USA > New York > History of the Tenth regiment of cavalry New York state volunteers, August, 1861, to August, 1865, pt 1 > Part 6
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
Kinney, Chester E. Lane, Samuel M. Madole, John J. Mathews, Joseph F. Matteson, Justus G. Morell, Samuel D. Morgan, John.
Rudd, George W. Sergent, John. Sessions, Charles C.
Thurston, Henry C.
Tillinghast, Frederick A.
Van Brocklin, Eric O .. Wanzo, Henry ..
Beebe, Mordaunt M. Bennett, Thomas. Bliss, Alonzo O. Brown, Asa L.
Ginn, Andrew.
Hartman, Robert. Hicks, Horatio G. Hinman, John W. Homer, Cortland II.
Ellwood, George W.
ـدير
38
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
1862
Warfield, Dennis B. Warner, Daniel. Warner, Joseph B.
Washburn, Nelson.
Watson, Robert. Wiles, Clifton W.
Wood, Neville P. Wright, Elias.
COMPANY M.
Captain, John G. Pierce. 1st Lieutenant, Thomas W. Johnson. od Lieutenant, James Matthews.
Sergeants.
George H. Orcutt (1st). Jonath'n S. Webster (Com.). Edgar D. Phillips.
Melvin D. Peck ( Q. M.).
John A. Freer. Herman Stiles.
Corporals.
Charles Fay. Edwin S. Rowley.
James Taylor
Andrew J. Van Epps.
George A. Thompson.
Charles Watson.
William B. Seacord.
Warren Tabor.
Adam Michael, Saddler.
Privates.
Baker, William H.
Gaylord, Lewis P.
Meenan, Christopher.
Barber, John.
Gorman, Patrick.
Moore, Samuel.
Bloom, John.
Graham, Thomas.
Morrissey, John.
Bouton, Edward.
Green, John H.
Muller, Charles.
Bowers, Thomas.
Grovenor, Silas C. Hill, William.
Page, John.
Cleveland, Charles.
Holmes, Farley.
Parker, Hiram C.
Corey, Robert.
Hulin, James.
Parsons, Augustus N.
Curtis, Thomas.
Johnson, James.
Patterson, William A.
Davis, John. Davis, John H.
Kenyon, Bradford C.
Phillips, Eliphalet.
Davis, Lafayette.
King, Alexander.
Rice, Charles.
Davis, Samuel.
Klink, Charles II.
Rudd, Allen F.
Dennis, Charles.
Larry, James.
Russel, James.
Dygert, James.
Lavine, Thomas.
Ryan, James.
Eccleston, John.
Lavery, Barney.
Shaver, George.
Edwards, George D.
Leach, John L.
Smith, George.
Edwards, Richard H. Ellen, James.
Lowrey, George W.
Ellsworth, John. Evans, John J.
Macomber, Benedict S. Maddox, George. Mahany, Michael. Mattison. Daniel.
Spencer, J. Jay. Stiles, Herman. Stillwell, John. Stimpson, William.
Fedius, John. Fields, William I.
Maxon, William.
Summers, Henry. Telle, Guillamene.
Fitzgerald, Patrick. Flynn, Morgan A. Ford, George.
McCann. Alexander.
Thomas, John. 1
Tompkins, William.
McCann, Thomas.
Murray, John.
Brown, Horace.
Jones, Samuel.
Phelps, William E.
Smith, Oliver L.
Lincoln, Joel S.
Wolcutt, John.
CAPTAIN AARON T. BLISS, Co. D.
39
JOINING THE REGIMENT AT BROOKS'S STATION.
1862
Tacker, John. Walker, Thomas. Waldron, Jacob W. Williams, Daniel. Williams, James.
Willson, James. Woods, John.
While in rendezvous at Elmira the men received good food and were provided with comfortable quarters. The usual guard duty, drilling, policing camp, etc., were maintained.
Clothing was issued to all the companies on the 25th of October, and on the evening of the 30th Companies I, K, and L left the El- mira rendezvous for Washington, where a brief stop was made, and the journey continued to Alexandria, arriving there on the 2d of November. Here the boys were given soldiers' fare-i. e., ancient hard-tack and inhabited pork-and assigned soft Virginia soil as beds, with a single blanket for covering. Very little complaint was heard, however, except against the very active pork, and this a hu- mane camp commander caused to be taken away and good meat issued in its place. The men veteranized rapidly and were soon inured to the usual rough side of the soldier's life.
On the Ist of December these three companies recrossed the Poto- mac, and receiving their horses in Washington, rode them back to camp near Alexandria bare-back. An eight-mile ride on the ridge- pole of a skeleton quadruped naturally produced more blisters than enthusiasm. None of the boys expressed a desire for any more free excursions of that kind.
Leaving Alexandria on the 2d of December, Companies I, K, and L joined the Regiment on the 5th at Brooks's Station, where they found more company than comfort. A severe snow-storm was pre- vailing at the time of their arrival, and being without adequate pro- tection, much suffering prevailed. The weather continued cold and raw for several days, with considerable snow. It was a rather rough beginning for the new battalion, but the men endured it all with commendable fortitude.
We will now leave the eleven companies at Brooks's Station and return to the camp near Bladensburg, where the detail left the Regi- ment to recruit for the Third Battalion.
By an act of Congress, battalion adjutants, quartermasters and commissaries had been dispensed with. The services of Lieutenants Fitts and Lemmon being no longer required, one was mustered out and the other resigned, before the regiment entered Virginia .*
* Lieutenant Fitts afterward entered the One Hundred and Fourteenth New York Volunteers and rose to the rank of major, distinguishing himself on several occasions.
40
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
1862
CHAPTER III,
FIRST VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN-FROM SECOND BULL RUN TO FREDERICKSBURG.
RIOR to the second battle of Bull Run, four companies of the Tenth - A, B, D, and E, under Major Avery - were or- dered to Falls Church, Va. An addi- tional issue of horses had been received on the 26th of August, completing the regimental mount. Leaving the camp at Bladensburg, the detachment marched through clouds of dust until the Long Bridge was reached, when a high wind nearly approaching a hurricane came up, accompanied by torrents of rain, which drenched the men to the skin. It was a rough introduction to their future field of operations, a fair index to the service to follow. The detachment arrived at Falls Church in the evening and went into bivouac, the horses remaining under saddle.
The second battle of Bull Run was fought on the 20th and 30th of August. General Pope was compelled to withdraw his army from the scene of the conflict. Considerable excitement and confusion in and about Washington followed. All the available troops in the de- partment were sent forward as rapidly as possible. Two companies more of the Tenth-C and F, under command of Major Kemper- were ordered to Fort Whipple, leaving but two companies, G and H, in camp at Bladensburg under command of Colonel Lemmon.
The morning following the arrival of Major Avery's detachment at Falls Church, the 29th, a detail of sixty men was ordered from it by General J. D. Cox to make a reconnaissance toward the scene of the conflict then raging between the two armies. The party proceeded as far as the heights of Centreville, and returned at nightfall without having encountered anything of a hostile nature.
At this time there were great and pressing demands for cavalry for picket and scouting service. The only troops available was the Battalion of the Tenth New
41
CAPTAIN PRATT'S COMMAND TAKEN PRISONERS.
1802
York Cavalry, under Major Avery, one squadron of which was at Upton Hill, and the other, under Captain Pratt, picketing the road from Falls Church to Fairfax Court-House .*
General Cox ordered a scouting party to be sent on the night of August 31st to Drainesville, and thence across the Little Pike, near Chantilly, to Centreville. Captain Pratt with about thirty men was dispatched on this duty. The night was very dark. When near Centreville the party was halted, and in obedience to the challenge Orderly Sergeant Mitchell was sent forward. He was immediately svized by the enemy, for such they proved to be, and ordered under threats of immediate death to announce them as friends and to call on the captain to come forward with his command. Unsuspecting, Captain Pratt marched his little band forward and was immediately surrounded by a large force and compelled to surrender. As soon as Orderly Sergeant Mitchell had served their purpose he was sent to the rear with a mounted guard on each side. When sufficiently re- moved from the rest of the command to warrant the belief that he could make his escape, Mitchell suddenly drew a large dirk which he had kept concealed and killed both the guards by plunging it into first one and then the other, and putting spurs to his horse, entered the woods, where he remained secreted till morning, when he made his way into the Union lines and reported the capture of the entire command.t
The enlisted men-three sergeants, one corporal, and nine men from Company A and about an equal number from other com- panies of the Regiment-were paroled and returned to camp the next day, the Confederates retaining their horses and arms. The commissioned officers, one captain and one lieutenant, were held as prisoners, but they, too, were paroled next day. The enlisted men were sent to Parole Camp, Annapolis, Md. They were all exchanged and rejoined the Regiment before the close of the year.
The following is an extract from a letter written by Captain Pratt and addressed to the historian some years ago :
It was very dark when I reached the pike, where I fell in with a large body of nobel cavalry and became their guest. A squadron of the Second Regular Cavalry
* MeClellan's book, p. 509.
+ Although somewhat lawless, Sergeant Mitchell was a brave man. He fre- quently absented himself from his company and wandered outside the lines, gen- " rally reporting on his return thrilling encounters with Confederate scouts and Tuartisans.
42
1862
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
was also captured not far from the same place which is mentioned in Mcclellan's book on page 525. The next afternoon the battle of Chantilly was fought, and it was during the day and before the battle that I saw Lee's army as it moved along the road, and had Generals Jackson, Longstreet, and Ewell pointed out to me. I also saw General Lee and other officers dismount in front of a house, where they appeared to be stopping. I recollect General Lee's hand was done up in a white cloth, as though he had been injured .* The next day I was taken to view the body of General Phil Kearny, who was killed the night before.
The following is General Cox's report of the capture :
Thirty men of the Tenth New York Cavalry, under Captain Pratt, took the direct road to Centreville. Of this party a sergeant is the only man who has as yet returned. He reports that about eight o'clock in the evening, when they were within about three miles of Centreville, they were challenged by a picket. He was sent forward to answer the challenge. The picket pretended to belong to the First Pennsylvania Cavalry till he advanced to them, when they surrounded him and took him prisoner. He subsequently made his escape from the guards, and after wandering all night has just returned to camp.
J. D. Cox, Brigadier-General Commanding.
September 1, 1862.
The rebel report of the capture is given in the following lan- guage :
On the 31st of August the Brigade went with General Stuart on a scout to Chantilly, picking up two or three hundred prisoners. A portion of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Burk, captured one company of the Tenth New York Cavalry without firing a gun.
THOMAS T. MUNFORD, Colonel Second Virginia Cavalry.
September 1, 1862.
On the 14th of September, ten men under command of Sergeant Edson of Company D, made a reconnaissance in the direction of Leesburg, going beyond Goose Creek without encountering the enemy.
The first exchange of courtesies the Regiment had with the rebels was at Leesburg on the 17th of September, 1862. Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick, of the Harris Light Cavalry, with his own regiment and three companies of the Tenth under Major Avery, left Fort Buffalo,
* As we marched along I noticed a group of officers dismounted and standing upon a little eminence at the roadside. Among them was General Lee. ... He had recently had a fall from his horse, caused by the stumbling of the animal, and had badly sprained both wrists. They were now done up in splints, which, covering the hands, were bound around with white cloths .- (RICHARD TOWNS- HEND DODSON, formerly sergeant-major of the Stuart Horse Artillery, in Phila- delphia Weekly Times, March 8, 1884.)
43
A GALLANT CHARGE.
1863
near Upton's Hill, on the 16th day of September, for Leesburg. Lieutenant Weed, who had been ill in Washington, arrived in camp the day after the expedition left, and at once followed. 2
Coming up with the Regiment, he took command of one squadron, Captain Bliss commanding the other. On reaching Leesburg, the latter officer with his squadron was sent forward into the town to ascertain whether or no there was any one at home to receive com- pany, and if he was successful in finding them, to fall back and so induce them to come out. When Bliss deployed they seemed an- noyed and came at him viciously. He retired before them until they came in range of our battery, when bang! bang ! went the guns, and several shells were landed in their midst. Lieutenant Weed was or -. dered to charge and, as the boys went forward with a cheer, they saw the rebel cavalry massed in the streets. Kilpatrick, taking in the excitement of the occasion, had started forward when the charge was made.
As the command reached a little knoll, giving the boys a good view of the enemy, Kilpatrick rose in his stirrups and exclaimed : "See the rascals ! Go for 'em, boys!" and, with these words ringing in their ears, the boys went for 'em. The rebels fired a few shots and broke, followed closely by Weed and his men through and out of the town. As they drove the cavalry before them, a force of infantry from behind a fence on their flank opened fire, wounding seven and capturing one man. Lieutenant Weed seized a carriage which was just leaving town, containing " Massa and Missus," as the old darky said, and into this he had four of the wounded placed and taken back, the others being able to get away without help. A number of arms were destroyed and a quantity of ammunition and a fine large Confederate flag fell into our hands.
In addition to the captured and wounded from the Tenth, al- ready mentioned, the charging party lost one horse killed and fifteen wounded. Among several close calls experienced the poncho of Sergeant H. E. Hayes, of Company A, rolled and strapped to the front of his saddle, was pierced by a rebel bullet. There were a large number of the enemy's wounded and sick lying in extemporized hospitals about the town, but they were left undisturbed.
Of this engagement Corporal E. W. Stark writes as follows :
When near Leesburg we were ordered to support a battery. I think there were but two companies, Company A being one. After a few shells had been thrown among the rebels we were ordered to charge through the town. I was in second rank. As we went through the town, my horse being a good runner, I in some man-
-
44
1862
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
ner became mixed up in the front rank ; in fact, I got some ways ahead of the rest of the boys, and commenced firing. My horse acted so I was compelled to turn him about to prevent being carried into the midst of the rebels, who were strung across the road. The balance of our command bad halted and were pouring in a rapid, well-directed fire, which was being returned with spirit by the rebels. Lieutenant Weed, who was in command, ordered us to fall back. There was a good board fence on one side of the street and the rebels had taken position be- hind it, and, as they were perfectly protected, we were compelled to retire from the terrible fire we were subjected to. It was a miraculous thing that more of our men were not hit, as we were directly abreast and close to them, and they had but to take deliberate aim at us through the cracks in the fence. As we were falling back I received a flesh-wound in the arm, near the elbow. My horse was shot twice, but neither wound disabled him. I think William Wilbur was wounded in the shoulder. Joe Cook, our bugler, had his horse killed, and as the horse went down Cook was caught under him and fell into the hands of the rebels. Cook had a fine live turkey strapped to his saddle. Bugler and gobbler were both gath- ered in. I do not recollect who was wounded besides those mentioned. No at- tempt was made to follow us.
Sergeant W. W. Williams, of Company D, after paying a hand- some tribute to Sergeant Truman C. White (afterward lieutenant), says that on the way to Leesburg the command halted at Drainesville and sent out scouting parties, and while waiting there some one of the men found a beautiful blooded seal-brown stallion, silver mane and tail, which appeared to be much admired by Colonel Kilpatrick. He says when the detachment reached Leesburg, part of the command took one street and part another, and when they had got fairly into the town the rebels opened a brisk fire on them from the buildings, from behind fences, etc., and some one gave the order to left about wheel, which was done in good order, but very lively. Sergeant W. J. Robb came rushing back, brandishing a revolver, and threatened to shoot the men if they attempted further skeddaddling ! On mat- ters being explained, Robb joined in the falling back.
When returning to camp at Upton's Hill, an old lady made a piteous complaint to Colonel Kilpatrick that his men had taken everything she had for herself and daughter to live on. The boys were all pretty well encumbered with the " free-will offerings " of the citizens along the route, and Kilpatrick left an aide at the old lady's gate to solicit contributions from them. The result was the lady was presented with poultry and provisions sufficient to supply a good- sized division of hungry Yankees. "Freely ye have received, freely give." The Bible injunction was literally and liberally followed.
The following are the reports of Colonel Davies, of the Leesburg engagement :
45
COMPOSITION OF BAYARD'S BRIGADE.
1862
UPTON HILL, VA., September 18, 1862.
Lieutenant-Colonel MCKEEVER :
I have a message from the expedition I sent out. Will be back to-night. They found at Leesburg one regiment of infantry and a battalion of cavalry, which they drove out of the town after a sharp action, in which the enemy's loss was considerable. One flag and a number of prisoners were taken. Our loss was but slight. The Tenth New York Cavalry behaved very gallantly.
J. M. DAVIES, Colonel Commanding Brigade.
UPTON HILL, VA., September 19, 1862.
Colonel Kilpatrick gives great credit to the admirable manner in which our guns were served, and the conduct of the Tenth New York Cavalry, which twice charged through the town.
J. M. DAVIES, Colonel Commanding Brigade.
In October the following was the composition of the brigade com- manded by Brigadier-General George D. Bayard :
First Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel Owen Jones.
Tenth New York Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel William Irvine.
Second New York Cavalry, Major H. E. Davies, Jr.
First New Jersey Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Karge.
Battery C, Third United States Artillery, Captain H. G. Gibson.
These regiments, although not serving together in the same brig- ade to the close of the war, were closely allied, and always main- tained a close feeling of friendship for one another.
The endeavor to secure the most and best of the products of the country, such as hams, poultry, etc., caused the boys to resort to every artifice to obtain them. To such an extent had the " hen-roost raids " been carried at one time, that it called forth the most stringent orders forbidding their continuance. Colonel Kilpatrick charged the Tenth New York with being an aggregation of chicken-thieves, alleging that in nearly every case the sufferers from these depredations reported the gentlemen who sought introductions to their poultry as wearing caps with the figures "10" on them. Soon after, the Regiment being in line, preparatory to moving, Colonel Irvine called it to attention, and com- manded every man having the figures " 10" on his hat to take them off, and warned them that any one of them thereafter found with figures or other evidence of regimental identity on their persons would be pun- ished. A day or two later he sent out scouting parties, with orders to bring in any men found who had the figures 10 on their hats. A good crop of "Tenth New York men " were brought in, all loaded with " farm products," but every man, on investigation, proved to be- long to the Harris Light. Colonel Irvine had them marched to
----
46
1862
HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
Colonel Kilpatrick's headquarters, and said to him : " Here, Colonel, are some of those Tenth New York thieves; do with them as you please. You may also have the figures on their hats, as I have no further use for them; my men don't wear them." Colonel Irvine was invited to sample some of Kilpatrick's cereal distillate, while the men were ordered to be placed in arrest. That was probably the last of it. Kilpatrick admired too much such enterprise to punish the men.
Bayard's brigade took the lead in the advance of the Army of the Potomac to the Rappahannock River. The Tenth broke camp at Centreville on the 2d of November and reached Rappahannock Sta- tion on the 7th, where it went into camp. The route was via Aldie, Thoroughfare Gap, Salem, and Warrenton. Skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry was continued nearly all the way. No large bodies of Confederates were encountered, however.
As the Regiment went into camp one dreary, damp night, while on this move, Joseph M. Bailey, of Company G, who was a hospital attendant, was nowhere to be found. IIe was wanted, and the hos- pital steward declared the fact in stentorian tones. "Joe Bailey !" was called for, loud and long. Some of the boys in the Regiment repeated the cry; the demand for Bailey increased, until the appeal reached adjoining camps ; nor did the final return of the truant quell the rising tumult ! If any of the cavalry boys of Bayard's brigade caught a nap that night, it was between the refrains of "Joe Bailey " with which the air was heavily laden. Next morning Joe Bailey was up early. He heard his name repeated on every side. It swept through the camps like a whirlwind; it invaded the infantry camps, stole silently out to the picket-line; ran the guard, and entered the enemy's camps. Like Virginia mud, "Joe Bailey " was everywhere. When on the march, if the cavalryman became weary and began to show symptoms of fatigue, new life was imparted by some one crying out, "Joe Bailey !" The tired dough-boy would give his knapsack an extra hunch, and summon all his strength to respond, "Joe Bailey !"
While the Regiment was lying near Warrenton Major Avery was taken quite sick, and sought a place of quiet among the citizens of that place. In after-years he often referred to the kind treatment he received from a family living there, who provided him quarters and ministered to him in his sickness. He never heard from them after the close of the war. In the hope that it might find its way into the hands of some surviving member of the family, the historian
.
.
L J
1862
47
A LETTER FROM MAJOR AVERY'S BENEFACTRESS.
addressed a letter to the gentleman whose name he had frequently heard the Major mention, and was pleased to receive the following in reply :
WARRENTON, VA., January 21, 1890. N. D. PRESTON, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa.
MY DEAR SIR: As my husband has been quite sick since the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, I will endeavor to answer your inquiries regarding Colonel Avery, whom I remember with the greatest kindness and pleasure.
I distinctly remember the morning of November, 1862, when our quiet break- fast was interrupted by a detachment of Union soldiers, bearing a sick officer, and demanding admittance and accommodations in my home.
The officer apologized for the necessity of intruding, and explained that he had tried several other houses and had been refused admittance, and as he was too ill to remain in camp he was compelled to trespass thus upon us. The weather was then very cold, and every room having a fireplace was occupied, and I saw that he was too sick to be put in a room without fire; but my father-in-law, then an old gentleman, said he would share his room with him, which offer was accepted. The next morning I was passing his door; he called and asked if I would come in, that he wished to speak to me. He then again expressed his regrets for the necessity of having to be an unwelcome guest, and said that his presence in my house would be a protection to me and my property ; that he would be no expense or trouble to me; that his orderly would attend him, and do his cooking, etc. His considerate manner proclaimed the gentleman, and from that time until he left I did what I could for him. His illness developed into typhoid fever, and he was very sick. He had been with us about three weeks when one morning we heard that our troops were en route for Warrenton, and would be in the town in a few hours. We at once told Colonel Avery, so that he could make his escape, which he did.
We then heard nothing of him for about eighteen months. At this time some of the Black Horse Cavalry had fired on the Union soldiers who were stationed about in the vicinity of Warrenton, and it was thought the firing was done by the citizens. This infuriated the enemy, and they threatened to come into Warren- ton and hang ten of the most prominent citizens. One morning, during this reign of terror, I was in my garden, when my gardener looked up and saw a body of cavalry coming at full speed into the town. He said : " Run in de house, Miss Julia; de Yankees is comin', su' nuff !" I aeted upon his suggestion without delay. Much to my dismay, the troops passed all the other houses, and dashed up to my front gate, and dismounted. Of course my first thought was that my husband was to be the first victim, so I told him he should not go to the front door, but that I would. There I met a stout, fine-looking officer, in full uniform, who raised his hat most courteously, and with a merry twinkle in his eye said, " Mrs. James. don't you know me ?" then I recognized Colonel Avery. He con- tinued : " I have come on no mischievous errand. but am encamped at the Junc- tion, and have just run up to bring you some things which I thought might be acceptable at this time." He then ordered his men to unload the mule. and I found myself the possessor of some real coffee, sugar, salt, etc. We spent a pleas- ant hour or two together, and then he returned to camp at Warrenton Junction.
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.