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 54
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The remains were conveyed to Silver-Lake Cemetery on Staten Island.
Colonel Hitchcock first entered the military service in 1861 as a member of Company F, Seventy-first regiment. and served with that command during the first Bull Run campaign. On December 14th, 1864, he was elected Captain of Company B of the NINTH. May 29th, 1870, he was made Major ; June 4th, 1872, Lieutenant Colonel ; and on February Ist, 1875, was elected Colonel.
On the 27th of May the Veterans dined at the Sturtevant House, in celebration of the seventeenth anniversary of the departure of the regiment for the seat of war. On the 30th the regiment participated in the Memorial Day parade in honor of the dead of the Union Army. This was the second occa- sion whereon the First division of the National Guard, under orders from the State authorities, had turned out as escort to the Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1876 Com- pany I, Captain Hussey, had volunteered for that service, but Memorial Day was now recognized by the officials, and observed
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1878
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
606
with becoming ceremony. General Henry A. Barnum was chief marshal. The parade was an imposing one. Detach- ments from the regular army and from the navy were in line ; Colored militia, independent companies ; Fire companies, and other organizations, each receiving well merited applause from the spectators. It took an hour for the Veterans to pass the grand stand. £ In the evening Booth's Theatre was crowded by an assembly of ladies and gentlemen to listen to the literary part of the exercise. General W'm. T. Sherman delivered the address, and was frequently interrupted by long continued applause, as his patriotic utterances fell upon the ears of his audience.
On the 7th of June a detachment of two hundred-officers and men-under command of Major Pryer, visited Creedmoor for rifle practice. After individual practice, volley firing followed, the score standing :
Company A, twenty-two men, 42 ; Company D, fourteen men, 28 ; Company F, thirty-one men, SI ; Company G, four- teen men, 74; Company H, seventeen men, 55 ; Company 1. sixteen men, 58; Company K, thirteen men, 35 ; Companies E, C, and B, thirteen men, 43. Major Orvis, Inspector of Rifle Practice, and General Vilmar and staff were present.
On July 18, ex-Colonel Van Beuren died. He was buried in the family vault in St. Mark's churchyard.
On October 21st the annual inspection took place, which showed the regiment to be in a very flourishing condition.
During the Fall several meetings of the Board of Officers were held, at which candidates for Colonel were proposed, but the year closed with the vacancy unfilled.
1879.
On the 19th of January the Board of Officers elected to the colonelcy ex-Lieutenant-Colonel S. Oscar Ryder of the Seventh regiment by a single vote over Albert H. Rogers, formerly Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-seventh. The long canvass for a commanding officer had excited a great deal of interest among both officers and men of the regiment, and
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COLONEL S. OSCAR RYDER.
1879
SERMON BY CHAPLAIN REED.
607
when this close vote was announced it was feared that the large minority might not readily acquiesce in the result, but true to their military teachings, both officers and men " obeyed orders," and cheerfully greeted the new commander. Several attempts had previously been made to fill the vacancy, General Lloyd Aspinwall having been elected, but he declined ; then ex- Major-General Francis J. Herron, U. S. Vols., was chosen, but after accepting the position he, too, declined. Several other prominent gentlemen were mentioned for the office, among them Mr. Henry Clair.
On May 26th the regiment was inspected, and on the 30th it turned out to celebrate Memorial Day. On June 22nd the Chaplain, E. A. Reed, D.D., preached in his own church a sermon to the regiment. From the newspaper report we make the following extracts :
He took the text of his sermon from Paul : "Fight the good fight with faith."
If a war were to be threatened, the great men and generals of the nation would be slow to take up the sword, and would weigh well the subject and exhaust all methods of adjustment before resorting to that alternative. But when at length it became necessary, they would grasp it firmly and sway it with force. Some people say we don't want a National Guard. The money it costs ought to be saved, and so forth. But they were more than glad to have one two years ago. They wanted the NINTH regiment, and they found them ready in the hour of danger. The preacher went on to show the usefulness of the National Guard, and the work it has done in troublesome times, and described the state of affairs that existed when the strike occurred. From this he drew a lesson and urged his listeners to become good, faithful Christians and fight the battle of the cross.
When I became chaplain of your regiment my greatest desire and most ardent hope was that I might in some way be useful to you. No doubt most of you belong to various religious denominations and attend your different places of worship. Yet, while I would not interfere with any of your pastors, I shall be always glad to see you here. Remember, if you ever want me, I am at your command. Whatever your faith may be, you are all alike to me --- English, French or German. I know no difference of nationality.
At the close of the services the command dispersed, leaving the church in the sex- eral directions that took them to their homes.
On the ist of September the Board of Officers presented Judge J. C. Julius Langbein with a set of resolutions, expressive of their gratitude to him for his faithful performance of duty
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1880
while in the Legislature in 1877 and 1879, in respect to the needs of the Veterans of the War and the National Guard.
General Joseph Hooker died on the 31st of October and was buried at Garden City, Long Island.
1880.
Washington's birthday was celebrated on Monday, the 23d of February. In the evening the NINTH, with their friends, occupied Madison Square Garden, the regiment, under the command of Colonel Ryder, being maneuvered for display be- fore the large assembly of visitors. At the conclusion of the dress-parade, which preceded the drill, General Horace Russell, Judge-Advocate-General, presented the NINTH, on behalf of the Governor and the State, with a handsome set of colors. In his address the general paid a high tribute to the National Guard in general and to the NINTH in particular. After the drill General Robert S. Oliver, Inspector-General, reviewed the regiment, and when his duties were ended those assembled indulged in dancing until a late hour.
The result of rifle practice was made manifest, when, on the evening of March 5th, marksman's badges were conferred upon those who had scored fifty per cent. or over at the one, three, two and five hundred yard ranges.
On the 22nd of April, the NINTHI enjoyed a field-day at New Dorp, Staten Island, and the men were much benefited by the drill in the open air. On May 24th, General Oliver made his regular inspection and muster of the regiment. The men were in fatigue uniform, and carried knapsacks, haver- sacks and canteens. Upon reviewing the line the Inspector was accompanied by General Rodenbough, Colonel Jussen and Major Scott. A most thorough inspection was afterwards made of arms and equipments. From a newspaper account of the affair the following is quoted :
The knapsacks being empty Gen. Oliver declined to inspect them, but in order to test the instruction of the men he selected Co. I to exhibit the general proficiency of the command. It was a happy selection. for Lieutenant Scott, who was in command, is an old soldier. The close order and stack were excellent, while the unsling and open
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F.I .. .
.1880
MUSTER AND INSPECTION.
609
knapsacks was worthy of the veteran company of the regiment. If all the companies could execute these movements with the precision of Co. I, the NINTH might be set down as one of the very perfect organizations of the militia. At the close of the in- spection the regiment was mustered. Captain Walton's Co. F again leads the regi- ment in point of numbers parading its total strength, three officers and one hundred men.
A street parade was afterwards made, General Oliver being tendered a marching salute as the command passed the Brunswick Hotel. The following is the report of the muster :
Present.
Absent.
Company.
Officers.
Men.
Enlisted
Total.
Officers.
Men.
Enlisted
Total.
Aggregate.
1879.
Last Muster.
Field, Staff and N. C. Staff.
9
9
18
I
I
19
21
Company A.
3
90
93
IO
IO
103
102
Company B.
3
48
51
13
13
64
70
Company C.
2
40
42
18
18
60
54
Company D.
1
62
63
1.4
14
77
74
Company E.
3
49
52
12
12
64
55
Company F.
3
100
103
. .
103
103
Company G.
3
79
82
14
17
96
102
Company H.
2
54
56
1
5
6
62
1
71
Company I.
2
50
52
. .
5
5
57
61
Company K.
2
33
35
12
12
47
47
Band .
52
52 .
. .
. .
. .
52
49
Total
33
666 :
699
1
104
105
804
809
. .
On the 3Ist of May, the Memorial Day parade occurred, the regiment participating. On June 6th the Chaplain preached a sermon to the regiment, the men turning out in good force and marching to the church. On the 10th, the funeral of the late brigade commander, General Frederick Vilmar, occurred, the NINTH parading with the other regiments of the brigade in attendance upon the ceremonies.
On Wednesday, the 15th of September, Company II left for Boston, Mass., to participate in the ceremonies attending the 250th anniversary of the settlement of that city. The company mustered twenty-eight files, five sergeants, and was under the command of Captain George W. Homans ; the Lieu- tenants being George B. Campbell and Horatio E. McComber.
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1880
:
610
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
The following officers, representing the regiment, accompanied the command: Major W. Boerum Wetmore, Captain G. Henry Witthaus, Inspector of Rifle Practice, Adjutant Charles L. Housinan, Captains George A. Hussey and Isaac H. West, and Lieutenants Samuel L. Kittle and Walter Scott. The column was escorted to the foot of Murray Street by Company F, Captain William P. Walton, Drum Major George W. Hill leading with his corps. The Providence Line steamer, Rhode Island, received the excursionists, who, after a rather lively night, reached Providence, R. I., early the following morning. Reeves' American Band of Providence here reenforced the drum corps, and after an hour's ride on the cars, the "Hlub" was reached. Here Company D, Fifth Mass. Vol. Militia, better known as the " Independent Boston Fusileers," Captain Henry A. Snow, received the party and escorted them to breakfast, after which the column proceeded to the Eastern R. R. Station, but while en route, Captain Edwin R. Frost, of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, was encountered. to whom the party was obliged to surrender, and were by him treated to cigars and accompanying " fixins."
A brief visit to Marblehead, the former home of Captain Homans, was on the programme, where the party arrived about eleven o'clock. The Sutten Light Infantry, (Company C, Eighth regiment Mass. Vol. Militia) Captain Stuart F. McClearn, here received the visitors, and to the music of the Lynn Brass Band, escorted them to Abbott Hall, where lunch was served. Afterwards the column, consisting of Company C, Eighth Mass., and the visitors, marched through the prin- cipal streets and at about five o'clock halted at the residence of Lieutenant-Colonel John F. Brown. The invited guests, military and civic, were then escorted to Abbott Hall, where a genuine " Yankee" dinner was served and several patriotic addresses delivered. The visitors were quartered for the night in the armory of the Sutten Light Infantry, but quite a number accepted the hospitality of their hosts, at their homes.
On the morning of the 17th the visitors, under the escort of Company C of the Eighth, returned to Boston, and were
1880
611
VISIT OF COMPANY H TO BOSTON.
met at the station by the Eighth regiment, Colonel Benjamin F. Peach, and escorted to their place in line with the other organizations that formed the New York division ; and which consisted of the Thirteenth, Twenty-third and Sixty-ninth regi- ments, which had arrived that morning. The men of the NINTH were here formed into a battalion, under command of Major Wetmore, with Captain Witthaus and Adjutant Hous- man on his staff ; the four commands of twelve single files cach, being commanded by Captains Homans, Hussey and West, and Lieutenant Scott.
During the extended march, the citizens embraced every opportunity offered by the short halts, to distribute refresh- ments to the citizen soldiery, which were fully appreciated.
The citizens of Boston had not forgotten the NINTH, since its visit in 1870, and the company and drum corps received a large share of attention. After the parade was over, a light lunch was served, after which the party boarded the train which soon carried them to Providence. The trip down Narragansett Bay and the Sound was uneventful, the tourists feeling the need of rest and indulging in that to their heart's content. Home was reached in due season, everyone feeling satisfied with the short but pleasant "outing."
On the 29th, the NINTH formed part of the escort to the remains of General A. T. A. Torbert, who was drowned off the coast of Florida, while, en route to Mexico. The NINTH, under command of Colonel Ryder, awaited the remains at Trinity Chapel, and after the services there, formed part of the escort to the Jersey City ferry ; military bodies from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware received and conveyed them to Milford, Delaware, the late home of the General. A delegation from the Board of Officers of the NINTH also accompanied the remains. The secretary of the Committee having in charge the ceremonies was Lieut. Joseph F. Swords, formerly of Company G of the NINTHI.
On October 21st, the First and Second divisions of the National Guard were reviewed by the Governor.
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1881
ISSI.
On the 22nd of February the NINTH assembled at Mad- ison Square Garden, where General Grant reviewed the regi- ment ; a drill and dress-parade were also part of the ceremonies, after, which dancing was indulged in by a large portion of the as- sembly. Nearly five thousand people were present during the evening, and everything passed off to the satisfaction of the members and their guests.
The NINTH having decided to attend the inauguration of President James A. Garfield, at Washington, on the 4th of March, the regiment left New York on the evening of the 3d, by the Bound Brook route, but such was the press of travel on the road that the train did not reach Baltimore until daylight of the 4th. Breakfast had been ordered to be delivered at the depot at four 'o'clock, but it was a full hour after that before the cars rolled in. Hastily swallowing what could most readily be obtained, the trip was resumed in the midst of a drizzling rain-storm, which, in fact, had prevailed during the whole night. The prospects were not cheering, and the many delays caused a good deal of grumbling, for fear that the great ceremony would be over before the regiment reached the capital. It was high noon before the train drew into the old depot, used during the war ; the rain had ceased, however, and the regiment marched at once towards the Capitol, near which it halted. President Garfield was at that moment taking the oath of office. After the impressive ceremonies were concluded the procession re-formed, marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, President Garfield and ex-President Grant reviewing the col- umn from a stand in front of the White House. The city was filled with visitors, both military and civic. The Cleve- land Grays, of Cleveland, Ohio, were the President's special escort, and attracted much attention by their soldierly and gentlemanly bearing. Many Republican campaign clubs were in the procession, and prominent among them were the Phil- adelphia " Invincibles."
1881
613
INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
After passing the reviewing stand, the NINTH continued its march towards Georgetown, and then, countermarching, brought up at the quarters-the train of cars upon which it came from New York. The men were then dismissed till noon the next day, in order to give all an opportunity of seeing the sights of the Capital City. Many of the war veterans extended their trip into Virginia, crossing by the Long Bridge, and, for a moment, felt somewhat surprised when their passes were not demanded by armed sentries at the bridge heads. Many of the men "made a night of it," and in common with those visit- ors who could not-or didn't want to-find accommodations, passed the hours in going about from point to point and view- ing objects by gas-light.
At one P. M. on the 5th line was formed and the regiment marched to the grounds in front of the Capitol, where General William T. Sherman reviewed the column. At the conclusion of the parade the officers were introduced to the General-in- Chief. About nine o'clock in the evening " All aboard " was shouted, and the train moved off towards home, New York being reached at noon of Sunday, the 6th. As a new city ordinance prohibited band music on the Sabbath, the regiment was obliged to take the " route step" to the armory, where they arrived in due time and were dismissed, well pleased with their three days' outing.
On the 22nd of April the Nixru paraded with the First brigade, General William G. Ward, to which it had been trans- ferred. On the 12th of May the brigade enjoyed a field day at Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, the commanding officer put- ting the troops through the regulation movements. During the exercises of Memorial Day -- on the 30th -- a salute was fired in honor of the presence of the Secretary of War, Mr. Robert T. Lincoln, son of the martyred President. On June 5th the annual sermon was preached to the regiment by the chaplain.
An interesting event in July was the celebration of the then- tieth birthday of old Company I, on the 16th. The boys called it a grand Mish Mash, and the Mash was Mished at the Utah Ilonse, corner of Twenty-fifth Street and Eighth Avenue.
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THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1881
Captain George A. Hussey presided, and also acted as toast-
master. Over two hundred sat about the tables, and after the creature comforts had been discussed, songs, stories and speeches, whiled away the time until the "wee sma' hours ayont the twal," when "three times three" were given for Company I and old times, and the happy company dispersed.
General Ambrose E. Burnside died on September 13th, and was buried at Providence, R. I.
It will be recalled how the news of the attempted assassina- tion of President Garfield, on July 2nd, by the miserable Gui- teau, shocked the country, and, in fact, the whole civilized world. During the long summer days the patient sufferer bore his trials with heroic fortitude, but at last, on the 19th of Septem- ber, he breathed his last. It was not until the 21st that the official notice was issued from state headquarters, and three days later before the First division order was promulgated :
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NATIONAL GUARD STATE OF NEW YORK. 155 AND 157 MERCER STREET, New York, September 24th, 1881.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 11.
The following General Orders from General Headquarters announcing the death of the President of the United States, is hereby promulgated :
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF NEW YORK. 6 ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Albany, September 21st, 1881.
GENERAL ORDERS, ? No. 23.
1. It has become the painful duty of the Commander-in-Chief to announce to the National Guard of this State the death, at Long Branch, New Jersey, on the evening of the 19th instant, of JAMES A. GARFIELD. President of the United States. In pro- found grief, in common with the people of the whole country. he bows in humble sub- mission to the Supreme will of Almighty God, who in the impenetrable mysteries of His own purposes has suffered so baneful an affliction to fall upon the Nation. Indeed. well may the whole people mourn the death of such a man, so loving and tractable in childhood ; so earnest, self-poised and dutiful in youth ; in manhood, the polished scholar, the brilliant orator, the profound statesman, and the Christian soldier whose patriotism gallantly culminated on the battle-fields of his country. This is the man, this the ruler, who, by the foul act of the assassin, has been stricken in death, from the exalted position to which the acclaim of the people had elevated him.
11. As a tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased President, and indicative
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1 882
615
DEATH OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
of the grief which shakes the Nation, the Commander-in-Chief directs that for the ensuing six months the officers of the National Guard of this State will wear crape upon the left arm and upon the sword hilt, as prescribed in paragraph 305 of the General Regulations, and that for the same period, all regimental colors on occasions of cere- mony, be furled and draped with crape, and until and including the day of the funeral obsequies, the National color be hoisted half-staff on all of the armories and arsenals of the State, and the commanding officers of batteries will, at dawn on the day suc- ceeding the receipt of this order, cause thirteen guns to be fired, and afterwards at intervals of thirty minutes, between the rising and setting of the sun, a single gun, and at the close of the day a national salute of thirty-eight guns.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
FREDERICK TOWNSEND, Major-General and Adjutant-General, S. N. Y.
'Official.
(Signed) J. B. STONEHOUSE, Col. and Act'g A. A .- G., S. N. Y.
By order of Major-General ALEXANDER SHALER.
HENRY A. GILDERSLEEVE. Colonel, .I. A. Genl. and Chief of Staff.
On the 5th of October the annual Fall inspection took place, and this closed the important events in the history of the NINTH for the year.
1882.
On the 22nd of March Colonel Ryder resigned his commis- sion in the National Guard, after nearly twenty-five years service. He enlisted in Company H, Seventh regiment, Sep- tember 11th, 1855 ; October 11th, 1858, was promoted Left gen- eral guide, and on January 5th, 1859, was made Right general guide. In September, 1861, he was Second Sergeant of Com- pany H; on March 20th, 1862, Second Lieutenant of Company E ; First Lieutenant, August 28th, 1863 ; Captain, September 29th, 1864; Lieutenant-Colonel, April ist, 1872 ; resigned Sep- tember Ist, 1876. Elected Colonel of the NINTH, January 16th, 1879.
Fortunately for the interests of the regiment, there was practical unanimity in the choice of a successor to Colonel Ryder, for in less than a month, on April 17th, Lieutenant- Colonel William Seward, Jr., late of Third brigade staff, and
1882
616
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
formerly Major of the regiment, was elected. He entered the military service in Company E, Seventh regiment, Oct. ist, 1858 ; was promoted Corporal, June 5, 1860-in the U. S. service from April 19th to June 3d, 1861-Sergeant, Jan. 3 ; First Lieutenant, June 2, 1862 ; in the U. S. service from May 25th to Sept. 5th, 1862 -- also, from June 16th to July 20, 1863-resigned Oct. Ist, 1863.
Commissioned Adjutant NINTH regiment Sept. 22, 1866 ; Major, June 8th, 1868; Lieut .- Colonel and Asst. Adjutant- General Third brigade, April ist, 1870; Brevet-Colonel N. G. S. N. Y. Jan. 31st, 1879 ; Colonel, NINTH regiment, April 17th, 1SS2.
On the 19th Company I gave an exhibition bayonet drill at the armory, in competition with the uniformed members of the Veteran Association of the old Fifth New York Vol- unteers-Duryea's Zouaves. The New York Times gave this account of the affair :
The zouaves were dressed in the old uniform, red bag-trousers with white leggings, blue zouave jacket, and fez with tassel. They were armed with short rifles and sword bayonets, and were under the command of Captain Andrew Coats. Company I wore their regular fatigue uniform and carried the State rifle and bayonet. Captain George A. Hussey was in command. The drill was a very fine one, both squads showing the care that had been taken in their instruction. The zouaves drilled according to McClellan's tactics, the NINTH according to Upton's. It is almost impossible to make a distinction between the two commands as regards proficiency. The drill and uniform of the zouaves were the most showy, but the men of the NINTH were solid and ready all the time. It is sufficient to say that the audience were very much pleased and expressed their delight by frequent applause. Among the guests present were Gen- erals Abram Duryee, McQuade, Fraser and Locke, and Colonels Cruger. Scott and Montgomery, with their staffs. After the drill, dancing was in order and was kept up until a late hour.
A few evenings after, Company II gave a reception, a report of which we copy from the New York Mercury :
Company H of this command, Captain Henry G. Chapman, held its closing drill and reception at the armory on West Twenty-sixth Street a few evenings since. The programme was opened with an exhibition drill which was executed with great exact- ness and elicited rounds of applause from the visitors. After drilling for half an hour or more the following organizations arrived and were warmly received by Company HI; Company E. Eighth regiment, Captain J. J. Horgan ; Company K. Twelfth regi- ment, Captain William V. King; Company E. Fourteenth regiment, Captain J. K.
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