History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 30

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Lewis, Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 826

USA > New York > Steuben County > History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 30

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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the casualties were large. The 86th suffered severely. At this point Gen. Ward was relieved from command of the brigade, and Col. Eagan, of the 40th New York, as senior colonel, assumed command.

On the 14th Birney's entire division was withdrawn a short distance to the rear, and commenced throwing up a new line of works. This movement was observed by the enemy, who sent forward a small force to occupy the aban- doned works, when the 86th and 124th were directed to advance and drive them out. Hastily forming, they dashed forward, under the command of Col. Lansing, and speedily drove them out and recaptured the works. At this place, on the 18th, a shell from the rebels struck among the 86th, injuring four of its number ; among them Capt. Todd of Company B, who was supposed to be mortally wounded and sent to the rear, but who recovered and joined his com- pany, serving until the final muster-out. Early on the 19th, Eagan's Brigade moved about a mile to the rear, and there rested until about five o'clock P.M. ; this was the first rest the 86th had been allowed since the opening of the campaign, having been under fire constantly. About this time heavy firing was heard in the direction of the Fred- ericksburg road, and shortly a mounted orderly dashed up to brigade headquarters, and the next moment the assembly was sounded. Leaving tents standing and knapsacks strewn about, the brigade started double-quick for the scene of action. It proved to be an attack of Ewell on our wagon- train, and a heavy fight on the part of Tyler to protect the same. Tyler's troops were exhausted, and when Eagan's Brigade reached the scene they moved quickly over Tyler's troops and dashed after the flying rebels, whom they followed until darkness put an end to the chase. The brigade then re- traced their steps, bringing with them a large number of prisoners, and the brigade bivouacked that night near where they struck the enemy, and at daylight on the 20th re- turned to the place they had left the day before. On the 22d moved forward, crossed the Mattapony, and rested for the night. On the 23d reached the North Anna, near the Chesterfield Bridge ; here found the enemy strongly intrenched. At the bridge they had two redoubts heavily manned. About five o'clock P.M. the order was given to make an assault. The 86th and 124th New York, to the left of the road leading to the bridge, were but a few moments crossing the flats, leaving many of their number dead and wounded along the route. Just before reaching the works the enemy became satisfied that they could not hold them, hurried their guns over the bridge, and hastily fled, leaving quite a number of prisoners in our hands. The next morning crossed the bridge under a heavy fire. After crossing, the 86th and 124th were deployed as skir- mishers, and advanced, driving the rebel skirmishers for about one mile. Col. Lansing was badly wounded in the left fore-arm by a sharpshooter and left the field, Maj. Stafford, of the 86th, assuming command. That night the regiments were withdrawn, and recrossed to the north side of the river. On the 28th crossed the Pamunkey at Nel- son's Ford and erected a line of works near the river, after which attacked the enemy and drove them into their main line. The picket lines were but a few rods apart, and kept up a deadly fire. More dreaded than all were the sharp-

shooters, who kept picking off officers and men, and although no general engagement took place, many were added to the death-roll.

On the night of June 1, the 2d Corps started for Cold Harbor, and in the assault at that place the 86th were in reserve. After operations were suspended, they were set to work with the pick and shovel, and continued at this labor most of the time until the 12th, when they moved, and on the morning of the 14th reached Wilcox's Land- ing, and were transferred by steamboats to the south side of the James River. On the morning of the 15th the advance was resumed towards Petersburg. On the 16th Eagan's Brigade made an assault, but were unsuccessful. Here Col. Eagan, commanding the brigade, was severely wounded, and Col. Madill, of the 141st Pennsylvania, took command. On the 18th a general assault was ordered, -- but for some reason deferred until later in the day, when the assault was made,-but the troops were repulsed with considerable loss (since the crossing of the James the loss of the S6th had been heavy, both in officers and men). That night was spent in throwing up works within short range of the enemy. On the 20th the brigade was relieved, and on the 21st moved to and took position on the left of the Jerusalem Plauk-Road. On the 22d had a skirmish with the rebels. The 86th had an addition to their number here ; the veterans of the 70th Regiment New York Vol- unteers, one hundred and thirty in all, were transferred to the 86th; they now numbered about two hundred and forty for duty. From this time until the 26th of July the regi- ment was kept busy building rifle-pits, and moving from one part of the works to another, almost constantly under fire. On that day Hancock's command was ordered to pro- ceed to Deep Bottom as a diversion in favor of the Burn- side mine explosion, and returned to the lines near Peters- burg on the night of the 28th. The mine explosion took place on the night of the 29th or the morning of the 30th, and ended in a failure, with heavy loss.

An official report of the losses of this brigade from May 4 to July 31, 1864, states the killed, wounded, and missing at one hundred and twenty-six officers and two thousand five hundred and forty-three men.

About the Ist of August, Col. Lansing returned and took command, and on the 12th Hancock's Corps moved to City Point and bivouacked for the night. and on the 13th embarked on board steamboats, and remained until mid- night, when at a signal they steamed up the James, reaching Deep Bottom about four o'clock A.M., and disembarked. Gen. Mott was now in command of the division, and Gen. De Trobriand of this brigade, almost immediately struck the enemy. The 86th was ordered to the front as skirmishers, and remained on the line during the engage- ment, which was severe; the loss of the 86th was light.

On the 18th Hancock's command was again on its way towards Petersburg, reaching there on the 19th. The 86th was placed in the front line of works, to the right of the Jerusalem Plank-Road, and remained there and in Forts Michacl and Scott for about two weeks, constantly under fire, when the regiment was moved into Fort Sedgwick (called by the boys Fort Hell), on the plank-road running into Petersburg, and at a point where the lines were but a

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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

short distance apart. The picket line at one point in front of the works was only fifteen paces from the rebel line, and the rebel fort opposite (Fort Mahone) about twelve hundred yards. The fort was a very large inclosed work, containing three regiments,-the 73d and 86th New York and the 99th Pennsylvania,-two batteries of guns, and twelve mortars. The scenes here at times were terrific; no one dared to remain within their bomb-proof's, as they would not resist a shell ; the firing was liable to be opened at any moment, generally occurring about twiee in twenty-four hours, often lasting two or three hours at a time, sometimes calling the men out two or three times during the night ; at such times a person could count from ten to thirty shells in the air, all pointed for these works, and it was of daily occurrence that from one to ten would be killed. In these night at- tacks the piekets in front of the works would have a hard time, and were obliged to lie as flat to the ground as possi- ble; if a man raised his head on either side a score of bul- lets were fired at it. At this place the piekets could only be relieved after nightfall, and were frequently obliged to crawl back and forth on their hands and knees On the last of September the regiment was relieved, and moved to the extreme left of the line, where they were set to work cutting roads through a strip of woods and building a re- doubt, returning after an absence of three days to their old quarters. The regiment remained there until the 24th, when it moved with the corps, reaching the Weldon road on the evening of the 26th. On the morning of the 27th crossed Hatcher's Run, and soon struck the enemy. Gen. De Trobriand's Brigade was now on the extreme left ; the 73d and 86th, with the 124th New York, were advanced as skirmishers about half a mile, remaining there all day, covering the front and flank of the brigade. The skirmish- line was formed in a dense wood, excepting to the right, where the 124th New York was posted. The rebels had a battery placed opposite this point, and after a furious cannon- ade they advanced for a charge, but were repulsed by the skirmish-line, assisted by the 2d U. S. Sharpshooters. The movement on the part of the Union forces having failed to accomplish the purpose intended, the order to retire was given, and about ten o'clock P.M. the brigade was marched back to the Vaughan road, and there bivouacked until noon the next day, when the march was resumed, and that even- ing the regiment was again in its old quarters. The loss on the skirmish-lines that day was three officers and about thirty men.

The regiment remained here ( Fort Sedgwick) until No- vember 29. On the 13th of November Col. Lansing was discharged, on his own application, and Maj. Stafford was mustered in as lieutenant-colonel commanding. On the afternoon of the 29th orders were received to pack up and be in readiness to move. Abont sundown a division of the 9th Corps came marching up to relieve the troops in the front line. The rebels, seeing the movement, opened a furions cannonade, during which Lieut .- Col. Stafford was mortally wounded, dying within a few hours. This was a serious loss to the regiment, as he was a good soldier and a gallant officer. Starting with the regiment in 1861 as a second lieutenant of Company F, and rising by merit to the command of the regiment as lieutenant-colonel, he was

beloved, honored, and respected by all in the command. In the evening the regiment was quietly withdrawn,-now in command of Maj. Nathan A. Vincent, formerly a private of Company D,-and on the 30th marched about six miles, and shortly after started on what is known as the Weldon raid. Returning to near Petersburg, went into winter quar- ters, and remained there until the 4th day of February, 1865, doing the usual picket duty, and making thorough preparations for the spring campaign. On that day re- ceived orders to prepare for a march. On the 5th they marched to and encountered the enemy near Hateher's Run. The brigade forded the run in battle line, pushing the rebel pickets about one mile, but were brought to a halt by the rebels, posted behind their main line of works. They were immediately set to building works for protection. On the 6th the brigade was relieved by a portion of the 5th Corps. That night learned that the new line had been permanently extended across the run. On the 9th was moved about one mile to the right, and assigned position in the new line; remained here until the final advanee, March 28, 1865, participating in all the engagements until the surrender of Gen. Lee, April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court-House. After the surrender started homeward bound. At Burkesville Junction, on the 14th, heard of the assas- sination of President Lincoln ; moved through Richmond and Fredericksburg, reaching Washington about the middle of May, and camped near Fairfax Seminary ; participated in the grand review in Washington City. On the 29th day of May, 1865, Lieut. D. F. Brown was mustered out of the service by reason of General Order No. 26, Head- quarters Army of the Potomac, made May 17, 1865. After the grand review the regiment prepared for the trip home and the final muster-out, which occurred at Elmira, N. Y., July 4, 1865.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

The following extraets from letters written by Lieut. D. F. Brown, quartermaster of the 86th Regiment New York Volunteers, and published in the Corning Journal from time to time during the war, contain fuller statements of the casualties as they took place in the regiment :

" FREDERICKSBURG, May 7, 1863.

" DEAR SIR,-Amid the excitement and confusion of the past few days, I have had but little time or inclination to write. .

"Our brave Lieut .- Col. Chapin fell about eleven o'clock A.M., while leading his men in that fearful contest. Capt. W. W. Angle, Company B, was mortally wounded, and has not since been heard of. Capt. D. S. Ellsworth, Company D, was killed instantly, a rifle-ball passing through his temples. Lieut. M. B. Stafford, Company F, and acting adjutant, was severely wounded in the thigh. Lient. A. J. Woodward, Company I. received a very severe wound in both knees. Lieut. Nathan 11. Vincent, Company D, was slightly wounded in several places. After the fall of Ellsworth, the command of the company devolved on him. Geo. Whipple rode up, and seeing him covered with blood, requested him to go the rear, but he refused to leave his company. Capt. N. Warner and Capt. J. H. Lansing, I am happy to say, enme out unhurt, though constantly exposed to the enemy's fire. The officers behaved admirably, and the men followed their example in deeds of daring. Both officers and men received a flattering com- pliment from Gen. Whipple. Among the privates seven were killed and seventy-one wounded. I have not been able to get the names of the killed and wounded. We deplore deeply the loss of Lient .- Col. Chapin. His death has cast a gloom over the whole command. The

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loss of Capt. Angle and Capt. Ellsworth will be severely felt by the regiment.

"After the death of Col. Chopin, the command of the regiment devolved npon Capt. J. II. Lansing, who discharged the duties of his new position with great coolness and bravery. On several occasions with his men, he charged on the rebel batteries and drove them from their works. Tuesday the whole army fell back to the place occupied before the advance. D. F. BROWN."

" IN THE FIELD, GETTYSBURG, July 4, 1863.

"DEAR SIR,-Two months have elapsed since I have communicated with you : they have been eventful months. On the 6th of June last, our brigade broke camp at Falmonth, and moved up the river about twenty-three miles, to Beverly Ford, where, on the 11th, we encoun- tered the enemy. Our regiment was at that time commanded by Maj. J. Il. Lansing, he having assumed the command on the memorable field of Chancellorsville. Lient .- Col. Iliggins had not sufficiently recovered from the wounds received at Chancellorsville to enable him to take the field, but hearing that the army was in motion, be hastened to join his command, which he accomplished two days after the battle. The engagement at the Ford was mostly between cavalry, and it was a sharp and severe contest. The loss in our regiment was about thirty in killed and wounded. The enemy was handsomely repulsed, and driveu back about five miles. The officers and men of the $6th nubly sustained their well-earned reputation, and added another proof of their courage and their devotion to the cause of our common country.

"Oa the 1 ltb of June the whole army was in motion. Our direction was northward. We passe l Manassas, Bull Run, and Centreville. Oh, what associations are connected with these names! How many homes have been darkenel by the war-cloud that burst with such maddening fury on these memorable fields ! How many hearts have been wrung with anguish hy the loss of fathers, brothers, sons, and friends, who pou el out their blood and laid down their lives upon those huge, rock-built altars of their country ! We crossed the Poto- mac on the 20th, at Edwards' Ferry, and on the Ist day of July our corps reached the battle-field of Gettysburg.

"On the 2d instant the battle became general. The 3d Corps was on our left wing, against which the enemy massed his forces, and made a desperate charge for the purpose of breaking it. The contest was the most desperate aod deadly of the war. Lient .- Col. Higgins clearly demonstrated his ability to command. lle received a wound in his side from a rifle-ball, and was taken from the field. The command then devolved upon Maj. Lansing, who added another proof to his well-earned reputation for coolness and courage. I will here mention an incident. While the 86th and the 124th New York Volunteers were making a charge upon the enemy, Gen. Ward sat on his horse watch- ing the movement, and as they fell back in perfect order, after ac- complishing their object, the general rode up to Maj. Lansing and re- marked, 'I never saw men behave better. Major, your men have nobly won the red diamond, the Kearney badge.' The major replied, ' We feel proud of the blue bulge, but if you wish it we will adopt the red.' The blue badge was the one used by the 3d Division, which is broken up, but we still wore the badge. . . .

"Capt. J. N. Warner, Co. K, was killed instantly. Ile was a brave and able officer. Lieut. Hammond, Co. A, lost a leg ; Lieut. Blanch- ard, C'o. B, was wounded in the band ; Lient. l'acker, Co. E, wounded in hand; Lient. Seeley, Co. K, acting adjutant, was present dur- ing the engagement, but afterwards went on the field to look after the body of Capt. Warner, and he has not been heard from since. The following is a list of the killed and wounded not heretofore men- tionell :

" Killed .- Co. A, Sergt. J. Boies, Jobn Ilart : Co. B, L. Platt, J. Taylor : Co. D. Calvin L. Stearns: Co. F, George Tremain, John Topple : Co. H, Jeremiah Everitt ; Co. 1, A. C. Palmer, J. M. Black- man : Co. K. lyman Hazeltine.

" Wounded .- Co. A, Jeremiah Fisher, Francis Keller, Gilbert Rogers, Corp. R. Smith, W. S. Chafee, James W. Chafee; Co. B, Sergt. A. Shanger, Corp. A. Amidon, J. W. Rose, C. L. Odell, L. R. Root : Co. C, J. Beard ; Co. D), J. Bovier, G. Powell, W. E. Stewart; Co. E, R. Washburn ; Co. F, Allen W. Beeman, J. E. Brown, Sergt. S. Tremain; Co. G, E. E. Thompson, S. Ilall, J. Iladley, Jr., L. Maddison, F. Gregory, W. Thomas, Corp. V. Allison ; Co. 11, Sergt. James Moidt, Corp. J. W. Ostrander, II. Dawley, W. S. Miller, P. Pierce, Il. Cook ; Co. I, F. J. Ilorton, J. Smith, J. Carrigan. Sergt. A. J. Northrup : Co. K, Corp. W. Owen, Corp. N. W. Winship, since

dead: J. K. Fisk, since dead; Robert Laning, since dead; W. E. Stewart, A. Simpson.

" The Union loss was heavy, but notbing compared with the enemy's. His dead are unburied, and the ground is literally cov- ered : in places they lay in ridges. Our victory is complete. This is our nation's birthday. Oh, what hallowed memories cluster around it ! Thought travels back to the sanguinary fields of the Revolution, when liberty perched upon the banner of the triumphant free. Here the enemy of the same principle lies prostrate at her feet. This day is commemorated here by the warm blood of slaughtered thousands, palpitating on the soil of our noble Keystone State.

" Yours in the cause of liberty. " D. F. BROWN, Q .- M."

" IN THE FIELD, BRANDY STATION, VA., Dec. 6, 1863.

" DEAR Sin,-E have unavoidably delayed giving to the numerous friends of our regiment in old Steuben the result of the recent en- gagement beyond the Rapidan, as I have hardly had a moment to devote to the matter.

" At a late hour on the night of the 25th ultimo the bugle sounded the interesting call to ' pack up.' Every man was busy in his arrange- ments for a march until the prompt command of Col. Higgins was given to fall in. The river was crossed on the 26th at Jacob's Mill. On the 27th an engagement took place. The 3d Corps became en- gaged about ten o'clock A.M. At two o'clock p.M. the Ist Division was ordered up to meet the enemy. Our brigade, commanded by Gen. Ward, was selected to make the charge, and the 86tb and 124th New York Volunteers was selected as the storming-party. A short time previous to the charge Col. Iliggins was borne from the field, a mnsket-ball having taken off a finger and passed through both thighs. Maj. Stafford then took command, and led the 86th in one of the most desperate conflicts that it ever experienced. Our regiment and the 124th alone regained the ground that had been lost by the 3d Division, and by sundown had driven the enemy sixty rods farther than any portion of our line had extended, and they held the ground during the entire night. You can forin some idea of the severity of the engagement, when I assure you the two regiments engaged ex- pended sixteen thousand rounds of cartridges. Maj. Stafford went back several times for ammunition. Capts. Harrower and Baker were appointed acting fieldl-officers to assist Maj. Stafford during the engagement, and Lieut. Packer was acting adjutant. The com- panies of the 86th were commanded as follows : Lieut. IFolms, Co. A; Lieut. Booth, Co. B; Capt Robert Barton, Co. C : Capt. N. I. Vincent, Co. D; Lieut. J. G. Copley, Co. E : Lieut. Henry Thurber, Co. F: Lient. A. B. Stanton, Co. G; Lient. Stone, Co. Il : Lieut. Wood, Co. I : Capt. Phinney, Co. K.

"Gen. Ward paid a flattering compliment to the officers and men, and said he was proud of them. The general at first supposed that the regiment bad been cut off and taken prisoners, and when he learned what they had accomplished he remarked to the major, in a playful manner, that he took his men out to find more comfortable lodgings with Gen. Lee.

" The killed in our regiment in this engagement were Russel Tay- lor, First Sergeant, Co. G; John Baxter, Sergeant, Co. C; George Wright, Co. C: George If. W. Celover, Co. Il.

"The wounded were as follows : 1st Sergt. J. Ryon, Corp. Nicholas Longnot, Jacob Horb, James White, Lewis Hart, James Chaffee, David lloyt, all of Co. A ; Ist Sergt. F. D. Loomis, Daniel Alden, Nathan Phenix, of Co. B: Lieut. Ifenry Thurber, George Babcock, George Murdock, of Co. F; Corp. A. Allen, Franklin Hallock, Asel Wilson, John Wallace, Lafayette Taylor, Foster Gregory, of Co. G ; Corp. Jesse Barton, D. L. Rowley, of Co. Il ; Wesley Simons, of Cu. I; Corp. David Countruman, Corp. Il. Hillrun, J. C. Sabin, Charles Wood, Thomas Fanand, Asa Cross, of Co. K.

" Most of the wounds were slight. While marching to the Rapidan, on the 26th, Albertus Russell, of Co. E, was killed, and W. S. Kelley, of Co. D, was wounded, by the accidental discharge of a gun.

" The intelligence of the death of John Baxter will fall with op- pressive weight upon his family and friends, but they can be assured that he died while nobly battling in the defense of his country. He lost none of his moral principles by his associations in the army. He was regarded by his officers, and all who knew him, as a brave soldier.

" To-day Lieut .- Col. Lansing arrived, and was heartily greeted by the whole regiment. The command will now devolve ou him, and I

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should judge from his looks that his absence has not diminished his ambition or courage.

" I remaio yours, etc., " D. F. Browx."

" IN THE FIELD, NEAR SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT-HOUSE, VA., " May 10, 1864.

" DEAR SIR,-May 6, the battle opened at an early hour in the morning, and was continued with great fery during the day. The 86th bore well their part in the engagement, making frequent charges on the enemy's works. Capt. J. G. Copely, Co, E, is wounded in the arm and leg; Capt. Robert Barton, Co. C, is wounded in the side ; Capt. N. S. Baker, Co. G, is wounded in the face; Lieut. W. W. Card is wounded in the thigh; Lient. Il. C. Thurber, Co. F, in the foot ; others of the killed and wounded in the regiment, whose names I have not yet learned.

"May 7, fighting commenced at an early hour, and our regiment was engaged all day. The officers mentioned as wounded yesterday are doing well : none are considered dangerous. In addition to the above, Il. Ilallett, of Co. G, Calvin Adams, of Co. B, Henry Williek, of Co. I, Henry Tenbrook, of Co. H, and Charles Bailey, of Co. I, are among the killed. The wounded are as follows :

" Company A .- Sergt. Gilbert Haynes, arm ; Corp. John FeistDer, arm; J. Smith, thigh ; and Geo. Mazen, leg.

" Company B .- Sergt. Dennis Talbert, shouldler; Corp. John Ami- don, face; John IFillion, William Batchee, shoulder.

" Company C .- Sergt. Geo. M. Clute, arm; John Houghtaling, hand ; Philip Swick, abdomen : W, Dawley, arm.

" Company D .- Sergt. A. C. Rogers, arm ; Milo Tucker, hand; J. E. Baker, hip; Francis Hurlburt, foot : T. Campbell, leg ; L. Duel, thigh; Henry O'Connor, thigh; Peter Spencer, arm; Isaac Trow- bridge, thigh.

" Company E .- Sergt. E. D. Kemps, leg : Corp. H. II. Cole, foot ; W. E. Cilley, head ; Il. Hewitt, shoulder ; R. R. Sweet, band.

" Company F .- L. E. Warren, side; B. F'. Alexander, band ; M. Enchard, leg.

" Company G .- Sergt. Vallison, leg : C. Boughton, leg ; J. Wright, foot.

" Company II .- Sergt. W. Bartle, shoulder; Corp. D. S. Cook, hand ; E. Potter, arm; Jesse K. Barton, hanl; Joho Bastle, hand : A. Slater, hand.

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History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 30

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Lewis, Peck & co. Number of Pages: 826

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Lewis, Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 826