USA > New York > History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889 > Part 16
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
In the history of the militia of the city of New York there is no record of an officer so young in years achieving by his own ex- ertion and talents such great distinction. He was the idol of his comrades in arms, the favorite of his superior officers, and a pet of the public. Though not distinguished as a tactician or military instructor, he was a fine officer, and with his graceful and dashing manners won laurels from both soldiers and civilians. Money flowed liberally from his purse for the advancement of the corps, and, being a fluent speaker and a ready writer, he was always pre- pared to promote or defend its interests. Great financial convul- sions, already referred to, and the desperate struggle to escape the consequences, terminated his brilliant military service.
At an early age Colonel Wetmore gave evidence of the talent
1827
150
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
and activity which characterized his extraordinary career. He be- came a partner at the age of twenty-one years in a large dry-goods house, and afterward established himself in the same business at No. 240 Pearl Street, and rapidly built up an extensive trade, and won the friendship and esteem of the leading merchants of the city. By degrees he launched into the maelstrom of speculation in Wall Street, and finally gave his entire time to business in that direction. Ile was a leading manager and director in the Lombard Banking and Loaning Association, the failure of which brought financial ruin to all concerned. His ardent and restless temperament then led him into politics, and in 1834 and 1835 he was a member of the Legislature of the State. In 1832 he was appointed upon the staff of Governor Marcy, and in 1833 was elected a Regent of the University of the State of New York. Under the administration of President Polk he was Naval Officer of the Port of New York. Colonel Wetmore was also President and managing director of the celebrated American Art Union, Secretary and Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, Secretary of the Union Defense Committee, during the war (1861-'65), and was the founder and active promoter of many of the leading institutions and enterprises of New York city. His valuable services to the city and State of New York and to the country generally during the great rebellion were never known, except to those who were familiar with the various quiet processes of shaping public opinion, and of directing and concen- trating the efforts of many men of many minds in the proper direction.
Colonel Wetmore wrote and published, while a young man, a book of poems, being at that period somewhat ambitious for literary distinction, and through his long and eventful life he was a con- stant writer for the press. He was an active and able manager of public meetings and popular demonstrations, and on such occasions was an attractive speaker. His last public speech was at the semi- centennial dinner of the Seventh Regiment at Irving Hall in Octo- ber, 1874, and his eloquent remarks on that occasion will be long remembered by all present. Colonel Wetmore was a man of medium height and stylish figure, of regular and remarkably hand- some features, and most attractive and captivating manners. As a large part of his service to the public was rendered without material compensation, and as he only valued money to spend it, fortune
151
BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS.
1827
frowned upon his later years, but his proud spirit bore him bravely through the trials and troubles attendant upon age and poverty. Colonel Wetmore died at Great Neck, Long Island, in 1876.
At a meeting of the Board of Officers held on the 1st day of February, a committee, consisting of Major Simons, Captains Will- iams and White, and Lieutenants Millard and Thompson, was ap- pointed to revise the by-laws adopted by the " Battalion of National Guards," and adapt them to the use and government of the officers of the Twenty-seventh Regiment. On the 5th day of April the new code was adopted, as revised and amended. The most im- portant change was the creation of the office of secretary, the duties pertaining to which had heretofore been performed by the adjutant of the Regiment. Lieutenant T. J. Ireland, of the Fourth Com- pany, was unanimously elected the first secretary of the Board of Offieers, but resigned in August, and was sueeeeded by Lieutenant B. J. Hathaway, of the Fifth Company. It is not necessary to record the divers changes made, from time to time, in the by-laws of the Board of Officers; but the publication of the original eode, as follows, and of the code as adopted in 1863, will enable the euri- ous to notice at a glance the importance of the changes made, and the comparative simplicity of the modern machinery for the gov- ernment of the business affairs of the Regiment.
BY-LAWS OF THE 27TH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. A., NATIONAL GUARDS.
ARTICLE 1.
There shall be a meeting of the officers of this Regiment for the transaction of business on the evening of the first Thursday in every month ; the hour of meet- ing to be eight o'clock from March to November inclusive, and seven o'clock from November to March.
Extra meetings may be called by the commandant, when he may deem it expe- dient, at such time and place as he shall designate in orders, and he shall call a meeting whenever a majority of the officers make a written request to him for that purpose.
ARTICLE 2.
At all meetings, the senior officer present shall preside, and 15 officers shall be required to constitute a quorum; the chairman to have the casting vote in case of there being an equal number of votes for and against any question.
152
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1827
ARTICLE 3.
There shall be a fine of three dollars for neglect to attend any meeting held by virtue of these by-laws, unless a sufficient exeuse be made to the Board of Officers within three months subsequent thereto, and every neglect to furnish such excuse shall bind the party by default.
No excuse will be valid except absence from town, personal or family sickness, or engagement on military duty.
At regular meetings the roll shall be called by the Secretary precisely at the time stated in the first artiele of these by-laws; at extra meetings at the time specified in orders.
The following penalties are also established for absence at roll-call, and at the stated period thereafter, viz. :
Roll-call.
5 min.
10 min.
15 min.
Half hour.
Colonel.
50 ets.
75 cts.
$1 00
$1 50
$2 00
Lieutenant-Colonel.
50
75
1 25
1 75
Major. .
25
373
50
75
1 50
All other officers
18¥
25
37
50
1 00
The fine for longer absence than half an hour shall be the same as for neglect to attend.
The Secretary's time shall be considered as correct, and for this purpose it shall be his duty to have his watch regulated immediately before he attends any meeting by that source which the Commandant by regimental orders shall direct.
No officer shall depart from any meeting withont permission from a majority of the officers present, under penalty of fine for absence.
ARTICLE 4.
The Standing Committee provided for by these By-laws shall be appointed by the Commandant on the evening of the first Thursday in January in each year, at which time an election by ballot for Secretary shall be held, and the candidate having a majority of the votes present shall be considered duly elected.
ARTICLE 5.
There shall be a Board of Officers to be denominated the Board of Honor, to consist of the Major, as President, and the Commandants of companies as mem- bers; the duty of which Board shall be to decide on the expediency or propriety of admitting companies in the Regiment, to decide on all disputes, should any exist or occur between the officers of the Regiment, when submitted to them, and their decision shall be binding on the parties.
This Board shall be convened without delay on application to the President thereof by the Commandant of the Regiment, and shall report their proceedings to the Commandant within two days thereafter. The utmost secrecy shall be ob- served in relation to all communications that shall be made touching the parties, and every member is directed to give all the information of which he is in posses- sion in relation thereto.
153
BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS.
1897
ARTICLE 6.
There shall be a Committee of Finance, to consist of three Platoon Officers in conjunction with the Paymaster and Secretary. The duty of this Committee shall be the superintendence of purchases for the Regiment, the making of all contraets in relation thereto, to levy assessments on the officers when necessary ; and when a bill against the Regiment is to be discharged, it shall first be signed by the Chair- man of this Committee.
The senior officer of this Committee shall be the Chairman thereof, whose duty it shall be to convene the members on all occasions appertaining to contracts or their duties.
ARTICLE 7.
There shall be denominated the Music Committee, which shall consist of the Major as Chairman, one Captain, and the Quartermaster as members; the Cap- tain to be appointed annually on the evening of the first Thursday in January. It shall be the duty of this Committee to provide music, and make every arrange- ment connected therewith.
ARTICLE 8.
In order to establish a permanent fund for the purpose of defraying the cur- rent expenses of the Regiment, the following dues shall be paid monthly to the Secretary by each officer acting in the respective stations hereinafter enumerated, and at the rate thereto affixed, viz. :
Colonel ..
$2 00 | First Lieutenant. $0 62}
Lieutenant-Colonel 1 50 Second Lieutenant 50
Major 1 00
Staff Officers .. 75
Captain
75
Quartermaster's Sergeant 371
The Secretary, in consideration of the extra services required of him, shall be exempted from the payment of dues, but not from his proportion of an assess- ment, when that measure is resorted to.
ARTICLE 9.
Should the expenses of the Regiment at any time exceed the receipts, there shall be an assessment, to be apportioned between Field, Staff, and Platoon Offi- cers, according to rank ; any officer who shall neglect, or refuse to pay his propor- tion of any dues, forfeitures, or assessments authorized by these by-laws, unless the same be remitted within twelve months thereafter, by a majority of the officers, present at a regular meeting, shall be considered as dishonored, and subject to prosecution as provided by the 10th Article of these by-laws.
ARTICLE 10.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record the proceedings of all meetings in a book, which he shall bring or send to every meeting, under the penalty of five dollars ; to keep a just and true account of all fines, dues, and assessments accru- ing to the Regiment; collect the same, and specify the amount paid by each officer, and make a report thereof semi-annually, viz., on the evening of the first Thursday in the months of January and July.
It shall be his duty to pay over any money in his hands belonging to the Regiment when called upon by the Paymaster, whose receipt shall be a sufficient
154
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1827
voucher. And it shall be his duty to commence suit against any officer, whose account shall be of more than one year's standing, provided the same shall not be paid or secured to be paid within ten days after notice shall have been given to the officer so in arrears. In case of non-attendance the Chairman may appoint a Secretary pro tempore.
ARTICLE 11.
The Paymaster is authorized to call on the Secretary for funds as often as necessary, on receipt of which he shall grant his certificate for the same, and by him all bills against the Regiment shall be paid.
He shall also make a report semi-annually of the state of the regimental funds, viz., on the evening of the first Thursday in the months of January and July, or sooner if required by the Commandant.
ARTICLE 12.
Each officer hereafter to be commissioned in this Regiment shall, when notified of his having been duly elected, pay to the Secretary the sum of twenty dollars, as an initiation fee ; but should the Governor not commission him, the said amount shall be refunded ; he shall likewise pay five dollars for every grade of promotion he shall afterward receive; and each officer now holding a commission in the Regiment shall be subject to the same regulation when promoted.
ARTICLE 13.
No officer shall be permitted to resign until he has paid all fines, dues, and as- sessments, unless by permission of a majority of the officers present at a regular meeting.
ARTICLE 14.
The Paymaster, Quartermaster, and Secretary, shall, previous to the resigna- tion of either of them being accepted, transfer all their books and vonchers into the hands of the Commandant. They shall procure all necessary stationery for that purpose, at the expense of the Regiment.
ARTICLE 15.
The present officers of this Regiment, and all those hereafter attached to it, shall subscribe to these by-laws, and pledge themselves bound thereby in law, jus- tice, equity, and honor ; and the same shall be so construed in all places having cognizance thereof, whether in Courts Martial, appointed by the Commandant, or in Courts of Justice; and the Secretary of the Regiment for the time being is fully authorized and empowered by this Article to sue for and recover every due and penalty incurred, individually in his own name and in behalf of the Regiment.
ARTICLE 16.
There shall be no supernumerary officers in this Regiment, unless by consent of a majority of the officers.
ARTICLE 17.
The Chaplain of this Regiment shall in no case be affected by the provisions of the foregoing Code of by-laws.
ARTICLE 18.
No alteration or amendment of these by-laws shall have effect unless proposed at a regular meeting, to lie over for consideration until the next regular meeting, when, if two thirds concur therein, it shall have all the effect and obligation of an original.
155
1827
RESIGNATIONS AND ELECTIONS.
The resignation of Colonel Wetmore, and the peculiar circum- stances attending that event, necessarily and naturally resulted in many changes among the officers of the Regiment. At an election held at Stoneall's Shakespeare Tavern, on the 25th day of April, Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens was elected colonel; Major Simons was elected lieutenant-colonel; and Captain John H. Williams, of the Sixth Company, was elected major. Captain Williams did not accept the office of major, as he had already decided to retire from the Regiment on account of his business engagements, and on the 3d day of May his resignation as captain was accepted. On the 14th day of May, Quartermaster John J. Manning was elected major. The staff-officers of Colonel Wetmore retired with him, and Colonel Stevens appointed Lieutenant William P. Millard, of the Second Company, adjutant; Robert J. Delavan, Esq., pay- master ; and Dr. William C. Hickok surgeon of the Regiment. Captain Ingraham, of the Second Company; Captain White, of the Fourth Company ; and Captain Spicer, of the Seventh Com- pany, who had been warm friends and supporters of Colonel Wet- more, also resigned their commissions and were succeeded respect- ively by Ezra F. Raymond, Lieutenant Philetus H. Holt, and Lieutenant Denis P. Philarey ; and Lieutenant William Thompson succeeded Captain Williams in the command of the Sixth Com- pany.
The retiring officers were men of ability. Captain Williams, afterward of the celebrated house of Williams and Stevens, dealers in paintings and pictures in Broadway, was an excellent officer and an accomplished gentleman. Captains Ingraham and White were distinguished for their fine personal appearance and gentlemanly manners, and, though not especially devoted to the details and labor of the drill-room or noticeable as disciplinarians, they were men of mark in the Regiment. Captain Spicer, a brother of Colonel Peter B. Spicer of the period, was an ambitious young officer and became a brigadier-general in the First Division, New York State Militia, which position he held for many years. At the first parade of the Battalion of National Guards in 1825, Lieutenant Spicer acted as adjutant, and since the organization, then in its infancy, has achieved distinction, he has claimed the honor, which is not known to be disputed, of being " the first officer to draw a sword in front of the renowned Seventh Regiment."
156
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1827
It will be noticed that the officers most friendly to Colonel Wet- more and hostile to Colonel Stevens gracefully retired from the Regi- ment with their leader. There was, however, one notable exception-Cap- tain Andrew Warner, of the Eighth Company, who continued the con- test under the new ad- ministration. His com- .pany had never been thoroughly organized, drilled, or equipped, and the members, having been enlisted mainly through his own per- sonal influence, were ChatB. Spicer. ready and willing to fol- low their chief. Colonel Stevens having ordered From a photograph, 1861. a meeting of the Eighth Company to be held at Stoneall's on the 3d day of May, for the election of lieutenants, Captain Warner refused to become respon- sible for the rent of the room where such meetings were usually held, and the election went by default. The colonel then ordered the election to be held at the arsenal-yard, on the 8th of May, but there is no evidence that Captain Warner ever notified the mem- bers of his company of the meeting. But this insubordination enlminated on the 11th of May, at a regimental drill at the arsenal- yard, where all the members of the Eighth Company, except pri- vate David H. Keeler, left the ground, thus publicly and defiantly refusing to obey the orders of the commandant of the Regiment. On the morning of May 12th, Colonel Stevens ordered Captain Warner to furnish him, before 2 P. M., with "returns of the notifi- cation of the members of the Eighth Company for the drill of pre- ceding day, and of all delinquents and deficiencies from and at said drill, and with the names and residences of the men who left said drill without permission of the commandant of the Regiment." This order not having been obeyed, Captain Warner was immedi-
1827
157
THE ADMINISTRATION OF COLONEL STEVENS.
ately placed in arrest, was promptly tried by a brigade court-mar- tial for " disobedience of orders, neglect of duty, and unofficer-like conduct," and was sentenced to be cashiered and to pay the costs of prosecntion. The sentence of the court was approved in brigade orders dated July 10, 1827; and the discord which for more than six months had reigned in the Regiment came to a timely end.
During the excitement which preceded and attended the resig- nation of Colonel Wetmore and other officers, drills were neglected, recruiting ceased, disaffection prevailed, and the affairs of tlie Regi- ment generally assumed a condition not far from desperate. But Colonel Stevens was a man of energy, decision, and ability, and upon taking command he at once commenced the herculean task of rescuing the Regiment from the perils which threatened its ex- istence. Believing that the permanent prosperity and popularity of the Regiment must depend upon its military superiority, he in- augurated a thorough system of military instruction for officers and non-commissioned officers, and during the months of May and June frequently assembled the Regiment for drill at the arsenal-yard. By encouraging the resignation and discharge of such officers and men as were disaffected toward the new administration, and by the prompt punishment of those who were disobedient and mutinous, discipline was restored and harmony was secured in the Regiment. The newly elected officers rallied to the support of the commandant, and aided him with zeal and ability in stemming the tide which had been bearing the organization rapidly toward destruction.
The first parade of the year was on the 6th day of June, and the Regiment paraded nearly its usual strength and attracted more than ordinary attention and approbation. On the 18th day of June the Regiment participated in a brigade drill at the "village of Brooklyn." The 4th of July was celebrated by the First Division in the usual manner. The First Brigade, General Manly, assem- bled on Canal Street at 8 A. M., and division line was formed at the Battery at 10 A. M. After a review by Major-General Morton, the division passed in review before the corporation at the City Hall, and the parade terminated with a feu-de-joie of six rounds per man fired by the regiments doing duty as infantry. On the 11th day of July the officers of the Regiment assembled in full uniform at the Merchants' Exchange, Wall Street, to attend the funeral of Major- General Mapes, of the Second Division of Infantry. In regimental
158
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1827
orders of May 24th the signal for the countermand of orders for parade was announced as a white flag with the initials "N. G.," to be displayed at the New Masonic Hall in Broadway, between Pearl and Anthony Streets.
At the first meeting of the Board of Officers held under the new administration, it was, on motion of Captain Holt, of the Fourth Company, resolved that the cartridge-box and bayonet be worn with cross-belts and counter-straps, with a brass breastplate, and a committee was appointed to carry the alteration into effect. The adoption of the cross-belts was popular with the rank and file, and it was generally conceded that the uniform was materially improved in appearance by their use. During the latter part of the year a committee was appointed, consisting of the commandants of com- panies, to take into consideration and report upon proposed altera- tions of the Bill of Dress, by the adoption of gray pantaloons and of knapsacks. These innovations were of so important a character, and invited so much consideration and discussion, that no result was reached during the year 1827.
A resolution was adopted at a meeting of the officers, held at the arsenal-yard in May, authorizing a committee to procure a woodent for discharge certificates, at an expense not to exceed forty dollars. Wood-engraving had not yet reached perfection, as is apparent from the discharge certificates issued to the graduates of the Regiment at this period.
The drill season commenced vigorously in September, both by company and by battalion. Colonel Stevens was distinguished both as a disciplinarian and as a tactician, and spared no effort to raise the standard of military excellence. Although the company drills at this period were only held monthly, or in some cases semi- monthly, visible progress was apparent in all departments of the Regiment. During the autumn several regimental drills were held at the arsenal-yard, and on the 26th day of September the Regiment paraded in full-dress uniform through the principal streets of the city. The annual inspection and review was at the Battery on the 12th day of October, and resulted as follows : Number of com- panies, 7; matrosses present, 185 ; total present, 276; grand total, 437. Considering the serious troubles and the many changes in the Regiment during the year, the result of the inspection was regarded with great satisfaction. On the 9th day of November the Regiment
Stevend.
Colonel Seventh Regiment. 1827-1828 and. 1830-1835.
1827
CAPTAIN DAVID T. VALENTINE.
159
paraded at Hamilton Square for brigade drill. On the 26th day of November the Regiment paraded, pursuant to division orders, in commemoration of the evacuation of the city of New York by the British in 1783.
The most important changes during the latter part of the year were caused by the resignations of Captain Valentine, of the Third Company, and Captain Philarey, of the Seventh Company. Lieu- tenant James D. Phillips was elected to the command of the Third Company, and Lieutenant Jacob V. D. Wyckoff to the command of the Seventh Company.
Captain David T. Valentine was born in the year 1801, in West- chester County, where his ancestors had resided from the earliest settlement. He enlisted in 1819 in Captain Wil- son's company of the Elev- enth Regiment, N. Y.S. A., since known as the Third Company of the Seventh Regiment, and was elected a non-commissioned officer in 1820, second lieutenant in 1823, first lieutenant in 1824, and captain in 1825. The fame and popularity of David T. Valentine were won in fields other than military. Though an in- telligent and faithful offi- cer, he was not prominent in the militia service ; but his distinguished career in after-life entitles him to special notice in these pages. At the time of his connection with this Regiment he was in the grocery business near Peck Slip; but, having received an appointment as Deputy Clerk to the Common Council, he resigned his commission in the Regiment, relinquished his mercantile business, and devoted the remainder of his life to the service of the city and to literary pursuits. In 1845 he was elected Clerk of the Common Council, and for over twenty years performed, in the most creditable man-
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.