USA > New York > History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889 > Part 11
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93
THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT IN 1820.
1820
after its organization in 1806, and, having served as a non-commis- sioned officer, was promoted to second lieutenant in 1812, and first lieutenant in 1814. He served with great distinction as adjutant of the regiment in 1814, and in 1815 was chosen captain of the company, now the Fourth of the Seventh Regiment. In 1819 he was appointed major, and in 1820 lieutenant-colonel of the regi- ment. He was distinguished for his fine, soldierly appearance and bearing, and his activity, energy, and ability as an officer. Colonel Kumbel was one of the most popular military officers of the period, and as a gentleman was universally esteemed and respected. For over fifty years he was an active and successful leather-merchant in the "Swamp," and his erect, handsome, and commanding figure was well known in that famous locality.
Colonel James Benedict was a gentleman of great personal pop- ularity and of remarkable fondness for military association, and his accession to the command of the Eleventh Regiment gave new life and spirit to the organization. Enlistments in its ranks were more numerous, and from the best class of young men ; drills were fre- quent, and punctual attendance was enforced by fines; the enthu- siasm and esprit de corps which had distinguished the regiment during the War of 1812 were partially revived, and officers and men labored earnestly to restore its former fame and popularity. The drills of officers and non-commissioned officers were held at Tam- many Hall, and sometimes at Dooley's Upper Long Room, Duane Street; and the companies of the Second Battalion met for mili- tary instruction at the same places, and at Mealy's Long Room in Spruce Street, at Washington Hall, and at the arsenal-yard. Dur- ing the latter part of the year the business meetings of the Board of Officers were held at Hodgkinson's Shakespeare Tavern, corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets, which soon became the favorite quar- ters of the regiment and its several companies. As an illustration of the activity and earnestness of the officers of the regiment, it may be mentioned that they adopted a resolution imposing a fine of ten dollars upon any one absent from a regular quarterly meet- ing. During the year the musicians of the regiment, consisting of fifers and drummers, were newly uniformed and equipped, and the necessary amount of money for that purpose was promptly raised by subscription.
On the 5th of April the Second Battalion of the Eleventh Regi-
94
1820
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
ment attended the funeral of Major-General Steddiford, of the Third Division, New York Infantry, as a military escort. General Steddiford was a well-known citizen, and had been connected with the militia of the city since the Revolutionary War. The funeral ceremonies were celebrated at the Middle Dutch Church, and a large procession of citizens followed the remains of the old soldier to his grave.
The Eleventhi Regiment paraded on the 7th and 23d of June, line forming in front of St. John's Church. The usual parade took place on the 4th of July, and on the 25th of September the regiment paraded for the reception and escort of Hon. John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War. The annual inspection and review was on the 17th of October, and the usual parade took place on the 25th of November. A novel feature in the military exercises of the 25th of November was a public drill and sham fight in the park by detachments from the several regiments of the Brigade of Artillery detailed for that purpose. The detail from the Elev- enth Regiment consisted of forty-eight men, all from the First Company, under the command of the officers of that company, Captain Hopkins and Lieutenant Hawley. This drill attracted and interested a large concourse of people and proved so popular that, for several years, a drill of this kind was an important part of the military exercises in celebration of the evacuation of New York by the British in 1783.
The first order issued by Colonel Benedict directed the First Battalion of the Eleventh Regiment to adhere strictly to "the sys- tem of Stevens," and the Second Battalion to "the system adopted by the United States infantry." The spirit and object of these orders were subsequently approved and confirmed by an act of Congress passed May 12, 1820, which directed that "the system of discipline and field exercises which is or shall be ordered to be ob- served by the regular army shall also be observed by the militia throughout the United States." In October, Colonel Benedict pub- lished, for the information and guidance of the Second Battalion of the Eleventh Regiment, selections from "the system of infantry discipline directed by Congress to be observed by the militia," and directed the non-commissioned officers who desired to obtain a thorough knowledge of their duty to study Potter's " Abridgment of the United States System" or Gardner's "Compend." The
95
ENCAMPMENT AT KENSINGTON PLACE.
1821
tactics prescribed by Congress in 1820 continued to be standard authority until the adoption of "Scott's Tactics " in 1826.
During the year 1821, under the popular command of Colonel Benedict, the Eleventh Regiment was active and prosperous. Its first parade was on the 29th of May, and it paraded with the Bri- gade of Artillery on the 4th of July. On the 1st of August the non-commissioned officers of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Companies (Second Battalion) proceeded to Williamsburgh for a day's target-practice. An elegant musket had been presented to the battalion by Brigadier-General Stevens, and was the prize for the best marksman, and there was considerable excitement among those interested in the result. All were delighted with the pro- ceedings of the day, and target-shooting for prizes became a popu- lar military amusement, and, in some companies of the regiment, a regular annual military festival.
On the 28th of September the regiment assembled, at 6 A. M., at Chatham Square, and marched to Kensington Place, situated on the East River in the vicinity of Sixtieth Street, and at that time a long distance from the city. Tents had been procured from the arsenal, and, at 9 A. M., were pitched on a handsome lawn near the river. The day was beautiful and the scene novel and attractive. Since the War of 1812 there had been no military encampments, and the citizens of New York, who in large numbers visited the Eleventh Regiment on this occasion, were forcibly reminded of that dark and gloomy period which preceded the happy days of peace. The day was devoted, not to military improvement, but to pleasure and amusement. The "one day's rations," the quantity and quality of which would have astonished any army quarter- master or commissary of subsistence, amply supplied the wants of the soldiers and their numerous guests, and, at 5 P. M., tents were struck, and the regiment marched to the city.
The annual inspection and review took place on the 9th of Oc- tober, and the fine appearance of the Brigade of Artillery was the subject of general remark. Evacuation-Day was celebrated on Monday, the 26th of November, by the usual military parade, and the troops were reviewed by the mayor and Common Council.
Dooley's Long Room was in the year 1821, and following year, the favorite drill-room of the four companies which now form a part of the Seventh Regiment. It was upon the second floor of an 8
1821
96
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
old wooden building, situated in Duane Street near the present Centre Street. Its principal entrance was on Duane Street, through the Sixth Ward Hotel, and it had a private entrance in the rear, which was reached by a flight of stairs on the outside of the build- ing. When Centre Street was opened through that part of the city, the dimensions of Dooley's Long Room were considerably re- duced by the improvement, and the whole building was destroyed by fire about the year 1857. It was in 1821 the largest drill-room in the city-being about eighty fect in length and forty feet in width. Its fixtures and appointments were exceedingly plain, and its most noticeable ornament was a large wooden cannon for artillery practice. At a latter day it was the headquarters of the "unter- rified Democracy " of the Sixth Ward, and was the scene of many a bloody skirmish among the sovereigns of that political Gibraltar. At times, Terpsichore claimed the Long Room for the use of her votaries, and the unaristocratic denizens of the "bloody Sixth" often "tripped the light fantastic toe " within its walls.
In the orders for parade of May 29th Colonel Benedict an- nouneed an important change in uniform, viz., "to wear panta- loons over boots instead of present uniform (boots over pantaloons)." This was in accordance with the unanimous wish of the regiment, but Colonel Benedict in the same order expressed the opinion that " the change in the uniform will not have the same martial and soldier-like appearance as the present." To correct a common de- linquency of the period the colonel also announced that "those companies that are not prepared to march into regimental line at the appointed time must expect a junior rank," and for a period of forty years thereafter this was the penalty of tardiness at parade. Another military novelty was the appointment of a sergeant of the band, whose duty it was to call the roll at parades and make returns to the leader of the band. The companies of the regiment con- tinned to be mentioned in all military returns according to the rank of their captains-the First Company as now known being at that period the Fourth, the Fourth Company the Second, etc.
The militia of the State of New York in 1821 consisted of twenty-five divisions of infantry (fifty-two brigades), of which the Third Division, commanded by Major-General Edward L. Laight, and the Forty-fifth Brigade of the Second Division, were located in the city of New York. The artillery of the State was united in
97
THE NEW STATE CONSTITUTION.
1822
one division (four brigades), commanded by Major-General Jacob Morton, of which the First Brigade was located in New York city, Long Island, and Staten Island, and was commanded by Brigadier- General Horatio Gates Stevens. The cavalry of the State consisted of one division (three brigades), commanded by Major-General Stephen Van Rensselaer, and there was a brigade of "Horse Artillery."
The adoption of a new Constitution for the State of New York was celebrated on the 4th of March, 1822, by a grand military parade. The line was formed at the Battery at 12 M., and after a review by the Governor, a salute of fifty-two guns (corresponding to the number of counties in the State), was fired, followed by three volleys of musketry. The line of march was through Broad- way to the City Hall, where the military was dismissed, to partake of a collation at the expense of the city corporation. In the even- ing the public buildings were illuminated, and fire-works were ex- hibited in the park.
The new Constitution rendered a new militia law necessary, and at a meeting of the officers of the Brigade of Artillery, held at Hodgkinson's Shakespeare Tavern, on the 2d of January, 1822, a memorial to the Legislature and the form of the enactment re- quired were approved and adopted, and money was subscribed to pay the expenses of a representative of the militia at Albany to urge and secure its passage. But the Legislature failed to enact any law upon the subject ; and so doubtful were the officers of the Brigade of Artillery as to their powers and duties, that Colonel Benedict stated in orders dated June 7th that "the militia law of the State is somewhat ambiguous ; and the Legislature not having passed an explanatory act the commandants have thought it inex- pedient to order out their commands in full-dress during the present season." In consequence of this doubt and uncertainty the only parades of the year were on the 4th of July and 25th of November. The number on parade on both occasions was extremely small, and, on account of the excessive heat on the 4th of July, the line of march only extended from the Battery to the City Hall, where the parade was dismissed without the usual ceremonies. . The annual inspection and review was omitted, but the. Brigade of Artillery was inspected at the parade of November 25th. On this occasion "the flag that floated over Washington's marquee at the
1822
98
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Battery thirty-nine years ago was displayed on the flag-staff at the museum."
During the latter part of the year, the languishing state of the militia was a subject of earnest discussion, especially among the active and enthusiastic young men of the Second Battalion of the Eleventh Regiment. The union of two arms of the service in one regiment was objected to, and it was claimed that both battalions would be more prosperous if permanently separated. A new, more attract- ive, and more appropriate uniform was also talked of, and, though these suggestions and discussions were informal and desultory, they originated a movement which finally resulted in the withdrawal from the Eleventh Regiment of its Second Battalion and the or- ganization of the Battalion of National Guards, the future Seventh Regiment.
During the year 1822, Lieutenant-Colonel Mann resigned his commission, and Major Spicer, of the First Battalion, was promoted to the vacancy. Captain Gilbert Hopkins, of the First Company, was appointed major, and Lieutenant Irad Hawley succeeded to the captainey of the First Company. Captain Hunter, of the Fourth Company, resigned his commission in the early part of the year, and Lieutenant Prosper M. Wetmore was chosen his successor. Captain Wetmore, afterward distinguished as one of the founders of the Battalion of National Guards and as the first colonel of the Seventh Regiment, was appointed by General Stevens brigade- major of the Brigade of Artillery soon after his promotion to the captainey of the Fourth Company, and in announcing the appoint- ment Colonel Benediet complimented him for his " zeal, activity, and attention to duty."
During the War of 1812 an association was formed by the offi- eers and members of the Eleventh Regiment who served at Bed- low's and Ellis's Islands during the three months that the regiment garrisoned those posts. The association had met annually for social reunion, and on the 14th of December, 1822, celebrated its tenth anniversary at Jones's Public House, No. 135 Fulton Street. But nearly all the officers and members of the regiment who had been in the United States service during the war had retired from active duty in the militia, and this is the last occasion of which there is any record of any meeting of the Eleventh Regiment Veterans of 1812.
.
99
1823
A NEW MILITIA LAW.
A new militia law was enacted in 1823, which settled all doubts as to the powers and duties of officers, and the Eleventh Regiment renewed its activity, performed the usual amount of military duty, and continued to maintain a leading position among the regiments of the city. On the 7th of April the First Battalion, having been detailed by the major-general for that purpose, fired a salute at the Battery in honor of the change of the name of Fort Diamond to Fort Lafayette. On the 13th of June the First Brigade of Artil- lery was reviewed by the commander-in-chief, Governor Yates, and the usual parade occurred on the 4th of July. The annual inspec- tion and review of the Eleventh Regiment took place on the 14th of October, " on the vacant ground between Hudson and Green- wich Streets, near the State Prison." The number present was three hundred and sixty-four, and the total number present and absent was five hundred and forty-six. The parade ordered for the 25th of November was postponed, on account of the inclemency of the weather, to the following day. By request of the colonels of the artillery regiments, a parade of the Brigade of Artillery was ordered for the 3d of December, and "the present and newly- elected members of the Corporation " were invited to review the brigade. Line was formed in Hudson Street, the right resting on Duane Street ; the passage in review was at the City Hall, and the exercises of the day closed with a series of military manœuvres in the park by a detachment from the battalions drilling as infantry. At 5 o'clock, P. M., there was a grand dinner to the Corporation of the city, given by the officers of the Brigade of Artillery, at Sykes's New York Coffee-House.
From the American Revolution to the year 1823 the officers of the militia of the State of New York had been appointed by the Council of Appointment upon the recommendation of commanding officers of divisions, brigades, and regiments, and the promotions were generally made according to rank and seniority. Under the new Constitution and the militia law of 1823, and in accordance with the democratic spirit of the period, the election of military officers became the established usage, and has continued until the present day. The election of officers in 1823, and following years, was attended with considerable ceremony-officers attending them in full uniform, and non-commissioned officers and privates in un- dress uniform.
1823
100
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
On the 14th of June, 1823, Colonel James Benedict, of the Eleventh Regiment of Artillery, was elected brigadier-general, vice Stevens resigned. General Horatio Gates Stevens was a son of General Ebenezer Stevens, and was born in Connecticut in 1779. In 1806 he was commissioned a captain in the First Regiment of Artillery, and in 1812 first major of the same regiment, renum- bered the Second; in 1815 he became a lieutenant-colonel, and colonel of the Second Artillery, vice Curtenius promoted; and in 1817 brigadier-general of the First Brigade of Artillery. General Stevens was a gentleman by birth and education, and was an able and accomplished officer. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, but did not aspire to prominence in civil, political, or commercial affairs. He died in New York in 1873, at the remark- able age of ninety-four years.
General James Benedict passed through all the military grades from second lieutenant of the First Company, in 1810, to major- general of the Second Division of New York Artillery, in 1826, and retired from the service in 1829. During the War of 1812, and in every military rank, he served with eminent distinction. Colo- nel Benedict was born in 1774, and from 1804, until he retired from business in 1830, he was a successful merchant. He removed to Tarrytown in 1830, where he died in 1841. For a considerable period he was active in the politics of the city, as an intimate per- sonal friend and warm supporter of De Witt Clinton. He was one of the two members of the Legislature who voted against the re- moval of Clinton from the office of Canal Commissioner in 1824; and in the following year, when Clinton was elected Governor, he was the only member of the Legislature of 1824 from New York that was re-elected. As an officer of militia he enjoyed an enviable reputation, being a capable and accomplished soldier, and a genial and popular gentleman.
During the year 1823 the following changes occurred among the officers of the Eleventh Regiment : Lieutenant-Colonel Spicer was elected colonel, vice Benedict promoted ; Major Hopkins lieu- tenant-colonel, vice Spicer promoted ; Captain Jolm D. Wilson, of the Third Company, major, vice Hopkins promoted ; William B. Curtis, captain of the Third Company, vice Wilson promoted ; Lieutenant John Telfair, captain of the Second Company, vice Hull resigned ; and Lieutenant George Tomlinson, captain of the Fourth
101
1824
EXECUTION OF JOHN JOHNSON.
Company, vice Wetmore who had in the previous year been ap- pointed brigade-major.
The subject of organizing a new regiment-all the companies of which should drill as infantry, and which should be pre-eminent for the beauty of its uniform, the perfection of its drill, and the high character of its members-continned to be discussed during the year 1823 by the officers and members of the Second Battalion of the Eleventh Regiment. But the difficulty of severing old at- tachments and pleasant associations, and the obstacles which a new military project is certain to encounter, prevented the immediate realization of a scheme which many regarded as visionary and im- practicable. The project was not abandoned, however, and its per- severing friends and advocates secured in the following year the consummation of their hopes and aspirations.
On New-Year's Day, 1824, in accordance with a military cus- tom of the period, the officers of the Eleventh Regiment assembled in full uniform and called upon Colonel Spicer, at his residence, to exchange the compliments of the happy season. In the early part of the year, Captain George Tomlinson resigned the captaincy of the Fourth Company, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Howard A. Simons.
On the 2d of April the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Com- panies paraded under Major Wilson to aid the sheriff of the county in preserving order at the execution of John Johnson for murder. At the west end of the Bridewell in the City Hall Park the battal- ion received the prisoner, who was brought out of the prison-yard in a cart, seated upon a coffin, and dressed in white, with black rib- bons upon his cap. The battalion formed a square surrounding the prisoner, and proceeded with difficulty through a vast and turbulent concourse of people to the place of execution, Second Avenue and Thirteenth Street, on the Stuyvesant farm. The weather was ex- tremely cold, and, although there was no disturbance unusual to such occasions, the military duties of the battalion were laborious and exceedingly unpleasant.
The Eleventh Regiment paraded on the 3d and 28th of June, and also performed its part with the Brigade of Artillery in the celebration of the anniversary of American independence. On the 3d of August the Second, Third, and Fourth Companies paraded under Major Wilson, and proceeded to Flushing for target practice.
102
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1824
As an example of the military, critical, and satirical notices of the militia at this period, the following extract from the editorial col- umn of the New York "Commercial Advertiser," a leading daily journal of the city, descriptive of the parade of July 4, 1824, is presented :
At 8 A. M. the Brigade of Artillery was paraded, and formed in Canal Street- All furnished, all in arms, All plumed, like ostriches, that with the wind
Bated like eagles having lately bathed ; As full of spirit as the month of May, And gorgeous as the sun in midsummer,
Wanton as youthful goats, wild as young colts.
0
A Soldier of the Eleventh Regiment, N. Y. State Artillery, 1815-1824.
103
THE NEW BATTALION.
1824
CHAPTER FOURTH.
1824.
THE year 1824 witnessed the development and consummation of the plans for the formation of a new battalion called the " Bat- talion of National Guards," which was subsequently known as the Twenty-seventh Regiment, National Guard, and is now the Sev- enth Regiment, National Guard, S. N. Y. To Major John D. Wilson and Captain Prosper M. Wetmore, brigade-major upon the staff of General Benedict, and to the captains of companies of the Second Battalion of the Eleventh Regiment, New York Artillery- namely, Irad Hawley, of the First ; John Telfair, of the Second ; William B. Curtis, of the Third; and Howard A. Simons, of the Fourth-is due the honor of originating and founding an organiza- tion which has since occupied so prominent and honorable a posi- tion in the militia of New York. Major Wilson had formerly commanded with distinction the Third Company, and Captain Wet- more had been the popular commandant of the Fourth Company, and both actively sympathized with the new and ambitious schemes of the infantry battalion of the Eleventh Regiment. During the winter and spring of 1824 the above-named gentlemen mnet often, and, with leading members of the several companies, discussed their favorite project. It was a subject that demanded time, attention, labor, and perseverance ; and they entered upon their work with remarkable zeal and industry. The selection of an appropriate uniform for the new organization was considered a matter of vital importance, and received serious attention. Every conceivable style had its friends and advocates ; but it was found to be impos- sible to harmonize the diverse opinions or to gratify the various tastes of the parties interested. Nor was it less difficult to select a satisfactory name for the new battalion-the "New York City Guard," the " Washington Guards," the " Independence Battalion," being prominent among the names suggested. The visit of La-
1824
104
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
fayette to New York, and circumstances connected with his mili- tary reception, fortunately decided the various questions which seemed to endanger the favorite project of the young men of the Second Battalion of the Eleventh Regiment, New York Artillery.
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