History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 20

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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The Twenty-aizth Regiment was organized at Elmira, where it was mastered into the United States service for two years. It was known as the Utica regiment, and enntained two companies from Monroe County .- the one commanded by G. S. Jennings, who was subsequently promoted major, and the other by Thomas Davis The companies left Rochester for Elmira on May 7, and soon after the command. under Colonel William H. Christian. was ordered to Washington. On Saturday, the 20th of July, at midnight, ordery came to join the army of General Me- Dowell. Tenta and baggage were left behind. and the command was transported to Alexandria, where, on the next day, during the suspense and apprehension of the first battle, various orders were received, and as often countermandled, rill. finally, at evening, the regimeot took a train on the Manassas Gap Railroad and was brought near the scene of action. The men were deployed and placed on picket for a time. Orders were revived for the return, and by four A. M. the old camp at Fort Ellsworth we again verupied. The regiment was placed in the forts defending Washington, and on January 7, 18G2. eight companies were on "duty ot Fort Lyon and two at Fort Ellsworth. The command had been in several

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

brigades, and employed in picketing roads, building works, and on garrison doty, end was now taught heavy artillery practice, at which creditable progress was made during the winter. With spring and active campaigning the Twenty-sixth, brigaded with the Ninety-fourth and Eighty-eighth New York and Ninetieth Pennsylvania Infantry, Rickett's Battery, aud four companies of the Ira Harris (Third) New York Cavalry, in the corps under MeDowell, lay in camp after a varied experience on the heights opposite Fredericksburg. Ou May 25 march- ing orders were received, and the regiment took up the line of march for Wash- iugton vid Aquia. creek. Upon the march the regiment kept well together and bad few stragglers. Embarked at the creek and taken to the capital ; then ordered to Alexandria, and under orders proceeded by rail to Manassas. where all was found iu confusion. The troops had retreated and stores had been destroyed, while the enemy demonstrated with heavy force. On May 27 the regiment pro- ceeded to Broad Run, being in the advance of McDowell's corps. The engage- ments at Bull Run, Centreville, and Antietam, close following the advance of the rebel army northward, illustrated the bravery of men contending with numbers overpowering. On July 15 the Twenty-sixth lay in camp at Warrenton. They were in the best of order, full of determination, and under popular and efficient oficers. After Antietam-the dilatory action of Mcclellan permitted the enemy to retire defeated, but defiant and menacing. On October 30 the Twenty-sixth crussed the Potomac on a ponton bridge at Berlin, seven miles below Harper's Ferry, and with its brigade marched to Lovettsville. Picketing and marching, the command finally moved in December to take part in the battle of Fredericks- burg, and there bore a gallant part. Pending the advance over the Rapidan, orders were read in camp to prepare to return home. Soon after came an order to prepare to march, with several days' rations, across the river. The men ab- jected on the ground of expiration of service. General Robinson adopted harsh measures to compel obedience, with no result save to dampen the zeal of the men. Shortly afterwards, the regimeut, together with all the two-year regiments, were returned to New York, and about May 14 the Twenty-sixth was mustered out.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE TWENTY-SEVENTH, TWENTY-EIGHTH, AND THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENTS.

IN the Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers there was a company of eighty-five men noder Captain George B. Wanzer. It left Rochester for Elmira on May 13, and was mustered into the United States service May 20. Ordered to Washington, it was engaged at Bull Run, where Colonel Slocum was severely wounded. as was Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Cbambers. The regimeot was in the thickest of the fray, and, save the Fire Zouaves, lost the most men. The cominand set out from camp on July 16, and late at night encamped by the roadside. Resuming the march next day, halt was made four miles beyond Fairfax Court-House, until Sunday at two A.s., when the orders came to advance to and across Bull Run, where the regiment met the enemy. It was the second to engage, and, with fixed bayonets, drove the rebels before them. Suddenly a regiment came out of a piece of woods. the men waving their capa. Colonel Slocum thought them Federal troops, and did not fire upon them. They marched up within pistol-shot, threw out a seccs- sion flag, and opened with rifles. The Twenty-seventh returned the fire sharply with their muskets and compelled a retirement, hut when out of musket range they pourel in the bullets from their rifles and made bloody work. Assistance was asked and refused. The regiment was ordered to fall back to the cover of woods for rest. During the retreat the colonel was wounded and borne from the fi .. Id. Later, the Twenty-seventh was ordered to join in a general assault with other regiments, and the enemy was driven to the enver of his batteries. Finally, the panic ensued, and the army became a mob. The regiment marched from the field in good order, but being charged by cavalry broke aud scattered. The re- treat is a matter well known. The command lay for months below Alexandria, on the south bank of the Potomac. Their colonel was Joseph J. Bartlett, in plare of Colonel Slocum, promoted.

In comfortable quarters in huts with fireplaces, the men passed the time in the matine of camp. drill, and picket. Spring came, and the army moved on Manas- MIS. On March 10, 1862, the Twenty-seventh left its eamp, and, marching twelve miles, camped near Fairfix, expecting to renew the march at tour A M. to Centre- ville. The retirement of the enemy caused a change of plan, and the road was taken back to Alexandria.

On April 18 the regimeut embarked on the steamship " S. R. Spaulling." and,

moving down the river, came to anchor at Ship Point, disembarked, and lay in camp till May 4. Taken up the York river, the Twenty-seventh was, on May 6, landed at West Point, the first of the division, and forming in line, foand the enciny close at hand and the woods alive with cavalry. As the men deployed ax ekinmnishers, the enemy disappeared, aud a picket line was established. During the night several attacks were made, and prisoners from the Fifth Texas were cap- tured. The morning brought the fleet with Sedgwick'a advance. An occasional gun was fired, and a straggling lire commenced along the line. Regiments ad- vanced to support the pickets. Brigadca formed in line of battle, and batteries hurried iuto position. General Slocum directed the movements of the division, and Colonel Bartlett was in command of the brigade. The musketry deepened into continuous crashes as the fall of distant trees, and Sedgwick's men, as they landed, doffed knapsacks and advanced into action. The gunboats took position to repel any attempt at flanking. Forward and backward the lines surged, till finally the fire slackencd, and the enemy withdrew. The Twenty-seventh niet with slight loss.

The advance was continued to Cumberland Landing, thence to White House, and on May 20 the regiment lay five miles beyond the White House, within eigliteen miles of Richmond. Moving to Mechanicsville, the command there re- maiued till noon of the 31st, when Casey's division was overpowered aud driven with heavy loss till aid came and turned the tide. The regiment fell in, and, with its brigade, formed line of battle, and then, uoder Lieutenant-Colonel Adama, tiled down through the woods to the turnpike bridge, and halted in the presence of General Slocum, whom they greeted with three cheers. An attempt to draw the rebel fire failed, and the batteries shelled a train passing at a distance. The river rose suddenly, as of a dam let loose. Remaining at Mechanicsville on picket duty, bridging, road-building, and intrenching, the meu stood exposed like veterans. While awaiting the order to advance on Richmood, Jackson had moved upon the right, and, on June 27, firing, heavy and continuous, told where he was pressing apon our lines. Night arrived, and with it a report that the onomy had boon driven towards Richmond. Morning came, and with it the thunder of cannon across the river, in close proximity to the camps. The tented ground occupied by Slocum's division was speedily covered by the blue lines of armed columns. There was a bridge crossing the Chickahominy at the highest point in our possession, communicating with our forces at Gaines' Mills, and Mechanicsville, farther up. Here the division first marched, add a part of Newton's brigade crossed over, but finding the enemy too strong, fell back and destroyed che bridge.

The action had now become general along the whole line. An incessant roar of artillery told that Porter and MeCall were hard pressed, and needed help. Marching down the river to Woodbury's bridge, the division crossed. and by three P.M. had reached the higher ground opposite and taken position. They were just in time. The fight had begun at Gaines' Mills, a mile distant from the bridge, and onr forces had been gradually driven back until they held only the heights above the bridge. This position must be held, as a single narrow bridge precluded all hope of a tumultuous retreat. The day's heat was over, but dust clouda nearly blinded the eyes as they came drifting from the fields beyond. As Slocum's men advanced oo a double-quick past lines of ambulancey and streams of fugitives. it was cheering to see the division rushing untliuchingly to the rescue under a shower of shot and shell. To the left, sheltered under the brow of a hill. the streaming pennons of Rush's lancers were conspicnous, while reserve cavalry and artillery stretched from hill to hill. The scene was beautiful as a grand review, but the detonations of cannon discharges and the crashing volleys of mus- ketry with unintermitting rushing sound dispelled the illusion. The brigade files to the right over a hill, under a fierce fire from the enemy's guns, and takes posi- tion in a ravine, supporting a battery of Napoleons on the ridge above. The men lic flat upon the ground. In the first line was the Sixteenth New York. and behind them the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania; on the left were the Fifth Maine and the Twenty-seventh. Colonel Bartlett commanded the brigade. and Lieutenant-Colonel Adams the regiment. The cannonading became terrible, and the Napoleons maintained a constant discharge upon the advancing rebela. At once a caisson drawn by riderless horses came rushing down the road, followed by a volley of musketry. The time had come for action. The enemy were close upon the battery as a forest of bayonets arose and swept grandly over the hill Colonel Bartlett, waving his sword, exclaims, " Forward-double-quick-charge!" and leads in person. Adams. on foot, cheers on the men. As the astonished enemy fell back a rapid fire upon their retreating ranks piled the killed and wounded in heaps wherever they made a stand. There was a large house directly in front of the battery, and both sides fought for its possession, and here was the huttest contest. There the tide of battle wavered to and fro for hours. The left wing of the regiment suffered severely, from being exposed without cover to cross-fire. flallantly and defiantly the colors of the regiment were Hung to the breeze. James Suedaker stood by them to the last. William HI. McMahon, the

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

other color-bearer, thrice rallied the regiment around him and led them on again. Close to the colors stood Captain Wanzer and his band that fought like berous. he coolly encouraging his men. Company IT. Captain Bodine, stood fast noder fre, losing Lientenant Williams and two sergeants at the first charge. Lieutenant Brainard, of F, shook haus with a captured rebel major during the hottest of the fight. Company B suffered severe los. The Lima boys, led on by their Jonng captain, closed up their fast thinning ranks, and advanced arun and again to the charge over their fallen comrades, fighting bravely to the last. Company K contesteil cach fout of ground, and the entire eonimand wun a meed of praise. Dim twilight gathered, and the sound of battle gradually died away. The battle- Geld sbout the house wore a terrible appearance. The scene beyond where the eneray lay beggared description. Crowds lay piled under tree and bush and on the open ground, while tossing arms and legs betokened an agony of pain. Rider- :less horses galloped about, lay in suffering, or stood patient over dead masters. ,The brigade had fought for life far in advance of the batteries, who e grape acd canister went rushing overhead into the rebel ranks. A fresh brigade uf the enemy advanced at dusk from the woods, and the battle-worn brigade withdrew in line of battle, their wounded begging to be taken along, but in vain. Richard- son's division came pouring over the bridge with cheers, and relieved those who bad borne the brunt of battle. At midnight orders came to retire silently across the river, wod at two A.Jt. the old camp was reached. and the tired men lay down, bot not to sleep,-there was too much of' suspense. Company E had lost one killed and ten wounded. Company B, of Lyons, had one killed and twenty-three wounded, and Company G, of Lima, had one killed and eighteen wounded. Before daylight orders eume to prepare coffee and be ready to leave at a moment's warning. Tents were struck, and troops were seen retiring, while wagon-trains were moving out. By ten A.St. our forces had all retired over the Chickahominy. leaving their dead and wounded to the enemy, and Woodbury's bridge was blown op. The rebels meanwhile were crossing the river and swarming before the Union lines. Every preparation was made to repel and delay them. The bri- gades of Newton and Taylor were busily engaged in felling trecs and masking betteries, while Slocumn's operated on the estreme right. marching and counter- marching to deceive and intimidate the rebels. Tents were struck immediately after being pitched. Knapsacks were left. and a movement made to the base of the bill. A shell hissed over. followed by others in exact range, and the com- panies basiened to recover their knapsacks. No reply was made, and at noon the brigade retired behind ao abattis of fallen trees. The afternoon wore away, and all was ominously quiet. The brigade went on picket, and all night long the crash of trees betokened fear of pursuit. At midnight an immense amount of stores was destroyed. A few of the men made a hasty cup of coffee, but most saw nothing of refreshment but hard crackers.

Franklin's corps was now on the extreme right. At three A.ME. the pickets retired, and the movement towards the Juanes hal beguo. Silently the regiments moved on, and behind them erashed the trees, blocking up the avenues uf retreat. Daylight found the brigade at Savage Station, where the entire baggage-train was parked. A thousand wounded men lay scattered about, and during the brief bakt the officers of the Twenty-seventh took every one possible,-hired vehicles to carry thetn; and one officer distributed the contents of his purse to those who had to be left. Flere Heintzelman's troops were left, and the column. pushing on to White Oak swamp, crossed upon a corduroy bridge. The Twenty-seventh. io advance, was on picket, and passed a third restless night. Next morning Frank- lin's corps was left in the rear, Slocum's division being posted on the right and extreme rear to prevent the enemy from crossing the bridge. Batteries were posted and pickets thrown out while the infintry lay concealed in the rear. The men had scattered, when a volley from the pickets seut the men double-quick to their regiments. The artillery took up the tight and continued it till night. All attempts to cross were frustrated. Temporary lulls were followed by farious firing. The brigade received orders to cross the bridge and charge the enemy, but halted at the bank and retired to the shelter of the pines. The march mais resumed at two A MI. to Malvern Hill, where the day was passed; thence to llar- rison's Landing, where comp was made and quite a stay made.

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Angust 16, the movement of the Army of the Potomae north ward had begun. The first day crossed the Chickahominy. the second at Williamsburg, the third at Yorktown, the fourth at Warwick Court-House, and the fifth at Newport News Embarked on the " John Brooks," and were taken to Fortress Monroe. Franklin's oxps left Alexandria on August 20; next day passed through Fairfax and C'en- treville, crossed Cub run, and came upon the trains retreating from the plains of Manassas. The brigade was called to check the tide of fugitives from MeLowell's army. Cavalry and infantry combined could not check the general movement- it was thu ruut of an army. Night brought the brigade on pichet, and hour after hour the soldiers poured through the lines. On September 1 the regiment Lay in camp at Centreville, and muving thence to Alexandria, over the Long Bridge"

to Washington, Lod then away towards the Geld of Antietam, cach night's bivouse finding them set Dearer the invader At Crampton's gap the enemy were found in possesion, wish infantry and artillery. The Twenty-seventh, deployed as shir- mishers, led the Evision in the advance. The mien sought cover till an op. a plain was reached at the fit of the mountain. A volley from the enemy was heartily returned. The ssen stood bravely to their work, and fired all their ammunition. They were relieved by the Sixteenth New York. A charge followed, and the sap was won. The regiment left the gap on the morning of September 17, and took position on the U'sion right, six miles from the battle-field. The regiment Ly some time in camp near Bakersville. Early in October, Lieutenant-Colonel Adams was elected colucci, and Major Bodine was promoted to the vacated position. Captain George G. Wanzer became major. On October 19, the recinu'nt was on the march by way of White Plains to Warrenton, where the army halted. The ariny had a change of commanders, and was aguin on the move. The field of Manassas was traversed, and camp made within six miles of the Potomac, near Aquia landing. Thence to near Spufford Court-House. On the 20th of De- cember the regiment set out on the mud campaign. The river was reached. and camp made withia four miles of the expected crossing, when night came and a torrent of rain. The march to the river's bank was achieved, but no crossing was possible, as the dats beyond were submerged. For three days the divi-ivo lay watching the pontons, and gladly they were seen returning from the river. The effort was abandoned and a return made to camp. Settled in confortable quarters, the winter passed away, and with Burnside eschanged for Hooker. the army crossed the Rapidan, and the Sixth army corps demonstrated before Freler- icksburg. The Twenty-seventh broke camp un April 28, 1863, and marching all day, reached the Rappahannock about dark, at the point where, on December 33. they had made their previous crossing. Having reached the south side, the men busily intrenebed when not called to picket, and so continued until May 3. On that day the heights of Fredericksburg were carried by Howe's division The Twenty-seventh advanced through a ravine swept by a battery. Shot and shell flew lively overhead. and the men took shelter behind a slight rise of ground. lying flat npon their faces The skirmish line was warmly engaged, and the rebel sharpshooters inflicted a loss on the regiment of two killed and ten wounded. The well-packed knapsacks received many a bullet. As the enemy lost the heights the division retired. the Twenty-seventh being the rear guard. and. in consequence, the last to withdraw. The epemy fulluwed slowly till just out of artillery range, when they halted. The line of march led through the city, the carrhworks just taken, and, at the sammit. the regiment found the corps had gone mile- in advance. The march was hastened, but a wrong road taken. The brigade was pas-el. and from a bill balf a mile distant the Twenty-seventh were >pretators of the ensuing battle. The enemy bad retreated in line of battle along a plank-road leading west, till reaching Bethel church, but. two or three miles from Fredericksburg ;. heavy reinfureements were received and a stand made. The brigade came into acting and fought overpowering numbers. They sufferedl severely. but inthet-l terrible losses on their assailants. The next day the enemy had formiel line [ af-" allel to the road and captured the heights. The Seventy-seventh hudl n jutne! the brigade and was sent on picket, while the brigade, much reduced, was pia od in support of the batteries. All silently awaited the impending attack, which was inade late in the day. Thrice the regiment, as skirmishers, checked the al- vance of battle lines, and uut till the left was turned dul they fall back. The Union position was now endangered. and Lee's army had arrived in waves, The line was formed in horse-shoe shape, the opening at the river inclosing the bri.l. Tue Twenty-seventh was in the place of the toc-calk. About uine r .1 .. ordets came to fall back. The enctuy, discovering the muveinent, advanced with con- tinuous yelling. Retiring a mile as skirmishers, the regiment fell into line, and just then received an order to double-quick or be cut off. A rapid retreat w.x made to the river. At three nest morning the troops began to nemed, and sperdily the corps was transferred to the other bank. The loss to the reginwent was three killed and thirteen wounded. The term of the regiment having expired. it was sent home and mustered out on May 21, 1863. In Company E, che -id captain had become majur, and Ensign E. P. Gould had become captain. Con. gratulatory orders were issued tu the Twenty-seventh by Major-tien ral Sale wich, commanding the Sixth army corps; by General Brooks, of the division; and by J. J. Bartlett, the old mejor. now commanding the brigade. Fre culand had become a corps commander, and from the first Bull Run, when tiruert Porter had e.dled the organization the . giflant Twenty -- eventh," down to muster out, the eight battles of the regiment had approved its vador and honored the State.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment was organized at Albany to serve two youre. It contained no distinrt company, but a aundwer of men from Monroe County and was tuustered inta the service of the U'mited States on May 22, loul, for tao ycars. Honorable mention is made of the organization in all uthicial report. On March 21, 1862, the cocamand was under Shields at the movetuent towards Stras-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

burg. The furco retired towards Winchester, where the enemy appeared in force D. xt day. A body of cavalry advanced, reconnoitering. and drove in the pirkets. Charging, they were repelled. Skirmishing became severe, and four companies. Que fintu the Twenty-eighth, were sent out to hohl the enemy in check till che Poes could be fornied. The regiment had marched towards Centreville, but was wilted and ordered back. It arrived at the close of the action, and took part in the subsequent pursuit of the enemy. t)n May 25. had crossed into Mary- Lund; recrossed June 2, and arrived again at Winchester on June 5. On May :4, had been engaged at Winchester for .twn hours, and then fell back to Ilar- jer's Ferry, losing a number of men. On August 9. 1862, the regiment won im- Biortal honors at Cedar Mountain. Crawfurd's brigade had been sent in haste frun ('ulpepper Court-House, to aid in checking the rebel advance. A march of Arren miles brought it to the front, in the rear of Bayard's cavalry. The rebels gradually drew nearer, planting one battery in advance of another, and converging their forces upon the ground occupied by the Union army They opened their batteries with effect, and made it necessary to attempt their capture. The cavalry of Bayard charged and took two guns. About six P.M. Crawford's brigade charged most desperately, the Thirty-eightb New York and Forty-sixth Pennsyl- radia in front, and hearing the brunt of the battle. A second and a third ad. vance was made, each time meeting a terrible infantry fire and heavy loss. At the chwe of the action the Twenty-eightb could muster but one hundred aud fifty effective men. Again, at Antierom, the regiment was engaged. and in the spring of 1863 it took part in the battle of Chancellorwille, where. being flauked by the enemy, Lieutenant-Colonel Cook commanding. Captain Chaffee, of Com- pany D, and Terry, of H, with about one hundred men of Companies D, E, G. and Il, were captured. Companies A and C were acting as provost guard, and a few of them were taken, while the remaining companies, under Major Fitzgerald, were employed to guard supply and ammunition trains, and escaped without loss. The regiment left for home in May, reached Albany on May 19, and on June 2, 1863, was mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 20

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