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Taylor's Seventh Regiment Album.
116
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1825
CHAPTER FIFTH.
1825.
THE reorganization of the First Brigade of New York State Artillery had been for a long time under consideration, and was consummated by General Orders, dated January 27, 1825. Under the new arrangement, all companies doing duty with muskets were united in the Second and Ninth Regiments, and all companies doing duty with field-pieces were transferred to the Third and Eleventh Regiments. The following is an extract from the orders referred to :
The companies of the Second and Eleventh Regiments doing duty with muskets, with the staff and music of the present Second Regiment-Colonel Robert T. Manly, Lieutenant-Colonel James A. Moore, and Major Irad Hawley, to constitute the Second Regiment of Artillery.
In compliance with this order, the six companies of National Guards bade adieu to their comrades of the old Eleventh Regiment, and, with Major Irad Hawley, reported to Colonel Manly of the Second. It was not the intention, however, of the officers and members of the National Guard to continue their connection with the Second Regiment for any considerable period, for all looked forward with hope and confidence to the time when their organiza- tion should be recognized as a distinct and separate battalion or regiment. A circumstance which occurred on the first parade with the Second Regiment hastened the withdrawal of the National Guard Battalion from that regiment.
The Second Regiment at this time consisted of twelve companies, two of which were called the Clinton Guard, four the Lafayette Guard, and the six companies of National Guards. At the first parade, for inspection, on the 6th day of June, the companies as- sembled in Hudson Street, and a dispute arose as to seniority between Captain Stevens, of the Sixth Company, National Guards, and Captain Cooke, of the Lafayette Guard, both claiming the right of
1825
THE FIRST NATIONAL GUARD BALL.
117
the line. The matter was at once referred to Colonel Manly, who promptly decided in favor of Captain Stevens, and gave the right of the line to the National Guard Battalion. This and other circum- stances caused so much ill-feeling and jealousy in the Second Regi- ment, that the active efforts of the National Guards to become a distinct and independent organization encountered no very serious opposition.
On the 1st of January, 1825, tickets were issued by the Battalion of National Guards for a grand military ball to take place on the 22d of February, at the City Hotel. The following is a copy of the ticket :
MILITARY BALL.
The honor of - - - is solicited at a Military Ball to be given in cele- bration of the Birth of Washington by the National Guards, at the City Hotel, February 22, 1825.
CAPTAIN WETMORE,
Captain TELFAIR,
Captain CURTIS,
Captain SIMONS,
Captain LOWNDS,
Adjutant EVERSON,
Lieutenant MINARD,
Lieutenant COLE,
Lieutenant FLINN,
Lieutenant SPICER,
Lieutenant INSLEY,
Orderly Sergeant WILSON,
Orderly Sergeant BOYD,
Sergeant TAYLOR,
Sergeant HOLT,
Sergeant DRAKE,
Sergeant CAIRNS,
Corporal EVERDELL,
Corporal HAWLEY,
Mr. JACKSON,
Mr. WOLFE,
Mr. TAYLOR,
Mr. ROCKWELL,
Mr. MASON,
Mr. MAPES,
Mr. WHITE,
Mr. BOOTH,
Mr. TELFAIR,
Mr. SCHENCK,
Mr. ANDERSON,
Mr. CONKLIN.
NEW YORK, January 1, 1825.
Committee of Arrangements.
After the tickets had been issued, many leading citizens re- quested the privilege of uniting with the National Guards in the arrangements for their great military ball, and a new committee of management, half military and half civic, was appointed. It was decided that the City Hotel, which was situated in Broadway near Trinity Church, and was the most extensive and popular hotel in New York, could not suitably accommodate the large number of fashionable people who desired to participate ; and the Park Theatre was therefore engaged for the evening of February 22d. The Park Theatre, situated in Park Row, being the only place of amusement of
118
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1825
importance in the city, was popularly known as " The Theatre," and was the favorite resort of the youth, beauty, wit, and talent of the metropolis. As wealth and fashion gradually migrated from the lower wards to "above Bleecker," the glory of this old dramatic temple waned, and it was finally destroyed by fire in 1848, never to be rebuilt. On the 1st of February a new ticket was issued, of which the following is a copy :
MILITARY BALL.
The honor of - company is solicited at a Military Ball to be given in celebration of the Birth of Washington, at the Theatre, February 22, 1825.
Managers.
ELISHA W. KING,
Brigade-Major WETMORE,
THOMAS MORRIS,
Captain TELFAIR,
PHILIP HONE,
Captain CURTIS,
HENRY BREVOORT,
Captain SIMONS,
DAVID C. COLDEN,
Captain LOWNDS,
JOHN C. STEVENS,
Captain JACKSON, A. D. C.
Adjutant EVERSON,
Lieutenant FLINN.
No other testimony is needed as to the high position of the National Guards in society, than the presence upon this card of invitation of the names of the wealthiest, most popular, and most honored citizens of New York. Actively assisted by the above- named gentlemen, and by many others of high social and political position, the young men of the National Guards succeeded in mak- ing their ball the great event of the season. The theatre was ele- gantly decorated, the attendance was large and fashionable, the arrangements were complete and satisfactory, and the whole affair, in all its details, a complete success.
During the winter and spring of the year 1825, vigorous efforts were continued to complete the equipment of the several companies of National Guards, and to enlist new members. The battalion was decidedly popular and the ardent labors of officers and members were rewarded with success.
On the 6th of July the resignation of Major Hawley was ac- cepted. Major Irad Hawley was born in Ridgefield, Conn., in 1793, and at an early age became a partner in the firm of Holmes, Hawley & Co., and he continued in prosperous business until 1841, when he retired with an ample fortune. He was subsequently a
119
MAJOR IRAD HAWLEY,
1825
director in many of the large commercial and financial institutions of the city, and was the first President of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, which he was active in organizing and instrumental in placing upon a firm foundation. In 1862 he visited Europe on ac- count of his health, and he died in Rome in 1865. Major Hawley enlisted in the Eleventh Regi- ment of Artillery in 1812, and served as a private during the war. He passed through the sev- eral grades of non-commissioned office and was chosen lieutenant in 1819, captain in 1822, and ma- jor in 1824. He was not distin- guished as a soldier, but was a good executive officer, an accom- plished business man, and a popu- lar and estimable gentleman. Al- though active in the organization Major Irad Hawley. From a photograph, 1862. of the new battalion the extensive business engagements of Major Hawley compelled him to resign his commission before the official recognition of the National Guards as a distinct and independent organization. On the 12th day of July, Brigade-Major Prosper M. Wetmore was elected major of the Second Regiment.
The 4th of July, 1825, was celebrated with unusual splendor, and a review of the uniformed militia by Lafayette added to the interest and enthusiasm of the occasion. The display of bunting, the salutes of artillery, the immense crowds of people on the streets, the variety of the festivities and amusements, and the exhibitions of fire-works, all surpassed anything ever before witnessed in New York. Lafayette was profoundly impressed by the various mani- festations of prosperity and happiness, and publicly expressed his pleasure and pride in having aided to secure to a great nation the blessings of a free and republican government. On the 5th of July the Battalion of National Guards paraded as part of a detach- ment from the brigade to render funeral honors to General Charles G. Harris, Adjutant-General of the State of New York.
120
1825
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
The tour of Lafayette through the United States had been an ovation of affection and admiration, and the time had at length arrived for his departure for his native land. On the 14th of July the people of New York assembled to bid him farewell, and to the National Guard Battalion was assigned the post of honor in his military escort. From his quarters at the City Hotel to the foot of Barclay Street, the place of embarkation, the streets were filled with admiring friends, every window was crowded to its utmost capacity, and trees and house-tops were alive with enthu- siastic spectators. As his carriage passed down Barclay Street and he came in sight of the new gray battalion, called the "Na- Lafayette tional Guards" in his honor, reccollections of the past and the realities of the present affected him to tears. Though lame and in- firm, he alighted from his carriage, and, commencing with Captain Stevens, took each officer by the hand as he passed slowly down the line and feelingly expressed to all his sentiments of kindness and affection. Having reached the left of the line he resumed his seat in his carriage and passed on amid the cheers and shouts of the assembled thousands. The distinguished honor conferred upon the National Guards by the departing patriot and soldier makes this a proud and memorable day in the history of the Seventh Regiment.
The first excursion of the National Guard Battalion took place on the 5th day of August, and its object was to practice in target- firing. Leaving the foot of Roosevelt Street at 8 A. M., the battal- ion, Major Wetmore commanding, accompanied by a large number of distinguished guests, proceeded by steamer to Barnet's Mansion- House, Bloomingdale, and, having reached its destination, each company set its target, and all tried their skill as marksmen. As many of the members had never discharged a musket, it was not a very brilliant exhibition of sharp-shooting. Colonel William M. Stone, the accomplished and genial editor of the New York "Com- mercial Advertiser," thus describes in that paper of the Sth of August, 1825, his contest with Mordecai M. Noah, the veteran editor of the "National Advocate " :
121
FIRST TARGET EXCURSION.
1825
And, after the officers, Major Noah and ourselves [Colonel Stone] took a shot -not at each other, but at the target-at the usual distance. This part of the exhibition excited the most attention, inasmuch as we have both made so many hits that it was considered impossible for us to miss. The major, who, like Wilkin Flammock, "loves a deep and solemn draught when the business is weighty," com- menced his preparations for the conflict by deliberately turning off a bottle of claret. He then grasped the musket, which he held tolerably steady, shut up the wrong eye in taking sight, and blazed away. The judges, seeing the point toward which the muzzle was directed, stepped a few yards farther back; but, after the smoke cleared away, they were all found safe, and reported that he had made a good shot. The judges, however, decided in our favor, it appearing from the tar- get that we placed the ball about an inch nearer the center than he-such, at all events, was the report, and the target, with the mark of each, was triumphantly exhibited by the friends of the People's Editor. We shrewdly guessed, however, from sly remarks, that neither of us hit the target, the major's shot striking the ground at a distance of about eight feet from the tree, and ours striking the tree in a direct line from the center of the mark, about three inches above the target. After the firing was completed, the officers, invited guests, and the troops sat down to a well-spread table, etc., etc.
The dinner was spread in the shade upon a lawn near the hotel, and the entertainment was concluded with speeches, songs, and toasts by the members and invited guests. Among the speeches that were received with particular favor was that of Colonel Stone, by whom the prizes were presented to the successful competitors of the day, and who closed his felicitous remarks with the following toast : "The National Guard-a detachment from the army of the people-every ready to defend, but never to enslave." The happy party returned to New York at an early hour in the evening, all delighted with the amusements of the day and the complete suc- cess of the excursion.
The first entry in the minute-book of the Board of Officers of the Battalion of National Guards was made on the 23d of Septem- ber, 1825, since which date full minutes of the meetings of the Board of Officers of the Battalion of National Guards, the Twenty- seventh Regiment, National Guard, and the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, have been carefully recorded and preserved. The original minute-book barely escaped destruction by fire in 1837, while in the possession of the secretary, C. H. Bryson. The cover was destroyed, and its leaves considerably scorched, but rebinding has given it a creditable appearance. The title-page was elaborately ornamented by the pen of Sergeant Asher Taylor, and reads as follows :
122
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1825
MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARDS [Coat-of-arms] PRO PATRIA ET GLORIA NEW YORK 1825
The first page of the first minute-book reads as follows : 1825, September 23, Minutes, Battalion of National Guards. At a meeting of the officers of this Battalion.
STONEALL's, September 23, 1825. Major-Commandant WETMORE presiding.
A petition was approved by Major Wetmore from Captain Van Buren and his officers for the admission of a company to be known as the Seventh Company of National Guards.
On motion, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to confer with the officers upon the application.
Captain SIMONS,
Lieutenant-Commandant FLINN, were appointed said committee.
Lieutenant ROACH,
The company above referred to was admitted unanimously.
Resolved, That the committee appointed some time since for the purpose of drafting a code of By-Laws be discharged from further consideration of the sub- ject.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to draft a code of By-Laws to regulate this battalion.
Captain STEVENS,
Captain TELFAIR,
were appointed said committee.
Lieutenant-Commandant FLINN,
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to consummate the arrangements respecting the band.
Captain STEVENS,
Captain SIMONS, and
were appointed said committee.
Lieutenant HART,
Adjourned. C. B. SPICER, Secretary.
The efforts of the officers and members of the new battalion were at length crowned with success; and on the 1st of October the following order was issued by the commander-in-chief, Governor De Witt Clinton, for the withdrawal of the National Guard Battalion
1825 THE NATIONAL GUARDS AN INDEPENDENT BATTALION. 123
from the Second Regiment, and constituting it a separate and inde- pendent organization :
STATE OF NEW YORK. HEAD QUARTERS, ALBANY, October 1, 1825.
GENERAL ORDER.
The commander-in-chief hereby directs that the several companies now be- longing to the Second Regiment of the First Brigade, commanded by Captains Stevens, Telfair, Curtis, Simons, Lownds, and Lieutenant-Commanding Flinn at present comprising the Battalion of National Guards of said regiment, be detached therefrom and organized into a separate battalion. Major Prosper M. Wetmore is assigned to the command of the battalion.
By order of the commander-in-chief : N. F. BECK, Adjutant-General.
On the 12th of October Major Wetmore issued the first battalion order as follows :
FIRST BRIGADE, N. Y. STATE ARTILLERY. NEW YORK, October 12, 1825.
BATTALION ORDERS.
The above general and brigade orders are communicated for the information of the officers and members of this battalion, to whose spirit and energy the com- mandant looks with confidence for support and assistance in his endeavors to establish for the corps a reputation and character in the militia of the State.
A company having been organized and admitted into this battalion, it will hereafter be recognized as the 7th Company, and will be commanded by Captain Egbert J. Van Buren ; Mr. George N. Allen will act as 1st lieutenant ; they will be respected accordingly, until the pleasure of the commander-in-chief shall be known.
An election has been held in the company lately commanded by Captain Sands, and the commandant announces the following result : James Flinn, Jr., captain ; Levi Hart, 1st lieutenant ; Henry C. Conkling, 2d lieutenant.
The following gentlemen are appointed to constitute the staff of this battalion : Mr. John J. Manning, quartermaster ; Mr. Sidney P. Ingraham, paymaster ; Dr. Richard S. Bryan, surgeon's mate.
Lieutenant Charles B. Spicer will perform the duties of adjutant until further orders.
Mr. Simeon J. Drake, of the 6th Company, is appointed sergeant-major ; Mr. Samuel L. Post, of the Second Company, is appointed assistant sergeant-major ; Mr. M. Myers, of the 5th Company, is appointed quartermaster-sergeant. They will be respected accordingly.
Pursuant to brigade orders, the officers of this battalion are directed to assem- ble at Stoneall's Shakespeare Tavern, corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets, on Tuesday, 18th inst., at 8 P. M., without arms, for the election of a lieutenant- colonel commandant.
The officers of the battalion are directed to assemble for the transaction of business, without arms, at Stoneall's, on Friday evening next, the 14th inst., at 7 o'clock ; a general attendance is expected. The chairmen of all committees ap-
124
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1825
pointed since the organization of this battalion will be required to report on the subject of the duties confided to them at the above meeting.
Commandants of companies are directed to promulgate to their commands the above orders, or so much of them as relates to the organization of the battalion. By order of PROSPER M. WETMORE, Major Commandant. C. B. SPICER, Acting Adjutant.
At the election held pursuant to the above orders, the greatest harmony and unanimity prevailed, and Major Wetmore was elected lieutenant-colonel and Captain Stevens major of the battalion. From the origin of the movement for the organization of the Na- tional Guard, Prosper M. Wetmore had been active, earnest, and indefatigable in his efforts, and had lavishly expended his time and money in its service, and the high honor of being its first field- officer was a deserved tribute of gratitude for his labors and of re- spect for his talents and accomplishments. Linus W. Stevens, whose services in the militia commenced during the War of 1812, had demonstrated his ability as an officer, and had displayed talents that would honor any military position ; and, although not among the original captains of the National Guards, he had, since his con- nection with the organization, spared no effort to advance the inter- ests of the battalion and establish it upon a firm and enduring basis. The result of the election was announced in orders, as follows :
FIRST BRIGADE, N. Y. STATE ARTILLERY. NEW YORK, October 19, 1825.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
The brigadier-general announces the following promotions in the Battalion of National Guards :
PROSPER M. WETMORE, Lieutenant-Colonel. LINUS W. STEVENS, Major.
First election.
They will respectively be obeyed in the capacities to which they have been elected, until the pleasure of his Excellency the commander-in-chief shall be known.
By order of Brigadier-General BENEDICT : WILLIAM B. CURTIS, Brigade-Major and Inspector.
FIRST BRIGADE, N. Y. STATE ARTILLERY. NATIONAL GUARDS. NEW YORK, October 19, 1825.
BATTALION ORDERS.
The above brigade orders are communicated to the battalion.
The resignation, by Captains Curtis, Simons, and Lownds, of the command of their companies is accepted ; they will each retain their rank in the line of this battalion, and be held responsible for the performance of all duties required of
125
BATTALION ORDERS.
1825
them. Lieutenants Williams, Valentine, Minard, and Spicer will respectively as- sume the command of their companies.
Captain Telfair and Lieutenants-Commandant Williams, Valentine, Minard, and Spicer will direct their several companies to assemble for the purpose of electing officers to supply all vacancies existing therein, on Monday evening next, the 24th inst., at the house of J. C. Stoneall, at seven o'clock. Commandants of companies will be prepared to exhibit, previous to the election, proper evidence of notice having been served on all the members of their companies within the time prescribed by law.
Major Stevens will attend, and preside at the elections in the Second, Third, and Sixth Companies, and report the result to the commandant. Lieutenant Spicer having been assigned to the command of the Fifth Company, the com- mandant tenders his thanks for the attention he has given to the duties of the adjutancy since the organization of the battalion.
Lieutenant Andrew Warner, of the Seventh Company, is appointed and will perform the duties of adjutant of the battalion, and will be respected accord- ingly.
Orderly Sergeant James B. Wilson, of the Third Company, is appointed stand- ard-bearer.
A feather one third black and two thirds white, not exceeding eight inches in length, will be adopted and worn by the field and staff of this battalion.
The Board of Officers, at a recent meeting, having adopted an alteration pro- posed in the decoration of their coats, the line and staff officers are required to have their dress in conformity with the pattern, which may be examined at the store of Mr. Waterbury, No. 301 Pearl Street.
The commandant will be absent from the city for a few days. Major Stevens will assume the command, and be obeyed and respected accordingly, until further orders.
By order of PROSPER M. WETMORE, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commandant :
ANDREW WARNER, Adjutant.
The changes in the decoration of the uniform coat of officers referred to in the above order, consisted of lace trimmings for the collar, lace diamonds upon the skirt (instead of black braid), as well as upon the back of the waist.
By reference to the above battalion orders it will be noticed that many important changes occurred at this period among the officers of the Battalion of National Guards. In the First Company, Captain Sands resigned and was succeeded by Lieutenant Flinn ; in the Third Company, Lieutenant David T. Valentine was elected captain, vice William B. Curtis, appointed brigade-major; in the Fourth Company, Lieutenant Chandler White was elected captain in place of Captain Howard A. Simons, who retired on account of the pressure of business engagements, and was honored by a unanimous resolution of the Board of Officers granting him "the privilege of
126
1825
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
remaining a supernumerary officer in this battalion " ; in the Fifth Company, Captain Lownds retired, to serve the city of New York as its sheriff, and Lieutenant Charles B. Spicer, who had been act- ing as adjutant, was assigned to the command of the company until an election should be held; in the Sixth Company, First Lieu- tenant Williams was elected captain, vice Stevens promoted ; in the Seventh Company, Captain Van Buren did not accept a com- mission, and the office remained vacant until the following year. Dr. Bryan also declined to accept a commission, and Dr. Edward R. Marcellin was appointed surgeon's mate. Lieutenant Andrew Warner, of the Seventh Company, was appointed adjutant, being the first of a long list of officers popular and distinguished as occu- pants of that important and favorite position.
Under the energetic and successful administration of Governor De Witt Clinton, the grand Erie Canal had been completed, and great preparations were made in every city and town, between New York and Buffalo, to celebrate in an appropriate manner the great event. The city of New York justly regarded this great work of internal improvement as immensely important to her com- mercial prosperity, and testified in very many ways her approbation of the policy of Governor Clinton. The 26th day of October was selected for the celebration of its completion, and orders were issued for the parade of the uniformed militia. It was noticed, however, after the issue of brigade and regimental orders, that the parade would be in violation of a law which prohibited the public appear- ance of any brigade or regiment within five days of a State or city election. The general orders were therefore countermanded, but the Battalion of National Guards, by a peculiar construction of the law, paraded under special orders from Lieutenant-Colonel Wet- more. Having marched through Broadway and the Bowery, the battalion visited the Parthenon, more popularly known as Peale's Museum, and, after inspecting its paintings and curiosities, per- formed various military evolutions upon the roof of the building, and fired a feu-de-joie. Peale's Museum was situated in Broadway, near Murray Street, and, though a building of moderate size, its roof comfortably accommodated the National Guards on this occasion.
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