History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 21

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

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 21

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The Thirty-third Regiment from the beginning contained a company of Mon- For men, and later in the term of service the regiment was heavily recruited at Rochester. In September, 1862, two hundred and forty recruits from Monroe joined the regiment. This number calls for a special notice of a gallant and re- liable body of soldiers. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States on May 22, 1861. An election being held. the following officers were chosen: eolonel, Robert F. Taylor, of Rochester; lieutenant-colonel, Calvin Walker, of Geneva; major, Robert J. Mano, of Seneca Falls; and adjutant, Charles T. Sutton, of New York. The regiment was designated as the Thirty- third, and for a time was known as the Ontario regiment. A fine flag was pre- wented by the ladies of Canandaigua, and Colonel Taylor, on receiving it, gave promise that " it should never be dishonored or disgraced." Ou July 8, after a - troublous stay at Elmira barracks, the regiment departed for Washington. The Thirty-third was, on September 15, brigaded with the Seventy-Biuth and Forty- ninth New York and the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania, under command of Colonel Stevens. In the formation of divisions, the Thirty-third way under General Smith, prometed from colotul. A reconnaissance in forre was made, September 29. upon Vienna; the enemy was found, and an artillery duel ensued. The division returned to camp without experiencing any loss. All winter the mo- notony was broken by routine of drill aod an occasional brush with the enemy, and with spring the Thirty-third were embarked upou transports and conveyed to Old Point Comfort. Of their works here was a lng redonht, to which was given the name Fort Wright. In April the army advanced upon Yorktown, and, on April 5, the division was in front of Lee's Mills. The Thirty-third was sent on picket, and a company ordered to support sections of batteries. The luss in an artillery skirmish which succeeded was slight. The regiment was relieved after being under fire fifty-four hours. The lines drew close about Yorktown, and when a powerful battery was prepared to open the evacuation of the place was di-covered to have taken place. Smith's division at once began pursuit, and " ertook the rear guard at Williamsburg. Here was a heavy werk named Fort Magruder, with a number of redoubts stretching across between the rivers. Tbe national army advanced on these works, and Hooker's advance was firmly miet and forced back. Hancock was sent to fank the rehel position, and found the rhombus deserted. A relouht was occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Corning, with A. D. and F, of the Thirty-third, with the colors and their guard. The rest of the regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and advanced to the front and right. Near night, a rebel foree came up from Williamsburg and drove the force in con- fusion. The cry of " Ball's Bluff" was derisively uttered as the national line wirral. Colonel Taylor ordered a charge with part of the regiment, when the neleh wire within seventy yards. Other rernuents followed, and the rebels were Pastel. General Mcclellan personally complimented the raiment for its veteran baring and timely charge. The advance was renewed till the White House on

the Pamunkey was reached, and picketing was done near the enemy covering Richmond. On May 21 the division was in position within eleven miles of the rebel capital. An encounter occurred at Mechanicsville, wherein a charge hy Da. vidson's brigade routed the enemy in dismay. On June 5, Smith's division moved forward from Gaines' farm. and the Thirty-think was habed a thousand yards from the rebel lines, and but sis miles from Richmond. TH : remained here till June 28. The enemy had not been idle, and Jackson came upon the right with massed lines, and a heavy battle was fought. Its result was a retreat to the James river. The Thirty-third was left on picket during the retirement of the division,-a part on the line, the remainder in earthworks. A sharp shelling preceded a charge by the enemy. The pickets retired and disappeared behind the works, where all remained silent. Two Georgia regiments charged elose upon the line, and were met by a volley which staggered their advance. Repeated volleys drove them back, with a loss of ninety-one killed, many wounded and prisoners. Davidson's hrigade formed a portion of the rear guard on the memo- rable retreat, and the Thirty-third occupied at White Oak swamp the extreme right,-the post of honor. Unecasing duty was performed till the rebels were re- pulsed at Malvern Hill, and the army withdrew to rest at Harrison's Landing. The enemy determined to attack the army of MeDowell, oumberiog thirty- eight thousand men, before MeClellan could come to the rescue. The old Pato- tac army began to move on August 16, and eight days later halted at Alexandria, whenee they had gone five months since.

Again the field of Bull Run way contested, and lost to us. A eloud rests on the conduct of commanders who sacrificed a cause for personal spite. The in- telligent soldiery, perceiving the delay of help. gave way and fell back to the lines of those whose advance would have insured a victory. Pope was relieved, and Mcclellan again led. The Thirty-third left knapsacks at Washington, and moved with the army to encounter Lee. On September 17 was fought the battle of Antietam. The Thirty-third began their march at daybreak. and always as they proceeded the roar of battle deepened and swelled in volume. They catoe nuon the field as the national troops wavered and began to break. Franklin led two divisions upon the charge. The long lines swept forward with settled, determined tread and stern faces, and planted the national colors far in the advance. It was the decisive ebarge of the day. . Here fell fifty killed and wounded of the Thirty- third. On September 19, Smith's division was ordered to join Couch, on the Potomnae, to resist an attempted erussing of rebel cavalry. On October 23 the regiment went into camp near Bakersville. A lull in warfare followed, and the camp, the scenery, and an aceession of numbers, gave encouragement, and, with rest, a real enjoyment. On October 29 the Thirty-third, with its brigade. marched to Berlin, where it was joined by Colonel Taylor, Lieutenant-Colonel Corning, and over two bundred recruits, mainly from Monroe County. On No- vember 3 the ponton bridge was eressed, and line of march taken through New Baltimore to Catlett's station. On November 17 Aquia ereek was crossed, and Boroside, having relieved Mcclellan, essayed the capture of Fredericksburg, on the Rappahannock. Regimental changes were now made. Old Company D was transferred to Companies G and K, and the Rochester company of Captain Henry J. Griffith, his lieutenants being Charles D. Rossiter and William E. Roach, be- came known as Company D. The Thirty-third arrived before Fredericksburg on December 11. A tremendous eannonade, unanswered, preceded the erossing of two regiments in boats, to drive out or capture rebel skirmishers. Four bridges were then laid, and by half-past seven next morning the Thirty-third had erossed and drawn up in line of battle with the division, stood expectant during the day. and laid on their arms the next night. The battle of Fredericksburg dates De- cember 13, 1862,-memorable to every surviving veteran of that day. General history details the movement of corps; our record is of a regiment. On Saturday morning the Thirty-third was posted in the front of three lines of battle, and for an hour supported Reynolds' Monroe battery, which then moved to the left, and was replaced by the First Massachusetts battery. Towards night the rebels charged the skirmish line with three regiments, but were repulsed without loss, and, oo the next day, the command was relieved and marehed to the river, and enjoyed a rest.

On December 19 the regiment marched to White Oak church, and went into winter quarters. During the succeeding weeks numerous promotions were made, and the army had opportunity to recover from the depression of unsnecessful uffort. Burnside essayed an advance on January 20, and searccly had the army taken the road when a storm of rare severity hegan to rage, and foiled the effort. The old camp was reoccupied, and months went slowly by. Another change of com- manders,-Burnside resigned, and Hooker assumed the emumand. During Feb- ruary, 1863, the Thirty-third was bridled with the Forty-ninth and the One Ilundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania, undder command of Colonel Taylor. The winter had passed. and at the close of April the army corps were again moving towards the Rappahannock. Chancellorwille was fought, nud Hooker was de-

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

feated, and compelled to rer russ the river. Co-operative in the umvement, Sedy- wick's Sixth corps lay ut Falmouth, where, on May 3, a courier from Hooker brought orders to storm the heights of Fredericksburg, and push on towards Chancellorsville. The hills were held by a force commanded by General Barks- dale, and were deemed impresoable. The Thirty-third consend the river. below Fredericksburg. during the night of May 4. and picketed till daylight, when the entire corps had gone over and had occupied the city. Twenty-four regiments were selected to charge the heights; one among them was the Thiny-third. Artillery was freely used during the movements of preparation, and by ten a.M. the order was given to advance. Neill's brigade led on the left, with the Thirty- third on the front line. Within fifteen minutes from the commencement of the charge the national colors were planted on the rebel works. A battery enfladed the captured work. As soon as possible the lines were formed, and with a cheer the regiment started on a run for the guns. Twenty minutes of deadly strife, and the bill-top was gained. A hurricane of canister tore through the ranks, and seventy men were cut dowu, wounded or dead. A half dozen standard-bearers were shot in sucression, when Sergeant Vandecar, rushing forward. raised the torn colors ca his musket and went forward As the wwwle were left a shower of bullets whizzed through the lines from the rebel infantry. but on they went. up, over, and into the work. A thirty-two-pound cannon was captured, and the men lay down panting to rest. The rebel reserves forwed, and opened a galling fire within a hundred yards. The regiment answered with a rapid fire, each man loading and firing at will and with a will. For forty minutes the hill was held unsupported. The Seventh Maine arrived, and, together, the two regiments drove the enemy out of reach of their fire. In the charge and later fight D lost two killed and six wounded. During afternoon the brigade moved to the right two or three mile, but the regiment was not engaged. The defeat of the main army left Lee free to concentrate on Sedgwick, and a bloody battle was fought during the day. During the night the rebels occupied the heights, and took post to imperil the national corps. With daylight, Neill's brigade was sent to drive off a force which threat- ened the line, and, on the return, fortified ity position. Masses of rebel troops were seen arriving. The men moved as though wearied. and extensive propa- rations were observed in all parts of the field for a decisive engagement. About twelve M. a rebel brigade advanced, and was met. repulsed, and, from a counter- charge, lost heavily. The national lines were drawn up in arc-like form. covering their bridges, and, unable to move, stood awaiting night or the enemy. The latter came first. Towards evening their gray columos were seen in motion, and at five P.M., with a wild yell, the storin burst upon the Sixth corps. Neill's brigade bore the brunt of attack undismayed, and compelled a retreat. Re-forming his lines. Neill fell back to a new position, leaving behind a thousand men killed and wounded, to attest the stubborn and deadly nature of the battle. The retreat was accomplished, aided by the bre of the nrtillery. With nicht the recrossing begao, and at eight A.M. the Thirty-third was on the northern bank. Two weeks had elapsed since five hundred and fifty men had marched in the ranks of the regiment to meet the enemy; but three hundred remained. The loss in Company D was three killed, eleven wounded, and ten missing. On May 12 the regiment was dis- charged and ordered to Elmira, New York. for muster out. The recruits, number- ing one hundred and sixty-three, were formed in one company, under Captain GMford, and attached to the Forty-ninth New York, where they perfarined esseo- tial and honorable service in the succeeding great engagements of the war in the east.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE MONROE COUNTY SHARPSHOOTERS AND THE FIFTIETH ENGINEERS.

ABIJAH C. GRAY was commissioned on December 1, 1862, to raise a company of sharpshooters to be attached to the One Hundred and Eighth Volunteers. The regiment left for Washington, and was won in the field. but the company lingered in camp at Rochester until November 13, 1862, when it proceeded over the New York and Eric Railroad to the city of New York. where it arrived at noon on the day following. The ferry was crossed. and the company went into camp at Wechawkco, New Jersey, and there trinained from November 14 till January 6, 1863. At that date orders came to prepare to march. and next day the men . Were taken on board a steam-tur and landrd at Clifton, Staten Island, and went into camp. Here an organization was offreted and s battalion fornukl. In the regiment of sharpshooters the Mooroe men were designated as the sixth company. Captain Gray resigned February 19, 1863. Volney J. Shipman, commissioned

first lieutenant Deoctober 1, 1802, was promoted captain March 3, 1863, acd was discharged September 23, 1864. Alphonso W. Starkweather advanced from second lieutenant December 1, 1$62, to first lieutenant March 3, 1863, and captain January 20, 181:5. The company left their camp of a month on February 6, and arrivel at Washington on the evening of the same day, and, moving to Arlington Heights, there encamped, and remained till February 2ti, when it left for Suffolk, Virginia. Desertions from the organization were reported numerous. Shortly after their arrival, the rebels, approaching the place, sent iu a flag of truce, demanding a surrender under threat of bombardment. Preparations for re- sistance had been made and the lines drawn in, leaving a signal station at a dis tance uutside. About ten of the day, the enemy were seen near this station and along the edge of the woods. Several of the enemy asceudcd to the top of the signal tower, and, with glasses, reconnoitered the Union position. One lingered when the rest descended. A squad of the sixth company went out, and when within range fired, and the outpost fell. The lesson needed to repetition. The station was not again occupied. During the day the skinuishers exchanged frequent shots, and on the day following. Several of the sharpshooters were wounded, and among these were George Walters and George Sherry. The casu- alties taught caution, and at dark pits were dug to guard against the rebels skulking in the bushes opposite.

The company left Suffolk on Jane 18, and traveled by boat, car, and on foot over the country. They marched up and down the peninsula, and, arriving at Yorktown, reported to serve with the Army of the Potomac. Performing their part in the various miovenients of corps, they were finally engaged in the assault opon Petersburg, on August 18, 1864, where they were captured almost to a man and takco to Belle Isle and Salisbury prison-grounds. Sergeant Leuke, with others, tunneled beneath the stockade at Salisbury, and, after a series of adventures and sixty-seven days of travel, reached the national lines at Knoxville, Tennessee. Exchanged, the company returned to Rochester, and was mustered oot June 3, 1863.

The Fiftieth Engineers was organized by General Charles B. Stuart during the summer of 1861 at Elmira, N. Y., and mustered into service September 18 as " Stuart's Independent Volunteers." The needs of the service were seen to re- quire an increased force to performn engineer duty, and this organization was effected for that purpose. To this regiment the citizens of Monroe County gave many men, who were organized in Companies L and F, with many in G and other companies.

The engineers started for Washington September 18, 1861, and, receiving supplies at Meridian Hill, marched through Georgetown on to Fort Corcoran, and pitched their camp on disputed ground. Enlisted as engineers, the War Department had made no provision for them in that capacity, and the men were ordered to the field as infantry. A subsequent special act of Congress placed the regiment upon proper footing. The regiment was ordered to Hall's Hill, Vir- ginia, to report to General Butterfield, a brigade commander in Porter's division, which was largely composed of regulars. The drill was varied and constant, and several reviews were held by General Mcclellan. About November 1, the regi- ment was ordered to Washington to practice bridge-building at the navy yard, and. early in the spring of 1862, was moved into Virginia and assigned to MeDowell's corps, then covering Washington. The Fiftieth embarked at Alexandria on April 10 mpon the steamer " Louisiana," and was conveyed to Cheeseman's Lamuling, near Yorktowo, and, disembarking, was at once engaged io throwing bridges across obstrueting streams, opening roads, and erecting batteries. On May 4, Yorktown was found evacuated ; gathering up the siege material and the trains, the regiment marched up the peninsula vin the Pamunkey river, from West Point to White House, thence to the Chickahominy. Six bridges were constructed within a line of as many miles, and their existence was the salvation of the army. The Seven Days' fight began, and the engineery were busied in building and destroying. Two bridges were constructed at White Oak swamp for the passage of Keyes' corps. in the advance of the retreat on the James. The men hastened forward through the woods with their muskets slung, plying their axes vigorously, opening parallel roads for the heavy trains hurrying on to Glendale and Malvern Ilill. At the Last-named locality the regiment made an extensive slashing, and placed foruridable obstructions along the right of the line. After the battle on the James, while the army was at rest, the regiment was constantly at work devising defenses opening roads, and facilitating; the passage of supply trains from the landing to the outposts. On MeClellan's movement to Washington the regiment proceeded to Alexandria, and in September it out for Harper's Ferry, with bridges to nr. place those destroyed by the enemy on their retreat from the battle-ground of Antietam. A bridge was laid at the ferry, o, ar the "engine house ' of Juhn Brown outuriety. About September 23 a long ponton bridge was built actued the Potomse ne Berlin, Maryland, six miles below the ferry, and by that causeway the Army of the Potomac Diade another entry into Virginia In the construction

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

of this bridsy Company F' was engaged, and, with C and K, remained at the ferry ull November 131.

In the date given, Major Spaulding, commanding the Third hattalion, was ord, red by the chief engineer of the army to proceed to Washington, there to make up large bridge trains to operate near Fredericksburg. on the Rappahannock. The und r bore date November 7, the day of MeL'lellan's relief from command. Major Spoiling called Captain MeDonald to note the reception of the order six days auce its issue. Company F set out with a portion of the bridge material for the capital, and, having made rifts of sertions of half a dozen pontons, these were would by horses down the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and the company arrived at Washington on the 17th. Boats aod material were loaded upon wagons, and this regiment set ont for Falmouth, on the Rappahannock. In the train were fifty proton boats, and to draw them and the material required nearly a thousand ani- Dral -. The mareb was rendered extremely dithicult trum the fearful state of the Pokud-, as Alexandria had scarcely been reached when the rain began to fall, and through the 19th and 20th continued to pour down in torrents, so that but eight to ten miles could be traveled per day. Often the heaviest hills were surmounted by attaching drag-rones, and so drawing the wagons by hand to the top. Six days att nights of uuremitted toil exhausted men and horses, while the roads became utterly impassable.

Arrived at Occoquan creek, at the head of tide-water, a bridge was thrown actus the stream, some three hundred feet from shore to shore. The operation required but few hours, although the wagons had to be drawn some hundred yards by hand to get the boats to a convenient point to be launched. The passage of the train occupied most of the night of November 22, and vo the next morning the ponten bridge was converted into rafts and taken in tow of a large tug to Bolle Plain. Arrived at sunset of the 24th, and the boats were immediately louled on wagons, and with fresh teams set out for Falmouth, where tents were pitched in sight of Fredericksburg. A few days were passed in camp, and then, as undlered, the engineers fell back from the river and weut into camp at White Osk church. Precious days were passed in reconnoissances, repairing roads, and laying miles ef corduroy. A change of plan was made and a crossing at Fred- ericksburg determined. Captain McDonald, with F and K companies, was ordered to construct a bridge over the river at a point about three hundred yards below the ruins of a railroad bridge. On the morning of December 10 the command moved uear the position, and at night the engineers had, at one A.M. of the 11th, begun the work. A dense fog concealed the movement. Twenty-three boats Were required to span the stream here, between four and five hundred feet in width. Two regiments were drawn up to support the men. The work was pushed with energy, and the bridge was completed to within some eighty feet of the opposite bank, when a regiment from behind a stone wall, abont two hundred yards distant in front, opened a convergent fire upon the men clustered at the ter- minus of the bridge, killing and wounding several and driving the rest ashore. A fresh detail was made, and with cheerfulness the men followed MeDonald to the pnrompleted end of the work ; but scarcely had a boat been placed when a yet Diute murderous volley was fired, wounding MeDonald in the ario at the elbow and killing and wounding as before. From a detail of sixty men the two attempts causeel a loss of two killed and seventeen wounded,-nearly a third of the force. Infantry were now taken over in boats by the cogincers; the enemy were cap- turril and the bridge completed. After crossing the army and back again to the northern side, the bridge was taken up and the regiment went into camp.

During the winter of 1863-64, headquarters were near the navy yard at Washington, the Fiftieth and Fifteenth constituting the engineer brigade, under Girtwral 11. W. Benham. The companies were employed in fitting out, repairing, and preparing for service, and those at White Oak church, save the movement of Jannary, 1863, lay in camp for three months. On March 23 marching ordery ** Tr received, and the column moved out. Rain feil heavily all day. At Alex- anIria, the cars were taken to Rappahannock station, where camp was made. The Janton and ambulance train now numberel over two hundred wagons. The regi- Dient was separated into detachments. Company L was detaill for pioneer duty in the Sixth army corps. After the engagement of Chaucellersville, the en- sin is moved to Washington, whence they set out on July 6 for llarper's Ferry. Arrive the Potomac and Shenandoah bridges were laid, and, on July 18 and 20, Monde's army again poured into Virginia on the heels of the second retiring host of invaders Bridges were laid during the summer ar Beverly's Ford, Kelley's Ford. Rappahannock station, Mountain Run. and Freeman's Ford ; and during the water the enginerts built them a fortified camp. and exercised a supervision over Irlo spanning the Rappahannock. Company F was, on April 12, 1864, desig- no .. ] a part of the Third battalion. Fiftieth Fugirers, under Major Fond, and soitred to the Fifth corje, under Warren. At daylight of May 3, orders came to remove the bride at the station with all haste to Germania Ford. on the Rapi- dan. there to cross the corps. The battalion, three hundred aud fifty strong, set

out at daylight, and arriving at evening, rested till daybreak next day, when a bridge two hundred feet long was thrown across the stream in fifty minutes. This rapid work won official eneomnium. The bridge was crossed. on May 4 and 5, Ly three army corps, the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth, and on the evening of the latter day Meade ordered the bridge left with a small guard, and the battalion to march to headquarters, to fight on the following morning. The meu responded promptly, and, rationed for three days and with forty rounds of ammunition, reported to General Mende at one A.M. Bivouacking near by, they moved at daylight with the First division of Grithin's Fifth corps in the second line of battle, whose works they strengthened with abattis and other devices. The enemy at dark made a movement upon the right, and the battalion was hurried thither and re- mained till one A.M. of May 7, when one company was left and two taken to the bridge, which was dismantled, and re-laid for the passage of an ambulance train over Ely's Ford. Rebel cavalry held the rear, and the bridge was therefore removed, and the train taken to Salem chorch, and thence to Fredericksburg, to cross reinforcements. Two bridges were laid at North Anna river ou May 27, to eross Hancock's corps, and a third at Hanovertown. Dismantling the bridges, a march was made to Cold llarhor. During the battles here they erveted several batteries, one being within one hundred yards of the rebel works. They also evn- structed several hundred yards of the advance line of trenches during the nights.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 21

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