History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 39

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391

USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Ontario Co., New York > Part 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Sixteenth New York Heavy Artillery .- The Sixteenth New York Heavy Artillery was raised throughout the State, and mustered into United States ser- vice at periods from September 28, 1863, up to the last company on January 28, 1864. The colonel was Joseph J. Morison, who continued as such till the final master-out on August 21, 1865. One battery for this regiment was recruited at Canandaigua by' Captain Isaac S. Green, who, on its arrival at Elmira, found the regiment full and a complement of batteries mustered in. The men were dis- tributed among other batteries. Some went in the First Mounted Rifles, some in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth, some in the Tenth Artillery, but a majority of the Ontario County men were assigned to Battery H, commanded by Captain Henry C. Thompson, Lieutenants Eugene T. Curtis, of Rochester, and Gregoire

Digitized by Google

PLATE XXIX .

wm THOMAS.

RES. OF WW THOMAS, BRISTOL, ONTARIO CO, N.Y.

JEROME LOOMIS.

THE ESTATE BELONGING TO THE HEIRS OF JEROME LOOMIS, COM, ONTAND CO, N. Y.

Digitized by Google

PLATE XXX.

RES. OF N. W. RANDALL, BRISTOL, ONTARIO CO, N. Y.

RES. OF W. A. HERENDEEN, FARMINGTON, ONTARIO CO, N.Y.

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Inase, of Bristol. Mr. Green was commissioned first lieutenant of Battery F. There were forty-four men from Ontario in this command ; fourteen of these had Geen service in the Thirty-third and other regiments. Frederick W. Prince, of Geneva, was commissioned lieutenant colonel on June 22, 1865, but not mustered in. The regiment was connected with the Tenth, Eighteenth, and Twenty-fourth army corps, and, during 1864, took part in the following-named actions : West Point, Virginia, June 20; Dutch Gap, August 9 to 15; Deep Bottom, August 13; Cox's Landing, James river, August 15; Petersburg, August 15 and 25, to Sep- tember 24; Signal Hill, September 29; Chapin's Farm, September 29; Laurel Hill, October 7; Darbytown Road, October 13; and Charles City Cross-Roads, October 27 to 28.

Transferred to North Carolina, they were engaged during the early part of 1865 at Fort Fisher, January 13-15 inclusive; on the trenches, Cape Fear river, Feb- ruary 12; Fort Anderson, February 22; and at Northeast Branch, Cape Fear river, on February 23. One who writes of the intelligence of the men, says, " There were two hundred and one men in Battery H, and all but two could read and write, and those two were not from Ontario County," The Sixteenth Artil- lery was mustered out of the service at Alexandria, Virginia, August 21, 1865, and three days later received their discharge at Hart's Island, New York.

First Regiment Veteran Cavalry .- This regiment was organized at Geneva, New York, to serve three years, and was composed of men from Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Monroe, Erie, and Chemung. By the last of September, 1863, eight hundred men had rendezvoused at Camp Sherrill. Of these, about three hundred were of the Seventeenth New York Cavalry, consolidated with Taylor's veterans, and with them about one hundred men recruited at Rochester for the Fourteenth Heavy Artillery, but transferred to this command. The regiment was mustered Saturday, October 24, and contained ten full companies and one thousand one hundred and forty men. The list of regimental officers gives the following : Robert Taylor, former colonel of the Thirty-third, colonel; John S. Platner, who was major in the Thirty-third, lieutenant colonel ; Charles A. Wells and James E. Williams, majors; DeEstain Dickinson, surgeon ; Albert H. Nash, adjutant; and Henry N. Alexander, quartermaster. J. S. Platner was promoted colonel, brevetted brigadier-general for gallant and meritorious services, and remained with the regiment till its muster-out. The regiment was sent to Virginia, and rode over ground familiar to many of them as places to and from which they had marched during service as infantry. Their first encounter was with a band of Mosby's guerillas, in the valley of the Shenandoah. A post held by about forty men from Companies L and M was surprised on the morning of March 10, 1864, by an attack from about one hundred and fifty of the guerillas; a lively skirmish ensued; reinforcements speedily arrived, and the enemy was driven off. On the 8th of April the First Veteran Cavalry was transferred to the command of General Averill, and set out in the midst of a heavy storm for Martinsburg. Ten days later, three hundred picked men joined Averill's command for a raid through Western Virginia. On the 29th, the Army of the Shenandoah advanced up the valley. On May 9, the First Veterans reached Cedar Creek, the scene of Banks' earlier discomfiture. The Veterans advanced upon Woodstock, then held by the enemy, and drove them from the town. They pursued, and by the 13th had pos- session of Mount Jackson. A force led by John C. Breckenridge began to move down the valley, and General Sigel, who desired to prevent his junction with the commands of Imboden and Gilmore, made an effort to attack and rout the latter before the former could come up. The attempt was not successful, and when, on May 15, General Sigel deployed his columns, and posted his artillery at New Market, the combined forces of the enemy, embracing over eleven thousand veteran infantry, promptly accepted the gage of battle, and the engagement began with the usual cannonade and contest of the skirmish lines. The Union troops battled bravely, but were overpowered. All the infantry were placed in line, and the batteries were supported by the cavalry. Company. K, of the First Veterans, was divided. Half, under Captain Brett, were placed on the extreme left, in ad- vance, and the rest on the extreme right of the line of battle. These positions were held during the day without loss. The rebel batteries, with accurate aim, made many a gap in the ranks of the infantry, and finally ceased their fire. The finale was reached when the rebel infantry advanced in three magnificent lines of battle upon our position. Our infantry broke and fled disorderly, while the cav- alry brought off the artillery and covered the retreat.

On the 29th of May, while Captain Brett with a party of eighty-five men was escorting a train of sixteen wagons laden with medical stores for General Hunter's headquarters, he was assailed at Newtown by a body of one hundred and fifty of Gilmore's cavalry who were carrying the day, when a force of infantry came up and turned the scale in our favor. In this action Captain Brett was killed while leading his men, and his body was sent home to Waterloo for interment. Retreat- ing down the valley, Sigel was relieved by Hunter, who faced the men about and began a march up the Shenandoah. By June 3 the cavalry had advanced to

Harrisonburg, where, after a two-hours' skirmish, the command of Imboden was driven through town to a fortified position. Next morning Colonel Platner moved the regiment seven miles to the right, and attacked the enemy on his left flank, and drew his attention while our trains and troops, moving past his right, gained the road to Port Hudson and caused the evacuation of the position. Advancing on the morrow, the ground was disputed by Imboden, who gradually fell back to Mount Hope, where he was joined by General Jones, with infantry and artillery from the army at Richmond. The Union line moved forward, and our artillery opened the battle of Mount Hope. Preluded by a vicious artillery fire of a couple of hours, our infantry were advanced in three splendid lines upon the enemy posted in a long strip of woods upon a gentle rise. The contest was severe, and a varying fortune hung in the scale, when, with a cheer heard loud above the roar of cannon, our lines swept forward and gained the position. A lull prevail- ing, the enemy were seen massing for a grand charge upon our right to recover their lost ground. The cavalry were dismounted and thrown into the woods to strengthen the line of infantry, and soon, with that shrill, yelping cry, once heard never forgotten, the gray ranks moved to the attack, but were turned back in confusion. A Union charge followed, the infantry moving down the centre, while the cavalry, with cheers and drawn sabres, galloped upon the fianks. The enemy gave way and began a retreat. The cavalry followed hard upon their rear-guard, who threw a rain of leaden sleet in the faces of our men, and, then giving way, blended their numbers with those of the main body and hastened the retreat. The loss to the veterans was twenty-three killed, forty-four wounded, and twenty- seven missing; total loss, ninety-four. Staunton was occupied, then the railroad was destroyed, and Crook's and Averill's commands joined Hunter. The First Veterans and the Twenty-eighth Ohio infantry were sent on June 1 acroes the mountains in charge of twelve hundred " gray-backs," and a motley crowd of our men accompanied the force. The distance, one hundred and ten miles to Beverly, was made in four days; thence the journey lay some forty or fifty miles along the railroad. The prisoners were left in charge of the infantry at Webster Station, and the cavalry were taken by rail to Martinsburg. On the 25th of June an immense wagon-train loaded with supplies set out for Hunter's army under strong guard. In the advance of this train was the First Cavalry under Platner. Tidings came of trouble in front; Hunter was reported to have been unable to hold his position. The train halted. Soon the report was confirmed that the army was' retreating, and the train returned. The veterans were ordered to Smithfield, while Mosby raided upon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and escaped pursuit. The whole Union line had fallen back by June 29 to within seven miles of Martinsburg, while the cavalry lay some distance in their front. On the 2d of July the rebel advance opened suddenly on the pickets of the First brigade. The men were soon in the saddle, and within two hours had driven the enemy three miles. About ten A.M. a force of two thousand men advanced upon the veterans, numbering about seven hundred. The latter fell back slowly, showing front when pressed, to Martinsburg, where they found that our forces had retreated. The cavalry then retired to a position on the east side of Maryland Heights. The enemy came on, and, capturing Bolivar Heights, occupied Har- per's Ferry. Skirmishing with the rebels, the cavalry were kept active till July 9, when all became quiet in Pleasant Valley. In October the regiment is found in quarters at Camp Piatt, West Virginia, guarding the salt-works of Kanawha, and the remainder of their term is connected with the monotonous and more peaceful duties of the camp. Several hundred recruits here joined the regiment and saw little of service. On the 8th of January the regiment is found in camp at Gauley Bridge, at the head-waters of Kanawha river. "K" had lost in 1864 by death, four; missing, one; discharged, two; and deserted, 4; total, eleven ; and had received eighteen recruits. Again, on April 8, 1865, we find the First Veteran Cavalry at Loup creek, West Virginia, at Kanawha June 8, and about the last of July they are returned to the State and mustered out.

. New York Harris Light Cavalry .- This regiment was organized to serve three years. It contained companies from Indiana, Connecticut, and from eastern New York, and was mustered into United States service from August 9 to October 8, 1861. The original members were mustered out September 10, 1864, and the veterans and recruits formed into four companies. During the fall months of 1864 eight new companies were recruited in Ontario, Onondaga, and Cortland, to serve one year. What was known as Company K enlisted at Canandaigua, in September, 1864, for the First Veteran New York Cavalry, and was transferred to " Harris Light Cavalry." The company joined the regiment at Cedar Creek. Virginia, October 22, 1864. Engaged the rebels at Cedar Creek, November 12, Mount Jackson, November 22, and at Lacy Springs, December 22, 1864. They went into winter quarters, January 1, 1865, on the Romney pike, three and a half miles from Winchester, and at the base of Round Top mountain. On the 27th of February commenced the celebrated raid of Sheridan up the valley, which resulted in the destruction of Early's army and the ruin of railroads and of the

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

James River canal, leading from Lynchburg to Richmond, on which was con- vered . large portion of the supplies required for the Army of Northern Virginia. The spring campaign found the Harris Light Cavalry daily in the saddle. One action followed another in rapid sucession, and the troops foresaw the beginning of the end. The first action was at Waynesboro', on March 2, then at Ashland, March 25, at Dinwiddie's Court-House, April 1, then engagements on April 3 and 6, and finally at Appomattox Station, April 8 and 9. The surrender of Lee to Grant closed the scene, and the regiment marched to Petersburg, indulging in the hope that days of danger, marching, and fighting were forever ended. The command was aroused by orders to set out for North Carolina, on April 24, to take part in reducing to terms the forces of Johnson. But Sherman was equal to the task, and when within a few miles of Danville orders came to return, and with the command came tidings that the rebel army in North Carolina had sur- rendered.

Second Lieutenant Charles Watson was promoted captain of Company K in February, 1865. The company left Winchester, February 27, with fifty-eight men, well equipped and able for duty, and closed the campaign with seventeen. The most of the men were a credit to the county, and their captain was held in high esteem by the entire regiment. The regiment formed part of General Cus- ter's Third cavalry division, and what reputation his command had gained is well attested by the general expression of regret at his defeat and death in the Indian country, battling with the far-outnumbering Sioux under Sitting Bull.

The Eighth Regiment New York Cavalry was organized at Rochester early in the fall of 1861, to serve three years. The original members were mustered out on expiration of their term of service. The veterans and recruits were held till June 27, 1865, and then discharged. The regiment was at first familiarly known as the Crooks regiment, from its commander, Colonel Samuel Crooks, and after- wards as the Rochester regiment, from the place of organization. The companies of which it was composed were recruited in the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Sen- eca, Wayne, Orleans, Niagara, Chenango, and Oneida. Men went from most of the towns of Ontario into the different companies, and among the companies in which they enlisted were H, M, B, G, and D. The regiment was ordered to Washington in the fall of 1861, and went into winter quarters at Camp Seldon, near that city. The command was not mounted as yet, and was employed in 'drill and camp duty, and nearly a year of service expired before they assumed their proper position. A prejudice existed against cavalry, which wore off, and was supplanted by admiration when the achievements of Sheridan, Grierson, and Kilpatrick became known. The regiment was armed with muskets, but so strong was the feeling against this arm of service that in but one case were they called to do duty with them. This was picketing the canal from Harper's Ferry to Washington. In time the command was supplied with Hall's carbines,-a poor weapon,-and sent in the spring of 1862 to serve under General Banks, in the valley of the Shenandoah. His defeat and disastrous retreat well-nigh in- volved the regiment in ruin. The Eighth was placed dismounted where mounted . men should have been, and, as a result, was much cut up and many taken pris- oners. Those who made an escape fell back to the mountains of the Blue Ridge, and from thence were ordered to the Relay House. Colonel Crooks resigned February 21, 1862, and Benjamin F. Davis, a captain in the regular army, was commissioned, June 6, as colonel, and took the command, much to the pleasure and profit of the men. A strict disciplinarian, Colonel Davis was also careful to secure ability to serve; hence horses were soon obtained, and the men took on new life and spirit. On September 1 the Eighth Cavalry was ordered to Harper's Ferry, and when the imbecile commander of that important stronghold, having ordered the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York Volunteers from their vantage-ground on Maryland Heights, held some eleven thousand men ready to surrender whenever Jackson should send his summons, the Rochester regiment asked the privilege of cutting their way out. A refusal was returned, and Colonel Davis calling his officers together on the night of September 14, told them to prepare their men, and at midnight led them across the ponton bridge, and as soon as they had reached the Maryland bank the regiment broke into a gallop along the rocky road, right through the centre of that portion of the rebel army then closed in upon Harper's Ferry, and passed themselves as rebel cavalry. At day- light they came upon Longstreet's ammunition train, captured and took it with them to Greencastle, which place was reached by noon on the 15th.

The Eighth reached the battle ground of Antietam during the afternoon of the 17th, and took an active part until darkness closed the engagement. As Lee retreated the Eighth followed, and was in action at Sharpsburg. A few days' rest was taken at Hagerstown, and, October 1, the cavalry pursuing, the retiring army skirmished at Snicker's Gap, and then following in daily succession, beginning with Philamont, November 1, came the actions of Union, Upperville, Barber's Cross-Roads, and Amosville, in which quite a loss in killed and wounded was sus- tained. The weather had grown cold; tents were not provided, and their need

was urgent. The regiment remained a few days in camp at Belle Plains, where clothing and rations were drawn, and was then sent to picket the Rappahannock, which service continued until after December 13, 1863, when the command was ordered to Stafford Court-House, where winter quarters were built and occupied until April 13. During the winter a regular routine of picket and patrol duty had been followed. The regiment patroled a distance of twenty miles, to the vicinity of Dumfries, a locality wild and lonely, covered with second-growth pine, sparsely settled, and infested by bushwhackers, familiar with the ground, sudden in attack, and merciless with their prisoners. With the approach of warm weather hostilities were renewed. A sharp fight, lasting several hours, took place April 14 at Freeman's Ford, and again on May 4 the Eighth Cavalry repelled an attempt made by a large force of the enemy to carry the bridge over the Rapidan. At Chancellorsville, fighting under General Pleasonton, the loss was heavy. From then no action occurred until June 9, when a sharp engagement took place at Beverly Ford, on the Rappahannock. The Eighth New York took a promi- nent part, being the lead of the division and the first to cross the river just at daybreak. Nearly the first shot fired by the enemy took effect in Lieutenant Cutler, of Company B, killing him almost instantly. Having passed the river, the regiment formed, and at the word of command from Colonel Davis charged upon the enemy occupying the woods in front. The rebels fell back a short dis- tance, their reserve joined them, and with drawn sabres they came dashing upon the squadrons of the Eighth Cavalry. The fight lasted all day and till late at night. At times the.lines of the Gray and the Blue were so commingled that it seemed wonderful that they could recover their positions. . The Eighth New York was ordered to charge the enemy, to prevent his cutting through the Union forces and gaining possession of the ford. The regiment was led by Colonel Davis, and drove the enemy as desired, but the effort cost the life of the commander, who was shot through the head, and incurred a loss of sixty killed and wounded. The regiment recrossed the stream late at night unmolested.

Lee now began his march through Maryland into Pennsylvania. His advance was closely followed by the cavalry division to which the Eighth was attached, and skirmishes took place June 20 and 21 at Middleburg and at Upperville. General Early entering Gettysburg demanded a ransom or he would fire the village, and ere the time expired the Union cavalry came up and occupied the place. The first shots at the battle of Gettysburg were fired by the Eight Cavalry, who fought both mounted and dismounted, repelling the enemy until our infantry could form in line, and to their courage at one time was owing the safety of an entire Union corps. General John Buford, commanding Third division of cav- alry, to which the Eighth belonged, dismounted his men and fought them on foot. The Second and Eleventh corps were being driven when the cavalry was ordered to cover retreat and expose flanks. Buford took post on Seminary Hill, and the enemy came on three lines deep; when close at hand, the Spencer seven-shooters opened a steady fire, before which the troops in front recoiled time and again. A fourth advance turned the flanks, but the infantry had withdrawn, and the cavalry fell back to Cemetery Hill under a heavy and destructive fire. The retreat of Lee was the signal for the Union cavalry to pursue and harass their columns. Skir- mishes occurred at Williamsport, July 6; at Boonsboro', July 8 and 9 ; at Funks- town, the 10th ; at Falling Waters, the 13th; at Chester Gap, the 22d ; at Brandy Plains, August 1 and 3; and at Culpepper September 13, where one squadron of the Eighth New York, led by Lieutenant Compson, was ordered by General Buford to charge a rebel battery. The charge was made, the guns were taken; but before they could be removed, General Hampton with his legion swept down upon and surrounded the Union troopers, who fought hard and cut their way out, losing in killed, wounded, and prisoners. On September 14, at Raccoon Ford; the 22d, at Jack Shop; October 10, at Germania Ford; the 11th, at Stevensburg; and again at Brandy Plains, October 13; at Oak Hill, Oc- tober 15; Belton Station, the 26th; Muddy Run, November 8; and at Locust Grove, the 27th.

The regiment went into winter quarters at Culpepper Court-House, remaining there until the spring of 1864. Then came the successive and destructive battles of the Wilderness. The Eighth New York, after taking part in them, fought at Barnett's Ford, February 6, 1864.

On the death of Buford, Wilson was assigned to the Third division cavalry, and commanded in action at Cregg's Church, May 5. The Eighth New York accompanied Sheridan on the Richmond raid, and twelve miles from the city en- countered the forces of Stuart, on May 11, at Yellow Tavern, and engaged them throughout the day. Finally, Sheridan massing his three divisions, charged des- perately and scattered the enemy in dismay, and mortally wounded their leader. The Eighth New York was complimented by Sheridan for gallantry. At midnight the regiment took up the line of march, and daylight found them within the outer defenses of Richmond. Torpedoes placed in the roads were exploded by the hoofs of horses, and the rebels rallying gave the cavalry " a warm reception."

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Several charges were made to break through to release the captives at Libby Prison, but the resistance from forts and works was too formidable. Fighting continued till two P.M., when bridges having been built across the Chickahominy, the whole force, save killed and wounded, had crossed by five P.M. Actions in which the Eighth was engaged occurred at Hawes' Shop, June 3, White Oak Swamp, 13th, and at Malvern Hill, on the 15th. The command then moved to Petersburg, and picketed the vicinity of Prince George's Court-House until the date of Wilson's raid, in which the Eighth lost most heavily in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The command was sent to cut and destroy all railroads leading to Richmond. Previous raids had taught the enemy to be prepared, and the ex- pedition saw hard service. Sharp fights took place with the rebel cavalry at Not- taway Court-House, June 23, Roanoke Station, the 25th, and at Stony Creek, the 28th. Returning, the enemy was found in force intrenched. Firing Was kept up all night; signal-guns were fired by Wilson, and rockets sent up, to call for assistance from our troops about Petersburg. Help was sent, but arrived too late; the enemy surrounded the division during the night, and at daylight closed in upon it, striking the Eighth New York first. A brief, desperate fight resulted, and a part of the command, led by Majors Moore and Compeon, charged through the enemy, but failed to reach their horses. Cut off from the command of Gen- eral Kouts, the men betook themselves to the woods, closely followed and repeat- edly attacked by the enemy, whom they were able to repulse. Left alone, the prospect was considered, and the band set out northwestward for the Union lines, fifty miles distant; and, stumbling upon a rebel camp, its occupants, like angry hornets, swarmed out, charged upon them, and captured five officers and thirty- five men; the rest escaped into the woods, and were almost in despair, when a mounted trooper came in sight. They asked him to what command he belonged. "Sheridan's," was the reply, and the Union lines had been regained. The men were taken in wagons to where their regiment had encamped at Light-House Point, Virginia. During this raid the Eighth lost one hundred and twenty-nine in killed, wounded, and taken. The regiment was engaged nearly all day in action at Winchester, August 16, and pursued the enemy at night; fighting them later at Kearney's town, August 25; Opequan, September 19; Front Royal, 21st ; Milford, 23d; Fisherville, 30th ; Jones' Brook, October 9; and then, supposing the enemy completely defeated, Sheridan rode to Winchester, and his army lay in position at Cedar Creek.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 39

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391