USA > New York > Wayne County > Military history of Wayne County, N.Y. : the County in the Civil War > Part 42
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Harvey W. Benson
George G. Soren.
July 4,'61 |May 3,'61
Resigned Dec. 17, '61.
Daniel Berrien, Jr
Dec. 26,'61 Dec. II.'61
Resigned Sept. 9, '62.
Joseph Foulke.
Dec. 12,'62 Dec. 10,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
R. Stuart Hart
July 4,'61 |May 7,'61 Died June 24, '61, of disease, at New York city.
Discharged Aug. 30, '62. Resigned Aug. 3, '61.
James H. Demarest.
July 4,'6 1 May 7,'61
Alvin M. Whaley.
Oct. 22,'62
Aug. 30,'62
Terence J. Foley.
(Brev. Col. U. S. V.
505
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT-(Continued.)
NAME.
Date of Commission.
Date of Rank.
Remarks.
Isaac D. Blauvelt.
Aug. 27,'61 Aug. 30,'62
Aug. 3.'61 Promoted to Capt. Aug. 30, '62. July 23,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Luther Cauldwell.
July 4,'61 May 7,'61
Promoted to Capt. Nov. 2, '63.
John Burleigh.
Nov. 2,'61 Oct. 25,'61 Promoted to Capt. June 20, '52.
Robert L. Livingston.
June 20,'62
Joseph W. Morey.
Dec. 20,'62 Dec. 1,'62
May 10,'62 Resigned Nov. 30, '62. Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Joel O. Martin.
July 4,'61 May 10,'61 Promoted to Capt. Oct. 29, '61.
Langford C. Mabie
Oct. 29,'6I Oct. 24,'61 Discharged July 14. '62.
Waldo Sprague.
Aug. 30,'62 July 14,'62
Promoted to Adjt. May 9, '63.
Isaac M. Lusk ..
July 4,'61 May 10,'61
Resigned Jan. 16, '62.
Charles E. Perry ..
Mar. 8,'62 Mar. 8,'62
Discharged Sept. 8, '62.
Harwood A. Dudley
July 4,'6[ May 20,'61 Resigned Nov. 12, '61.
Alvin W. Whaley.
Promoted to Capt. Oct. 22, '62.
John P. Hollers.
Second Lieutenants :
Romeyne Bogardus
July 4,'61 Apr. 23,'61 Resigned Aug. 8, '61. Aug. 27,'61 Aug. 8,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Feb. 12, '62.
Aug. 30,'62 July 1,'62 Promoted to First Lieut. Oct. 22, '62. Oct. 22,'62 Aug. 30,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
James Taylor
Charles Hilbert.
July 4,'61
May 19,'61
Daniel Burrin, Jr.
Aug. 28,'61 Aug. 28,'61
John P. Hollers
Mar. 4,'62 Dec. II,'61
Joseph W. Morey
Oct. 22,'62
Aug. 30,'62
Charles Everdell.
July 4,'61 May 4,'61 Resigned Nov. 9, '61.
Charles F. Ingalls.
Dec. 7,'61 Nov. 9,'61 Dec. 20,'62 Aug. 30,'62
John Burleigh.
Orrin M. Fitch
James Fox.
Edwin A. Cowdry
John T. McCann.
David Drake.
Aug. 28,'61 Aug. 28,'61
Harvey W. Benson
Dec. 30,'61 Nov. 27,'6I Promoted to First Lieut. Aug. IO, '62.
George Moore.
Jan. 20,'63 Jan. I,'63
Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
William Mattocks
Hiram Wilde
Hubert H. Hall
Charles H. Coffin. 33
Nov. II,'61 Nov. 2,'61 Oct. 22,'62 Aug. 30,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Terence J. Foley
Irving D Smith.
Lycurgus D. Lusk.
May 3,'61 Not mustered.
Promoted to First Lieut. Aug. 27, '61. Promoted to First Lieut. Dec. 26, '61. Promoted to First Lieut. Oct. 22, '62. Promoted to First Lieut. Dec. 22, '62.
Dismissed Nov. 15, '62.
John G. Falkner.
July 4,'61 Apr. 26,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Nov. Nov. 2,'61 Nov. 1,'61 Feb. 12,'62 Jan. 24,'62 Aug. 30,'62 July 15,'62 2, '61. Resigned Dec. II, '61. Resigned July II, '62. Mustered out with regt. June July 4,'61 May 3,'61 2, '63. Resigned Aug. 5,'61. Resigned Dec. 12, '61.
July 4,'61 May 7,'61 Died of disease at Washington, Aug. 28,'61 Aug. 28,'61 D. C., July 31, '61. Promoted to First Lieut. Dec. II, '61.
Dec. 7,'61 Nov. 9,'61 Resigned Feb. 9, '62. Mar. 8,'62 Discharged June 4, '62.
James H. Christie
506
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT .- (Continued.)
NAME.
Date of Commission.
Date of Rank.
Remarks.
Albert Rathbone. June 24,'62 June 24,'62 Resigned Nov. 8, 62.
Langford C. Mable. July 4,'61 May 21,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Oct .. 29. '61.
Robert L. Livingston. Nov. 11,'61 Oct. 24,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. June 20, '62.
Edwin H. Beardsley
Aug. 30,'62 May 10,'62 Promoted to First Lieut. Dec. 26, '61.
Lucius H. Post Dec. 30,'62 Dec. 29,'62 Not mustered.
Elias P. Pellett. July 4,'61 May 10,'61 Resigned Oct. 13, '61.
James H. Christie Oct. 29,'61 Oct. 13,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Aug. 30, '62.
Arthur M. Sanford. Aug. 30,'62 July 23,'62 Dismissed Dec. 19, '62.
James W. A. Granger May 10,'61 Not mustered.
Augustus W. Proseus. July 4,'61 May 10,'61 Discharged Jan. 18, '62.
Waldo Sprague. Jan. 10,'62 Jan. 10,'62 Promoted to First Lieut. Aug. 30, '62.
Cornelius Green Aug. 30,'62 July 14,'62 Discharged Feb. 16, '63.
C. H. Pease.
May 9,'63 Feb. 14,'63 Not mustered.
Alvin M. Whaley. July 4,'61 May 20,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Nov. II, '61.
Livingston Lansing. Nov. 11,'61 Nov. 2,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Dec.
George S Wilson.
Jan. 8,'62 Dec.
26, '61. 5,'61 Promoted to Adjt. Aug. 30, '62.
James Reed.
Aug. 30,'62 July 2,'62 Killed in action at Bull Run,. Va., Aug. 30, '62.
Thomas Beal
Oct. 22,'62
Aug. 3,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Martin Scully
Dec. 30,'62 Dec. I,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
William H. Clarkson.
Dec. 22,'62 Nov. 23,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH VOLUNTEERS.
The Twenty-seventh Infantry was organized at the Elmira rendezvous in May, 1861. The officers in command were Colonel H. W. Slocum, of Syracuse ; Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Chambers, of White Plains ; and Major J. J. Bartlett, of Binghamton. May Ioth, the company under command of Captain Alexander D. Adams, left Lyons, became a portion of the regiment, and was designated B. The regiment was mustered into the United States service May 29th, and pro- ceeded via Harrisburgh and Baltimore to Washington. After a period of drill far too inadequate, the march towards Richmond was begun. The regiment took part in the action at Bull Run, where Colonel Slocum was severely wounded, and where, save the Fire Zouaves, the command lost the greatest number of men of any regiment engaged ..
507
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
The Twenty-seventh left camp July 16th, and encamped at ten P. M., by the roadside. The next day the march was resumed, and night found the regiment at Fairfax. They did not participate in the action of July 18th, but on the 2Ist were fully tried, and behaved gallantly. March was begun early that day towards the battle-ground, and while yet at a distance the step was quickened by the strange sound of booming cannon, followed by the noise of musketry, indicating deadly encounter. The fatigue of that day was severe. The canteens were empty, and water was obtained only from stagnant ponds by the roadside. Entering the field at a double-quick, the men were much fatigued, yet, halting only to throw off knapsacks, they advanced with fixed bayonets. Before them, in the distance, moved a regiment bearing what seemed a national flag ; approaching them in uncertainty, Adjutant Jenkins rode forward with havelock upon his sword-point, and was fired upon. The Twenty-seventh returned the fire sharply, and drove their enemy out of range. Adjutant Jenkins had a miraculous escape, being between the lines. Continuing to advance, the Eighth Georgia was encountered, and both fought for some time, when the latter fell back, but being reinforced, returned, and compelled the Twenty-seventh to seek the shelter of a hill. Colonel Slocum was ordered to take part in a general advance, and while leading his men, fell severely wounded, and was removed from the field. The regiment halted, and stood up under a sanguinary fire. Each loaded and fired at will, and rapidly the line diminished. A half- hour after the fall of Slocum, the color guard was reduced from nine to two,-W. H. Merrill and Sergeant Freeman. Retreat began, at first with a semblance of order, but soon degenerated into a route. Colonel Porter, commanding the division, mentioned the regiment as follows :
" Upon our first position, the Twenty-seventh was the first to rally, under command of Major Bartlett, and around it the other regiments engaged soon collected their scattered fragments. The battalion of regulars meantime took position, and held the enemy in check until our forces were somewhat rallied."
The regiment returned to Washington, and August 14th moved into camp near Fort Ellsworth, below Alexandria,
508
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
on the south bank of the Potomac. The Colonel was then Joseph J. Bartlett, in place of Colonel Slocum, promoted. Later in the fall the regiment moved its camp to a site near Fairfax Seminary, where it spent the winter of 1861-'62 ; during which time the men were engaged in building Fort Lyon, doing picket duty and chopping wood from the Heights. In comfortable quarters, in huts with fire-places, the men passed the time in the routine of camp, drill, and picket. Spring came, and the army moved. March 10, 1862, the Twenty-seventh left its camp, and marching twelve miles, encamped near Fairfax, expecting to renew the inarch at four A. M. to Centerville. The retirement of the enemy caused a change of plan, and the road was taken to Alexan- dria. The regiment did not share in the battle of Fairfax Court House. April 18th the regiment embarked on the steamship S. R. Spaulding, moved down the river, came to anchor at Ship Point, disembarked, and lay in camp for some time. Taken up the York river, the Twenty-seventh was landed June 6th at West Point, the first of the division, and forming in line, found the enemy close at hand and the woods alive with cavalry. The men deployed as skirmishers, the enemy disappeared, and a picket-line was established. During the night several attacks were made, and prisoners from the Fifth Texas were captured. The morning brought the fleet with Sedgwick's advance. An occasional gun was fired, and a straggling fire commenced along the line. Regi- ments advanced to support the pickets ; brigades formed in line of battle, and batteries hurried into position. General Slocum directed the movements of the division, and Colonel Bartlett was in command of the brigade. The musketry deepened into continuous crashes as the fall of distant trees, and Sedgwick's men, as they landed, doffed knapsacks and advanced into action. The gunboats took position to repel any attempt at flanking. Forward and backward the lines surged, till finally the fire slackened, and the enemy with. drew. The Twenty-seventh met with slight loss. Afterwards the regiment took up its line of march for Yorktown, where it remained until the battle of Williamsburgh. At the conclu- sion of the action the regiment marched three miles up the
509
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
York River, where it remained one day ; thence toward Cumberland, where it remained two days. The advance was continued, until the regiment lay five miles beyond the White House, within eighteen miles of Richmond. Moving to Mechanicsville, the command there remained several days, when Casey's division was overpowered and driven with heavy loss till aid came and turned the tide. The regiment fell in, and, with its brigade, formed in line of battle, and then, under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, filed down through the woods to the turnpike bridge, and halted in the presence of General Slocum, whom they greeted with three cheers. An attempt to draw the rebel fire failed, and the batteries shelled a train passing at a distance. The river rose sud- denly as of a dam let loose. Remaining at Mechanicsville on picket duty, bridging, road-building and intrenching, the men stood exposed like veterans. While awaiting the order to advance upon Richmond, Jackson had moved upon the right, and, June 27th, firing, heavy and continuous, told where he was pressing upon our lines. Night arrived, and with it a report that the enemy had been driven towards Richmond. Morning came, and with it the thunder of can- non across the river, in close proximity to the camps. The tented ground occupied by Slocum's division was speedily covered by the blue lines of armed columns. There was a bridge crossing the Chickahominy at the highest point in our possession, communicating with our forces at Gaines' Mills, and Mechanicsville, further up. Here the division first marched, and a part of Newton's brigade passed over, but finding the enemy too strong, fell back and destroyed the bridge.
The action had now become general along the whole line. The incessant roar of artillery told that Porter and McCall were hard pressed, and needed help. Marching down the river to Woodbury's bridge, the division crossed, and by 3 P. M., had reached the higher ground opposite and taken position. They were just in time. The fight had begun at Gaines' Mills, a mile distant from the bridge, and our forces had been gradually driven back until they held only the heights above the bridge. This position must be held, as a
510
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
single narrow bridge precluded all hope of a tumultuous retreat. The day's heat was over, but clouds of dust nearly blinded the eyes as they came drifting from the fields beyond. As Slocum's men advanced on a double quick past lines of ambulances and streams of fugitives, it was cheer- ing to see the division rushing unflinchingly to the rescue under shot and shell.
To the left, sheltered under the brow of a hill, the stream- ing pennons of Rusk's lancers were conspicuous, while reserve cavalry and artillery stretched from hill to hill. The scene was beautiful as a grand review, but the detonations of cannon discharges and the crashing volley of musketry with an unintermitting rushing sound dispelled the illusion. The brigade filed to the right over the hill, under a fierce fire from the enemy's guns, and took position in a ravine, supporting a battery of Maplesons on the ridge above. The men lay flat upon the ground. In the first line were the Sixteenth New York, and behind them the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania, on the left were the Fifth Maine and the Twenty-seventh. Colonel Bartlett commanded the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Adams the regiment. The cannon- ading became terrible, and the Napoleons maintained a con- stant discharge upon the advancing rebels. Once a cais- son drawn by riderless horses came rushing down the road, followed by a volley of musketry. The time had come for action. The enemy were close upon the battery as a forest of bayonets arose and swept grandly over the hill. Colonel Bartlett waving his sword, exclaimed, “Forward-double- quick-charge !" and led in person. Adams, on foot, cheered on the men. As the astonished enemy fell back a rapid fire upon their retreating ranks piled the killed and wounded in heaps wherever they made a stand. There was a large house directly in front of the battery, and both sides fought for its possession, and here was the hottest contest. Here the tide of battle wavered to and fro for hours. The left wing of the regiment suffered severely from being exposed without cover to a cross-fire.
Gallantly and defiantly the colors of the regiment were flung to the breeze. James Snedaker stood by them to the
511
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
last. William H. McMahon, the other color-bearer, thrice rallied the regiment around him and led them on again,
Close to the colors stood Captain Wanzer and his band that fought like heroes, he coolly encouraging his men.
Company H, Captain Bodine, stood fast under fire, losing Lieutenant Williams and two Sergeants at the first charge. Lieutenant Brainard, of F, shook hands with a captured rebel Major during the hottest of the fight.
Company B suffered severe loss. The Lima boys, led on by their young captain, closed up their fast thinning ranks, and advanced again and again to the charge over their fallen comrades, fighting bravely to the last. Company K, con- tested each foot of ground, and the entire command won a meed of praise. Dim twilight gathered, and the sounds of battle gradually died away. The field about the house wore a terrible appearance. The scene beyond where the enemy lay beggared description. Crowds lay piled under tree and bush and on the open ground, while tossing arms and legs betokened an agony of pain. Horses without riders galloped about, lay in suffering, or stood patient over dead masters. The brigade had fought for life far in ad- vance of the batteries, whose grape and canister went rush- ing overhead into the rebel ranks. A fresh brigade of the enemy advanced at dusk from the woods, and the battle- worn brigade withdrew in line of battle, their wounded beg- ging to be taken along, but in vain. Richardson's division came pouring over the bridge with cheers, and relieved those who had borne the brunt of battle. At midnight orders came to retire silently across the river, and at two A. M. the old camp was reached, and the tired men lay down, but not to sleep,-there was too much of suspense. Com- pany E, had lost one killed and ten wounded. Company B, of Lyons, had one killed and twenty-three wounded, and Company G of Lima, had one killed and eighteen wounded. Before daylight orders came to prepare coffee and be ready to leave at a moment's warning. Tents were struck, and troops were seen retiring, while wagon-trains were moving out. By ten A. M. our forces had all retired over the Chick- ahominy, leaving their dead and wounded to the enemy,
512
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
and Woodbury's bridge was blown up. The rebels mean- while were crossing the river and swarming before the Union lines. Every preparation was made to repel and delay them. The brigades of Newton and Taylor were busily engaged in felling trees and making batteries, while Slocum's operated on the extreme right, marching and countermarching to deceive and intimidate the rebels. Tents were struck immediately after being pitched. knapsacks were left, and a movement made to the base of the hill. A shell hissed over, followed by others in exact range, and the companies hastened to recover their knapsacks. No reply was made, and at noon the brigade retired behind an abatis of trees. The afternoon wore away, and all was ominously quiet. The brigade went on picket, and all night long the crash of trees betokened fear of pursuit. At midnight an immense amount of stores were destroyed. A few of the men made a hasty cup of coffee, but most saw nothing of refreshments but hard crackers.
Franklin's corps was now on the extreme right. At three A. M. the pickets retired, and the movement towards the James had begun. Silently the regiments moved on, and behind them crashed the trees, blocking up the avenues of retreat. Daylight found the brigade at Savage Station, where the entire baggage-train was packed. A thousand wounded men lay scattered about, and during the brief halt, the officers of the Twenty-seventh took every one possible,- hired vehicles to carry them,-and one officer distributed the contents of his purse among those who had to be left. Here Heintzelman's troops were left, and the column, push- ing on to White Oak swamp, crossed a corduroy bridge- The Twenty-seventh, in advance, was on picket, and passed a third restless night. Next morning Franklin's corps was left in the rear, Slocum's division being posted on the right and extreme rear to prevent the enemy from crossing the bridge. Batteries were posted and pickets thrown out, while the infantry lay concealed in the rear. The men had scattered, when a volley from the pickets sent the men double-quick to their regiments. The artillery took up the fight and continued it till night. All attempts to cross were
513
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
frustrated. Temporary lulls were followed by furious firing. The brigade received orders to cross the bridge and charge the enemy, but halted at the bank and retired to the shelter of the pines. The march was resumed at two A. M. to Mal- vern Hill, where the day was passed ; thence to Harrison's Landing, where camp was made and quite a stay made. The regiment here did picket duty and labored on fortifica- tions until the 16th of August. Here was a terrible experi- ence contending with stagnant water, with miasma, with fevers, and all the dread array of diseases that kill more men in war than the bullets can. August 16th, the movement of the Army of the Potomac northward had begun. The first day across the Chickahominy, the second at Williamsburg, the third at Yorktown, the fourth at Warwick Court House, and the fifth at Newport News. Embarked on the John Brooks, they were taken to Fortress Munroe. Franklin's corps left Alexandria August 29th ; next day passed through Fairfax and Centerville, and came upon the trains retreating from the Plains of Manassas. The brigade was called to check the tide of fugitives from McDowell's army. Cavalry and infantry combined could not check the general move- ment-it was the route of an army. Night brought the brigade on picket, and hour after hour the soldiers poured through the lines. September Ist, the regiment lay in camp at Centerville ; but soon moved to Alexandria, crossed the long bridge to Washington September 6th, and then marched
towards the field of Antietam ; each night's bivouac finding them yet nearer the invader. At Crampton's Gap the enemy were found in possession, with infantry and artillery. The Twenty-seventh, deployed as skirmishers, led the division in the advance. The men sought cover till an open plain was reached at the foot of the mountain. A volley from the enemy was heartily returned. The men stood bravely to their work, and fired all their ammunition. A charge fol- lowed, and the gap was won. The regiment left the gap on the morning of the 17th, and took position on the Union right. The regiment supported batteries all day at Antie- tam, in the memorable cornfield, and were steadily under a heavy fire. The regiment lay in camp near Bakersville, for
514
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
a month following this battle. Early in October, Lieutenant- Colonel Adams was promoted Colonel, and Major Bodine was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel. Captain George G. Wanzer became Major. October 18th, the regiment was on the march by way of White Plains to Warrenton, where the army halted. The army had a change of commanders, and was again on the move. The field of Manassas was traversed, and camp made within six miles of the Potomac, near Aquia Landing. Settled in comfortable quarters, the winter passed away, and with Burnside exchanged for Hooker, the army crossed the Rapidan, and the Sixth Army Corps demon- strated before Fredericksburg. The Twenty-seventh broke camp April 28. 1863, and, marching all day, reached the Rappahannock about dark, at the point where, December 13th, they had made their previous crossing. Having reached the south side, the men busily entrenched when not called to picket, and so continued till May 3d. That day the heights of Fredericksburg were carried by Howe's division. The Twenty-seventh advanced through a ravine swept by a battery. Shot and shell flew lively overhead, and the men took shelter behind a slight rise of ground, lying flat upon their faces.
The skirmish line was warmly engaged, and the rebel sharpshooters inflicted a loss on the regiment of two killed and ten wounded. The well-packed knapsacks received many a bullet. As the enemy left the heights, the division retired, the Twenty-seventh being the rear guard, and, in consequence, the last to withdraw. The enemy followed slowly till just out of artillery range, when they halted. The line of march led through the city, the earthworks just taken, and, at the summit, the regiment found the corps had gone miles in advance. The march was hastened, but a wrong road taken. The brigade was passed, and, from a hill half a mile distant, the Twenty-seventh were spectators of the ensuing battle. The enemy had retreated in line of battle along a plank-road leading west, till reaching Bethel Church, but two or three miles from Fredericksburg, heavy reinforcements were received and a stand made. The brigade came into action and fought overpowering num-
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
bers. They suffered severely, but inflicted terrible losses on their assailants. The next day the enemy had formed a line parallel to the road and captured the heights. The Twenty-seventh had rejoined the brigade and was sent on picket, while the brigade, much reduced, was placed in support of the batteries, silently awaited the impending attack, which was made late in the day. Thrice the regi- ment, as skirmishers, checked the advance of battle lines, and not till the left was turned did they fall back. The Union position was now endangered, and Lee's army had arrived in masses. The line was formed in horse-shoe shape, the opening at the river enclosing the bridge. The Twenty-seventh was in the place of the toe-calk. About nine P. M., orders came to fall back. The enemy, discover- ing the movement, advanced with continuous yelling. Retiring a mile as skirmishers, the regiment fell into line, and just then received an order to double quick or be cut off. A rapid retreat was made to the river. At three the next morning the troops began to recross, and speedily the corps was transferred to the other bank. The loss to the regiment was three killed and thirteen wounded. The term of the regiment having expired, it was sent home, and mustered out on May 21st, 1863. In Company E, the old Captain had become Major, and Ensign E. P. Gould, had become Captain.
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