USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 1 > Part 14
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
May 14 about a thousand men, including the 169th, in command of Brigadier-General Ames, was dispatched to the left flank of the army, then operating against Drury's bluff on the James river. The follow- ing day most of the command were sent to join the forees operating against Fort Darling, the 169th remaining. On the morning of the 16th word was received that the rebels were close at hand. Firing soon began, Sanger's Battery, situated in the rear of the 169th, opening the battle for the Union forces. This was quickly returned by the other side and a sharp fight was inaugurated at once, in which Lieutenant W. S. Birdsall was killed. But here, too, it was soon found that the rebels outnumbered our force and the Union outpost retired slowly. Soon the entire regiment fell back, crossed a ravine and halted on its erest, when reinforcements arrived. Our forces then advanced to their former position, where they drove the rebel line back to the railroad. In this action the 169th lost in killed, wounded and missing, 36 officers and men. Again, in the three rebel attacks upon the Bermuda Hun- dred front, which occurred May 18, 20 and 22, the 169th lost 27 more men, but the rebels were repulsed in every attack.
The next important move of the regiment oceurred May 27 when, with the rest of the 3rd Brigade, it embarked for West Point, whence it marched to White House, Va., reaching there May 30. It had been ordered there to support General Grant and was at once assigned to the 3rd Division of the 18th Corps, commanded by General Charles Devens. Cold Harbor was reached about 5 o'clock on the afternoon of May 31 and before there was any time to rest, which the troops sorely needed, having been on a hard march, they were ordered to attack a wooded height crowned with a strong rebel rifle pit flanked and supported by equally strong batteries. In response to the order to " double-quick, march," the 169th, with its division, sprang forward with a cheer. They had to cross a level open field half a mile wide, during which they were subjected to a terrible fire of shot and shell, grape and canis- ter; but they never faltered. Men fell by the dozen but their comrades stayed not. When the foot of the hill was reached and while the ranks were being closed up preparatory to the final grand charge the slaugh- ter was terrible. Colonel MeConihe, one moment full of life, cheering his men to press forward, fell with a bullet through his heart, and Colo- nel Drake, in command of the brigade, received a mortal wound. Privates and other officers fell by the score under the deluge of leaden hail. Still undaunted the regiment, under the encouraging shouts of
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DISASTER TO THE REGIMENT.
Lieutenant Colonel Alden, who had assumed command, rapidly aseended the hill and mounted the intrenchments, driving the enemy wildly be- fore them. At this point Captain Allen was shot through the arm and compelled to retire; and the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Alden was badly wounded in the head when, seizing the regimental color from its bearer, who had fallen, he mounted the parapet and planted the staff in the fortifications which had been so hardly won. It was first thought his wound was mortal, but he recovered. The regiment was a heavy loser in this awful charge, 103 officers and men having shed their blood for the victory-one of the most brilliant of its class in the history of the war. The troops held the ground they had taken. A number of prisoners were captured by the 169th, and with them some of the knap- sacks bearing the mark of Company F, 169th Regiment, which had been lost on the day of the battle at Drury's Bluff.
For several days the regiment remained at Cold Harbor. June 13 it marched with the 18th Corps to White House to help carry out General Grant's plan of operation. The advance on Petersburgh was made June 15, line of battle having been formed on Petersburgh lleights. Just after sundown the order to charge was given and the line swept forward with a rush. The rebels behind the fortifications made a sharp, but short and useless resistance, and almost in the twinkling of an eye the rifle pits and earthworks were captured, with several pieces of artillery. The loss to the 169th was very small. Im- mediately after the charge the rebel rifle pit was reversed in front of its position and preparations were made to capture Petersburgh itself.
General Lee, at Richmond, had been informed at once of the result of the action in front of Petersburgh and he made rapid preparations to avert the catastrophe which he realized was impending. All that night the rattling and rumbling of trains and the screeching of loco- motive whistles told our men that the gallant commander-in-chief of the Confederate army was hurrying his troops to Petersburgh. The next morning found Lee in front in full force and the long siege of Petersburgh began. The history of that siege is well known. General Grant had changed his base to the James River with a view to the cap- ture of Petersburgh and the conquest of Richmond from the southeast. General Butler had already moved with his strong division from For- tress Monroe, and May 5 had taken Bermuda Hundred and City Point , at the mouth of the Appomattox. Advancing against Petersburgh he was met on the 16th by the Corps of General Beauregard and driven
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baek to his position at Bermuda Hundred, where he was obliged to in- trench himself and act on the defensive. Here, on June 15, he was joined by General Grant's whole army, and the combined forees, as has been told, moved against Petersburgh.
Before Petersburgh fighting was of frequent occurrence, generally consequent upou an attempt of the Union forces to change their posi- tion. June 30, during a demonstration for the purpose of diverting the attention of the Confederates from the main attack, the 169th was ordered forward and while attempting to change its position it was met by the most deadly fire it had encountered during the whole war. The men fell like grass before a summer hurricane. The foe was close and a wholesale slaughter was inevitable from the moment the men left their trenehes. After standing the deadly fire a few moments the men fell back to their old position-what there were left of them-and awaited further orders. Fortunately for the little handful left they were not ordered to expose themselves in this manner again. Only 150 men were available when this last move was made, and in the few minutes that the men were outside their proteeting trenches the regi- ment lost of this number 74 killed and wounded-one half of the entire fighting force of the regiment!
During the following month the regiment remained in the trenches, losing an average of three men every day, though its efficiency was fairly well maintained by the return of some of the soldiers who had been in the hospitals. July 30 it again went into action in one of the most thrilling battles of the campaign-the dashing charge which fol- lowed the explosion of a mine under one of the forts in front of Cemetery Hill. This daring attack was planned to be made early on the morning of July 30. The night previous the regiment was or- dered to the rear, and the next morning was sent forward to the rear of the works fronting the mine. The rebels, unconscious of the awful fate that was to overtake them, began their usual duties. The mem- bers of the 169th were ordered to lie down behind their works and remain quiet until they received orders, no matter what might happen. Our siege batteries were fully manned and loaded and the men ready for instant action. Suddenly there was a great roar and a violent earthquake, and the rebel fort with all its contents, which a moment before had stood so trim and defiant, was thrown high in the air as from the erater of some voleano. Hardly had the debris, with the human victims, settled back to earth, when the Union batteries opened
BENJAMIN ALLEN TILLINGHAST.
JOSEPH J. TILLINGHAST.
3.
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BATTLE OF CEMETERY HILL.
upon the enemy with a cannonading such as is seldom heard, even in the thickest of war. As the whole line of our artillery sent forth the first awful challenge our troops sprang to the front with loud cheers and the carnage was increased two-fold. But surprised as they had been the brave Confederates were already in action in response to the grim invitation of our guns and the battle now so prominent in history was under way in all its fury, with a suddenness that can hardly be comprehended except by those who participated in the dreadful event. The 169th regiment was brought almost immediately to the head of General Turner's division. At the word of command the brave men dashed over the breastworks and crossed the space between the two lines. The rebel defenses were easily reached, but the masses of men in front who had charged and occupied the inside of the enemy's rifle pits prevented further progress. The regiment succeeded in holding its position, though the charge as a whole was not successful, the Con- federates finally regaining their defenses. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was twenty-three men, including Captain Vaughn of Company F, who was killed.
Two days after the unsuccessful assault upon Cemetery Hill, August 1, 1864, the regiment returned to Bermuda Hundred. Lieutenant- Colonel Alden, having recovered from the injuries he received at Cold Harbor, once more assumed command. At this time General Butler was busily engaged in digging Dutch Gap, the historic canal which ent off a long bend in the James river about half way, by the water course, between Bermuda Hundred and Richmond, and by means of which it was hoped the Union gunboats would be able to pass up the river to Richmond and evade the strong rebel batteries located at the sharp turn in the river a few miles to the south. August 10 the regiment was assigned to duty at this point to defend the parties engaged in cutting the canal. Early on the morning of the 13th the regiment, which was encamped on the plateau beside the gap, was attacked by rebel gunboats and batteries, and in the action which instantly fol- lowed the 169th lost twenty-two men. Lientenant Crippen was killed, Assistant Surgeon Mandeville was badly wounded and Lieutenant Swartwout had his left arm shot off. The rebels were repulsed and the work was continued with slight delay. August 20 the regiment returned to Bermuda Hundred and thence, five days later, left for' Petersburgh, where it assisted in the siege until September 28-
Soon after the regiment arrived at Petersburgh Lieutenant-Colonel
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BATTLE OF CEMETERY HILL.
upon the enemy with a cannonading such as is seldom heard, even in the thickest of war. As the whole line of our artillery sent forth the first awful challenge our troops sprang to the front with loud cheers and the carnage was increased two-fold. But surprised as they had been the brave Confederates were already in action in response to the grim invitation of our guns and the battle now so prominent in history was under way in all its fury, with a suddenness that can hardly be comprehended except by those who participated in the dreadful event. The 169th regiment was brought almost immediately to the head of General Turner's division. At the word of command the brave men clashed over the breastworks and crossed the space between the two lines. The rebel defenses were easily reached, but the masses of men in front who had charged and occupied the inside of the enemy's rifle pits prevented further progress. The regiment succeeded in holding its position, though the charge as a whole was not successful, the Con- federates finally regaining their defenses. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was twenty-three men, including Captain Vaughn of Company F, who was killed.
Two days after the unsuccessful assault upon Cemetery Hill, August 1, 1864, the regiment returned to Bermuda Hundred. Lieutenant- Colonel Alden, having recovered from the injuries he received at Cold Harbor, onec more assumed command. At this time General Butler was busily engaged in digging Dutch Gap, the historic canal which cut off a long bend in the James river about half way, by the water course, between Bermuda Hundred and Richmond, and by means of which it was hoped the Union gunboats would be able to pass up the river to Richmond and evade the strong rebel batteries located at the sharp turn in the river a few miles to the south. August 10 the regiment was assigned to. duty at this point to defend the parties engaged in cutting the canal. Early on the morning of the 13th the regiment, which was encamped on the plateau beside the gap, was attacked by rebel gunboats and batteries, and in the action which instantly fol- lowed the 169th lost twenty-two men. Lientenant Crippen was killed, Assistant Surgeon Mandeville was badly wounded and Lieutenant Swartwout had his left arm shot off. The rebels were repulsed and the work was continued with slight delay. August 20 the regiment returned to Bermuda Hundred and thence, five days later, left for Petersburgh, where it assisted in the siege until September 28.
Soon after the regiment arrived at Petersburgh Lieutenant-Colonel
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY,
Alden was sent to Troy for a detail of drafted men, with whom he returned October 1, rejoining the 169th at Chapin's Farm. At this point an im- portant battle was fought, and the famous assault on Fort Gilmer was made September 29. The vigorous assault made on this occasion by the Troy regiment was too much for the body of Confederates attacked, and the latter were compelled to flee to their intrenchments for pro- tection. Immediately after this bold charge the troops were reorganized and without wasting a moment made the attack upon Fort Gilmer, onc of the defenses of the Confederate capital. It was a risky thing to do, considering the disparity in the forces, and after a gallant charge the brigade was compelled to fall back, being subjected all the time to a heavy fire from the enemy's guns. The 169th lost 30 men all told, in- cluding the brave Captain llenry Mulhall, who was severely wounded by a canister shot which passed through his thigh. After the retreat the regiment constructed a formidable line of breastworks. At this time a few changes were made among the officers of the regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Alden was mustered in as colonel, Major Colvin was promoted to succeed him as lieutenant-colonel, and Captain J. HI. Allen was promoted to succeed Major Colvin. Nothing of importance occurred after this until October 8, when the enemy made a charge on the right. They were repulsed with no fatalities to the 169th Regi- ment.
After the fight at Chapin's Farm and the charge on Fort Gilmer the regiment had a long time with little to do but recuperate from the try- ing campaign of the summer. After two months of comparative rest it started December 8, 1864, under command of General Butler, on the famous expedition against Fort Fisher, N. C. Hampton Roads was reached by steamer, where the troops were transferred and carried by another steamer to a point about 25 miles from the objective point of the expedition. The first attack, by both land and naval forces, which continued through the 24th and 25th of the month, was unsuccessful, though the 169th captured 260 of the enemy. General Butler believing that the fort could not be carried by storm, orders were given to re- turn to Chapin's Farm. January 3, having remained at the latter place three days, during which the attacking force was inereased by troops under command of General A. H. Terry, all were ordered to return to Fort Fisher, The entire body of troops, under command of General Ames, arrived on the 13th and landed about four miles north of the fort,
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ANOTHER REVERSE TO THE 169TIL.
At three o'eloek on the afternoon of the 15th the grand charge against the fort was made by the ad Division, in which the 169th Regiment was stationed. Colonel Alden having been assigned to the command of the 3d Brigade, which formed a part of the division, the regiment was commanded on this occasion by Lieutenant-Colonel Colvin. Once inside the men fought their way inch by inch, the enemy offering a stubborn resistance. One gun platform after another was captured, the Union forces gradually but surely winning at every turn. Soon Lieutenant-Colonel Colvin discovered a white cloth waving from the entrance to one of the subways under the platforms and traverses. Thereupon fning was ceased and 170 prisoners were taken in charge by a squad of the regiment. But after this small capture fighting was eontinned until 10.30 P. M., when the entire rebel force began to flee from the fort. The loss to the 169th in this assault was about 50 killed and wounded, including Lieutenant Ryan, who was killed, and Ma- jor Allen, wounded.
This victory was followed by a great catastrophe to the regiment. Having been ordered with its brigade to take charge of the fort, it had bivonacked about six rods from the large magazine therein. Early on the morning of the next day, the 16th, this magazine exploded with terrifie forec, killing Captain Ferguson and Lieutenants Cipperly and MeGregor, wounding Colonel Alden and killing and injuring about eighty other mnen. Colonel Alden was found under heavy timbers and sand and at first was supposed to be dead, but finally rallied, though for six weeks afterward he remained totally unconscious. This was one of the worst blows the regiment received during the entire war.
The next movement of the regiment was directed upon Fort Ander- son. The regiment remained in Fort Fisher until February II, one week later crossing Cape Fear river in company with other troops, capturing Fort Anderson with a large quantity of arms and ammuni- tion. It next advanced on Wilmington, N. C., occupying that place February 22. Two days later it marched to North East and took charge of abont 15,000 exchanged prisoners, retaining custody of them until March 1, when it returned to Wilmington. During this time, since the capitulation of Fort Fisher, Lieutenant-Colonel Colvin had been in connand of the 2nd Brigade of the division and Captain James II. Dunn had had charge of the regiment. March 13 Lieutenant-Col- onel Colvin resumed his old command. April II the regiment joined its old division under General Terry at Faison's Station. From there 1
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
it marched to Bentonville, where on the 12th news was received of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant. All knew that this practically ended the war, and the rejoicing in camp over the victory was of a character that defies description.
The details of the operations and movements of the 169th from this time on are of little interest. A few days later Colonel Alden, still in a feeble condition as a result of the terrible injuries he had received in the magazine explosion in Fort Fisher, returned to his regiment, acted as president of a court-martial and military commission and took charge of brigade and post of Raleigh. Upon recommendation of Gen- eral Terry and in recognition of his faithful services at Cold Harbor and Fort Fisher, he had been commissioned brevet brigadier-general. Peace soon being declared orders were received July 6 mustering out the 169th Regiment, which was accomplished July 19, with the under- standing that the term of service would expire on the day of final pay- ment in Albany. Before leaving camp orders were received from Brigadier-General J. S. Littell, of the 2d Division, 10th Corps, and from Brigadier-General Alonzo Alden, commanding the 3d Brigade of that division, paying the highest compliments to the officers and privates of the regiment for their gallant conduct during their trying service of three years. In Brigadier-General Littell's orders attention was called to the fact that the regiment had participated in twenty- eight battles, "and on every occasion your conduct has been not only unimpeachable, but such as to secure complimentary notice from your commanding generals."
July 20, 1865, the regiment started for home, arriving in Troy early on the morning of the 2 4th, where an immense throng waited to wel- come it. After a brief parade, in which the most intense enthusiasm reigned, a formal reception of the regiment occurred at Washington Square. After an invocation by the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, Alderman Smart introduced the Hon. John A. Griswold, who in an eloquent ad- dress told in brief the story of the regiment's career since the organ- ization and gave it a renewed welcome. William A. Merriam, formerly a lieutenant in the regiment, also made an address, after which the men marched to Harmony hall, where luncheon was served. In the evening the command marched to the barracks five miles away and remained there until the men were paid off Angust 3 and were allowed to return to private life.
The twenty-eight engagements in which the 169th participated dur-
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
ing its service of nearly three years were as follows: Edenton Road, Carrsville, Blackwater Ford, Zuni, Providence Church, Nansemond, Hanover Junction, Fort Sumter, Fort Wagner, Rantoul Bridge, Siege of Charleston, Cedar Creek, Walthall Junction, Chester Station, Drury's Bluff, Hatcher's Run, Foster's Plantation No. 1, Foster's Plantation No. 2, Cold Harbor, Petersburgh Heights June 15, Peters- burgh June 30, Petersburgh Mine July 30, siege of Petersburgh, Dutch Gap, Deep Bottom, Malvern Hill, Chapin's Farm, Fort Gil- mer, Darbytown Road, Siege of Richmond, Fort Fisher No. 1, Fort Fisher No. 2, Wilmington, North East and Raleigh. In his last gen- eral orders General Alden made the following official statement :
October 6, 1862, this regiment was organized with an aggregate of 915 officers and men, since which time it has gamed, by recruits, transfers and otherwise, an aggre- gate of 953, making 1,868 officers and men connected with it since its organization ; and the regiment has lost by casualties in battle, disease, etc., 963 officers and men. Since its organization there have been connected with the regiment.87 commissioned officers. Because of resignations, casualties in battle and other causes, 52 officers have been dropped from the roll.
THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
A history of the One Hundred and Twenty fifth regiment, New York Volunteers, would almost necessitate the compilation of the en- tire record of the war, as that regiment participated in nearly all the great battles that contribute to make up that most memorable conflict of modern times. The regiment was mustered into the United States service August 27, 1862, and left Troy under command of Colonel George Lamb Willard, on the 30th of the same month, for New York. From New York it went to Martinsburg, Va., arriving September 3. The regiment had 1, 255 men all told. After a brief stay it left Mar- tinsburg and went to Harper's Ferry, where it arrived September 12. Here the members of the regiment had their first engagement and upon the surrender of the Union forces were taken prisoners of war on September 15. On the 16th of the same month they took up the line of march for Camp Parole at Annapolis, Md. They left there Septem- ber 20 for Camp Douglass at Chicago, where they remained until No- vember 28, when they were exchanged. They left for Washington and soon were again on the march to the front, arriving at Union Mills December 3. In the afternoon of the same day the regiment marched to Wolf Run Shoals. Here a battery of artillery and a company of
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
cavalry were placed in command of Col. Willard. Rumors were rife that the enemy was at hand but the report proved groundless. The men had a rough time, being compelled to pitch their tents in the snow.
December 11 the regiment was again on the move, this time with Woodyard Ford as the objective point. The regiment remained there four days, and on the 15th marched to Union Mills. It reached therc at night, and owing to the non-arrival of the tents was obliged to camp on the ground during the prevalence of a heavy snow storm. January 23, 1863, the regiment was transferred to Fairfax Court House, Va. February 1 orders were received to proceed to Centreville, Va., where the men arrived the same day and remained until June 23.
June 24 the command took up the line of march for Gum Springs, where the Second army corps, Gen. Winfield S. Hancock commanding, was joined. The One Hundred and Twenty-fifth was in the Third division, commanded by Brig .- Gen. Alexander Hayes. Col. Willard commanded the brigade. On the 26th of June the 125th crossed the Potomac at Edward's ferry and went into camp the next morning. From there the command went a distance of thirty-threc miles to Uniontown, Md., and the next day to Gettysburg, arriving there July 1. That morning the rebel army was in the vicinity of Gettysburg The 125th participated in the memorable three days en- gagement. On the evening of July 2 there was fierce fighting in Devil's Run, below Round Top, and the 125th was ordered to fall in to the support of its corps. In company with the 111th and 126th New York regiments they repulsed the rebels under General Longstreet, who withdrew to Peach Orchard. During this brief engagement Col. Willard, the idolized commander of the regiment, was struck by a shell and instantly killed. On the third day the 125th formed part of the Third brigade of the Second corps, which repulsed Pickett's famous charge.
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