USA > New York > History of the Ninth Regiment N.Y.S.M. -- N.G.S.N.Y. (Eighty-third N. Y. Volunteers.) 1845-1888 > Part 50
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The NINTH then took the cars for Woodlawn, where they were received by four companies of the Third Regiment, Colonel Fay.
The ride to Woodlawn was full of excitement and discomfort. Every man was drenched to the skin, and the cool, sharp breeze through the windows struck with an icy and dangerous effect.
The procession wended its way through the cemetery, the band playing the dead march in "Saul." The regimental plot was at length reached. * *
The regiment then formed in a hollow square around the graves, muskets at " Rest on Arms," when Chaplain Flagg offered a short prayer ; after which three volleys were fired over the graves, and the mournful procession returned to the cars and came back to the city. The regiment was preceded by a heavy platoon of police on its return to the armory, and was loudly applauded as it turned into its headquarters.
The mournful duty did not end with the burial on the 16th, for on the following day, Walter R. Pryor, who had lingered in great agony, died, and his funeral occurred on the 20th. The regiment assembled at the armory and proceeded to the Calvary P. E. Church in order to pay the last tribute of respect to this comrade. The NINTH, on this occasion, was escorted by Company B, Captain Alonzo Dutch, of the Seven-
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1871
ty-ninth Highlanders, and a delegation from the Twenty-sec- ond regiment. After a touching and appropriate address by the Chaplain, the members filed past the remains, which were then conveyed, under the escort of the regiment and the Sev- enty-ninth, to Woodlawn, and interred with full military honors in the regimental plot.
Walter R. Pryor was in the full bud of early manhood, about twenty-four years of age, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Pryor, well-known members of the theatrical profession ; he was a photographer by occupation.
The Board of Officers, having been invited by the citizens of Bennington, Vt., to visit that city on August the 16th and assist in the anniversary exercises of the revolutionary battle fought there, left New York on the evening of the 15th, ac- companied by a band of twenty pieces. The route was by way of the Albany and Troy boat, and on arrival at the latter place, on the morning of the 16th, the party was met by Colonel Steenburg and staff, who, amid a salvo of artillery, escorted them to the special train in waiting, by which they were con- veyed to Bennington. That historic town was reached at noon, where the Twenty-fourth regiment met and escorted their guests to the place of meetir g. The town was handsomely decorated, a large banner in front of the Yates House bearing the inscrip- tion : "Welcome New York NINTH." The literary exercises were held in Morgan's Grove, and consisted of an opening prayer, followed by an introductory address by the president of the day, after which the principal address was delivered by Mr. Herbert. At the conclusion of the address, and upon repeated calls from the large audience, Colonel Fisk made a short and humorous speech. The representatives of the NINTH were then taken in charge by the citizens, who took them to their homes and royally entertained them during the evening.
On the morning of the 17th a special train conveyed the party to Troy and from there to Saratoga, which was reached at noon. The Grand Union Hotel was made headquarters, and a most enjoyable time was spent in visiting the Springs
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OFFICERS VISIT BENNINGTON, VT.
and various other points of interest -- including the races. The band added much to the pleasure of the trip, and while at the famous spa discoursed sweet music to large and apprecia- tive audiences. At six o'clock P. M. of the 18th the party left for Albany, where they boarded the night boat Connecticut, and reached the metropolis early the next morning. The excursion- ists were somewhat tired and "broke up "-perhaps-but were all conscious of having had a "glorious good time."
'BEN NIN(TH)GTON."
Shamus, nabokalish, I thought ye were done Running round the whole country enjoying The fruits of ye'r labors, (i. e.) the tin of ye'r neighbors ; Bad cess to ye'r pocket that's burning.
Ye've hardly got back from that great " Boston Dipper,"
And left off ye'r straps and ye'r trappings so grand,
Before ye begin, wid loud noise and din,
To lay hould of Farmount, the Green Mountain land.
I'll hould ye a pound, and I know the bet's sound. That the welkin ne'er rang with such laughter, With bould Fuller there to sit in the chair And yell out, " Fritz, hand round more lager." At shouldering arms, shure he caused great alarms, Whin yerself so convayniently tould him
"Such antics as those, and right under my nose, I'll be blowed if I'll ivir be standing."
But judge me surprise wohin, on last Monday morning, As meself I was dressing, as fast as I could, shure, Little dhraming or thinking of the honor in waiting, Whin a gray-coated postman gave a rap at the dhure. Thin, raysing the windy, I axed him quite frindly Wud he plase be so kind as to tell me the rayson For why and for what was all this about ; Says he. ' Gineral, pardon, I've Jem's invitashun."
" Hurrooh," thin says I, " I knew it, my boy, Now come in and we'll have an eye-opener : But first, fore we dhrink," said I, wid a wink,
" How goes it with Jemmie's poor ' ankler ?' '
" Troth, indade thin," said he, " acushla macrec, But poorly-I'm sorry to mintion : For on my sowl, as I live, I firmly belave To kill him was the mob's rale intintion."
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1871
Thin, grabbing my bag, and saddling my nag, I started to raich the big staymer That run up and down the foine strame of renown, By gemographers called Hudson River.
" All aboard" shouts the Captain, " Amin" says the Chaplin. As the sailors lay hould of the hawser, With a hacl-e-yow hoo now for Ballynamoo, And the band struck up " Larry the Rouser."
Arrived thin at Troy, t'was glorious, my bhoy. To see the bould Trojans who mustered In grey coats and britches, wid ice-creams and sandwiches, Pon my sowl, I became quite dumbflustered. The carridge I rode in was made by Pat Griffin, And so proudly I sat in my sate,
That the gurls cried hurrah, here's Fisk's brother-in-law, My ye niver starve for the want of a good mate
At the ball in the evening, ye be hardly beleeving, The foine soights and foine ladies I saw there. To see Col. O' Fisk, sure a bating the flure, In a four-handed walts wid Mrs. O'Hare, It's myself was astounded, and nearly dumbfounded, Whin brave Blanchard, he gave me the wink, Wid a " Whist now, my boy-the Mayor Molloy Says we'll all go and have a big drink."
Of coorse I consinted, and drank quite continted, As meself was not paying the sanie, Whin ould Toby, or Noby, the divil may scure him, Came up, and he a.red for my name. I gave him my kard on a piece of pasteboord, And he shouted in great exultashun, Miss Biddy MeGlure woud dance on the flure Wid the hero of this grand occashun.
I paid my addresses, and tould my distresses. Saying, I'm proud for to have the high honor Of layding before thim, in pink silk and satin, Such a charming, bewiching young craytur.
" Parley vous France," thin, says she, which manes do ye dance ? As a sticker to me, do ye mind,
" Digethen gaelic," says I, " how will that do for high ? For ye're Frinch, I do not comprehind"
Thin bidding adieu to the good old Varmounters, We started and raiched Saratogy,
Where we found them all waiting, wid foine drin' ing and aiting,
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1871
RECEPTION OF THE GRAND DUKE ALEXIS.
559
For " O'Fisk " and his whole gallant party.
They vied wid aich other in trayting us daycint. And the gurls, musha more power to their elbow, Tried hard for to coax us, bad cess to their hoa.ves,
That meself was a foine-looking fellow. " KEEGAN."
At-a meeting of the Board of Officers on the 20th it was voted that the members of the regiment against whom-on July 12th-any delinquencies had been pending, and who had been on duty on that day, should be excused and the fines remitted.
On the LIth of October the regiment paraded for inspection at Tompkins Square. Out of a total membership of seven hundred and eighty-five, seven hundred and twenty-two were present, a remarkable attendance, and which conclusively proved that the old esprit de corps had been revived and that the NINTHI was one of the best disciplined regiments in the National Guard.
On the 21st the regiment paraded as part of the escort to the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia. The various organiza- tions participating formed on Broadway and extended from the Battery to Canal Street. The procession moved in the follow- ing order :
Platoon of Police. Superintendent of Police, James J. Kelso, in carriage. Battalion of Police. Band.
First Brigade, National Guard, Brigadier-General William G. Ward and staff, mounted. Seventh regiment, Colonel Emmons Clark. . Band. Carriage containing Grand Duke, Russian Minister Catenazy, General John A. Dix and W. H. Aspin- wall, Esq.
Special escort 22nd Regi-
ment, Colonel
Josiah Porter. Fred. Vilmar.
ment, Colonel Special escort IIth Regi-
.
Carriage with Admiral Possiett, Russian Navy; Vice-Admiral Rowan, U. S. Navy ; General Gorloff, Russian Army, and General Irvin McDowell, U. S. A. Carriage with Russian High Chancellor of State Vesseiag, Governor E. D. Morgan of New York, Count Olsontieff and Moses H. Grinnell, Esq. Sixteen Carriages with distinguished foreigners, prominent citizens, and Russian and American Army and Navy Officers
560
1871
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
Band. Twelfth regiment, Colonel John Ward, Jr. Sixty-ninth regiment, Colonel James Cavanagh. Seventy-first regiment, Colonel Harry Rockafeller. Seventy-ninth regiment, Colonel John J. Shaw. Band. Brigadier-General John B. Woodward and staff. Twenty-third regiment, Colonel Rodney C. Ward. Forty-seventh regiment, Colonel David E. Austin. Band. Second brigade.
Brigadier-General Augustus Funk and staff. Fifth regiment, Colonel John E. Bendix. Sixth regiment, Colonel Frank Sterry. Eighty-fourth regiment, Colonel Fred. A. Conklin. Ninety-sixth regiment, Colonel D. Krehbiel. Band. New Jersey troops. Brigadier-General Plume and staff. First regiment, Major Hunt. Second regiment, Colonel Allen. Fourth regiment, Colonel Van Buskirk. Fifth regiment, Colonel Huntley. Band. Third brigade.
Brigadier-General J. M. Varian and staff. First regiment, Colonel Almar P. Webster. Eighth regiment, Colonel George D. Scott. NINTH regiment, Colonel James Fisk, Jr. Fifty-fifth regiment, Colonel William B. Allen. Carriage containing distinguished citizens. Platoon of Police.
0
The NINTH paraded ten companies of twenty-two files cach. At eleven P. M. the officers, accompanied by the band, visited the Grand Duke at the Clarendon Hotel. The band played a number of selections, among which were the Russian Hymn and Etoile du Nord.
Beginning with the ist of the month weekly drills had been held at the armory, at which over fifty per cent. of the members were present. The Fall months showed a marked increase in the proficiency attained, the new recruits were attentive to their duties and all were enthusiastic over the name and fame of the regiment.
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DEATH OF COLONEL FISK.
1872
CHAPTER XXVI.
DEATH OF COLONEL FISK. 1872.
The Colonel's Ante Mortem Statement .- Meeting of the Members of the NINTIL .- Official Announcement .- The Funeral .-- Burial at Brattleboro, Vt .-- Verdict of the Coroner's Jury .- Sketch of the Life of Colonel Fisk .- Funeral of Captain Dalrymple .-- Interment of General Robert Anderson at West Point .- Expulsion of Delinquent Members .- Canvassing for a Colonel .- A Lady Applicant .- Cele- brating the Eleventh Anniversary of the Departure for the War .- Memorial Day Exercises .- Colonel Braine in Command .- Fourth of July .-- Excursion of Com- pany G .- Governor's Day .- Company H Reception .- Company D Entertain- ment .- Soirée Magique.
THE new year opened with bright prospects for the NINTHI.
Never before in its history, since the close of the war, were its members so active and enthusiastic in the performance of their duties, and yet it was upon the verge of an experience few regiments, in time of peace, are called upon to pass through. At four o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, the 6th of Jan- uary, the city was startled by the report that Colonel Fisk had been assassinated by Edward S. Stokes, at the Grand Central Hotel. The news spread on the wings of lightning and became the leading topic of conversation. The story of the shooting, as briefly narrated by the victim in his ante mortem deposition to Coroner Young, at eight o'clock that evening, is as follows :
This afternoon at about four o'clock I rode to the Grand Central Hotel. I entered by the private entrance, and when I entered the first door I met the boy, of whom I inquired if Mrs. Morse was in. He told me that Mrs. Morse and her youngest daughter had gone out, but he thought the other daughter was in her grandmother's room. I asked him to go up and tell the daughter that I was there. I came through the other door, and was going up stairs, and had gone up about two steps, and on looking up, I saw Edward S. Stokes at the head of the stairs. As soon as I saw him, I noticed that he had something in his hand, and a second after I saw the flash, heard the report, and felt the ball enter my abdomen, on the right side. A second after I heard another shot, and the bullet entered my left arm. When I received the first shot I staggered, and ran towards the door, but noticing a crowd gathering in front, I ran back to the stairs again. I was then brought up stairs in
562
1872
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
the hotel. I saw nothing more of Stokes, until he was brought before me by an officer, for identification. I fully identified Edward S. Stokes as the person who shot me.
(Signed) JAMES FISK, JR.
The evening and night wore slowly away, during which time Doctor Carnochan, who had been summoned by telegraph, assisted by Doctors Fisher, Wood, and Tripler, did all that medical and surgical skill could suggest to save their patient's life. A crowd of sympathising friends thronged the corridors of the hotel, cagerly inquiring as to the condition of the wounded man and the chances of his recovery. Mrs. Fisk and other relatives arrived, who, with a few intimate friends only, were allowed to see the Colonel. On Sunday morning the doctors gave up all hope of being able to save his life, but their efforts were unremitting in endeavoring to alleviate his terrible sufferings. At eleven o'clock this wonderful man breathed his last.
As soon as it was known that Colonel Fisk was dead, nearly all the members of the regiment gathered, informally, at the armory, to talk over the matter and console each other upon the great loss sustained. This quiet, sad gathering, gave rise to the foolish report, and which originated in the mind of some malignant enemy of the National Guard, that the NINTHI intended to break the peace, take the law into its own hands, and lynch the assassin of their beloved chief. The record of the regiment should have exempted it from such an imputation, even from its enemies ; certainly no thoughtful person believed wthat the members of the NINTH would so far forget their allegiance to the civil law. This assemblage of the rank and file resolved itself, as do all peaceful gatherings when any great question is to be discussed, into a meeting of sympathy, and Ser- geant S. A. Schoonmaker was called to the chair. A committee to prepare suitable resolutions expressing the sense of the meet- ing upon the awful calamity, was appointed, who shortly after- wards reported, and the resolutions were unanimously adopted. The Board of Officers met in the evening at the Grand Opera House, to make arrangements for the funeral, and while in ses-
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BRIGADE AND REGIMENTAL ORDERS. 563
sion were waited upon by a committee on behalf of the Veteran Association, who asked, and received permission, to attend the funeral A committee also, from the rank and file, which had been appointed at their meeting during the day, asked that the regiment be allowed to accompany the remains to Brattleboro, Vt., the place of interment. This, however, could not be granted. The regiment could do no more than attend the services held in the city, and the officers alone would accompany the remains to Vermont. The Board of Officers appointed a committee to draft resolutions, the committee to report at the next meeting.
During the day the following orders were issued :
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, N. G. S. N. Y., New York, Jan. 7th, 1872.
GENERAL ORDERS, } No. 1.
J. It is with deep regret that the Brigadier-General commanding announces the death of Colonel James Fisk, Jr., NINTH Regiment Infantry. His loss will be severely felt, and his place not easily filled in the National Guard.
HI. The NINTH Regiment is hereby detailed as funeral escort, and will assemble at their armory on Jan. 8th, at twelve o'clock, M.
IHI. The following named officers are requested to act as pall-bearers :
Colonel Emmons Clark, Seventh Regiment; Colonel George D. Scott, Eighth Regi- ment ; Colonel William B. Allen, Fifty-fifth Regiment; Colonel Frank Sterry, Sixth Regiment : Colonel Josiah Porter, Twenty-second Regiment ; Lieut .- Colonel A. P. Webster, First Regiment.
C
IV. The Brigade staff will assemble at No. 60 St. Mark's Place, at 12 o'clock, M. fully equipped. (Dismounted.)
V. As a tribute of respect, the officers will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
VI. The officers of the division are respectfully invited to attend, in full uniform.
By order of BRIGADIER-GENERAL J. M. VARIAN.
WILLIAM SEWARD, JR.,
A. A. G. and Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH REGIMENT, THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, N. G. S. N. Y., New York, Jan. 7th, 1872.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) No. 1.
In compliance with orders from Brigade Headquarters, this command will assem- ble at the armory, in full uniform, (white cross and body belts, white gloves) with crape on left arm, on Monday, Jan. 8th, to pay the last tribute of respect to our lamented Colonel, at 12 o'clock, M. Field and Staff (dismounted) will report to the Lieutenant-
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1872
THE NINTHI NEW YORK.
564
Colonel, commanding ; non-commissioned staff, band and field music to the Adjutant, at the same time and place. By order of
LIEUT .- COL. CHARLES R. BRAINE.
EDGAR S. ALLIEN, Adjutant.
On Monday, the Sth, Superintendent Kelso detailed a large force of police, under command of Drill Master Copeland, for guard duty about the Grand Opera House, where the body of Colonel Fisk had been conveyed. A great multitude of people-men, women, and children -- soon filled Twenty- third Street. The roofs of houses, and the windows overlooking the scene, were also filled with interested spectators ; even the cross beams of lamp-posts held the irrepressible small boy. All were anxious to view the remains of the famous Colonel.
At noon precisely the muffled drums sounded the assembly at the armory, and the NINTH formed, with ten companies of twenty-two files. Marching with solemn step to Eighth Ave- nue, thence towards the Opera House, the dense mass of people who filled the street yielding space, and exhibiting-more by their actions than by their words -- the sympathy they felt with the bereaved regiment. The members entered the building from Twenty-third Street, in single file, passed by the remains, making their exit by the Eighth Avenue entrance, then form- ing on that street and waiting while the public were admitted. When the casket was closed the cortege was formed as follows :
Police. NINTH Regiment Band. Drum Corps. Aschenbroedel Society. Officers Narragansett Steamship Company. NINTH Regiment. Erie Railroad Employees. Carriages of Mourners.
Col. Sterry. Col. Allen. Gen. Funk.
HEARSE Lieut .- Col. Webster. Col. Scott. Col. Clark.
Col. Fisk's horse. Two platoons Enlisted Men of the National Guard. Six platoons Officers of the National Guard. Gen. Varian and Staff. NINTHI Regiment Veterans, Gen. John Hendrickson.
Police. Carriages.
e
1872
FUNERAL OF COLONEL FISK.
.
565
The sidewalks, balconies, windows and steps, as well as the roofs of houses, along the line of march to the New Haven railroad station, at Twenty-sixth Street and Fourth Avenue, were filled with a quiet, orderly mass of humanity. There was something awful in the solemn stillness, broken only by the funeral roll of muffled drums. Upon arriving at the sta- tion the casket was transferred to the funeral car ; two others, also heavily draped, receiving the relatives and friends and the officers of the NINTH. As the train moved out the various companies of the regiment, under the Orderly Sergeants, marched back to the armory and were dismissed.
When the train left the city there was no snow to be seen ; the weather was clear and cold. As the train moved eastward and northward the cold increased. After leaving Hartford the car windows became incrusted with ice, and at Springfield snow was seen upon the ground. At both of these cities thousands of people had gathered to see the funeral train. Brattleboro was reached at half-past eleven in the evening, and even at that late hour, and though it was ten degrees below zero, the station was so crowded with the friends and acquaintances of the deceased, that it was with great difficulty the funeral party could move. A large number of sleighs had been provided, upon one of which the casket was placed, and, surrounded by the guard of officers, was conveyed to the Revere House. The officers remained on guard during the night.
The next morning, with the first streak of dawn, the jingle of sleigh bells was heard, as the country people for miles around came pouring into the town. Everybody knew Colonel Fisk ; his boyhood and young manhood had been passed in their midst, and all were anxious to pay his remains the last tribute of respect. Those who knew him best, loved and honored him the most, and among the large concourse of people which overflowed the little town, there was not heard a word, except of praise, and his death was alluded to with feelings of deep regret. At half-past eleven a hearse conveyed the remains to the Baptist Church, and the building was soon crowded with people. At one o'clock the organ pealed forth a
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1872
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
solemn voluntary, after which the choir sang an appropriate selection. Following the opening prayer of the pastor, Rev. Mr. Jenkins, Chaplain Flagg delivered an impressive sermon. Among other things he said, in conclusion : " A man of his strong characteristics must necessarily have strong faults, as well as strong virtues, and that there was every reason to believe he died in the faith of Jesus, having remarked -- when informed that there was little hopes of his recovery- " All right, it is the will of God, and I submit."
After the sermon Chaplain Flagg read the solemn and im- pressive burial service, after which an opportunity was afforded for a last look at the remains. The casket was then closed, and the pall-bearers-Lieutenant-Colonel Braine, Major Hitch- cock, and Captains Van Wyck, Miller, Spencer and Borrowe -- conveyed the casket to the hearse. At half-past two the procession moved towards the cemetery, about a mile distant, the greater part of the assembled multitude following. At the grave Chaplain Flagg made a brief prayer, and the mortal remains of Colonel Fisk were consigned to the keeping of Mother Earth.
The officers of the NINTH remained at Brattleboro until the following morning and then took the train, arriving in due time in New York.
At the proper time a Coroner's jury -- composed of M. B. Field, James R. Edwards, William H. Locke, John J. Gor- man, Lowell Lincoln, Alexander McKenzie, Jesse Hoyt, David Dows, George Opdyke, Henry Clews, William M. Bliss and „A. V. Stout -- inquired into the cause of Colonel Fisk's death, and presented the following verdict.
The jury find, upon the testimony submitted at this inquest, that the deceased Jas. Fisk, Jr., came to his death, at the Grand Central Hotel, in the city of New York, on the 7th day of January, 1872, at or about ten minutes before eleven o'clock A. M., in consequence of a wound or wounds inflicted by a ball or balls, from a pistol in the hands of Edward S. Stokes, discharged by him in a deliberate manner, at the person of said Fisk, at the Grand Central Hotel aforesaid, on the 6th day of January, 1872, at or about four o'clock P. M.
Colonel James Fisk, Jr., was born in Bennington, Vermont, April 1, 183.4, and was, therefore, thirty-seven years of age on
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SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF COLONEL FISK. 567
his last birthday. When about in his tenth year, his parents moved to Brattleboro, where he passed the remainder of his youth and early manhood. His aptitude for business was early discerned by his father, who encouraged him in his "swapping" and trading with the boys of the school and neigh- borhood.
At seventeen he became a clerk for his father, but this sphere of action was too contracted ; he therefore made his way to Boston and there found employment with Messrs. Jordan, Marsh & Co. At his suggestion that house took government contracts, which, during the continuance of the war, amounted to from eight to ten millions of dollars, and as Colonel Fisk shared in the profits, thus laid the basis of his fortune.
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