USA > New York > New York regiment, 1887-1895 > Part 14
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who was not long in taking the measure of his officers and making mental notes of their several capacities.
While upon Dawfuskie Island the position of Provost Marshal became vacant through the inefficiency of its occu- pant, and Lieutenant Bodine was detailed to the place by General Viele upon the recommendation of Colonel Perry. The position was one of great responsibility, having to do with the care of prisoners, water transportation and general order outside the regimental camps. The furnishing of boats and crews for the transportation of men, stores, armament, ammunition and material for the batteries on the Savannah River required constant supervision. It was about this time that Lieutenant Bodine and his men discov- ered "Pull-and-be.Dam-Creek," and it is not unlikely that he gave the struggling waters in the strait between Cooper and Wright rivers the name by which it was ever afterwards known,-the propriety of which was never questioned.
Colonel Perry, after the regiment had gone to Fort Pulaski, appointed Lieutenant Bodine to the same position there, with headquarters at the North Dock. Here he dis- charged his duties with firmness and strict justice. As the " Admiral of the Pulaski Navy," he maintained the reputation he had acquired as "Commodore of the Daw- fuskie Fleet."
Desiring to serve in a regiment from his own state, he tendered his resignation, giving this as his reason. It received the endorsement and approval of his commanding officers, and Lieutenant Bodine severed his connection with the regiment, in January, 1863, to the regret of his company and brother officers of the regiment.
First among the Trenton men was John M. Tantum. Captain Knowles was particularly fortunate in the choice of his Orderly Sergeant, for Tantum was not only a good soldier, but with unusual capacity for his position. As the First Sergeant of the company, he was looked up to by the men and became nearer to them in many ways than even its officers. As a rule, other things being equal, a first ser- geant makes a splendid officer, and Tantum was no excep-
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tion to it. Promoted in the summer of '62, he served one year as Second Lieutenant, another as First, and by the end of the third year had been commissioned Captain, but before he could be mustered in that grade, he fell at the head of his company in that fierce charge at Strawberry Plains, August 16th, 1864. His entire service was in Company D.
Another from this section to fall was McDougall. He had been commissioned, but the commission came after he had fallen at the battle of the Mine Explosion.
McDougall belonged to Morris County, but enlisted at Trenton, where he may have been living at the time. Richman and Graham were the David and Jonathan of the company. They were killed by sharpshooters in the rifle pits in front of Petersburg. Richman had been a drummer, but upon re-enlisting went into the ranks, pre- ferring a musket to a pair of drumsticks.
Bosworth, Bechtel and Henry Smith fell at Wagner. The first two were students and perhaps were in Captain Knowles' classes at Pennington. Bosworth, one of the "Die-no-mores," was a native of Maryland. Smith was a Swiss, of fine physical proportions, and with so little accent in his speech as to almost conceal his nationality. Wilgus died in the hands of the enemy, six months after being captured in a sortie of the enemy in front of Wagner. J. P. Croasdale, Drake and Silvers, were transferred to the Veteran Reserve
Corps, the result of wounds. Ayres was discharged in '62 for disability and Moon in '65. Moon had been wounded and a prisoner. Seven were mustered out at the end of three years, R. R. and E. H. Croasdale, Owen, Palmer, Reed, Risdon and Stage. Risdon had been twice wounded, and Reed three times. Palmer had spent a year at Belle Isle and Libby Prison. He was the youngest member of the company and had enlisted as a musician, but soon found that the stirring music of his soul could not be expressed in manipulations upon a drum-head. He was made Colonel Perry's Orderly, acting as a Marker. Adjutant Goodell soon- found his pupil better acquainted with the evolutions of a regiment than he was. As Orderly to Colonel
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Barton, Palmer followed or preceded him into Fort Wagner. The Colonel was wounded on the parapet, and his Orderly went down into the bastion where he was subsequently taken prisoner. Palmer's subsequent career in the ministry ; his reputation as an eloquent preacher and prominent adminis- trator in his denomination make us all proud of our " Baby."
Seven returned with the regiment in '65-Anderson, Bowers, Doering, Haney, Miller and Zerwick. McGuigan resigned in the summer of '65. Haney and McGuigan had both been promoted to lieutenancies. Speeler was dis- charged in '63 and commissioned in a New Jersey regiment, . and came home a Captain. One died of disease, James S. Herbert, on Dawfuskie Island, the day after the regiment left for Fort Pulaski. His death was the first in the com- pany. Hastings was transferred to the non-commissioned staff as Principal Musician, and served in that capacity until the regiment was mustered out.
Of the Monmouth, and Ocean county men, only two were killed, Alex. Hyers and John Curtis, both at Wagner. Two died of disease and within a few days of each other, David Corlies and John N. Conover. Cottrell went to the Reserve Corps, the result of wounds. Seven were discharged for disability-Patterson, Brewer, Thos. Jones, Conover Emmons, Ammons and Marks, the first three named from wounds. Two were mustered out in '64-Brassil and Woodside; and four in '65-Applegate, Fielder, Wm. Jones and W. H. Smith.
South Jersey presents a record unparalleled in the com- pany or the regiment. Ten were killed or died of wounds. This is double the average loss in the Union army, but in this instance it represents less than one-third of one com- pany. They were Abbott, Cramer, Pimm, Porch, Allen, Clifton, Duffle, Lodge, Mounce and McDowell,-all noble boys, and among the bravest in the company. To this list should be added the name of John Clark, who suffered many deaths in the year he spent at Andersonville.
Three went to the Reserve Corps-Aaron Cole, Spear and John Pimm, the first two from wounds. Eight were discharged
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for disability-Lippincott, Nixon, Souder, McCullough and Styles from wounds ; Sithen, Chester, and Henry McCreaf. Lippincott was wounded in every one of the four great battles in which the regiment was engaged-Fort Wagner, Olustee, Cold Harbor and Fort Fisher, but pluckily held on until the fighting was over. He received three promotions in the line, after serving in every grade of non-com- missioned officer. He received the only brevet in the company-given by the general government-a pretty good record for a Friend. He was a "Fighting Quaker."
Seven served three years-Hillerman, Harbison, Helt, Keen, Mason, Magee and Sibley. Mason was a year at Andersonville, and exchanged about the time of the expira- tion of his enlistment. Only three were left to come home with the regiment in 1865-C. McCreaf, Ware and White. Of the thirty-two recruits from South Jersey, twenty-six were from three places, 13 from Harrisonville, 9 from Woodstown and 4 from Porchtown. None died of disease.
The nine from Morris county were Dallas Emmons, C. M. Cole, De Camp, Giddis, C. H. Howell, Geo. Howell, Ronk, Ryan and Scudder. Of these Cole alone fell in battle. Ronk went to the Reserve Corps with wounds. Scudder was discharged for disability-an arm broken, if my memory holds good, in one of the larks the company was wont to indulge in after supper on the parade ground, on Dawfuskie. A hard day's work in carrying logs was sure to close with a frolic after supper. We were only a lot of boys, you know, and required our fun. The remaining five were mustered out in '65.
I have left for the last the eleven foreigners-the re- cruits from New York and Connecticut. Why we were admitted into such an exclusive crowd of Jerseymen I have never been able to decide. As one of them myself, candor compels me to say we were all well treated. We had to swear, however, that we were Jerseymen, or as an alternative attend Captain Knowles' class meetings.
Murther was transferred to the company as a drummer, vice Palmer. He was an excellent musician. When his
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term of original enlistment had expired he was mustered out.
Burroughs was a man beyond the average age. He didn't seem to enjoy a soldier's life, and when taken sick he fell into despondency and died at Fort Pulaski the day after the regiment left for St. Helena Island. Nostalgia or home sickness was the frequent cause of death in the army. No wonder poor Herbert died at Dawfuskie after his comrades had marched away leaving him alone ; nor that Burroughs succumbed when from the hospital windows he saw his company embarking on the steamer, never to return.
W. J. Howell died at Hilton Head Hospital, after a month's struggle for life, from wounds received at Wagner. I saw him there several times, and remember well his cheerful manner and exuberant hope. Queal was mustered out in '64 and Parkin in '65, with the regiment.
Fitch was a noble fellow, but was never known to go around the camp or quarters wringing his hands because there was no fighting going on. He preferred a detail in the regimental band with Doering and Weed, where as members of the "Stretcher Corps," they subsequently heard the music of shot and shell, and the zip of the minie ball, and performed perilous service as they searched the battle fields for the dead and wounded. Fitch came home in September, '64.
In a town in Massachusetts two students from Connec- ticut resolved to enlist. Colonel Perry had been the pastor of one of them, and to his regiment they decided to go. They were escorted to the rail road depot, three miles distant, by the faculty and students headed by a brass band. Arriving in New York, they soon found themselves at the City Hall Park, which swarmed with recruiting offices. Among them was one of the 48th N. Y., in charge of Lieutenant Hurst, who enlisted them for Company E, and sent them to Camp Wyman. In looking about, they found before many days that Company D was more to their liking, as it contained many of their kind, for these young men were
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religious and " Die-No-Mores." Colonel Perry, upon their earnest solicitation, transferred them to Company D, where they were received with a hearty welcome and ringing cheers. These young men from Connecticut were Stephen O. Church and Truman A. Weed. Both returned home at end of their enlistment in '64. Church was captured at Wagner and was confined nine months, most of the time at Belle Isle.
I had been attracted to the regiment, as were many others, by the name and reputation of Colonel Perry, and to Company D, because of my acquaintance with Captain Knowles as his chum at school.
Soon after Camp Wyman was opened I visited it. The recruits in camp were quartered in a Sibley tent, Captain Strickland in command. I naturally looked up the boys of Company D, and found Porch, Palmer, Abbott, Duffle, Lip- pincott, Aaron Cole and probably others whose names I do not recall. Some of them wore mixed flannel shirts, with red braid around the neck and wrists, down the bosom and along the shoulders, which I found they had worn as members of a Home Guard.
I was much impressed with the purpose of Colonel Perry to have the regiment composed of high-toned, moral young men, and resolved to do some recruiting myself on that line for Company D. I therefore put in the New York Christian Advocate the following advertisement :
YOUNG MEN-ATTENTION.
· Wanted immediately, Twenty-five young men to complete Company D in the Continental Guard. This regiment is under the command of James H. Perry, late pastor of the Pacific street M. E. Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., who was educated at West Point and commanded a regiment in the Texan Army. Requirements : Able bodied, and of good moral character. Recommendations preferred. Recruits sending their names beforehand will be allowed a reasonable amount for mileage, and upon arrival at the encampment will be promptly mustered into service, clothed and equip- ped. Pay, $13.00 per month, and $100.00 when honorably discharged from service. Address or apply to William J. Carlton, 200 Mulberry street, N. Y., or Captain D. C. Knowles, Company D, Camp Wyman, Fort Hamilton, N. Y.
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Two recruits were the result of my heroic effort, but I think my advertisement is a curiosity of the war that would be a valuable addition to the tens of thousands in the Libby Prison Museum at Chicago. The two recruits referred to were Edwin S. Curtis and Wilbur F. Smith. Curtis came to camp with recommendations of good moral character from the clergymen, selectmen and leading citizens of his town. He was enrolled without delay. You may not re- member him, for he was soon detailed as a clerk at Department Head-quarters, where he remained until discharged from the service to enter West Point. He was graduated from the Military Academy in '67 and is now a First Lieutenant in the Second Artillery, U. S. A.
Smith, my other recruit, died of disease at Fort Pulaski, in '62.
My muster out was in November, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service.
I have accounted for every one of the 102 officers and men in the company, including the fifteen transferred to Company B, at Annapolis, upon the equalization of the companies.
Fifty-three of the original company are living. Four- teen are to my certain knowledge dead-Giddis, who died at Rahway ; William Jones, accidentally killed in Colorado a few years ago, and McGuigan, who was killed on a railroad about 1880. My informant spoke of McGuigan as having been a good citizen, and much thought of. Nixon died recently in Salem county ; Owen, on August 21, 1870, and Patterson, September 3, 1887. He had been a resident of Lebanon, Ohio, for many years and well established in business. He was interested in everything pertaining to the war, and was particularly attached to his old company, for all of whom he felt great affection. Reed died in Trenton some time ago, after many years of poor health. Of Scudder's and W. H. Smith's deaths I have no particulars. Speer was an invalid many years and died in Philadelphia in 1885. Speeler, upon his return home after the war to Trenton, his native city, engaged in business, but did not
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live many years. John A. Woodside was killed in the seven- ties on a railroad, on which he was employed. Murther died soon after being discharged. Of Ammons, Brassel, Haney, Helt, Queal and Ryan I have no knowledge whatever.
There was another "member " of Company D whom not to refer to would be a gross omission. I allude to " Jeff." the company dog. He was purchased by McGuigan at Fort Pulaski, when a puppy, for a quarter of a dollar. Palmer had bargained to buy him. but in his absence McGuigan secured the dog. His full name was " Jefferson Davis," but he was called " Jeff." for short. There was no more faithful, loyal member of the company than "Jeff." No one could entice or allure him away. When a member was transferred to another company, " Jeff." cut his acquaintance short off. He was soon taught to remain in the street at dress parade and drill, but he always followed the company when it went off on duty, unless prevented by confinement -a disgrace he felt keenly.
For two years he shared in the experiences of the com- pany, but finally fell under the fire of a sharpshooter of the enemy at Cold Harbor. This sharpshooter had been annoy- ing the boys, when "Jeff." in very desperation, jumped out of the rifle pits, and disclosed where he was, but at the same time presented himself a mark for the unerring rifle. The boys in a few minutes had their revenge in bringing down the sharpshooter, who paid with his life for the death of the faithful companion " Jeff,".
SUMMARY.
Of the 102 commissioned officers and enlisted men on the original Roll-
22 were killed or died from wounds received in action.
5 died of disease.
2 died prisoners of war.
8 were transferred to Invalid or Veteran Reserve Corps.
18 were discharged on account of disability contracted in the service.
22 were mustered out at end of original enlistment, September, 1864.
2I were mustered out at end of the war, September, 1865.
I officer resigned to accept commission in a New Jersey regiment.
I officer resigned after four years service.
I enlisted man was discharged to accept commission in a New Jersey regiment.
I enlisted man was discharged for appointment at Military Acad- emy, West Point.
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SUL-WAN 00
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Recruited in August and September, 1862, and Discharged July 20th, 1865.
The 143d Regiment New York Infantry Volunteers was reeruited in the counties of Sullivan and Tompkins. Com- panies A. B. C. E. F. G. H. & I. were recruited in Sullivan, D. & I. were first recruited in Tompkins but not being full were filled after coming to the 143d N. Y.
The first authority to recruit in Sullivan county, in 1862 was given by Col. Ellis, in July, he was then raising the 124th, which was to be raised in the connties of Orange and Sullivan; August 12th, 1862, authority was obtained to recruit a regi- ment in Sullivan and the companies forming for the 124th were turned over to the county organization. The regiment not filling up as fast as desired arrangements were made with two companies then raising in Tompkins county. Capts. Higgins and Marvin brought what men they had, and some companies in Sullivan county, not filled, were consolidated with these two companies and some other of the companies not filled and the regiment was brought up to maximum strength.
The regiment went into camp at Camp Holley, near Monticello, N. Y., early in September, and companies D. and I. joined the regiment the last of September. The regiment was mustered in by Lieut Crowley, for 3 years, Oct. 8th, 1862,
NOV 22 1895
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History of the 143d. Regiment.
and the regimental colors were presented by the citizens of Sul- livan county, October 9th. Hon. O. B. Wheeler made the pre- sentation speech. The regiment started for the front, Octo- ber 10th, 1862, marched to Middletown, N. Y., from there by rail; they lay some two days in New York city, in bar. raeks then standing where the present Postoffice Building is sit- uated. When they reached Washington they were assigned to the defences of that city, and put on picket and fatigue duty, in Virginia, and were camped at Upton's Hill, Va., first, then later at near Cloud's Mills, Va., and in April, 1863, they were sent, with other troops, to the relief of Sulfolk, Va. After the siege of Sulfolk, was raised, with other troops, under' Gen. Keys. went to West Point, Va.,. and after Chancellorsville was fought they went to Yorktown, Va., June Ist, and then up to White House, Va., reaching there June 27th and start- ·ing back for Yorktown July 8th, reaching there 10th inst. and so on to the transports, and sent to Washington, and from there, by rail, to Frederick City. Md., which place was reached July 12. and then was sent out to reinforce Meade's army, then lying near Hunkstown, Md. A few days later Gen. Meade's army followed Lee's army into Virginia and the regiment crossed the Potomac, near Berlin, Va., and marched to near Warrington Junction, Va., where they went into
camp. They lay until in September, 1863, when, after the battle of Chickamauga. Ga., was fought by Gen. Rose- crans, Gen. Joseph Hooker was sent west to the relief of Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanooga, Tenn, with the 11th and 12th Army Corps. They went by rail to Bridgeport, Ala .. and there these two corps began a campaign that after fight- ing the battle of Wauhatchie, Tenn, Oct. 29th, 1863, resulting in
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History of the 143d Regiment.
opening the cracker road to Chattanooga, the regiment with the 11th and 12th corps was in Lookout Valley, Tenn, until the battle of Missionary Ridge, and the day before that battle began, the division, in which the regiment belonged, was put just night into the company streets of the 14th corps and the first day was among the troops that moved against the en- . emy's center at Orchard Knob. The 2nd day's fighting they were among the troops sent by Gen. Grant to the left to Gen. Sherman and were at the last of the battle on left of the army and as soon as Braggs army was routed the regi- ment, with other troops, under Gens. Sherman and Howard, were sent to the relief of Gen. Burnsides force, at Knoxville, Tenn. The whole command were in light marching order, hav- ing left knapsacks, etc, in camp, and were stripped for battle before going into Missionary Ridge. It was cold weather, rained and snowed part of the time and froze hard, and the troops suffered severley from the cold and insufficient protec- tion from the storms. The only way they could keep from per- ishing, at night, was by burning large fires, (sometimes in parallel lines and lying between the fires. feet towards the fire and heads in the center) and sleeping beside them. At Louden, Tenn., Dec. 4th and 5th, 1863, the regiment was detailed to bridge the Little Tennessee river, a wide swift riv- er some 300 yards wide, which they bridged between 7. p, m. and 5 a. m., making most of the bridge of wagons with two planks from bolster and from wagon to wagon. The last of benches, where the water was deepest, and many of the men were, of necessity, in the water, and it was so cold a man coming out of the water he could not get to the top of the riv- er bank before his clothes were frozen stiff. After relieving Gen. Burnside the troops marched and went into camp at
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History of the, 143d Regiment.
Lookout Valley, for a short time, and in January 1864, moved to Bridgeport, Ala., and went into winter quarters, where they lay until the Atlanta campaign opened. The 11th and 12th corps were consolidated and formed the 20th corps and Gen. Hooker in command. The Atlanta campaign opened in May, 1864, the battle of Rockey Faced Gap, Ga., opened the cam- paign but the battle of Resaca, Ga., May 13th, 14th and 15th, 1864, was the first pitched battle of the campaign. After Resaca and Johnston fell back the 143rd bridged one of the branches of the Etowah River in a short time so the infantry crossed on it.
From May 25th 1864, when the battle of Pumpkinvine Creek, Ga., opened, to July 3rd, 1864, it was about one con- tinuous fighting and skirmishing and during which the en- emy's positions of Altoona and Kenesaw Mountains were completely turned and fell into our army's hands. After mane- uvering our army succeeded in getting on the south side of the Chattahoucha river and July 20 the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga., was fought. The investment of the city of Atlan- ta, by works, began July 22d, building heavy works, and from the last date to latter part of August the regiment was in exposed position in the line of investment, and al- most constantly some portion, if not all of it, was under fire.
The 20th corps occupied the city of Atlanta, Sep. 2nd. 1864, and during the Atlanta campaign from May 7, 1864, to latter part of August, 1864, some portion of the regi- ment were almost daily under fire and men of the regiment. wounded early in that campaign, rejoined their command be- fore it was over. They lay at Atlanta, Ga., until Nov. 15, 1864. when Gen.Sherman moved out and began his campaign against Savannah, Ga., passing through Milledgeville, Ga., and several
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History of the 143d Regimant.
smaller towns. Gen. Sherman's army invested the city of Savannah, Dec. 10th, 1864, and the 143d was represented on the skirmish and picket line that day. The city surrendered, Dec. 22nd, 1864, and on or about January 15th or 16th, 1865, Sherman began his campaign through the Carolinas. Near Robertsville, S. C., the first brush with the enemy was had 143d. N. Y. skirmishing. They fell back and Sherman's troops occupied the town. This campaign opened with swol- len streams and mud and they had to march often from knee to waist deep in water, and were at Fayetteville, N. C., early in March, where the army rested a day or two. The day after it moved on, ti e battle of Averysboro, N. C., was fought, (March 16th, 1865,) and three days later, March 19th, the battle of Bentonville, N. C., began. The brigade to which the regiment belonged, occupied the ground Carlins Division of the 14th corps were forced to fall back from. The 143d was on the extreme left, with no connections on their left flank, but held their ground for several hours and until night set in. The commander of the division, after that fight, said the 143d, N. Y., was made of staying qualities.
Shermans army occupied Goldsboro, N. C., March 25th, 1865. His troops lay there until after Lee's surrender when he marched to intercept General Johnston's army, and af- ter some fighting resulted in the surrender of Johnston's army. then the whole of Gen. Sherman's army marched to Wash- ington, D. C., were reviewed May 24th, 1865, and was dis- banded, and the regiment was put into a temporary brigade and lay near Washington until July 20th, 1865, when it was mestered out of service and sent to New York city to be paid off and disbanded.
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