History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 22

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 22

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During the afternoon of June 12 the engineers arrived once more on the Chickahominy, at the ruins of Long Bridge. A small party of the enemy were seen on the opposite bank. With darkness a charging party of national infantry were taken across in pontons, and then proceeding to Cole's Ferry on the lower Chickahominy, the detachment, assisted by a portion of the Fifteenth Engineers, laid a bridge of sixty boats, making a structure twelve hundred feet in lengthi. On rafts these were towed down to the James, and up that river to Fort Powhattan and City Point. A sheltered camp was formed July 1, and here the bridges were left ander guard while the men moved to the front to prepare material for invest- ment of Petersburg. Officers and men labored hard on the iunorise works built before this place. Here were constructed forts, redoubts, and covered ways, a wonder in size and strength, and well-nigh impregnable to assault. Under the direction of engineers, infantry was set to work to make gabions and fascines, and by the end of the month. beginning June 1, there were made twenty thou- sand gabions and five thousand fascines. During the two months the engineers built twenty forts, batteries, and redoubts. Que fort was constructed of size saf- ficieut to hold fifteen guns in position. The work was chiefly done by night. The battalion was engaged on the lines with the Fifth corps on the Weldon Rail- road, and the Ist of September, 1804, constructed a railroad eight miles in length frem City Point to the left of the line. Abont the Ist of December, Warren made an extensive raid on the Welden Railroad, and was intercepted on his return by a strong force. On the night of December 10, the engineers traveled twenty- two miles to the Nottoway river. in a snow- and rain-storm. to eross the corps. The bridge was laid, the men crossed, and then returning resumed their work on the lines. On March 29 the final struggle began by the advance en Hatcher's Run. Supply and ammunition trains were mired on the roads, owing to heavy rains. The engineers built corduroy ahead of the trains, lifted them from the mire. and urged them on. The bridges being moved to a point near Petersburg, Major McDonald reported to General Wright, of the Sixth corps. Oo April 2, at Farmer-ville, was constructed the last ponton bridge used by the Army of the l'otomac again-t that of General Lee. The engineers, on the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, were employed in repairing railroads and bridges. The regiment had marched twenty-two miles, and were preparing suppers, when Colonel Sparkling received a dispatch from General Mende, saying that if the engineers could reach the city in time next day they would be placed at the head of the column in the review of the army. The men unanimously decided to continue the march. and made the cighteen miles without rest. Pursuing their northward way, they laid bridges for the crossing of Sherman's army at the oll points on the Rappahan- nock, at Fredericksburg. Then marching to Washington, they went into camp June 1, at Long Bridge. Having participated in the grand review, the engineers returned to Elmira, and were mustered out.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE SIXTY-SEVENTH, SEVENTIETHI, RIGIITY-NINTH, AND ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH VOLUNTEERS.

THE Sixty-seventh Regiment was organized at Brooklyn, New York, and was musterel into service of the United States on June 24, 1861, to serve three years. In this regiment, known ay the First Long Island, was a number of Montue

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

soldiers. Companies II and D were formed from the remnants of companies re- cruited for the Excelsior brigade. One company was raised by Abel S. Mont- gomery, the other hy Captain Goodmno. Before they were transferred to the Sixty-seventh many of the men left, or were discharged. and both captains re- signed. Montgomery's men formed a part of HI. under Captain Dermotz, and Goodman's Cupijuny D, Captain Reynolds. The regiment served in Couch's division of Keyes' corps. It was hotly engaged at Fair Oaks, and behaved well. The two companies lost six killed and twenty-three wonedel, with three missing. The command was afterwards hell in reserve. At Fredericksburg slight lost was sustained. Ou the repulse of Reynolds corps, on Derember 13, 1862, the sixty- seventh was ordered to the support of several batteries which were engaged in an attempt to silence those of the enemy. The opposing artillery poured in a grilling enfilaling fire, which ceased at dark. The regiment crossed to Falmouth, where, on picket and occasional drill. the winter was pissed. They left the Rappahan- nock on June 13 to march northward, and returned to Warrenton in July, having traveled over four hundred miles, and engaged in the battle ut' Gettysburg. There were then but ten of the Rochester men lett in the regiment. The regiment was in the campaign against Richownd, and took part in the series of battles which terminated in its capture. The original metubers, except veterans, were mastered out on July 4, 1864, and these and the recruits were transferred to the Sixty-6fth New York volunteers.

The Seventieth Regiment, otherwise known as the First Excelsior, was organ- ized in New York city, to serve three years. It was mastered into service of the government during the month of June, 1861. Its colonel was Daniel E. Sickles; Lientenant-colonel, William Dwight ; major, J. Egbert Faronm ; and its adjutant, W. J. Kay. In the Seventieth was a company from Monroe, known as G. under command of Captain Henry B. O'Reilly. Their first engagement was ut Williams- burg, on May 6, when our forces were hard presed and the tide was setting against thew. Tite Seventieth encountered a rebel brigude in front, and another on their left. Reckless of the decimating fire which strewed their route with the killed and maimed, they charged forward long after their ammunition had given out, and thrice broke the Confederate lines at the point of the bayonet. It was said of them by the general commanding, " They decided the fate of the day." In this charge Captain O'Reilly was killed, and the first lieutenant, Charles L. Young, ranked as captain till December, 1862, when he was commissioned captain. Again. at Fair Oaks, the Excelsior brigade, marching on June 1, 1562, from their camp in the woods, proved to attack the rebels near the Williamsburg road. Filing ont into a wbeat-field, the line of battle was formed in front of a wood. On their advance, they were greeted with a rapid and beary fire from along the entire rebel Line. The Second regiment of the brigade made a most gallant charge, and bruke the rebel line. At Charles City Cross-Road-, at White Oak Swamp. aod Mal- vern Hill, at Bristoe Station, Bull Run, and Fredericksburg, their bearing and their bravery won commendation. At Monocacy bridge, on September 13, 1862, the Seventieth received orders, with the Thirty-third, to drive the enemy from Jefferson's Pass. The service was executed in fine style, aud without loss. The original metubers were mustered out of service July 1, 1864; the others were transferred to the Eighty-sixth New York volunteers.

The Eighty-ninth Regiment, known as " Dickinson Guards," was organized at Elmira, New York. It was mustered into United States service on December 6, 1861, for a period of three years. Its colonel was Harrison S. Fairchild, of Rochester, commissioned December 18. 1861, and mustered out with his regi- ment as a brigadier-general on August 3, 1863. Company D was from Monroe, and was reputed to have been composed of excellent men, many of them frum the country. They were commanded by Joseph Morrison. The regiment was or- dered to Washington on December 2, 1861. It reported at Anoapolis, received arms, and embarking on the moruiog of January 9, 1862, sailed for Hatteras inlet, on board the ship " Aracan." A storm came up, and for seventeen days the vessel rode at anchor, having thinwn overboard four hundred and fifty tons of bal- Last. Ou January 20, 1862. the ship was towed in, and the troops were finally Landed. The Eighty-uinth was brigaded with the Ninth New Hampshire, Eleventh Connecticut, and Forty-third Pennsylvania, under command of General T. Wil- Liams. The regiment remained in cump at the inlet until April 18, when it embarked on the transports " Massaent" and " Philadelphia." and proxyted on an expedition to destroy the locks of the Dism.d Sw.uup canal, near Elizabeth City. The brigade was disembarked at two A. M. of April 19, and. the Ninth New York in advance, followed by the Eighty-ninth, brian their march.

Advancing circuiton-ly a distance of' thirty uniles, a halt was ordered two miles from Cumden, to allow the stranglers to close up. Artillery opened in front, and orders to " prucerd at onee" were revived. The roemy were found behind a ditch, with rail fence in front. The Eighty-ninth formed line of battle and joined the Ninth on their left, on a hill in front of a nebel battery. A half- hour passed, and the Ninth, charging for three-fourths of a mile under a destructive fire, were

followed by the Eighty-ninth, which, by order, formed on the left. The regimen fred as it advanced till the Ninth retired acores their front and stopped thew. Re-forming in an adjacent field, the regiment advanced along a fence and renew .? aring. The enemy began to leave their position, and, as the advance continued. Diade a general retreat.

In this, the first action of the regiment, Company D lost two men, its first an -! third sergeants, who were left behind sick at Camden, and fell into the hands of the enemy. The force returned to camp at Roanoke on May 13.

On the invasion of Maryland, in the fall of IS62, the Eighty-ninth was brongin op to take part in the pursuit of Lee. They lay for a time at Newport News, and left for Aquia creek on August 7. Having marched to South Mountain. were there engaged on September 14, and again at Antietam on the 17th. Dur ing the day the brigade charged on a rebel force posted behind a stone wall -n the brow of a hill. The enemy opened with artillery, both on their front situl Bank. When near the wall the men fired, and rushed on with the baiyunet. and the Monroe company took a stand uf colors; but, unsupported, the line Was colu. pelled to fall back. The regiment lost forty killed and one hundred and thirty wounded, being three-fourths of their number. Company D lost very heavily.

Again, at Fredericksburg, on December 11, when che Fiftieth Engineer- at. tempted to lay the bridge opposite the city, they were earnestly and gallantly ~up- ported by the regiment, who poured valley upon volley upon the rehel, behind! the stone wall in the endeavor to dispossess them. The loss of Company D at Fredericksburg was one killed and five wounded.

The One Hundred and Fifth Regiment was formed by the consolidation of the Irish regiment. recruited at Camp Hillhouse, Rochester, with a regiment orgin- ized, or attempted to be organized, at Camp Upham, Le Roy. On November 16. 1861, the first man was mustered into United States service at Catup I'phamu by Colonel James M. Fuller. He continued to work for the completion of his regi- meet in the face of difficulty till the needs of the service required the men and brought about the consolidation, each regiment forming five companies of a new regiment, to be designated as the One Hundred and Fifth. The men from Mon- me County were mainly patriotic Irishmen, whose discipline during the winter following prepared them for the arduous service of the succeeding campaigns. The regiment was fully organized on March 29, 1862, and was soon after ordered to Washington, and on May 20 were at Manassas. under McDowell. The brigade of which the One Ilunkred and Fifth forbied part was commanded by General Duryea, and had left Catlett's Station for Bristoe on May 24. Two days later they had advanced eight miles to Manassas, whence they were ordered the same night to Centreville, and there encamped until the 29th, when the whole brigade left under orders for Thoroughfare Gap. The brigade passed the gap. aod marchel on to Rectortown and Piedmont. On June 3 the whole division arrived at Front Royal, the One Hundred and Fifth bringing up the rear as its guard. Baggage had principally been left behind. P'art of it followed by rail to Front Royal, but during the entire journey the mien were without their teats. Most of officer, and tea stood these continued and rapid marches over the worst of roads quite well, despite lying out three or four nights in a drenching rain.

To the inexperienced only the record of battles indicates the resolution of the soldier ; but, strangely enough, the march is more dreaded than the battle. and the sound of musketry will rally the column when the road is filled with toiling strz- glers. The hot sun, the cold rain, the dusty or quagmire road. the short advances and lung waiting4, the night marches,-hoping each camp lit by fire, is trar their owo,-tho gulled shoulders from heavy loads, and the blistered feet, all these .in hut hints of the hardships of the march.

Front Royal was left on June 12, by the railroad, for Catlett's Station, and the regiment was brigaded with the One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania and Ninety-seventh New York, with two battalions of Rhode Island cavalry. ati x Maryland battery, -all numbering about twenty-five hundred effective art. Mcclellan lay in camp on the James when Jackson engaged Pope on the old Bull Run feld. The One Hundred and Fifth were to the rear when order- same to move forw.nl. Prompt in advance, they did not reach the battle-fiehl till we it dark. when they were fired upon by rebel artillery without loss. The One Ilna- dred and Fourth Regiment. containing a number of Monroe soldiers, was nos brigaded with the One Hundred and Futh.

The battle of Centreville was fought on August 30, 1862. During the action the brigade was ordered to advance into a piece of wounds near the Bull Ban battle field. where the Fifty-seventh New York way found. This regiment had been enn- pelled to fall back from an advanced position. to which, about one p. M., the brigele Was ordered to march. The gomund was fairly occupied when the ruemy. in con- siderable force, inade his appear ance and opened with four gone, where elevators insured safety to the national trumps. This firing continued without how to either wido for half an hour. General Duryes was wounded in the hund by the frag- ment of a shell. The hand was bandaged and he kept the field. The brigale

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. NEW YORK.

fall back a distance of four hundred yards to the wowls. Heavy skirushing and bush-fighting ensued for several hours. when an order came to retire farther. This was at ouce countermanded, and an advance to the original position ordered.

About six P.M. a battery of three guns, supported heavily by infantry, sud- Jeuly emerged from concealment in the woods and opened on the line. The national brigade charged, but the enemy way in two great force and drove them but. They then retired through the woods and ruitied opon a hill in the rear. The achting was severe, and the regiments were bully cut up. To this time the One Hundred and Fifth had been in four battles,-Cedar Mountain, Rappahan- Bok, Thoroughfare Gap, and second Bull Run. On September 5 the regiment by eucamped deur Washiogtou. Company I, which entered the last action thirty-three atrong, lost three killel. Live badly wounded, and twelve missing,- wuch were the losses austained in the unequal strugzle. Colonel Fuller resigned August 2, 1962, and Lieutenant-Colonel Howard Carroll was at the same date ruutuissioned colonel. The One Huninel and Filth ww in action at Chantilly, Suith Mountain, and Antietam. In this last battle Colonel Carroll way mortally Fiindrd, and died on September 29 following. Major John W. Shedd was com- wia-ioned colonel October 10, aud so remained until a consolidation, when he was mustered out. In the ill-starred battle of Fredericksburg, December 13. the regi- wwut was present, and in January, 1563, enjoyed the common experience of a warch amid a pelting rain in a sea of mud. Sharing in the general ill-fortune of . «pleodid army, we finally see the regiment settled, with thinned ranka, in camp Bear Belle Plain, Virginia, where the winter is passed.

The Ninety-fourth Regiment was, on March 19, consolidated with the One Hundred and Fifth, aud supernumeraries mustered ont. Each regiment fur- nished five companies. Adrian R. Root, of the Ninety-fourth, was colonel of the new organization. The One Hundred and Fifth, now lost to sight, had entered the service a thousand strung, and hud contended with the enemy in seven actions. The duties aud hardchips of 2 yor minced the command three-fourths, leaving two hundred and fifty fit for duty, and well-nigh as many more in the various hospitals. Hooker was defeated at Chancellorsville, and retired north of the river, but not to rest in camp. Lce believed it possible to dictate terms of peace on northern ground, and marched into Pennsylvania. Hooker gave way to Meade, and Providence dictated that the decision of the war should take place at Gettysburg. Thither by forced marches the Union corps hasteved, and on the first days of July. 1863, the knell of the Confederacy was Gintly, but distinctly, sounded. The Ninety-fourth was hurried into action on the double-quick. A reckless, insane order was given to charge a rebel brigade across an open field. The command obeyed. and planted their tattered fing far in advance of any other regimental ensign. Back over the field. swept by the brigade during the advance of fifteen long minutes, the dead and wounded were thickly strewn. The position proved untenable. The brigade was entiladed on both flanks, and so order to retreat was given. Another stand was attempted. and the rebels were checked so as to permit the arrival of Union troops on the crest of Ceme- tery Fill The noble soldiers gave gronod grudgingly, and lost most heavily. Io tho regiment there was a loss of seven killed, sisty wounded, and one hundred and sixty missing; leaving of enlisted men but one hundred and sixty. On the days fullowing, the Ninety-fourth was under fire and lost several men. Passing the interval of a year, we find the Ninety-fourth engaged with the enemy at a print four miles north of Reams' Station. Io the midst of a forest. the first intimation of the rebel presence was their appearance in the right rear, Banking the Union troops and firing lively. The men sprang over their breastworks and ferd about. Ao Alabama colonel ordered a surrender, but pushed on with his edson without its enforcement. The Ninety-fourth resumed aggressive meat un" A squad of rebels passing to the rear with a body of prisoners was inter- erjeted and captured. A heavier force of rebels appeared, and the Cuiun troops were forced to yield. This strange scene was several times enacted. as both sides w.re winforved; but the enemy finally woo, and a great share of the regiment Was forced to accompany the rebels to Petersburg. The lusses of August 18, 19, and 20 were, in killed, wounded. and missing. one hundred and forty-three. The ^wonant of a regiment was engaged, during the fall, in the extension of the lines Wist of Petersburg, and, under command of Captain George French, did bouor- able service at Hatcher's Run in 1865.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIGHTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.

Iv the summer of 1862 the revers east and west called for a mare deter- DiinI effort to suppress the rebellion, whose ambition had led to the advance of an rourmods and well-oigh invincible army to northern territory. The President

issued a call for three hundred thousand men, and the citizens of Moure Durant nobly responded. Her choicest young men were enrolled, and by August In the Dew Monroe County regiment-the second under the call-was fully organized at Camp Hillhouse, Rochester, and ander orders to proceed to the seat of war. The field- and staff-officers were, coinnei, Oliver H. Palmer ; lieutenant-colune!, Charles J. Powers; major, George B. Force; adjutant, John T. Chamas:ro ; quartermaster, Joseph S. Harris; surgeon, John F. Whitbeck ; assistant surgeon, Thomas Arner; and chaplain, James Nichols. The regiment lett Rochester on August 19, and proceeded, vin the Central Railroad, to Albany, then down the Hudson by steamer, and reached New York on the evening of the 21st. Their march through the city to quarters in Park barracks was a grand ovation. They were received with joyons enthusiasm, and its remembrance may have been a help OD after battle-fields. Guns were supplied, and next day the command departed for Washington, and went into camp five miles from the city. The men showed rapid progress in the use of arms and in the evolutions uf drill, and soon evinced a discipline and thoroughness which indicated fitness for service.

On August 25 tents were struck, and the camp of the old Thirteenth of a year previous, upposite Georgetowa, was occupied. Almost a thousand letters home announced this fact, so general was the resort to correspondence during the first days of soldiering. On August 30, the old troops from the James river were seen on the march to Pope's assistance, and the sound of a cannonade was heard away towards Bull Run and Centreville. On September 4 the regiment was called to arms at three A. M., and stood in line till daylight,-to them a new experience. The organi- zation was now brigaded with Whipple's command, Franklin's division, and Sum- net'a corps, and on the evening of September 6 received orders to march on the following morning. The regiment, leaving the camp under a guard, marched at five A.M. for Rockville, where it arrived at fuur P.M., and camped for the night. The men were employed in felling trees, digging pits, aod marching, aud by the 11th had reached Clarksburg, forty miles from Washington, and formed line of' battle. . Short marches, with caution, were made as the euemy was approached, till the morning of the 13th, when the regiment pushed rapidly forward, and at ten A.M. beard cannonading in the advance. Generals MeClellan and Burnside op- peared, and were grected with cheers. Sunday came, but it was unheeded; the regiment marched thirteen miles. A mountain was scaled, woods were threaded, and about one A.M. of the 15th rest was taken in a field, which daylight dis- closed covered with the dead and maimed. They were upon a recent battle- ground. Incorporated with the Second brigade, French's division, the regiment pushed on to Boonsboro', where it arrived at half-past four P.M., formued in line. and lay down to rest. At ten A. M. of the 16th a terrific canoonade began. and the strange, exciting sound of battle continued till dark. The regiment marchel from Kectysville at six A.M. of the 17th, and after an advance of two tuiles fortucd line of battle, and went into action on the crest of a hill, on the left of the brigade, in the front line. The enemy occupied a line of rifle-pits in a corn-field in front, distant not thirty rods, and upon these the One Hundred and Eighth opened a rapid, incessant fire, with a determination which astonished and completely cowed their fue. Standing unprotected, not a head dared show itself above the rebel trenches, and when a charge was made, the colors of the Fourteenth North Carv- lina were captured, and one hundred and fifty-nine men. About half-past twelve the command was relieved by the Irish brigade, and fell back about one hundred mode, re-formed, with a reduced line. upon the colors, and was sent, by order of General Richardson, to the left, to fill a gap in the line. It remained here, under tire of the enemy's batteries, until dark, when it went on picket, and there re- mained till relieved at nine A.M. on the next day. The regiment met a heavy loss. Major Force was killed, as were Lieutenants Tarbox and Holmes. There were twenty-six killed. one hundred and twenty-four wounded, and forty-seven missin ... a total of one hundred and ninety-five. Throughout the army the conduct of the One Hundred and Eighth rendered it well koown as a fighting regiment. The surgeon wrote home. " I am proud of the One Hundred and Eighth. Nobly and unflinchingly it answered the call of duty to enter the field, and well aud bravely has it done its work. It is an honor to Monroe County." The bitterness of loved ones lost was sweetened by this attest of hervisen in a soul-trying ords al.

From Antietam the regiment marched to flarper'a Ferry. forled the river. waist deep, and encamped for a night a mile from the Potionse. on Bolivar heights. Shelter tents were furnished at Sharpsburg, and September 27 the command was ou picket a mile west of the camp. L'icket duty was now sure Ir- quent, and on October 16 troops began to puss in large bodies, and for six hours the columns pasul hy, and moved up the Charlestown road. A brief engagement took place, and the enemy tell bank. So long had the regiment remained hefr. and so neat had winter approached, that the idea of winter quarters was aiwent to fiud realization, when, on the evening of October 29, ordine rame to match for It day. Accordingly, at tive p.M , cump was lett, and the regiment man hol down to and across the Shenandoah, and encamped un the Leesburg turnpike, in au open

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 22

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