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 9
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
It is a curious thing about military life that the putting on of a uniform seems to destroy the sense of personal responsibility and to make grown men act like boys. Unless watched and governed by their officers, they will perpetrate all sorts of wild pranks and glory in it. Many are apt to drink to excess if they can get liquor. Consequently military authorities are rigorous in preventing it from being brought into places where there are a number of -troops. On the other hand there is such a profit in supplying it that many attempt to do so.
On one occasion three nicely dressed Jewish gentlemen got off the train at Harper's Ferry, having five large Saratoga trunks. The officer of the guard stepped up and politely inquired what was in them. "Clothing-only our clothing," was the reply.
"All right," he said, " just open them, will you?"
The gentlemen demurred somewhat, but when they saw that he was firm, finally did so. When the trunks
95
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
were opened, they appeared, as stated, to be merely filled with clothing. The officer, however, thrust his arm into one of the trunks, felt around and soon drew it out with a bottle of whiskey; this was followed by another and still another. The trunks were then unpacked and it was found that below six inches from the top they were packed with alternate layers of cloth- ing and bottles of whiskey. The whiskey was at once confiscated and sent to the hospital, the officer and sergeant of the guard only keeping two bottles each as a perquisite. The owners swore and cried, and cried and swore, but they were in the region of martial law and were only laughed at.
The regiment was not favored with many formal re- ligious services, although there was a short prayer meet- ing at 9 P. M. every night. Its chaplain, a prominent New York clergyman, had a large church in New York and was seldom able to leave it. Up to July 27, he had only been with the regiment on three or four Sundays. On one of these advantage was taken of the occasion to have the regiment attend divine service in a body. An empty church near the camp was taken possession of and was filled solidly by an interested and attentive con- gregation. The eloquent chaplain, who was full of patriotic fervor, improved the occasion and made up for his previous absence by a most eloquent but lengthy prayer. The officers and men had not been inside of a house for over a month, and although the doors and windows of the church were open and some of them missing, the crowd made the air close, at least to those who had become accustomed to spend their days and nights in the- open air. The day was hot and the buzz-
96
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
ing of the flies and the murmuring of a gentle breeze outside chimed in softly with the voice of the preacher, and one by one the audience dropped off into peaceful slumber. The writer, by a great effort, forced himself to listen for thirty-five minutes, and then, observing that the great majority of his comrades had yielded to the situation, he, too, succumbed. Subsequent inquiry failed to disclose anyone who had heard the prayer through, so that it is impossible to say how long it lasted. When it did end, as all things must, each one of the audience awoke with a start and glared at his neighbors with an expression of indignation at their impoliteness in hav- ing gone to sleep when the chaplain was praying.
During June and July, elections were held to fill the places of those officers who had not been able to go into service with the regiment. Adj. J. Henderson Grant, afterwards commander in the Japanese army, was elected major, Capt. Otis, Company A, who had been acting as major, preferring the position of senior captain; Lieut. W. J. A. McGrath, C Company, was appointed adjutant; Lieut. J. Farley Cox, of A Com- pany, was elected captain of Company D, of which he had been acting captain since it left New York; Lieut. Geo. Fuller being elected as first lieutenant of A Com- pany and David B. Gilbert, second lieutenant.
In Company C Charles A. Post was elected as second lieutenant in place of Adj. McGrath.
In B Company Aaron C. Allen was promoted to be first lieutenant and W. W. Remmy elected second lieutenant.
In D Company Joseph T. Baldwin was elected first lieutenant and Thos. L. Thornell, second lieutenant.
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
CAPT. AND MRS. COX, CAPT. G. B. POST, LIEUT. H. CRUGER OAKLEY.
1
97
ADJUTANT W. J. A. MCGRATH,
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFENT ALBANY, N. Y.
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
99 /
In E Company W. H. Hoyt was elected first lieutenant.
In G Company W. A. Gibson was elected second lieutenant.
In H Company William Man was elected second lieutenant.
Com. Sergt. George McClure was appointed com- missary, and Private John Thompson (A Company) commissary sergeant.
The flies were a terrible nuisance in the camp. They filled the tents in swarms and buzzed and bit so that resting, reading, "writing home" (an important part
COMPANY B, HARPER'S FERRY.
of a soldier's life) were almost impossible. Letter writ- ing in camp is usually done on a tin plate resting on the knee, and requires industry and ingenuity, and usually produces a cramp somewhere about the writer's person.
100
history of the twenty Second Regiment
The addition of a dozen industrious and hungry flies elevated it into a penance.
Another great inconvenience was the want of change, which was the only shape in which money had value. All coin had disappeared with the rise in gold. Fractional currency had not yet been invented, and it was almost impossible to make the small purchases of berries, milk, etc., which added so much to the army ration and to pay for the washing of the soldiers' under- clothing, the receipt from which appeared to be the sole support of the females of the neighborhood. Postage stamps were used to a considerable extent, but the trouble was a constant and serious one.
"OBEYING ORDERS" (PAGE S5).
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT AT HARPER'S FERRY.
GUARD MOUNT.
INSPECTION. IN SQUARE.
101
CHAPTER VIII.
AN ATTACK THREATENED.
A S THE summer wore on the situation became more and more warlike. The guerrillas became bolder and frequently attacked and destroyed wagons. In the latter part of July, there was quite an excitement in camp as an attack was anticipated. The men slept with their shoes on (which soldiers dislike extremely to do) and rifles loaded, but nothing appeared to disturb them. The brigade was constantly active. The cavalry scoured the woods on the Loudon side of the Shenandoah, often bringing in squads of prisoners, while detachments from the infantry were frequently sent out down the valley to protect the railroad to Winchester, which was being constantly threatened by guerrillas. This railroad was one of the curiosities of the region. It was laid with the old fash- ioned strap rail, the ends of which were apt to turn upwards when a spike got loose, making what were called "snake heads," which had an interesting way of coming through the car floor when a wheel struck them as the end of the rail went over instead of under it. The rolling stock consisted of platform cars and an engine. This had once been a platform car itself but
103
104
history of the twenty Second Regiment
had risen to the dignity of a locomotive by being rigged up with a stationary engine set in the middle, which operated a walking-beam that turned the wheels of the car steamboat fashion. The less said about its speed the better. A few men could easily rip out these flat rails in a few minutes and stop the road, but it was just as easy to put them back when you could trace out the place where they had thrown the missing rails. which was never far away, as they were too heavy for raiders to carry off.
The enemy did not confine their operations to the railroad, but pushed their scouting parties boldly forward, sometimes approaching so near the lines as to be visible from Maryland Heights and their fires could often be seen at night. Capt. McGrath, who com- manded the battery upon the mountain, dominated all points within four miles with his heavy guns. He was incessantly on the alert and after July 15, it was not an uncommon event for him to open fire at some of these scouting parties, as a gentle hint for them to keep their distance. This he would do at night as well as in the daytime, aiming at their camp fires. This was interesting to the Twenty-second as the shells usually passed directly over the regimental camp, and to them. therefore, the accuracy of his fuses was a matter of some consideration. It is gratifying to be able to state that none of the shells, as far as known, burst over the camp. McGrath's aim was so good that one day when a body of Confederate cavalry were seen to enter an abandoned school-house two miles from the river for noonday rest, he put an eleven inch shell into the building, stampeding the whole party.
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
-
history of the twenty- Second Regiment 105
One dark night some officers of the Twenty-second coming out of a tent observed a bright light over on the summit of Loudon, and at once proceeded to "stake it out" so as to be able to locate it the next day. They had just completed an elaborate triangulation which they felt sure would give them the exact point,
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF COMPANY C, HARPER'S FERRY.
Sergt. Augustus Brownell. Sergt W. W. Butler. Corp. E. L. Avery.
Sergt W. W Evans, Sergt. John H. Palmer.
Corp. Robt. Forrest. First Sergt. Geo. Arnold, Corp. HI P. Franklin.
when the supposed fire rose slowly above the trees and they found to their disgust that they had "staked out" the planet Venus for a Confederate camp fire .*
In July Gen. McClellan made his celebrated "change of base" and Gen. Pope assumed command of the armies in front of Washington. He issued his well- *A similar occurrence took place in Buffalo in 1892. See page 535. post
106
history of the twenty Second Regiment
known order that his "headquarters were in the saddle" and that every soldier should carry ninety rounds of am- munition, which order did not create a favorable impres- sion upon the rank and file of the Twenty-second.
All the natives of the country around Harper's Ferry were "secesh." The so-called "grape vine telegraph" by which information was received from the Southern army, was in full blast and the most thrilling news was daily brought in by the hucksters. Consequently re- ports "that Jackson was coming up the valley," that he was at Martinsburg, Front Royal and a number of other places, were circulated through the camp at least three times a day. It was evident, however, from other things than rumor that matters were becoming serious.
The regimental drills began to assume a more war- like character day after day. The brigade was practiced in attack and defence, and carefully drilled in skirmish- ing by the bugle, over the ground extending from the town down the valley, which they would have to defend in case of an attack. It became very proficient in this and it was a pretty sight to see the long lines sweeping over the valley and up and down the hills, the men run- ning forward, falling down and firing and then dashing forward. As a large part of the ground was quite stony, the "loading and firing lying" was quite an ordeal and the soldiers of the present day should rejoice that the in- troduction of the breech loader has preserved them from it. Their predecessors, in performing it, dropped on their faces and fired; they then turned on their backs, placed the butt of the rifle between their toes, drew out a cartridge, tore the paper off the butt end with their teeth and poured the powder in the barrel. This was
IO7
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
no easy task to perform when lying on one's back as the barrel of the rifle was of necessity almost horizon- tal. They then pushed in the ball, drew out the rammer, rammed the ball, returned the rammer and rolled over on their left side and capped To do all this with a sharp stone under one's spine and another under the hips, as was apt to be the case was far from agreeable. It was also destructive to one's clothes, but this no one cared about, as they were paid for by " Uncle Samuel."
There was one old woman who sold berries to the camp who claimed MISTAKEN IDENTITY. to be " Union." On the faith of this rare qualification she received an enormous custom from the men, and was very popular. One day as the long line of skir- mishers, falling back in a feigned retreat, marched through the outskirts of the town, a squad of them passed through the back yard of her house. They were so covered with dust that the color of their uniforms was gray instead of blue. Thinking them to be Confed- crates attacking the Union lines, the old woman lifted up her voice in tremulous congratulations, and wished them "success over the Yanks!" Imagine her horror when the heard the voices of two or three of her best cus- tomers inquiring, " What has become of your Union Sentiments, Aunty?" "You are dead wrong this time," and similar remarks. After this her trade fell off.
On August :5, Capt. Otis (A Co.) was appointed judge advocate of a general court-martial at St. John's
108
history of the twenty Second Regiment
Run, seventy-five miles up the Potomac, and went there for a week, taking with him the writer as recorder. Lieut .- Col. Satterlee and Maj. E. Ellery Anderson, of the Twelfth N. G., were detailed on the same duty. This was a disagreea- ble service, as the con- dition . of affairs was such that all officers and men wished to be with their companies, and those detailed were rejoiced when they were relieved. The re- ports that a large body of the enemy were at Winchester took defi- nite shape about this time, and the brigade was ordered under arms. Officers' horses PRIVATE OFF PICKET DUTY. were kept saddled and
bridled, and the men slept with their shoes on.
It
proved, however, to be a false alarm. The left wing of the Eighty-seventh Ohio was sent to Pawpaw, in West Virginia to repel an attack by guerrillas. As usual upon the approach of too strong a force to be handled by them, each of the guerrillas at once became an honest farmer, but only to resume his warlike character as soon as the troops were withdrawn. The Eighty- seventh, however, secured a number of prisoners, and thereby subtracted a certain amount from the force of the enemy.
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
COMPANY A IN LINE, HARPER'S FERRY.
COMPANY G IN LINE, HARPER'S FERRY.
10)
:
III ,
History of the twenty- Second Regiment
Shortly after the regimental camp of the Twenty- second had been removed inside the Bolivar lines, dur- ing the first week after the arrival of the regiment, the construction of a line of breastworks was begun on Camp Hill, which line extended along the top of the hill from the bluffs overhanging the Shenandoah, about 350 yards towards the Potomac. Work upon this was con-
PLAN OF WORKS AT HARPERS FERRY. JULY 19.1862.
RESERVE B. E. F. &I.
5 Art afterwards A. Co.
H Co 6 and 10th smooth Bores,
2016
Parrot>
99999
G
D
4
rifles
Ditch
xxxx
xxxx
Trees to block up road
Parapet 6ft high 7 ft thick at base 3/2. .
top. Dry ditch 9 ft x 4 ft.
Cooks.
0
Road to Village
Guard Tents
Officers. 0 22 nd Camp.
tinued all summer by gangs of negroes. In June and July, Company G, Capt. Butler, constructed the plat- forms for two rifle guns in the left bastion, and, on July 15, moved from the regimental camp within the works, to man these guns, relieving a detachment from the Sixtieth N. G. Volunteers. The work was substantially finished during July, and was armed with four twenty- pound Parrott rifles and a number of six and ten-pound
112
History of the twenty- Second Regiment
brass Napoleons (smooth bores), all being field guns. The members of the Twenty-second were not greatly impressed with the value of this as a fortification. It was merely a straight breastwork, with a dry ditch, and a slight abbatis in front, but without traverses or anything to pro- tect those defending it from a flank or rear fire. While it was of some value to keep off an enemy coming up
Right frank of lunch missive breast- work (i. a) Harpers Ferry Bing 25 1862
the valley, it was clearly untenable in case a battery should be put upon Loudon Heights on the Virginia side, not to mention Maryland Heights. This was a matter frequently discussed by the members of the Twenty-second, who pointed out to each other the ex- act place, in a little orchard on Loudon, where an attacking force would be able to plant a battery which would enfilade the whole work, while only one or two of the Parrotts in the left bastion would be able to reply. This criticism was scoffed at by those in authority, upon the ground that McGrath's heavy guns on Maryland Heights would prevent any such battery from being established. To this the answer was, " But what if any- thing happens to McGrath's guns?"
The result was precisely what had been so often predicted and affords one of the many instances where
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
history of the twenty- Second Regiment II3
the North had to pay a terrible price in blood and money as a penalty for maintaining an incompetent officer in an important position.
When just before Antietam, Jackson came up the valley, Col. Miles was ordered "to hold Harper's Ferry " at all hazards. Whether or not his forces should have been sent to join McClellan may be questioned. There can be no dis- pute, however, that the way to hold Harper's Ferry was to hold Mary- land Heights with every available man. With a stupidity, amount- ing to criminality, Miles left the defence of this, the key- of his position, in the hands of Col. Ford (who was afterwards dismissed for cowardice), and when Ford became frightened and retreated, withdrew all his forces - (11,500 men) into Harper's Ferry proper, a "blind alley," as it is well termed in the Comte de Paris's " History of the Civil War," commanded on every COL. DIXON S. MILES. side by the surrounding hills. At the very time when the heavy guns of McGrath were driving back the attack and keeping Jackson at a distance, he was ordered to spike his guns and return to the town. He delayed as long as possible, maintaining his fire for an hour and a-half afterwards, and, finally, when a third order was received so that obedience was imperative, rolled his guns over the mountain-side, bursting into
114
history of the twenty- Second Regiment
tears as he gave the order, and retreated with his command.
This sealed the fate of the place. The Confeder- ates advanced slowly, for they could
scarcely credit their own success and feared a trap. But the next noon both Loudon and Maryland Heights were
N. H. Babcock.
W. H. Shelton.
C. J. Buckley.
Servant.
G. Foster. .1. Foster.
crowded with Confederate batteries, whose fire took in the rear of the Union works and searched out every place where the troops were assembled, while they had no opportunity to reply.
In a short time surrender was inevitable, and on September 14, 1862, and just as the flag had been lowered, Miles himself was struck by a shell and
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE,
ALBANY, N. Y.
பணட்டு
115
OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, COMPANY G, AT HARPER'S FERRY.
Sergt. Francis H. Slade. Licut. Gibson. Sergt. Henty F .. Howland. Corporal J. En Brower.
Serpt. Osborn F. Bright. Seret. Frederic Sturges. Corporal Lansdale Boardman.
Bergt. Want. T. Soutter Corporal Dwight Baker. Capt. Benj. F. Better. Corporal Ibos. C. Jerkins,
117 4
History of the twenty- Second Regiment
killed. At that very time Franklin, with a strong re- lieving force, was within a few miles. But it was too late. The town with 11,500 men, 73 cannon and all its vast amount of ammunition and military stores was basely abandoned to the Confederates, giving them the very things they most wanted to oppose McClellan. Some of the guns which were behind the breastworks were used against the Union forces until they were finally surrendered at Appomattox .*
On August 25, the Twenty-second was moved into camp behind the breastwork, and set to work at artillery drill, the Jackson Light Artillery acting as instructors.
The following was the position of the companies :
A, Right battery.
H, Road.
G, Three right curtain pieces.
D, Three left curtain pieces.
C, Two pieces left of curtain.
I. F. B. and E, In reserve.
The following order was issued :
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY, N. G. S. N. Y., CAMP ASPINWALL, BOLIVAR, August 26, 1862.
General Orders No. 39.
I. Until further orders, the hours for drill will be devoted by those companies having batteries in charge, to artillery ; by those in reserve, to infantry drill.
II. The guns are apportioned in General Order No. 30, August 25, will be designated as Battery "A," Battery " H," etc., and each piece comprised in said batteries will be numbered from one upwards, commencing on the right.
*See appendix, pages 655, 656, 657, 658, for a detailed account of the sur- render, for which the author is indebted to Col. John Ward, then a cap. tain in the Twelfth N. G. S. N. Y., which was captured at that time.
Ch 118
history of the twenty: Second Regiment
III. Commandants of battery companies will form detach- ments, to consist of one sergeant as chief of piece, one corporal as chief of caisson, one corporal as gunner, and seven men for the service of each piece. A piece may have more than one detachment, and in the case of disability of any of a detachment serving a piece, the deficiency will be filled from the other detachment attached to the piece. Detachments will be num- bered one and two, and those attached to a piece will keep the same in proper order.
IV. In the event of commandants of battery companies requiring aid from the reserve, they will apply for the same to the adjutant, who will send it to
Battery Company "A " from Company "E" "H" "G" "I" "D" "F" 66 "B" 66 66 "C" " 66
Any such aid sent will be immediately reported to lieutenant- colonel commanding.
V. Lounging about the guns, limbers or caissons is pro- hibited.
VI. Lieuts. Hoyt, Remmey, Thornell and Gibson are detailed to instruct the right wing of the One Hundred and Eleventh National Guard Volunteers, four officers having been asked for.
VII. One gun having been removed, by order of Col. Miles, from Battery Company " D," that battery will consist of two guns.
VIII. All orders in force previous to change of encampment, not changed by the above, will be observed.
By order of
LIEUT .- COL. LLOYD ASPINWALL, Colonel Commanding. WM. J. A. MCGRATH, Adjutant.
None of the officers or men of the Twenty-second knew anything about artillery. But they were intelli- gent, and above all, were anxious to learn. When a thing was once explained to them, that was sufficient.
STATE HISTORIAN'S OFFICE, ALBANY, N. Y.
History of the twenty: Second Regiment 119
Consequently, in less than a week they became as fa- miliar with the drill as their instructors. The squads having the brass Napoleons vied with each other in keeping them polished. All sorts of materials, even to tooth powder, were used to bring out an extra glitter, which, by the bye, while adding largely to their appear- ance, interfered with shooting them. But in those days, accurate firing seemed not to be considered as a part of
COMPANY H, HARPER'S FERRY.
the military art. Not a single shot was ever fired from. any of these guns, nor were any instructions ever given in regard to ranges or elevations. It seemed to be con- sidered that that was a matter to be acquired in actual combat. One member of a squad remembered he had heard his mother say "that vinegar was good to clean brass." Accordingly, the squad saved their vinegar ration, and one evening "doused " their Napoleon
120
history of the twenty: Eccond Regiment
gun with it. Unfortunately, the one who had remem- bered the receipt had forgotten the most important part of it-that the vinegar must be wiped off promptly. Through this mistake it was left on all night, with the result that the gun was of a fine bronze color in the morn- ing, inciting the captain's and first sergeant's wrath, and requiring the squad to keep a man scouring it for a week before it was presentable.
On August 25, Harper's Ferry was reinforced by the arrival of several newly-raised regiments of New York volunteers-the One Hundred and Eleventh and One Hundred and Twenty-sixth and others-who occu- pied the old camp of the Twenty-second just beyond the works. A regiment of New York cavalryalso rode in commanded by Col. Davis, a regular officer. This regiment escaped before the surrender under cover of the night. The infantry were splendid regiments, each 1,000 strong, composed of fine young fellows from the interior of the State. If they had been used to fill up the depleted veteran regiments they would have been of the greatest value. But in pursuance of the absurd policy followed by New York State during the War, the veteran regiments, whose ranks had been thinned by hard service, were consolidated and their experienced officers mustered out, while commissions in the new regiments were issued to those who could recruit men, without the slightest regard for their military qualifica- tions. There was not among the regiments in ques- tion a single officer who knew even how to drill his men, so that the corporals of the Twenty-second were · detailed as instructors of companies.
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.