USA > New York > History of the 10th Regiment N. Y. Heavy Artillery, from Madison Barracks to Appomattox, with reminiscences, &c > Part 2
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an order was about being promulgated assigning por- tions of these battalions to other regiments. A-counse: of war was called of some of the commissioned officers, and an organization of a regiment marked out on pape" for transmission to the Governor for his approval. This provided that Lieut. Thos. W. Osborn should be Colonel, Capt. Joseph Spratt Lieut. Colonel, and Capt. E. P. Webb, Major of Fifth Battalion, the other battalions to name their Majors. While this was in progress it was learned that it was essential to act promptly if the action of the government officials was to be circumvented. It was thought best for Capt. Webb to procure leave of absence and personally ap- peal to Governor Morgan. The leave of absence was peremptorily denied by the war department. General Woodbury of the engineer corps was then command- ing the brigade, to which the command was attached. Capt. Webb, in this extremity, applied to him for his aid, when he was informed by the General that he could give him a four days' verbal leave of absence if he could accomplish his object and return in that time to his command. The Captain had other difficulties to encounter. It was impossible to leave Washington by railroad in an officer's uniform, unless the author- ity for leave from his command could be produced and exhibited to the officers of the provost guard, who with their men were patrolling the city and stationed at the depot, even taking regular trips on the trains, leaving Washington for the purpose of detecting de- linquents. To obviate this the Captain had donned a suit of civilian's clothes for the emergency and reached Albany without accident or delay. Repair- ing to the executive department he learned to his con- fusion and dismay that Governor Morgan had left the day before for Washington. Surmising that probably the Governor might gain by some means a wrong im- pression of the situation of affairs at Washington, he determined at least to be backed with influence, pro- ceeded to Watertown and persuaded Hon. James A. Starbuck. Dr. Rosa and Hon. James A. Bell to return with him to Albany to meet the Governor on his re- turn the next morning from Washington. The au. dience with Gov. Morgan resulted in Hon. James A. Bell proceeding to Washington to adjust the difficul-
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es and perfect a regimental organization of these bat- alions. The objections, dilatory practices prevalent with the government officials made this undertaking ... mewhat difficult to accomplish. However, the prejudice and obstinacy of the officials were over- come by the skill and arguments of Mr. Bell, the most potent being that no organization being recognized by the government of this command, they then must be of necessity under the control of the State of New York. Consequently the Governor reserved the right to organize them as he saw fit. It, however, became apparent that a compromise must be made if a regi- ment was obtained. The old story was reiterated, that volunteer officers could not effectively prepare the regiment for active duty in the field. The result of which was a consent on the part of those making up the embryo organization as indicated to retire with their pretensions and claims and substitute therefor a regular officer for Colonel. Accordingly Alexander Piper of the regular service was named and commis- sioned as such. Joseph Spratt, then commanding his battery in the field, also a graduate of West Point, was named and commissioned as Lieut. Colonel; the Majors to be determined by the choice of the various battalions composing the regiment, or otherwise as de- termined by the State authorities.
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About this time Col. John Bradley, State agent, stationed at Washington, a former resident of Jeffer- son county, who had taken considerable interest in these organizations, retired, his successor being Col. Arden, from a remote part of the State. He having no sympathy with or interest in the affairs of Jeffer- son county, at once set about accomplishing his own ends, resulting in the appointment of his son, George Depeyster Arden, as Major to the Fifth Battalion.
The other Battalions were subsequently provided i Majors from among their own officers, thus per- · ing the regimental organization afterwards known he Tenth Regt. N. Y. H. Art. Capt. Webb being jected to a court martial for the part he had taken endeavoring to secure a regiment of these Battal- s. A company officer induced Lieut. Col. McCloud rphy, then in command of the Brigade, to prefer the rge of absent without leave. The officers of the
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court being unable to determine the effect of a verbal leave from Brigade Commander, referred the matter to the war department. Capt. Webb being ordered to duty by Gen. Heintzleman. On May 15, 1863, by special order he was deposed from his command, af- terwards being restored to rank, and subsequently dis- charged at Washington, D. C. The Third and Fourth Battalions, Black River Artillery, remained at Sackets Harbor until the 20th of Sept., 1862, when they moved forward to N. Y. City. The incomplete companies be- ing there recruited to the minimum at least, and Co. I finally was mustered into the United States service on the 1st day of November, 1862, at Staten Island, by G. A. Derussey. Captain Sixth Artillery ; Co. K on the 21st November, 1862, at Staten Island, and Co. L on the 27th day of December, 1862. at Fort Schuyler. These companies soon after joined the Regiment at Washington, D. C. The transfer of the Third Battal- ion Black River Artillery. four companies, to the Fifth Regiment N. Y. Heavy Artillery, probably, caused the necessity of renumbering the Battalions, and what was originally numbered as the First Battal- ion was subsequently numbered Fourth Battalion N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and the Second as Fifth, the re- maining companies, the Seventh; at least we have been unable to find any record or other cause for the renum- bering than as here mentioned. The records of the State department throw no light upon the subject, far- ther than "the Tenth Regiment of Artillery, for- merly Battalions One, Two, Three, Four of Black River Artillery, a Jefferson county Regiment. This Regiment was organized December 31st. 1862. of the Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Battalions of Artillery, and designated the Tenth Regiment Artillery, with Alexander Piper as Colonel " (this date being without doubt the date of Col. Piper's commission). The Ad- jutant General's office, of this State, by it records, shows the Regiment " to have been finally organized with the following companies, lettered, enlisted, com- manded and mustered as follows, together with the original lettering of the companies, viz : A, originally A, Second Battalion, enlisted by E. P. Webb at Wat- ertown, N. Y., now Fifth ; B, originally as I, First Battalion, enlisted at Adams, Rodman, Lorraine and
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Vorth, now Fourth; C, originally as C, Second Battal- on, enlisted at Antwerp, Philadelphia and LeRay, ow Fifth ; D, originally B, First Battalion, enlisted Champion, Croghan, Diana, Rutland and Wilna, w Fourth ; E, originally A, First Battalion, enlisted at Ellisburg and Henderson, now Fourth ; F, originally I, Second Battalion, enlisted at Alexandria and Ther- esa, now Fifth ; G, originally B, Second Battalion, en- listed at Clayton and Orleans, now Fifth; H. origi- nally A, Fifth, enlisted at Adams, Antwerp, Brown- ville, Hounsfield, Watertown and Worth, now Sev- enth ; I, originally B, Third Batallion. enlisted at Brownville and Hounsfield. now Seventh ; K, origi- nally C, Third Battalion, enlisted at Watertown, Cape Vincent, Clayton, Orleans, Rutland, Pamelia, LeRay and Osceola, now Seventh ; L, originally L, Third Bat- talion, enlisted at Ellisburg, Henderson, Adams, Watertown, Lyme, Cape Vincent, Hounsfield, now Seventh ; M, originally C, First Battalion, enlisted at Cape Vincent, Lyme, Pamelia, now Fourth." The various changes and depletion of the various compa- nies for the several months they had been in service, and the lettering of the companies composing each Bat- talion being the same, caused a necessity for a re-letter- ing of the companies on their organization as a Regi- ment, which Col. Piper, on taking command, the com- panies then composing the Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Battalions, at this time embraced in the Tenth Regi- ment, caused to be done, which lettering remained until the mustering out of the original men, when it again became necessary to form new companies from the recruits that had been received and added to the various companies. These recruits were formed into companies lettered E. F and G, and transferred to the Sixth Regiment N. Y. Artillery there to serve their xpired enlistments. The companies as formed and ered by Col. Piper, were lettered and commanded ollows : A, E. P. Webb, Captain ; B, G. F. Kitts, tain; C, C. C. Abell, Captain ; D, S. R. Cowles, tain ; E, A. Cleghorn, Captain ; F, J. S. Vande- gh, Captain ; G, R. B. Biddlecom, Captain ; H, Middleton, Captain ; I, H. O. Gillmore, Captain ; B. B. Taggart, Captain ; M, J. B. Campbell, Cap- . 1 ; Company L appears to have been omitted from 3
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the records of the Adjutant General's office, and no data is at hand by which to determine who commanded it. It was composed in part of an independent Bat- tery, enlisted about this time in Jefferson county by a Captain Gould. The regulations for enlisting men at the time required all recruiting officers to hold au- thority to enlist men for some designated organiza- tion ; this Battery was for this reason utilized to fill the company, and mustered in as Company L. of the Tenth Regiment.
The original Battalions mustering at Sackets Har- bor consisted of sixteen companies, containing at the date of muster two thousand. two hundred and eighty enlisted men, of which the Tenth Regiment mustered seventeen hundred and thirty three, besides two hun- dred and forty non-commissioned and sixty commis- sioned officers.
The reports at the Adjutant General's office of the State show the Regiment lost, killed in action seven- enteen enlisted men, died of wounds received in ac- tion, thirty enlisted men, and of disease and other causes, two commissioned officers, and two hundred and seventeen enlisted men. a total of two officers and two hundred and sixty-four enlisted men.
The records of the same office disclose some discrep- encies as to the number of men mustered into each company, giving Company A 157, Company B 155, Company C 155, Company D 155, Company E 155, Company F 155, Company G 155, Company H 155, Company I 97, Company K 114, Company L 155, Company M 155, being somewhat at variance with the original muster rolls. We have carefully traced the Tenth Regiment from its enlistment through the com- pany, its muster as Battalions, its organizations as a Regiment, its final completion and muster for duty under its Regimental officers about the 7th of Janu- ary, 1863, at the fortifications in the department of Washington. Many incidents divert our mind as we pass along, reviewing the ground and scenes so familiar near a quarter of a century since, much that would be of interest to those not conversant with the organ- ization and the times of which we write. Yet much of this more properly belongs to a history of each com- pany comprising the Regiment, rather than the Regi-
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ent itself, having now reached the point where it be- ame an organization of more importance than as originally formed, we shall endeavor to trace the record made by the Regiment from this time onward to its final muster out of the service as nearly as may may be with the data at hand, rendering such credit as facts will allow and the merits of its achievements will permit. We found ourselves on the 7th day of January, 1863, what we so long had struggled to be- come, a Regiment, fully officered, although not all mustered, and when Col. Piper on that day took com- mand, we opine that he found no struggling, undisci- plined mob of men. We had kept our manhood, and cherished the cause that led us forth from homes and friends, through adverse circumstances, vicissi- tudes, mishaps and misapprehensions, with which we were surrounded, and ready to hail our new chief offi- cer with the honor and dignity his elevated position entitled him to receive. Though we had been sur- rounded by adverse circumstances, be it said to their credit, the company officers exhibited a zeal rarely met in new Regiments to become efficient in the arm of service to which they had been assigned, so much against their desires. Officers from the One Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Heavy Artilley were as- signed to Battalions as instructors in Heavy Artillery tactics, under whose instructions the officers and com- mand soon became quite efficient in Heavy Artillery drill, the commissioned officers meeting at headquart- ers at stated times for instruction in Light Artillery tactics.
The fortifications were under the immediate com- mand of a general of the engineer corps, who, through special orders, directed the commanding officer of the battalion to recognize no orders relating to the forts or operations therein, emanating from any other source than the commander-in-chief or department commander. In all other respects, to conform to the nsages of the army, thereby recognizing brigade, regi- mental or battalion commanders, with whom for the time being they might be brigaded, outranking the mmanding officer of the fortifications. This arrange- 'nt gave rise to many ludicrous scenes, in which bitious volunteer officers, happening to be encamped
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near us, would assume to take command; and at times order an inspection of the works -- too often ending in their discomfiture. One such, whom we believe still to be in the government service, assumed to inspect the magazine at Fort Baker, filled with powder and shell. In performing this self-constituted duty, he came upon some sacks of coarse mortar powder; turning to Captain Webb, then in command, repri- manded him sharply for allowing the ammunition to become caked and spoiled in the sacks, much to the amusement of the ordinance sergeant, Johnson, then on duty, and the battalion officers present. At other times these self constituted commanders would find themselves within the fortification with no means of exit, except a request to the guard on duty at the sal- liport to call the officer of the guard, who in turn called the officer of the day, and he the commanding officer, when our assuming friends were generally dis- gusted with the joke and sought their own command, fully satisfied with the experiment.
Of the seventh battalion no data is at hand from which we can trace anything more than its doing gar- rison duty on Staten Island, New York harbor, expe- riencing all the difficulties enumerated of the fourth and fifth, in consequence of its disorganized condition, until the formation of the regiment. We append a letter written from New York Harbor, clipped from a local paper, reciting the difficulties experienced at the time, of one company at least, presumably the expe- rience of the seventh battalion.
At the time of organization of companies and their rendezvous at Sackets Harbor, Dr. William R. Trow- bridge was appointed by the Governor as surgeon, with Addison W. Goodale as assistant; both of whom were afterwards mustered with the regiment. Dr. Goodale accompanied the first and second battalions to Washington, and for a considerable time served in that capacity. Lonis C. Thierry was appointed muster- ing officer by the State authorities, charged with mus- tering the recruits and companies in the State service, at Sackets Harbor. Lieutenant J. Randolph Knight was detailed by Captain Webb as Adjutant; he served in that capacity at Madison barracks, and with the battalion at Washington until his death, Nov. 23,
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809, at Fort Stanton, Va. He was buried by his comrades in the Congressional burying grounds near the capital, beside a relative. Lientenant B. A. Chap- man was then detailed as Adjutant by Captain Webb, commanding, to the vacancy caused by the death of Adjutant Knight, and served in that capacity a con- siderable time, after the formation of a regiment, upon the staff of Col. Piper; he was succeeded by Lieuten- ant E. A. Everett, who retired on June 18th, 1863, on the assignment of Lieutenant A. W. Wheelock, Co. A, by Col. Piper to be Regimental Adjutant, in which capacity Adjutant Wheelock served until the final mnster out of the regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Spratt was commissioned Janu- ary 14th, 1863, discharged April 5th, 1864. On joining the regiment he was assigned to duty at New York harbor, in command of the fourth battalion, and joined the regiment with his command at Washington in the spring of 1863.
James B. Campbell, Captain Co. G, was promoted to be Major, January 14th, 1863; transferred to the Sixth regiment, New York Artillery, June 27, 1865.
Charles C. Abell, Captain Co. C., was promoted to be Major, March 11th, 1864, and transferred to Sixth N. Y. H. Art., June 27th, 1865.
George Depeyster Arden was commissioned Major, Dec. 31, 1863, and promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel of this regiment April 29th, 1864.
S. R. Cowles was promoted to Major May Sth, 1864, lischarged June 23, 1865, with the muster out of the regiment.
Stephen R Flower was mustered as Quartermaster of the original battalions and took rank from that date and acted in that capacity until mustered out with the regiment.
The surgeon of this regiment was originally W. R. Trowbridge. A. W. Goodale, assistant, and after its final organization O. S. Copeland, A. W. Goodale, Benjamin Hobbs and B. Frank Pope, George M. Hub- bard at one time holding an appointment but never nmissioned.
re appears never to have been but one chaplain, Moses E. Wilson, attached to this organiza- uring its transition from companies to battalions
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and regiment. Mostly the spiritual consolation of the regiment was drawn from a clear conscience and an honest purpose to defend the right. Why no chaplain was appointed sooner is not now known.
I. L. Huntington was promoted Captain, Jan. 31, 1865, and mustered out with the regiment June 23d, 1865.
B. A. Chapman promoted to be Captain, June 13tb, 1863, and discharged with the regiment.
Lucen E. Carter was promoted Captain, June 30th, 1864, and mustered out with the regiment.
John C. Armstrong was promoted to be Captain, March 19th, 1863; discharged with the regiment.
Franklin O. Sherman was promoted to be Captain, March 30th, 1864; transferred to Sixth Artillery, June 27, 1865.
Elisha H. Tobey promoted to be Captain, May 11th, 1863; discharged July 22d, 1864; recommissioned at a later date.
Elias Getman was promoted to be Captain, August 12th, 1864, and transferred to Sixth N. Y., June 27th, 1865.
John H. Parker was promoted to be Captain, Aug. 24th, 1863, and discharged with the regiment June 23d, 1865.
Philander B. Grant was promoted to be Captain, March 30th, 1864; discharged January 24th, 1865.
Leman A Rising was promoted to be Captain, Feb. 1Sth, 1865, and mustered out with the regiment June 23d, 1865.
James E. Green was promoted to be Captain, Dec. 27th, 1862; resigned Sept. 2d, 1863.
Edward H. Smith promoted to be Captain, October 15th, 1863, and was discharged with the regiment June 23, 1865.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Wm. P. Freeman was promoted to be First Lieu- tenant, March 30th, 1865; transferred to Sixth Artil- lery.
Russel M. Jones was promoted to be First Lieuten- ant, Oct. 15th, 1563; discharged with the regiment.
Oliver B. Cadwell was promoted to be First Lieu- tenant, June 30th, 1864, and transferred to Sixth N. Y. Artillery, June 27th, 1865.
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Biron Johnson was commissioned to be First w. cutenant, February 28th, 1865, and discharged with regiment June 23, 1865.
James A. Taylor was promoted to be First Lieuten- ant, April 22, 1863; resigned Sept. 19, 1863.
Malcom G. Cook was promoted to be First Lieuten- ant October 15, 1863; discharged with regiment.
John M. Wilcox promoted to be First Lieutenant, October 15th, 1863, and discharged with the regiment.
James S. Ward promoted to be First Lieutenant, March 30th, 1864, and mustered out with the regi- ment.
Charles B. Spear, promoted to be First Lieutenant. October 15th, 1863; discharged with the regiment.
Morris A. Reed promoted to be First Lieutenant, May 11th, 1863; discharged with the regiment June 23. 1865.
Ililon A. Parker promoted to be First Lieutenant, February 1Sth, 1865, and discharged with the regi- ment.
Victor B. Rottiers promoted to be First Lieutenant, October 15, 1863.
William J. Hart promoted First Lieutenant, June 13th, 1863; promoted to be Captain, Nov. 17th, 1864.
Patrick H. Keenan promoted to be First Lieutenant Nov. 17th, 1864; transferred to Sixth N. Y. Regiment June 17th. 1865.
Silas Wright Frame promoted from Second N. Y. Artillery to be First Lieutenant, 22d January, 1863, and mustered out expiration of his term of service March 6th, 1865.
Ambrose B. Seaton promoted to be First Lieuten- ant. Nov. 30, 1865; transferred to Sixth N. Y. Artil- lery, June 17th, 1865.
Morrison Griffin promoted to be First Lieutenant, February 18, 1865; discharged with the regiment June 23. 1865.
John H. Wescott promoted to be First Lieutenant, Ang. 13th, 1864; discharged April 1st, 1865.
Daniel W. Burdick, breveted Captain U. S. V., commissioned First Lieutenant, Aug. 24, 1863; dis- · harged with the regiment June 23. 1865.
Robert R. Bell, not mustered as Lieutenant.
"ollace R. Hill commissioned First Lieutenant,
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April 29th, 1864; discharged June 23, 1865, with the regiment.
Fred Lansing commissioned First Lieutenant, Nov. 29, 1862; discharged March 9th, 1863.
Philander B. Grant, commissioned First Lieutenant, April 22, 1863, promoted to be Captain March 30th, 1863.
Phillip Riley, commissioned to be First Lieutenant, March 30, 1864; discharged with the regiment.
Mark Andrews, commissioned First Lieutenant, Dec. 12, 1862, resigned August 21st, 1863.
Robert McKnight, commissioned First Lieutenant. Oct 16th, 1863, discharged with the regiment June 23, 1865.
Othneil Williams, commissioned First Lieutenant, Feb. 7, 1863, and resigned Aug. 21st, 1863.
Daniel Ranney, commissioned First Lieutenant, Oct. 15th, 1863, discharged with regiment June 23, 1865.
Willard J. Allen, commissioned First Lieutenant. Sept. 30, 1864, discharged with the regiment June 23, 1865.
Chauncey E. Seaton, commissioned First Lieuten- ant, Sept. 30, 1864, discharged with the regiment June 23, 1865.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Russell M. Jones, commissioned Nov. 29th, 1862, promoted to First Lieutenant Oct. 15, 1865.
T. Byron Johnson, commissioned Oct. 15, 1863, pro- moted to First Lieutenant Feb. 28, 1865.
Wm. H. Flint, commissioned March 30, 1865, dis- charged with regiment June 23. 1863.
Malcom G. Cook, promoted First Lieutenant, Oct. 15, 1863.
Dealton W. Cooper. commissioned Nov. 1863, died of disease at Fortress Monroe. Aug. 5, 1864.
John L. Wilkinson, commissioned Sept. 16, 1864, discharged May 8th, 1865.
T. B. Marshall, commissioned June 14, 1865, not mustered.
Walter A. Horr. commissioned Nov. 29, 1862, dis- charged Dec. 12. 1864.
Gaylor Rouse, commissioned Dec. 22, 1864, dis- charged June 23, 1865.
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mes S. Ward, commissioned Nov. 24, 1862, pro- ed to be First Lieutenant, March 30, 1864.
'win R. Cowan, commissioned March 30, 1864, and arged June 23, 1865.
John M. Wilcox, promoted to be First Lieutenant, Oct. 15, 1863.
Oliver B. Cadwell, commissioned Oct. 15, 1863, pro- moted to First Lieutenant, June 30, 1864.
Edward H. Kellogg, commissioned July 1st, 1864, declined.
James H. Morris, commissioned July Sth, 1864, dis- charged June 23, 1865.
Phillip Riley, commissioned Nov. 24, 1862, promoted First Lieutenant, Oct. 15, 1863.
Phillip F. Farnham, commissioned March 30, 1864, discharged with regiment.
Chas. B. Spear, commissioned Nov. 29, 1862, pro- moted First Lieutenant, Oct. 15, 1863.
Wm. A. Williams, commissioned Oct. 10, 1863, transferred to Sixth N. Y. Artillery, June 27th, 1865.
Daniel Ranny, commissioned Nov. 29, 1862, pro- moted First Lieutenant, Oct. 15, 1863.
Harmon E. Spalsbury, commissioned Oct. 15, 1863, discharged June 29, 1864.
Don A. Watson, commissioned Aug. S, 1864, dis- charged June 23, 1865.
Morris E. Reed, commissioned Nov. 29, 1862, pro- moted First Lieutenant, May 11, 1863.
Patrick Keenan, commissioned May 11, 1863, pro- moted First Lieutenant, Nov. 17, 1864.
A. W. Wheelock, commissioned Nov. 29, 1862, promoted First Lieutenant, Aug. 14, 1863.
John H. Wescott, commissioned Aug. 11, 1863, pro- moted First Lieutenant, Aug. 16, 1864.
Chas. C. Green, commissioned Aug. 12, 1864, dis- charged 23d June, 1865.
Victor V. Rottiers, commissioned Nov. 20th, 1862, promoted First Lieutenant, Oct. 15, 1863.
Geo. W. Wood, commissioned April 14, 1864, dis- charged June 23, 1865.
Win. J. Hart, commissioned Nov. 29, 1862, pro- moted First Lieutenant, June 13, 1863.
Ransom J. McKee, commissioned June 13, 1863, discharged July 18, 1865:
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