USA > New York > New York in the Spanish-American war 1898 : part of the report of the Adjutant-General of the State for 1900, v. I pt 1 > Part 8
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Every means was employed to hasten the recruiting of the regi- ments. At the beginning recruits were brought from New York and examined here, but the percentage of rejections was so large that it was seen that this method would entail a heavy expense upon the state unnecessarily, and a surgeon from each regiment was therefore sent to its armory, where the examinations were
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-CAMP TOWNSEND:
made, and the recruits forwarded to camp daily in charge of a commissioned officer.
As soon as a battalion was recruited to its full strength it was mustered in the United States service with a major and a battalion adjutant.
The record of the mustering is as follows:
Twelfth regiment, May 13.
First battalion, eighth regiment, May 14.
Second battalion, eighth regiment, May 17.
Third battalion and field and staff, eighth regiment, May 19. First Battalion, ninth regiment, May 17.
Second battalion, ninth regiment, May 19.
Third battalion, ninth regiment, May 20.
Field and staff, ninth regiment, May 21.
The twelfth regiment's muster was the first completed and in compliance with his orders Colonel Leonard immediately made requisition on the chief quartermaster, U. S. A., New York city, for transportation to Chickamauga, the new station of the regi- ment.
Notice that the regiment would be moved by transport to Jersey City, and thence proceed to its destination by Pennsylvania rail- road, was received at 9 o'clock on the evening of Monday, May 16th, and at 10 o'clock the following morning the regiment marched from camp and embarked on the steamer " Glen Island " with all its stores, camp equipage, etc.
The muster of the eighth regiment was completed late in the afternoon of May 19th, and its marching orders were received Saturday evening to move Monday, the 23d instant, at the same hour and by the same means.
The ninth regiment completed its muster Saturday noon and broke camp early on the morning of the 24th instant and, after passing in review before the commanding general, embarked on the transport "Glen Island." Permission was granted by the quar- termaster's department to land at foot of West Twenty-second street, New York, and thence march to Cortlandt street ferry for Jersey City. A sufficient detail was left on board to transfer
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
stores, etc., from the boat to the train, so that no time was lost in starting as soon as property was loaded.
As the ninth regiment moved out of camp the artillery detach- ment fired a salute; the flags were lowered, and the camp formally closed. The commander-in-chief visited the camp with his staff on the evening of Wednesday, May 11th. The troops were paraded for review by him and a proper salute was fired. He visited the camps of the different regiments, mess hall, etc., and expressed his satisfaction with the general condition of the camp.
On May 5th, Major Maus, surgeon, United States army, and Doctors Nichols and Jones, examining board of surgeons, com- menced the examination of regimental surgeons.
On May 6th, the regimental surgeons commenced the examina- tion of the troops.
On May 22d, at the evening parade, I had the honor of present- ing to Brevet Brigadier-General William Seward his commission in the presence of his old command.
I wish to express my great satisfaction in being so fortunate in having General George W. Davis, Major Maus, Captain James Parker, Lieutenant Granger Adams and Lieutenant Babcock, U. S. A., detailed for duty at this camp. i
Duncan & Co., of Newburgh, N. Y., who had the contract to feed the troops, performed this duty most satisfactorily.
Colonel Joseph G. Story and all my staff rendered most valuable and efficient service, and I take this opportunity for thanking them.
Copies of all reports and orders were mailed daily to the com- manding officer, national guard, and to the adjutant-general.
Major John H. Ball, was on May 24th, mustered into the United States service as quartermaster of the ninth regiment, N. Y. V. I.
The commander-in-chief and you made a most thorough and careful examination of the camp in all its departments and expressed perfect satisfaction with the conditions as found in that everything possible for the health and comfort of the troops was being done.
Respectfully, PETER C. DOYLE, Brigadier-General.
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SECOND CALL.
May 28th.
The secretary of war telegraphed to the adjutant-general of the state:
" It is estimated that about 3,99S enlisted men will be recruited to fill to the maximum the organizations already in service from your state. It is desired to know how far you will be able to fur- nish the above number."
To this the adjutant-general replied:
" The Governor of this state directs me to say that he can fur- nish immediately any number of volunteers you require for any branch of the service named, and for any purpose desired."
May 29th.
The adjutant-general of the army telegraphed to the Governor: " Under first call for 125,000 men, it was contemplated that the number of original organizations called for should have the maxi. mum strength stated below; but on account of additional orgaz- izations having to be accepted, this maximum had to be reduced to 81 enlisted men per company. The maximum above contez- plated is 106 enlisted men per company of infantry, 100 per troop of cavalry, 173 per light battery, 200 per heavy battery, 1,326 of all grades per regiment of infantry consisting of 3 battalions of ± companies each. Secretary of war bids me now say it is the wish of the President to apply, in accordance with the law, so much of second call for 75,000 as may be necessary to fill organizations already in the service from your state to the maximum just stated. The secretary of war bids me say that recruiting office:s will be detailed to make and superintend, under army regulations. enlistment for this purpose of the number of men wired you May 27th. Please name one or more competent field officers of respec- tive regiments already in service from your state, to be detailed under orders from war department for this duty."
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May 31st.
The adjutant-general of the state sent the following to General Corbin, adjutant-general, United States army:
" Referring to telegrams of 28th and 29th instant, in the first you estimate about 3,99S enlisted men will be needed to fill the maximum. The maximum of a regiment, as we make it, is 1,280 enlisted men. For 12 regiments it is 15,360, add 2 troops, each 100, makes total 15,560. According to muster-in rolls we have furnished 11,876 enlisted men. Allow 14 enlisted men who have been promoted to commissions, and it would require only about 3,600 to fill the regiments to the maximum of enlisted men. We propose to raise the necessary recruits at the points from which the regiments or companies came, and leave the selection of recruiting officers to you. We desire to know, further, what else is required of the state to fill its quota under the second call, so that we can go ahead and accomplish the work. This state can comply with any requirement you make upon it at once. We only desire full and complete instructions."
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And the following was received from General Corbin: "Your message May 29th (28th) received. Message from this office of May 29th, explains the situation. Thanks for your cordial co- operation. An examination of your rolls shows an enlisted strength of 11,850, to recruit which to the maximum, would require 15,560, the difference being 3,710. Orders are in prepara- tion for immediate issue, contemplating the details of recruiting parties from each regiment already in the service, consisting of one officer, one non-commissioned officer, and one or two privates, to proceed under instructions from the war department to locali- ties where regiments were raised for the purpose of accomplishing this recruitment. The matter of new organizations from the bal- ance of your quota out of the second call, will be taken up in the · near future and will probably admit of two additional regiments and two battalions from your state. Your message of the 31st, received. Slight differences in figures are mere details that must be determined by tri-monthly returns."
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SECOND CALL.
June 1st.
The following was telegraphed to the war department by the adjutant-general of the state: " Your telegram 1st instant at hand. Governor only waiting for detailed instructions before informing you he is ready to provide two regiments and two bat- talions of infantry. Advise as soon as you are ready to send officer, non-commissioned officer and one or two privates to the home station of each organization. Also how soon you wish these men to be prepared for muster. In that way I can facilitate the matter. I understand that you will require 25 additional men to each company of infantry now having 81 men."
Recruiting officers reported in June from time to time, and i · received the blanks sent by the war department and instructions so far as the state authorities were permitted to give.
Instructions were also sent to commanding officers of armories permitting the use of the latter as recruiting stations and offices.
The recruiting officers were advised to recruit first from the organizations of the national guard which had not been called upon to volunteer, and then from those newly formed.
According to their reports, when they had recruited the required number of men, they went back to their respective organizations with 3,772 recruits, as follows:
For troop A 22
For troop C. 20
For the first regiment 301
For the second regiment 31S
For the third regiment 303 For the eighth regiment 337
For the ninth regiment
337
For the twelfth regiment
309
For the fourteenth regiment 302 For the twenty-second regiment
For the forty-seventh regiment 300
280
For the sixty-fifth regiment 333
For the sixty-ninth regiment 303
For the seventy-first regiment 307
Total. 3,772
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
June 19th.
The Governor received the following telegram, dated June 18th, from the secretary of war:
" Under the President's second call, May 25, 1898, after filling to the maximum the organizations already in United States serv- ice from your state, you are requested to furnish three new regi- ments of infantry, each to consist of one colonel, one lieutenant- colonel, two majors, one adjutant (extra lieutenant), one quarter- master (extra lieutenant), one surgeon, two assistant surgeons (first lieutenants), one chaplain, one sergeant-major, one quarter- master-sergeant, one chief musician, two principal musicians, three hospital stewards and twelve companies, each to consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one first sergeant, one quartermaster-sergeant, four sergeants, twelve cor- porals, two musicians, one artificer and eighty-four privates max- imum, seventy-eight privates minimum; and in addition thereto three batteries of light artillery, each consisting of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one first sergeant, one quartermaster-sergeant, one veterinary sergeant, six ser- geants, nine corporals, two farriers, two artificers, one saddler, two musicians, one wagoner and eighty privates. The mustering officer, Major S. R. Jocelyn, nineteenth infantry, ordered to Albany this evening, has been directed to confer with your repre- sentative concerning details affecting comfort, shelter, subsis- tence of organizations, and the order in which they should be mobilized for muster. To save expense and for other reasons that will occur to you, it is suggested that preliminary physical examination be made of men before they are taken from their homes. Blanks mailed to adjutant-general of state. You are requested to constitute a board of three reputable physicians for the purpose only of examining the regimental medical officers nominated by you, these physicians to receive ten dollars per day and traveling expenses to the place of meeting of board and return. The regimental medical officers will then be mustered into United States service to assist mustering officer with physi- cal examination of men. The recruiting of men for the old
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SECOND CALL.
companies will be conducted by the officers now in the field and under orders from this office."
June 20th.
On inquiry, the adjutant-general of the army telegraphed: " Companies should have one wagoner; omitted by error."
June 21st.
The following telegram was received by the Governor from the adjutant-general of the army: "If regiments about to be mustered into the service of the United States are organized as part of the militia of the state, and three majors are in service , therewith under the state law when regiments are presented for muster into United States service as such, then the third major may be mustered into such service."
June 22d.
The following telegram was sent to the secretary of war: " Governor Black would be pleased to receive an answer to tele- gram sent you on the 19th instant relative to arming, uniforming and equipping troops under second call which contains no instruc- tions regarding this matter.
" C. WHITNEY TILLINGHAST, 2D, "Adjutant-General."
To which the following reply was received: "Secretary of war has decided that new regiments from your state will be uniformed by the quartermaster's department. Kindly inform me where each regiment will assemble, giving name of the quartermaster of each regiment, and clothing will be shipped at once."
June 25th.
In accordance with the instructions of the secretary of war. Doctors C. E. Jones, of Albany; C. E. Nichols, of Troy, and W. C. Duboise, of Syracuse, were appointed members of a board to examine medical officers to be appointed for the three new
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
regiments, and were notified to meet at the capitol at noon, June 27th.
The adjutant-general of the army was informed that: "The original plan of this state was to raise one regiment at Buf- falo, two battalions at Syracuse and one regiment and one battalion at New York, using armories in each place as recruit- ing stations. It may be, however, that the United States gov- ernment would prefer naming some one place of rendezvous, pos- sibly Camp Black, so saving extra expense on transportation of supplies; and, if point of rendezvous be designated by the govern- ment, will tentage be available? Advise what your wishes are. " C. WHITNEY TILLINGHAST, 2D,
"Adjutant-General."
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Major Francis Townsend Underhill, first brigade staff, and Major William T. Parsons, sixty-fifth regiment, and Mr. Norton Chase, formerly major, tenth battalion, were appointed quarter- masters of the new regiments, subject to the required physical examination, and were assigned to regiments, June 30th.
Assistant Surgeon Daniel S. Burr, seventeenth battalion; Lieu- . tenant-Colonel William E. Spencer, assistant surgeon-general, S. N. Y., and Dr. B. S. Booth, late assistant surgeon, sixth sepa- rate company, were appointed surgeons; Assistant Surgeons John Wood, tenth separate company; William Alfred Burgess, six- teenth battalion; John Wilson Poucher, fifteenth separate com- pany, and Doctors L. K. Graves, Marshall Clinton and .1. L. Haynes were appointed assistant surgeons of the new regiments, subject to the prescribed examination. They were assigned to regiments, June 30th
June 27th.
The following general orders (No. S) were issued this day: "I. Pursuant to the second call of the President of the United States for volunteers, and owing to the fact that unlike the first call the national guard is not asked for, this plan will be followed:
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SECOND CALL.
" One regiment, to be known as the two hundred and first regi- ment, infantry, N. Y. volunteers, will be recruited at the twelfth regiment, N. G., N. Y., armory, in New York city;
" One battalion, to be part of the two hundred and third regi- ment, infantry, N. Y. volunteers, will be recruited at the same place;
" One regiment, to be known as the two hundred and second regiment, infantry, N. Y. volunteers, will be recruited at the sixty- fifth regiment, N. G., N. Y., armory, in Buffalo;
" Two battalions, to be part of the regiment known as the two hundred and third regiment, infantry, N. Y. volunteers, will be recruited at the N. G., N. Y., armory, in Syracuse.
" Recruiting officers will be assigned later.
"II. The first preference will be given to individual members of the national guard, although it is the strong wish and desire of the commander-in-chief that national guardsmen shall not leave the state, but shall remain here to keep intact their respec- tive organizations for the very honorable task of home defense. The remainder required to complete the quota will be recruited from civil life. Further details will be given to the recruitmg officers.
" III. Enlisted men, as volunteers from national guard organi- zations, before leaving their home stations, must be thoroughly examined by a medical officer of their respective organizations, and commanding officers will permit none to start except such as, in the judgment of the surgeon, will pass the physical exami- nation of the United States volunteer surgeons.
"Under these conditions, the commanding officers of their respective organizations are authorized to issue to these men orders for transportation from their home stations to the nearest recruiting station only; of which orders three copies must be for- warded to these headquarters.
"After acceptance by the United States surgeons, the men will be quartered and subsisted by the state until mustered into the service of the United States, and will be dropped from the records of their respective organizations by reason of removal,
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
etc. Instructions will be sent to all railroads so that the orders of commanding officers for transportation will be honored.
"IV. For the carrying out of paragraph III, commanding offi- cers are instructed to place their surgeons on duty and relieve them immediately the above mentioned requirements are ful- filled.
" V. The state will not furnish arms, equipments or uniforms. All of the above will be furnished accepted men by the United States government. This by the direction of the secretary of war."
The commanding officers of the seventh, twenty-third and seventy-fourth regiments were addressed by the adjutant-general of the state as follows:
" You are invited to nominate to the commander-in-chief offi- cers or men, as you decide, from your command to receive the following commissions in one of the three new regiments to be organized on the second call: one for major; three for captains; three for first lieutenants in the line; three for second lieutenants in the line. If practicable, all of the above will be assigned to the same regiment. It is expected that the fact of their nomina- . tion by you will be a guarantee of fitness. Answer promptly by wire."
And the commanding officers of the fourth, tenth, eleventh, six- teenth, seventeenth, twenty-third, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, thirty-ninth and fortieth separate companies as follows:
" You are invited to nominate to the commander-in-chief officers or men of your command, as you may think best, to be commis- sioned in the new regiments under the second call; one each for captain, first lieutenant and second lieutenant, all for line posi- tions. Where practicable they will be assigned to the same regi- ment. It is expected that the fact of their nomination by you will be a guarantee of fitness. Answer promptly by wire."
The adjutant-general also communicated with the various trans- portation companies which would be used in sending recruits to the rendezvous, as follows: " You are hereby requested to instruct the proper employes of your road to honor orders for transporta-
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SECOND CALL.
tion for enlisted men from their respective home stations to the nearest one of these points: New York city, Buffalo, Syracuse, when order is signed by the commanding officer of an organization
, in the national guard of this state. Rate as heretofore, one and one-half cents per mile."
The adjutant-general of the army was requested by the Gover- nor to grant leaves of absence to the following:
Captains W. S. Schuyler, fifth cavalry; H. W. Hubbell, first artillery, and S. Y. Seyburn, tenth infantry, to accept colonelcies of new regiments, and that they be ordered to report to the Governor.
June 28th.
Lieutenant-Colonel Gilford Hurry, commissary, national guard; Major E. O. Roessle, commissary, third brigade, and Major H. C. Wadsworth, commissary, fourth brigade, were detailed to act as commissaries of subsistence on the part of the state for the troops to be assembled in New York city, Syracuse and Buffalo, respec- tively.
The commanding officers of the seventh and twenty-third regi- ments were informed by telegraph that each could nominate three 1 additional captains; the commanding officer of the seventy-fourth regiment, one additional captain; and the commanding officers of the fourth, tenth, eleventh, sixteenth, seventeenth, twenty-third, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, thirty-ninth and fortieth separate companies, each, one additional first lieutenant for the three new regiments.
June 29th and July 2d.
The chief of ordnance was anthorized to purchase mattresses and blankets and issue same to the state commissaries for use of recruits of the new regiments at New York city, Syracuse and Buffalo.
July 9th.
The commanding officers of the one hundred and first, one hun- dred and second, one hundred and fifth, one hundred and eighth, one hundred and thirtieth, one hundred and thirty-fourth, one . hundred and thirty-fifth, one hundred and thirty-sixth, one
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NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
hundred and forty-first and one hundred and forty-sixth separate companies were directed to: -
" Send to depot nearest Syracuse or Buffalo on Monday early the national guardsmen who have volunteered and passed. If there be outsiders who want to enlist, report by wire to colonel of regiment."
The commanding officers of the sixteenth, twenty-third, twenty- seventh, twenty-eighth, thirty-ninth and fortieth separate com- panies were instructed as follows:
"Send all the national guardsmen of your company who have
1 volunteered and passed examination to depot Syracuse Monday early; also send appointed officers who have not yet passed exam- ination of volunteer surgeons. This done, recruit under order's of colonel of regiment, but report number of recruits in each party forwarded by you to this office."
The commanding officers of the fourth, tenth, eleventh and seventeenth separate companies received directions to:
" Send all the national guardsmen of your company who have volunteered and passed the examination to the depot of the two hundred and first regiment on Tuesday early, but instruct officers that they and men are for the battalion of the two hundred and third regiment to be organized in New York city. Also send such of the appointed officers, as have not yet been examined by volun- teer surgeons, for examination."
The commanding officer of the one hundred and twenty-fourth separate company was ordered to:
" Send to depot of the two hundred and first regiment, New York city, on Tuesday early, the national guardsmen who have volunteered and passed, but instruct them that they are for the battalion of the two hundred and third regiment organizing there also."
July 12th.
Major David P. Arnold, commissary of subsistence. fifth brigade, was detailed to assist Lieutenant-Colonel Gilford Hurry, commissary on the part of the state, in New York city.
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VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SECOND CALL.
July 13th.
Commanding officers of the new regiments, whose recruiting was limited heretofore to members of the national guard organ- izations, received authority to recruit civilians.
July 15th.
Orders were issued for the recruitment of the three batteries called for under the President's second call for troops, officers appointed and the batteries designated the fourth, fifth and seventh batteries, light artillery, New York volunteers. The fourth and fifth batteries were recruited in New York city, with headquarters at the armories of the second and first national guard batteries, respectively, and the seventh battery at Rochester, with headquarters at the state armory at that place. Lieutenant- Colonel Gilford Hurry, commissary, national guard, was charged with quartering and subsisting the fourth and fifth, and Major E. O. Roessle, commissary, third brigade, with quartering and . subsisting the seventh battery.
Brigadier-General Howard Carroll, chief of artillery, S. N. Y., was charged with the carrying out of these orders.
As soon as practicable after muster-in the United States service, the companies of infantry and the batteries were sent by the United States authorities to Camp Black, and the muster-in placed them beyond the jurisdiction of the state authorities.
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