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 23
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
The other reports show that this was not exagger- ated. Some of the Twenty-second who served in one of the parties sent out to disperse the mobs, found the same weakness. Although shot at and stoned, the strictest orders were given against firing. The result, of course, was, to embolden the rioters, so that when the troops did fire, many more men had to be shot than would have been the case if the action had been vigor- ous in the first instance. In fact, it would have been much better if, instead of breaking up the troops into small parties to guard different points, these had been reduced to a minimum, and the main force sent out in strong parties, with orders to attack the mob with the utmost vigor, whenever and wherever it was encoun- tered.
On July 16, 1863, the detachment of the Twenty- second was relieved by a detail of regulars, and marched
* Rebellion Record, Series t, Volume 27, Part 2, Sec. Syt.
339
history of the twenty Second Regiment
back to the armory, which they guarded until the arrival of the regiment. Several of the men, including the author's brother, J. Phelps Wingate (Company A), were subsequently attacked with typhoid fever and similar diseases, from sleeping near the outlet of the large sewer which emptied into the East River, near Webb's Shipyard. Some of these never fully recovered their health and strength.
The Twenty-second, upon its return, found New York in a most demoralized condition. The draft riots had swept over it like a tornado. Many buildings had been burned, many people killed, and all were uncertain what might occur. While the return of the troops strengthened the public authorities and restored quiet, it was not considered safe to dismiss them; they were, therefore, held in their armories, only a portion being allowed to leave at a time. This was very hard on the men on the night of their arrival. They were burning with anxiety to see their families, of whose safety they were in ignorance. They were also so dirty that their clothes were foul, and they were eager for a bath and a change of underclothing. But it was orders, and they obeyed. On July 19, the regiment was relieved for a day, except a strong guard, with orders to report immediately in case of a disturbance. Half the regiment was then ordered on guard on alternate days, beginning on July 20.
The then armory of the Twenty-second was wholly unfitted for men to live in, and it was a great relief when, after remaining there for a week, the regiment was sent to Elm Park, at what is now Columbus Avenue and Ninetieth Street, where it went into camp to guard the
340
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
Croton Aqueduct. Here it remained for two weeks morc. The draft being renewed on August 17, appre- hensions of a disturbance led to the calling out of the whole division. The Twenty-second kept half of each company on duty until September 5, and a guard of half a company was kept on duty in the armory until September 15. This duty was probably the most dull, monotonous and disagreeable that the Twenty- second ever performed. It was greatly worse than guarding Spinola's Brigade the year before, because in that case there was a specific object in sight and actual soldier's work to do, with a spice of danger. Here there was nothing to contend against, no rioters in sight, and nothing to do but " loaf," while everybody had long- neglected and pressing business to attend to. The ef- fect upon the regiment was distinctly bad, and caused many of its members to leave the service on the first available occasion.
The men felt the tedium of the duty more than they should have done from the fact that there were but very few drills and practically no military work beyond a little sentry duty. In addition everything was allowed to run very loosely. This was a great mistake. Repeated experience in the Twenty-second demonstrates that when the regiment is called into service it should at once be put under thorough disci- pline and kept there until it is dismissed, every military formality being as carefully preserved as would be the case in a State camp. The men should not be left idle. but should be kept at work at drills and instruction, so that they will be occupied, kept interested and their presence insured. Any military movements that may
341
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
be expected to be performed should be carefully re- hearsed, particularly the firings and sentry work, and careful inspections should be had to see that every man is provided with what he needs and is not loaded down with what he does not need and cannot carry. Athletic games should also be started and, whenever practicable, short marches taken into the neighboring streets. By proper attention to these points a tour of duty in an armory will be a benefit to an organization. If they are neglected it will tend toward demoralization.
-
1.
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR.
TN the early part of 1864 a great fair, for the benefit of the "Sanitary Commission," was organized, in which the whole city took part and which was regarded as a municipal effort to add to the fund for relieving the sick and wounded soldiers of the Union. The Twenty-second tendered its armory for the use of the fair. The offer was gratefully accepted, and the city authorities, to aid the fair and help the regiment, con- structed, upon the vacant lots adjoining the headquarters building, the large drill-room, which was for twenty-six years the home of the Twenty-second. This was in its day considered one of the finest armories in the coun- try. The drill-room was upon the ground-floor and had a floor-space of 150 by 200 feet with a gallery on the south side. When first built, this room was practically divided into two parts by three brick piers, each four feet square, which were placed at intervals across its centre to support the cross-girders. These almost ruined it for drill purposes, but, in 1865, the regiment was able to have them removed and cach replaced by a cluster of four small iron columns two feet apart.
342
343
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
This, for the first time, enabled the entire space of the room to be utilized for drill purposes, and rendered battalion drills possible, as the men soon learned to pass through the columns without disturbing their formation. The opening of the fair was celebrated by a parade of the entire First Division. The fair itself lasted during April, May and June, and was an extraordinary success, result- ing in raising a very large sum of money for the Sani- tary Commission. The ladies having charge of the " lin- gerie department" had been given by Company A the use of its room, which was elegantly decorated and fur- nished and was the only one of the company rooms which was completed. They manifested their apprecia- tion of the compliment by presenting the company with a solid silver salver, pitcher and set of goblets. The company subsequently presented these to its captain, Edward M. Townsend, after he had been elected major.
During 1864 and 1865, the question of whether the regiment would be again called into service arose at every reverse of the Union troops in the East, which was not an infrequent incident. This summons was regarded as being certain to happen at the time of Early's raid upon Washington in 1864, an attempt which came much nearer being successful than is commonly supposed. The officers and men of the regiment were therefore obliged to keep themselves constantly in readiness to respond to such a call, should it be made, and the apprehension of it compelled many men to leave the regiment, whose business or family relations were such as to render it impossible for them to serve in the field. It also made recruiting difficult. Those who were so situated as to be able to leave, enlisted in the
344
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
volunteers. Those who could not do so were unwilling to belong to an organization which was liable at any time to be called into active service.
None but those who actually served during that period can appreciate the constant strain it was upon the regiment, when no one could tell but what the next day might bring orders for the field.
On March 17, 1864, Col. Aspinwall tendered his resignation, being compelled to go abroad. At the urgent request of the Board of Officers, who were un- willing to lose his services, he was induced to withdraw it, and take a year's leave of absence. Lieut .- Col. James F. Cox assumed command of the regiment, and vigor- ously pushed its military instruction, in order to keep it in condition for service, having open-air drills every Saturday afternoon during April and May, in the Columbia College property, at Fifth Avenue and Forty- ninth Street, then an open field.
A draft to fill the vacant ranks in the volunteer army was ordered to take place in July, 1864, and from apprehensions that another riot might take place, a guard was ordered to be kept in each of the National Guard armories, including that of the Twenty-second. This guard went on duty in July, 1864, and was con- tinued all through the summer. After a few weeks the strength of the guard was reduced, but it was increased in November, when the excited state of public feeling caused by the election for President rendered the situa- tion more critical. This, like the previous guard duty, was monotonous and disagreeable.
·
In February, 1865, when a further draft took place. great apprehensions were entertained of another riot.
345
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
A guard of one company was kept at the armory of the Twenty-second for eight days, one-half of the men being constantly upon duty. A similar guard was maintained in the other National Guard armories, and all the com- mands held themselves in readiness to report forthwith in case of any disturbance. As is usually the case, the knowledge that the authorities were possessed of a mili- tary force ready to put down, with bullets, any attempt to interfere, by force, with the administration of the law prevented its occurring.
The regiment made a street parade upon Inaugura- tion Day, March 4, 1865. It also paraded, with other regiments and the regular troops. on April 10, 1865, at the funeral of Gen. Winthrop, who had fallen at Peters- burgh.
On April 14, 1865, the members of the Twenty- second, who had been rejoicing over the great victories of the Union Army, and the conviction that the sur- render of the Confederate forces had restored peace. were, in common with the whole of the lova! North, plunged into the deepest grief at the astounding intelli- gence of the assassination of President Lincoln. The Fourteenth Street armory was at once draped in mourn- ing, including the company rooms. That of Company B displayed a mourning figure prepared by Thomas Nast, then one of its members, which excited much admiration. On April 24. 1865. the Twenty-second participated in the great funeral procession which escorted the remains of the martyred President through the heavily-draped streets of the city, and formed in line to " present arms," as the hearse which carried his body moved solemnly past, amid the silent grief of the crowds
346
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
which thronged every avenue of approach. This was an occasion that will never be forgotten by anyone who participated in it.
On July 4, 1865, the regiment took part in a great parade held to celebrate the advent of peace. Subse- quently during that year it paraded several times as escort to different regiments returning from the field, whose tattered flags and ranks, depleted sometimes to less than 100 men, entitled them to all the honor that could be shown them.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
AFTER THE WAR.
F RANKNESS compels the conclusion that the close of the Great Rebellion left the Twenty-second in an unpromising condition. While that was no worse than was the case with the other organizations of the National Guard, the position of the regiment was never- theless serious and its prospects gloomy. This con- tinued until about 1870, when the introduction of rifle- practice helped to create a renewed interest, and the general military situation began to improve. It can hardly, however, be said that the National Guard has ever regained as much popular interest as it possessed prior to and during the War.
The impaired condition of the Twenty-second, be- tween 1865 and 1870, arose from a variety of reasons.
The general condition of affairs in the National Guard is aptly stated by Gen. Emmons Clark in his " History of the Seventh Regiment," as follows (the author speaking, of course, of the Seventh and not of the Twenty-second :)
There was some reason to doubt the future of the regiment. The financial and business affairs of the city were so unsettled that there was no permanency to enlistments, and there was constant change in the membership of companies. Many of
347
348
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
the most active and valuable members had left the ranks for active service in the field as officers of volunteers, and their places had been filled by new recruits, with the varied motives for en- listment peculiar to the period. The new accessions were not always valuable, and the esprit du corps of the regiment, already somewhat impaired, was not likely to improve.
These words were as applicable to the Twenty- second as to the Seventh. From motives of patriotism, many officers and men of the former had remained in service at a great personal sacrifice, as long as fighting was going on, so as to be ready to respond with their regiment if it should be called upon for active service. But when the Rebellion was ended and all danger to the country had ceased, they felt that the necessity for fur- ther personal sacrifice on their part no longer existed and took their discharges. During the last two or three years of the War the pressure upon National Guardsmen, arising from the constant liability they were under of being hastily ordered into service in the field, and from their being frequently called upon to leave their business to perform long tours of guard duty, had been increasing and had become exceedingly onerous, the constant antici- pation and uncertainty being often worse than the reality. It had consequently been more and more difficult in the Twenty-second, as was the case in other organizations, to maintain its membership and yet keep up its stand- ard in the selection of its recruits. In particular, a num- ber of the class of wealthy young men who had hast- ened to enlist in it during the excitement caused by the firing upon Sumter, had left the regiment to take com- missions in the volunteers. Others had found their en- thusiasm insufficient to last them throughout the hard-
349
history of the twenty Second Regiment
ships of the two campaigns in which the regiment had served, and the necessity of conducting their business for a series of years in such a manner as to meet the constant probability of the command being again called into service. They consequently dropped out when- ever they could, and it was impossible, in the then ex- isting condition of affairs, to wholly replace them with as desirable material.
Another matter which had affected the Twenty- second to some extent was that several of its members of high social and business standing, who had found themselves unable to leave their business and families when the regiment was called into the field, had sent their clerks to fill their places. These had served faith- fully and had become popular with their comrades, so that many of them who, upon their return, desired to become permanent members of the companies in which they had served, were elected to membership. This had a tendency to create something of a social breach in some of the companies.
These, however, were all minor matters of a tempo- rary character.
The real and great difficulty that the National Guard had to experience after the War, and from which it suf- fered for a number of years, was an absolute and utter lack of interest in military matters on the part of the public. The people now regarded soldiering as a serious and bloody business, and were heartily sick of it. War pictures would not sell. War stories could find no publisher. To those who were daily accus- tomed to read of great battles and military manœuvres upon a grand scale, the idea of joining a National Guard
350
History of the twenty Second Regiment
regiment, to make street-parades and to drill in an arm- ory, seemed like " playing at soldiering." For a number of years after peace was restored it was in consequence a hard matter for the officers of the Twenty-second, as it was for those of other organizations, to maintain its strength and efficiency, and they are consequently entitled to great credit for the success they achieved.
With a few conspicuous exceptions, the enlistment of veterans of the War in the National Guard was not a success. Some of them proved to be the best of sol- diers. But, as a rule, instead of being models, they were more apt to be found to have acquired careless military habits, to be disposed to consider that they "knew it all," and, therefore, not willing to study, and to resent all criticism for the errors which they were constantly making.
In December, 1864, the regiment received from the State $6, 154 on account of uniforms worn out in service in 1863, which was a great help to it at the time.
On October 12, 1864, the dissensions that had ex- isted for some time in Companies E and K had become so pronounced as to lead to their disbandment. On February 22, 1865, the city honored the Twenty-second Regiment by the presentation of a stand of colors, the presentation being made by the Hon. John E. Develin.
On May 20, 1865, the condition of the National Guard regiments was such as to induce the authorities to order a general parade and inspection, to determine which of them should be disbanded and which retained. The Twenty-second made a fine appearance, but many regiments did not, and a number of them were dis- banded by the State within a short time thereafter.
351
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
The meeting of the Board of Officers, held August 8, 1865, was notable as that at which Josiah Porter, subsequently the colonel of the regiment, and afterwards Adjutant-General of the State, was first introduced by Capt. Howland, who had secured his election to the captaincy of Company G, from which the former had just resigned.
During 1865 Col. Aspinwall offered a set of medals for proficiency in drill, one to go to the best-drilled non-commissioned officer, or man in each company. The drill for these was public, and the competition was keen. They were publicly presented to the successful candidates at a parade of the regiment held November 21, 1865, after speeches by Col. Aspinwall and Gens. Sandford and Barlow. These medals were again com- peted for and presented on April 24, 1868.
The following is a list of the winners of these medals :
Co.
1865.
A Sergt. Geo. B. Goldschmidt.
B
60 John D. Edwards.
C Capt. William Taylor.
D Sergt. Theo. H. Freeland.
E Vacant.
F Sergt. Edward Russell.
G £ John Briggs.
H Privt. William Wallace.
I Sergt. Theo. F. Allen.
IS68.
Sergt. E. A. Cunningham.
Privt. E. D. McMurray.
S. E. Briggs.
Corp. Joel R. Park.
Privt. J. A. Vose.
Sergt. J. H. Greenfield. 6. Thos. Comiski.
Corp. Donald Van Schaick. Privt. Edgar Lugar.
On December 1, 1865, the regiment, to its great regret, was deprived of the services of Col. Aspin- wall, who was on that day elected to the command of the Fourth Brigade. The Board of Officers passed appropriate resolutions of regret, but recognizing " that
352
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
his promotion was the due reward of military talent, ex- ecutive ability and long and able service." He was succeeded by Lieut .- Col. James Farley Cox. Maj. Geo. B. Post being elected lieutenant-colonel and Capt. Ed- ward M. Townsend (Company A) major.
Col. Cox was one of the origi- nal members of the Twenty-second, having been elected first-lieutenant of Company A when it was first or- . ganized. At the time of the depart- ure of the regiment in 1862 he was detailed to the command of Com- pany D, was elected captain of that company in the field, and, in the COL. JAMES F. COX. same campaign, was promoted to be major. In 1863 he was elected in the field to be lieutenant-colonel. Col. Cox had been in command of the regiment during Col. Aspinwall's absence, which had covered nearly twelve months before the election, so that for some time before he was actually elected he had practically come to be regarded as its colonel.
Personally, he was a tall, fine-looking man, with black hair and side-whiskers, and very pleasant manners. He was always genial and friendly, yet dignified and firm. A thoroughly good officer, with a complete knowledge of the tactics, he was extremely popular in every com- mand he had ever held. During the period he com- manded the Twenty-second, he maintained without friction the regimental standard of efficiency in spite of many difficulties, and instituted many valuable improve- ments in the regimental administration. One of the most useful of these was the establishment of a regi-
353
HADANY, N. Y.
history of the twenty Second Regiment
mental board for the examination of non-commissioned officers. These were first appointed on March 26, 1866, two years before such boards were required by general orders to be established, and their appointment was a most useful regulation.
Col. Cox's business affairs only allowed him to retain the position of colo- nel for a short period after his election, and in Septem- ber, 1867, he was compelled to resign, greatly to the re- gret of the regiment.
He was succeeded on February 8, 1867, by Lieut .- Col. George B. Post, who had, in the meantime, com- COL. GEORGE B. POST. manded the regiment, Capt. William W. Remmey (Company B) being elected lieutenant-colonel. On May 21, 1867, Capt. Josiah Porter was elected major, Maj. Townsend having been appointed upon the brigade staff.
Col. Post was then a well-known architect, and has since become celebrated in connection with his profes- sional work at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago and with many prominent buildings in New York He had originally commanded Company C from its organization to November, 1863, when he was elected major. He was made lieutenant-colonel in 1865. He was a handsome man, tall and fair, with a long blonde mustache, amiable and kind in his manners, and a good tactician, but was considered by some to be a little too easy as a disciplinarian. He commanded the regiment,
354
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
however, at a time when it was in a transition state, and when it was perhaps harder to maintain its discipline and strength than at any former period. Directly after his election, Col. Post issued orders requiring the adoption of the army system of books and papers. Upton's tac- tics having been then introduced," he required the com- panies to drill by squads under the supervision of the lieutenant-colonel and major until they had learned them.
It was not until 1866 that the farce of requiring the officers of the National Guard to parade annually, in order to call the roll of the " un-uniformed militia," was abandoned. Up to that time all able-bodied citizens were supposed to be enrolled as members of this mys- terious body, and were annually "warned" by notices, which they never saw, to appear at a specified spot and time for instruction. A National Guard officer was de- tailed to be at the place designated, to act as instructor, and was required to appear in uniform. All absentees were reported, and were fined $2, which fine was collected by a marshal, usually to the intense disgust of the de- linquent, and went to pay the expenses of the uniformed troops, taking the place of the annual appropria- tion for military purposes now made by the State. It is said that upon a certain occasion one man " appeared for instruction," with the result that the officer assigned to the district was so startled at this departure from established custom that he did not know what to do with him. The officer compromised, however, by ask- ing the man to take a drink, and then excused him. The law was absurd and extremely unpopular, and its repeal was beneficial to the National Guard.
* See Chap. XXXV. Changes in tactics, page 372 post.
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM J. HARDING.
-
-
355
357
History of the twenty Second Regiment .
In January, 1867, Maj -Gen. Alexander Shaler was appointed major-general commanding the First Division N. G., Gen. Sandford having been retired, and Gen. Aspinwall resumed the command of the Fourth Brigade. Gen. Shaler was not only an old National Guardsman, but had commanded a division of volunteers. He at once proceeded to put the division upon a military foot- ing in regard to its orders and correspondence, a matter to which no attention whatever had been paid under Gen. Sandford's placid reign. By a division order issued February 26, 1867, official letters were required to be sent through the regular channels, and the rules in force at the time of this writing (1895), in regard to books and papers, were prescribed. This may be said to have been the first of the many steps that have been taken since the War at the different headquarters to increase the discipline and efficiency of the National Guard, which have resulted in making it a very different organization from what it had previously been.
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.