USA > New York > History of the 10th Regiment N. Y. Heavy Artillery, from Madison Barracks to Appomattox, with reminiscences, &c > Part 6
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Tenth of one killed and seventeen wounded, being Emory W. Clink, "B" musket ball in arm: Francis 1. Butler, "B" piece shell in forehead; W. D. Will- iamson, "D" piece shell in leg; John J. Brown, Corp. Co. "E"' musket shot in knee; Wm. Storrs, shot in arm; Geo. B. Allen, bugler, "E" piece shell in neck: W. D. Ingalls, bugler "H" in ankle; Geo. Kepp "H" in hand; Archibald Marvin "I"' in hand; Geo. Hart, "K" killed-piece shell through body; Alex McDon- ald, "K" in head; Geo. W. Wright, "K" in arm; Jas. M. Herrick, "M" in hand; Thomas Armstrong, Artf .. "M"' in shoulder; Daniel Puffer, "M" arm; Pascal Jebbo, "M" leg; Lewis Duffy, leg; Frank Favery, "M" arm and thigh, severe.
The Tenth was engaged during the night and fol- lowing day, in repairing and reversing the works. The 2nd Corps, Hancock's, came up and, with the 18th supporting, drove the enemy about half a mile on their outer lines. The army of Northern Va. being now to the front. the siege of Petersburg was inaugurated. Nearly every day and night brought its battle or skirmish, and augmented the list of killed and wound- ed in the Tenth. On the 18th the Tenth advanced to the rifle pits, engaged in throwing up new trenches, remaining forty-eight hours, with a loss of one man, private A. Marvin, Co. "I," wounded in the thigh, when they were relieved by the 62nd N. Y. Infantry, and ordered to Point of Rocks. The 1st battalion of Tenth - Regiment preceding the 2nd and 3rd, which joined it the following day, while laying in camp. The regiment then went into camp at Point of Rocks, and to the delight of the regiment rations of soft bread were issued. The day following the regiment was ordered to return to Petersburg, and June 21st took up line of march for that place, and encamped in front of Petersburgh, Co. G. and L. taking their position in the rifle pits. The regiment alternating with the divi- sion doing duty, each regiment occupying the pits forty-eight hours, preparing for the siege then in progress.
The casualties in wounded and killed daily were but slight, losing in wounded and killed: June 21st, Private Delmore, "B" in foot, slight; 22d. Private Ballard, "L" hand; June 23, Geo. H. Milotte, "A"
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shoulder; A. Judson Hubert, "L" hand: 24th, John McIntyre, "C" abdomen; Gilbert R. Reed. "C" killed by musket ball through head; Zenas D. Dean. Sergt. Co. "G" killed, musket ball through bead: Norman A. Myers, "K" hand; Eugene G. Clark, "A" head, slight; June 25th, Chauncey A. Leak, in hand; Francis G. Gotham, "G" killed, ball through head; 27th, Amos P. Colburn, Sergt. "D" foot, accidental; Stew- art Werden, "H" killed, shell in head; Frederick Shepper, "M" wounded in head slightly. June 29th, Andrew L. Murdock, "A" musket ball in breast; Tal- man D. Waltz, "F"' arm and side: Wm. H. Phillips, "F" thigh. 30th, Edward Sweeney, "A" hand and leg; Geo. W. Horth, Sergt. "B" hand; Henry Hazel, "B" foot: John D. Otis, "E" shell in loin, since died; Charles D. Carpenter, "D" in shoulder; Shibley Shep- pard, "G" musket ball in hand; Samuel G. Orton, "I" killed by musket ball through head; Levi Tyron. "I'' musket ball in hand. July 1st, Wm. Redfern, "A" musket ball in leg: Joseph A. Miller, "F"' shoulder; Amos J. Henry, "G" knee; Horace Proper, "G" side; Geo. W. Enos "G" hip, severe; Orrin Tubbs. "L" foot: Benj. Judd, "M" musket ball through body, since died. July 20, Amos. B. Grummons, "B" thumb and thigh; Chas. Leak. "H" arm. July 3d, Fred. A. Monroe, Corp. "A" shell near knee; Melvin Polly, Corp. "A" shell in foot, amputated: Win. H. Haas, "A" shell in side, right arm amputated by same shell; Lorenzo Snell. "G" solid shot in side, since died. July 4th, Hugh H. Jones, "A" breast, slight; Drake S. Bosworth, "I"' head, slight; Private Wilder, "I"' head; Private Timmerman, "I' head, slight; Pri- vate Guest, "L" side, severe; L. Stevenson, side. Rhodes. "K" head. severe; severe: Nicholas
Walter Picket. "M" killed by shell: Lewis V.
Johnson. "M"' killed by shell; John Wilson.
"M" killed by a shell. These three men lay side by side, a 20 pound Parrot shell, without explosion, passed through the three, killing them instantly. July 5, Rufus Baldwin, "H" wounded in foot: Rich- ard S. Green, "IT" wounded in side, severely; Horace D. Ivory, artif. "h" killed, musket shot in breast. July 30, John Frost, "I" with shell in side and back.
The survivers of the brave comrades who fell in
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battle can only cherish the achievements and sacrifices made by the Tenth, commemorating its -achievements and the heroism of its fallen dead. Noble boys! Fallen heroes! A grateful country can only recom- pence your valiant deaths by doing homage to your memories at each recurring anniversary, offering to your honored names a crown of flowers, repeating with bated breath a silent requiem. Sleep on, fallen heroes! Your sacrifice was not in vain. The principles for which you gave your lives outlives the fratricidal strife. Though your blood commingled with that of the unnatural foe. Over the ruby chasm that gallant foe now vie with your living comrades in keeping alive the memory of your valient deeds and heroic sacrifices.
July 20, '64 Gen. Martindale succeeded Gen. Baldy Smith in command of the 18th corps. The Tenth be- came brigaded with 9th N. J., 55th Penn., 23d. 25th and 27th Mass., with Col, Piper in command, and same day Col. Stewart, 9th New Jersey Regiment, was placed in command of brigade, and Col. Piper as- signed to duty as chief of artillery'to the 1Sth corps. July 30th the 18th corps supported the 9th corps in the Burnside mine assault, the Tenth suffering but little loss. In the evening the corps returned to the trenches, taking position with their right resting on Appomattox river, the right of the Tenth on Peters- burg and City Point R. R., and left on Petersburg & Norfolk R. R., and connecting with 14th Heavy Ar- tillery of 9th corps. The advance line of the Tenth was within a few feet of the enemy's pickets. An at- tempt was made to break their line by exploding a mine, but without success. The Tenth remained in their trenches on duty until Aug. 13th, Gen. Early having in the meantime raided into Maryland, the 6th corps and the Tenth Regiment were ordered to ad- vance on Washington. The Regiment on leaving the department of Washington, May, 1864, mustered 1,544 men.
It having been under fire sixty-five days in and about Petersburg, the casualties, discharges and details to other duties had so reduced the Regiment, that on leav- ing Petersburg, Aug. 13th, 1864, it numbered less than.600 muskets. The Regiment marched to City Point and embarked on a steamer, reaching Washing-
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ton the 14th of August at 4 P. M .; moved over into Virginia and garrisoned Fort Whipple headquarters, Albany, Runvon, Craig, Smith, Tillinghast, Wood- bury and Bennett south of the Potomac, attached to 1st brigade, Derussey division, 22d corps, performing garrison and camp duties until Sept. 23, 1864, at which date the Tenth was ordered to join the Army of the Shenandoah, at Harper's Ferry, for active duty. It proceeded by railroad to that point and went into camp at Bollivar heights on the 24th, remaining in camp about four days, when the Regiment was or- ganized with a provisional brigade and attached to 3d division 6th army corps. The 28th the Regimeut was again set in motion and actively employed and kept constantly on the move, guarding supply trains, foraging and destroying, under Sheridan's orders, such supplies as could not be moved and of supposed material use to the enemy. At this time nearly 3,000 head of horses, cattle and sheep had been collected. Much of this time the battalions of the Tenth were separated, the 2d and 3d under command of Lieut. Col. Arden, headquarters at Martinsburg, and acting independently, pretty thoroughly covering the terri- tory from Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg to Har- risonburg. The 1st battalion, headquarters at Har- risonburg, remained in the vicinity, performing guard duties to General Sheridan's supplies until Oct. 4th, when Sheridan fell back to Cedar Creek, at which time the battalion was ordered to Front Royal in charge of a large number of cattle and sheep captured by Sheri- dan's army in the Shenandoah valley. Remaining here a few days, doing duty as shepherds to the flocks and herds captured from the JJohnnies, joining the regiment at Front Royal Oet. 10th. The following morning the Regiment advanced to Cedar Creek, and on the 14th the Regiment was brigaded with the 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, Col. Arden in command of brigade, and at- tached to provisional division, commanded by Col. Hiem, 103d N. Y. Oct. 15th and 16th the Tenth Regiment lay in battle line, but not engaged, and on the 17th the Tenth, with one battalion of the 6th N. Y. Artillery, were ordered to guard supply train to Winchester and Martinsburg, and while absent from the command on this duty the battle of Cedar Creek
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was fought, the Regiment, returning to Cedar Creek two days after the battle. Oct. 19th the brigade, to which the Tenth was attached, held the extreme left of the army in its position at Cedar Creek, and it was here that Early made himself felt. The brigade met with loss, eight companies of 6th N. Y. Artillery suffering badly in loss of officers, loosing eight out of eleven officers.
The Tenth having on its return the 19th, encamped on the same ground vacated by it on the 16th of Oct., at the extreme left of the army. On the 22nd the regi- ment was ordered to Winchester, where it went into camp, and was joined about Oct. 29th by the division, Col. O. Edwards, 37th Mass , commanding post. Dec. 21st, the Tenth was ordered back to the army of the Potomac, leaving here at 7 A. M., and arriving at the Soldier's Retreat, Washington, Dec. 22nd, and on the 24th Dec., took steamer at Washington, reaching Ber- muda Hundred, after several days delay from ice: on Dec. 30th, 1864, landing above City Point, the 31st went into camp at Bermuda Hundred, and was attach- ed to Provisional Brigade, Gen. Ed. W. Ferrero com- manding, holding the line of work's between the James and Appomattox rivers, called the Bermuda front. The Tenth occupied the right of line resting on the James and opposite the famous Howlett House Rebel battery. The regiment here passed the winter in camp in comparative quiet, doing camp and picket duties, Hampton's Brigade, Pickett's Division, hold- ing the enemies' line in front of the Tenth. Jan- uary 22nd, 1865, the enemy attempted to break our picket line, but were driven back with considerable loss. The night of January 23rd another attempt was made by the enemy to penetrate our lines, and as pre- viously, were unsuccessful. In connection with this at- tack upon our lines, the Rebel gunboats Fredricksburg, Richmond, Virginia. and Drewry, were run down the river, passed the works north of the James, without discovery, being first discovered by the Tenth and re- ported to head quarters. The passage of the upper works by the gunboats was discredited at head-quar- ters. The Tenth was powerless to do more. One of the boats out and passed the obstructions, a little be- low the right of the regiment, expecting to be joined
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by the others, and was to reach City Point and de- stroy the vast amount of supplies accumulating at that point, and break the connection betwwen the two wings of the Federal army. The Richmond and Virginia were grounded, and only the Fredricksburg passed below the obstructions; daylight found the two boats still aground, the Drury, an ironclad, keeping them com- pany. The Fredricksburg had ventured below the bend of the river under cover of the Howlett House battery, and beyond range of the Federal batteries. A few well directed shots from the battery, blew up the Drury. The river rising, the Richmond and Virginia succeeded in escaping beyond the range of the Federal guns. Two Federal monitors came up the river on the 24th, and took position opposite the right of the Tenth, the enemy making no further attempt.
Early in March, 1885, Gen. Hartsuff retired. and Gen. Ferrero took command of the division. and Col. Kibbe, 6th Artillery, took command of the Brigade.
April 2nd, 1865, telegrams having been received from Gen. Grant, by the Division Commander, stating it was thought the enemy had or were removing troops from our front, concentrating against Sheridan, Hartsuff was ordered to develope the enemy's position by open. ing fire upon their works, thereby diverting their attention from other points. Accordingly, at 3 P. M., all the batteries along the line opened fire upon the enemy's works, elicting no reply save a couple of shells. The attempt to draw their fire proving futile. it was determined to make an attack upon their works. The Tenth regiment was selected to make the assault, and ordered to get in readiness for the advance. Shortly after midnight the regiment formed in line, the 1st and 2nd battalions composed of Co's B, C. D. F. G, H. K. and M. under command of Major James B. Campbell and S. R. Cowles, advanced to the picket line. leaving the third battalion Co's A, E, I, and I. under command of Capt. Vandebergh. in charge of the main line of works. About daybreak our batter- ies opened fire upon the enemies works, with the re- salt, of the previons day. About sunrise the order to advance was given, the Ist battalion with Maj. Camp bell at its head, dashed forward, and after a short but sharp action succeeded in driving the enemy's pickets
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in and capturing their line, holding it until reinforced by Major Cowles with the 2nd battalion. The enemy opening a raking flank fire, from both Hanks. upon the battalion with their batteries, at the same time pouring in a galling fire of musketry, rendering it untenable to attempt to hold the line. In view of this, the order was given to fall back to our main line, which move- ment was accomplished in good order, with a loss of 31 killed wounded and missing, leaving our killed and wounded in the enemy's lines, who were subsequently brought in under a flag of truce at 4 P. M. The behav- ior of the officers and men being so conspicuous, Major Campbell being himself shot through the arm, but re- fused to relinquish the command, and fell back to the main line, assisting a corporal wounded in the leg, that it called forth from Brevet Major-Gen. Ferrero, commanding the division, the following complimentary order:
GENERAL ORDER NO. 4. HEAD- QUARTERS, IN. DIV. DEF. BERMUDA HUNDRED, April 3d, 1865. )
I. The General commanding desires to express his admiration of the gallant manner in which the troops of the Tenth Artillery carried the line of the enemy this morning; it was a necessity that the line of the enemy should be developed; the result was a success.
II. To the officers engaged he tenders his hearty thanks, for their hearty co-operation in carrying out his orders. The conduct of Major Campbell is worthy of the highest praise, for the cool and skillful manner in which he advanced his line, and in withdrawing it under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, while suffering himself with a wound in the arm. With such officers to lead success must follow.
By command of Major-Gen. Ferrero.
GEO. A. HICKS, A. A. G.
The enemy were intrenched behind strong works, fully manned with artillery and infantry. We can- tured six prisoners and destroyed the abattice in front of the picket line. The casualties to the Tenth Regi- ment resulting from this charge upon the enemy's works were in killed and wounded:
REMINISCENCES BY COL. W. B. CAMP.
Mr. President, Veterans of the 10th Artillery, Mem- bers of the G. A. R. Post:
I have to thank the committee on whom was placed the responsibility of perfecting the arrangements for this re-union, for the pleasure not only of meeting you, but of participating in "Reminiscence" of those stirring times in 1862, when out of the storm of bat- tle-of fraternal strife and sectional animosity, the bugle note of alarm was heard from the watch-tower of our republic calling for "300,000 more!" of that time when each loyal Governor with his body of loyal Knights took up the sound and beat again the tocsin at the alter of our liberties.
Our offerings to the God of battles had not sufficed. Assurances that 75,000 armed and loyal citizens, called from the non-seceded States of the Union to maintain its entirety, could squelch the kindling flames of a threatened sectional conflagration, had not been re- alized.
Missouri had said "Your call for troops to subjugate the seceded states is inhuman and diabolical: not one man from Missouri." Virginia, "Your request will not be complied with." "If your call is genuine." re- plies North Carolina, "you can get no troops to war upon a free people." "Tennessee will not furnish a single man for coercion but 50,000 for defence." A defiance. "Kentucky will furnish no troops," said Magoffin, "for subduing her sister Southern states." Arkansas, "Insult to injury! We will defend our homes, lives and property against Northern mendacity -- not a man!" Governor Hicks of Maryland, assured his people. "no troops should be sent from that state." and they assured him "'none should go through." Lit- tle Delaware had no power to bring forth a mouse un- der the Constitution.
In these replies we recognize a coincidence of lan- . guage, evidently inspired at Montgomery, by the chief of the confederacy.
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N. Y. Artillery. The Regiment was ordered to Sack- ets Harbor, and there discharged July 7th, 1865, Col. Piper joining the Regiment at New York city, ac- companying it to the barracks at Sackets Harbor, and then taking leave of his command. The battalion transferred to the Sixth remained in service until August; 1865, and was then ordered to Hart's Island, New York harbor, for muster out.
Having traced the Tenth's career from home to bar- rack and camp, from the camp to field and redout, face to face with the death dealing artifice of war, re- tiring its depleted ranks to its original camp and bar- rack, we take an humble leave of camp and field until the seriatim call that bids us join preceding comrades in the last "reveille at the universal bivouac."
REMINISCENCES BY COL. W. B. CAMP.
Mr. President, Veterans of the 10th Artillery, Mem- bers of the G. A. R. Post:
I have to thank the committee on whom was placed the responsibility of perfecting the arrangements for this re-union, for the pleasure not only of meeting you, but of participating in "Reminiscence" of those stirring times in 1862, when out of the storm of bat- tle-of fraternal strife and sectional animosity, the bugle note of alarm was heard from the watch-tower of our republic calling for "300,000 more!" of that time when each loyal Governor with his body of loyal Knights took up the sound and beat again the tocsin at the alter of our liberties.
Our offerings to the God of battles had not sufficed. Assurances that 75,000 armed and loyal citizens, called from the non-seceded States of the Union to maintain its entirety, could squelch the kindling flames of a threatened sectional conflagration, had not been re- alized.
Missouri had said "Your call for troops to subjugate the seceded states is inhuman and diabolical; not one man from Missouri." Virginia, "Your request will not be complied with." "If your call is genuine," re- plies North Carolina, "you can get no troops to war upon a free people." "Tennessee will not furnish a single man for coercion but 50.000 for defence." defiance. "Kentucky will furnish no troops," said Magoffin, "for subduing her sister Southern states."
Arkansas, "Insult to injury! We will defend our homes, lives and property against Northern mendacity -- not a man!" Governor Hicks of Maryland, assured his people, "no troops should be sent from that state." and they assured him "'none should go through." Lit- tle Delaware had no power to bring forth a mouse un- der the Constitution.
In these replies we recognize a coincidence of lan- . guage, evidently inspired at Montgomery, by the chief of the confederacy.
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Sumter opened the dance of death in 1861, and South Carolina rejoiced that she had the honor of set- ting it to the tune of Dixie. and shedding the first blood of the rebellion. Gosport navy yard fell to the conspirators, and $25,000,000 of war material was lost to the government. Bull Run's deadly blast added to their exultation and our despondency. The giant head of rebellion rose with appalling power to survey an united and defiant confederacy; at the same time, when the year closed, the loyal states with her 22,000,000 population-even including an unfortunate despised and venomous class called "Copperheads," had sent 556,000 volunteers to the front, to be swollen to one million at the ending of '62. Of this number New York furnished 220,000-nearly one-fourth of that vast army.
1862 opened with the advent of the coming deliv- erer. Paducha and Bellmont, Fort Henry and Donald- son met with no conditions but surrender. The Merrimac's one day of destruction and slaughter was met by the first and only Monitor at Hampton Roads the next. Then came the shock at Shiloh. Staggared and bent by the furious on-rush of 40,000 of the most chivalrous, intelligent, cultured sons of the South against our unprotected 25,000 hardy, valorous and brave boys of the West. Amid it stood our oak, Ulysses, waiting for Buel and Wallace, as did Welling- ton for Blucher at Waterloo, to complete the victory. Then pointing over that field where 22,000 were counted lost to the combined armies, would move upon the fleeing enemy, from whose ranks fell 3,000 from fatigue alone in their flight to Corinth.
Again came a victory of victories at New Orleans, under Farragut and Bailey, to cheer the Northern heart. At the very onset our county was infused with the sudden impulse that thrilled every patriot in the free States, and seven companies went out from us with banners and blessings to form the Thirty- fifth,
Watertown, Company A and Company E, under Potter and Lacy; companies from Adams, Mendall; Copenhagen, Angle; Theresa, Flower; Redwood, Spalsbury: Brownville, Lord.
Then went down the gallant Ninety-fourth from us
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in March of 1862, accompanied by nineteen regiments of infantry, two of artillery and four batteries from our State.
Our western and southern victories had given us courage and hope-hope that Mcclellan's great army would enter Richmond with triumphant results. Again surged, and like a tidal wave came the en- gulphing host from the South, rushing toward Wash- ington, sweeping through the Shenandoah, sending Banks to the Potomac and our forces to the Ohio, Before Richmond burst open the gates of "death and hell," and backward, with the appearance of annihila- tion, hastened our stricken and devoted army to stand at Malvern Hill, and there without their com- mander. met the so-called avenger, and we were avenged.
At this calamitous period not one regiment re- mained in the State. Again our National Guard, headed by the Seventh New York, left bank and office, store and dwelling of comfort for the capital to ensure its safety.
One hundred and fifty permits to raise companies had been granted in May and June without any re- sult. Now came the startling cry for "300,000, and 300.000 more!" From hamlet, city and town went back the assurance, "We are coming, Father Abraham, 300,000 more!"
To place the provisions of the call distinctly before the people the State was divided into districts and a committee appointed by the Governor to act in each. The notice of appointment was dated July 5, 1862, and read as follows:
"I am appointed by his Excellency Governor Mor- gan, to inform you he has appointed you one of a committee of citizens of your Senatorial district to aid by their earnest and determined efforts the organiza- tion of a regiment of volunteers under a call of the President. It is designed to have a regimental camp in each district."
Not until the 21st were we called together by the chairman to meet at the Woodruff House. Our work began, if work it was. Our citizens were up in arms, leaving field, farm and all avocations, only asking the questions, who's our Captain? Where's headquarters?
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Thirty days after Mr. A. M. Farwell, as clerk, called us together for the selection of a Colonel; Dr. Rosa, chair- man pro tem., on Sept. 3d, respecting completion of the organization of regiment at Sackets Harbor; on the 10th, with "reference to Majors." August 28, five weeks after the preliminary meeting, Senator Bell writes me: "How is it about mustering in before September first?" This item has a host of meaning. During that month thousands had left their homes to visit or rendezvous at Madison Barracks. Dr. Wm. Trowbridge had examined 2,300 with this astonishing announcement: "Not one among all that number had the mark or taint of vice upon him." So con- spicuous of the class and virtue of our citizens, and in contrast with organizations formed near large cities. Intelligent, sensible, practical and determined men, largely composed this incipient organization. To be enrolled under their respective and adopted officers, fill up the quota and to be ready for any disposition the government should elect, was the one idea. It was a camp of good fellowship, under patriotic guidance, with any amount of manhood and self- respect.
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