USA > New York > History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
The first annual inspection of the Battalion of National Guards took place at the Battery on the 18th of November, in compliance with the following order :
127
THE ARSENAL YARD.
1825
NATIONAL GUARDS. NEW YORK, November, 12, 1825.
BATTALION ORDERS.
The officers of this battalion are directed to assemble in undress, with side- arms only for drill, in the arsenal-yard, on Tuesday and Thursday, the 15th and 17th inst., at half-past 3 P. M. of each day.
The battalion is directed to parade in full uniform for review and inspection, on Friday next, the 18th inst. The battalion line will be formed in Park Place, at half-past two, precisely.
At all parades, drills, and meetings, ordered in this battalion, the time will be taken by the adjutant from St. George's Church, and the roll will be called pre- cisely at the time specified in the orders.
By order of PROSPER M. WETMORE, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commandant :
ANDREW WARNER, Adjutant.
The arsenal-yard mentioned in the above order, and frequently alluded to in the following pages, occupied the block bounded by Centre, Elm, Franklin, and White Streets, and was for a long time a favorite place for out-door drill and military instruction. Nearly every pleasant afternoon in spring and autumn, a company, or bat- talion, or the officers of a regiment, assembled there to practice and improve in military tactics, and it was also a popular resort for the idlers of the town, who strolled thither to take a look at the soldiers. For many years it was the scene of all military tournaments, or " trials of skill," as they were popularly called, and of a variety of other interesting military events ; and to the veteran militiaman the name and appearance of the old arsenal-yard were long as familiar as a household word. The old State Arsenal, a three-story brick building erected in 1808, was situated upon the southwest corner of the premises, and was surmounted by a very tall flag-staff; in the center of the Franklin Street front was a three-story brick dwelling, the residence of the commissary-general having charge of the arsenal and yards, and the remainder of the premises was sur- rounded by a high board fence, and by a row of sheds, under which was stored the artillery of the State. In due time the old arsenal was succeeded by a more imposing structure, located in Sixty-first Street, near Fifth Avenue-now Central Park-and the military glory of the old arsenal-yard succumbed to the demands of the rapidly increasing business of the city.
The execution of James Reynolds, convicted of the murder of William West, took place on the 19th of November, and the Na- tional Guards were called upon for the first time by the authorities 10
128
1825
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
to assist in the preservation of order and the enforcement of the laws. At this period the execution of criminals was public, and attracted vast throngs of vulgar people, and a military force was always required by the sheriff to secure the public peace and to aid in the performance of his duty. Pursuant to order, the National Guards assembled in Elm Street in front of the arsenal, and, having received the necessary ammunition and special instructions, marched to the Bridewell in the park, and escorted the criminal thence to the place of execution. The place selected for the purpose was be- tween the First and Second Avenues, and near where the Bellevue Hospital now stands, and was at that time a wild and rough locality, and far beyond the city limits. Apprehensions had been enter- tained that the mob would attempt a rescue, and it required all the strength and firmness of the National Guards, assisted by High- Constable Jacob Hays and his posse, to preserve order in the turbu- lent crowd of spectators. As the soldiers marched back to the city they were crowded and jostled by the rude mob, and, after a day of fatigue, hunger, and suffering, they were glad to break ranks and repair to their comfortable homes.
The last parade of the year was on the 25th day of November. The battalion paraded in white trousers and without overcoats, for gray trousers and overcoats were not yet a part of the prescribed uniform. In battalion orders issued December 27th the Shake- speare Tavern was designated as the place for the monthly meetings of the Board of Officers until otherwise ordered. The meetings were held on the first Thursday in each month, and the fine for absence was three dollars. At a special meeting held on the 14th day of October a code of by-laws was adopted, which was amended and readopted on the 5th day of April, 1827, for the government of the Board of Officers.
By general orders of November 26th a new brigade was formed from the First Brigade of New York State Artillery, to be called the Sixth Brigade. It consisted of the Third, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Regiments, New York State Artillery, the Battal- ion of National Guards remaining a part of the First Brigade, General Benedict commanding.
During the latter part of the year 1825 the Battalion of National Guards made rapid progress. It had not only secured official rec- ognition as a separate and distinct organization, but a new company
1825
PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY.
129
(the Seventh) had been formed and accepted, a considerable num- ber of new members had been enlisted in all the companies; the members had been uniformed, and activity and enthusiasm gener- ally prevailed. Officers and members hailed the day as not distant when an eighth company should be added to the battalion, thereby securing a regimental name and existence.
-
The Old Park Theatre, 1825.
130
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1826
CHAPTER SIXTH.
1826.
THE celebration of New-Year's Day as a holiday is not peculiar to the present generation, and formerly commenced at a very early hour in the new year, as appears from the following order :
BATTALION OF NATIONAL GUARDS. NEW YEAR ORDER.
The officers of this corps are invited to meet at Colonel Wetmore's quarters, No. 79 Franklin Street, on Monday morning next, 2d January, 1826, at one min- ute after midnight, on business of an interesting nature.
ANDREW WARNER, Adjutant.
The military text-book in general use by the militia of New York after the Revolutionary War was Baron Steuben's Tactics. On the 12th of September, 1814, Duane's Hand-Book of In- fantry was officially introduced to the service, and, in the follow- ing year, Gardner's "Compend " became a recognized text-book. During the winter of 1825-'26 Congress adopted the system de- rived from the French, popularly known in this country for many years as "Scott's Tactics." The United States Army was immedi- ately ordered to drill in this system, and the more intelligent and ambitious of the militia organizations at once commenced its study and practice. An order was issued by Lieutenant-Colonel Wet- more, directing the officers of the battalion to assemble at Dooley's Long Room, on the 22d of February, to commence a course of in- struction in the new tactics, and officers' drills were held regularly once a week for several months. Scott's Tactics continued to be the military text-book of the United States Army and of the militia of the State of New York until Hardee's Light-Infantry Tactics-a translation from the French-was adopted by the War Department in the year 1858.
At this period there were no generally accepted regulations for the ordinary military ceremonies. Early in the year 1826 a Board
131
BILL OF DRESS.
1826
of Officers composed of the commandants of the regiments of the First Brigade, New York State Artillery, revised the "System of Formation and Dismissal of Regiments and of the Standing and Marching Review," which was approved in brigade orders of June 15th, and ordered to be strictly observed throughout the corps.
At an election on the 20th of January for a captain of the Fifth Company, Robert B. Boyd was elected by one vote over Lieutenant Charles B. Spicer. The election was appealed from, and was set aside by General Benedict, on the ground that one member had voted who had not yet signed the roll. The affair created great excitement, but was amicably adjusted by the unanimous election of Lieutenant Spicer to the command of the Seventh Company, and the unanimous re-election of Captain Boyd in the Fifth, both elec- tions being held on the 14th of February.
The Bill of Dress having been referred for revision to a com- mittee of officers consisting of Major Stevens, Captain Flinn, Quar- termaster Manning, and Lieutenants Allen and Holt, their report was finally adopted by the Board of Officers on the 2d day of March, and was subsequently published for the information and - government of the battalion, as follows :
BILL OF DRESS OF THE NATIONAL GUARDS.
The uniform of this corps shall consist of a short coat or coatee, of mixed cloth, a cap of black glazed leather, and white pantaloons, as follows :
I. The coat shall be of the military gray, manufactured for this corps, single- breasted ; square, standing collar to meet and hook under the chin ; a double stripe of black silk braid to extend around the collar, and a blind button-hole of the same, to commence at the front and extend back on each side three and a half inches, and terminate in three face-loops into a button in the center of the loops. One row of buttons in front, to be placed one and a half inches apart ; the number to vary in conformity to the size of the person. Blind button-holes of the braid to extend across the front from each button, conforming to the direction of the collar, and to terminate in three face-loops; the length to vary, being longest across the chest, and diminishing gradually above and below. The cuff three inches deep, with four buttons around the upper edge in front. A blind button- hole to extend downward from each button, and terminate in three face-loops to correspond with the breast. Four buttons under each pocket-flap, with blind button-holes, as on the cuff and breast. Four buttons on the plait or fold of each skirt, viz. : one at one inch from the bottom of the skirt, one at the top, a third midway between the two, and a fourth one and a half inches above the third. The two buttons at the top of the skirt to be inclosed in a diamond of braid, with a diamond of braid between them ; the edge of the back skirts to be trimmed with a stripe of braid from the tacking to the bottom. A stripe of braid to commence
132
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1826
at the top of the skirt, on the outward or front edge, extending downward on the skirt (varying from one to one and a half inches from front edge) to within one and a half to two inches of the bottom, and with a single loop continuing to the lower corner in front. On the corner of the skirt between the braid and the front edge to be placed a diamond of braid. On the back of the coat a stripe of braid to commence with each of the buttons, and cover the two outer seams of the back to the shoulder, thence along the sleeve to the shoulder-seam, and covering that to the col- lar. The skirts of the coat to be in length proportioned to the length of the back, the onter edge to commence at the side-seams of the pantaloons and terminate narrow.
II. The wings to consist of a shoulder- cap of cloth, like the coat, three inches deep at the center, diminishing gradually to a point each way, to be padded full and se- cured to the top seam of the sleeve by the upper edge, a stripe of braid on the upper edge, and diagonal stripes of the same to be placed on top, one inch apart, a tuft of black worsted on the outer edge.
III. The buttons of the pattern manu- factured for the Regiment, and known as the "button of the National Guards."
IV. The pantaloons to be plain white linen drilling, and long enough to touch the instep, worn over the boots. No under- straps to be permitted to pantaloons.
V. The cap, bell-crowned, seven inches high in front, the visor of black leather, circular, two and a half inches deep at the A Seventh Regiment Soldier, 1825. widest part ; the cap to terminate at the back of the head in a point, on a horizontal line with the extremity of the visor. Trimmings, plain brass or gilt scales in front, and one inch above the scales the initials "N. G.," in a cipher, over which an eagle, measuring three inches between the tips of the wings; the initials and eagle to be of brass or gilt ; on the upper edge, in front, a black leather cockade, with a small yellow button having an eagle impressed upon it. Tassels of gold bullion, three inches in length, finished with silver at each extremity, to be sus- pended by a gold and silver braided knob and cord of the pattern now worn, three and a half inches long, from a ring at the upper edge of the right side of cap. Pompon white, three inches long, to be worn in front, and inserted in the cap, through a plain brass or gilt ball.
VI. Blaek stock or cravat, plain in front.
VII. Gloves of deep buff.
133
BILL OF DRESS.
1826
ARMS AND ACCOUTREMENTS.
I. Musket according to law, same style as those manufactured for the regular service of the United States Army, with a white sling of linen or cotton webbing.
II. Cartridge-box of black leather with the initials "N. G.," in brass or gilt.
III. Bayonet-sheath and throg of black leather.
IV. Belt of white webbing, secured in front by brass plate or clasp.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
I. The second, third, and fourth sergeants and the corporals will be uniformed the same as privates, with the exception of the trimmings on the wings, where gold-lace will be substituted for braid ; and with the addition of a small, straight sword, with yellow mounting, and black leather scabbard, suspended by a throg, to correspond with the bayonet.
II. The orderly sergeant will be permitted to dispense with musket, etc., and wear a sword the same as above defined, suspended in the same manner to a similar belt. Coat the same as that of the other non-commissioned officers.
OFFICERS' UNIFORMS.
I. Field-officers' coats will be trimmed as above defined (wearing gold-lace in lieu of braid) with the addition of three chevrons reversed on each skirt. They will wear epaulets and the chapeau de bras.
II. Company and commissioned staff-officers (with the exception of surgeons) will have the " trimmings on the collar " and the " diamonds " of gold-lace, wings of gold bullion, protected by gilt scales and chains.
III. The coats of medical officers shall correspond with those of the battalion in point of color.
IV. The swords worn by field, staff, and medical officers shall be gold-mounted with straight blades, suspended by gilt chains to a gold-laced belt, secured in front by a gilt plate or clasp ; sash of red net.
V. Sergeant-majors and quartermaster-sergeants will wear the same uniform as orderly sergeants, with the addition of a sash of red silk net.
DISTINCTIONS.
I. Captains will wear a chevron on each arm above the elbow.
II. Subalterns will wear a chevron on each arm below the elbow.
III. Staff-officers (with the exception of adjutant and sergeant-major) will wear, in addition to the chevrons of their rank, a band of gold-lace on the right arm above the elbow.
IV. The adjutant will wear an arc of gold fringe connecting the two extreme points of the chevron.
V. The sergeant-major will wear an arc similar to that of the adjutant.
VI. Sergeants will wear a chevron on each arm below the elbow.
VII. Corporals will wear a chevron on each arm below the elbow.
1826
13
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
By general orders, dated March 14, 1826, the Corps of Artil- lery was reorganized and divided into three divisions : the First Division to consist of the Sixth Brigade of Artillery and the First Brigade of Horse Artillery ; the Second Division to be composed of the First and Second Brigades ; the Third Division to include the Third, Fourth, and Fifth (country) Brigades. The command of the First Division remained with Major-General Morton, and the commander-in-chief assigned Brigadier-General Benedict to the command of the Second Division. Colonel James A. Moore, of the Second Regiment, was elected brigadier-general of the First Brigade, vice Benedict promoted, but declined, and, on the 9th of May, Robert T. Manly was elected to fill the vacancy. The Bat- talion of National Guards (Twenty-seventh Regiment), under the reorganization, formed a part of the First Brigade in the Second Division.
On the 4th day of May the Committee on Music reported to the Board of Officers that a contract had been made with "a band of drummers and fifers," this being the first permanent arrange- ment made for musie by the new battalion.
As difficulties frequently occurred as to rank and station upon parade, the Board of Officers on the 12th of May adopted rules for their government in these particulars. The most important of these rules, and the only one which continued in force for a long period, was, "at the signal for the formation of the regimental line, the company commanded by the senior officer present shall be entitled to the senior station in the Regiment."
That the Battalion of National Guards might be legally ad- vanced to the dignity of a regiment it was resolved to raise another company, and, on the 10th of April, Lieutenant-Colonel Wetmore detailed the following gentlemen to organize the new corps : An- drew Warner, lieutenant of the Seventh Company and adjutant, to be captain ; William H. Insley, first lieutenant ; and William P. Mil- lard, second lieutenant. They entered upon their duty with great energy and industry, and, on the 4th of May, the requisite number of men having been enrolled, the new company was admitted to the battalion as the Eighth Company of National Guards.
As soon as the Eighth Company was admitted, Governor De Witt Clinton was notified of the fact, and promptly issued the fol- lowing order :
135
FIRST REGIMENTAL ORDER.
1826
STATE OF NEW YORK. HEAD QUARTERS, ALBANY, May 6, 1826.
GENERAL ORDERS.
The commander-in-chief hereby directs that the Battalion of National Guards in the city of New York, now under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Prosper M. Wetmore, and attached to the First Brigade of New York Artillery, be organ- ized into a new regiment, to be denominated the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Ar- tillery.
By order of the commander-in-chief : N. T. BECK, Adjutant-General.
A regimental name and organization had long been hoped for and desired, and the above order was received with enthusiasm and delight by the officers and members of the National Guards. Lieu- tenant-Colonel Wetmore promulgated the above general orders on the 16th day of May in the following, the first regimental order issued to the Twenty-seventh (now Seventh) Regiment.
TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, N. Y. STATE ARTILLERY. NEW YORK, May 16, 1826.
REGIMENTAL ORDERS.
The preceding general and brigade orders are communicated for the informa- tion of the officers and members of this Regiment. The commander-in-chief having been pleased to direct that this corps shall be organized and constituted a regi- ment, the commandant anxiously hopes that the exertions on the part of the offi- cers and members will not be relaxed, and that, on the approaching parades, every endeavor will be made to create for this Regiment a character and standing for numbers, appearance, and discipline worthy of the brigade to which it is attached.
Surgeon's Mate Edward P. Marcellin is appointed and will perform the duties of surgeon to this Regiment until the pleasure of the commander-in-chief shall be known.
Pursuant to brigade orders of this date, the officers of this Regiment will assemble at Stoneall's, on Tuesday, the 23d inst., at 10 A. M., to hold an election for colonel.
By order of PROSPER M. WETMORE, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commandant : ANDREW WARNER, Adjutant.
At the election held pursuant to order, at Stoneall's Shakespeare Tavern, on the 23d of May, Lieutenant-Colonel Prosper M. Wet- more was elected colonel, Major Linus W. Stevens lieutenant-colonel, and Captain John Telfair major of the Twenty-seventh Regiment. Captain Telfair had declined the majority at the previous election, and on this occasion was elected contrary to his earnestly expressed wishes ; and it was only at the urgent solicitation of Colonel Wet- more, who was his warm personal friend and admirer, that he con- sented to accept the position.
-
136
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1826
Before accepting his commission, Colonel Wetmore appealed to the commander-in-chief, Governor De Witt Clinton, for the rank in the brigade of which he deemed himself unjustly deprived by the election of Munson Clarke, Esq., to the colonelcy of the Four- teenth Regiment on the 22d of May. Fortified by the opinions of such distinguished jurists as James Kent, Ambrose Spencer, Thomas J. Oakley, Samuel A. Talcott, and others, to the effect that the commander-in-chief has the right to confer rank upon officers of the same grade without regard to the date of election, Governor Clinton gave the higher rank to the Twenty-seventh Regiment, although its colonel was elected a day later than the colonel of the Four- teenth Regiment.
On the 19th of June Major Telfair resigned his commission, on account of business engagements, and at an election held at Stone- all's, on the 27th of June, ex- Captain Howard A. Simons, of the Fourth Company, was unani- mously elected his successor.
Major John Telfair enlisted in 1806 as a private in the Third Company of the Second Battal- ion of the Eleventh Regiment. He passed through all the grades of the service, was a sergeant during the War of 1812, a lieu- tenant in the Second Company in 1820, and its captain in 1823. He was active and influential in the organization of the Battalion of National Guards, and is emi- nently entitled to the honor of being one of the founders of the Seventh Regiment. In 1833 he again accepted the captaincy of the Second Company, and finally retired from the service in 1836. He died in New York in 1850. During his administration the Second Company maintained a high state of prosperity. Although not a strict disciplinarian nor fond of the details of drill, he had the happy faculty of attracting young men to his command, and of enlisting their affections and efforts
137
FIRST REGIMENTAL STANDARD.
1826
in its behalf. He belonged to that school of officers who love the militia service for its society, its display, and its parades, rather than its drills and military tactics. Captain Telfair was an active and capable business man, and for many years held confidential and responsible positions in several prominent mercantile houses. His fine social qualities, fascinating manners, unbounded hospi- tality, and attractive and handsome person made him a general favorite in military circles during the period of his active connec- tion with the regiment.
At the January meeting of the Board of Officers a committee was appointed, consisting of Captains Telfair and Flinn, Surgeon Marcellin, and Adjutant Warner, "to make the necessary arrange- ments for procuring a standard to be embroidered for this battal- ion." On the 2d of March the committee submitted the following report :
NATIONAL GUARDS.
The committee for procuring a standard have to report that some effort has been made with a view of distinguishing the corps by some fair individual who might be disposed to embroider an appropriate standard, but the expectation hith- erto entertained on that subject has not been realized. The season has become far advanced, and it is now best to employ Mrs. Windsor, who has executed em- broidery on standards for other regiments, and will do the same for this battalion at a reasonable compensation ; but a certain price can not be fixed until the design is exhibited, and, that not having been agreed upon by the committee, it is sub- mitted to the Board of Officers for the adoption of such design most suitable to their wishes.
JOHN TELFAIR, JAMES FLINN, Jr., EDWARD P. MARCELLIN, ANDREW WARNER,
Committee.
NEW YORK, March 2, 1826.
The failure of the committee to enlist any of the young ladies of the city in the appropriate task of embroidering a standard for one of the most popular and gallant military corps in the service was the subject of considerable good-humored badinage. The committee, having been authorized by the Board of Officers to select a design and to procure the standard, employed Mrs. Windsor, wife of Lloyd D. Windsor, the veteran Principal of Public School No. 1 -originally the "New York Free School"-in Chatham Street, corner of Tryon Row, to execute the embroidery, and accepted the original design of Sergeant Asher Taylor, of the Fourth Company. Sergeant Taylor traced the design upon the silk, and supervised
138
1826
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
the entire work, and, through his activity and energy, the commit- tee was enabled to report during the latter part of May the comple- tion of the standard. The Board of Officers acknowledged his valuable services by the adoption of the following preamble and resolution :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.