USA > New York > History of the Tenth regiment of cavalry New York state volunteers, August, 1861, to August, 1865, pt 1 > Part 31
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* Personal Memoirs of P. II. Sheridan, vol. ii, p. 210.
1865
264
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
in waiting with flowers, with which they strewed the streets and be- decked the officers and men. . One little miss threw a large wreath over the neck of General Avery's horse. General Custer's division presented a striking appearance, every man wearing a red neck-scarf with long, flowing ends. The column passed through the solid mass of people, and when about Twentieth Street the brigade crossed to H Street, and thence back to camp, which was reached about 4 P. M.
Many of the men obtained passes to go to the city the next day, the 24th, and view the grand parade of General Sherman's army.
Camp was moved about a mile north of Bladensburg on the 25th, and four days later the Regiment marched to Cloud's Mills and en- camped.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sceva joined the Regiment and took command on the 31st, and Captain Farnsworth and Lieutenant Davis came on the following day.
Colonel Avery, who had been appointed a brigadier-general of volunteers by brevet, on the 2d-of June, received his commission at Cloud's Mills, on the 6th. -
By Special Order, No. 22, Headquarters Cavalry Corps, dated June 15, 1865, brevet Major-General Henry E. Davies, Jr., was relieved from duty with the Cavalry Corps, at his own request. General Crook took occasion to express himself as follows on the retirement of Gen- eral Davies :
The Major-General commanding, in parting with General Davies, can not refrain from expressing his high appreciation of the faithful and valuable service he has rendered to his country. 4
In camp and in field his troops have always been ready for duty and reliable. His brilliant charges at Jetersville and Sailor's Creek will always be remembered as some of the most important contributions toward the destruction of the enemy's army.
General Davies had been identified with the Cavalry Corps from its organization. His brilliant services in the Second Division of Cavalry had done much toward establishing a reputation for it, of which every member took a just pride.
By an order from the War Department, dated June 17, 1865, the Tenth and Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry Regiments were to be consolidated, under the designation of the First Provisional Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry.
Under this order the transfer took place from June 20th to the 24th, the official report of Lieutenant-Colonel B. F. Sceva, command- ing the consolidated Regiment, bearing date June 20th. The transfer
,
265
FIRST PROVISIONAL NEW YORK CAVALRY.
1865
rolls of the two regiments bear date July 10th, which was probably the date of the completion of the rolls. The several dates, no doubt, cover the time of the actual transfer.
The history of the Tenth New York Cavalry properly ends with its being merged in the First Provisional New York Cavalry.
The official report of Lieutenant-Colonel Sceva, of the latter Regi- ment, is given, as follows :
Report of the First Provisional New York Cavalry.
Aggregate strength present
. 1,216
sick
26
Effective strength present
. 1,190
absent.
659
Original muster of eight companies Tenth New York Cavalry, November 25, 1861.
Remuster
December 31, 1863.
Original muster of four Remuster 66 66 Never.
Original muster of Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry, January 26, 1864.
Remuster, Never. June 20, 1865.
Date of consolidation,
Respectfully submitted. B. F. SCEVA,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Regiment.
The foregoing Special Order exhibits the organization of the new regiment :
. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, June 27, 1865.
SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 32.
Extract.
2. The following-named officers having been recommended by the division commander to form the roster of the officers for the First New York Provisional Cavalry, organized by virtue of paragraph 72, of Special Order No. 312, A. G. O., War Department, of June 17, 1865, are hereby announced appointed, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly :
Colonel M. H. Avery. Asst. Surgeon Oliver Lanning. Lieut .- Colonel B. F. Sceva. Asst. Surgeon C. A. Catlin.
Major W. A. Snyder. R. Q. M., B. F. Sweet.
Major James M. Reynolds.
R. C. S., I. Bannister.
Major W. L. Scoville.
Adjutant Frank J. Shaver. Chaplain C. M. Perry.
Captain W. R. Perry, Co. A. 1st Lieut. J. B. Buffum, Co. B.
1st Lieut. John E. Cowles,
2d Lieut. Frank McDonald,
2d Lieut. Theodore Hitchcock,
Captain E. Hartwell, Co. C.
Captain James II. MeLaughlin, Co. B. 1st Lieut. G. H. Stevens,
Surgeon Charles L. George.
66 October 29, 1862.
266
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
1865
2d Lieut. W. A. Seely, Captain Edward Pollard, Co. D. 2d Lieut. John Bodomer, 1st Lieut James W. Cooley, 2d Lieut. 'Thomas Coyne, 1st Lieut. A. Brookins, Captain John P. White, Co. E. 2d Lieut. Norman A. Reyuolds,
Co. C. 1st Lieut. Oscar Woodruff, Co. H.
Captain Charles R. Dutton, Co. I.
1st Lieut. W. A. Warren, 2d Lieut. H. W. Layton, 1st Lieut. Truman C. White, Captain D. Pletcher, Co. F. 2d Lieut. A. D. Sargeant, Captain D. Getman, Jr., Co. L.
1st Lieut. Martin Muller, 2d Lieut. James Harrison,
1st Lieut. Nelson Washburn, .
" ."
Captain L. J. Cole,
Co. G. 2d Lieut. T. A. Dunbar,
1st Lieut. H. H. Pennoyer,
Captain T. W. Johnson, Co. M.
2d Lieut. George Wallace,
1st Lieut. Miles Sullivan,
Captain Thomas Kennedy,
Co. H. 2d Lieut. Conrad T. Dollar,
3. The First Provisional New York Cavalry will be immediately mustered into service, and all officers and non-commissioned officers made supernumerary by the consolidation of the Tenth and Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry will be immediately mustered out.
.
By command of Major-General Crook. W. HARPER, Major and A. A. A. G.
The officers rendered supernumerary by the consolidation were :
Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry :
Tenth New York Cavalry :
Colonel W. C. Newberry.
Major M. H. Blynn.
Lieut .- Col. C. B. Coventry.
Surgeon HI. K. Clarke.
Major Albert Taylor. .
Chaplain Joseph H. Bradley.
Major Charles E. Martin.
Captain H. E. Farnsworth.
Captain Eugene Smith. Captain H. A. Grant.
Captain John T. Pratt.
Captain Charles A. Taylor.
Captain John J. Van Tuyl.
Captain Edward A. Tallman.
Captain William E. Graves.
Captain George F. Raulston.
1st Lieut. Edward Hinckley.
Captain Abram Tucker.
1st Lieut. Josh W. Davis.
Captain F. L. Brown. 1st Lieut. W. W. Cook.
1st Lieut. A. J. Thompson.
1st Lieut. Michael. McGraw.
1st Lieut. A. J. Heffron.
2d Lieut. J. Hutchinson.
2d Lieut. George Curtiss.
2d Lieut. Charles L. Pratt.
2d Lieut. Calvin Noyes.
2d Lieut. J. A. Edson.
The First New York Provisional Cavalry left Virginia for Syra- cuse, N. Y., on the 20th of July, reaching the latter place on the 22d of the same month, where the men received their final pay, and were mustered out of service on the 3d and 4th of August, 1865.
While awaiting muster-out, some of the men appeared desirous of
66 Captain Albert Thomas,
Co. K.
Captain Norman W. Torrey.
1512
1865
FINAL FAREWELLS.
267
exhibiting to the citizens their fighting qualities-a gentle glimmer of the dying embers of a four-years', struggle-resulting in unsettling the state of society in a city which depended, to a great extent, on its salt, rather than its police force, for preservation .* The distillery proved more effective than the artillery in producing " disorder " in the ranks of the First New York Provisional Cavalry.
Having received their final pay, the men departed for their widely separated homes to engage once more in the peaceful pur- suits of life, honored citizens of a country made better by their sac- rifices, a country, welcomed and respected among the nations of the earth because of the patriotism of its people in maintaining free government and clearing their land of the one foul blot of slavery.
* Syracuse at that time had but three police officers-ununiformed.
1
WAR MAP
GEN. GEO. STONEMAN.
GEN. ALFRED PLEACONTON.
GEN. W. W. AVERILL.
CEN. JOHN BUFORD.
JEN. A. N. DuPsis.
COL. PERCY WYNDHAM. (First New Jersey Cav.)
SEN. JOHN B. MANTO.H.
CEN. CHARLES DEVIN.
BREVET BRIG. GEN. PENNOCK HUEY. (Colonel 8th Pa. Cav.)
GEN. S. J. PARAAMORTH. BAST. DRO. GEN. C. H. SMIT !!. ( Killed at Gettysburg }
(Colonel First Maine Cav )
BREVET BRIG. GEN. W. C. NEWBERRY. (Colonel Twenty-Fourth .V. Y. Cav.)
CAVALRY GENERALS OF THE ARMY
OF THE POTOMAC.
REGIMENTAL ROSTER.
[The designation N. Y. is omitted following the places located in the State of New York, that State being meant unless otherwise designated.]
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonels.
Avery, M. Henry .- Promoted from lieutenant-colonel November 30, 1864, with rank from November 29, 1864; mustered in December 28, 1864; transferred June 24, 1865, to First N. Y. Prov. Cav. Brevet brigadier-general, U. S. V.
Matthew Henry Avery was born in Middletown Springs, Vt., in 1836. He was the son of a Congregational minister, a native of Groton, Conn., who descended from Christopher Avery, of Salisbury, England, leaving England and coming over with Governor John Win- throp on the transport Arabella, landing at Salem, Mass., June 12, 1630, and settling in Gloucester. He purchased lands in New London, and was made a freeman of the colony in 1699. His grandson, James Avery, married Governor Winthrop's granddaughter, and settled in that part of New London which afterward became the town of Groton. Here he built the "Hive of the Averys," which is still standing, now owned and occupied by his descendant, James D. Avery. He was twelve times elected to the General Court, and was assistant in the county court. He had twenty-one grandsons, and was properly the founder of the large Avery family scattered through the United States.
His mother's name was Baldwin. Her ancestors also came over from England and settled in Connecticut. The family genealogy is published in book form, quarto size, and is noted for the large number of eminent lawyers and judges on its pages.
The life of the subject of this sketch, from the time that he was six years of age until he entered the army in 1861, was passed in Syracuse, N. Y. His education, begun in the public schools, was finished in a noted classical school of that city.
The only business in which he was engaged on his own account was that of books and stationery, in connection with a news emporium. He was a very popular young man, and enjoyed a large circle of acquaintance, his warm heart, genial manners, and happy temper- ament winning all hearts.
Immediately following the battle of Bull Run, animated by a lofty sense of patriotism, young Avery cast about for the best manner by which he might serve his country. On learning that authority had been granted for the recruiting of a cavalry regiment in the State, he made application for admission with a company, and opened a recruiting office in Syracuse early in August. The company was mustered into service September 27, 1861, and reached Elmira the next day, the first company of the new regiment in rendezvous. Captain Avery's efficiency and natural military endowments early attracted the attention of General Van Valkenburg, who appointed him to the command of the barracks, and a few days later he was chosen by the line officers of the Regiment as senior major. He was the only field officer who served with the Regiment from its muster-in to its muster-out of service. He was promoted to colonel December 28, 1864, and was brevetted a brigadier-general, with rank from the 13th day of March, 1865, " for gallantry in action at Sailor's Creek, Va., April 6, 1865, and for faithful and meritorious service."
On the consolidation of the Tenth and Twenty-fourth N. Y. Cavalry Regiments, forming
1
270
HISTORY OF THE TENTHI REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
the First N. Y. Provisional Cavalry, he was made colonel of the new organization, and was mustered out with it at Syracuse, N. Y., August 4, 1865.
He soon after went into the oil country, where the remainder of his life was spent, and where his activity and ability brought him into prominence. No man in the oil country was more extensively known, or enjoyed a wider circle of friends. Some eight or ten years before his death he lost his voice, and was able to converse in a tone but little above a whisper. He was one of the pioneers in the piping of oil, which has grown to such wonderful proportions, owning and operating, in connection with Mr. E. M. Hidden, and later with Mr. D. H. Cady, both then of Titusville, a pipe line from Shamburg to Miller Farm, on Oil Creek, Pa., in 1867-'C8. He was afterward connected with every oil exchange in the country, being at the time of his death a member of the Bradford Oil Exchange. His death occurred at Geneva, N. Y., whither he had gone for treatment, on the 1st of September, 1881.
Irvine, William .- Promoted from lieutenant-colonel. Commissioned Feb- ruary 23, 1864, with rank from June 11, 1863; not mustered as colonel. Brevet brigadier-general, U. S. V.
William Irvine was born in Whitney's Point, Broome County, N. Y., in 1820. He there married Phobe Belcher, of Warwick, Orange County, N. Y., on the 11th of December, 1840. In 1856 he visited Europe, and on his return took his seat in Congress, to which he was elected by the district then composed of Livingston, Steuben, and Chemung Counties. He entered the army as lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth N. Y. Cav. in November, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service in that grade on the 18th of January following. While the Regi- ment was stationed at Patterson Park, Baltimore, Md., he was on detached service in July and August, 1862, as inspector of horses, and selected the horses for his own as well as other regi- ments of cavalry. He was made prisoner while gallantly leading his Regiment in a charge at Brandy Station, Va., June 9, 1863, and confined in Libby Prison until the 27th of the following October, when he was made the subject of a special exchange. On reaching Washington he laid before the President and Secretary of War the story of the sufferings of the Union pris- oners of war in Richmond, and secured the issue of sixty thousand rations of food, which were forwarded, very few of which ever reached them, however. He was ordered to report to Major- General Hitchcock, commissioner of exchange, for special service in the exchange of prisoners, under date of October 23, 1863, from which duty he was relieved and ordered to join his Regi- ment, with permission to delay reporting for twenty days, in further orders from the War Department, dated December 8, 1863. December 28, 1863, he returned to the Regiment, then encamped near Warrenton, Va. In January and February, 1864, he was absent in New York State with veteran detachment, from which he returned on the 6th of March following, and was granted leave of absence for ten days on the 18th of the same month, remaining absent during that and the succeeding three months, sick, on surgeon's certificate of disability, and from July 22 to November 30, 1864, was absent as member of court-martial at Washing- ton, D. C.
He was mustered out and honorably discharged the service December 6, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service. In 1866 he was appointed Adjutant-General of the State of New York by Governor Fenton, but, disagreeing with the Governor on matters relating to the militia of the State, he resigned. The officers of the militia regiments in New York city pre- sented him with an elegant saber and gold scabbard for his zeal and efficiency in promoting the interests of the State troops. In 1871 he went to San Francisco, Cal., and took up the practice of the law, and succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative business. When about to return to his home in Elmira he was taken suddenly ill, and died in San Francisco, November 12, 18:2. His remains were removed to Elmira, N. Y., in December of the same year.
Lemmon, John C .- Age fifty-two; commissioned January 7, 1862, with rank from December 12, 1861; mustered in January 18, 1862; discharged April 3, 1863, per Special Order No. 154, A. G. O .; recommissioned June 10, 1863; not mustered.
John Cockey Lemmon was a son of Benjamin Lemmon, of Virginia, and Rebecca Cockey, of Maryland. After the marriage of Benjamin Lemmon, he set his slaves free, and with his wife emigrated to the then far west-Seneca County, N. Y .- many of his former slaves going with him to his new home. He bought a large tract of land and established himself as a farmer.
271
REGIMENTAL ROSTER .- FIELD AND STAFF.
The place where he settled received the name of Lemmon's Corners, which it still bears. There John C. Lemmon was born in 1806, and after attending district school finished his education at Hobart College, in Geneva. He married Miss Maria Breyfogle, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, and a descendant of Muhlenburg, of Pennsylvania, whose statue is in Statuary Hall, in the Capitol, as one of General Washington's officers. Not liking a farmer's life, he removed to Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y., and became a merchant. In 1834 he was commissioned major in the Twenty-third Regiment of Artillery, N. Y. S. M. In 1845 he went to Buffalo, and engaged in the milling business, and on the 10th day of June, 1861, applied for permission to raise a regiment of volunteers in the State of New York. On the 3d of August, 1861, he re- ceived authority from the War Department to recruit a regiment, and at once entered upon the work. This was the regiment afterward designated as the Tenth New York Cavalry- (Porter Guards). While in the field in 1862, he was thrown from his horse, and received an injury to his knee, resulting in a slight lameness, from which he never fully recovered. It caused him much pain and trouble, and no doubt hastened his death, which occurred in Wash- ington, D. C., in February, 1875.
Lieutenant-Colonels.
Avery, M. Henry .- Promoted from major, April 19, 1864, with rank from June 11, 1863; not mustered as lieutenant-colonel.
Irvine, William .- Age forty-one; commissioned from Elmira, January 7, 1862, with rank from December 12, 1861; mustered in January 18, 1862; pro- moted to colonel, February 23, 1864, not mustered as colonel; mustered out December 6, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service.
Scera, Benjamin F .- Promoted from major, March 24, 1865, with rank from March 1, 1863; wounded in action at Dinwiddie Court-House, Va., March 31, 1865; transferred June 24, 1865, to First N. Y. Prov. Cav. Brevet colonel N. Y. V.
Tremain, Frederick L .- Age twenty-one ; commission dated November 30, 1864, with rank from November 29, 1864; joined for duty and mustered in before Petersburg, Va., January 30, 1865; mortally wounded at Hatcher's Run, Va., February 6, 1865; died February 8, 1865, at Cavalry Corps Hospital. Promoted from captain and assistant adjutant-general U. S. V. Brevet colonel N. Y. V.
Frederick Lyman Tremain was the eldest child of Lyman and Helen Cornwall Tremain. He was born at Durham, Greene County, N. Y., on the 13th of June, 1843, and was therefore twenty-one years, seven months, and twenty-four days old at the time of his death, which occurred at City Point Hospital, Va., on the 8th of February, 1865, from gunshot-wound re- ceived at the battle of Hatcher's Run, Va., two days before.
He was descended on both father and mother's side from good Revolutionary stock, his paternal great-grandfather, Nathaniel Tremain, having served honorably in the War for In- dependence, his maternal great-grandfather, Captain Daniel Cornwall, having also acquitted himself creditably in the same struggle.
Frederick's father, the Hon. Lyman Tremain, of Albany, was one of the leading citizens of the Empire State, both in his legal attainments and political standing. In 1853 Frederick removed with his father's family from Durham to the city of Albany, where he continued to reside until his death. There he attended the principal schools, until the spring of 1858, when he entered the classical school for boys at Great Barrington, Mass., and thence in 1859 to a school of the same character at Walnut Hill, Geneva, passing from this latter school to Hobart College, Geneva, in 1860, where he continued his studies for nearly two years. He obtained an honorable dismissal from Hobart College to permit his entering his country's service, and at once commenced recruiting for the One Hundred and Thirteenth New York Volunteers, in the city of Albany, in the summer of 1862. and was appointed adjutant of the regiment, which he accompanied to Washington, where he was soon after tendered a position as lieutenant-colonel of a colored regiment, but declined it, preferring the appointment of assistant adjutant-general with the rank of captain, which was offered him. In his new posi- tion, which seemed so well suited to him, he reported for duty to General Henry E. Davies, Jr.,
272 HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
commanding the First Brigade of the Third Cavalry Division about the 1st of November, 1863, serving with that brigade, except for a short time, till his death, participating in all its marches and battles, and making friends constantly by his genial and happy disposition and devotion to duty. -
The beginning of the year that was to bring the war to a close, young Tremain was tendered and accepted the position of lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth. Although his service with it was brief, he was looked up to with respect and admiration. At Dabney's Mills, or Hatcher's Run, on the 6th of February, 1865, the Regiment was seriously engaged in battle, when General Davies having been wounded, the command of the brigade devolved on Colonel Avery, who sent word to Lieutenant-Colonel Tremain that the command of the Regiment belonged to him. He was leading a portion of the Regiment on the left of the line, at the moment of the mes- senger's arrival, and, turning partly around in conversation with him, he received the fatal wound from a bullet in his hip. He was immediately taken up and borne to an ambulance, in which he was conveyed to the field hospital, and the following day to the City Point Hos- pital, where he died about 5 P. M., on the 8th.
i Majors.
Avery, M. Henry .- Promoted from captain, Company A, January 7, 1862, with rank from December 12, 1861 ; promoted to lieutenant-colonel, April 19, 1864; not mustered as lieutenant-colonel ; promoted to colonel, November 30, 1864.
Blynn, Martin H .- Promoted from captain, Company B, November 21, 1864, with rank from October 19, 1864; mustered in December 13, 1864; mustered out June 23, 1865, at Cloud's Mills, Va., as supernumerary. Brevet lieutenant-colo- nel, N. Y. V.
Martin H. Blynn was born in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., January 5, 1837. In 1841 his parents removed to Rose, Wayne County, N. Y., where most of his youthful days were spent. He attended Falley Seminary, in Fulton, N. Y., in 1853, and Fort Edward Institute in 1855 and 1856, from which institution he was graduated. He taught district schools for some time. In 1862 he received a warrant as hospital steward in the Tenth New York Cavalry, and soon after a commission in the line, and thence rose to the rank of major.
After his muster-out of service, he resumed the study of medicine, graduating from Long Island College Hospital in 1865. He was immediately thereafter appointed as acting assistant surgeon in the regular army, and assigned to duty as medical quarantine officer at the port of Hilton Head, S. C., where he remained until November 26, 1866, when he retired from serv- ice, and settled in Cicero, Onondaga County, N. Y., and took up the practice of medicine. He died suddenly on the 10th of December, 1883, at his home in Cicero.
Kemper, John H .- Age twenty-seven ; promoted from private, Company E; commissioned January 7, 1862, with rank from December 12, 1861; mustered in December 23, 1861; in hospital at Georgetown, D. C., from October 11, 1862, to December 20, 1862. with typhoid fever ; resigned July 12, 1863, per Special Or- der No. 104; re-entered service as captain, Company K, June 8, 1864.
Kennedy, George W .- Promoted from adjutant, April 29, 1864, with rank from June 11, 1863 ; not mustered as major.
Reynolds, James M .- Promoted from captain, Company L, March 24, 1865, with rank from March 1, 1865; transferred June 24, 1865, to First N. Y. Prov. Cav.
Sceva, Benjamin F .- Promoted from captain, Company F, November 21, 1864, with rank from October 20, 1864; promoted to lieutenant-colonel, March 24, 1865.
Snyder, William A .- Promoted from captain, Company E, January 16, 1865, with rank from December 1, 1864; mustered in January 30, 1865; trans- ferred June 24, 1865, to First N. Y. Prov. Cav. Brevet lieutenant-colonel N. Y. V.
-
الـ
273
REGIMENTAL ROSTER .- FIELD AND STAFF.
Waters, Alvah D .- Promoted from captain, Company L, December 23, 1862, with rank from same date; mustered in February 16, 1863; discharged October 7, 1863, on account of physical disability.
Weed, Theodore H .- Promoted from captain, Company B, July 31, 1863, with rank from July 12, 1863; mustered in October 8, 1863; mustered out Octo- ber 10, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service.
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