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 59
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TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL BANQUET. 66 1
At 9 o'clock the veterans and their invited guests arrived, and after hearty hand- shakings and mutual congratulations the dinner was announced. A fine string band discoursed military music from " Way Down South in Dixie" to " Yankee Doodle," and the old boys " fell in." It is useless to discuss the dinner and the various courses. It was good enough even for war veterans, and that is good enough for a king.
Among the distinguished guests present were General Nicholas W. Day, General John Hendrickson, Asst .- Adjt .- Genl. G. A. R., William Todd of Albany, Colonel Wil- liam Seward, Jr., Colonel Charles R. Braine, Majors Henry V. Williamson and D. William Diggs, Colonel John T. Pryer, Colonel Thomas B. Odell, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas B. Rand, Commander Van Wyck of A. S. Williams Post, G. A. R., Hon. Orlando B. Potter, and many others. Letters of regret were received from General Alex. S. Webb, Mayor Abram S. Hewitt, General John Newton and John C. Robinson, who promised to meet them at Gettysburg.
Commander William Scott, president of the Veteran Association, presided, and welcomed the guests in a happy speech. Colonel Charles R. Braine responded to the toast of the NINTH regiment and its motto, and Hon. Orlando B. Potter responded in an eloquent speech to the "State of New York." After complimenting her soldiers, he said he was happy that all the States were now united in the bonds of brotherhood and eternal love, which had never resulted from any war in the past or never would from any in the future.
Past Commander Thomas B. Odell, of J. A. Dix Post, responded to the " Army and Navy." The navy, he thought, had never been rendered its just dues, and had it not been for them we should never have captured New Orleans, Mobile, Vicksburg or Port Hudson. The name Grand Army includes both. Ladies are not mentioned, but as we know that mankind always embraces them, it is not necessary. [Great laugh- ter.] He closed amid rounds of applause.
Comrade D. W. Diggs, formerly of the regiment, but now of Dakota, responded to the "National Guard." They saved the Capital in 1861, and it is the right arm of the nation, with the regular army as a nucleus.
Asst. Adjt .- Gen'l William Todd, spoke of the increase in the ranks of the Grand Army.
To the toast, "Our Honored Dead," Past Commander Archibald Stewart spoke feelingly, and referred to the recent death of Dr. Howard Pinkney, the old surgeon of the regiment, and paid a deserved compliment to his virtues and worth. Captain Joseph A. Bluxome, responded to " The Ladies," and the Grand Army representative of The Star to " The Press." It was a grand gathering of old war veterans, and it was late on Tuesday morning before the strains of " Auld Lang Syne" and " Home Sweet Home" notified the enthusiastic boys that their wives were lonesome at home.
Memorial Day-the 30th-was fittingly celebrated, the NINTH parading nine commands of fifteen files cach-the tenth being the " Richmond Grays," which occupied the right of the line. Upon the reviewing stand at Union Square were Presi- dent Grover Cleveland and members of his cabinet, General Curtis, Commander of the Department of New York G. A. R., and many other distinguished citizens. After the column had passed, the President's party, and the Department Commander
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and staff, proceeded to review the parade in Brooklyn, while the Richmond Grays, escorted by Company E, of the NINTH, Captain Sol. E. Japha, went to the tomb of General Grant, at Riverside Park, where, in company with U. S. Grant Post 327, G. A. R., they decorated the tomb of the great soldier, the Grays also firing the funeral volleys.
The " Richmond Grays," Company A, First Virginia vol- unteers, from Richmond, 56 strong, Captain C. Gray Bossicux, and Lieutenants Garrison and Gibbs, had reached the city on the morning of the 28th by the Old Dominion Line steamer, . and were received by Company A, of the NINTH, Captain Lorigan, and the full regimental drum corps. Marching to the City Hall, the column was reviewed by Mayor Hewitt, and then the march was continued up Broadway to Fifth Avenue, to the Armory, where a collation was served, which was supplemented by speeches from Colonel Spottswood of Richmond, a guest of the "Grays,' Colonel Seward of the NINTH, and Captains Bossieux and Lorigan.
The rest of the day was spent in sight-seeing, Central Park and other places of note being visited. In the evening the " Grays" were escorted to the Armory of the Seventy-first regiment by Company D of that regiment, Captain Alfred P. Delcambre. After witnessing a review of the regiment and presentation of marksman's badges, the guests were entertained by the Seventy-first at a banquet at Mazettis', where they met a number of prominent National Guard officers, and where a number of good speeches were delivered.
Tuesday, the 29th, was spent in visiting various points of interest about the city, under the escort of members of Com- pany A of the NINTH; several parties being formed, one of which went up to West Point. In the evening the " Grays " gave an exhibition drill at the Armory of the NixTi, which was witnessed by nearly the whole regiment, the Veteran Associ- ation and numerous visitors ; after which the officers of the NINTH entertained the visitors at a banquet.
Before proceeding to the tomb of General Grant on Me- morial Day, the " Grays " partook of a lunch with Company
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VISIT OF THE RICHMOND GRAYS.
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E of the NINTH, Captain Japha. At the tomb an eloquent address was made by General Stewart L. Woodford, the visit of the " Grays " being feelingly alluded to. Colonel Frederick D. Grant was also present and expressed his appreciation of the visit of the Virginia soldiers. The " Grays" decorated the tomb with flowers brought from Richmond for that purpose. After the visitors had fired a salute over the tomb, they were escorted to the boat upon which U. S. Grant Post, No. 327, G. A. R., of Brooklyn, had reached the place, and where a col- lation was served during the return to the city. Leaving the boat at the foot of West Twenty-second Street, the " Grays " were escorted to the armory of the NINTH, where they de- posited their arms and then sought their sleeping quarters, ready for a night's rest after the excitements of the day.
On Thursday, under escort of Captain Lorigan and Lieu- tenant Wieners of the NINTH, Captain Bossieux, the lieu- tenants and several others of the visitors visited the Stock, Produce, and other Exchanges, and in the afternoon, upon invitation of Comrade William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), visited the " Wild West " show on Staten Island, where they were hospitably entertained.
On Friday the Commissioners of Charities and Correction took charge of the visitors, who, with several officers and men- bers of the NINTH, were taken to the Islands in the East River and shown the institutions controlled by the Board. Commis- sioner Brennan royally entertained his guests before parting with them. In the evening, upon invitation of Col. J. A. McCaull, the "Grays" and officers of the NINTH visited Wallack's Theatre and witnessed the representation of " The Lady and the Tiger." A lunch at Delmonico's, then a tour of portions of the town " by gas-light," after which Lieut .- Col. Rand of the NINTH entertained the party with a colla- tion at the St. Cloud Hotel, which did not end till daylight warned the revellers to disperse.
Saturday forenoon was spent by the "Grays" in packing up preparatory to returning home. They were escorted to the Old
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Dominion steamer by Company B of the NINTH, Captain Noah L. Cocheu and full drum corps, and accompanied by a large number of the officers and members of the regiment. At three o'clock, amid cheers and waving of handkerchiefs, the boat left the dock.
The Tribune, of the 3d, had this to say of their departure :
The Richinond Grays, Company A, Ist Virginia Volunteers, under command of Captain Bossieux, started for home yesterday afternoon by the Old Dominion Line Steamer Seneca. The visitors, who were the guests of Company A, were delighted with the attention and entertainment accorded them at the Armory, and gave vent to their feelings after they boarded the vessel by many times three cheers and a whole jungle of tigers. Captain Bossieux said : As for myself, the only thing I was allowed to buy here was a little box of parlor matches for five cents. The fife and drum corps played " Home Again " as the vessel steamed out into the stream, and the men of the two companies gave parting cheers.
On the ist of the month the Veteran Organization attended the funeral of Doctor Howard Pinkney, who died suddenly in England on the 14th of May. He had sailed from New York on the 5th of May for a period of rest and recreation, and was, without a moment's warning, stricken down. The services were held at the church of the Holy Trinity, Madison Ave. and Forty-second Street.
The pall bearers were Dr. O. M. Arkenburg, William Scott, Esq., Major John H. Kemp, Dr. Geo. C. Freeborn, Dr. Robert Wier, T. L. Van Smull, James Warren, and W. F. Shirley.
The interment was at the Second Street Marble Cemetery, where a short address and prayer were made by Bishop Newman of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On the 8th the regiment proceeded to Creedmoor for "first general rifle-practice." On the 13th the Veteran Organization was again ordered out, and took part in the unveiling of the Put- nam Statuc, at Brooklyn, Conn.
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INHERITED HONORS.
1888
CHAPTER XXXIII.
GETTYSBURG REVISITED.
1888 (CONTINUED).
Inherited Honors .-- The Society of the Army of the Potomac Invites the NINTH to Escort it to Gettysburg .- The Legislature Provides for the Expense .- Colonel Seward's Acceptance of the Invitation .- Laying of the Corner Stone of the Monu- ment at Gettysburg .- The Veteran Association and Guests Leave for Gettysburg. -Arrival There .- Visit to the Battle-field .-- The Monument .-- Arrival of the Regi- ment .- " Orders No. 30."-Pennsylvania and New Jersey Provide for the Comfort of the NINTH .- Meeting of the First Corps Society in Reynolds' Grove.
" THE King never dies"-an army, a corps, division, bri- gade, regiment, company, is never without a head, never without a commander. " The king is dead, long live the king !" is uttered in the same breath. Seniority in rank regulates the succession. The regiment that fought at Water- loo bears upon its banner, to-day, that proud record, albeit not one of its members was born when the organization achieved its greatest glory. .
The NINTH of to-day, although a quarter of a century has elapsed, is not so far removed from Gettysburg, but that some of its number wear the badge of the G. A. R., and claim com- radship with the Veteran Organization because of their active service at that time. But, even, were none of this element in the ranks, the glory of the carlier day rests upon the regiment now.
" You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will, But the scent of the roses, will linger there still."
We now approach the closing, and, perhaps, as interesting a part of the history of the regiment as any yet recorded.
The advance of civilization and the march of improvements is shown nowhere more forcibly than upon the field of Gettys- burg. History shows no parallel to match this great battle
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field. Nowhere in the world is there a Mecca, where so many enduring monuments mark the spot made sacred by the heroism, · valor and bloodshed of its Country's defenders. The NINTH, as has been recorded, bore an honorable part in this pivotal battle of the War of the Rebellion, and one of the finest monuments of the many beautiful memorials erected to the defenders of the Union, marks the line held by the regiment on the ist of July, IS63.
The movement to erect this noble column has been noted in a previous chapter ; it is now the pleasing duty to record its completion and dedication, and thus fittingly close the history of the NINTH regiment, to the present time.
The Society of the Army of the Potomac, at its meeting at Saratoga in 1887, decided to hold the next reunion at Gettys- burg. On the 14th of April the following letter was addressed to Colonel Seward :
SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. OFFICE OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY, NO. 38 PARK ROW, NEW YORK, April 14, 1888.
Colonel WILLIAM SEWARD, Jr.
Commanding NINTH Regiment N. G. S. N. Y.
MY DEAR SIR : The Society of the Army of the Potomac will hold its annual reunion at Gettysburg on the Ist, 2d and 3d of July. I am directed by the Executive Com- mittee to tender to your regiment, active as well as veteran, an invitation to act as escort for the society on that occasion. The distinguished services of the NINTH regi- ment throughout the War make &; eminently fit and proper that to them should be extended the opportunity of performing this duty on that occasion. Awaiting your carly reply, I have the honor to be, very respectfully and truly yours,
HORATIO C. KING. Recording Secretary .Army of the Potomac.
The State had generously made provision for the expenses of the escort to the society in 1887, and this year granted the same favor to the NINTH. A bill was introduced in the upper house by Senator Michael C. Murphy, promptly passed by both branches and signed by the executive on the 15th of May.
It authorized the Governor "to detail the regiment to attend the dedication of the monument erected by the State,
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SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 667
in honor of the survivors# of that regiment at Gettysburg, in July." The bill also appropriated $7,000 to defray the neces- sary expenses of transportation and subsistence.
The language of the bill needs some explanation. "Erected by the State " means, simply, that the State had appropriated $1,500 toward the erection of a monument to each regiment, battery and independent company from the State, that took part, or was present at the battle. As will be seen the cost of the NINTH's monument was much more than the above sum.
On May 22nd Colonel Seward addressed the following letter to General King :
HEADQUARTERS NINTH REGIMENT, NATIONAL GUARD, STATE OF NEW YORK. May 22, 1888.
Brigadier-General HORATIO C. KING.
Recording Secretary Society of the Army of thePotomac.
MY DEAR SIR : I duly received your valued favor of the 14th ult., in which you com- municated to me the action of the executive committee of your society at a special meeting, viz. : "The invitation to the NINTH regiment, active as well as veteran, to act as its escort on the occasion of its annual reunion on the ist, 2d and 3d of July at Gettysburg." As the Legislature of the State has authorized the commander-in-chief to detail the NINTH regiment to be present on the occasion of the dedication of the monument erected on that historie ground, in memory of former members of the regi- ment who fell on that and other fields during the late War, I am able to accept, in behalf of the active organization, the tender so gracefully and happily conveyed by yourself, and to assure your committee of the high appreciation of the honor thus con- ferred. It will be our aim, in the performance of the duty devolving upon us by such acceptance, to merit the approbation of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and especially that of its honored members of the executive committee. I will be glad if you will inform me as soon as convenient of the exercises incident to the reunion, and remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM SEWARD, JR., Colonel NINTH Regiment.
Meanwhile, and in anticipation of the trip, drilling was vigorously prosecuted, Colonel Seward announcing that "none but well instructed men will be allowed to accompany the command."
On May 29th the corner-stone of the monument was laid -without ceremony-the work being superintended by Capt.
* So in the original.
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THE NINTH NEW YORK. 1888
John G. Noonan, the Inspector of Monumental work. A metal box placed in the corner stone contained :
Nos. 1 and 2 of The New York NINTH, the paper published by the regiment at Warrenton, Va., on Tuesday, July 31st, and Thursday, Aug. 7th, 1862, which were presented by Captain John H. Van Wyck.
No. 163, vol. LV, N. Y. Sun, Tuesday. Feb. 10th, ISSS, and which contained a description and cut of the monument.
No. 1694, vol. LXVI, Frank Leslie's Illustrated News- paper, March 3d, 1888, and which also contained a descrip- tion and cut of the monument.
The roll of membership of the Veteran Organization of the NINTH.
Register of the Commissioned Officers.
Muster-out rolls of the Field and Staff, Non .- Commissioned Staff and Band of the NINTH N. Y. S. M., 83d N. Y. Vols.
Muster-out rolls of each of the ten companies, and of the Battery " Company K," afterward known as the Sixth N. Y. Independent Battery.
List of subscribers to the Gettysburg Monument Fund, to May 2nd, 1888.
N. Y. Tribune, vol. XLVIII, No. 15, 144, and N. Y. World, vol. XXVIII, No. 9,752, both of May 2nd, ISS8.
The corner-stone is in the southeast corner of the monu- ment.
On the evening of the 29th the members of the Veteran Organization, and their guests, left New York in a special train, via the Penn. R. R., and arrived at Gettysburg at seven o'clock the following Saturday morning. After breakfast, at the Eagle hotel in the town, carriages were procured and the field of the second and third days visited. In the afternoon the ride was extended and the field of the first day's battle was examined, the most interesting part being that portion of the line occupied by the NINTH, and where the beautiful monu- ment stood in all its glory. This is the proper place for a description.
The monument stands on Reynolds Avenue, which
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1888
AT GETTYSBURG. 669
extends along Seminary Ridge, and is near the Mummasburg Road. The shaft is built of alternate layers of light and red Westerly granite, the light faced, while the red is rough, and is fifty-one feet high and fifteen feet square at the base. On the summit is a huge cannon ball, upon which is poised, with wings outstretched, a bronze eagle, weighing some seven hundred pounds, and which was modeled after an eagle shot in that county a short time previous to the erection.
The ride was continued along Oak Ridge to the line occu- pied by the Eleventh Corps, back to the town, then upon Cemetery Hill over to Culps Hill and as far as Spangler's Spring, by which time it was dark ; when the veterans were content to return to the hotel for supper, after which, until bed-time, the hours were fully occupied in chatting with the many veterans from other parts of the country.
A little before nine o'clock on Sunday morning, July ist, the regiment arrived. The former Major, Clifford A. H. Bartlett, wearing the shoulder straps of his new rank --- Brig- adier-General -- accompanying it as the representative of Gov- ernor David B. Hill. The " Actives" were met by the veter- ans at the station. The line of march was soon taken up and the camp ground near the Springs Hotel reached about ten. Unfortunately the camp had been pitched in a field -- dry enough when selected -- that by reason of a two days' rain had became thoroughly saturated. Many of the tents were not fit for occupancy ; but the boys made the best of it and got along with very little grumbling.
Orders previously issued by Colonel Seward had specified the routine of duty at the camp, and before the line was dis- missed the following order was read :
HEADQUARTERS, NINTH REGIMENT, NATIONAL GUARD, S. N. Y. CAMP BEAVER, GETTYSBURG, PA .. July Ist. 1888.
ORDERS NO. 30.
1. In honor of the gallant soldier and the Executive of this State, this camp will be known as " Camp Beaver."
11. As the duties devolving upon the Command may necessitate changes in the
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
hours of service as published in Orders No. 29, c. s., from these Headquarters, such modification will be duly announced each day.
III. Commanding Officers of Companies must impress upon their respective com- mands the necessity of promptness in responding to all the calls ordered, and they will also be held responsible for the cleanliness of Company quarters. At each meal- call it is hereby made their duty to supervise the assembling of their companies and marching in a body to the mess tents.
IV. Each member must bear in mind he represents not only the NINTH regiment but the New York State National Guard as well, and will therefore on all occasions deport himself as a soldier and gentleman.
V. It seems only fitting that in this the first order issued in Camp, to acknowledge the courtesy of the officials of the State of Pennsylvania, to whom, through the kind offices of the Executive Committee of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, we are indebted for camp equipage.
By order .of COLONEL WILLIAM SEWARD, JR., YELLOTT D. DECHERT, First Lieutenant and Adjutant.
(Official.) G. HENRY WITTHAUS,
Captain, at Headquarters.
It may seem strange that the State of New York did not furnish camp equipage to the NINTH, but it appears that all the tents belonging to the State were in use at the State camp at Peekskill. New Jersey contributed to the comfort of the regi- ment-and especially to the field officers and guests of the NINTH -- for that State furnished a large number of blankets, without which many would have suffered during the cool nights.
The first public event in the afternoon was the Reunion of the First Corps at Reynolds' Grove, where a great throng had collected an hour or more before the meeting was called to Forder.
Promptly at 3 P. M. Maj. E. P. Halstead, president of the First Army Corps Association, opened the exercises and introduced Bishop Newman, of Washington, who, in a fervid invocation, gave thanks for the bravery and heroism displayed here in the maintenance of constitutional liberty. Gov- ernor Beaver was enthusiastically received, especially by the veterans.
Gen. John C. Robinson, the orator of the occasion, thanked Gov. Beaver for his cordial welcome extended the
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FIRST CORPS REUNION AT REYNOLDS' GROV
First Army Corps veterans and complimented the Keystone State for her constant and substantial testimonials of appreci- ation of the soldiers. He considered this a great day for the First Army Corps to meet after a quarter of a century on the field made historic by their valor and asserted, with emphasis, that not half has been told of the deeds of this conunand, in one of the most important of engagements, during the entire battle. Giving full credit to what others had done here, he thought it should be remembered that here the First Corps held in check for six hours two-thirds of the Confederate Army. If those troops had gained here, the battle of Gettysburg would not have been fought. General Reynolds being dead, the speaker thought, was one reason for want of justice in giving the corps, as he would have done his troops, full measure of praise. In speaking of the corps participating during the rest of the battle, he said that no other corps here was in action all three days. In his opinion it was time that the First corps received some measure of credit for the important part they took.
The address was rather brief, the statements clear and devoid of all verbiage.
George Frederick Smith, the war Governor of New Hamp- shire, on being introduced, counted it one of the most import- ant events of his life to be present to-day, and after brief remarks closed with the expression that he should never cease to hold in the highest regard the men who had saved this great country.
Pennsylvania's war Governor, Andrew G. Curtin, was loudly called for, but he did not respond.
Gov. E. J. Ormsbee, the present Governor of Vermont, said he did not come here as a war Governor, but as one who had taken part in the battle, having held a command in Stan- nard's brigade of Vermont troops.
Gen. L. A. Grant, in this battle Colonel of the Fifth Vermont regiment, of the Sixth Corps, considered Pickett's charge the grandest ever made in the world.
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Judge W. G. Veazey, late Colonel of the Sixteenth Vermont Regiment, Stannard's brigade, paid the First Corps the compli- ment by saying that not only the glory of opening the battle belonged to them, but also the closing, as his brigade, which fired the last shots, was temporarily attached to the First Corps.
The. Confederate General, James Longstreet, was next introduced and was received with hearty cheers. He said he was not on the field in time to witness the engagement between the First Corps and the troops of the South ; he was glad to be present and participate in these exercises, for he saw in them the development of a sympathy such as was borne in the hearts of all who know how to appreciate that feeling, and thought none knew better how to manifest these feelings than the troops of the First Corps. After speaking to the advantages of the Federal position, he said that here the Southern army met its fate, but not for want of valor, fortitude or faith. In paying tribute to that valor, he said :
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