned, and attention given to return. This was effected by January 24, and now montha passed away in winter quarters. Early spring came, and once more all w.ts activity. Joseph Hooker bad superseded "Burnside, and hope of success was cherished.

On April 7 the Fifth army corps were reviewed by President Lincoln, accom- panied by General Hooker. The men were not marched for miles to form a pageant, as with MeClellan, but simply drawn up on their own grounds, where promptly on time the review was held. and the men dismissed. An apparent trifle this, but deserving of mention among appreciative soldiers.

There was every indication of a movement in which the Thirteenth was to bear Do part, for it was notified of its discharge hy reason of the expiration of term of. service. On April 28 they had reached Washington, homeward bound. Exten- sive preparationa were made in Rochester for their reception. On their arrival at half-past five Pst. of May 2, an enthusiastic demonstration took place The mayor made a brief address of welcome, in which he said. " The sad and terrible errand upon which you went drew forth at your departure the sorrowing tears of a city. The lustrous honor with which you return to us to-day evokes a nation's praise."

In a march through the city, the Thirteenth carried the colors borno npon their battle fields, and their progress-a continued ovation-was " the sTinilest thing in its way ever seen in Rochester." At the square, in front of the court-house, the regiment was masal and addressed by Judge Chumasero in language eloquent and soul-etiring. He said of the colors. " That noble banner you have warded well; borne through the ' battle and the breeze,' tattered and torn, but not dis- honored. You bring it birk to as uostaiuel and speak ~ as you first received le, save with the blood of traitors. We take it at your hands, -God bless you

for ita faithful care!" Of battle-fields. "On the bloody fields of Black burat. Yorktown, Hanover, Gaines' Milla, Richmond, Malvern Hill, South Mountain. and Fredericksburg, you mohly did your duty ; bright pages for you will be thun ... in your country's history which record those memorable contests." And of the dead, " In the silent cave of death, f.ur from their families and their homes, their ashes rest ; no marble marks the spot where they repose; it may, indeed. be f .. r- ever naknown, but their memories die not, and as we drop a tear of pity for their loss, in our hearts and in our affections shall their cenotaph be reared." Rest-Odi- ing to the address with cheers, the men were dismissed to their homes. Eigl: companies retaroed with three hundred and sixteen men, including the sie k About one hundred and ninety of these were original members. In all, over eleven hundred men have been corolled in the regiment since its formation. Tl :.. companies of Abbott and Downey being held for three years, were assigned to prevost-guard duty. On May 14, 1863, the muster out of the Thirteenth w ... completed, and its existence had ceased. Many of the men enlisting in other regiments fought bravely to the close of the war, and won fresh laurels on eosan- guined fields.

The Twenty-fifth Regiment contained a number of Menroe men, whose record is briefly given. The organization enlisted for two years, and bore its part in the campaigns of the various enstern generals. During the long period of inctivity following the disaster of Ball Ruo the regiment lay in camp, being perfected in drill, and, Manassas having been found evacuated. went with the army to York. town, and when this, too, had been abandoned, followed the retiring enemy towards Richmond. At two A.M. of May 27, the regiment was ordered into line. and made a forced march of afteca miles, to within three miles of Hanover Court- House; engaged the rebels at noon, and, after a hard fight, drove them back. The Twenty-fourth New York and Second Massachusetts were brigaded with the . Twenty-fifth, and this force remained as a reserve while the division pushed for- ward. The enemy, circling around the flank through the woods. came in upon the rear and began an attack. The company of Captain Preston was employed with the regiment in checking movements on the right, while the brigade sustained the direct attack. A brigade returning from the advance turned the tide, but not until the Twenty-fifth had lust half its force in killed and wounded. The Monme company had gone into action with thirty-two men, and but nine were brought of. The firing was heavy and sustained. At the commencement of the action the regiment had been deployed as skirmishers. and the greater part of Captain Harris' Company K were taken prisoners. The enemy opened on the Second Maine, and the Twenty-fifth doubled-quicked to their relief; and the contest be- came sanguinary. The enemy were posted in the woods, the Twenty-fifth were on open ground. A rebel advance was repulsed, and the ground was held till assistance had come. At the conclusion of the action, wherein from three bon- . dred'and fifty-five men 'thirty were killed, sisty wounded, and sixty-five missing. the remainder of the command were employed in burial of the dead and care for the disabled. Much praise was bestowed for soldierly qualities. and " Ilanover" was ordered inscribed on the colory. Passing through the retreat to the James. the battle of Antietam, and other actions, we sco them take part in the charge opon the heights at Fredericksburg on December 13. They were in the First brigade, Griffin's division, Fifth army corps, at the battle of Chancellorsville. and were the last to leave the trenches and cross the river. The brigade was assigned the duty of removing the pontons from the United States ford. The boats were drawn by hand up a long, steep, muddy slope to a secure point, where they could be loaded." The task occupied seven bours, part of which time the rebel sharpshooters, from the edge of the woods across the river, Lept up a fire which wounded several men. Fortunately none were killed. The regiment went into camp on May 7, and soon after received orders to return to New York, where it was mustered out of service.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 19

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976