USA > New York > History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889 > Part 19
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1830
PARADES OF THE YEAR.
183
were at the same time crowded with men, women, and children. The celebration ended with a grand display of fire-works, and a general illumination.
The spring parade took place on the 16th day of June, line forming in the park fronting the City Hall, and the Regiment paraded as usual on the 4th day of July. A regimental drill took place on the 20th of September, and four drills for officers in the School of the Battalion were held in April and May, at the Shake- speare and the arsenal-yard, and the same number of drills in the School of the Brigade in December. The annual inspection and review were held at the Battery on the 26th day of October, with the following result :
Present.
Present.
Field.
3 | Fourth Company
76
Staff.
5 Fifth
66
33
Non Com. Staff
Q
Sixth
66
49
First Company
33
Seventh 66
31
Second 66
30
Eighth
54
Third
37
Band
7
Total present, 360. Present and absent, 472.
The project of an encampment interfered with the usual com- pany excursions for target-practice, but the Fourth Company pro- ceeded to Yonkers for that purpose on the 20th of July, and the Eighth Company to Newark on the 10th of June. Both of these companies were wonderfully prosperous and enthusiastic ; and Cap- tain Brower, in an order issued November 4th, triumphantly stated that "the Eighth Company is only second in numbers to the strongest company in the Brigade, as shown by the inspection, and is second to none in perfection of equipments and general good order."
The public rooms which could be obtained at this period for military purposes were few and unsatisfactory, and the expense of rent was a considerable burden upon the several companies. Stone- all's Shakespeare Tavern continued to be the general headquarters of the Regiment, and the drills and meetings of a majority of the companies were held at McDermott's Upper Long Room, No. 63 Duane Street, at Military Hall, No. 193 Bowery, and at the corner of Mott and Chatham Streets.
During the year 1830 Captain James D. Phillips, of the Third Company, was succeeded by William Jones ; Captain Philetus H.
184
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1830
Holt, of the Fourth Company, by Edward Roome; and Captain Benjamin J. Hathaway, of the Fifth Company, by William T. Beach. Captains Phillips and Hathaway were excellent officers, and highly respected as gentlemen, and Captain Holt again served as captain.
Although the increase in the numbers of the Regiment in the year 1830 was inconsiderable, the improvement in drill, discipline, and in esprit de corps was noticeable and important. The ability and popularity of Colonel Stevens gave new life to the Regiment ; old and valued members rallied to its standard, and the younger members were inspired by the enthusiasm of those who were veter- ans in the service. The year closed with bright hopes and promises of future prosperity.
Tomb of Lafayette.
185
APPEALS OF CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS.
1831
CHAPTER ELEVENTH.
1831.
THE year 1831 was one of remarkable activity in the Twenty- seventh Regiment. The regular drills by company and the frequent drills of officers were punctually attended, and many new and valu- able members were enlisted. To promote the general interest in the Regiment and a social feeling among its members, the Board of Officers, at a meeting held on the 12th of January, made arrange- ments for a grand regimental ball on the 22d day of February. The committee having the matter in charge were disappointed in procuring the "City Hotel Room," and the project was reluctantly abandoned.
From its organization to the present date, the Seventh Regi- ment has been the subject of constant applications for subscriptions to benevolent objects. In February, 1831, by resolution of the Board of Officers, a subscription was circulated throughout the Regiment in behalf of the Female Assistance Society, which re- sulted in a liberal contribution. The precedent, however, proved a dangerous one, and so frequent and persistent were the applications for aid to similar institutions, that the Regiment was obliged to withdraw as an organization from the field of benevolence, leaving all subjects of charity to the liberality and consideration of its indi- vidual members. It has proved to be the true policy of the Regi- iment to confine its labors, as far as possible, to the purposes for which it was created.
The Bill of Dress having been revised by a committee, was, in June, approved as amended and ordered printed. The changes were immaterial. As the members furnished their own arms, and as the muskets of the Regiment were therefore of divers patterns, the new Bill of Dress ordered that "all muskets, other than of the United States pattern, be excluded for any who may hereafter be- come members." It was also provided by resolution that "the
.
186
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1831
several companies be permitted to adopt the knapsack approved by the Sixth Company, or the one previously approved by six of the companies of the Regiment." The following is an extract from the Bill of Dress upon the subject : "Sec. 6. Knapsacks .- There are two patterns in the Regiment, some companies having been permitted to adopt one pattern, and some the other; but it is distinctly understood that every member of the same company con- form to the style and pattern of his company, as different kinds can not be allowed in the same company."
PRO T
GLORIA
CRIA E
NATIONAL GUARDS
TO ALL TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Be it Known. That to a Soldier in the Gnuet ( NATIONAL GUARD, Commanded by CaptamEduard formed in the TWENTY-SEVENTE LIGNECONT, PLAST BILIDADE, AND FIRST DIVISION OF NEW YORK STATE ARTILLERY. In 140 City of New York, where Is w. STATENS 23. is Colonel Commandant.
In Testimony Thereof, We, the said Commandants of the said Company and Regement, have hereanto respectively signed and) countersigned or names, this leventy third day of' no thousand eight hundred and thaty one fand of Amoucan Independence the Hy ff
P.M. Stevens lol.
COUNTTE LIONED
Certificate of Membership, 1831.
The annual spring parade took place on the 18th day of April. The Regiment also paraded with the division on the 18th day of May for review, at Washington Parade-Ground, by his Excellency Governor Enos T. Throop, and passed in review in front of the City Hall before the Governor, Mayor, and Corporation. The Twenty- seventh Regiment was also reviewed by the adjutant-general in
187
CAMP CLINTON.
1831
front of the City Hall, and at the conclusion a splendid sword was presented to Colonel Stevens by the adjutant-general in behalf of the officers of the Regiment.
On the 20th day of June the Boston City Guards arrived in New York, and were received by the Seventh and Eighth Compa- nies, detailed by regimental order for that purpose, and escorted to Washington Parade-Ground, where the corps encamped during its visit. This fine company was uniformed in gray, and was accom- panied by the Boston Brigade Band, which attracted great atten- tion, and which was said "to eclipse anything of the kind in New York." On the 21st of June the Boston City Guards visited many interesting localities in New York and its vicinity, and on the 22d were escorted by a detachment of the Twenty-seventh Regiment to the City Hall, where they were reviewed by the Mayor and enter- tained by the Common Council. After the review and collation they were escorted to the steamer President, on which they em- barked for Providence, en route for Boston.
During the months of April and May the officers of the Regi- ment were active in making arrangements for an encampment at Poughkeepsie in July. On the 6th of June Colonel Stevens issued the following order for " Camp Clinton " :
TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, N. Y. STATE ARTILLERY. NATIONAL GUARD. NEW YORK, June 6, 1831.
REGIMENTAL ORDER.
In compliance with the wish of a majority of the Regiment to perform a tour of camp duty, and the necessary arrangements having been effected, the Regiment will assemble in complete uniform, armed and equipped, including knapsacks, on the 2d of July. Regimental line will be formed in the Park at 6 A. M.
The commander-in-chief having instructed the Commissary-General to furnish the necessary camp equipage, the quartermaster is directed to attend at the Arse- nal to receive and receipt for the same, and to make requisition for two six- pounders (say thirty-five rounds), and for 3,000 rounds of blank musket cartridges.
It is recommended to each man to provide himself with a sack to contain straw for bedding, and, in addition to a blanket, a cloak, or such other necessaries as may be conducive to health and comfort, on the recommendation of their respect- ive commandants. The place of encampment is at Poughkeepsie, in view of the Hudson River. The Commandant entertains the hope that more may be acquired in one tour of camp duty than in an entire season of duty performed in the usual manner.
Those who do not perform the tour of camp duty will, in the course of the Summer, be ordered for drill on four separate days, which measure must be car- ried into effect to satisfy the law, and in justice to these who encamp. In com-
188
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT. 1831
plianee with Division and Brigade Orders, that part of the Regiment remaining in New York on the Fourth, are required to parade on that day; the senior offi- cer present will assume command, and report for duty to the Brigade Major.
The following named receive appointments for the Poughkeepsie Excursion : Mr. Philetus HI Holt, late Captain of the 4th, Secretary.
" B. B. Beach, late Captain of the 6th, Assistant Paymaster.
" Asher Taylor, late Orderly of the 4th, Assistant Quarter-Master. Unanimity, or L'Esprit de Corps.
A spirit of good-will among the members of the Regiment is essential to the good that may result from this excursion. The general deportment of the officers toward the men should be strictly guarded. "If this be coarse or harsh on the one hand, or grossly familiar on the other, the harmony and discipline of the Corps can not be maintained." The examples are numerous and brilliant in which the most conciliatory manners have been found perfectly compatible with the exer- cise of the strictest command. The prompt arrest of the disobedient may be ex- pected.
By order of Colonel L. W. STEVENS, Colonel Commanding 27th Regiment. W. P. MILLARD, Adjutant.
A complete standing order was also issued in respect to regula- tions of camp, guard-mounting, duties of sentinels, etc., etc.
On the evening of July 1st the preparations were complete for embarkation on the following morning. Quartermaster Sniffen had chartered the steamer Congress as a transport; obtained a band from the United States post at Governor's Island ; made contracts at Poughkeepsie for camp ground and supplies ; and had procured at the State Arsenal the necessary camp equipage and ammunition. The marquee for the colonel, which was obtained from the arsenal, was taken from the British in the War of 1812, and the field-pieces were trophies of the Revolutionary War, one having been captured at Saratoga and the other at Princeton.
Saturday, July 2d .- The Regiment paraded pursuant to order, and embarked at the foot of Liberty Street, at 7 A. M., for Pough- keepsie. On passing West Point, the. companies were paraded on the upper and lower decks, and a salute was fired by a detachment from the Eighth Company, under Captain Brower, and at Newburg, New Hamburg, and other points on the route, salutes in honor of the Regiment were responded to from the transport. The Regi- ment arrived at Poughkeepsie at 4 P. M., was officially received by the President and Trustees of the village and a battalion of militia under Major Beadle. At 6 P. M. tents were pitched, and, after evening parade and guard-mounting, the members were busy until
4
189
JULY 4TH IN CAMP.
1831
tattoo in decorating their quarters, and making them convenient and comfortable.
Sunday, July 3d .- Early in the morning divine service was held in the camp, Rev. Dr. Cuyler, of Poughkeepsie, officiating, and the Regiment attended the Dutch Reformed church in the fore- noon and the Episcopal church in the afternoon. The day was exceedingly warm, and the sentinels suffered severely from the heat and sun, but in the afternoon the camp was visited by a thunder-storm, which refreshed though it drenched the almost suf- focated soldiers. No visitors were admitted to the camp, nor were the members of the Regiment allowed to leave it, except for the purpose of attending church.
Monday, July 4th .- At 9 A. M. the Regiment was reviewed by Major-General Brush, and at meridian a national salute was
CAMP CLINTON Encampmentofthe NATIONAL GUARDS at Loughhapse, JULY& ROSE.
1
CVALD
TIVATIL C+
Inte Co
S.f. G
Sinth C.
1
-
fired. The authorities of Poughkeepsie having made arrangements to celebrate the anniversary of American Independence, and hav- ing invited the Regiment to participate, it left camp at 1 P. M. and joined the military and civic procession. Having marched through the principal streets, and witnessed the ceremonies of the day, the Regiment returned to camp, and with the Artillery and Fusileers, and the leading citizens of the town as its guests, sat down to an elegant and substantial dinner. Colonel Henry Livingston pre- sided, and the cloth having been removed, a variety of patriotic and
190
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1831
complimentary toasts were drunk and responded to by the officers of the Regiment, and by the citizens of Poughkeepsie. The pro- ceedings were enlivened by music from the band and by frequent discharges of artillery.
A general invitation had been extended to the people of the town and surrounding country to visit the camp in the evening, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen availed themselves of this opportunity. The tents were decorated for the occasion in every variety of style, the entire camp was brilliantly illuminated, and to the gay people who thronged its streets on that charming summer evening the scene was novel, singularly beautiful, and long to be remembered. The fine music of the band suggested a dance upon the green, in which the belles of the town and the rustie beauties of the neighboring country enthusiastically joined, and it was long after midnight when the festivities ended and the citizens and soldiers separated.
Tuesday, July 5th .- At 7 A. M. tents were struck, and the Regiment having marched through the principal streets of the village, embarked upon its transport, and, amid the shouts and cheers and mutual compliments and congratulations of citizens and soldiers, bade adieu to Poughkeepsie and its generous hospitality and departed for New York. At 7 P. M. the Regiment reached New York, and was dismissed at the Park.
The following statement of the expenses of the first encamp- ment may not be uninteresting at a distant day :
Transportation to and from Poughkeepsie $288.50
Use of field and lumber. 30.45
Transportation at Poughkeepsie. 61.72
Subsistence. 480.00
Band and Drum Corps. 202.00
Sundries 73.63
Total. $1,136.30
The regular assessment of officers was ten dollars, non-com- missioned officers five dollars, and privates three dollars ; and the amount collected was eight hundred and seventy-two dollars. The balance was paid from the regimental fund. The number present at Camp Clinton was two hundred and fifty-six, as appears from the following extract from the adjutant's report :
1831
FUNERAL OF EX-PRESIDENT MONROE.
191
Field and Staff.
10 | Fourth Company. 52
Non Com. Staff.
4 Fifth
14
Band.
14
Sixth
27
Martial Corps.
Seventh .
20
First Company.
16
Eighth
30
Second
Servants.
22
Third
33
Total. 256
Ex-President James Monroe died on the 4th of July, 1831, and was buried on the 7th of July, by the Corporation of New York, with appropriate honors. The remains were escorted by a squad- ron of cavalry from the residence of his son- in-law, Samuel L. Gouverneur, to the City Hall, where an oration was delivered by Presi- dent Duer, of Columbia College, and the funeral service was read at St. Paul's Church, by Bishop Onderdonk and Dr. Wainwright. The Twenty-seventh Regiment was the special escort, and the procession included the divis- ion commanded by General Morton, the civic societies, the national, State, and city authori- ties, the officers of the Army and Navy, and a large number of citizens. Along the route James Monroe. the stores were closed and draped with mourning, and, while the procession moved, minute-guns were fired and the bells of the city were tolled. The remains were deposited in a vault in the Second Street Cemetery, and three volleys of musketry by the Twenty- seventh Regiment concluded the imposing ceremonies. Twenty- seven years later the Seventh Regiment was selected by the city of New York to escort the remains of ex-President James Monroe to their final resting-place in Hollywood Cemetery, at the city of Richmond, Va.
The headquarters of the several companies as well as of the Regiment continued to be at Stoneall's Shakespeare Tavern, but company drills were also held at McDermott's Long Room, Military Hall, Broadway House, etc. The Fourth Company was at this time the largest company in the State of New York, numbering one hundred and fifteen men. It was also distinguished for the high character and varied talents of its members, some of whom furnished a fund of amusement to the Regiment by their famous
14
192
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1831
songs and recitations. At the annual inspection in October it had ninety-two men present, which was said to be "the largest number that had been exhibited by any company since the late war." In addition to its large amount of regimental duty, the Fourth went on a target-excursion in September, and on the 13th of October indulged in a company parade. The only change among comman- dants of companies was occasioned by the resignation of Captain Wyckoff, of the Seventh Company, and the election of Lieutenant John T. Cairns as his successor. Captain Wyckoff was an able officer and a popular gentleman, and his long and faithful services were noticed in general orders.
The annual inspection and review took place on the 31st day of October, at Washington Parade-Ground, and resulted as follows :
Field.
3 | Fourth Company. 92
Staff.
5 Fifth 66
27
Non Com. Staff
2
Sixth 66
47
First Company.
36
Seventh
34
Second 66
30
Eighth 63
Third
55
Band. 17
Total present, 411. Present and absent, 589.
The fact that this was the largest number which had ever ap- peared at the annual inspection sinee the organization of the Regi- ment, was a subject of general congratulation. Immediately after the inspection, a prize musket was presented by Colonel Stevens to the member in each company who had enlisted the largest number of men since the 1st day of March, the muskets having been pre- sented to the Regiment by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and Major Catlin for that purpose.
On the 24th day of October the election of James A. Moore, Esq., to the command of the First Brigade, vice Manly resigned, was officially announeed. On the 25th day of November the Twenty-seventh Regiment made its usual parade with the division. All members of the Regiment, who were not present at Camp Clinton were required to drill at the arsenal-yard on the 22d, 26th, and 29th of September. The death of William B. Hall, Paymaster of the Regiment, who died on the passage from Havana to New York, was announced in December, and the Board of Officers adopted resolutions complimentary to the memory of that popular offieer.
193
LEGISLATION AT ALBANY.
A movement having been made to secure amendments to the militia law, among which was a reduction of the number of annual parades, the Board of Officers deeming the proposed changes un- favorable to the interests of the Regiment, appointed a committee in December to solicit the appointment of similar committees by other regiments, and to confer with members of the Legislature- elect, for the purpose of defeating all measures which were likely to be detrimental to the interests of the Regiment and of the Brigade. And from that day to this the Regiment has been in constant fear of legislation at Albany calculated to impair its ef- ficiency and prosperity by men ignorant of the wants of the militia, indifferent to its interests, or hostile to its existence.
Ex-Captain Philetus H. Holt, the military secretary at Camp Clinton, having been requested by the Board of Officers to prepare a complete history of the encampment at Poughkeepsie, performed that duty in a satisfactory manner, and received a unanimous vote of thanks. This interesting history has been carefully preserved among the records of the Regiment, and is described in the minutes of the Board of Officers as "a detailed statement of the expendi- ture of the Regiment to Poughkeepsie and the tour of duty at Camp Clinton, embodying the orders and reports incident to the occasion ; interspersed with numerous illustrations, descriptions, topographical, statistical, and historical ; compiled with care and accuracy, and drawn up in a dignified style."
On the 31st day of December, 1831, the numerical strength of the Regiment was as follows :
1
Field.
Staff.
N. C. Statt
1st Co.
2d Co.
3d Co.
4th Co.
5th Co.
: 6th Co.
7th Co.
8th Co.
Band.
Total.
Grand
Commissioned officers
3
5
.
2 20 :
5-710
2-720
5 00 00
80000
9
4
9
28 60
Privates
.
...
49
40
105
50
58
49
60
17 504 592
total.
Non. Com. do
3
3
1831
The receipts, as reported by the paymaster for the year, were $727.26, and the expenses were $577.59. The expenditures were as follows : Music, $431.50 ; printing, $76.25 ; incidental, $69.84; total, $577.59.
1832
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
194
CHAPTER TWELFTH.
1832.
THE following extract from regimental order No. 1, dated Janu- ary 2, 1832, in respect to the recent marked improvement and the encouraging prospects of the Regiment, is worthy of notice :
. .. The Commandant avails himself of the present opportunity to express the high degree of satisfaction which he has experienced from the improvement of the Regiment during the past year. To the officers, non-commissioned and privates, who have so generally contributed by their exertions to the unexampled increase of the Regiment in numbers, he tenders his warmest acknowledgments; and his experience of the past assures him that to maintain its present standing and respectability will ever be with them a paramount object of their solicitude. As mainly conducive to this end, he would recommend to the members of this Regiment assiduously to cultivate and foster that spirit of unanimity which at present prevails, and which, while it continues, will be a sure guarantee for our permanent and abiding prosperity.
By Order of L. W. STEVENS, Col. Comdg. 27th Artillery. W. P. MILLARD, Adjutant.
The action inaugurated by the Twenty-seventh Regiment, and heretofore referred to, relating to changes in the militia law of the State, resulted in a memorial to the Legislature, signed by all the officers of the First Brigade of Artillery. In this memorial it was stated that-
These corps were originally established by exempting the members of them from the seven drills required by the ordinary militia-from jury duty during their term of service-from taxes on personal property to the amount of $500- and from militia duty for life after seven years' service, except in cases of insur- rection and invasion. Since the reduction of the ordinary militia parades to three, our Regiments, notwithstanding the exertions of the officers and the expendi- ture of large sums from their private purses, have become reduced to mere skele- tons, and are, in fact, threatened with dissolution, unless your Honorable Body should take the necessary steps to preserve them. . .. Not only should greater privileges be offered to those who enlist in our volunteer Corps, but more duty should be required of them. . .. We, therefore, respectfully solicit from your Honorable Body the passage of a law exempting forever from jury duty all who shall have faithfully served ten years in any one of the legally authorized uniformed corps in the city of New York. In consideration of this privilege, we request that
-
1
195
CENTENNIAL OF WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
1832
in addition to the regimental drills and parades, now required by law, the uniform corps be required to meet by company for instruction one evening in each month during the year, after the setting of the sun, under a penalty of five dollars for each commissioned officer, one dollar for each non-commissioned officer or private, who shall absent himself from such meeting, &c., &c.
The petition to the Legislature was of no avail, and the desired relief was not obtained.
.At the February meeting of the Board of Officers a committee was appointed to consider the expediency of "a tour of camp-duty during the present season," and to report as to place and arrange- ments. On the 5th day of April the committee reported in favor of an encampment at New Haven, Conn .- the Regiment to leave New York June 26th, and to return in time for the 4th of July parade-and the report was unanimously adopted.
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