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 57
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The speeches were all witty, notwithstanding that the wine was in. Commander William Scott had the honor of firing the first oratorical gun in response to the toast, "The Day We Celebrate," and although his voice was rifled bore and of heavy calibre, the jubilation was so great that his sentiments were almost drowned in the din of Epi- curean battle. Ex-Senator Thomas C. Ecclesine responded eloquently to " The Empire State," during which he paid his respects to President Cleveland and his bride in a manner that brought down soldierly approval with calithumpian emphasis. It was midnight when Civil Justice Gedney arose to pay his tribute to the " Army and Navy." The remaining toasts and speakers are as follows : NINTH Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., Lieutenant Colonel Rand ; " The War Record of the NINTH regiment, N. Y. . S. M., General Charles P. Stone ; " Our Honored Dead," Captain Theodore II. Swift ; "The Veteran Organizations," Major Kemp, of the Seventh, and Colonel Homer, of the Seventy-first; " A Friend in Need-the Surgeon," Howard Pinkney, M. D., and " Woman," Captain Eugene Durnin.
The surgeon, or the physician, is probably responding this morning as a friend indeed.
In the reorganization of the National Guard, under General Orders, No. 21, Adjutant General's office, issued August 5th, division organizations were abolished and the Guard consolidated into four brigades. The NINTH was assigned to the First brigade, and on the 25th of August Brigadier-General Louis Fitzgerald was elected the Com- mander.
During the summer a number of the Veterans decided to hold a reunion in September, upon the battle-fields of South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg. A circular was issued outlining the programme that would be followed during the trip, extending from the evening of the 15th, to the zist of September. At the appointed hour fourteen answered the roll call, and six more were added to the number by the time that
1886
REVISITING SHARPSBURG, MD.
639
Sharpsburg was reached. The party were also accompanied by several invited guests. The Antietam battle-ground was first visited, and was reached about noon of the 16th, the visitors looking over a portion of the left of the field. In the evening the citizens of Sharpsburg called to pay their respects, and the pilgrims were given the "Freedom of the City" by the authorities.
From a printed report of the reception of the Veterans, published in the Herald and Torchlight, Hagerstown, Md., we clip the following :
At 7 o'clock in the evening the Burgess and Commissioners, with other citizens of the town and a number of ladies, met the veterans in the parlor of the Shay House, and Mr. Charles G. Biggs, the Burgess, addressed them substantially as follows :
" Gentlemen of the NINTH New York Veterans : .
" As Burgess of the town of Sharpsburg, it affords me sincere gratification to wel- come you, on behalf of our people, who recall with sentiments of great pleasure their former acquaintance with your splendid regiment. As you are doubtless aware, the NINTH New York was the first military organization of either army that visited our town. Although lying immediately upon the border-line between the North and South, we had never seen the uniforms of our misguided brethren in gray. The soil of Maryland had not yet been pressed by the presumptuous foot of armed rebellion, and the sorrowful acquaintance we subsequently made with war and its attendant desolation and suffering was yet to be experienced. Our knowledge of the internecine contest progressing in our beloved country was confined to rumors and newspaper reports. Some of us had not even beheld the blue uniform worn by the patriot soldier of the North.
" I can recall, as a boy, your first appearance in our midst and the reception given you by our citizens. It was purely spontaneous, but it had a significance that, perhaps, none of us realized at the time. It surely was not extorted by any personal knowledge of your command, or any of its members ; for we had never heard of you individ- ually, or as an organization ; it was not that we were carried away by military enthu- siasm, caused by the spectacle of glistening guns, gleaming bayonets and brilliant uniforms. The reason for it was not superficial. We beheld in you the living embodi- ment of the great principle of loyalty to and love for country- so intense that your lives were voluntarily put in the balance to preserve our glorious Union in all its beautiful entirety. All this we felt instinctively, without perhaps realizing it, as few. or none of us, attempted to analyze our emotions. The principle of loyalty was firm and strong with us and it found expression in the demonstrations you witnessed. I remember how you marched from the town under a cloud of red, white and blue bunting, presented by our citizens. This was your first visit.
" The second was far different. Your approach was heralded by the roar of cannons, the rattle of musketry, the shouts of embattled hosts, and the groans and shrieks of strong men in the death agony. It may be that some of our loyal houses yet bear marks of your leaden messengers, not, however, directed against us, but against those who at that time, were, unhappily, our mutual enemies. What it cost
640
1806
THE NINTHI NEW YORK.
you to reach Sharpsburg on that occasion, your decimated regimental rolls on and after the 18th of September, 1862, can testify. We have a mournful record of your gallantry on the eventful 17th. In yonder beautiful Antietam National Cemetery lie a number of your comrades, guarded with eternal vigilance by the granite soldier brought from the quarries of Connecticut to keep watch throughout the ages over the dead Northern soldier. Your dead, however, would be remembered even without this granite monument. In the grateful hearts of a reunited country has been erected to their memory a monument like Horace's book -- ' more lasting than brass and loftier than the regal pyramids.'
" To-day, gentlemen, a small number of the gallant NINTH New York is again in our midst, with no hostile arms in their hands, but on their faces beams the smile of gentle peace, that, thank God, rests like a benediction over our free and reunited land. Under such circumstances, it is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to our town, which I now do."
It will be remembered that on the 6th of July, 1861, the NINTHI was very cordially received by the people of Sharps- burg. Bearing this in mind, the Veteran Association had prepared a suitable acknowledgement, in the form of a pre- amble and resolutions, handsomely engrossed and framed, and which had been brought along for presentation to the citizens of Sharpsburg. They read as follows :
At a regular meeting of the Veterans, NINTH New York Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., held on Monday, August 9th, 1886, the following preamble and resolutions were Unanimously Adopted :
WHEREAS, The NINTH regiment, N. Y. S. Militia, in the performance of duty in the service of the United States, arrived on July 6th, 1861, in Sharpsburg, and were most Loyally and hospitably entertained by the inhabitants ;
Resolved, That the Veterans of the NINTH tender an expression of their esteem and appreciation for the very patriotic and handsome reception which the regiment were the recipients of on that occasion, as also for the many kind deeds shown its members while encamped in that vicinity from September 19th to October 26th, 1862. . - Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be presented to the Town of Sharps- burg as a
TOKEN OF REMEMBRANCE
of the noble acts of its Citizens in the years 1861 and 1862.
Resolved, That the Veterans endoise the foregoing with their signatures and be present at the presentation on Friday, September 17th, 1886.
Forty-five signatures were attached. Commander William Scott, in a neat and appropriate speech, presented the reso- lutions, and was followed by Captain George A. Hussey, who only regretted that he was "not numbered amongst those who marched into it (Sharpsburg) on July 6th, 1861."
.
1886
641
CROSSING THE SOUTH MOUNTAIN.
A most delightful social meeting was held during the even- ing. Among the townspeople were several ex-Confederates, who vied with their neighbors in rendering the visitors stay pleasant and agreeable. The next morning, the anniversary of the battle, teams were provided, and riding out upon the Hagerstown Pike the Dunker Church was visited. Leaving the wagons here, the party walked through the fields over which the fierce storm of battle raged on that day in 1862. Several relics were found, a cartridge-box-tin, and a number of bullets. Of the company, Messrs. Acker, Bowne, Buxton, Cooke, Derr, Hallock, Pinkney, Pryer, Ritschy, Scott and Van Wyck were present at the battle.
Keedysville was next visited and at noon the tourists arrived at Boonsboro, where a good square meal was enjoyed and the party rested till three o'clock. Resuming the journey, South Mountain was soon reached and points of interest on the bat- tle-ground visited. New cider was sampled at various places on the road, the farmers generously refusing to take anything but thanks in payment.
Frederick should have been reached, according to pro- gramme, at four in the afternoon, and the members of the Grand Army of the Republic there had arranged a reception, but the "delays on the march," caused, in a measure, by the sampling, as above stated, made it nine o'clock before the pretty little city-familiar to the members of the NINTH-was entered. The City Hotel received the dust-covered warriors, who were soon surrounded by friends. General John T. Lockman, formerly captain of Company H of the NINTH, replied to the address of welcome by Doctor Schley. After a pleasant hour or two, the party sought their beds to seek much needed reposc.
At nine o'clock on Saturday morning, the party left on the cars for Gettysburg, reaching there at about two o'clock in the afternoon. After dining at the Globe Hotel, wagons took the party to Seminary Ridge, where the battle-ground of the first day's fight was examined. The position of the NINTH was determined and marked, and upon which the regimental monu-
1
i
642
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1886
ment is now erected. Cemetery Ridge was next visited, and the position of the regiment on the second and third day's battle, located. The National Cemetery was inspected and then Culp's Hill visited; the remains of the Union rifle pits and breastworks on the east slope being clearly defined. It was now dark and the tired party returned to town, where the evening was spent in recounting their experience on the bloody field of twenty-three years before.
On Sunday, the Peach Orchard, Wheat Field, Devil's Den and the Round Tops were visited, each point recalling its multitude of memories. The party returned to town in the afternoon and in the evening a few attended church. On Monday morning at about nine o'clock, the party left on the cars, and reached New York about seven in the evening. It was a most delightful trip, and heartily enjoyed by all.
On the 5th of October the regiment was inspected and reviewed. The report showed a great falling off in member- ship from previous years, but the material in line was that of which good soldiers are made. The report is appended :
Present.
Officers.
En. Men
[ Total ...
Absent ... . "
Aggregate. ..
9
Non .- Com. Staff.
II
II
Co. A
2
37
39
12
51
Co. B
1
26
27
20
47
Co. C.
2
36
38
21
59
Co. D
2
43
+5
IO
55
Co. E
30
31
26
57
Co. F
3
51
54
7
61
Co. G.
3
41
4-4
9
53
Co. H
3
43
46
S
54
Co. I.
2
27
29
25
54
Co. K
3
39
42
53
Total
29
384
113
151
564
--
7
Field and Staff.
7
The next day Governor David B. Hill reviewed the First brigade. The line formed at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, marching down to Twenty-third Street, to Washington
5.
1886
DEDICATION OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY. 643
Square, where the reviewing stand was erected. The NINTH paraded eight commands of twelve files.
On the 28th Bartholdi's statue, "Liberty Enlightening the World " was unveiled. The following order was issued to the Veterans of the NINTH :
HEADQUARTERS VETERANS OF THE NINTH REGIMENT, N. G. S. N. Y. Armory, West 26th Street.
The members of this Corps will assemble at the Armory on Thursday, October 28th, 1886, at 8.30 A. M., to take part in the Inauguration of the Statue of Liberty.
The uniformed members will appear in full dress, with white gloves. The un- uniformed members in dark clothes, with white gloves and canes.
The Veterans of the War are cordially invited to participate.
General Chas. P. Stone, Grand Marshal, and the first Brigade Commander of the regiment in the war, has expressed the hope that the " Old NINTH" will make as creditable appearance as while under his command in 1861.
CHAS. R. BRAINE, Colonel Commanding.
C. V. G. FORBES, - Adjutant.
A heavy rain storm, which prevailed nearly all day, inter- fered seriously with the exercises, but the programme was practically followed and the great statue appropriately in- augurated.
For two or three years efforts have been made by the officers of the NINTH to secure better accommodations for the regiment. The Armory was in a dilapidated condition, and its location -over a large stable-made it unpleasant, especially during warm weather. One reason of the falling off in numbers was owing to this condition of affairs, for when those who might have joined the NINTH saw other regiments, whose accommoda- tions were much better than those of the NINTH, being granted new and commodious Armories, they joined the more fortu- nate organizations. The Tribune, of November 5th, thus refers to the matter :
There is much comment in National Guard circles in regard to the treatment which the NINTH regiment has received at the hands of the Armory Board. Although one of the first regiments to apply for a new armory, and needing one more than any other regiment except the Eighth, other regiments much better housed have had armory sites purchased for them and plans for new buildings prepared, and one of them has
644
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
IS86
had a new armory built, while this fine old war regiment-the only National Guard regiment from this city which served for three years-is left in its dilapidated and con- demned armory in West Twenty-sixth street. Although numerous sites have been proposed by the Colonel, none of them has been chosen. Meantime the Twelfth, whose old armory is greatly superior to that of the NINTH, is about to take possession of a splendid and complete new armory, and the Twenty-second and the Eighth are looking forward to the time when theirs shall be completed. The members of the present Armory Board should take immediate steps to provide for the NINTH at least as well as other regiments are provided for. No National Guard regiment in this city or Brooklyn, except the gallant Fourteenth, is entitled to place on their banners the names of the battles which adorn the tattered colors of the NINTH.
:
-
The following account of receipts and expenditures since 1878, at which time Captain Witthaus was elected treasurer, shows that under his careful management of the funds, the regiment was in a financially healthy condition.
1
.
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
Receipts .
$4131 49
$5625 27
$5201 13
$5258 31
$3700 98
$5652 99
$3511 16
$5897 41
$5773 42
Expenditures.
4041 23
5609 96
4593 05
4659 13
3659 31
5285 08
3130 91
4511 66
5191 09
Balance on hand upon Decem- ber 31.
90 26
15 31
608 o8
599 18
41 67
367 91
380 25
1385 75
582 33
$4131 49 $5625 27
$5201 13
85258 31
$3700 98 |
$5652 99 $3511 16 85897 41
$5773 42
1886
RECEIPTS AND THE EXPENSES.
Under head of " Receipts" for each year the balance on hand on December 31st of the previous year is added.
645
ISS7
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
646
CHAPTER XXXI.
RECOVERY OF THE REMAINS OF COLONEL MOESCH.
1887.
Steps taken to Erect a Monument at Gettysburg .- Death of the Veteran General Charles P. Stone .- Miss Helen Dauvray Aids the Monument Fund .- Celebrating the Twenty-sixth Anniversary of the Departure for the War .- Memorial Day .-- Colonel Cochrane's Ode .- Death of ex-Colonel Wilcox .- The Armory Question. -The NINTH in Camp at Peekskill .- Comments of the Press .- Death of ex- Colonel John W. Davis .- Corporal Scott (War Veteran) Caned .- Ex-Commander Scott of the Veteran Corps presents the Association with Silk Guidons .- A Badge belonging to Sergeant Barker, of Company B, " Missing " since Spottsylvania, Accounted for .- Recovery of the Remains of Colonel Moesch and Re-interment in the National Cemetery at Fredericksburg .- Ritle Practice at Creedmoor .- Presentation of " Faithful Service" Badges .- Special Inspection.
N the 19th of January the committee having in charge the erection of a monument to the NINTH, on the battle- field of Gettysburg issued a circular, from which the following extract is taken :
6 NEW YORK, January 19th, 1887.
DEAR SIR: Your favorable consideration is respectfully and urgently asked in aid of the erection of a Monument to commemorate the services of the only Regiment in existence to-day in this city that enlisted and served in behalf of the State of New York for the term of the war, during the late Rebellion. It has also been called upon and served since then in the Riots that have taken place.
That a Monument worthy of this great Metropolis and commensurate with the services and sacrifices of the NINTH may be erected, a fervent appeal is made to all citizens, friends, ex-members, and members of the regiment for contributions.
The battle-field of Gettysburg has been selected as the most suitable place be- cause of its national and historic importance. The ground upon which the battle was fought is owned by an Association, chartered under the laws of the State of Pennsyl- vania, and has been duly surveyed and marked by the United States Engineers. Regiments to the number of nearly 150, from several States, have already erected monuments on the respective positions where each fought, and the battle-field is visited by thousands from all parts of the world, so attractive and famous has it become.
€
1887
STEPS TAKEN TO ERECT A MONUMENT.
6.17
The Empire State is represented by only two monuments, this City by none. This is not creditable to either State or city, but is no doubt due to not having been brought to the notice of the people. * * *
JOHN HENDRICKSON, Chairman. WILLIAM SCOTT, Vice Chairman. W. WOLCOTT MARKS, Secretary.
WILLIAM L. HEERMANCE, Treasurer. THOMAS W. THORNE, THOMAS B. RAND,
DANA B. PRATT,
JOHN H. VAN WYCK, ROBERT F. COOKE, GEORGE T. LORIGAN,
MONTEFIORE ISAACS,
JAMES SLATER,
SOL. E. JAPIA, SAMUEL BERRY.
JOHN L. BAKER,
A number of generous subscriptions were soon received, and with the amount which the State appropriated -- fifteen hundred dollars to each New York organization that fought upon that field-the members of the NINTH were able to rear a monu- ment worthy of its history, and of the State it represented, in that greatest battle of the war.
On the 24th of January General Charles P. Stone died, and on the 27th was buried at West Point. He was born at Springfield, Mass., in 1826, and was graduated at West Point in 1845. He served in the Mexican war, and, in common with nearly every other officer, was brevetted for gallantry. He was in California from 1851 to 1856. Resigning his com- mission he was, for a time, in the employ of the Mexican government. On January 1, 1861, he reentered the service and was assigned the duty of mustering and drilling the Dis- trict of Columbia volunteers. His connection with the army. until Ball's Bluff, has already been recorded in these pages. Unjustly accused, and without a fair trial, he was confined for a time in Fort La Fayette. He was released in August, 1862, and served in the Department of the Gulf till September, 1864, when he resigned. In 1870, he entered the service of the Khedive of Egypt, where, as Stone Pacha, he made a brilliant record. Here he remained till 1883, and then returned to this country. He was appointed engineer for the construction of the pedestal for the statue of Liberty, in the building of which he took great interest. His illness was of brief duration, his death a surprise to his friends and the
1
648
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
IS87
public. At a meeting of the Veteran Association on the 9th, the following resolutions were adopted :
WHEREAS, The Commander-in-Chief of all armies has in his infinite wisdom deemed it necessary to suddenly call from our midst Gen. Chas. P. Stone, the first Brigade Commander under which the Regiment served in the late civil war, therefore be it
Resolved, That in the death of Gen. Chas. P. Stone, the Army of the United States has lost a true, faithful, conscientious and upright soldier, and this Republic a citizen of unsullied reputation. Be it further
Resolved, That we tender our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to his relatives in their sudden and unlooked for bereavement. And be it further
Resolved, That these resolutions be extended in full upon the minutes and a copy of them be sent to the family of our late commander.
CHAS. R. BRAINE, Colonel.
C. V. G. FORBES, Adjutant.
On March 5th a concert was given at the armory of the NINTH for the benefit of the Monument fund, and on the 30th of April, Miss Helen Dauvray tendered the use of her company at the Lyceum Theatre for the same purpose. The World of the next day had this notice :
Among the many interesting theatrical farewells of last evening, none were sur- rounded with more enthusiasm than that of Miss Helen Dauvray. The Love Chase for the time became a military march, and there was a suggestion of uniformed dash throughout the evening. She had determined to honor the NINTH regiment with a special benefit for the fund which the veterans and members of the regiment are getting up to commemorate the participation of the command in the historic conflict at Gettysburg. The veterans have been particularly active in the raising of the fund, and the event of last evening gave a very handsome addition to it. Col. W. R. Hay- . .- den, the manager for the young American actress, was as enthusiastic as Miss Dauvray herself. He had been an active fighter on the other side in the war, and he was in his element in the military look which the house took on for the benefit. There were the battle-flags of the NINTH on display. Military spectators were there from every regiment in this State. There was bunting everywhere, and in the lobby several very soldierly-looking members of the NINTH were ornamental sentries.
After the third act. Colonel Seward, from his box, thanked Miss Dauvray on behalf of the regiment, to which the gifted lady made a fitting response. As the stage was being set for the last act, there was placed upon it a handsome gold-fringed silk banner, on which a hand-painted wreath inclosed the
1887
BANQUET AT THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL. 649
names of the plays in which Miss Dauvray had appeared dur- ing the year ; a mammoth floral horseshoe, with a figure "9" and " H. D." in the centre ; a companion piece representing the regimental pin, and a vase of cut flowers. These were the gifts of the Regiment and of the Veteran Association to Miss Dauvray and her company. As the curtain opened upon the scene, the gifts were noticed, and the audience applauded enthusiastically. The Board of Officers subsequently passed a vote of thanks to Miss Dauvray and her manager, Colonel Hayden.
On the evening of the 27th of May the Veterans celebrated the twenty-sixth anniversary of the departure for the war, by a banquet at the Metropolitan Hotel. Colonel Charles R. Braine presided, and was surrounded by about seventy members of the Association. Among the invited guests present were Gen- cral Nicholas W. Day, Colonels David S. Brown, Charles F. Homer, and William 1. Martin, Judge Charles A. Flammer, and William Todd, Esq., of Albany, a veteran of the Seventy- ninth Highlanders. Letters of regret were received from Generals Sherman, Robinson and Carr, Mayor Abram S. Hewitt and others.
Upon the 30th the usual Memorial Day services were observed. The following lines, by Colonel John H. Cochrane, a former member of Company L during the war, form a fitting tribute to the memory of the heroic dead :
MEMORIAL DAY.
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
What mean these men by marching every thirtieth of May, With torn and tattered colors and with flowers bright and gay ? They are our Nation's heroes-her soldiers and her tars- Some are maimed and wounded, and some wear noble scars.
When our country was aroused by the sounds of Civil War. And the echoes of Fort Sumter's guns were heard both near and far, "Iwas then the men you see to-day, who march with stately tread,
Went forth with those now numbered 'mongst the army of the dead.
To uphold the Nation's honor, to preserve the Union whole, With a purpose firm and true as the needle to the pole.
650
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1887
But the conflict's long since over, and why march they to-day ? To honor those who've fallen and a debt of love to pay ;
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