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 9
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On the 23d occurred the first military execution witnessed by the NINTH. A soldier of the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania was hung for the assassination of Major Lewis of that regi- ment, and about three thousand troops witnessed the solemn scene at a place two miles from camp.
The night before Christmas snow had fallen, but as the day advanced the sun shone brightly, and the usual discipline being
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
December
somewhat relaxed, the men found various ways in which to pass the time agreeably. Among the amusements was a horse race between Assistant Surgeon Pinkney's and Sutler "Ralph's" steeds, ridden by Andrew F. Tallman and John Brigham of Company F, the former crossing the line first ; a sack race .- William Wilson of Company F being the winner, and a foot race in which Lester Lewis of Company I was the victor. Many of the messes had their dinners prepared by the neighboring farmers, and though the menu was not elaborate, there was plenty to eat and the modest banquets were heartily enjoyed.
As a damper on the festivities, the members of Company D were again called upon to mourn the loss by death of another of their number, Private Leonard Rodgers. The next day the company formed upon the drill ground, where Chaplain Phillips delivered the funeral address, after which an ambu- lance, containing the remains, accompanied by a sister of the deceased, proceeded to the Junction ; from there Private Sam- uel McNally of Company D continued as an escort to New York. The garrison flag was for the day placed at half mast. On the 23th William Miller of Company H died at Frederick City Hospital, a detail from his company being sent to escort his remains to the railroad station, and from thence William O'Brien of the company accompanied them to New York. Ser- geant James Denin, of Company H, also left camp for Alex- andria, Va., to escort home the remains of John Caffrey, who had died at the general hospital there.
At dress-parade, on the 30th, it was announced that Major Atterbury would give three prizes, of ten, five, and three dol- lars, to the three men of the regiment showing the cleanest muskets at inspection on the following day. The men went to work at once to compete for the honors. When the time came it showed a brighter looking and cleaner lot of muskets and accoutrements than were ever seen in the regiment before. Never, either, had there been an inspection so thorough. Col- onel Stiles and Captain Claassen were the judges, and awarded the first prize to-Privates-David P. Smith, the second to
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A JOLLY GOOD TIME.
1862
Andrew Mercer, and the third to Silas J. Beckwith. The cere- mony was a fitting an I pleasing close to the old year.
The January thaw had set in early, for on New Year's Day of 1862 the weather was warm and the camp very muddy; the sun, however, shone brightly, the men were in a cheerful mood and endeavored to forget, in the enjoyments of the day, their absence from home-some nearly succeeded. Boxes contain- ing delicacies had been sent many of the men by their friends . in New York, and fortunately arriving in time, the contents were displayed upon extemporized tables placed in the company streets; " calls" were made, and despite the absence of the smiling faces of lady attendants -- which were sadly missed -- the men seemed to get a good deal of enjoyment. Games of ball, quoits, and other amusements were indulged in. Dress- parade was held at the usual hour, but many of the officers and men were conspicuous by their absence, and, it was said, Fred- erick City reaped whatever advantage their presence gave, while they were away from camp.
On the 3d the officers, accompanied by the band, went to Frederick to pay their respects to Vice-President Hannibal Hamlin, General William S. Rosecrans and others, in whose behalf an entertainment had been prepared. When the delega- tion from the NINTH returned to camp late at night, they looked and acted as though they had had a jolly good time, and were still keeping it up.
On Sunday, the 5th, orders, afterwards countermanded, were received directing the regiment to prepare two days' cooked rations, and be ready to move at a moment's notice. Rumor had it that the destination was the northern boundary of the State of New York, in the anticipation of trouble with Great Britain, in consequence of the Trent-Mason-Slidell affair, and which would naturally call for troops to be sent upon the Can- ada line.
On the 6th, ex-Adjutant John B. Coppinger, who, as has been stated, was a general favorite in the regiment, visited the camp. After dress-parade had been dismissed, Sergeant Charles S. Strong of Company F, on behalf of the regiment, presented
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
January
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him with a handsome sword and sash, as a testimonial of his worth, and the esteem in which he was held by the members. Sir John "Coppinger-Murray" responded in appropriate terms, and during his short speech was almost overcome by his feel- ings. He then passed through the several company streets, where he was heartily cheered. On retiring to the Colonel's quarters he was besieged with calls for "Coppinger! Coppin- ger!" when he reappeared and again thanked the men for their kind remembrances. The band of course was conspicuous in the tributes paid, and the honored guest left camp to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," amid the cheers of the whole regiment.
On the 7th the garrison flag was again placed at half-mast, as a tribute of respect to the memory of one for whom, when living, all the members of the regiment had the utmost respect, both for his character as an officer and a kind-hearted gentle- man. Information had been received of the death at New York City, on the 6th, of Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Hal- lick. He had gone home only a short time before hoping to re- cover his health and return again to the field of duty. His death was not unexpected by his comrades, for in the stillness of the night, those nearest his tent had often heard his painful cough as he battled with that fell destroyer-consumption. Knowing his condition, he feared that he would have to surrender to its call before an opportunity was offered to meet a less dreaded enemy in the field. The officers passed resolutions of sympa- thy and condolence, which were sent to his family as a token of the regard in which he was held by every one who had been favored with his acquaintance. His remains were interred in Greenwood Cemetery.
The date of Colonel Hallick's entrance upon a military life is not known ; it was about the year 1850 when he joined Com- pany B, " City Guard," in which he filled various non-commis- sioned offices until 1857, when he was made First Lieutenant. Before the close of that year he was made Captain, and on June 25th, 1859, was elected Major of the NINTH regiment. He became Lieutenant-Colonel -, 1860, but declined further advancement in favor of Colonel Stiles.
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THIE NINTH OS. EIGHTY-THIRD.
1862
On the Sth General Banks and staff visited the regiment, and thoroughly inspected the camp before leaving. On the 10th Sergeant Ralph A. Lanning of Company D was elected First Lieutenant, after which he was presented with a sword and sash on behalf of his company by Sergeant Henry P. Clare, the Lieutenant responding in a neat speech. Sergeant Felix Hirt of Company B,-afterwards killed at the battle of Fredericksburg,-was also on this day promoted First Lieuten- ant.
On the 13th snow fell to the depth of three inches, and as the weather soon after became warmer, the quarters were so muddy as to necessitate corduroying the company streets. On the 22nd the camp was " taken " by a photographer from Frederick. The weather for the following week was very changeable, snowing and raining alternately. The roofs of many of the huts were leaky, the men neglecting to repair them during pleasant days,-for then they didn't leak,-and be- ing deterred from doing so when it stormed. Drills, perforce, were dispensed with, and this general inactivity, and a service of over seven months without having met the enemy in a gen- eral engagement, tended to make the men dissatisfied.
On the 27th the first drill of the year was ordered, but as the ground was soft and spongy little could be done and the men were soon dismissed. At dress-parade orders were read to the effect that Major William Atterbury had been appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain Allan Rutherford of Com- pany F, Major, of the Eighty-third Regiment, New York Vol- untcers. Rumors of this change of regimental number had been circulating about camp for some time. The State au- thorities had issued such an order on the 7th of December, but this was the first time that the news had been officially promulgated in the camp.
The announcement caused as much excitement as though a bomb-shell had exploded. Another cause of grievance, lay in the fact that the Governor of New York assumed the right to appoint and commission officers, without their being elected and thus recommended by the members of the regiment, as
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
January
had been customary in the Militia service. Still another an- noyance was produced by the U. S. Government refusing to maintain the distinctive uniform of the regiment, and which had been adopted before the outbreak of the war.
Upon enlisting in the regiment, all the members had been mustered into the service of the State of New York, for the usual period of seven years.
The oath which was taken upon entering the United States service was as MEMBERS of the NINTH MILITIA, which, at the time of this change of name, had already earned a valuable reputation in active service under that designation, and why the esprit de corps should be endangered or sacrificed was a mystery then.
That the officers and enlisted men were of true soldier material, is shown from the fact that this great disappointment to their feelings of right and justice was not rebelled against, but merely found vent in groans and sighs of disapprobation, and the writing of articles against the great injustice practiced upon them. Whenever anything troubled or puzzled the rhymers of the regiment, they generally gave vent to their feelings by dropping into poetry, hence :
THE LAMENT OF THE INVOLUNTARY VOLUNTEER.
BY ONE OF COMPANY L, NINTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. MILITIA.
Unless you wish to wake my tears, Speak not again that horrid word, I am not of the volunteers ; I hate the mongrel Eighty-third.
My country's call I did regard, And on my armor I did gird ; I joined the NINTH -- the City Guard, . And now they call us Eighty-third.
My parents said a fond good-bye, While sighs and tears their bosoms stirred,
I left them with the " NINTH " to die 'T'is dead, and I'm an Eighty-third.
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1862
NUMBER OF THE WELL AND SICK.
The lovely lady of my heart, Said I " looked pretty as a bird," When with the NINTH I did depart : She'd scorn me as an Eighty-third.
A scented 'kerchief wiped my brow, Damp with an agony unheard ; That 'kerchief Flora held-and now I'm but a vulgar Eighty-third.
I wring my hands in deep distress, From suicide I'm scarce deterred When'er I look upon the dress Was sent us for the Eighty-third.
My hat of felt looped up at side, And in it stuck the tail of bird, Reminds me sheep and fowl have died To tile the new-fledged Eighty-third.
Coats of dark blue, and pants of light, Are " regular," but look absurd ; Of them I cannot bear the sight- We wear them in the Fighty-third.
An angry scowl is on my brow And dire thoughts within are stirred ; Whene'er I meet a comrade now, And on his hat see Eighty-third.
E'en in my sleep I loudly talk, Until throughout the camp I'm heard ; I dream we are the " NINTH New York," And wake to find us Eighty-third.
Upstarting like one from a swoon, I find my eyes with tear-drops blurred, I dash them off-lie down-and soon " I don't, won't see " the Eighty-third. Camp Claassen, January, 1862.
On the 6th of February Surgeon CHARLES S. TRIPLER, Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac, made a report of the condition of the army. The NINTH had ten hundred and sixteen men present, of whom only twenty-nine were sick-less than three per cent. Among some regiments there were as many as twenty per cent. in the hospital or under medical care.
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
February
The middle of the month found the weather still very dis- agreeable ; the camp ground was one mass of mud, rendering all duty other than guard and picket, almost out of the ques- tion. Orders having been received from Washington permit- ting the transfer of enlisted men to the gun-boat service on the western rivers, the following members of the NINTH start- ed on the 17th for the naval rendezvous at Cairo, Ill .: Pri- vates John A. Gray, Company C ; John W. Jacques, Company D ; David Sands, Company E ; Nelson Pinard, Company H ; Harvey Boker, Company I ; and Samuel S. Watson of Com- pany L. It is to be regretted that no record of the services of these men in their new field of duty is at hand.
The news that had been received during the past two or three weeks of the various victories, all in the South and West-Mill Springs, Ky., Forts Henry and Donelson, Tenn., and Roanoke Island in North Carolina,-caused great joy and served as an antidote to the ennui of the camp. Jaundice had now broken out among the men and many were sick; even Surgeon Nordquist was not able to keep himself proof against disease, and was obliged to obtain leave of absence in order to recuperate, Assistant-Surgeon Pinkney returning from duty in the hospital at Frederick City to minister to the needs of the patients.
A slight ripple of excitement, and which served for a day or two's talk, was occasioned by Private Charles Ross, of Company C, challenging a comrade to mortal combat. To the honor of the challenged party the duel was declined. It was easy to see that some of the men were spoiling for a fight, but it was not against each other that the members of the NINTH enlisted to do battle.
On the 20th a petition, signed by the officers, was for- warded to the Secretary of War requesting the Government to transfer the regiment from infantry to the heavy artillery.
There was an odd character in Company H, whom we will call ()'Sullivan, because that was " not " his name. "TheHams," however, will readily recall their comrade. O'Sullivan was an Irishman, had served in the English army, and when on duty
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O'SULLIVAN AND FELIX.
1862
was one of the neatest soldiers in the regiment. Unfortunately he was a great stutterer, and when excited or angry at some of the practical jokes played upon him, his efforts to express him- self caused no end of amusement. New ways and means were being constantly devised by the men to secure more than the regulation number of passes to leave camp, and O'Sullivan hit upon a good one. Approaching Captain John T. Lockman, one Sunday morning, he asked for a pass to visit the camp of the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania regiment, for the purpose of attending Mass, celebrated there by the Catholic clergyman, the chaplain of the regiment. The Captain, willing to encour- age all religious observances, readily granted the requisite permission. This particular "religious" service was always a very long one, for O'Sullivan never returned to his quarters till after dark, and his comrades noticed that he was generally full of more spiritual comfort than it was supposed even the good father could impart. Captain Lockman did not-or would not-notice this, the "Hams" wouldn't "peach, " and O'Sullivan continued his attendance on " mass " for a number of weeks.
After his first visit he had procured a white shirt-" biled shirt," he called it-which he always wore when going to church, and he seemed to prize that article more than any- thing else in his kit. Where it was kept during the week no one knew, and yet search was often made for it when the owner was out on duty. One Sunday a member of the com- pany whom, from his Spanish extraction, we will call " Felix, " a tall, awkward, ungainly individual, and apparently somewhat simple-minded, thought that he, too, would like to attend mass. He obtained a pass, but wanted, also, O'Sullivan's white shirt, and the owner being on guard duty that day and there- fore unable to leave camp, Felix made the request. O'Sulli- van was staggered by the audacity of Felix, but when the lat- ter, with tears in his eyes, told how he had been brought up a strict Catholic, and how delighted his poor old mother would be to hear of his attending mass, the soft spot in O'Sullivan's heart was touched, and he, with weeping eyes, handed over the
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
February
precious garment, with particular instructions as to its care, and the solemn injunction to return it before sundown.
O'Sullivan watched Felix till he left the camp and then went on duty, but it was noticed that he was silent and low- spirited all day. He feared that some accident would happen the " biled shirt." Long before sundown he was straining his eyes for the return of Felix-who came not at the appointed time, neither did he put in an appearance that night. The next day O'Sullivan was almost wild. He cursed and swore as well as his stuttering proclivities admitted, but neither Felix nor the shirt were ever again seen in camp. Felix was not so "simple " as he wished his comrades to believe, for it was afterwards discovered that the fellow had for some time secreted in the neighborhood a suit of citizen's clothes, and was only waiting for a " biled shirt " to complete the outfit be- fore deserting. O'Sullivan's desire to attend mass vanished with the shirt.
Whenever the boys wanted to " raise Cain " with O'Sulli- van, it was only necessary to inquire what had become of his " biled shirt."
Regimental chaplains were unknown in the regular army, Post chaplains being all that the regulations called for ; neither were the duties of militia chaplains very clearly defined, and when Chaplain Phillips received his appointment from Colonel Van Beuren, the new appointee asked what his duties were, and what uniform he should wear. "You are to be pastor of the regiment, and your uniform what would be suitable for a minister of the gospel," was the reply.
The chaplain says that he never questioned the wisdom of that answer, and that he found it amply justified in all his subsequent experience, "relieving me from many embarrass- ments which other chaplains had, but which I happily escaped." The chaplain soon became the repository of many little secrets ; the men opened their hearts to him, respecting their officers, while officers frequently consulted him respect- ing their men ; in all cases the chaplain acted the part of a peace-maker-the " Pastor of the Regiment."
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1862
SIX MONTHS IN DIXIE.
The chaplain recalls, with feelings of great pleasure, his ex- perience with the regiment, and especially of the life at Camp Claassen. He says that on one occasion he was waited upon by Corporal Dabney W. Diggs, of Company C, whose squad had just completed their log hut, with the request that he would hold a " Dedication Service," the corporal being unwill- ing to have the men indulge in the usual " house-warming " -- somewhat common at the time. The service was held, and such was the influence exerted, that in a day or two afterwards another squad requested a repetition of the ceremony on the completion of their hut. The sergeant who waited upon the chaplain "was very emphatic in his desire that they should have as good a send-off as the other fellows." The chaplain prepared his best sermon, and the exercises, which were attend- ed by nearly the entire regiment, were a pronounced success.
Early in the- month the chaplain had been invited by the pastor of the Lutheran Church in Frederick, to preach for him, and, of course, gave his hearers a good loyal sermon, tak- ing for his subject the division between Jacob and Esau, "applying it to National affairs, but counseling fraternity, and as carefully as possible trying to avoid any cause of offence." To the surprise of the chaplain, many of his hearers took umbrage at what he said, but the loyal portion were well pleased. A good deal of interest was taken in the matter by citizens generally, and by officers, and the chaplain was invited to deliver a lecture on the subject in some public hall, in order that many who did not hear the sermon might listen to the lecture. When the matter was referred to General Banks, however, he disapproved, fearing that more bitter feelings might be engendered. It was therefore determined to take up the subject in camp on Washington's birthday, and many of the loyal people honored the occasion with their presence. The lecture was entitled "Six Months in Dixie," and as a preliminary, the chaplain gave some account of a winter spent in Louisiana ; then he went on to relate his experience of army life during the six months the NINTH had been in " Dixie."
Later in the day several games of ball, besides other sports,
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THE NINTH NEW YORK.
February
were indulged in, and when night came, the men were ready for a sound sleep, to which they betook themselves immedi- ately after roll-call at tattoo.
Rumors of a move were now circulating freely about camp. A number of men who had been absent from their companies, detailed as clerks, etc., were returned to the ranks. One of these, Private Patrick Burns, of Company H (afterwards killed at Gettysburg), had been in the commissary department for some time, and when he came to put on his uniform jacket, found that he could not button it. A certain lieutenant, whose nose was a little " out of true," was officer of the guard, one day, and, as he passed down the line at guard mounting, noticed Burns' unbuttoned jacket. As he passed, he said, sharply : "Burns, button that jacket." Upon returning he noticed that his order had not been obeyed. Stopping in front of the offender he, in a more formal manner, said : " Private Burns, button your jacket." Burns struggled for a moment or two in a vain attempt to make buttons and button- holes meet, and then, in as dignified a tone as he could assume, but which was rendered somewhat comical by his rich Irish brogue, replied, as he looked the officer squarely in the face : " Lieutenant - --- , I can no more button that jacket than you can straighten that nose on your face."
The officer was not a martinet, and, accepting the " explan- ation," he turned on his heels and passed on, realizing that a further discussion of the question with such a ready-witted - subordinate would not be conducive either to good order or military discipline.
On the evening of the 24th, it was announced that the regiment would move on the following morning. At this the men were well pleased, for, while they had enjoyed their win- ter quarters, all were anxious for a more vigorous prosecution of the war in Virginia, hoping thereby to bring about the end of the war, and then be allowed to return to their homes.
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INSIDE VIEW OF CAMP LIFE.
1862
LETTERS :
Camp Rutherford, near Frederick City, Dec. 7th, 1861.
* * Have been on the march ever since Monday morning till late Wednesday night, and sick ever since. * * Our company, being on guard the second day, * were the rear guard of the regiment, and after marching all day had to guard the camp at night. I was fortunate to be one to guard a farm house where our colonel and some other officers slept. The farmer told us he would leave the back door open and a good fire, and that we might sleep in the kitchen our four hours off. * * The floor was covered with darkies asleep. I took my blanket and made my bed in front of the fire, laid my rifle beside me, put my cartridge box under my head, and was just ready for a good sleep when my comrade made a misstep and waked up the whole lot, and such a time I never saw. The darkies screamed, my friend tried to ex- plain, I laughed. Finally some one got a light and we made them understand things. * * * The farmer made us stop for breakfast, and such a breakfast, I seem to taste it yet. and will never forget it. We had hot coffee, hot corn bread, biscuit, sausages, cold meat, stewed pears, etc. They laid a clean table-cloth and we ate off plates and used knives and forks.
Dec. 13, '61.
* 'I have my rubber blanket yet, also my spoon, but lost knife and fork long ago; as we say in camp, somebody " won " them. Have not received the mittens yet. * * We would be glad to get an order to advance, if it would bring the war to a close, but if waiting longer would insure a complete victory, I for one won't complain. But you know this is not a desirable life to lead. We are but little better than savages. I wish you would sometimes send a Sunday paper; we get the dailies, but others are scarce ; but when we do get them they help to pass away the slow hours of camp life.
Jan. 6, 1862,
Have been too busy to write for several days. I wrote acknowledging the receipt of my Christmas box. The pies did not break. * I lent one of the Twenty-sixth N. Y. my pocket knife the other day, to cut his brother's name on a head-board ; he begged so hard that I told him if he would give it to the doctor at the hospital when he was through with it that I'd lend it ; and that's the last of it. I expect to lose my head one of these days. * *
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