USA > New York > History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889 > Part 23
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A proposition was also made during this eventful year that the companies should assemble and regimental line should form at Washington Parade-Ground whenever the parade was to take place in that vicinity. This, however, involved the destruction of too many old and pleasant associations, and was defeated ; and for a considerable period the companies continued to assemble in the City Hall Park, each one having its particular ground for company parade and for roll-call, in front of some well-known building or in the shadow of an old and favorite tree. The formation of the brilliant line of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, therefore, continued to excite the admiration of citizens and strangers in front of the City Hall.
During the year Captain Smith Spelman, of the First Company,
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HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT. 1834
resigned and Lieutenant Charles W. Teller was elected his suc- cessor. Captain Spelman was at the time the senior commandant, having served acceptably as captain for over six years. He was an intelligent, faithful, and reliable officer, and commanded the respect and regard of his associates. Captain Washington R. Vermilye also resigned the captainey of the Fifth Company, and was suc- ceeded by Lieutenant Nathaniel S. Burt, of the same company. Captain Vermilye, however, continued his connection with the Fifth Company as first lieutenant.
The music of the Regiment (1830-1834) was Reidel's Martial Corps. It consisted of about eight small drums, one bass drum, and a bugle or two. The bugles relieved the drums, so that on the march the music was uninterrupted. On great occasions when a band was required, the United States Band at Bedlow's Island or at the navy-yard were engaged, but they were small and insignifi- cant organizations compared with the military bands of modern times. There were no good organized bands in New York city in 1825 to 1835, the influx of foreign musicians not yet having com- menced. Reidel, who was musical director of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, had considerable reputation, but would hardly be toler- ated among first-class musical artists of later days. The expense of the Regiment for music for a single parade did not usually exceed sixty dollars, the Martial Corps and the United States Band divid- ing that amount about equally.
The finances of the Regiment at this period were managed with great care and economy. The regular annual receipts of the regi- mental treasury (1830-1834) averaged about eight hundred dollars, and the expenditures for all purposes, except encampments and excursions, averaged about five hundred dollars.
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1835
ELECTION OF FIELD-OFFICERS.
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CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.
1835.
ON the 12th day of January an election for field-officers was held at Stoneall's, and resulted in the promotion of Lieutenant- Colonel Morgan L. Smith to the colonelcy. Major Catlin was elected lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Edward Roome, the popu- lar commandant of the Fourth Company, was elected major. With the energy and enthusiasm which characterized the new commandant in all the affairs of life, he entered upon his new duties, cordially supported by the officers and men of the Regi- ment.
The first official act of Colonel Smith was to invite the members of the Regiment to meet the field-officers at Stoneall's, on the 15th day of January, " on business of importance." The subject for con- sideration by this mass-meeting was the proposed changes in the regimental uniform. The Board of Officers had on the 12th day of January declared by resolution that "it is imperatively necessary that the uniform of this Regiment be altered and improved," and had agreed upon the necessary changes. The fervent appeals of the new field-officers, strongly supported by a fine entertainment and a free flow of champagne, produced the desired result, and the changes proposed were adopted with great enthusiasm and unanim- ity. It must be conceded that the alterations in the uniform accom- plished by this novel and popular mode of appeal to the rank and file were in the main wise and judicious, for they have stood the test of time, and the uniform as now worn is the same, with some additions and immaterial alterations, as was adopted around the festive board at Stoneall's Shakespeare Tavern in January, 1835. Active measures were at once instituted in all the companies to secure conformity to the new Bill of Dress, and in less than three months the Regiment was prepared to parade in the uniform as altered.
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HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1835
BILL OF DRESS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, 27TH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. ARTILLERY, AS ESTABLISHED JANUARY, 1835.
I. OF THE UNIFORM.
1. C'oat .- Gray cloth of the "Cadet Mixed," single breasted, with a square standing collar. Three rows 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), the distance of the onter rows from the centre one, to be greatest across the chest, and gradu- ally diminished above and below to three inches at the bottom ; blind button- holes of black silk ferreting, laid on in two stripes an eighth of an inch apart, to extend from the buttons of the centre row to those of the outer ones. The collar to meet and be hooked under the chin and not cut so high as to prevent the free turning of the chin above it; on cach side of the collar a loop of gold lace four and a half inches long, with a button on the back end of it and a double stripe of black silk (laid on one eighth of an inch apart) to extend around the collar. Plain round cuff three inches deep, slashed flaps of black cloth on the sleeves, five and a half inches long, scolloped, two inches wide at the curve and two and a half inches wide at the points, four loops of gold lace with buttons on each. The skirts to be ent short and small, the width of each at the top to be one inch less than one half the width of the waist, and diminished to four inches at the bottom ; to be lined with black, and turned up with black cloth on both the back and front skirts; the turn-ups to commence in a point at the top, and widen downwards to one inch in width at two inches from the bottom of the front skirt, then curve out to a point, and meet at one and a half inches from the bottom of the centre of the skirt with a gold embroidered grenade on the points of the turn-ups on each skirt a slashed flap of black cloth seven inches long, scolloped, two inches wide in the curve, and three inches wide at the points, four loops of gold lace with buttons, on each.
The coats of the field officers will be made with long skirts extending to the bend of the knee, and with such additional ornament of gold or embroidery on the collar, as may be determined on by the field officers. Those of the commis- sioned staff will be with skirts of a middle length, between those of the field and company officers. Those of the medical staff will be with black velvet collar with a star on each side. The gold lace to be five eighths of an inch wide and the black silk ferreting to be three eighths of an inch wide throughout. The two but- tons at the hips, and the three rows in front, to be of the largest size (31 lines), and those in the "loops " to be of the smallest size (26 lines), of "The Button of the National Guard," rich gilt.
2. Pantaloons .- One pair of plain white linen drilling. One pair of gray cloth like the coat, with a stripe of black cloth on each side, one and a half inches in width, the front edge of which to touch the side seam ; and the welt of the fall of black silk ferreting (like that of the coat), to commence two inches, and terminate four inches, from the front seam, and extend four and a half inches from under the coat, to be finished square at the bottom. Those of the officers will be trimmed with a double stripe of gold lace (like that on the coat) on the side, and the same in front, set one eighth of an inch apart, on black. Those of the field and staff to have on the sides, at the bottom, six small buttons, one inch apart.
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BILL OF DRESS.
1835
The pantaloons to be long enough to touch the instep, and worn over boots with black straps.
3. Cap .- Black glazed leather, slightly conical, 7} inches high in front, and 8} inches high behind, with a vizor of brass instead of leather, square in front, two inches deep, to droop half an inch from a horizontal line. The field and commis- sioned staff officers will wear chapeau-de-bras with gilt trimmings. The medical staff will wear the chapeau-de-bras with black bugle trimmings. Trimmings on the cap, a braid of black and white worsted cord intermingled, commencing at each side of the top of the cap, and secured in the middle at the point in the cen- tre of the lower edge behind. Tassels and knob of the same, 7 inches long, pend- ant from the right side, the lower part of the tassels to be entirely of white. The braid and tassels on the officers' caps will be of gold and silver, in lieu of worsted, the former in place of white, and the latter of black, to be of the same form and pattern as on the privates' caps. Plain scales, one inch above which, in front, the cypher of the corps (N. G.), and above that, an eagle, measuring three inches be- tween the tips of the wings, the scales, cypher, and eagle to be of brass or gilt ; on the upper edge, in front a brass cockade, 14 inches in diameter, indented to receive the ball of the pompon, with the number of the Regiment (27) engraved on it. Pompon .- White worsted, three inches long, to be worn in front, and inserted in the cap through a plain brass ball.
Officers (except medical) will wear plumes of white cock-feathers, drooping from a stem eight inches high. The medical staff will wear black plumes. Non- commissioned staff will wear black plumes like the officers, the Quartermaster Sergeant with a red tuft on the top, and the Sergeant Major with a black tuft.
4. Stock .- Black, plain in front.
5. Gloves .- White Berlin (cotton).
11. ARMS AND ACCOUTREMENTS.
1. Musket .- According to law, U. S. Army pattern, with a sling of white web- bing.
2. Cartridge-Box and Bayonet-Sheath .- Black leather, the cypher of the corps, of brass on the former.
3. Belts .- White webbing two inches wide; the cross belts to be secured high in front, with a plain oval brass plate, two and a half inches by three, to be worn on the bayonet belt, the waist belt to be secured with a brass plate, bearing the cypher of the corps and the designation of the company.
4. Priming- Wire and Brush, with brass mountings, attached to the cross belt on the right breast.
5. Knapsack .- The square box pattern, twelve inches high, ten inches wide, and three inches deep, with a plain round valise 4} inches in diameter on the top, secured by two black leather straps passing around both ; the knapsack and valise painted black with the cypher of the corps on the former, in yellow letters two and a half inches high, shaded, and the number of the Regiment on the latter, in yellow figures one and a half inches high.
6. Swords .- Those of the officers will be straight blades, with gilt scabbard and mountings.
Belts .- Gold lace, one and a half inches wide, and gilt chains.
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HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1835
Sashes .- Crimson silk net, tied on the right hip; the medical staff will wear dress swords, black patent-leather belts, without sashes.
Non-commissioned officers will wear swords with straight blades, black leather scabbards, and gilt mountings, attached by a black leather throg, to the body belts, the non-commissioned staff und orderlies will wear sashes, and dispense with the musket and cross belts (unless when ordered to the contrary).
III. DISTINCTIONS.
Colonel .- Gold epaulettes, bullion half an inch in diameter, 3} inches long, plain lace strap embroidered on which, in silver, an eagle with the No. of the regi- ment under it.
Lieutenant-Cotonel .- Same as the colonel, omitting the eagle.
Major .- Same, with silver lace strap, and the No. of the regiment in gold.
Captains .- Gold epaulettes, bullion quarter of an inch in diameter, 2} inches deep.
Lieutenants .- Same, bullion one eighth of an inch in diameter.
Staff .- Epaulettes according to rank, with aguilettes of gold on the right shoulder for the commissioned, and the same of black and white worsted with gilt tags, on the left shoulder, for the non-commissioned staff.
Non-Commissioned Officers will wear black worsted epaulettes, the bullion white, one eighth of an inch in diameter, and two and a half inches long; those of the Sergeants will have a gilt star in the centre of the crescent.
Members who have served seven years in the corps will wear a chevron of a double stripe of black ferreting on the right arm above the elbow, and an addi- tional chevron for every five years of service thereafter.
In the month of January the Board of Officers made an applica- tion to the Common Council of the city for a stand of colors in place of those destroyed by fire at the residence of Colonel Stevens in Chatham Street. The special committee of the Board of Alder- men, to which the application was referred, reported in February as follows :
Your committee are of the opinion that the soldier-like appearance of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, and the patriotic services rendered to the city authori- ties on various occasions, justly entitle them to the respect of the Common Coun- cil, and therefore offer the following resolution :
Risotred, That the Corporation present a stand of colors to the Twenty-seventh Regiment of New York State Artillery, and that the sum of $450 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated to pay for the same.
Asher Taylor, then a veteran private in the Sixth Company, who had designed the original colors of the Regiment, again pre- pared the necessary designs and drawings, and supervised the em- broidering of the new standards. The work was satisfactorily per- formed at the well-known establishment of Monsieur Paul T.
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NEW STAND OF COLORS.
1835
Garishé, in Broadway, near the old New York Hospital. The new colors are described in Taylor's "Recollections of the Seventh Regiment," as follows :
A Regimental Standard of crimson silk, studded with twenty-four stars,* and with fringe of gold. In the centre, on an ermine mantle, turned up blue, with gold fringe, and borne on lances, A SHIELD, bearing the ARMS of the NATIONAL GUARD, as follows : Quarterly-the First Grand Quarter, pales of thirteen, gules et argent ; on a Chief, azure, twenty - four stars of the second; the arms of the United States of America. The Second Grand Quarter : SEVENTI a Sun rising from behind mountains, with a Sea in the foreground, all proper ; the arms of the State of New York. The Third Grand Quarter: argent, the sails of a windmill, in sal- tire, between two barrels in fess, and two beavers, in pale, all proper; the arms of the City of New York. The Fourth Grand Quarter : gules, two cannons, crossed saltire - wise ; in chief, a Blazing Bomb, all or. The Insignia of Artillery : an Inescutcheon or, bearing the PRO PATRIA ET GLORIA Cypher of the Corps (N. G.), sable.
Coat of Arms, 1835.
CREST : AN AMERICAN EAGLE, displayed, proper.
MOTTO : "PRO PATRIA ET GLORIA," on a gold ribbon beneath the mantle.
STAFF: GILT, surmounted by a Gilt Eagle, with wings extended upwards; trimmed with a rich scarf of red and gold, and massive gold tassels.
A STATE STANDARD of dark blue silk, with gold stars and fringe, and bearing on an Ermine Mantle, turned up red, THE ARMS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, with the CREST and MOTTO "Excelsior "; the flag borne on a rich GILT LANCE, with scarf and tassels.
The above is a technical description and definition of the "arms of the National Guard," as finally established in 1835, and of the colors of the corps as then approved and adopted, and no change has been made in either from that day to this.
* The number of the States in the Union at that time.
1835
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
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The Regiment assembled on the 1st day of June to receive the stand of colors from the Corporation, and line was formed in front of the City Hall. As this was its first appearance in the new and improved uniform, and as the commander- in-chief (Governor Marey) had been in- vited to be present, an immense crowd assembled to witness the ceremonies. The day was uncommonly fair, and the bright and varied uniforms of the officers of the First Division and of the Army and Navy, and the brilliant spring toilets of the many ladies who filled the windows and portico Ree. I. Marcy. of the City Hall, completed a scene most imposing and long to be remembered. A piece of sacred music composed for the occasion, entitled " Consecration of the Banner," was performed by the band before the colors were received in line. The last sen- tence of the eloquent address of Governor Marcy was prophetic of the promptness and patriotism of the Regiment, on many future occasions in its history :
If, in the course of events, it should be necessary to call on the military force to preserve the public peace, or to vindicate our rights or honor, I doubt not this Regiment will be found among the first to obey the call ; and, if the exigency of the service required it, to peril their lives in their country's cause.
Colonel Smith, in behalf of the Regiment, received the colors with appropriate remarks, and the ceremonies were terminated by a review by the commander-in-chief in front of his quarters in Hud- son Square.
The new administration was active in inaugurating measures to improve the Regiment and increase its prosperity. The "Order of Merit," originating with Colonel Smith, was in April introduced to the notice of the Board of Officers, and, although not approved by some of the most conservative members of the board, was in due time adopted. The object of this institution, and the details of its organization, are fully explained in an order, dated September 3 :
STANDING ORDERS.
With a view of establishing an institution in the National Guard for the reward of merit, and to excite a proper feeling of emulation in the discharge of the various
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THE "ORDER OF MERIT."
1835
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duties of the citizen soldier, and to foster a spirit of harmony and good fellowship amongst the members, the "Order of Merit" has been established by the Board of Officers, in the hope that the persons who may hereafter receive its honors will feel that, being distinguished above their associates, it is incumbent upon them to cherish among the members of the Regiment an honorable ambition to excel in the discharge of their various duties, and to excite and encourage a proper " Esprit de Corps "-which has ever been the foundation of all honorable and successful military association-and by all means in their power to maintain an elevated standard of character for themselves, the Regiment, and the service.
The Badge of the Order of Merit shall be a silver cross worn on red ribbon of the three grades-the first to be designated by two gold stars on the ribbon ; the second, one; the third, without stars.
The cross may be conferred on twelve members of the Regiment in each year, immediately after the annual inspection, viz .: In each company one to the person who shall have recruited the greatest numbers of members during the year pre- ceding, and not less than two; if the number shall amount to five, the cross shall be of the first rank; if four, the second ; for a less number, the third rank. To the commandant who shall present the best drilled company at inspection, a cross of the first rank ; to the commandant of the company which shall have received the most recruits during the year, a cross-the rank to be determined by the members of the Order.
As soon as convenient, after the crosses are conferred, the members of the Order of Merit shall proceed to organize a Chapter, and make such by-laws and regulations for the government of the institution as they may think meet, con- forming to this general power; and the Chapter, when so organized, shall have the general power to confer crosses, and, in addition to those before named, on two members of the Regiment in each year, without regard to rank, who shall be most distinguished for their knowledge of the " Art of War," and for their zeal and activity in promoting the interests of the service. The Order shall confer on the person wearing it, when off duty, the honor of a commissioned officer, senti- nels-saluting, &c., &c. Membership shall be perpetual, except rejected by two- thirds of the votes of the members. They shall always wear their crosses with the uniform coats. When spoken of in Regimental or Company Orders, they shall be designated by the letters O. M., for the rank of the Order of Merit. The medals shall be furnished annually by the Field Officers, at their own expense.
By order of MORGAN L. SMITH, Colonel 27th Regiment, National Guard. J. H. BROWER, Adjutant.
The first drill for the Order of Merit, or, as it was commonly called, the " Trial of Skill," took place on the 26th day of October, at the arsenal-yard. Only three companies engaged in the contest, the Fourth, the Seventh, and the Eighth, and they entered the lists with spirit and enthusiasm. Captain Cairns, the veteran and ex- perienced commandant of the Seventh, was the first to sound the note of preparation, and as early as July commenced the instruction
1835
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HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
of his company weekly in the afternoon at Washington Square, and during the month of October it was thoroughly drilled every night except Saturday and Sunday. A notable peculiarity in the appear- ance of the Seventh Company was the short hair of all its members, a desirable military feature introduced by Captain Cairns, and en- forced by his order. The Fourth Company, Captain Charles Roome, labored under the disadvantage of a new and inexperienced commandant, but he was talented, earnest, and indomitable. From the 1st of July the Fourth was drilled weekly in the Park, and for many days preceding the "Trial of Skill" was exercised every afternoon in Washington Square. Considerable surprise was ex- pressed that the Eighth Company should enter the contest at all, for Captain Denison had been for many months absent from the city on furlongh, and the command devolved upon a young lieuten- ant, Shumway, as yet unknown to fame. But those who critically observed the movements of this young officer at the frequent out- door drills of the Eighth Company during the summer and autumn predicted for him a brilliant future, and many prophesied his suc- cess in the coming contest.
At the competitive drill on the 26th day of October at the arsenal-yard, the judges were Brigadier-General Hunt, Colonel Kiersted, and Lieutenant Drum, of the United States Army, in- structor at West Point. Each company was allowed one hour for drill, the competing companies not being admitted as spectators, and it fell to the Fourth to commence the contest. Its performance was excellent, but when at its conclusion Captain Roome was called upon by the judges to exercise his command in some parts of the School of the Company, not usually practiced, a want of preparation was manifest. The Eighth Company, Lieutenant Shumway, was not perfect in the same movements, although its general proficiency and precision were the subject of general commendation. Captain Cairns, of the Seventh, exercised his company with the coolness of a veteran, and when he sheathed his sword at the conclusion of the drill, the brilliant performance of his company and its faultless pre- cision were universally applauded. While the Seventh Company was fully equal to the other companies in every particular, its per- fection in those lessons to which the Fourth and Eighth had not given sufficient attention, decided the contest in its favor, and the judges at onee rendered their decision as follows:
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THE "ORDER OF MERIT."
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ARSENAL YARD, October 26, 1835.
The judges appointed to decide between the several companies competing for the Order of Merit, give the unanimous decision in favor of the Seventh Company commanded by Captain Cairns. They cannot avoid expressing their admiration of the manner in which the three companies drilled. The Seventh Company has arrived at a state of discipline rarely equalled.
SAMUEL J. HUNT, Brigadier-General. H. T. KIERSTED, Colonel 75th Regiment, N. Y. S. Inf. S. H. DRUM, Lieutenant, U. S. Army.
That this decision was entirely just was generally conceded by military critics, and none were more ready to yield the palm to the successful competitor or were more hearty in their congratulations of Captain Cairns than the generous commandants of the Fourth and Eighth Companies.
In regimental orders of November 11th the names of the suc- cessful competitors for the Order of Merit were announced as fol- lows :
Captain CAIRNS, Seventh Company, for the best drilled company.
First grade of the Order of Merit. Lieutenant Commandant SHUMWAY, Eighth Company, for the greatest number of recruits. Grade to be determined by the members of the Order of Merit.
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