USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York : with historical notes on its various towns > Part 18
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CHAPTER XXIII.
SARATOGA COUNTY IN THE GREAT RE- BELLION-THE 77TH REGIMENT-THE 30TH REGIMENT-OTHER REGIMENTS.
The people of Saratoga county are justly proud of her record in the war of the great re- bellion of 1861-65.
For the material for the following account of the 77th regiment we are indebted mostly to General Winsor B. French, and for that of the 30th to Col. William M. Searing .*
I .- THE 77TH REGIMENT.
The 77th regiment New York State volun- teers, also called the " Bemus Heights Battal- ion," was organized in and largely recruited
* Vide Sylvester's History of Saratoga County, Philadelphia, 1878; pp, 106-120.
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from Saratoga county. Three of its compan- ies had their skeleton organizations outside of the county-one in Westport, one in Reese- ville, in Essex county, and one in Glovers- ville, Fulton county. On the 21st day of Aug- ust, 1861, Hon. James B. McKean, of Sara- toga Springs, then being in Congress as a rep- resentative from the Fifteenth district, which then included Saratoga county, issued the fol- lowing circular letter to his constituents:
"Fellow citizens of the Fifteenth Congressional district-
Traitors in arms seek to overthrow our constitution and to seize our capital. Let us go and help to defend them. Who will despond because we lost the battle of Bull Run ? Our fathers lost the battle of Bunker Hill, but it taught them how to gain the victory at Bemus Heights.
" Let us learn wisdom from disaster, and send over- whelming numbers into the field. Let farmers, mechan- ics, merchants and all classes -for the liberties of all are at stake -aid in organizing companies.
"I will assist in procuring the necessary papers. Do not misunderstand me. I am not asking for an office at your hands. If you who have most at stake will go, I will willingly go with you as a private soldier.
" Let us organize a Bemus Heights battalion, and vie with each other in serving our country, thus showing we are inspired by the holy memories of the Revolutionary battle-fields upon and near which we are living.
" JAMES B. MCKEAN.
"Saratoga Springs, August 21, 1861."
This call met with a prompt and patriotic response from every town in the county, and from other parts of the Congressional district. Company organizations and recruiting stations were established in various localities. Every- where, indeed, the fife and drum could be heard calling to arms, and enthusiastic young men went from place to place bearing the stars and stripes, and urging their fellows to enlist for the war.
Orders were at once issued from the adju- tant-general's office at Albany establishing a branch depot and recruiting station at Sara- toga Springs, and directing all companies or- ganizing for the regiment to assemble there preparatory to being mustered into the United States service.
The county fair grounds, lying a little east of the village of Saratoga Springs, were cho- sen and very soon put in readiness for the re- ception of recruits. This rendezvous was called "Camp Schuyler," and before the Ist of October seven companies, containing over six hundred men, had enlisted, marched into its inclosure, and chosen their company offi- cers, as follows:
Saratoga Company .- Captain, B. F. Jud- son; first lieutenant, L. M. Wheeler.
Ballston Company .- Captain, C. C. Hill; first lieutenant, N. P. Hammond.
Wilton Company .- Captain, W. B. French; first lieutenant, John Carr.
Northumberland Company .- Captain, Cal- vin Rice; first lieutenant, James Terhune.
Greenfield Company. - Captain, Lewis Wood; first lieutenant, William R. Carpenter.
Charlton Company .- Captain, A. F. Beach; first lieutenant, N. H. Brown.
Westport Company .- Captain, R. W. Arn- old; first lieutenant, William Douglas.
Then came the Waterford company, Jesse White, commanding; the Stillwater and Half Moon company, J. C. Green, commanding; the Clifton Park company, J. B. Andrews, commanding; and the Edingburg and Provi- dence company, J. J. Cameron, commanding; all of which organizations were soon after con- solidated in one company, with J. B. Andrews as captain, Jesse White as first lieutenant, and John F. Cameron as second lieutenant, Mr. Green retiring on account of ill health. The Reeseville company soon came, Capt. Wendell Lansing, and was consolidated with a com- pany from Greenwich, Washington county, with Wendell Lansing commanding. Glover- ville sent a full company, Capt. N. S. Babcock.
The captains drew by lot their places in line, as follows: Co. A, Capt. Reed W. Arnold; Co. B, Capt. Clement C. Hill; Co. C, Capt. Benjamin F. Judson; Co. D, Capt. John Carr; Co. E, Capt. Lewis Wood; Co. F, Capt. Jud- son B. Andrews; Co. G, Capt. Calvin Rice; Co. H, Capt. Albert F. Beach; Co. I, Capt.
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Franklin Norters, Co. K, Capt. Nathan S. Babcock.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Colonel - James B. McKean, Saratoga Springs; Lieutenant Colonel- Joseph C. Henderson, Albany ; Major-Selden Hetzel, Albany ; Surgeon -- John L. Perry, M. D., Saratoga Springs; Assistant Surgeon - George T. Stevens, Westport; Chaplain --- David Tulley, Ballston Spa; Adjutant- Winsor B. French, Wilton ; Quartermaster- Lucius E. Shurtleff, Galway.
On the 23d day of November, 1861, the offi- cers and enlisted men were sworn into the United States service "for the term of the war unless sooner discharged."
On the 28th day of November they broke camp at Saratoga and started for Washington.
The regiment thus organized proceeded by rail to Albany, thence by boat to New York city, where the resident sons of Saratoga gave them a splendid collation and a beautiful reg- imental banner and guerdons. "The banner was an exquisite piece of work of the richest fabric- a blue ground with elegant designs in oil. On one side was represented an engage- ment in which the American soldiers, led by Washington, were fighting under the old flag -thirteen stripes and the union jack. On the reverse was pictured the surrender of Burgoyne, at Saratoga, under the new flag, the stars and stripes-first unfurled in the goodly city of Albany, and first baptized in blood at the decisive battle of Bemus Heights, which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne and the virtual success of the Revolution.
"We had already a beautiful National flag, the gift of the patriotic young ladies of Mr. Beecher's seminary at Saratoga Springs."
The regiment arrived at Washington on the first day of December, and were at once ordered into camp at Meridian Hill, about two miles north of the city. On the 15th day of February, 1862, the regiment crossed the Potomac and joined the third brigade of the
second division, at Camp Griffin, with which organization it remained through the war. It will be interesting to know that at this first advance it took one hundred and thirty mule teams to move the camp equipage, and that after Chancellorsville but one team was al- lowed to each regiment for that purpose. The brigade comprised, besides our own regiment, the 33d and 49th New York and the 7th Maine, and was commanded by General Davidson. Gen. W. F. Smith (" Old Baldy") commanded the division.
Soon after arriving in camp the regiment had its first experience in night marching, having been ordered out on a reconnoissance about six miles toward Vienna and return. The New York papers called it a general ad- vance of the army. The army moved on the 8th day of March to Manassas, but finding no enemy it was decided to proceed against Richmond by way of Fortress Monroe and the Peninsula. Accordingly, the army was embarked and sent down the Potomac to the mouth of the James river, and debarked at Fortress Monroe, the 77th at Hampton, a little deserted village near by. On March 26th a grand advance or reconnoissance in force was ordered.
Here began a weeding-out process, graph- ically described by Dr. George T. Stevens as follows :
"In this advance or reconnoissance of the whole army the qualities of the individual soldiers composing it were brought out in bold relief. The defect in our own division was marked. During the months we had been in winter quarters many officers and men had established marvel- ous reputations for bravery and hardihood, merely by constantly heralding their own heroism. But from this time these doughty heroes went back. Officers sud- denly found cause for resigning, and enlisted men managed to get sent to the rear and never showed their faces at the front again On the contrary, some who were really invalids insisted on dragging themselves along with the column, fearful that an engagement might take place in which they would not participate. A sift- ing process was thus commenced throughout the whole division, and, to its honor, the poltroons were very soon sifted out ; and from that time forth Smith's division
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never afforded a comfortable resting place for men of doubtful courage. 'They went out from us because they were not of us.'"
On April 4th the regiment received its first baptism of fire at a small place on Warwick creek, called Lee's Mills. Here the enemy were entrenched, waiting to receive the at- tack. Their line of earthworks extended across the Peninsula about seven miles, Yorktown being about three miles to the east of Lee's Mills ; and here began a "sift- ing process" that came near destroying the whole army.
Frank Jeffords, Company C, was the first of our regiment killed. Comparatively few were killed outright in battle, but a more deadly scourge of camp fever held high car- nival and swept our ranks as with the besom of destruction. Nearly one-fifth of the regi- ment was put hors de combat at this place. On the 3d and 4th of May the enemy retreated to Williamsburgh, where they were attacked and defeated after a long and severe engagement.
The 77th, with Smith's division, stood in reserve all day, ready to be called into action if needed, but was not actually engaged. On the 15th day of May, the army advanced to White House, on the Pamunky, where the Sixth corps was organized and the Second di- vision made a part of it ; and thereafter dur- ing the period of its service the 77th formed a part of the Third brigade, Second division, Sixth corps of the Army of the Potomac.
On the 23d the regiment first came in sight of the rebel capital, and from a small emi- nence received the fire of a battery and the 7th and 8th Georgia regiments, which stood guard in front of the little village of Mechan- icsville. Dr. Stevens describes the affair as follows : " Wheeler's battery responded nobly to the rebel artillery, and presently General Davidson ordered Colonel McKean to charge the village with his regiment. The men rose to their feet and started forward with a yell. Down the hill they rushed impetuously, cheer- ing and yelling ; but the two rebel regiments,
the 7th and 8th of Georgia, startled by the shouts, seized their muskets and ran, firing but one parting salute. Their battery also limbered up and beat a hasty retreat."
From this delightful village the regiment was recalled, and on June 5th was transferred to Golden's farm, on the south bank of the Chickahominy, and their advance on the city of Richmond, towards which they had so long toiled and struggled, was forever postponed. The regiment lay here about three weeks, and so near the enemy that rifle bullets from their picket lines frequently came whistling into camp.
At this time Colonel Mckean was com- pelled, on account of sickness, to abandon the front and leave the regiment. The ter- rible hardships of the march, the bivouac, the camp, and the Chickahominy swamp fevers had fearfully scathed the regiment, and many of its bravest officers and men were compelled to yield to the ravages of disease. Many died and many were discharged, the absent and sick often outnumbering those present and fit for duty. On June 26th, General Lee began the first of the series of battles that drove Mc- Clellan's once magnificent army from in front of the rebel capital to Harrison's Landing, on the James river. The result of the first day's fight was announced as a great victory for the Union army. The joy of the army at this announcement knew no bounds. Bands of music played which had not sounded a note for nearly two months ( not even a roll-call or drum-beat had been allowed, lest the enemy should learn our exact position), but now the air was filled with music, the camps were ablaze with patriotic fervor. All expected to march into Richmond at daylight. All night the regiment was under arms, waiting for the hoped-for order to advance. But, alas! The order was passed in whispers from camp to camp : Leave your tents standing ; save a few of your most valuable effects; destroy the balance ; the army retreat. Be ready to meet any attack on your front and to march in-
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stantly on receiving the order. On the next day came the great battle of Gaines' Hill, just across the Chickahominy, in plain view of the regiment which was all day under arms, and on June 28th the battle of Gaines' Farm.
At three o'clock on Sunday morning, June 29, the Second division, as the rear guard of the army, quietly withdrew and marched to Savage's Station. Then came the battle of Savage's Station, and another repulse of the enemy; after that a long and terrible night march to White Oak swamp, which was reached about daylight; then a short rest, when a ter- rible artillery fire was opened upon the divis- ion by the rebels, described by Dr. Stevens as follows:
"Suddenly, like a thunderbolt, seventy-five pieces of artillery belched forth their sheets of flame and howling shells, and in an instant our whole division was thrown into the most perfect confusion by the deadly missiles which flew among us in every direction. Such cannon- ading had never before been heard by our army, and be- fore our batteries could reply with any effect the horses were killed, the gunners dispersed and the pieces dis- abled. It was a most perfect surprise ; no one was pre- pared ; men ran hither and thither, seeking shelter be- hind any object which seemed sufficient even to conceal them from the view of the enemy."
Then the retreat was continued. The 77th led, General Davidson directing that Adujant French ride at the head of the regiment and at his side, ready to receive any orders to be given to his "dear 77th," as he always after- ward called it. On the next day occurred the great battle of Malvern Hill. The Sixth corps held the right of the line, and was not actually engaged. Then the further retreat to Harri- son's Landing. Dr. Stevens thus speaks of the part the 77th took in this campaign:
"Since the arrival of the army on the Pen- insula the experiences of the regiment have been varied. With the other regiments of Smith's division, it has spent a month at York- town within musket shot of the enemy. At Williamsburgh it, with other regiments of its brigade, supported batteries in front of Fort Magruder, and when in the afternoon it re-
ceived the order to go with the 49th to the as- sistance of Hancock, it started forward with cheers, the men going through the mud at double-quick. But when the two regiments arrived on the field their gallant brothers of Hancock's and of their own brigade had nobly accomplished the work in which they would have gladly assisted.
"We have seen how-gallantly the regiment routed the rebels at Mechanicsville, capturing a flag and other trophies; and when, on the Chickahominy, Smith's division held the line closest upon the enemy, it bravely assumed its part of the labor and danger. A portion of the regiment on picket, on the 28th of June, exhibited sterling heroism; and we need hardly refer to the noble sacrifice of that brave young soldier, John Ham. Disease and exhaustion had made terrible inroads upon the 77th. In- stead of nearly a thousand men with whom we came to the Peninsula, inspection in the mid- dle of June showed only about two hundred and fifty men present for duty. Although this regiment had, from the very beginning, occupied an exposed position in the very front line; although it composed a part of Smith's division, which had already become famous both in the Union and rebel armies for being always in closest proximity to the enemy, yet it had thus far lost very few men in battle. All the rest of those now absent had been stricken down by fevers, or worn out by the exhausting labors and exposures of the campaign. Among those attacked by typhoid fever was Colonel McKean. After suffering a few days in the vain hope of soon being able to place himself again at the head of his regiment, he was re- moved from the poisonous atmosphere of the swamps to Washington, and thence to liis home in Saratoga. The men looked upon his departure with sincere regret, for they not only respected him as an able commander, but loved him for his never failing interest in their welfare. He had been to the regiment in the capacity of commander and father. His leave of the regiment was destined to be final, for,
·
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except as an occasional visitor, he never re- turned to it.
"Lieutenant Bowe, a young man of fine abilities and greatly beloved by his regiment, after several weeks of absence, returned to camp on the 18th of July, restored to health. On the very next day, while standing with several officers in a tent, he was fatally wounded by an accidental shot from a pistol, and died soon after.
"Changes occurred among the officers. The lieutenant colonel and major left the service - the first by resignation ; the other by dis- missal. Adjutant French was made major, and afterwards lieutenant colonel, which office he held during the remainder of the term of the regiment," distinguished alike for his bravery and efficiency in the service.
RETREAT FROM THE PENINSULA.
On the 16th of August came the order to "pack up and be ready to move," and at mid- day the regiment left its camp at Harrison's Landing.
The 77th regiment was in a sad plight. Not a field officer present to command it ; many of its bravest and best lying in un- marked graves between Hampton and Rich- mond; many dying in rebel hospitals and prison pens, and many languishing on beds of sickness. The remainder, the bronzed vet- erans of many a battle-field, were ready for victory or defeat, as either might befall them.
The regiment reached Alexandria with the Sixth corps on the 23d of August. It took no part in the second Bull Run battle, but was engaged in the Maryland campaign, and took part in the battles of Crampton Pass and Antietam.
It formed a part of the Third brigade of General Smith's division at Antietam, and participated in the brilliant charge of the Second brigade on that memorable day so im- portant in its results, virtually deciding the contest.
Before the army left Harrison's Landing,
Major French, Lieutenant Law and others liad gone to Saratoga Springs on recruiting duty, and large accessions were made to the regiment. Dr. Stevens thus describes some of the efforts made by patriotic citizens in aid- ing the recruiting officers :
"In Saratoga a large concourse of people gathered for a mass meeting. Stirring speeches were made. Ladies offered their diamond rings, their watch- chains, their watches, and other valuables to those who should enlist in the service. Under the influence of such enthusiasm many enrolled their names and re- ceived the jewels from the fair hands of the patriotic donors.
"In October, 1862, Colonel French, with Lieutenant Law, and a large number of recruits, joined the regi- ment. Colonel French took command and thoroughly reorganized it."
The regiment was held in reserve at the first battle of Fredericksburg, and went into winter quarters at White Oak Church.
FREDERICKSBURG.
The Army of the Potomac again crossed the Rappahannock on May 1, 1863, and the Sixth corps was ordered to carry by assault the " Heights of Fredericksburg." Storming columns were formed; the Third brigade of the Second division, preceded by the 77th, under command of Colonel French, as skir- mishers led the advance.
"It was a moment," writes Stevens, "of contending emotions of pride, hope, and sad- ness, as our gallant boys stood face to face with those heights, ready to charge upon them. At double-quick and in splendid style they crossed the plains. Our line was per- fect. The men could not have made a more orderly appearance had they been on drill. Proud of their commanders, Generals Howe and Neill and Colonel Grant cheered the men onward, while Lieutenant Colonel French, in charge of the skirmish line, inspired by his own intrepid behavior the utmost confidence and bravery in his men. *
* Of that noble col- umn, the skirmishers of the 77th first reached the heights of Marye's Hill, the 33d New York
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in line of battle following, and then the 6th Vermont. * The 77th New York cap- tured a stand of colors belonging to the 18th Mississippi regiment, two heavy guns, a large number of prisoners, among whom was Col- onel Law of the 18th Mississippi, and a great number of small arms. As the regiment reached the heights and took possession of the guns, General Howe rode up and taking off his hat exclaimed ' Noble 77th! You have cov- ered yourselves with glory!' The general's words were greeted with tumultuous cheers. * Thus the heights were won.
But it was a sad day, for many scores of our brave comrades lay stretched in death. Captain Luther M. Wheeler, of the 77th, was shot while we halted at the foot of Marye's Hill. *
* Few more gifted young men could be found in the army. * He died as he had lived, a hero."
The regiment passed the winter of 1863 at Brandy Station.
On the 4th day of May, 1864, the 77th broke camp, marched beyond the Rapidan, and on the next day took an active part at Spottsyl- vania in that terrible series of engagements known as the battles of the Wilderness, in all of which it actively participated with its ac- customed bravery and efficiency, everywhere winning fresh laurels.
But we have not space to recount the de- tails of these engagements, and must content ourselves with relating the story of the regi- ment after the Sixth corps joined the Army of the Shenandoah to the close of its service.
THE CAMPAIGN IN THE "VALLEY."
After the battle of Fort Stevens, the Sixth corps joined the Army of the Shenandoah, to the command of which, after a long series of marches and counter-marches, and much time spent in dancing attendance on Early, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan was assigned, and very soon attacked and routed the enemy at Win- chester, in which battle the 77th participated, losing heavily. There it was that Sheridan, 9
riding up to General Bidwell, in the very front, shouted in the presence of the 77th, "Press them, General ; they'll run! God d-n them, I know they'll run ! Press them !" The result justified his spirited prophecy. After Winchester, Early retreated to Strasburg, where he occupied a position seemingly im- pregnable. Our leader was not a man to be daunted, and at once made his arrangements to drive the rebels from their strong position. Here Colonel French, who had charge of the corps picket line, was slightly wounded in a preliminary· skirmish. The attack was soon made, and the rebels utterly discomfited.
On October 19th occurred the battle of Cedar Creek, that glorious struggle where a reinforcement of one man-Sheridan, who was at the time absent at Winchester,- changed defeat into victory. Early attacked at 2 o'clock in the morning, and completely surprised the Eighth corps, which became utterly demoralized and panic - stricken. The Nineteenth corps was vigorously at- tacked and forced to retreat in confusion, and to quote from Dr. Stevens, "It was at this critical moment that the warning was given to the Sixth corps. General Wright being in command of the army, the corps was in charge of General Ricketts. He at once faced the corps to the rear and moved it over the plain in the face of the advancing hosts of the enemy. *
* * The Second division held the left of the new line, the First, the center, and the Third, the right. * * *
"We now waited the onset of the victorious columns which were driving the shattered and disorganized fragments of the Eighth and Nineteenth corps, beaten and discouraged, wildly through our well-formed ranks to the rear. The hope of the nation now rested with those heroes of many bloody fields. Now that peerless band of veterans, the wearers of the Greek cross, whose fame was already among the choicest treasures of American history. was to show to the country and the world an exhibition of valor which should tower above
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all the grand achievements of the war. The corps, numbering less than twelve thousand men, now confronted Early's whole army of more than thirty thousand men, who, flushed with victory, already bringing to bear against us the twenty-one guns which they had just captured from the two broken corps, rushed upon our lines with those wild, exultant yells, the terror of which can never be conceived by those who have not heard them on the field. With fearless impetuosity the rebel army moved up the gentle rise of ground in front of the Sixth corps, and the attack from one end of the line to the other was simulta- neous. It was like the flash of steel to steel. The astonished columns were checked. They had found an immovable obstacle to their march to victory.
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