History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 8

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112

USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 8
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 8
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 8
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 8

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 NEW YORK AND OSWEGO MIDLAND RAILROAD

enters the town of Dryden, Tompkins Co., on the west border north of the eentre, and running iu a northeasterly direction passes Freeville and Malloryville, leaving the town east of the eentre, on the north border. It was completed in 1872. This road is a branch of the main line.

ELMIRA STATE LINE RAILROAD,

organized April 24, 1872. Line of road : junetion North- ern Central Railway, N. Y., to Tioga Railway, N. Y., about 6.5 miles. This road is intended to ruu from the junetion of the Northern Central Railway, 2.5 miles south of Elmira, N. Y., to the Pennsylvania State line, to intersect a branch of the Tioga Railroad. The road was opened in 1877.

THE CHEMUNG CANAL.

The building of the Chemung Canal was commeneed in 1830, and in 1833 was completed and opened for business. It extended from Ehnira to Watkins, and, together with the navigable feeder, leading from Horseheads to Corning, is 39 miles in length, and cost in its construction $344,000.

The eanal and feeder had 53 locks in a rise of 516 feet. The first collector of tolls was Thomas Maxwell, and the last-when the office was discontinued, in 1876-was John Buteher. The opening of this eanal ushered in an important era in the history of Ehnira and Chemung Counties, as it furnished a water communication with the Hudson River, and greatly advanced the interests of this section of country. During a long period the eanal did a large business, but the building of the Erie, and other eon- neeting lines of railway, affording quick transportation to the sea-board, has diverted the traffie, and the eanal is now little used. The collector's office is abandoned, the channel is in a bad condition, the locks are out of repair, and the eraek of the driver's whip and the voice of the boatman are but seldom heard along its banks.

CHAPTER VII.

MILITARY HISTORY.

Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, and Schuyler Counties in the Rebellion of 1861-65.

THE lightning had seareely flashed the intelligence to the expectant North that Major Anderson and his gallant band had surrendered prisoners of war, and that Sumter was in possession of the Southern Confederaey, ere the pa- triotie sons of Chemung, Sehuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins were rallying to the support of their imperiled country ; and, in the first outburst of Northern patriotism, under the President's eall for 75,000 men, the 23d Regiment, New York State Volunteers, was organized at Elmira, and on the 6th day of July, 1861, was mustered into the United States serviee. This was the first regiment from the 27th Congressional Distriet.

The regiment was officered as follows : Colonel, Henry C. Hoffman ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Nirom M. Crane ; Major, William M. Gregg ; Adjutant, William W. Hayt; Quar- termaster, Myron H. Mandeville ; Surgeon, Seymour Churchill ; Assistant Surgeon, William A. Madill ; Chap- lain, Ezra F. Crane ; Sergeant-Major, Archibald N. Devoe ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Hiram Smith; Drum-Major, Miles Terrill; Fife-Major, Julius C. Smead.

Company A .- Captain, Theodore Sehlick ; First Lieu- tenant, Cornelius F. Mowers; Second Lieutenant, George E. Biles.

Company B .- Captain, Marshall M. Loydon; First Lieutenant, Lemuel K. Bradley ; Second Lieutenant, Wil- liam Cole.

Company C .- Captain, Samuel Barstow ; First Lieu- tenant, Moses M. Van Bensehoten ; Second Lieutenant, Charles O. Durland.

Company D .- Captain, Luzern Todd ; First Lieutenant, Newton T. Colby ; Second Lieutenant, William H. Jones.

Company E .-- Captain, George H. Powers ; First Lieu- tenant, John H. Pieree; Second Lieutenant, Hugh J. Baldwin.

Company F .- Captaiu, William W. Dingledey ; First

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

Lieutenant, Melville C. Wilkinson ; Second Lieutenant, Samuel N. Benedict.

Company G .- Captain, Frank B. Doty ; First Lieuten- ant, Ira Cone; Second Lieutenant, John Prentiss.

Company II .- Captain, M. C. Clark; First Lieutenant, A. D. Waters ; Second Lieutenant, B. B. Andrews.

Company I .- Captain, James D. Chapman ; First Lieu- tenant, A. O. Durland; Second Lieutenant, Samuel W. Cass.

Company K .- Captain, Nathaniel B. Fowler ; First Lieutenant, Florence Sullivan ; Second Lieutenant, Rodney W. Steele.

The regiment left Elmira, and upon arriving in Wash- ington encamped on Meridian Hill, two miles north of the city. July 17 it was reviewed by President Lincoln and Secretary Seward, and a fine stand of colors presented by the patriotic ladies of Elmira. The beautiful banner was presented by General A. S. Diven, and received by Colonel Hoffman, who responded in a brief address, thanking them for the beautiful testimonial of their kindness and con- fidence.

On the 21st of July, from the camp of the 23d could be distinctly heard the ominous booming of cannon from the disastrous battle-field of Bull Run. During the day ru- mors came floating into the city that the Union arms were victorious, but night brought the disheartening truth that the great army was falling back upon Washington, and that the terrible battle of Bull Run had been fought and lost.

July 23 the regiment crossed the Potomac into Virginia and encamped at Fort Runyon. On the 5th of August they moved to Arlington Heights, and on the 7th estab- lished a picket line from the road at Hunter's Chapel to the house of a Mr. Pearl, near Ball's Cross-Roads. While in camp at Arlington, the 23d was brigaded with the 21st and 35th New York Volunteers, under command of Gen- eral James S. Wadsworth. The regiment remained here until September 28, nothing of any importance happening to relieve the monotony of camp-life.

September 28 a general advance of the army was ordered, and it moved to Upton's Hill only to find the place evac- uated, and what from a distance seemed to be formidable cannon proved to be stove-pipe mounted on wheels. On Upton's Hill, at a locality named by the men of the 23d Upton's Dale, the regiment went into winter quarters. The three months, December, January, and February, that the regiment remained in this pleasant camp were passed in drills, reviews, and picket.

Nothing occurred to break the ceaseless monotony of camp-life. " All quiet on the Potomac !" was the sen- tence flashed along the wires day after day, until it became a stereotyped head-line for the press, read in Northern homes till patience ceased to be a virtue, and the people clamored for a move of the Army of the Potomac.

At length, on the 10th of March, orders were given for an advance, the grand, well-disciplined legion moved, and the nation breathed freer. As the army moved forward the 23d shared in the general chagrin in finding that the formi- dable host of the enemy had folded their tents and silently stole away, leaving their pursuers in possession of the banks

of earthworks, over which protruded the ominous-looking " Quaker guns" of Manassas.

On the 14th of March the command of the brigade was transferred from General Wadsworth to Colonel Rogers, of the 21st.

March 15 the regiment started for Alexandria for the purpose of shipping on transports. The roads at this time were in an almost impassable condition, in consequence of the heavy rains that had recently fallen, and after strug- gling one day in the mud the regiment returned to its old camp. Here they remained two days, and moving one mile farther on, encamped at Bailey's Cross-Roads. They remained in this camp until April 4, during which time General Patrick took command of the brigade. From here the 23d proceeded to Fairfax, and from thence to Manassas and on to Bristoe. April 19 finds the regiment bivouacked at the foot of Fredericksburg Heights, fron which point the city was subsequently bombarded.

, The enemy evacuated the eity on the 1st of May, and on the 7th instant, General Patrick, having been appointed military governor of the city, detailed the 23d as guard and patrol ; this regiment raised for the first time the Union banner in this rebel town. The 23d remained here about two weeks, when a general advanee was made, and after a series of fatiguing marches it returned to Fredericksburg, reaching Elk Run June 9.

Ou the 27th of June the regiment encamped at " Camp Rufus King," on the Belle Plain road, about three miles from the Rappahannock River. This camp was located on lands owned by the wealthy planter King in the earlier days of the Old Dominion. While encamped on this beautiful spot two interesting ceremonies took place, that of the pre- sentation of a sword to Colonel Hoffman by the non-com- missioned officers of his command, and one to Lieutenant- Colonel Crane by the privates of the regiment. A few days later a handsome sword was presented to Major Wil- liam M. Gregg by the officers of the linc.

July 24 the regiment started on a reconnaissance towards Gordonsville, which, without entering into particulars, may be justly regarded as the most extraordinary reconnaissance during the campaign.

On the 10th of August marching orders were received and regiment moved towards Culpepper, and on the 16th arrived at the foot of Cedar Mountain, and remained two days on the battle-field.

August 18 the wagon-trains were sent to the rear, and the regiment received orders to march at a moment's notice. They proceeded to Rappahannock Station, and were actively engaged in that battle, fought August 21 and 22.

A member of the regiment, speaking of this confliet, says, " We moved up the river opposite the first ford north of the station and encamped for the night. During the night the enemy erossed with a force of artillery and cavalry, and took position in a corn-field and wood near the ford. The fight was opened about eight o'clock A.M. by General Patrick's brigade. The enemy opened his battery from the eorn-field, but was soon driven from this position by Reynolds' battery, and Battery B, 4th United States. As the sun was sinking down the horizon we advaneed to the river under a raking fire of artillery and musketry and

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

took position near the bank of the river, but owing to our small foree we were compelled to retire. The 23d fall back over a rise of ground raked by the enemy's artil- lery, column en masse, and in perfeet order, while the shells burst fearfully above and around it."

Lieutenant-Colonel Crane in his official report of this battle says, " This was the first time that my regiment had been under fire of artillery. I was highly pleased with the conduct of the men. They were cool and prompt to obey orders. Both men and officers behaved like veterans; not a man flinched from his duty."

On the morning of the 23d the battle opened with heavy artillery, and lasted several hours. During the forenoon of this day the regiment started for Warrenton, and finally, having come within one mile of the town, bivouacked on the Sulphur Springs road.

The regiment participated in the battle of White Sulphur Springs, a spirited and lively contest.

Next came the march to Gainesville, one of the most severe marches of the campaign, in consequence of the oppressive heat and searcity of water. When within six miles of the town the regiment halted for breakfast. After the scanty meal had been taken and all the extra ammunition destroyed the command pressed on, and dur- ing the afternoon the advance division was fixed upon, but it was not until the sun began to sink below the western horizon that the first shot was fired at the battle of Gainesville. The attack was opened by General Gib- bon's brigade, supported by General Doubleday, General Patrick's brigade holding the left. In this engagement the 23d, although on the field, was not entirely engaged. The battle lasted but one hour and ten minutes, during which time Gibbon's brigade lost 800 men. General Patrick's brigade, to which the 23d was attached, held the field until the wounded were eared for, and at three o'clock A.M. started for Manassas Plains, which place was reached during the afternoon, the men almost exhausted from want of sleep, food, and water.

The regiment had seareely stacked their arms for rest when Sykes' brigade of regulars passed en route to the Bull Run battle-field, when General Patrick rode rapidly up and eried out, " Prepare to march !"

The brigade was soon in line, when General Patrick ad- dressed them in the following words : " My men, we return to the battle-ground of last night. You fight in good company. You follow the regulars. They're my old com- panions-in-arms. You fight well; I've no fault to find. Keep well elosed up and prompt to obey orders. Colonel Rogers, lead off by the right flank." The regiment par- ticipated in the battle in the afternoon. On the following morning opened what has gone down to history as the " second battle of Bull Run," one of the deadliest contests of the Rebellion. From the numbers of the enemy and their close proximity, it required no prophetic eye to see that a fieree battle was imminent.

The 23d, then numbering only 225 men in line, went into this battle with Colonel Crane in command.

The following description of the battle is taken from Colonel Crane's official report :

"This morning (August 30), after giving time to get

eoffee, the brigade changed positions two or three times to different parts of the field. No enemy in foree was dis- eovered, notwithstanding our batteries kept throwing shell into the woods to draw them out or bring forth a response, but all eontined silent.

" About two P.M. our division was placed under com- mand of Fitz-John Porter, and with his eorps ordered to advanec. It was the prevailing opinion that the enemy had retired, having been defeated on the previous day. We advaneed, King's division having the right and form- ing four lines of battle. My regiment was the third line of the division. (General Hatch was now in command, Gen- eral King having been relieved for the affair at Gainesville, on the 28th.) We now moved forward to a thiek wood. Here the skirmishers commeneed firing, and soon the ad- vanced lines opened with terrific volleys of musketry. We pushed on. Soon the bullets flew around us as thick as hail. Now commeneed in earnest the final battle of Bull Run. The enemy's artillery opened upon us with shot and shell, and this, with their musketry, made a storm of their fire. Our artillery, in the rear of the woods, could give us no support.

" Thus the battle raged for about one and one-half hours, until our front lines were broken and the dead and wounded lay in heaps. The enemy lay behind a railway embank- ment, and so well protected that our men charged in vain upon them, sometimes upon the ditch, and fought hand-to- hand. Sykes' brigade of regulars on our left was forced back, our two front lines were decimated and broken, and our (Patrick's) brigade badly eut to pieces. Colonel Pratt, of the 20th New York State Militia, was killed and the regiment scattered and demoralized. The 21st was used up, and the left wing of the 35th decimated. These had all left the field and fallen back.

" I had heard no order to retire, and remained in the woods some little time, my regiment being almost alone. I finally gave the order to retire (right of companies to the rear), and did so in as perfect order as on battalion drill. In this action I lost a number of men and officers wounded, but only a few killed. Providenee has thus far seemed to favor us.

" On emerging from the woods I met General Patrick, and saw at onee that the battle was going against us, as the enemy had turned our left, and the fighting was terrifie of musketry and artillery on that part of the field. Our brigade was got together (what was left), and we took a po- sition in rear of a battery, and the men ordered to lie down.

" We lay in this position about half an hour, then were ordered towards the rear and left. As we moved over the field the enemy continued to throw shot and shell at us, but fortunately none of my regiment were hurt. As we came out upon the pike, General MeDowell rode up, his horse all covered with foam and dust, and he himself look- ing nearly exhausted with fatigue and excitement, and or- dercd us towards Centreville. We continued the march, and soon learned that the army were on the retreat to Washington.

" We arrived at Centreville about ten P.M., worn out and exhausted. We lay down upon the ground so completely

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

tired that we did not mind the rain that commenced, but slept soundly till morning and wet to the skin."

The following day was one of the deepest dejection to the Army of the Potomac. The army was on full retreat, surging back upon Washington, followed by the victorious arms of the Confederacy within thirty miles of the capital, and confidence in the generals gone.

Colonel Crane farther on in his report says, "It was about nine A.M. when we received the news that General Mc- Clellan was again in command of the Army of the Potomac. The effect was wonderful and thrilling. For miles along the lines of that battle-shattered and disheartened army cheer upon cheer rent the air, and the sound swelled and rolled along like a wave. Officers sprang into their saddles with a bound, soldiers grasped their muskets with eager- ness and sprang to their places in the ranks, and, at the order forward, all moved as if invigorated with renewed life. We all felt that we were again a host, and could and would save our capital and country."

The regiment marched on towards Fairfax, where it rc- mained overnight, and on the following morning proceeded on in the direction of Centreville, finally meeting the balance of the brigade, and countermarched.

" About this time," says Colonel Crane, " we learned that the enemy were about to make an attack at a point near Chantilly. Our brigade was moved in that direction, and the 35th, 21st, and 23d were placed in the old rebel rifle- pit to protect the right of our line of battle. About sun- down the enemy attacked our left, and the battle lasted until about nine P.M. The firing of musketry and artillery was incessant, and this with the terrific thunder and light- ning rendered the scene grand and terrific. The enemy were repulsed with considerable loss. We remained here until the following afternoon, when we were ordered to march to Upton's Hill. We set out immediately, and reached that place about midnight."

Thus ended the disastrous campaign closing with the second battle of Bull Kun. 1136135

The 23d remained at Upton's Hill four days, and then commenced the march into Maryland; and Sept. 14 finds them in the battle of South Mountain. In this engage- ment both officers and men behaved splendidly, and received many encomiums of praise from their superior officers for their bravery and coolness. The regiment next participated in the battle of Antietam. In speaking of this battle, Colonel Hoffman, in his official report, says, " The officers and men of my command who went into the action behaved most admirably, never deranging their alignment during the surgings backward and forward of the lines, obeying with promptitude every order, and all the time remaining firm, steady, and never moving until they had received the full order. Their conduct was all that I could wish. Wc had one field, one staff, thirteen line officers, and 223 en- listed men. Our casualties were four killed and thirty-five wounded."

After various marches and skirmishes as well as changes of command and camps, Nov. 25 finds the regiment in camp near Brooks' Station.

Here the 23d remained until Dec. 9, when it broke camp and moved forward. It went into the battle of Fredericks-

burg, and, by its courage, perseverance, and soldierly bear- ing, added fresh laurels to those already won on many a hard-contested field.

We append Colonel Hoffman's official report of this battle:

' HEADQUARTERS 23D N. Y. VOLS., PRATT'S POINT, V.A., " Jan. 2, 1863.

" LIEUTENANT II. P. TAYLOR, Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant-General 3d Brigade, Ist Division, Ist Army Corps.

"Sin,-In pursuance of orders, I have the honor to report the part taken by my command in the late action at Fredericksburg, Dec. 12, 13, 14, and 15, to he as follows:

"On the morning of the 11th of December we moved with the brigade from our bivouac near White Oak Church, on the Belle Plain Road, with the intention, as I supposed, of crossing the Rappahan- nock. We marched but ahout one and a half miles when we were halted, and remained all that day and night, owing to the difficulty and delay in laying the bridges.

"That night (11th) the bridges were completed, and at carly dawn we moved down to the northern bank of the river, at a point about one and a half miles helow Fredericksburg, and near the lower bridges, where we remained while the rest of General Franklin's left grand division were crossing. The morning was very foggy until about noon, and we did not cross until about two r.M., we being about the last. Soon after the crossing was effected ( which was without interruption) we were massed, with other troops of the Ist Division, near the resi- dence of Mr. Burnard, when the enemy for the first time opened upon us from a battery located on the hill opposite, the first shot striking and bursting in the ground in the flank of my regiment, wounding one man.

" They threw about twelve or fifteen shot and shell with remark - ably good range while in this position, which resulted in but trifling damage, owing to the fuses in their shell being cut either too short or too long.

" We soon inoved, with the rest of the brigade and division, to a point directly in front of said Burnard's house, and deployed our line and stacked arms.

"General Smith's corps (6th) was deployed on our right, his line running parallel to the river, andl fronting southwardly aud from the river. The lines of our corps (Ist), after the deployment, fronted easterly and down the river, the line running perpendicular to the river, the left resting upon it, and the right joining the left of Gen- eral Siuith's line, aud forming a right angle thereto. In this position we lay behind our stacked arms all night.

"The morning of the 13th was also foggy, but the fog lifted carly, and skirmishing commenced along the line, which grew into a general engagement with artillery and small-arms.

" We were moved in close-massed columns down the river under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy's batteries, some one and a half miles, when the enemy was found in our front, well posted in pine woods, and protected by natural rifle-pits.

"They were soon dislodged hy our artillery, when we advanced with the rest of the division to within ahout one mile of Massaponix Creck. This position we held all day, amid a most terrible artillery fire. To- wards evening the enemy concentrated a very hot artillery fire upon us, with the cvident intention of turning our flank.

"The position was maintained, however, although the brigade on our left, tho commander of which misunderstood the order, fell back with his commaud, skirmishers and all, just before dark, whereas his order directed that he should withdraw his brigade a short distance as soon as the darkness would cover his movement from the view of the enemy, but to leave his skirmishers as they were as pickets. This movement being ohserved by the foe, and supposing they had ae- complished their design, and that we were falling back, they advanced their line so far that their batteries were within thirty or forty rods of our pickets, and poured a perfect shower of grape promisenonsly over the plain, until about one hour after dark.

" They finally became convinced of their error, ceased firing, with- drew their lines, and all was quiet until morning, except an occasional shot between pickets.

" On the 14th and 15th we held the same position without inter- ruption, except an occasional round from their artillery and sharp picket firing, which was kept np most of the time, day and night, with great briskness.

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

" The picket lines were so close to our advanced position that many of their shots did execution in our ranks.

" On the night of the 15th we were withdrawn to the north side of the Rappahannock about midnight, leaving two companies (G and B) on the picket lines not informed (except their commanding officers) that we had retired.

" Companies G and B were placed on picket at dusk on the evening of the 15th, and by some misunderstanding or inadvertence on the part of the officer left in charge of the pieket, were not informed to retire at the proper time and with the rest of the line, and remained about one hour after the rest had left, and at daylight they fell slowly back, keeping their deployment and stirring up many strag- glers and siek, who had sought refuge and resting-place around the hospital buildings, barns, stacks, river-bank, ete., and finally were the last to eross the bridge, it being taken up immediately behind them.

" The steadiness and coolness of the officers and men of my com- mand, with very few exceptions, were highly commendable throughout, especially those of Companies A and F, who were on picket during the night of the 13th, and Company I on the 14th, and Company D on the night of 14th and during the day of the 15th.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 8

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign Number of Pages: 1112

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112