USA > New York > History of the Twenty-second regiment of the National guard of the state of New York; from its organization to 1895, pt 1 > Part 11
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On January 7, 1863, it was filled up to ten com- panies by the organization of Co. K, formerly known as the "Lindsey Blues" under Capt. E. A. Roberts.
In the same month the regiment sold to the State for $7, 134.76 the Enfield rifles with which it was armed and which were its private property and then had them reissued to it as State property, a financial operation that was of great assistance to its treasury. This was perfectly proper, as there was no reason why the Twenty-second should provide its own arms while all other National Guard organizations received theirs from the State.
1
ARMORY IN FOURTEENTH STREET IN THE BLIZZARD OF ISSS.
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history of the twenty- Second Regiment
Since March, 1862, the Twenty-second had been en- deavoring to secure from the authorities some kind of a regimental armory in which its scattered companies could be gathered under one roof, and an opportuity be afforded for battalion drill. All it asked was that the county would pay $4,000 a year for ground rent of the land it needed besides the taxes, as it proposed to build and furnish the armory itself. Finally in Febru- ary, 1863, the Board of Supervisors were induced to pass a resolution agreeing to do this. To the horror of the regiment this most reasonable resolution was vetoed by the mayor. The regiment was able, how- ever, to secure sufficient votes to pass it over the veto, and in April, 1863, the grounds constituting what was then known as the "Palace Garden," on Fourteenth Street, just west of Sixth Avenue, were leased by the county for the use of the Twenty-second. These had been once used as a concert garden and consisted of a building some fifty feet wide on Fourteenth Street and running through to Fifteenth Street, with an arched roof and a small gallery at the south end, (being the building which was after- wards used as a regimental gymnasium) and some vacant lots on the Sixth Avenue side. The regiment contracted, at its own expense, for the construction on the Fourteenth Street front of a two story building with a tower in the centre, which was used for company rooms and regimental headquarters. This cost $20,000, which was raised by the regiment by issuing its bonds. The rooms in the new armory were fitted up by the different companies and the board of officers at their own expense, at a cost of from $3.000 to $5,000 each,
141
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
Col. Aspinwall loaning to the officers a magnificent set of massive ebony furniture of Chinese manufacture, which the board of officers used for many years. As there were no means of lighting the open lots, and their surface was uneven, all drills were had in the old build- ing. This was only large enough for company drills, but afforded more space for them than ever had been had before. Other drills were had in the arsenal at Thirty-fifth Street and Seventh Avenue. The drill nights for the different companies were fixed as follows: Monday, B and G; Tuesday, D and F; Wednesday, C and E; Thursday, A and H; Friday, I and K.
The first meeting of the Board of Officers in the new armory took place on May 5, 1863, the administra- tion building being then unfinished. At this meeting the former regimental designation "Union Grays" was by resolution discontinued and the gray uniforms for- mally abandoned, never to be resumed .*
* See Chapter XXXVI., Uniforms, page 375 post.
Ya
CHAPTER XII.
ORDERED TO PENNSYLVANIA.
W WITH the opening of spring the war clouds again began to lower. £ Hooker was defeated at Chancellorsville, on May 3, 1863, and on June 3, Lee moved forward to invade the North. In the meantime, the members of the Twenty-second, many of them recruits, but the majority seasoned veterans, recognizing the certainty that their services would be again required, were "breaking in" their marching shoes and getting their affairs in order for the call for active service which all saw was inevitable.
On June 15, 1863, came the President's appeal for the aid of the militia of the loval States, and the following letter from Secretary of War Stanton to the Governor of New York : *
WASHINGTON, June 15, 1863.
To His Excellency Governor SEYMOUR:
The movements of the rebel forces in Virginia are now sufficiently developed to show that Gen. Lee, with his whole army, is moving forward to invade the States of Maryland, Pennsylvania and other States. The President, to repel this invasion promptly, has called upon Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mary-
* The following correspondence is taken from the annual report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York for 1863.
143
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
land and Western Virginia for one hundred thousand ( 100,000) militia for six months, unless sooner discharged. It is important to have the largest possible force in the least time; and, if other States would furnish militia for a short term, to be credited on the draft, it would greatly advance the object.
Will you please inform me immediately if, in answer to a special call from the President, you can forward, say, twenty thousand militia, as volunteers, without bounty, to be credited on the draft of your State, or what number you can possibly raise ?
(Signed)
E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
Gov. Seymour, with characteristic promptness, re- sponded the same day as follows :
ALBANY, June 15, 1863.
To Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington.
I will spare no efforts to send you troops at once. I have sent orders to the militia officers of the State.
(Signed) HORATIO SEYMOUR.
In answer to the foregoing, a telegram was received the same night, as follows :
To Governor SEYMOUR:
The President directs me to return his thanks, with those of the Department, for your prompt response. A strong move- ment of your city regiments to Philadelphia would be very encouraging, will do great good, and give strength in that State. The call should be for six months, unless sooner discharged, in order to comply with the law. It is not likely that more than thirty days' service-perhaps not so long-would be required. Can you forward your city regiments speedily ?
(Signed) E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
On the same night Gov. Seymour telegraphed as follows:
I will order the New York and Brooklyn troops to Phila- delphia at once. Where can they get arms if they are needed ?
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history of the twenty= Second Regiment
The following telegram was received by Gov. Sey- mour from the Governor of Pennsylvania :
To His Excellency Governor SEYMOUR:
I am in receipt of a message from the War Department stating that you are preparing troops to aid in defending the borders. The enemy is now in Cumberland Valley, in large force. The danger is imminent. Allow me to urge the for- warding of all troops to Harrisburg without delay.
(Signed) A. G. CURTIN, Governor of Pennsylvania.
To which he replied by telegram as follows :
ALBANY, June 16, 1863.
To Governor CURTIN, Harrisburg, Pa. :
I am pushing forward troops as fast as possible. Regiments leave New York to-night. All will be ordered to report to Gen. Couch.
(Signed) HORATIO SEYMOUR.
The following despatch was also sent to the Secre- tary of War by the Adjutant-General :
ALBANY, June 16, 1863.
To Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
The Governor wishes that directions be given to Col. Vintor. to issue clothing and camp equipage to the quartermaster- - general for the militia regiments now assembling for service in the field. The regiments will move in twenty-four (24) hours. Subsistence and transportation will also be needed.
(Signed) JOHN T. SPRAGUE, Adjutant General.
The Secretary of War replied : WASHINGTON, June 16, 1863.
To Adjutant-General SPRAGUE:
The Quartermaster-General has made provision for the clothing and equipment of the troops that may go to Pennsyl- vania, the issues to be made at Harrisburg. You can make requisition for subsistence and transportation, as heretofore, for troops forwarded from your State.
(Signed) E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
-
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History of the twenty: Second Regiment
The orders issued for the movements of the New York troops had been issued and obeyed with such promptness that on June 16, 1863, the Adjutant-General was enabled to send the following telegram :
ALBANY, June 16, 1863. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. :
About twelve thousand (12, 000) men are now on the move for Harrisburg, in good spirits and well equipped. The Gov- ernor says: "Shall troops continue to be forwarded ? Please answer. Nothing from Washington since my last telegram."
(Signed)
JOHN T. SPRAGUE, Adjutant- General.
The Secretary of War answered :
WASHINGTON, June 19, 1863.
To Adjutant-General SPRAGUE:
The President directs me to return his thanks to His Excel- lency Governor Seymour and his staff, for their energetic and prompt action. Whether any other force is likely to be required will be communicated to you to-morrow, by which time it is expected the movements of the enemy will be more fully developed.
(Signed) E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
Again, on June 21, Secretary Stanton telegraphed as follows :
To Assistant Adjutant-General STONEHOUSE:
The President desires Governor Seymour to forward to Bal- timore all the militia regiments he can raise.
(Signed)
E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
The following list gives the dates of their departure, the numbers of the regiments, their commanders, and the strength of each, showing that twelve thousand and ninety-one (12,091) National Guardsmen were equipped and marched to the relief of Harrisburg, in ten (10) days, by the State of New York. The total number
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history of the twenty- Second Regiment
sent between the fifteenth day of June and the third day of July was thirteen thousand, nine hundred and seventy- one (13,971): *
REGI- MENTS.
COMMANDERS.
LOCATION.
DATE OF DEPARI- ST'GTH URE.
4th Col. Daniel W. Teller.
New York City. 6.
June 20
500
5th
" Louis Burger.
19
82S
6th
" Joel W. Mason.
22
656
7th
" Marshall Lefferts.
17
650
11th
" Joachim Maidhoff.
66
18
762
13th
" John B. Woodward.
Brooklyn.
20
496
17th
Lieut .- Col. John P. Jenkins.
White Plains.
July
3
400
18th
Col James Ryder.
South East.
66
3
400
2Ist
" Joseph Wright.
Poughkeepsie.
June 27
600
22nd
Lloyd Aspinwall.
New York City.
19
56S
23rd
" William Everdell, Jr.
Brooklyn.
IS
626
28th
Michael Bennett.
20
484
37th
Charles Roome.
New York City.
19
693
47th
Jeremiah V. Meserole.
Brooklyn.
26
400
52nd
Mathias W. Cole.
22
35I
55th
" Eugene Le Gal.
New York City.
24
350
56th
" David M. Talmadge.
Brooklyn.
20
476
65th
" Jacob Krettner.
Buffalo.
19
555
67th
Chauncey Abbott.
East Hamburgh.
23
400
68th
" David S. Forbes.
Fredonia.
24
400
69th
" James Bagley.
New York City.
22
600
7Ist
Benjamin L. Trafford.
IS
737
74th
" Watson A. Fox.
Buffalo.
66
19
504
84th
Frederick A. Conkling.
New York City.
July
3 480
13,97I
In addition to this force, various detachments of vol- unteers, which were scattered throughout the State, were organized, equipped, and ordered forthwith to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This additional force com-
* In a letter of Secretary Stanton to the chairman of the Union League of Philadelphia, July 2, 1:03, he says: " The department addressed a com- munication to the governors of all the loyal States, requesting them to for- ward any troops or militia at their disposal. From their answers it appeared that none but New York had any military organization effective for raising troops in a short period."
1
8th
" Joshua M. Varian.
18
37I
12th
" William G. Ward.
19
684
.6
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history of the twenty: Eccond Regiment
prised 1,827 men. The emergency continuing, (the in- vaders having penetrated to within 125 miles of Elmira), troops continued to be called for and to be supplied, as will be seen by the following :
HARRISBURG, July 2, 1863 To His Excellency Gov. SEYMOUR :
Send forward more troops as rapidly as possible ; every hour increases the necessity for large forces to protect Penn- sylvania. The battles of yesterday were not decisive, and if Meade should be defeated, unless we have a large army, the State will be overrun by the rebels :
(Signed)
A. G. CURTIN, Governor of Pennsylvania.
This telegram was transmitted by the adjutant- general to Gov. Seymour while in New Jersey, who replied by telegram as follows :
BRUNSWICK, N. J., July 2, 12 P. M.
Send forward more troops to the relief of Pennsylvania.
Adj .- Gen. Sprague replied as follows:
ST. NICHOLAS HOTEL, Midnight, July 2, 1863.
Telegram just received. Conkling's regiment will go to-mor- row night, the Tenth (Benedix) Monday. I have directed the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Regiments to go. I will see Gen. Sandford to-night.
At the same time he telegraphed Gen. Curtin :
To His Excellency A. G. CURTIN, Governor of Pennsylvania.
Your telegram is received. Troops will continued to be sent. One regiment leaves to-night, another to-morrow ; all in good spirits.
(Signed) JOHN T. SPRAGUE, Adjutant- General.
Gen. Couch states in his report: "The Governor of New York pushed forward his regiments with alacrity. They were generally armed and equipped, ready for field service, and their arrival brought confidence."
CHAPTER XIII.
ORDERED TO PENNSYLVANIA.
O N June 17, 1863, formal orders were promulgated, directing the Twenty-second and other New York and Brooklyn National Guard organizations to be ready to march " as soon as requisitions were filled." All day long, blue and gray uniforms were dashing fran- tically backward and forward through the streets, and in and out of the various armories, in search of essentials found missing at the last moment; and in military circles the flurry and commotion were indescribable. The necessary supplies were delivered to the Twenty- second on June 18, and orders were at once issued for the regiment to form at 4 P. M. on that day. Punctually at the appointed hour, the Twenty-second, 568 strong,* assembled in its incomplete regimental armory, and, bidding a last " good-bye " to throngs of friends, formed line for its second campaign, but with grave faces, for the pomp and glitter of warfare had been dulled by ex- perience, and all knew that they were entering upon a most serious undertaking.
* Only 100 less than the Seventh.
148
149
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
At last the manifold preparations were completed, and, amid tumultuous cheering, the fluttering of hand- kerchiefs, the ringing of bells and the general bewilder- ing roar of an enthusiastic crowd, tempered by the tears of many mothers, wives and sisters, the regiment swung into column, and marched down Broadway to the Cam- den and Amboy steamer. From there it was transferred into cattle-cars, and the next morning found it at Phila- delphia, where, as in the previous year, its members were " fed and washed " at the immortal "Cooper Shop."
A long march, in a mild drizzle, through five or six miles of streets, lined by an enthusiastic and patriotic community, but paved with painfully irregular cobble- stones, then took place. During the march, the regi- ment was reviewed by Maj .- Gen. Charles W. Sandford, commanding the First Division N. G. S. N. Y. The impression among the officers and men created by the appearance upon the reviewing stand of his rosy face and venerable white beard was the reverse of pleasant. This was deepened by the recognition, of the familiar forms of several of the New York brigade command- ers beside him. The question ran from man to man, " What are they doing here ?" " Is it possible that they are to be put in command ?" Yet this was what was to take place, and was the beginning of a serious error upon the part of the authorities.
The National Guard of New York was in 1863, a very different organization from what it is at the time of this writing (1895). Although having a population of but 4,000,000, the State maintained a militia consisting of S divisions, 32 brigades and eighty-five regiments, I battalion and I battery, with a paper strength of
1
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history of the twenty- Second Regiment
31,500 men. Besides these there were 20 new organ- izations amounting to 7,013 men .*
With the exception of the Seventh which served but thirty days in 1861, the older organizations had served in the field for three months in each of the two preceding years and although their personnel had been greatly changed by the enlistment of many of their officers and men in the volunteers, the inability of some to get away and the filling of their places by recruits, the majority of the officers and men were soldiers and the new men soon learned their duties from their asso- ciates. But the experience that had been acquired by the regiments did not extend to their division and brigade commanders. Maj .- Gen. Sandford had held his commission since 1837, Brig .- Gen. Hall since 1844, Brig .- Gen. Ewen since 1847, and Brig .- Gen. Spicer since
1850. During this period their duties had been confined to street parades, with the occasional excep- tion of perhaps an annual brigade drill, when the brigade commander had his orders carefully written out, and put on his spectacles to read them. There were no reports, no inspections and no discipline outside that maintained by the regiments themselves.+ When a parade was had of the First Division, the companies were ordered to report at 7 A. M., regimental line was ordered to be formed at S, brigade line at 9,
* In 1995, with a population of over 6,000,000, New York has a National Guard of 12,906, divided into four brigades, eleven regiments, three battal- ions, and forty-five separate companies, five batteries, I troop of cavalry, and three signal corps.
t None of the regimental commanders of the First Division made any report of the 1363 campaign, or if they did, they were not transmitted to Headquarters, so as to appear in the reports of the adjutant-general, which has added greatly to the difficulties of writing this history.
-
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
history of the twenty= Second Regiment 15[
and the division at 10. A delay of an hour in each case was customary. When the division was finally formed, it was in a line stretching from Twenty-third Street to Fourteenth and thence west to the Hudson River, and thence to Twenty-third Street, the formation taking place about 11.30. Gen. Sandford accompanied by his staff would then walk his horse down the whole line and then back to the head of the col- umn, so that it would be one o'clock before the procession moved. His other methods as a division commander were of a similar un- military character, and the general idea of his military qualifications MAJ .- GEN. CHAS. W. SANDFORD. Commanding First Division, N. G. S. V. Y. was cleverly shown in "I will fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." the accompanying cartoon by Thomas Nast. While these generals were gentlemen of high standing and character they were utterly destitute of either the military knowledge or experience necessary to com- mand troops in the field and were too old to learn. They did not know how to march, feed or fight their men. Above all, they had not the slightest idea of discipline or of its enforcement. What was worse, was that the troops themselves knew their defects perfectly
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history of the twenty- Eccond Regiment
well, and consequently had neither respect for nor con fidence in their generals, to whose authority they paid an unwilling obedience.
The following telegrams contained in the Rebellion Records explain how the War Department was induced to make the error of allowing these inexperienced and incompetent officers to assume command .. They also show how conceit can blind an officer to his own defi- ciencies. The idea that the regiments desired to serve under "their own general officers" is refreshing in its absurdity.
Gen. C. W. Sandford to Secretary Stanton :
NEW YORK, June 16, 1863.
Four of our regiments go to-morrow; eight more the next day. They urge in the strongest manner the request that they may go and be commanded by their own general officers, subject, of course, to the commanding officers of corps and departments. They will go stronger if this request is complied with.
Gen. Hallock to Gen. Sandford :
WASHINGTON, June 27, 1863.
I am directed by the Secretary of War * * to say that each case will be decided as it arises, when a brigade is ready, you naming the brigade and brigade commander.
Gen. Sandford to Secretary Stanton :
NEW YORK, June IS, 1863.
I have detailed Brig .- Gen. Ewen of my division to proceed to Harrisburg with his brigade to-morrow.
Please send me a telegram to authorize the United States mustering officers at Harrisburg to muster in these troops with their brigadiers, etc., as detailed by me.
---
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
153
Gen. Sandford to Secretary Stanton : 1
NEW YORK, June 27, 1863.
Twelve regiments of my division are now at Harrisburg and Baltimore. Another will leave on Monday. I propose to go to Harrisburg and take command of them. If you approve of this, please send me a telegram directing the mustering offi- cer at Harrisburg to muster myself and staff in from the 16th inst.
The authorities soon ascertained Gen. Sandford's unfitness, and he did not figure in the Pennsylvania campaign. Brig .- Gen. Ewen, however, retained command of the brigade. (the Twenty-second and Thirty-seventh Regiments) throughout. Considering his want of previous experi- ence, he did better than could have been expected. He was brave under fire and wise enough to follow the suggestions of those of his subordinates who knew what should be done. But in many ways, he was not equal to the situation, and GEN. W. F. (BALDY) SMITH. his command detested him, in many instances, perhaps for matters for which he was not responsible. Gen. W. F. (Baldy) Smith, the division commander, soon ignored him, and issued his orders direct to the regimental commanders, which is the best proof of his (Smith's) opinion of his inefficiency.
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history of the twenty- Second Regiment
The following is a roster of the officers of the Twenty-second who served in the Pennsylvania cam- paign : *
FIELD, STAFF AND NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Colonel, Lloyd Aspinwall.
Lieutenant-Colonel, James F. Cox (elected in the field).
Major, James Otis (clected in the field).
Adjutant, William J. A. McGrath.
Quartermaster, Jotham W. Post.
Surgeon, Benjamin M. D. Lee.
Assistant Surgeon, W. H. B. Post. Commissary, John C. Thompson.
Assistant Surgeon, Edward H. Sexton.
Sergeant-Major, Charles Walker.
Quartermaster Sergeant, Charles S. Bunker.
Ordnance Sergeant, Eliha Adams.
Commissary Sergeant, George L. Breck.
Hospital Steward, Charles Wood.
Sergeant Standard-Bearer, George V. W. House.
Sergeant Standard-Bearer, Thomas H. Senior. Drum-Major, George Bruce.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
A-Captain, James Otis (elected major in the field). Captain, George Fuller (clected in the field).
First Lieutenant, Lindley M. Franklin (elected in the field).
Second Lieutenant, vacant (after Lieut. Franklin's promotion.)
* A copy of the muster out roll of this regiment in this campaign, giving the names of all officers and men, is printed in the appendix at page 637, post.
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History of the twenty: Second Regiment
B-Captain, William W. Remmy (elected in the field). First Lieutenant, Aaron C. Allan (resigned). First Lieutenant, John T. Camp (elected in the field). Second Lieutenant, vacant (after Lieut. Camp's pro- motion.)
C-Captain, George B. Post. First Lieutenant (vacant). Second Lieutenant, John H. Palmer.
D-Captain, Thomas L. Thornell. First Lieutenant, Joseph T. Baldwin. Second Lieutenant, Isaac Smith.
E-Captain, John N. Wilsey. First Lieutenant, William H. Hoyt. Second Lieutenant, George W. Davis.
F-Captain, Alfred N. Francis. First Lieutenant, Thomas Laurence.
Second Lieutenant, George J. Clan Ranald. G-Captain, Henry E. Howland. First Lieutenant, William C. Soutter.
Second Lieutenant, (vacant).
H-Captain, R. Suydam Grant.
First Lieutenant, Walter Edwards (appointed ord- nance officer on Gen. Ewen's staff).
Second Lieutenant, William Man.
I - Captain, Asa B. Gardner. First Lieutenant (vacant.)
Second Lieutenant, Joseph P. Goodliff (elected in the field).
K-Captain, Edgar A. Roberts, First Lieutenant, Thomas Price. Second Lieutenant, Henry T. White.
1
156
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
The following was the strength of the regiment :
OFFICERS.
NON-COMM'D OFFICERS.
PRIVATES.
TOTAL.
Field and staff .
9
. .
. .
9
Non-comm'd staff .. ..
. .
8
. .
8
A Company
3
9
47
59
B
.
.
2
9
53
64
D
6
. .
3
IO
39
52
E
.
3
10
41
54
F
3
8
47
58
G
. .
2
9
58
69
H
. .
2
9
31
42
I
. .
2
IO
45
57
K
66
3
8
29
40
Band .
. .
. .
30
Total
630
3
IO
75
88
C
66
. .
Arriving at the railroad, on the afternoon of June 18, 1863, the regiment was loaded into box-cars and started for Harrisburg. The distance from Philadelphia to that city is not great, but the road was blocked by the unusual traffic of war, and the heavy troop trains travelled so slowly, that it was not until June 20, that the Twenty-second reached Harrisburg.# The men were in baggage-cars where there was sufficient room to give them liberty of movement, so that the trip was far less disagreeable than the ride in ordinary coaches would have been. As the train passed along, the people of the villages and farm-houses, particularly the women, would throng to the track to cheer the troops. Fre- quently the railroad was completely fringed with girls,
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