USA > New York > Otsego County > History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 14
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" The 76th was mustered for pay by Major Grover, but it being late in the afternoon before it was completed, and one conpany being on picket duty, the certificates of muster were not signed that night by the officer ; indeed, they were never signed by him, for before another sun had set, Major Grover, with nearly one-third of the noble men who answered to their names at this muster, were mustered into that great army from the roll-call of which none will be absent.
" Comrades, at roll-call when I shall be sought, Say I fought till I fell, and fell wbere I fought,
Wounded and faint.
" Oh, that last charge !
Right through that dread lead-storm of shrapnel and shell, Through without faltering-elear through with a yell. Right in their midst in the turmoil and gloom,
Like heroes they dashed at the mandate of doom! Oh, that last charge !
"They are inustered out !
Oh, God of our fathers, our freedom prolong, And tread down rebellion, oppression, and wrong ! Oh, land of earth's hopes, on the blood-reddened sod, They died for the nation, the Union, and God ! . They are mustered out."
CHAPTER XXIV.
OTSEGO IN THE REBELLION.
The :6th Regiment (continued)-Battle of Gettysburg-Major Grover Killed-Winter Quarters at Culpepper-Flag Presentation-En- gagement on the Rapidan-Battle of the Wilderness-General Wadsworth Killed-Battle of Spotsylvania-Engagement on the Sonth of the James River-Weldon Railroad-Hatcher's Run-Con- solidation with the 117th Regiment-Second Battle at Ilatcher's Run-Five Forks-Mustered Out.
The 76th at this time belonged to the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps. The brigade was composed of the 76th, 14th, 95th, and 147th New York, 7th Indiana,
and 56th Pennsylvania Regiments, under command of Brig .- Gen. Cutler.
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
The following description of this sanguinary struggle, where so many of our brave sons were offered as a sacrifice upon the altar of our country, is given by Judge Smith :
" On approaching and when within two miles of the town, Gen. Cutler was ordered to move obliquely to the left across the fields to the ridge near the seminary west of the town, where the enemy were already engaging our cavalry. He moved across the railroad with the 76th and 147th New York and the 56th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and im- mediately formed in line of battle. He soon found him- self engaged with a vastly superior foree of the enemy, advancing in two lines at short range, in front and on his right flank. The three regiments under Gen. Cutler's com- mand, in the language of his report, fought as only brave men can fight, and held their ground until ordered to fall baek by Gen. Wadsworth to the woods on the next ridge. The 76th New York and 56th Pennsylvania fell back ; the 147th New York did not receive the order in consequence of Lieut .- Col. Miller being wounded at the moment of
receiving it. Maj. Harney held the regiment to its position until the enemy were in possession of the railroad cut on his left, when it was impossible for him to retire, until re- lieved by a charge on the enemy from the left by the 6th Wisconsin, 25th New York, and 14th Brooklyn, which resulted in capturing a large body of the enemy, and en- abled Maj. Harney to bring off the remainder of his regi- ment."
It was near the first of this fighting that Gen. Reynolds was killed, and the command of the corps devolved ujem Maj .- Gen. Doubleday. About the same time Maj. Grover was struck by a ball and almost instantly killed. Maj. Grover was a good disciplinarian, and was missed in the regiment. Gen. Cutler, in his report of the battle, says, " Maj. Grover, commanding the 76th New York Vohin- teers, a brave and efficient officer, was killed early in the action of the 1st inst., and the command devolved upon Capt. John E. Cook, and most ably and faithfully did he perform the duty."
About the same time that Maj. Grover was killed. Lieut. Cahill, of Co. B, fell, wounded in the thigh ; Lients. Carter and Button, of Co. B, were wounded, and Sergt .- Maj. Thomas Martin killed, the ball entering his arm and sidde.
All the regiments in this advance brigade were fearthly eut up. The 76th went into the fight with 348 men and 27 officers, and in half an hour it lost 2 otheers killed and 16 wounded ; 27 men killed and 124 wounded; making a total killed and wounded in the half hour of 18 officers and 151 men, or over half the officers and nearly half the men expended in that brief period ! The 147th New Yor's went into the fight with 380 officers and men. an i wirle the same time lost in killed and wounded o officers :: 1 72 men. It is very seldom that an army suffers in the ratio above indicated.
The close of the first day's struggle clearly indicatel that the morrow would usher in a bloody contest. At ni_i .: the troops took a position on the hill south of Gettysburg.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and formed in line of battle in the shape of a horse-shoe, with the convexity toward the town. The left, facing to the northwest, was occupied by the 5th Corps, under Gen. Sykes, the 3d Corps, under Gen. Sickles, and the 2d Corps, under Gen. Hancock. The centre, facing the town, by the 1st Corps, under Gen. Newton. The right by the 11th Corps, under Gen. Howard, and the 12th Corps, under Gen. Slocum.
The forepart of July 2 was spent by the Union forces in arranging for battle. The enemy occupied the valley at the base of Cemetery Hill, and formed nearly parallel with our forces.
The enemy commenced skirmishing early in the day, which was continued at intervals until about four o'clock, when he opened a most terrifie fire upon Cemetery Hill, held by the 11th Corps. Our artillery, posted in favorable positions, replied vigorously, and for two hours the roar and flame and smoke of artillery and shriek of shells so com- pletely filled the air that everything else seemed forgotten. On the left were soon observed dark masses of troops emerging from the woods and advancing in the direction of the 3d Corps. Skirmishing in that part of the field became sharper. Gen. Sickles was sent forward to ascer- tain the enemy's intention. The artillery fire eeased, and, with yells and cheers, the rattle of musketry and the flash of fixed bayonets, Longstreet's aud Hill's Corps rushed against the Union army.
The 3d Corps fought manfully, but were finally forced to give way beneath the weight of the attacking column. ' Sickles fell severely wounded, his leg being blowu off by a shell.
On came the enemy with redoubled fury, and the 2d and 5th Corps were thrown into the breach, where they suffered terribly. They were soon reinforced by a division of the 12th Corps and Gen. Sedgwick with the 6th Corps. This celebrated corps was seemingly almost exhausted, hav- ing marched thirty consecutive hours; but when the order came to close the breach, it went down the hill like an avalanche upon the almost victorious foe.
The rebel column halted, staggered, and then fell back in confusion, leaving their dead and wounded piled aeross each other and in our hands. At that time an equally sudden dash was made by Ewell's Corps upon our right. The suddenness of the attack, that portion of our army having been weakened by the reinforcements sent to Sickles, gave the enemy some advantage. Reinforcements were, however, promptly sent up and his advance checked.
Stung by the defeat on the left which had sent their columns back in confusion, the rebels were determined at all hazards to carry the right; hence the attack upon Slocum was furious, almost to madness. From dark until half-past nine o'clock the battle raged with unabated fury. The lines swayed to and fro, each in turn advancing and falling back. At this hour the enemy made his last des- perate charge on the right wing, held by Geary's Division, and being repulsed with terrible slaughter, the attack was not renewed. At ten o'clock the firing had ceased aud all was quiet.
Preparations were made for a severe contest on the fol- lowing day, and the men lay down to refresh themselves
with such sleep as comes to him who is convinced that the morning will bring him into the midst of a sanguiuary battle.
At four o'clock the next morning, July 3, Slocum's line opened a terrific fire on Ewell's forces. This was responded to by one of those furious charges for which the rebels were so greatly celebrated.
The charge upon the left the day before, where with such desperation the rebels fought our forces for three hours, and the charge of Ewell upon the right the night before, were regarded by the oldest officers in the army as the most obstinate and deadly contests of the war. But this charge of the enemy in response to Slocum's opening fire was far more furious. With unearthly yells and utter contempt of danger and death, for six hours they hurled their solid columns against the Union army. During all this time the Federal troops, firm as the rocky foundation on which they stood, hurled the fiery shot and shell and flame into the thinning ranks of the enemy until he staggered, and fell baek utterly defeated and exhausted.
Enemy though we are to any man or set of men who can lift their parricidal haud against this best of governments, we can but admire the courage and determination displayed by the rebels in this battle. Nothing else during the war equaled this six hours of carnage. In front of Gen. Geary's Division were more rebel dead than the entire number of casualties in the 12th Corps.
At ten o'clock Gen. Sloeum had defeated and driven the rebels, and occupied his original position.
At two o'clock Gen. Lee opened a terrific fire in front upon the 1st and 2d Corps from a hundred guns. Our batteries promptly responded, and for two hours a battle with artillery was fought such as had never before been heard upon this continent. It was fitting that the decisive battle of Gettysburg should have such a magnificent ter- mination. The Federal troops were stationed upon a hill, the surface of which was covered with roeks and natural depressions, hence they were in a measure protected. The rebel infantry was formed on the plain below, and being unprotected suffered severely. Their artillery was posted on the north of Gettysburg. The shot and shell of both armies during this heavy artillery duel all passed over the city.
The battle raged during the day, each army fighting as if the result of the rebellion hung upon this day's contest. At night this desperate struggle ceased, and the battle of Gettysburg was fought and won.
Scores of Otsego homes were rendered desolate by this carnage, as so many of hier brave sons were offered up as a sacrifice upon the altar of their country.
" They never fail who die In a great cause. The block may sonk their gore ; Their heads may sodden in the sun ; their limbs Be strung to city gates or castle walls ; But still their spirits walk abroad. though years Elapse, and others share as dark a doom. They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts Which overspread all others, and conduct The world at last to freedom."
From the battle of Gettysburg until January, 1864, the history of the 76th is a record of long and weary marches
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and countermarches, through broiling suns and dusty roads, then sleet and rains, with muddy wadings, then severe frosts and chilling night marches.
The regiment went into winter quarters at Culpepper, and while here occurred a pleasing episode,-the presenta- tion of a new flag, by the ladies of Cherry Valley, to re- place the silken banner, which had now become riddled by the balls and shells of eleven battles in front ranks of which it had waved in proud defiance of the foe.
The flag was presented with an address forwarded by them, signed by Mary Stacey, George P. Engell,* and Eloise Clyde. It was received by Lieutenant-Colonel Cook with appropriate remarks.
Feb. 6, the regimeut left Culpepper and marched to Rac- coon Ford, on the Rapidan, where a sharp engagement took place.
On March 24, 1864, General Grant took command of the Army of the Potomac, and its reorganization commenced. About this time General Wadsworth returned and assumed the command of a division. After the reorganization the 76th belonged to the 2d Brigade, commanded by General Riee; 4th Division, under command of General Wadsworth; 5th Corps, under eomiuand of Gen. Warren.
May 5, 1864, began the memorable battle of the Wil- derness, in which this gallant regiment participated, and, without following in detail. its movements, suffice it to say that it added to its already enviable record fresh evidences of its valor. It was here that the intrepid Wadsworth fell while leading a charge, at the head of his division.
Captain J. D. Clyde, and Lieutenants William Cahill and James Casler, of Co. B; Lieutenants William Buchanan and Wm. H. Myers, of Co. F; Captain E. J. Swan, and Lieutenants Hosmer D. Call and Job Norwood, of Co. K ; and Major Young were taken prisoners. Among the killed were Albert Hilton, George Hawley, Adjutant Hubert Carpenter, and Captain N. G. Bartholomew.
There was little time for rest after this battle, as Spottsyl- vania soon followed with its attendant carnage, and the 76th received the following encomium of praise for its conduct on this field.
General Hoffman, in his report of the battle, in speaking of the 76th, says, " In this action the officers and men be- haved splendidly. I think to them is due the credit of saving the artillery from being ent off, and in all probability saving the army from a terrible disaster."
They next participated in an engagement south of the James river, and suffered heavily in killed and wounded.
Colonel Hoffman, in his report, says, " During the cam- paign the officers and men of the brigade have evinced great bravery, patriotism, and fortitude. From May 3 to July 31, a period of nearly ninety days, not more than five days passed that they were not under fire of the enemy."
The number of killed and wounded in this brigade was 8-4 officers and 1514 men.
Next came the battle of Weldon Railroad. The 76th's participation in this contest is summed up by the following extract from Colonel Hoffinan's official report :
" The 56th and 157th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 76th
and 147th New York Volunteers. and the 4th Delaware Volunteers remained in the works and repulsed the eucmy in handsome style.
" The following-named have received speeial notice :
" 76th New York .- Captain Hatch, for gallantry in crossing the works and capturing a stand of colors.
" Lieutenant Weldon, 76th New York, killed on the picket line on the night of the 21st, is spoken of as having been ever faithful in the discharge of his duties, courteous and kind iu his intercourse with his brother officers and men.
" Captain Barritt was obliged to leave the field of battle for the third time on account of wounds received.
" Captain Watkins, of the 76th New York, has since discharged the duties of the office and rendered very effi- eient serviees on the 21st as an aeting aid-de-camp."
On the 28th the regiment engaged in the skirmish at Hateher's Run, and soon after went into camp.
Dec. 31, 1864 .- The 76th had some time previously served out its terms of enlistment, but a large number having re-eulisted, two companies yet remained, under the command of W. Earle Evans. On this date it was consoli- dated with the 147th New York Regiment, and consisted of two commissioned officers and 165 non-counnissioned offieers and men. The remnant of this gallant regiment, now a portion of the 147th, subsequently participated in the battles of Second Hatcher's Run and Five Forks, and was mustered out of the United States service June 5, 1865.
The history of the 76th, as we have seen, is a record of many of the severest battles of the war, and the bullet and the prison-pen left upon it their impress, as many who went never returned. They battled nobly for their country, and it is an honor to say, " I belonged to the 76th !"
CHAPTER XXV.
OTSEGO IN THE REBELLION.
The 121st Regiment.
JULY 1, 1862, soon after the commencement of our " civil conflict," being determined to erush the Rebellion at all hazards, President Lineoln issued a call for 300.000 volunteers. In compliance with this proclamation, Governor Morgan authorized a regiment to be raised in the twentieth senatorial district, composed of Otsego and Herkimer counties.
Hon. Richard Franchot, of Morris, Otsego County, then member of congress for the nineteenth district, was selected to supervise the recruiting, and establish headquarters at Herkimer, on the Mohawk. Otsego County had already furnished her share of volunteers, being represented by companies and detachments in numerous commands.
Up to this time no efforts had been made to raise a re- giment wholly from this district. After the proclamation, however, the governor appointed a regimentil and a district committee, which wiet at Richfield Springs, July 17, 162. and there selected a county military committee to carry ou
# Died in his country's service.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the recruiting. Comprising this, were Geo. W. Ernst, Hezekiah Sturges, James J. Hendry, John F. Scott, of Cooperstown, and H. J. Olcott, of Cherry Valley, all re- presentative citizens, and thoroughly imbued with a spirit of patriotisui.
Two days after their appointment, July 19, a circular was issued and active recruiting commenced. In every town carnest men vied with each other in their efforts to increase their numbers and be among the first to report themselves ready for active service.
War-incetings were held in different places and attended by multitudes of both sexes. The patriot work was con- tinued with the same alaerity in Herkimer county. By the middle of August an entire regiment had beeu enlisted, and the several recruiting officers directed to report at head- quarters with all their men for organization aud position in the regiment. The number had been already assigned, and the command was known as the 121st N.Y. After reporting, the several detachments were mustered into the service of the State and supplied with officers, each com- pany receiving its position in the line according to date of muster.
By a partial agreement among the officers, cach was to take his rank in the company according to the number en- listed, and the understanding was so closely adhered to that very little dissatisfaction occurred.
Probably no regituent was ever organized with such dis- patch, so little jealousy, and certainly none left the Empire State with a better class of men. They came principally from the best families of the two counties, and represented the various professions, trades, and industries of these flour- ishing communities. Too much cannot be said in praise of the patriotic zeal of the ladies of Otsego and Herkimer counties, who in various ways proved themselves in full sympathy with the cause. Anxious to give a visible ex- pression of their gratitude to the nation's defenders, they presented the regiment with a beautiful silk flag just pre- vious to its departure from the latter county. After the command had been mustered into service, Aug. 23, there followed a week of drilling and preparation. On Saturday, Aug. 30, the regiment left Camp Schuyler, with orders to proceed to Washington, although a few were on furlough, and left behind.
The officers were as follows :
Col., Richard Franchot, Morris, Otsego Co., N. Y.
Lieut .- Col., Chas. 11. Clark, Albany, N. Y. Maj., Egbert Oleott, Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., N. Y. Adj., Thos. S. Arnold.
Reg Quartermaster, Albert Story. Co. . Y, Capt., Henry M. Galpin. First Lieut., Jousthan Barrell. Second Lirut., Geo. W. Davis, Co. B, Capt., Erwin Holcomb. First Lieut., 11. C. Keith. Second Lieut., Geo. A. M.y. Co. 6, Capt., Clinton A. Moon. Fust Lient , Angus Camerou. Second Lieut., Chas. M. Bradt. Co. D, Caja., John D. Fish. First Lieut., D. M. Kruyru. Second Llent .. Chas. E. Staring. Co. E, Capt,, Douglas Campbell. First Lieut., Theodore Sternberg. Second Lieu !. , Harr.sou Van Horn. Co. F, Capt., Nriwon It Wendeil. First lieut., Byton T. Park.
Second Lient., Frank F. Bolles.
Co. G, Capt., Elwin Clark. First Lient., J. D. Clyde. Second Lieut., Chas. T. Ferguson. Co. II, Capt., Jno. Ramsey. First Lient., N. F. Doubleday. Second Lient., Marcus R. Caster. Co. I, Capt., Jno. S. Kidder. First Lient., Jno. D. P. Douw. Second Lieut., Delevan Bates.
Co. K, Capt., Sacket M. Olin. First Lieut , A. E. Mather. Second Lieut., Frank Gorton. Surgeon, Williams Bissett.
First Asst. Surg., L. B. Valentine.
Second Asst. Surg., D. P. llolt. Chaplain, J. R. Sage.
Company officers, 30. Total enlisted men, 946.
Transportation from Albany to New York was provid -1 on the steamer " Isaac Newton." Ou arriving at the latter place next morning, we were quartered at the Park bar- racks, the spot now occupied by the new post-office build- ing. While here the wien conducted themselves in the most exemplary manner. Monday, Sept. 1, the regiment left New York, and arrived in Philadelphia about six P.M. Here we were met by a delegation of citizens, and hand- somely treated to a wariu supper, hot coffee, etc., a recep- tion quite unlike the cold indifference of New York, and the positive conteuipt of Baltimore. On reaching this place, twelve men were unable to proceed, and sent to the hospital. The regiment left Philadelphia at 1.30 A.M., and spent most of that day on the sidings of the railroad, waiting for other traius to pass, reaching Baltimore in the evening.
This protracted waiting was tedious in the extreme, but was once interrupted by an incident that every survivor will remember with pleasure. The train switched off op- posite a large melon field, and the wien were allowed to get off for a few moments. No soouer was the fruit discovered thau a grand rush was made across the field, about three hundred yards distant, by at least half of the regiment. When the officers made an effort to withdraw them they obeyed readily, but not until they had well-nigh gathered the crop, and each was returning with a melon under his ann. 'In justice to the soldiers, and to shield them from censure, it may be added that this trespassing column was headed by an officer.
The regiment passed that night in Baltimore, and leaving that city in box-cars soon after midnight, arrived at Wash- ington on the morning of Sept. 3. Maj. Olcott was sent forward to report the arrival to headquarters and to receive orders. Ile was asked by the commanding officer if the regiment was from the country. After answering affirma- tively, the latter wished to know if they were good choppers, for if so, he wanted to send them across the river to cut timber for the fortifications. The major told him that the men came from an agricultural district, and but few were skillful with the axe, and had no disposition to increase their efficiency in that line.
The regiment was finally assigned to a provisional brigade. under Col. Gibson, with headquarters at Fort Lincoln, about four miles from the capital. We reached the fort at four P.M., and went into camp. The Army of the Poto- mac, with the remmant of Pope's command, was then in the vicinity of Bailey's Cross-Roads and Hall's Hill. Va.
Gen. Lee's plan of invasion was unsuspected by our
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
commanders, and it was generally surmised that the army would remain near Washington until thoroughly reorgan- ized. Our eamp, therefore, was laid out, with great care, for a long stay. The regiment had now a full complement of wall and A tents, for the only time during the service. Our muskets (the Enfield rifles) had been supplied in New York, but, by the advice of the officers, had been shipped to Washington in cases, which were still unopened. About midnight, however, a command came from Col. Gibson, or- dering the muskets to be loaded at onee. This required the unpacking and distribution of the arms in the dark, and caused much trouble iu the ordnance accounts of the officers.
The second and last day at Camp Lincoln was to be de- voted to its eouipletion, but in the afternoon orders were received to join the 5th Army Corps on the following day at Hall's Hill. Application was made to Col. Gibson for transportation of eamp equipage and baggage, but he re- fused to permit it until a location for the camp should be determined upon. As a result, neither officers nor men had tents or shelter of any kind for over six weeks.
On the morning of Sept. 5, the regiment left Camp Lin- eoln to join the 5th Corps across Long bridge, but before reaching the city the order was changed and our march directed toward Taneytown, to join the corps then in mo- tion. The head of our column was turned, and from this date the first campaign of the 121st N. Y. began.
Col. Franchot, anxious to overtake and join the com- mand to which his regiment had been assigned, marehed · the men too far on the first day, not halting till eleven P. M. They, without shelter, footsore and exhausted, threw them- selves upon the cold, damp ground, too tired even to kindle fires. Many strong constitutions were wrecked, and many brave soldiers, strieken with fever and other diseases, lost their lives from exposure during the first week of service,
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