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 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
It matters little now whether the dead wore blue or gray- Flowers are strewn on both alike on this Memorial Day.
And thus may it continue while suns shall rise and set,
For we've long since forgiven the gray, but can't so soon forget
Those who stood besides us on many a hard-fought field, "Till at last to grim death's messenger they were compelled to yield.
So " with malice toward none, and with charity for all,"
Our mission's one of love to those whom God hath pleased to call;
The hardship we have suffered we can vividly recall --- The march, the camp, the battle-methinks I see them all ! But is there one regrets them as they ponder on them well? No! regrets are only cherished for comrades brave who fell-
Regrets for gallant leaders and our fallen " Boys in Blue," Who rallied 'round the Standard to the Union firm and true ; Regrets for all who wore the Blue, and pity for the Gray, Is all that animates our hearts on this Memorial Day.
" Then honor our brave Veterans as they honor their dead ;
" What have they done for us?" methinks I hear it said : When duty called they answered " Aye," answered every one, To protect our great inheritage bequeathed by Washington !
Our great and glorious Union they risked e'en life to save- Gave manhood unto chattels and freedom unto slaves. Is honor then not due them for such noble work well done ? " Republics are ungrateful," but let not this be one ;
And when the last great " Reveille " is sounded from the sky, And we are called to " muster " by command of the Most High, May no comrade then be " missing," but all receive their pay In the Crowns to be distributed on " That Memorial Day !"
Ex-Colonel John H. Wilcox died on the roth of June and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
The Armory question still continued to agitate the members of the regiment and the public as well. In the report of an interview with Colonel Seward, the Tribune, of June 24th, said :
I have had to work extremely hard to keep my command together in consequence of the miserable quarters that we are in. Of course, I want a new armory, and it would be the means of making my regiment as fine a one as there is in the State. Look how Colonel Scott's regiment has run down in consequence of being in a bad locality and wretched buikling. There is not a regiment in the State which would not do the same under like circumstances. The present idea of an armory is a building so strong that a few men could guard it against the attack of a mob. It should be in an open place, easy of access, and in a good neighborhood. With the present armories,
1887
ENCAMPED AT PEEKSKILL. 651
except those of the Seventh and Twelfth regiments, it would be impossible for a colonel to get his men into the street in case of a riot.
A regiment nowadays, to be a success, must be a military club. That principle is clearly demonstrated in the Seventh regiment, which is the only full one in the city. Its members have an attractive place in which to assemble for drill or social purposes, and as a natural result young men are anxious to join it. The building up of a regi- ment is done through its individual members, and unless the associations are conge- nial to them they will not ask their friends to join, nor will they re-enlist when their time is out. All the National Guard wants is fair treatment, and with such treatment, the State and Nation will have when needed a sure arm of defence.
On the end of July the regiment proceeded to the Camp of Instruction at Peekskill. Embarking on the steamers Crystal Stream and General Sedgwick, at the foot of West Twenty-first street, at noon the boats started up the Hudson. Roa Hook, the camp landing-place, was reached at five o'clock, and half-an- hour later the NINTH relieved the Twelfth regiment, and took possession of the State camp. Colonel Seward was in com- mand, with a full list of Field and Staff officers : Lieutenant- Colonel Rand, Major Bartlett, Adjutant Dechert, Inspector of Rifle Practice Gibson, Surgeon Roof. Assistant-Surgeon Doty, Quartermaster Pratt, Commissary Vermilye, Captain G. Henry Witthaus. The company officers were :
Company A-Captain, Lorigan; First Lieutenant, Cook. Company B-Cap- tain, Cocheu. Company C-Captain, Ely. Company D-Captain, Swift; First Lieu- tenant, Walton. Company E-Captain, Japha ; First Lieutenant, Bartlett. Company F -- Captain, Marks ; First Lieutenant, Warrell, and Second Lieutenant, Ehiman. Company G-Captain, Chamberlain ; First Lieutenant, Rice; Second Lieut. Will- cocks ; Company II-Captain, Clough; First Lieutenant, Gale; Second Lieutenant, Maconnell. Company I-Captain. Leonard; First Lieutenant, Kohlberger. Com- pany K -- First Lieutenant, Billings, commanding ; Second Lieutenant, Croft.
The band consisted of twenty-six pieces out of a total of fifty-one and was led by Conterno. The fife and drum corps turned out its full number of forty pieces.
The total number present was about five hundred.
The week's stay in camp proved to be a very stormy one, rain falling nearly every day. The New York Herald, of the 7th, said :
It was one of those days in the State camp yesterday when a man feels like a clam.
1887
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
652
At least that's what a vigilant, orarneatal sentry said he felt like as he piced up and down his beat over the damp, steaming ground and through the thick and marky air.
How it did rain in the night, and what an immeasurable amount of profanity was directed at the places in the tents where the rain beat in !
The damp air bred millions of gnats, and there was a cloud of them in each tent hovering around the candles and playing an endless game of tag all over a fellow's hands and face. Occasionally little streams of water would trickle noiselessly down on the blankets. The flies flapped like the wings of great birds against the tent walls. The mounttins roared with the thunder, and sheets of lightning illumined the dark hemlocks.
It was not a choice night to be on post by any means -- a new man is all too apt to get " rattled " on post, anyway-but it was a singular fact that when Captain Clough made the grand rounds at midnight not the slightest error was made in challenging or passing of the rounds.
The men slipped around on the wet grass during the early morning company drills and had a pretty sorry time of it.
On the 7th, however, the sun came out bright and clear, and the Herald of the 8th, contained the following :
Shining musket barrels and flashing swords were the prevalent things in the State camp yesterday.
The NINTH was in its glory.
And a good looking body of men, along with the First Provisional battalion, they made.
They have got the " stuff " in them. All night long the sentries waded up to the knees in water and smiled.
" Pollock's Mill Bridge " was the countersign. Nobody got by without it, either. Even Colonel Seward found himself dangerously near the point of a bayonet when he went roaming abroad after taps.
The boys had given him a unique entertainment in the evening. A mock dress- parade was held in front of his quarters that was very funny, even if it was slightly at variance with General Porter's orders. The Adjutant's peculiar walk was demonstrated and Major Bartlett's high voice was so well mimicked that most people thought it was the Major's own self.
" All work and no play " not only makes Jack a dull boy, but it also makes him a very dull soldier.
Well, the NINTH are not dull soldiers.
" Besides giving all the time possible to drill, it will be seen that the men did not lack for amusement ; in fact it would be difficult to place any body of soldiers in such a position that they could not extract some pleasure from their surroundings. On the Sth, the Mercury reached 102°, and yet, during that time the men were tramping about on the baking parade
1887
DEATH OF EX-COLONEL DAVIS. 65,3
ground, where the grass was turning brown with the heat, and not the suggestion of a breeze stirred the oak leaves off on the hill. The line was as steady as a wall, though the men were dripping with perspiration. * * * After three hours of it the companies marched back to their streets with every man in the ranks that marched out. Not a case of sun-stroke. though it was the hardest drill of the season." (Herald, of 9th.)
On the 5th of September ex-Colonel John W. Davis, who went to the front in 1861, as Captain of Company D, died at Morristown, N. J., after a long illness. The funeral services were held at St. Mark's Church, on the 8th.
On the 9th the Veteran Association presented to ex-Cor- poral William Scott, of Company F during the war, Ser- geant of Company I, since, and Commander of the Veteran corps from 1878 to 1886, a gold-mounted cane, which contained the names of the members of the organization, cut thereon.
On the 26th Colonel Seward issued orders directing that company drills should be resumed on the evening of October 3rd, to continue until April, 1888; Lieutenant-Colonel Rand and Major Bartlett, alternately, to superintend them. At a meeting of the Veteran corps, held about this time, it was reported that $3,436. So, was on hand towards the Gettysburg Monument. Subsequently ex-Commander Scott presented the Association with a splendid set of silk guidons. elaborately worked and mounted, and they were carried for the first time on the occasion of the dedication of the Gettysburg Monu- ment, in July, 1888.
Among the curious and interesting facts that are continu- ally cropping out respecting events that occurred during the war is the following :
At the battle of Spottsylvania, Sergeant Charles H. Barker, of Company B, was killed. Shortly after the engagement a lady, who lived nearby the battle-ground, took from a body a silver First corps badge, with Barker's name, regiment and com- pany inscribed upon it ; this found its way North, long after the war, and upon the 29th of September, 1887, twenty-three
654
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1887
years after the event, it was placed in the hands of the dead soldier's mother-then eighty-five years of age-with an account of its finding.
Early in the year Comrade George A. Hussey interested himself in the recovery of the remains of Colonel Moesch, buried at the Wilderness, and aided by Chaplain Roe, his efforts were successful. The Chaplain was the only member of the regiment who knew the exact spot of burial, and from a diagram furnished by him, Andrew J. Birdsall, the Superintendent of the National Cemetery at Fredericksburg, recovered the remains, and re-interred them in the Cemetery at Fredericks- burg on the 10th of October.
In a letter to Captain Hussey Major Birdsall describes the finding of the body and gives a list of the articles found about the remains.
One pair boots, piece of vest, eight uniform buttons (large size), three uniform buttons (small size), and one bullet ; and adds in his letter :
"The boots are in pieces as the stitching was all gone, and there was nothing to hold them together. The bits of cloth- ing is all I could secure, the rest fell to pieces as soon as exposed. The bullet was found in the bottom of the coffin between the shoulders and head."
The bullet was the missile that killed the Colonel, and it had dropped to the bottom of the coffin as the remains decom- posed.
On the 12th of October the regiment visited Creedmoor for practice in rifle shooting, and on the 24th the officers met for instruction in their duties. On the 26th the annual inspec- tion took place, and the following is the official return made by Lieut .- Colonel Frederick C. McLewee, the inspecting officer :
ISS7
INSPECTION REPORT
Present.
Field and staff
9
IO
N. C. Staff.
II
0
II
Co. A
54
4
58
Co. B.
26
24
50
Co. C.
34
19
53
-Co. I)
37
47
Co. E
.31
18
49
Co. F
54
14
68
Co. G
39
10
50
Co. H
.42
13
55
Co. 1
32
24
56
Co. K
30
24
54
399
161
560
Absent. - 0 + = I
Total. 2 = 9
655
In commenting upon recent inspections of regiments of the National Guard, the New York Tribune, of November 7th, said :
Among the inconveniences to which the members of the NINTH regiment are sub- jected are the incomplete arrangements for heating their old armory over a stable in West Twenty-sixth street. The boiler was condemned two years ago and cannot safely be used to its full capacity. There is a question as to whether it is the duty of the Armory Board or of the Commissioner of Public Works to attend to this matter, and it has been referred to the Corporation Counsel for an opinion, which he may find time to give after election. The regiment bears on its colors the names of battles fought during its service. It was for a year under General Newton, the present Com- missioner, and the men think that this fact should induce him to give some attention to their interests and, as a member of the Armory Board, should try to have a new armory provided for the command. Mayor Hewitt is the member of the Board whose assent to this, it appears to be most difficult to obtain. He appears to take little inter- est in the National Guard at present. If there should be a riot he might think more of the troops than he does at present.
On the evening of Tuesday, the 6th of December, the regi- ment assembled, the occasion being the presentation of badges for faithful service furnished through the liberality of Ser- geant David B. Cohen, of Company G. Colonel Seward pre- sented the trophies, and took occasion to thank the donor for the interest which he manifested in the organization. The year before ex-Captain Joseph A. Carberry, of Company D, offered badges for a like purpose ; thus showing, although not an active member of the regiment, his unfailing interest in the NINTH, whose members had been very loth to part with his services.
1887
THE NINTHI NEW YORK.
656
After presentation of the badges, the regiment was exer- cised in Brownell's system of street riot drill, now conceded to be the best form for that emergency.
For a number of years the State had been endeavoring to collect from the General Government the amount spent in equipping regiments that went to the field early in the war. In several. of the militia regiments, among which was the NINTH, many of the men furnished their own uniforms. On the 22nd of the month the following letter was issued :
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Washington, D. C., December 22nd, 1887. General J. G. FARNSWORTH, Albany, N. Y.
DEAR SIR: Your attention is called to the fact that I have this day certified as due the State of New York the sum of $7,460, under the act of July 27, 1861-eighth installment-being the amount paid by the State, under the act of its Legislature 1877, to reimburse the NINTH (9th) regiment, New York State militia, now NINTH regiment, National Guard, State of New York, for equipments expended in the service of the United States while justered into such service as the NINTH New York militia and Eighty-third New York volunteers.
Very respectfully, SIGOURNEY BUTLER, Comptroller.
During the last part of the month the various companies were specially inspected by an officer of the Adjutant-Gene- ral's office. Those companies whose turn came during the Holi- day week were unfortunate, for quite a number of the members could not obtain their employer's consent to absent themselves from business, even for one evening ; the result was that many were absent from the ceremony, through no fault of their own, but by reason of "the authorities" orders, issued, as should have been well known, at the worst season of the year to expect a full attendance.
1888
AN AMBULANCE CORPS FORMED.
657
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE RICHMOND GRAYS ARRIVE.
1888.
Organization of an Ambulance Corps .- Presentation of War Relics to the Veteran Association .- Colonel Seward Drilling in Battalion Movements .- The Veterans attend the Funeral of General José Antonio Páez .- Rifle Practice at Creedmoor. -- Promotion of Major Bartlett to Judge Advocate on Staff of the Governor .- Pre- sentation to Company A by the Veteran Association .- Street Riot Drill. -- Pro- motions Announced .- The Richmond Grays Arrive .- Annual Banquet of the Veterans .-- Memorial Day .- What the Richmond Grays Did while in the City.
TATE in 1887. the Adjutant-General directed each regiment to organize an ambulance corps, and on the 9th of January Colonel Seward issued " Orders No. 1," making the necessary detail. The corps consists of the "medical officers of this command, the hospital steward, two enlisted men from cach company, and such corporals, not exceeding two, as shall be selected by the senior medical officer."
The duties of such a corps on the march and in battle are apparent, and that the members composing it shall be efficient is indicated by the course of instruction laid down.
" Rudimentary instruction in anatomy and physiology.
" Rudimentary instruction in the diagnosis of the common accidents and diseased conditions to which national guards- men are exposed, and the common means for the prevention of the same.
" Instruction as to the common means employed for the urgent relief of the sick and the injured, including stretcher- drill and matters pertaining to transportation of the sick and injured.
"Instruction in individual and camp hygiene."
At a meeting of the Veteran Organization, held on the evening of the 9th. there was presented to the society-by
1
65S
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
1888
Captain Walter Scott, on behalf of the donor-the bullet that killed Colonel Moesch, and some of the buttons from the coat and vest worn by him at the time of his death, all of which had been mounted on a silver shield and enclosed in a neat case.
Company drills were frequent during the winter months, and in February battalion movements were ordered. Colonel Seward was, at all times, active in the performance of his duties, and in his efforts to bring his command up to a high degree of efficiency.
Six battalion drills were held during the month of March ; these with the regular company drills kept the men busy, and improved the morale of the regiment.
On the 24th of the month the Veteran organization formed part of the escort to the remains of General José Antonio Páez, formerly President of the republic of Venezuela.
In April drilling was vigorously prosecuted. Several new officers were commissioned and two resigned. The latter were Surgeon Stephen W. Roof and Captain Theodore H. Swift. In announcing the resignations, in "Orders No. 20," Colonel Seward said :
" The regiment can ill afford to lose the services of these officers and their record is one of duty faithfully performed. They leave the organization with the best wishes of the Command for their future prosperity, and this official notice of the severance of official relations is recorded with sincere regret."
On the 30th of the month a regimental order was issued relating to rifle practice at Creedmoor. The Adjutant-Gene- ral had designated certain days upon which Guardsmen might, under such supervision as the General Inspector of Rifle Practice should direct, practice on the range. Transportation and ammunition were furnished free.
On the 12th of May Major Bartlett was appointed Judge Advocate-General on the Governor's staff. This was a well- merited tribute to the ability which this young officer had dis- played during his connection with the National Guard.
He entered the military service in Company C, Seventh
-
1888
THE VETERAN'S TROPHY PRESENTED. 659
regiment, Oct. 4, 1871 ; was promoted Colonel and Aide-de- camp on the staff of Governor Samuel J. Tilden, Jan. ist ; detailed as acting Adjutant NixTu regiment, by Orders No. 145, A. G. O. Oct. 12, 1875 ; re-commissioned Colonel and Aide-de-camp Jan. 1, 1877; relieved (upon his application ) from geting Adjutant, NINTH regiment, by Orders No. 213, A. .G. O., Oct. 25, 1878 ; his commission as Colonel and Aide-de- camp expired Dec. 31, 1879 ; commissioned Adjutant, NINTH regiment, June 25, 1883 ; Major, Feb. 5, 1884 ; Judge Advocate and Brigadier-General, May 12, 1888.
On the evening of the 16th an interesting event occurred. From the Tribune, of the 17th, we quote the following account :
The regiment assembled at the armory in West Twenty-sixth street in St te sei- vice uniform, with black helmets and white leggings, and presented a neat and soldierly appearance. Colonel William Seward, Jr., was in command. After the regiment had been turned over to him by the Adjutant, he exercised the men in the manual of arms and then ordered Company A, Captain George T. Lorigan, to the front.
A delegation of the veterans of the regiment was drawn up behind the Colonel. and on their behalf, Commander William Scott, presented to Company A, the trophy won by that command by having the largest number of recruits present at the last inspection. It was a handsome copper, bronze and silver urn, inscribed with the name of the company and a statement of the manner in which it had been won. Comman- der Scott, in a brief address, culogized the regiment and spoke of the deep interest taken in it by the Veteran Association. Captain Lorigan thanked him on behalf of his company for the gift. After a brief rest the regiment was marched into the street and proceeded through Twenty-sixth street, Fifth avenue and Seventeenth street, to the Plaza on the north of Union Square. There a street riot drill was had, and for an hour the command did gallant battle with an imaginary mob, advancing and retreat- ing, wheeling into line and delivering volley after volley by companies into the invisi- ble foc. Of course no cartridges were used in the firing, but the loud tones of the Colonel and the thunders of the captains and the shouting awakened the echoes in the neighborhood and attracted many people to the scene. The movements were the- cuted with much precision. Then the command was marched back to the armory.
On the 22nd " Orders No. 26" were issued, from which the following extracts are made :
"1. Pursuant to orders from Brigade Headquarters, this regiment will parade in State Service uniform coat, hehnets, white trousers, white gloves, on Wednesday, May 30th, to participate in the ceremonies incident to Memorial Day. *
* "Hl. Promoted :
" Major Clifford A. H. Bartlett having been appointed Judge Advocate-General by
1883
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
660
the Commander-in-Chief it is eminently fit and proper in this, the first order issued since he has been commissioned, while lamenting his loss to ourselves as indi- viduals and as an organization, to congratulate the National Guard of the State on its acquisition of an officer eminently equipped for the duties of the office to which he has been appointed, and knowing that the qualities which have endeared him to his present associates cannot fail to multiply his friends in the wider field he now enters.
"III. Officers Commissioned :
" Major and Surgeon Alvah H. Doty, vice Roof resigned, with rank from March Sth. »
"Second Lieutenant Godfrey A. S. Wieners, vice Cook promoted, with rank from March 22d.
" They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. * * *
" VIII. The " Richmond Grays" Co. " A" First Virginia Volunteers, Captain Bossieux, commanding, having accepted the invitation to make the Regimental Armory their headquarters while in New York, Company " A" NINTH regiment is hereby detailed to escort them thereto on their arrival in the city, Monday, 28th inst. Tuesday evening, 29th inst., Captain Bossieux will drill his command in the large drill room, and members of the NINTH regiment will then have an opportunity of witness- ing the perfection attained by this famous Command.
"Captain Bossieux having expressed the desire to visit the tomb of General Grant on Memorial Day, with his command, (Company E) Captain Japha is detailed to act as escort on that occasion. In the Memorial Day parade, the " Richmond Grays " will participate as a part of the NINTH regiment, and the Adjutant will assign it to the position in line it would occupy if its Commandant was the Senior officer."
In the last two paragraphs above quoted, is another exem- plification of the Fraternity now existing between the military organizations, North and South. How like the visit of the "Savannah Blues" in 1850.
The annual banquet of the Veteran Association took place on the evening of the 28th. From the columns of the Star the following report is taken :
Twenty-seven years ago last Monday night the boys of the NINTH N. Y. S. M. (Eighty-third N. Y. Volunteers) would have been happy over a pot of black coffee and a cup of boiled beans, but on the present occasion the best that the Westminster Hotel afforded was hardly good enough. The old veterans reversed the parable, inas- much as they had received their bad things in Virginia, now they were bound to make up for it in New York. It was simply Dives reversed, for not one called for a drop of water-nothing would do but " Mumm and Heidsieck."
This was the twenty-seventh anniversary dinner, and there was a comparatively goodly number present to enjoy it. Although the hand of time is telling upon then, and many heads that once boasted of a heavy crop of fur now resemble billiard balls, still their spirits were more buoyant, if possible, than ever. The memory of past dangers unites them in a bond of fraternity little understood by the thoughtless rising generation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.