USA > New York > History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889 > Part 38
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398
1855
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
ing to his merits, without regard to his politics, religious faith, or nativity.
Regimental drills were held at the City Arsenal in the early part of the year, and at a drill in April the Daughter of the Regiment was again introduced to the officers and members. In the latter part of the year the drills at the City Arsenal were by wing, on ac- count of the increase in the numerical strength of the organization, and since that time no building in the city has been able to afford proper accommodation for the military exercise of more than one half the Regiment. On the 11th of June the Regiment proceeded to East New York for brigade drill ; it paraded with the First Di- vision on the 4th of July and the 25th of November ; and it drilled with the Third Brigade at Tompkins Square, on December 27th.
It having been decided to encamp at Kingston, the Seventh Regiment left New York by steamer for that place at 9 A. M. on Monday, July 9th. At 4 P. M. it reached Wilbur, on Rondout Creek, where a large number of people had assembled for its recep- tion. General Smith, in behalf of the militia and the village of Kingston, expressed to Colonel Duryee the pleasure anticipated from the visit, and tendered to the Regiment the hospitalities of the town and surrounding country. The National Grays of Kings- ton, a company of twenty-five young men, paraded, with fife and drum, as an escort, with a body of mounted citizens. An hour's march, over a fine plank road, brought the Regiment to the camp- ground, over the entrance to which an arch of welcome had been erected. Tents were soon pitched and guard was mounted, and when the shades of evening gathered around that beautiful place the Regiment was comfortably established in Camp Worth. The camp was handsomely situated near the pleasant village of Kings- ton, and was surrounded by charming rural scenery. To the northward extended the fertile meadows which border the Esopus, beyond which, and westwardly, were gradually rising hills, dotted with neat and comfortable farm-houses, while in the distance the blue Catskills sketched their bold outline upon the sky. Upon the south and east the hills shut out from view the broad Hudson with its active commerce, and contributed to the delightful quietness and seclusion of the encampment. At the rear of the camp was a wild ravine through which flowed a stream of the purest water, and forest trees in the vicinity afforded a grateful shade. The camp
!
CAMP WORTH. KINGSTON, N. Y., 1855. (From an old lithograph.)
399
CAMP WORTH.
1855
itself was in a broad, dry meadow, affording an extensive and mag- nificent parade-ground.
Tuesday, July 10th .- The routine of camp duty had been officially promulgated, and was strictly in accordance with the United States Army regulations. In addition to the prescribed duties, some of the more ambitious companies devoted an hour daily to target-practice, and acquired considerable proficiency. As the village hard by afforded few attractions, the members were obliged to provide for their own entertainment, and, with the fertility of genius peculiar to the Regiment in this particular, there was no lack of amusement. The camp was enlivened by the presence of many friends of the members from New York, and the people from the neighboring towns also flocked to Camp Worth to witness the novelties and curiosities of military life. In the evening Noll's Seventh Regiment Band gave a concert at the village hall, which was numerously attended by the citizens of the town and by the members of the Regiment.
Wednesday, July 11th .- The morning battalion drill was in- terrupted by a violent storm, which without warning suddenly burst upon the Regiment while in line, and all were thoroughly drenched before they could reach their tents. In the afternoon the Regiment marched to Kingston village and paraded through the principal street, and was everywhere received with great favor.
Thursday, July 12th .- In the morning the Regiment was re- viewed by Major-General Edmands, of Massachusetts, and in the afternoon it was reviewed and thoroughly inspected by Inspector- . General Bruce, who delivered a brief and eloquent address compli- mentary to the Regiment. A large number of the members of the Regiment paraded in the latter part of the day to receive a detach- ment from New York under Lieutenant Bensel. In the evening the regimental band gave another concert in town, and at a late hour of the night serenaded the principal citizens of the village.
Friday, July 13th .- This being the last day in camp, great preparations were made for the festivities of the afternoon and evening. The sisters, wives, and sweethearts of the members were expected in large numbers, and the young ladies of Kingston and the surrounding country had been invited to the grand ball. A . serious accident in the early part of the day indefinitely postponed the anticipated pleasures. At battalion drill, while the Regiment 27
1855
400
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTII REGIMENT.
was exercising in loading and firing, an unusual excitement was noticed in the crowd of spectators, and it was immediately an- nounced that a woman had been shot. The unfortunate subjects of the accident were the wife and child of Jeremiah Castle, a farmer residing about ten miles from Kingston. The bullet passed through the breast of the mother, and shattered the bone of her left arm near the shoulder, and fractured the skull of the infant in her arms. The sufferers were at once cared for by the regimental surgeon, and, after all possible immediate relief had been afforded, were removed to the hotel in the village. As the woman was directly in front and in range of the muskets of the Second Company, it was at once conjectured that the fatal ball had been fired by one of its members. The company was, therefore, ordered to the front, and every musket and cartridge-box was carefully examined, with- out, however, obtaining any confirmatory evidence. After a long and fruitless examination of the other companies, the Regiment was dismissed. The "New York Herald" of July 14th, in stating the particulars of the sad occurrence, remarked :
It is surmised that the bullet came from the Second Company (Captain Shaler), which was directly opposite Mrs. Castle when she fell. It further appears that the Second Company had been shooting at a target in the morning, and it is sur- inised that a ball-cartridge by some mistake was mixed with the blank cartridges, and in the excitement of loading the difference was not noticed by the person who sped the fatal bullet. The officers state that all the muskets were carefully exam- ined, and they can not understand how the disaster occurred.
The above extraet expresses the opinion which generally pre- vailed, and it was not until a later period that the mystery was privately explained. The Second Company had been firing at a target in the ravine during the morning, and, upon returning to camp, immediately paraded for battalion drill. The muskets were carefully examined, and one that had not been discharged was laid aside for future attention, and another piece substituted. As the company was marching to take its place in line, one of its members arrived in camp from New York, and, in his haste to secure his place in the ranks, seized the loaded musket, and joined his com- rades. The musket which had failed in target-firing was discharged with fatal effect.
Camp Worth was shrouded in gloom. Large numbers of people arrived during the day from the surrounding country and from New York, and were greatly disappointed at the suspension of all
401
1855
THE ACCIDENT AT CAMP WORTH.
amusements. The elements also frowned upon the Regiment, for the afternoon parade was interrupted by a tremendous thunder- storm, which sent soldiers and citizens and ladies and children flying to the tents. In the evening the camp was illuminated, a few fire- works were exhibited, and the band performed in the mess-tent, which was to have been the ball-room.
Saturday, July 14th .- The Kingston National Grays escorted the Regiment to Rondout, and it reached New York in the after- noon, and was received by the Seventy-first Regiment. Apart from the unfortunate circumstances already referred to, Camp Worth was one of the most successful encampments of the Seventh Regiment. The location was admirable, the discipline excellent, the military duties and exercises accurately and cheerfully per- formed, and the greatest harmony prevailed. The attendance was larger than at any previous encampment of the Regiment, the total number present being three hundred and eighty-three.
The child of Mr. Castle which was wounded at Camp Worth died on the 17th of July. The expenses of the funeral were paid by the Regiment, and an appropriate monument was erected over the grave ; and no effort was spared to secure the comfort and the recovery of the mother. Surgeon Cheeseman remained at Kingston for some time in professional attendance upon the wounded woman, and, as soon as it was possible, she was removed to New York, where she was under his constant care, and had the best medical and surgical advice and attendance. Her recovery was rapid, and early in the autumn she returned convalescent to her home. Before leaving Camp Worth nearly fifteen hundred dollars was raised in the Regiment for the relief and benefit of Mrs. Castle, and this lib- erality seemed to be appreciated by the unfortunate woman and her husband ; but mischievous counselors and advisers were busy, and prevailed upon them to claim large damages. A reasonable amount to be paid by the Regiment, in addition to all expenses, was finally agreed upon ; but when the regimental committee vis- ited Kingston in November to close the matter, the agreement was repudiated, the sum was declined, and amicable negotiations termi- nated.
During the year 1855 a new corps of drummers was engaged, and became an important part of the regimental organization. At the suggestion of Keifer, the accomplished drum-major, the several
402
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1855
companies in the early part of the year voted to uniform two drum- mers each, one to be paid for services as heretofore, and the other to be an enlisted man, to serve without pay. The drum corps of the Regiment thenceforth numbered sixteen men, and, with its new and handsome uniform and with regular musical instruction, it became an attractive feature of regimental parades. The necessity of a corps of drummers to relieve the band during a lengthy march had for a long time been fully realized by the officers and members of the Regiment.
The annual inspection took place on the 18th day of October, at Hamilton Square, with the following result :
Present.
Present.
Field and Staff.
9 [ Fourth Company.
42
Non Com. Staff
12 Fifth
39
Band ..
36
Sixth
78
Drum Corps
16
Seventh
66
59
First Company.
37
Eighth 66
77
Second
64
Troop.
46
Third .6
69 ! Engineers
10
Total present, 594.
The percussion caps had heretofore been carried in a small side- pocket of the coat of each soldier. In January, 1855, leather cap- pouches to be worn on the body-belt were introduced and adopted, and the cap-pouch continued to be a part of the equipment of the Regiment until the introduction of breech-loading rifles. In June Colonel Duryee asked to be relieved of the guardianship of Miss Divver, the Daughter of the Regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Lefferts, and Captains Shumway and Nevers were appointed a committee to take charge of her education and maintenance. In November, the several companies of the Regiment contributed liberally to the fund for the relief of the widows and orphans and sufferers from the yellow-fever epidemic at Norfolk and Ports- mouth. The resignation of Captain Pressinger, of the First Com- pany, was accepted in December. The expenses of the Regiment for the year amounted to twenty-three hundred dollars, being nearly double the expenditures in 1853 and 1854.
403
NEW FATIGUE CAP.
1856
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIXTH.
1856.
IN January the officers of the Regiment adopted a blue fatigue- cap of the French chasseur pattern, and the companies adopted a gray fatigue-cap, which were described in the Bill of Dress as follows :
For Commissioned Officers .- Dark blue cloth; sunken tip, four and three- quarter inches in diameter ; height at back, six inches, and two inches in front ; black silk braid around band and up-quarters ; plain double japanned solid leather visor, without binding, one and three-eighths inches in depth ; elastic chin-strap and N. G. buttons at sides ; in the front and centre of head-band, a figure "7" embroidered in silver, encircled in a laurel wreath, two and one-quarter inches high, embroidered in gold.
For Privates and Non-commissioned Officers .- Gray cloth body with black cloth band ; sunken tip, four and three-quarter inches in diameter ; height at back, six inches, including band, and two inches in front; black worsted braid round band, tip, and up-quarters; plain, double jappaned, solid leather visor, without binding, one and three-eighth inches in depth; elastic chin-strap and N. G. but- tons at side ; three-quarters of an inch gilt figure 7 in front ; silk glaze cover with button-holes.
In January the Common Council adopted a resolution request- ing the Legislature of the State to authorize the issuing of city bonds to an amount sufficient to rebuild Tompkins Market. A committee of the officers of the Seventh Regiment at once proceed- ed to Albany to urge the passage of the necessary act, and in due time their efforts were crowned with success. In December the Common Council awarded the building contract, and with the close of the year there was great rejoicing in the Seventh Regiment over the bright prospect for a new regimental armory. The several companies at once commenced raising money, by monthly assess- ments upon their members, for the purpose of properly fitting up and furnishing their rooms in an armory the foundation of which had not yet been laid.
In January Mrs. Castle commenced an action against Colonel
1856
404
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Duryee for damages for injuries received at Camp Worth in July, 1855. The Board of Officers immediately instructed the colonel to make a vigorous defense, and pledged the faith of the Regiment to pay all expenses. General Sandford was engaged as attorney and counsel, and all were confident that the result would be favor- able to the Regiment. Public opinion in New York encouraged resistance to what seemed to be an attempt to extort money from the regimental purse, and the newspapers and people of Kingston loudly denounced Mr. and Mrs. Castle as greedy, mercenary, and ungrateful, and their attorney as a contemptible country pettifog- ger. That the mysteries of the law are inscrutable, and that its uncertainties are wonderful beyond measure, were fully demon- strated to the officers of the Seventh Regiment before the termina- tion of the famous case of Castle vs. Duryee.
The office of major of the Regiment had now been vacant for more than four years. Among the many able captains at this period there were no aspirants for promotion, nor was there any disposition to confer the honor upon any one not prominently con- nected with the Regiment by long and faithful service. At a meeting of the Board of Officers in April, Captain Shaler, of the Second Company, was unanimously nominated for major, but de- clined the position, and in May Edgar M. Crawford, formerly a lieutenant of considerable distinction in the Third Company, was elected to the vacant office.
The Regiment proceeded to East New York in May for bat- talion drill, and it drilled with the Third Brigade at Hamilton Square in June and in November. The usual spring parade oc- curred in May, and a parade by moonlight took place in September, line forming in Lafayette Place. The Regiment paraded with the First Division on November 25th, and the troops were reviewed in Fourteenth Street by Governor Clark.
The 4th of July was distinguished by the inauguration of the Washington equestrian statue in Union Square, for which New York was indebted to the munificence of a few wealthy and patri- otic citizens. The Seventh and Twelfth Regiments and the Eighth Regiment Troop were detailed from the First Division to partici- pate in the ceremonies of the inauguration, and formed a square surrounding the statue. A multitude of people had assembled to witness the proceedings, and, when the statue was unveiled and the
1856
405
COMPANY ANNIVERSARIES.
military presented arms, the shouts and cheers and the waving of hats and handkerchiefs were evidence of the general enthusiasm. General Hall, who was in command of the troops, so overflowed with patriotic emotion that he improvised an order before unknown to military tactics, though creditable to his patriotism, and shouted in stentorian tones, "Three times three cheers for our illustrious Washington !" An oration was delivered by Rev. Dr. Bethune, and at the conclusion the First Division, which had meantime formed in Fourteenth Street, marched around the statue, and then proceeded down Broadway for review by the mayor and Common Council at the City Hall.
The era of target-excursions had passed away; soirées or balls had maintained for a brief period a moderate popularity ; and now the custom of celebrating the anniversaries of the organization of com- panies, by excursion, dinner, or parade, was successfully introduced. The Fourth Company celebrated its fiftieth anniversary on the 25th of June, and dined at the Broadway House, in honor of the day ; the Second Company, on the 19th day of September, by an excur- sion to New Rochelle and a dinner at the Neptune House ; and the Fifth Company, by an excursion to Flushing on the 11th day of August.
An unfortunate mania, peculiar to the adolescent and inexperi- enced, has from time to time afflicted, with more or less violence, a few of the young men of the Seventh. It is developed whenever any of the newspapers of the city unfavorably notice the Regiment, or criticise its military character, its drills and parades, or any of its public movements. Then it is that this peculiar madness seizes upon the neophytes, and nothing but the immediate and rapid use of pen and ink will relieve the peculiar symptoms. Replies to the offensive articles are dispatched forthwith to the offending news- papers, signed " A Member of the Seventh," or with some title or phrase equally significant, gallantly defending the Regiment against the assaults of the professional knights of the quill. The folly of replying to any unfavorable or disparaging comments of the press upon an organization holding so prominent a position as the Seventh Regiment would appear to be self-evident, and for any individual to directly or indirectly assume to speak for the organi- zation in this anonymous manner would seem to be the extreme of thoughtlessness. So aggravating had this nuisance become that
.
406
1856
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
the Board of Officers adopted, on June 7, 1856, the following resolution upon the subject, which was published in regimental orders :
Resolved, That this Board most decidedly condemns the practice on the part of any member of this Regiment of replying to, or commenting upon, any pub- lication in relation to the Regiment which may appear in the publie prints. Communications signed " an officer," or " a private," or in any manner identifying the writer with the Regiment-although published as the opinion of an individ- ual-do, nevertheless, compromise the entire corps to a greater or less degree, besides keeping the Regiment before the publie in an ostentatious manner, ill-befitting the modest and soldierly discharge of duty, which has, and always should, charae- terize it ; and every member who has at heart a due regard for its reputation and welfare as a military body will recognize the impropriety complained of and ab- stain therefrom.
But neither resolution nor regimental orders could entirely cure the mania for newspaper scribbling, for in 1858 it was necessary to republish the above resolution ; and on many occasions since, anony- mous effusions, purporting to emanate directly or indirectly from the Regiment, have been a source of annoyance to its officers and members.
The National Grays of Kingston arrived in New York on Octo- ber 16th, and were received by the Seventh Company, and escorted to the International Hotel. The annual inspection of the Regiment took place in the afternoon, and the National Grays were present ; and in the evening they attended Wallack's Theatre with the Sev- enth Company, and were entertained at its armory. On Friday they were the guests of the Fourth Company, and the two compa- nies made a parade through Broadway and other streets of the city, and in the evening they dined with the Eighth Company at Del- monico's, and the two companies visited Burton's Theatre in Cham- bers Street. On Saturday, October 18th, they were escorted by the Fifth Company to the City Hall Park, where they were re- viewed by Mayor Wood ; after which they were entertained at the Florence Hotel, and in the evening left New York. The National Grays of Kingston numbered about forty men, and were a fine company of provincial soldiers. At Camp Worth, in 1855, they had placed the Seventh Regiment under great obligation by their modest but hospitable attentions, and no effort was spared to make their visit to New York agreeable and pleasant.
The annual inspection took place at Washington Parade-Ground
1856
INCREASING PROSPERITY.
407
October 16th, and the Regiment was reviewed by Governor Clark. The following was the result of the inspection :
Present.
Present.
Field and Staff.
9 Fifth .6
55
Non Com. Staff.
12
Sixth Company
81
Band
37
Seventh
61
First Company
35
Eighth
101
Second
80
Troop.
39
Third
89
Engineers.
11
Fourth
49
Total present, 659.
At no period in its previous history had the Regiment paraded so large a number of men for inspection, and the Eighth Company numbered over one hundred men. The ranks of the Regiment were swollen by the presence, in all the companies, of a consider- able number of exempt members, who paraded rarely, except at the annual muster, and the inspection returns exhibit a fictitious strength in this and the following years. There were no muster- rolls at this period, the men were simply counted, and no questions were asked.
Discord had for a long time reigned supreme in the First Com- pany, and the war of its factions threatened its existence. The troubles culminated in April, when twenty members withdrew from its ranks and applied for admission to the Fifth Company. But that company refused to receive any who had in 1853 seceded from its ranks and joined the First Company, and only fourteen of the twenty applicants were admitted. With this grand stampede the long-pending difficulties of the First Company terminated : Lieu- tenant William P. Bensel, an able and ambitious officer, was elected captain, and the company was thenceforth harmonious and pros- perous.
The Eighth Company paraded on the 24th of April with the City Guard, as funeral escort to the remains of its distinguished commandant, Captain McArdle. It also celebrated the Shumway anniversary by an excursion to Glen Cove on July 17th, and received various hospitable attentions from the great comedian, William E. Burton, who at the time resided in that village. During the year the First and Seventh Companies removed to No. 600 Broadway, where they obtained moderately respectable accommodations for drills and meetings. The Second and Fourth Companies remained
408
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1856
at the Broadway House ; the Fifth Company and the Troop at the Mercer House; and the Third, Sixth, and Eighth Companies at Lafayette Hall.
A novel and useful military innovation was the appointment by the colonel of a lance or color corporal in cach company, to constitute a permanent color-gnard at regimental drills and parades. A committee was appointed by the Board of Officers to obtain new and suitable designs for certificates of membership and of discharge, to which were subsequently added committees from the several companies. Many beautiful designs were secured. During the following years they were often submitted to the several companies for their action, and the whole subject was as thoroughly canvassed and discussed as if the fate of the Regiment depended upon the result, until the matter finally became absolutely stale and tiresome, and, by common consent, was abandoned.
The only change in company commandants during the year was caused by the resignation of Captain Watts, of the Troop, and Alexander Lytle was elected to fill the vacancy. Captain Lewis H. Watts served as an officer of the Troop with great distinction for nearly ten years. He was an active, energetic, and intelligent offi- cer, popular with his command and universally respected.
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