USA > New York > History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889 > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
The number of sergeants, including the orderly or first sergeant, had been heretofore limited to four. As the Regiment had become practically a light-infantry regiment, it was entitled to five ser- geants ; and during the year 1860 the several companies, pursuant to regimental orders, elected a fifth sergeant. 31
464
1860
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Several of the companies of the Regiment had adopted, previ- ous to this date, coats-of-arms, which appeared at the head of com- pany orders and other official papers. The window-shades in the large drill-room in the new armory were to be ornamented with the shields of the several States of the Union, and ten of these shades were reserved for the coats-of-arms of the several companies of the Regiment. The attention of those companies which had not already adopted proper designs was therefore directed to the sub- ject, and, after due research in antique and musty heraldic volumes, they established coats-of-arms with martial mottoes, which were forthwith displayed upon canvas in the armory of the Regiment.
The great excitement attending the presidential election of 1860 made it necessary as a precautionary measure that the arms and armory of the Regiment should be guarded on the 6th day of No- vember. The Fourth Company was on duty during the forenoon of election-day, and the Eighth Company in the afternoon and evening.
The battalion or wing drills of the Regiment in the new armory took place in November, and these drills were continued monthly during the winter. In June the Board of Officers authorized the commandant to appoint a military secretary with the rank of second lieutenant, and this office continued to be recognized in the Regi- ment, without authority of law, until all supernumerary staff-officers were dispensed with in 1863. In September the "manual of arms" used by the Regiment, and adapted to its arms and drill, was pub- lished, after careful revision, and promulgated in orders.
The receipts of the regimental fund for 1860 (exclusive of assess- ments for excursion to Washington and Camp Scott) were $4,279.72, and the disbursements were $5,398.81. This deficiency, and the large deficiency from Camp Scott and other indebtedness of the Regiment, were a source of considerable embarrassment at this period.
The Regiment at the close of the year 1860 was on the flood- tide of prosperity. Strong in numbers, full of spirits and enthusi- asm, and safely intrenched in its new and splendid armory, its future was bright and cloudless. The threatening condition of the political affairs of the country only added to its strength and power, for it brought the most intelligent and patriotic young men of the city to its ranks. But great events, destined to materially influence its fortunes, were hastening to a crisis, and the year 1861 was to be memorable in its history.
465
THE NEW ARMORY OPEN.
1861
CHAPTER FORTY-FIRST.
1861.
THE Tompkins Market Armory was opened to the public on the 9th and 10th days of January, and citizens generally were in- vited to visit the building. Although the weather was extremely cold and stormy, with a deep snow upon the ground, the armory was constantly thronged by ladies and gentlemen. During the evenings the Seventh Regiment Band was in attendance, and ad- mission was by tickets, which were distributed by the officers and members to their immediate friends and acquaintances. The ele- gance of the several rooms was universally admired, the accommo- dations for military purposes were noticed with favor, and the offi- cers and members of the Regiment were congratulated upon pos- sessing the finest armory of any volunteer organization in the world. In January the Board of Officers petitioned the Common Council for the use of the basement, which was speedily granted, and the colonel was empowered to fit up the same for the drills of recruits and for firing with blank and ball cartridge. During the latter part of the year the basement was in a condition to be used for drills; but no arrangements were made for target-firing. The expense to the Regiment of the improvements was twenty-five hundred dollars.
On the 12th day of January a concert was given by the Seventh Regiment Band in the Academy of Music under the patronage and management of the officers and members of the Regiment. The attendance was large and fashionable, and the receipts exceeded the expenses over two thousand dollars. In addition to the regimental band, the services of Theodore Thomas, as conductor of the orches- tra, and of several famous vocalists, were secured for the occa- sion .- In January it was announced that the General Term of the Supreme Court had affirmed the verdict in the case of Castle vs. Duryee for injuries at Camp Worth in 1855, and that the amount
1861
466
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
of the same with costs had reached the sum of two thousand and sixty-eight dollars. The Board unanimously voted that the case should be carried to the Court of Appeals .- In February Licuten- ant-Colonel Pond proposed the organization of a " Young National Guard Battalion," to be composed of youths between the ages of cleven and eighteen years. It was claimed that such an organiza- tion would be a source of great strength to the Regiment, as it would secure as members nearly all the young men who had been instructed during their minority, and who at the age of eighteen could enter its ranks thoroughly drilled and disciplined. The excit- ing events of the year prevented any serious consideration of the subject.
The First Division paraded on February 22d, and formed in Fourteenth Street. After a review by Governor Morgan the troops marched down Broadway and passed in review at the City Hall. The Seventh Regiment then proceeded to its armory, and was formed in close column in the large drill-room. From the balcony Colonel Lefferts delivered an eloquent and patriotic address, closing with the recommendation that the 22d day of February be adopted as the anniversary-day of the Regiment, and be hereafter duly cele- brated. The recommendation was adopted by acclamation. Prayer by Chaplain Weston followed, and the ceremonies concluded with " Hail Columbia" by the band. The colonel waved the American flag from the balcony ; the music of the band was drowned by the cheers of the men, and the Regiment was dismissed amid a whirl- wind of excitement and enthusiasm. The political troubles of the country had been for months a subject of great anxiety and grave discussion among the members of the Regiment, and this was the only occasion previous to the commencement of hostilities that the Seventh Regiment, as an organization, had an opportunity of pub- licly manifesting its interest in the great events of the day, and its patriotic devotion to the Union.
On the 22d day of February the Seventh Regiment was pre- sented with a valuable portrait of Washington. It was a copy, by Rembrandt Peale, of his original portrait of the Father of his Country, and had been sent by the heirs of the distinguished artist to the armory, and offered for sale. Although the price was much less than its real value, the officers were obliged, on account of the large indebtedness of the Regiment, to reluctantly decline to pur-
467
ELECTION OF LINCOLN.
1861
chase it. Four distinguished citizens of New York, well known to the public as first and foremost in everything benevolent, public- spirited, and patriotic, in a manner delicate as the gift was munifi- cent presented the painting to the Regiment :
EDWARD MINTURN, ISAAC BELL, JR., MOSES H. GRINNELL, GEORGE F. TALLMAN.
The election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United States in November, 1860, afforded Southern politicians a pretext for a bold and desperate attempt to establish a Southern confederacy. Having been sup- ported almost exclusively by electors of the Northern States, it was claimed that Mr. Lincoln was a sectional candidate ; and, although Congress unanimously adopted a resolution that the General Government had no right to interfere with slavery in any State, and although both Houses of Congress would be politically opposed to the in- coming Administration, it was urged that the peculiar institu- tion of the South was in im- minent danger. Artful dema- gogues appealed to the passions and prejudices of the people ; the State-rights doctrine of John C. Calhoun was revived and boldly advocated, and the whole South was in a blaze of excitement. James Buchanan, the President of the United States, surrounded by a Cabinet and by political advisers the majority of whom proved to be in league with the advocates of secession, failed to use the power with which a confiding people had intrusted him, and allowed the ship of state to drift into the politi- cal breakers. Patriots trembled for the safety of the republic, and sought in vain to quiet the storm ; statesmen could not solve the great political problem, and pacific measures were rejected by the hostile parties. South Carolina was the first State to adopt an act of secession, and her example was quickly followed by the
468
1861
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Gulf States. Mob law and violence supplanted reason and argu- ment, and silenced all opposition to the mad measures of the revo- lutionists. Before the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, on the 4th of March, 1861, seven States had solemnly renounced allegiance to the General Government, and withdrawn their representatives from the national Congress. Simultaneously with the acts of secession the forts, arsenals, and other United States property within the seceding States were seized and occupied by the secessionists. Fort Sumter, at Charleston, Fort Pickens, at Pensacola, and the forts at the Florida Keys alone remained in possession of the United States Government, and active measures were in progress to capture those strongholds.
The officers and members of the Seventh Regiment were not uninterested observers of the momentous political movements throughout the land, but wisely kept their own counsels. As early as the 14th of January, 1861, the following resolution, introduced by Major Shaler, was adopted by the Board of Officers :
Resolved, Should the exigency arise, we feel confidence in having the comman- dant express to the Governor of the State, the desire of this Regiment to perform such duty as he may prescribe.
This action was at once communicated to Lieutenant-General Scott, at Washington, and the following is an extract from his reply to General Sandford, dated January 19, 1861 :
Perhaps no regiment or company can be bronght here from a distance without producing hurtful jealousies in this vicinity. If there be an exception it is the Seventh Regiment of the city of New York, which has become somewhat national, and is held deservedly in the highest respect.
On the 8th of February the field-officers and commandants of companies were privately called together by General Sandford, and were informed that Governor Morgan had been notified that he would probably be called upon for eight hundred militia to repair to Washington, and to be present at the Capitol on the 13th of February, when the electoral vote would be counted, and when a serious disturbance was anticipated. There was perfect unanimity as to the duty of responding to any call of the State or national authorities, and implicit confidenee was expressed that the men would sustain their officers in any measures which might be adopted for the protection and preservation of the General Government. The officers were called together on the the 10th of February to
469
THE FALL OF FORT SUMTER.
1861
receive the orders for the Regiment to proceed to Washington. Circumstances, however, had rendered the call for its services at that time unnecessary, which fact was announced to the Board of Officers in the following note from General Sandford :
No. 312 WEST 22D STREET. NEW YORK, February 10, 1861.
MY DEAR COLONEL : I am happy to inform you that there will be no immediate occasion for our services.
Be pleased to return my thanks to your officers for their attendance, and con- tinue the injunction of silence.
Col. MARSHALL LEFFERTS, 7th Reg't.
I am Very Truly Your Ob'dt Serv'nt, CHARLES W. SANDFORD.
The fact that preparations had been made to send the Seventh Regiment to Washington in February did not at that time become public ..
The fall of Fort Sumter, on the 12th of April, 1861, inaugu- rated a long and bloody war, revealed the desperate designs of the Southern politicians, united the people of the North in the defense of the Union, and aroused the latent patriotism of the country. It obliterated in an hour the political divisions upon which the secessionists relied for immediate success, and caused an intense excitement in every city, town, and hamlet in the North. In New York the streets were crowded with excited citizens ; bulletins were surround- ed by anxious news-seekers ; and hourly reports from Charleston of the progress of the bombardment circulated with lightning speed through the town. When at last it was known that the gallant Major Anderson had been compelled to lower the flag of the country to the assailants, the mortification and indignation which prevailed can not be described. On Monday, April 15th, appeared the President's proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand troops to retake and hold the forts and protect the property of the Government.
Upon the appearance of the proclamation of the President, Colonel Lefferts immediately communicated to Governor Morgan
470
1861
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
the patriotic action of the Board of Officers, and in behalf of the Regiment tendered its services. At a meeting of the Board of Officers, held April 16th, at which forty officers were present, it was announced that the President had requested Governor Morgan to send eight hundred men to Washington for immediate service, and that General Scott had specially requested that the Seventh Regiment be detailed for that purpose, and the following resolu- tion was unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the Colonel be requested to notify the Major-General that this Regiment responds to the call of the country as made by the President through the Governor of the State, and that the Regiment is ready to march forthwith.
General Sandford, having been duly notified of the action of the officers, both telegraphed and wrote to General Scott that "the Seventh Regiment was ready and waiting orders to proceed to Washington." When it became known that the Seventh Regi- ment had volunteered to march to the relief and defense of the national capital, the hearts of patriotic men throughout the country, which had been almost paralyzed by the astonishing events of the day, were inspired with hope, faith, and gratitude. Representing the wealth and intelligence of the metropolis, the prompt and patriotic devotion of the young men of the Seventh was hailed as a token that the North would not fail to shed its best blood in de- fense of the Union. On Wednesday, the 17th, the merchants of New York met in the Chamber of Commerce, to consult upon the threatening position of public affairs, and the sum of six thousand one hundred and forty dollars was subscribed "for the equipment of the Seventh Regiment for active service." Edward Minturn, a wealthy and public-spirited merchant was most active in securing this liberal subscription, and among the subscribers were the fol- lowing distinguished citizens : Moses H. Grinnell, Le Grand B. Cannon, Royal Phelps, R. M. Blatchford, Thomas Addis Emmet, A. C. Gray, W. B. Duncan, Phelps, Dodge & Co., Charles H. Russell, Edward Minturn, S. B. Chittenden, Moses Taylor, William M. Evarts, Stewart Brown, Henry Chauncey, James S. Wadsworth, August Belmont, George Griswold, P. S. Forbes, John A. Stevens, W. W. De Forest, James Gallatin, Isaac Bell, Hamilton Fish, Robert B. Minturn, George W. Blunt, William Curtis Noyes, Sheppard Knapp, Levi P. Morton, Charles H. Marshall, A. V. Stout, J. F. D. Lanier, and many others.
471
THE REGIMENT ORDERED TO MARCH.
1861
Orders were hourly expected from Washington on Wednesday, April 17th, and the men were already actively engaged in making preparations for their departure. The left-wing drill of the Regi- ment, in the evening, was witnessed by a large number of its friends and admirers, and soon after its conclusion General Sand- ford arrived at the armory, and announced to the Board of Officers that the Seventh Regiment was honored by being the first called into the service of the country. The time of leaving New York for Washington was a subject of considerable discussion, but it was decided that the Regiment would take a much larger number of its members if its departure was delayed until Friday, the 19th, and the division order was issued accordingly. It was a most unfortu- nate decision, as subsequent events proved ; for had the Seventh Regiment left New York on the 18th of April, it would have had the opportunity of teaching the Baltimore mob a lesson that it would have long remembered in sorrow, and would have won for itself those high honors which the Sixth Massachusetts Militia secured and nobly earned in the Lexington of the Great Rebellion. In reply to a question as to how long the Regiment would be de- tained at Washington, General Sandford stated that the time would probably be from two to four weeks, and that it would certainly be relieved within that period by other troops, to be enlisted especially for the' United States service. The following orders were at once published and circulated among the members of the Regiment :
HEAD QUARTERS, STATE OF NEW YORK, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, ALBANY, April 17, 1861.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 43.
In pursuance of a requisition from the President of the United States, Major- General Sandford is hereby directed to detail one regiment of 800 men, or two regiments amounting to the same number, for immediate service, to be reported forthwith to the President of the United States. to serve until relieved by other regiments, or by a regiment or regiments of Volunteer Militia, to be organized under an Act of the Legislature of the State, passed April 16, 1861.
By order of the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF : J. MEREDITH READ, JR., Adjutant-General.
HEAD QUARTERS, FIRST DIVISION, N. Y. S. M. NEW YORK, April 17, 1861.
SPECIAL ORDER No. 8.
In pursuance of General Order No. 43, from General Head Quarters, the Sev- enth Regiment, N. Y. S. M., under command of Colonel Lefferts, is hereby detailed for immediate service at the National Capital. Colonel Lefferts will order his
472
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
1861
Regiment to assemble at its armory on Friday, at 3 P. M., armed and equipped for embarkation, each man supplied with provisions for twenty-four hours. Colonel Lefferts will, upon his arrival at Washington, report to General Scott.
The Major-General congratulates the Seventh Regiment upon being the first corps detailed from this State, in response to the call of the constituted authori- ties, to support the Constitution and to vindicate the honor of that glorious flag which was consecrated by the blood of our fathers.
By order of CHARLES W. SANDFORD, Major-General Commanding. .
-
HEAD QUARTERS, SEVENTII REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M. NEW YORK, April 18, 1861.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 5.
In compliance with orders from his Excellency the Governor, and Division Orders, this Regiment will assemble at Head Quarters on Friday, 19th inst., at 3 o'clock P. M., in full fatigue, and overcoat and knapsack, to embark for Waslı- ington.
The men will each take one blanket, to be rolled on top of knapsack ; suitable underclothing, one extra pair of boots (shoes are better), knife, fork, spoon, tin cup, and plate. The men will provide themselves with one day's ration.
There will be allowed three servants to each company, who must report to the Quartermaster at 12 M., and receive their "pass." Each officer will be allowed one small trunk, which must be distinctly marked, and left at the armory before 12 M., 19th inst.
By order of COLONEL MARSHALL LEFFERTS : J. H. LIEBENAU, Adjutant.
At a late hour of the night of April 17th it was announced by the colonel to those present that the Regiment would march on the 19th, and the intelligence was received with the wildest delight. On the morning of the 18th a regimental mass-meeting was held at the armory, and was one of the grandest exhibitions of patriotism and enthusiasm of that patriotic and enthusiastic period. The excite- ment was intense ; the speeches of the colonel and other officers were received with tremendous applause ; the response to the call of the President was hearty and unanimous; and, when the meeting ad- journed, all hastened away to arrange business and domestic affairs for the month's absence. The excitement was now spreading like wild-fire. Other militia regiments were aroused; regiments of volunteers were being organized ; committees of various kinds were hard at work in the good cause; and as the business of the city was almost entirely suspended, the whole population seemed crazy upon the all-absorbing topic of the day. The arrival of Major Anderson from Charleston, and of the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment en route to Washington, were events which added fuel to the flame already burning in every patriotic bosom.
473
1861
DEPARTURE OF THE REGIMENT.
The 19th of April, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, was one of the fairest days of spring, and throughout the forenoon the Seventh Regiment Armory presented a busy, bustling scene, and resounded with the notes of active preparation for departure. About noon the members in uniform began to arrive in large num- bers, many in carriages with their wives, mothers, or sisters, and all in the gayest good-humor. Each new arrival was greeted with familiar salutations from friends and acquaintances, or cheers from the crowd that now filled the halls of the armory and the adjacent streets. At length the throng became so dense that it was neces- sary for the police to clear the building, and to open a passage-way in the street by which the members and their immediate friends might obtain admittance. Hundreds of young men begged and prayed to be admitted to the ranks of the Regiment, and to accom- pany it on its patriotic mission, but a few only could be accepted. Generous offers of pecuniary aid poured in upon the Regiment to the last moment, and messages of encouragement, in poetry and prose, were received from every quarter. At length the appointed hour arrived, the command was given to fall in, and the members, bidding a hasty adieu to the friends and relatives who had affec- tionately lingered until the last moment, took their places in the ranks as soldiers of the republic. The Regiment formed in La- fayette Place at 4 P. M., but the street was so densely crowded with spectators that all ceremony was necessarily dispensed with, and, wheeling into column, it proceeded down Broadway. A truly graphic and faithful description of that grand ovation to the Sev- enth Regiment in Broadway, on the 19th of April, 1861, has never been and never can be written. Broadway, on many public occa- sions, as on this, has been gay with banners and crowded from curbstone to attic, but on no other occasion has the excitement been so intense, so sublime, and almost terrific. New York was certainly raving mad with excitement. The ladies laughed, smiled, sighed, sobbed, and wept; their waving handkerchiefs were like an im- mense white banner, and from windows and house-tops they show- ered upon the departing soldiers bouquets, billet-doux, and every imaginable token of favor. Men cheered and shouted as never men cheered and shouted before ; they rushed madly into the ranks to shake indiscriminately the hand of friend or stranger; they filled the pockets of the soldiers with tobacco, cigars, wine, matches,
.
474
1861
HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
knives, and every other imaginable article, and with blessings, flat- tering imprecations, prayers, and oaths cheered them on their way. At many points Broadway was so densely crowded that the Regi- ment was obliged to force its way through the struggling mass of men, which surged in upon the column at every step, and threat- ened to destroy the order of the march. From the balcony of the store of Ball, Black, & Co., corner of Prince Street, Major An- derson, the first hero of the war, reviewed the Regiment. The week since the fall of Sumter had converted Broadway into a street of banners, and the national colors floated from innumerable win- dows and house-tops. Patriotic mottoes adorned the principal build- ings, among which were the following :
Trust in God, and keep your Powder Dry. Remember Lexington and Concord. Jeff Davis, Jeff Davis, beware of the day When the Seventh shall meet thee in battle array. 1775 -1861. The National Seventh is for the Union.
The gallant Fitz-James O'Brien, a private in the ranks of the Regi- ment, in his famous description of the march of the Seventh, wrote :
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.