USA > New York > Memories of the 149th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inft., 3d Brig., 2 Div., 12th and 20th A. C > Part 26
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While at Raleigh the men visited the city and many public and private buildings, and attended reviews by General Sher- man. It is needless to say the ed Division was proud to be re- viewed by him after he had so successfully carried them through a wonderful series of campaigns to such a happy and proud conclusion ; and they did their best to please him by their fine appearance and the perfection of their military movements. The General appeared proud of them, and they certainly were of him. No power on earth could tarnish the reputation of this distinguished officer in their estimation, impeach his loyal- ty, or question the purity of his motives. They loved him as one man, and to them he was above criticism.
Among the notable events occurring at this time was a re- view by Gen. Sherman of a division of colored troops belong- ing to Gen. Terry's loth Corps. The men were formerly slaves residing in the vicinity of Raleigh, and many of their masters were present as spectators. Outside of the novelty of the sit- uation the review was interesting and reflected great eredit up- on the men on account of their intelligence and the perfection of their military drill.
It was not all joy and happiness, however, which was experi- enced at Raleigh, for on the 17th was announced the assassina- tion of President Lincoln, and the attempt on the lives of dif-
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ferent members of his Cabinet. Every bright cloud has a dark side, and this was certainly a sad reaction from excessive hap- piness. Happily Sherman's army did not lay the blame of this great crime upon Johnston's forces and the people immediately surrounding them, hence no acts of retaliation were committed. The emotion of the men expended itself in grief and genuine regret that this great and good man had not been spared to share with them the full measure of their triumph. The South- ern leaders, in the vicinity of Sherman's army, were ontspoken in their denunciation of the assassination, and this no doubt shielded them and theirs from the fury of the Union soldiers.
Raleigh at this time was a beautiful city situate in the cen- ter of the State, and surrounded by hills forming part of the mountain range marking the first rise from the level land ex- tending from the sea coast inwards, and to Sherman's army appeared striking and attractive. Many of the oldest and best known families of the State resided there, and their manners betokened education and refinement. The treatment of the Union soldiers was in marked contrast with that received by them at Columbia and other large cities passed on the Great March. The private dwelling-houses were generally large, re- enforced with ample flower garden-, and fronted by well-kept lawns with roses and other flowering shrubs and plants border- ing the walks and driveways. Magnificent oaks and els ex- tended along the streets giving to the houses an enchanting - appearance when seen beneath the abundant foliage.
The most prominent building in the city, however, was the State House, standing in the public square in the center of the town, from which broad avenues and streets extended at right angles in different directions. This was constructed of light granite, in mixed Corinthian and Doric architecture, and was surmounted by an imposing dome and enpola. Many of the 149th boys took a look from this enpola at the surrounding country, which could be seen for miles away. While the view was grand and beautiful it was disappointing to Northern soldiers, for the reason that the sung little cottages and rich
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suburban villas, seen under similar circumstances in their be- loved North, were missed from the distant landscape. The different apartments of the State House were, of course. in disorder, vet the halls oeenpied by the different branches of the Legislature were small and generally regarded as heavy in appearance. The most noticeable objects in and about the building were a painting of Washington by Stuart, in one of the chambers, and a fine bronze statue of that distinguished personage, standing in the publie square.
The other public buildings in and about the city consisted of the State Lunatic Asylum, above referred to. standing on a hill in the suburbs, the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and several churches, mostly fronting on State House Square. The public mansion known as the Palace, and vacated by Governor Vance before the capture of the city, was ocenpied by Gen. Sherman and his staff. The great beauty of Raleigh, however, was in its elegant private residences. It was fortunate that these es- caped spoliation by Southern soldiers before the entry of Sher- man, as they were sacredly guarded and no act of violence or disorder permitted to mar the period of his stay. This un- doubtedly was a pleasing surprise to the good people of Raleigh, who had been led to regard Sherman's army differently, and reconciled them to the daily display of the Stars and Stripes from the cupola of the State House.
On the 29th of April general orders were read on dress parade directing the homeward march of the 14th, 15th. 17th and 20th Corps by way of Richmond and Washington. It seems needless to say that these orders gave intense satisfaction, but the joy was as nothing compared to that experienced by Sherman's warworn veterans as they broke camp on the 30th, at six o'clock in the morning, and went marching northward through the streets of Raleigh with band- playing and flags flying. Their faces wore a cheerful smile, their steps had an elastie tread, and every heart beat with a thrill which comes from a proud consciousness of having faithfully performed a
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public duty. The orders were to make easy marches of fifteen miles a day to Richmond, and there await the further direction of the General commanding: but the yearning for home was too strong to brook delay, and an average of twenty miles a day was made instead, and more would have been added to the daily allowance if the corps commanders had not restrained the eagerness of the men. Small streams on the route were crossed on pontoons and the larger ones by means of bridges, it being the custom then in the South for the people to ford small streams while they were obliged to bridge larger ones.
Each day's experience from Raleigh to Washington was to greater or less extent a repetition of others, therefore, only a brief mention will be made of a few incidents which occurred on the route.
Soon after starting from Raleigh, and only a few miles dis- tant, the head of the column overtook a civilian with a eart loaded with New York papers. The outfit was quickly con- fiscated, the mule attached removed, and a fire started under the vehicle with its contents. Gen. Sloenm, passing and learn- ing that the papers contained slanderous statements derogatory to Gen. Sherman, very wisely left the expression of the libelous matter in the hands of the men of the 20th Corps.
Early in the morning of the 4th of May the 3d Brigade crossed the State line of Virginia, while the band played and the men sang - Oh. Carry Me Back to Old Virginia, to Old . Virginia's Shore". Many marked the contrast of feeling be- tween this and a prior occasion two years before when the same men were holding on to Chancellorsville in the presence of a victorions for. The conduct of the brigade was commend- able in that unfortunate engagement. but it was the only time when the burial of its dead was left to the enemy, and there- fore of unpleasant memory,
One evening, just before the night's bivouac, several boys straved from the column to forage for supper, and met with a reception not over cordial at a farmhouse ; so they put a rail through the oven of the cook stove and marched off to camp
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MEMOIRS 140th N. Y. INFT.
with it saying, "Sherman's Bummers had been accused of stealing everything save a red hot stove, and they took pleasure in removing the exception."
The 2d Division reached camp, about six miles from Rich- mond, on the morning of the 9th of May, and soon afterwards received orders for a review by Gen. Halleck : this was soon countermanded by Gen. Sherman, who arrived in Richmond soon after it was issued.
On the 11th the 20th Corps passed through Richmond, mak- ing a deflection from the line of march so as to permit the men to see Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, and as much as possible of the city of Richmond. After crossing the James River, and marching about four miles, the command went into camp during a heavy thunder storm.
The distance from Richmond to Washington was made in easy marches permitting the men to visit different battle- fields on the route. The two places of most interest to the soldiers of this command were Spottsylvania and Chancellors- ville ; two or three hours being given to visit the latter place. The 3d Brigade spent most of the time at Chancellorsville on the ground where it suffered so severely from the enemy, Sun- day morning, May 30, 1863. The Union dead were found un- buried, except a slight covering of earth thrown over the bodies where they fell, and which had been washed off by rain leav- ing the bones badly exposed. Everywhere were scattered the remains of canteens, knap-acks, abandoned clothing, and the debris of the battlefield. The bones of some of the dead were identified, carefully taken up and interred in marked graves by the comrades. Among these were the bones of Lieut. Davis of Co. K, which were buried in a cracker box.
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From the battlefield the command crossed the Rappahannock on pontoons at United States Ford, then marched westerly to the Warrenton Pike, and thence on that highway through Fairfax Station to a place between the Leesburg and Warren- ton Pikes, near Alexandria, where it went into camp in the af- ternoon of the 19th of May, on ground nearly identical with
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FROM A PHOTOGRAPH
* GENERAL WM. B. BAZEN.
GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
GENERAL HENRY W. BLOCUM.
GENERAL O. O. HOWARD.
OENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN.
GENERAL JEFF O. DAVIS.
OLNERAL J. A. MOWER.
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that occupied by the regiment the first night it camped on Vir- ginia soil in 1862. Since the prior occasion the regiment had served nearly three years, been in thirteen States, and passed through an experience as ardnous, romantic and honorable as any man could wish for.
Immediately after arriving in camp preparations were com- meneed for the Grand Review at Washington; scores of friends from home visited the regiment, and so the furbishing of arms, repair of wardrobes and the greeting of friends all went on at the same time. The review of the Army of the Potomae occurred on the 23d, and many of the command at- tended ; but that of Sherman occurred on the following day.
At half-past five in the morning the brigade broke camp and moved in the direction of the Long Bridge. The head of Sher- man's army commenced moving down Pennsylvania avenue, from the Capitol to the Executive Mansion, abont nine o'clock, vet the men of this command did not pass the reviewing stand until afternoon. The following are free extracts from the cor- respondence to the New York papers, and telegraph dispatches published at the time, and will be regarded as pleasant reading to those who participated in this event, without parallel in modern history :
" The Army of the Tennessee moved from the Capitol at nine o'clock, after the boom of Howard's signal gun, proceed- ing towards the Executive Mansion. At the head of the col- mon rode Maj .- Gen. Sherman, who was vociferously cheered all along the line. while many clapped their hands and others waved their handkerchief- and miniature the -. The General, in return to the kindly salutation, waved his brand new regu- lation hat, while his face wore a smile at the plandits of the multitude. The greeting of this hero was in the highest de- gree enthusiastic. He had been presented with two large wreaths of flowers, one of which had been placed around his horse's neck and the other hung upon his own shoulders. He was accompanied by Maj .- Gen. Howard, formerly in command of the Army of the James.
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"Two hours and forty minutes later Fighting Johnny Lo- gan, Fort Me Allister Hazen, Susan Wood, Allatoona Corse, with the bullet marks on his face and yellow flag, Frank Blair, Legget, Force, and the rest of the heroes of Vicksburg had passed, and a gap was left for the Army of Georgia. The am- bulances at the rear of the 17th Corps turned Fifteenth street out of view of the Capitol, vet the advance of the junior wing was not in sight. New York men at the Metropolitan, at the National. at Willard's ; Potomac Army soldiers, all down the street crowded nearer the curb stone and out into the street. anxiously awaiting the appearance of their old friends in the consolidated 11th and 12th marching in fellowship with Buell's and Thomas's grand old 14th ; men who sold purple lemonade along the sidewalks ; African women, who were plenty, with their babies basking in the sunshine, gentlefolks, who thronged the balconies and lolled from five-dollar windows, hushed and waited a- if for the grand denouement of a great play.
". There they come!" at last was uttered by a thousand voices as Gen. Slocum rode down the avenue, just before noon, at the head of the Army of Georgia, showing less whiskers and consequently looking younger than when he passed the same route four years ago ; and he was recognized. His horse, al- though excited by the plaudits of the populace, was almost ne- glected to receive the Summer flowers which were thrust upon him from either hand. Following the General, in a single line sweeping the street, was the staff of the Army of Georgia, de- cidelly the most pretentious as to numbers in the armies of the United States, riding in the following order from right to left : Lieut .- Col. M. Rochester and Maj. R. P. Deckert. Asst. Adjt .- Gens. : Lieut .- Col. E. W. Guierdon, Maj. W. W. Mosely and W. G. Tracy, Aide-de-campes ; Lient .- Col. P. M. Horn, Insp .; Maj. J. A. Reynolds, Chief of Artillery ; Capts. H. W. How- gate and Ben Foraker, Signal Officer- ; and W. II. Mickle, Artillery Adjt."
After the passage of Gen. Slocum and staff there was a slight hiatus, and then came the 20th Corps preceded by Maj .- Gen.
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Mower, who had been in command since Goldsboro, and his staff ; but it is our purpose only to quote from what was said of the division to which this regiment was attached, and which was commanded by Brev. Maj .- Gen. John W. Geary.
"This was formerly the ed Division of the 12th Corps. When the present organization was established, it received the addition of one brigade from the 11th Corps. The troops of the 1st and ed Brigades, prior to the formation of the 20th Corps in September 1962, were under the command of Maj .- Gen. Banks, and during 1-61 and '02 were actively engaged in the Shenandoah Valley, and along the upper Potomae. Some of the troops of the 1st Brigade fought in the battles of West Virginia under Gen. MeClellan. The 2d Brigade, formerly of the 11th Corps prior to its formation, was under commands of Generals Siegel and Fremont.
" Before the formation of the 20th Corps, the troops of this division, in whole or in part, had been engaged in the follow- ing battles: Rich Mountain, Laurel Hill. Carrick's Ford, Har- per's Ferry, Winchester (two battles), Cross Keys, Port Repub- lie, Cedar Mountain, White Sulphur Springs, Second Bull Run, Chantilly. Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ringgold.
"The division was particularly distinguished at Lookout Mountain, which gallant action it fought and won without as- sistance. It has since participated in all the battles of the 20th Corps, Averysboro and Bentonville. Besides this, it has fought singly the battle of Mill Creek Gap.
"Since its organization it has been under the command of Maj .- Gen. Geary, formerly Brig., now Brev. Maj .- General. It is generally considered the best disciplined division in the 20th Corps, and as such the Crack Division of Sherman's Army. It is a remarkable fact, that this decision has never lost a gun of " stand of colors."
The following is a statement of the commanding officers of the different organizations composing the division, and the order of march :
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
"Brev. Maj .- Gen. John W. Geary and Staff.
. Ist Brigade. Ist Brigade Band.
Brev. Brig .- Gen. A. Pardee, Jr., commanding and Staff.
147th Penn., Lient .- Col. John Craig.
29th Ohio, Lient .- Col. Jonas Schoonover.
5th Ohio, Lieut .- Col. Robert Kirkup.
66th Ohio, Lieut .- Col. John T. Mitchell.
28th Penn., Lieut .- Col. James Fitzpatrick.
2d Brigade. 2d Brigade Drum Corps.
Brig .- Gen. P. H. Jones (formerly 154th N. Y.) commanding and Staff.
43d N. J., Col. George W. Mindil.
39th N. Y., Col. John T. Lockman.
73d Penn., Maj. C. H. Goebel.
154th N. Y .. Lieut .- Col. L. D. Warner.
134th N. Y., Lient .- Col. A. H. Jackson.
3d Brigade. 3d Brigade Band.
Brev. Brig .- Gen. H. A. Barmm, commanding and Staff.
29th Penn. (Verso, Col. S. M. Zulich.
111th Pen. (Vets. ). Col. Thomas M. Walker.
137th N. Y., Lient .- Col. K. S. Van Voorhies.
1024 N. Y., Lieut .- Col. S. H. Chatfield.
149th N. Y., Maj. N. Grumbach.
Both N. Y., Laout. Col. L. S. Wilson.
"The respective commanders of armies, divisions and brig- ades of Gen. Sherman's command bore upon their persons pro- fusions of flowers which had been bestowed in acknowledg- ment of their heroic deeds, and as they passed along the line. cheers were given, and handkerchief's and flags waved by those who chose this mode of testifying their gratitude for the gal- lant services of both officers and men.
" None seemed to weary of the continuous gazing at the troops, as there was always presented something of increased interest.
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Sections of pontoon bridges, ambulances, stretchers, and very heavy wagons were features of the procession.
"There was also a fair representation of the spade and ax department, the implements being carried on the shoulders of both white and black soldiers. .
"Mnch amusement was occasioned by a display of pack horses and mules. These were heavily loaded with commis- sary's supplies, including chickens ; a coon, a dog, and a goat were comfortably fastened to three of the saddles ; these were the pets of the soldiers. Two black soldiers of large size, rid- ing on very small mules, the feet nearly touching the ground, were regarded as a comie scene, and in connection with the other display, occasioned general laughter. An interesting feature of the grand military parade was the exhibition of flags and banners of various patterns ; some new, others torn by bullets and reduced to shreds, while others were faded by ex- posure to the weather and blackened by the smoke of battle. Several staffs were carried from which the flags had been shot away ; all the spear heads were ornamented with flowers, either in bouquets or wreaths. It was regarded as a contrast to the Army of the Potomac that the troops wore wide brimmed regu- lation hats.
"Their appearance in all respects was equal to that of the Army of the Potomac, notwithstanding they had performed more marching service ; and the general movements were much admired and applauded accordingly.
"The commander of each army corps and division, attended by one staff officer. dismounted after passing the General-in- Chief and joined that officer until his respective army corps of division had passed the reviewing stand, when he remounted and joined his command. Officers commanding regiments pre- sented swords on passing the reviewing officer, but company officers were not required to make such salutes; and the brigade band- played while their respective commands were moving by the stand. The Armies of the Tennessee and Georgia ocenpied six hours in passing, the same as the Army of the Potomac."
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
After the review the 3d Brigade marched northerly about four miles and went into camp a short distance from the Balti- more and Ohio Railroad at a place known as Bladensburg, to await transportation, make reports, and finish the necessary preliminaries prior to being mustered out of service. While in camp the regiment was visited by many distinguished per- sons both in civil and military life, and many incidents oc- curred which we omit to mention, except the fact that many promotions were made both from the ranks and among the officers, and brevets were as common as snow birds in Winter. The recruits, and all whose service did not commend a dis- charge, were transferred to the loed N. Y. (Vet.) Regt., which was among those retained in service for further duty. On the 12th of June the regiment paraded before Gen. Geary's quar- ters for muster ont. The General made an address, after mus- ter, in which he in a very feeling manner recalled many of theg trying incident- through which the regiment had passed under his command, and tears ran down his cheeks. The parting be- tween the General and the regiment was very touching and will not be forgotten by the men. The General's hot temper and inordinate vanity sometime- led him into unpleasant situ- ation-, but no one ever questioned his loyalty or his ability as a commanding officer, and the men generally respected him and regretted the parting.
The 137th N. Y. was mustered out of service on the 9th of June and left for home on the 11th : as it departed, the regiment fell in and gave tt three cheers; and the recruit-, departing at the same time to join the 102d, were accorded a similar greeting.
On the 13th day of June. 1865, the day after the muster ont, the regiment broke camp for home. When it was in line Gen. Barnum made an address, after which mutual farewells were bidden between the General and the officers and men.
Although the regiment left camp at seven o'clock in the morning it did not leave Washington until three o'clock in the
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afternoon, and arrived in Baltimore just in time to change ears to the Northern Central before dark. The next two nights and intervening day were consumed in reaching Elmira, where a second change of cars was made early in the morn- ing for Binghamton, which was reached about ten o'clock in the forenoon.
At Binghamton the regiment was taken in charge by a committee from Svraense, and entertained with dinner at the Lewis House by the generous and public spirited gentleman, Clark Snook of Fayetteville. The boys were then escorted to the Fireman's Hall, where they were provided with food and shelter by the loval ladies of Binghamton until their departure at six o'clock the following morning.
Many citizens and former members of the regiment joined the command at Binghamton and at different stations along the route, so the ear- were well filled at noon when they ar- rived at Syracuse. If the enthusiasm which greeted the mem- bers of the regiment at the stations along the route was flatter- ing, the reception at the railroad crossing on Onondaga street, where the train stopped, was overwhelming: for the demon- strations here had no bounds and were past control. Mothers. fathers, sister-, brothers, wives, children and friends besieged the cars and would recognize no restraint until they had re- ceived and greeted those near and dear to them.
There was some delay in unloading the officers horses and getting into line, but the regiment finally moved down Salina street. under the command of Lieut .- Col. Grumbach, with every soldier decorated with flowers, and every gum with a bouquet in its muzzle. When the train was nearing Syracuse the City Hall bell commenced ringing. so the people had turned out in mass and cheered and waved their handkerchiefs as the men moved down the street. The regiment was preceded by Gehm's band, playing . When Johnny Comes Marching Home", followed by Martin's drum corps to relieve it on the way. Besides the regimental flag, there were carried in line the cap- tured flags taken by the regiment during the war, but through some oversight were not unfurled.
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MEMOIRS 149th N. Y. INFT.
Following the regiment was its honored and beloved corps. and army commander, Gen. H. W. Slocum, in a carriage with his family. The conduct of the General on this occasion was typical of the long and uniform kindness manifested by him towards the regiment and its members during the war.
The modesty and unobtrusiveness of the General prevented the early and full recognition of his valuable services to the country, but the critical judgment of impartial students of his- tory has at last penetrated the fulsome praise of war corres- pondents and partisan writers, and Gen. Sloemm is now better appreciated and, very appropriately, is now placed among the first of the true heroes of the war.
The line of march was down Salina street to James, to East Genesee, and thence to Fayette Park, where a banquet and formal reception awaited the regiment. The buildings and objects on the route, and in fact throughout the city, were decorated with flags, evergreens and mottoes suggestive of the distinguished services of the regiment, or in memory of its dead.
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