USA > New York > Reminiscences and record of the 6th New York V.V. cavalry > Part 5
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" 17 .- Encamped near Fairfax Court House ; many men dismounted and horses in need of rest.
" 19-26 .- Moved to Bealton ; engaged; the enemy, both cavalry and infantry ; lost a number of men and horses ; advanced to Bealton and encamped.
" 27 .- Engaged enemy at Bealton.
RECORD SIXTH N. Y. VET'N VOL'S. III
Nov. 7 .- Marched toward Culpepper and en- camped near there.
. 17. - Moved camp to-day to our old quar- ters below Culpepper.
" 20-21 .- Engaged the enemy at Mine Run ; assisted in covering retirement of infantry across Rapidan.
22 .- Retired to camp near Culpepper and erected cantonments ; employed in observing the country between the Union lines and the Blue Ridge, picket duty, etc.
Dec. 31. - Muster in Rolls completed to-day ; regiment now designated Sixth New York Veteran Volunteers.
1861.
Jan. 2 .- Took train this morning at II for Washington for furlough of thirty days.
Jan. 2 to ) On furlough, and at rendezvous ; Fort Feb. 18. 5 Schuyler.
Feb. 18 .- Embarked on the steamer Cimbria for Alexandria.
". 24 .- Reached our old quarters near Culpep- per ; in camp, doing picket duty, drilling and scouting until May 3d.
112 RECORD SIXTH N. Y. VET'N VOL'S.
May 5 .- Crossed the Rapidan to engage in the Wilderness campaign ; encamped near Chancellorsville.
6 .- Left camp early and marched to the front ; regiment under fire.
7 .- Engaged the enemy on left of Second Corps. (See Sixth New York at the Wilderness, page 51.)
" 9. - Started on Sheridan's raid around Richmond and reached Beaver Dam Station. (See Sixth New York at Beaver Dam, page 65.)
" 10 .- Engaged Stuart's cavalry on Brook Turnpike ; crossed Brook Run and carried the outer works of Rich- mond. (See Sixth New York at Meadow Bridge, page 71.)
" II .- Crossed Meadow Bridge ; engaged enemy, who held field works in front ; carried their works.
" 14 .- Reached Malvern Hill and went into camp; our gunboats fired on us, · mistaking us for the enemy. * * K
" 28 .- Crossed the Paumunkey and engaged the enemy in force on the Hanover road ; heavy fighting all day.
"* 30 .- Engaged enemy on Cold Harbor road.
" 31 .- Engaged at battle of Cold Harbor.
1
RECORD SIXTII N. Y. VET' VOL'S. 113
· June 7 .- Crossed Paumunkey with cavalry corps on raid to Gordonsville.
" 12 .- Engaged enemy at Trevillian Station. (See Sixth New York at Trevillian Station, page 57.)
" 13 .- Marched en route to White House.
21 .- Engaged enemy at St. Peter's Church.
24 .- Engaged enemy at Jones' Bridge.
" 28 .- Crossed the James River to-day on pontoons, the Sixth New York being the last to cross ; went into camp at City Point.
" 30 .- Broke camp this morning and marched toward Petersburg.
From June 30 to July 27 the regi- ment was engaged in doing picket duty for the army in front of Peters- burg.
July 27 .- Crossed James and Appomattox Rivers. " 28 .- Engaged the enemy at Deep Bottom. (See Sixth New York at Deep Bot- .
tom, page 79.)
" 29 .- Re-crossed the James.
Aug. 1 .- Embarked for Washington to prepare for Sheridan's campaign in the Valley.
. 5 .- Marched from Washington ; camped at Charleston on the 9th.
.
114
RECORD SIXTII N. Y. VET'N VOL'S.
Aug. 11 .- Engaged Jones' Tennessee Brigade at cross-roads on Front Royal Pike.
12 .- Pursued enemy on Valley Turnpike.
16 .- Engaged Wickham's cavalry at Crooked Run. . (Colonel Devin brevetted brigadier general for gallant conduct at this battle. )
Sept. 19 .- Battle of Winchester.
" 21 .- Engaged enemy at Fisher's Hill, and pursued them to Mount Jackson.
22 .- Engaged enemy at Mount Jackson.
23. - Crossed Shenandoah and engaged enemy's rear guard at New Market . on Valley Pike.
25. - Engaged the enemy at Port Republic. " 26-27 .- Engaged at Brown's Gap and Port Republic.
" 28 .- Marched to Cross Keys.
Oct. 8-9. - Engaged enemy near Tom's Run and chased Lomax to Mount Jackson.
" 19 .- Battle of Cedar Creek ; heavily en- gaged on left of enemy's line of bat- . tle ; pursued the enemy to Fisher's Hill.
(General Devin commissioned brigadier general for gallant conduct at battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. )
" 20 .- Pursued enemy to Mount Jackson.
RECORD SIXTHI N. Y. VET'N VOL'S. 115
Nov. 22 .- Engaged enemy at Milford. Dec. 1-18 .- Raid through Loudon County to the Potomac.
21, 22, 23 .- Engaged enemy at Madison Court House, Liberty Mills and in front of Gordonsville.
29 .- Returned to camp near Winchester.
30 .- Moved to Loudon Valley to cover left flank of the army.
1865.
Jan. I .- Encamped near Lovettsville ; the · enemy made a midnight assault on camp and were repulsed ; employed until January 23 in doing picket duty, and with the rest of the brigade in observing the country be- tween the Potomac and the Blue Ridge.
" 23. - Marched en route to Winchester, from Winchester to the James.
Mar. 1 .- Occupied Staunton.
to II. ) 1
6 Engaged in destroying James River canal locks, aqueducts, factories, depots, etc.
66 12 .- Marched to Louisa Court House and destroyed railroad. .
14. - Moved to Fredericksburg.
“ 26 .- Joined Army of the Potomac.
·
116 RECORD SIXTHI N. Y. VET'N VOL'S.
Mar. 28 .- Marched to Dinwiddie Court House.
" 29-30 .- Engaged enemy in front of Five Forks.
April 2. - Pursued enemy to Scott's Cross Roads. " 3-9. - Continuously engaged with the enemy until Lee's surrender at Appomat- tox, April 9, 1865.
On the 9th of August, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., the regiment was mustered out of the service.
NEW YEAR'S WISH.
(Written by Colonel Devin while in command of the Regiment in the Winter of 1863.)
'Tis happy New Year, and to loved ones at home With smiles and kind wishes greet friends as they come ;
With kisses and bon-bons, and wealth of good cheer,
With feasting and dancing they hail the New Year.
Far away in the wildwood, o'er hills and through dales,
In the land of the Southern where Liberty pales, The Rappahannock's dark waters flow murmuring along
And the wind through the pines sounds a requiem song.
What breaks the lone spell on the forest so still ? What cracks the dry bough on yon laurel crowned hill ?
'Tis the picket, as slowly he steals through the brake
Some vigil to keep 'till the morn shall awake.
No kisses for him as he watches the Ford,
No mother, nor maiden with kind, loving words, As with carbine advanced, and quickening ear, He waits for a sign that the foeman is near.
Away from his kindred, his friends and his home, For the cause of his country the trooper has come; May the battle-rent banner he hails with a cheer, Regain its lost stars ere another New Year.
T. C. DEVIN.
GENERAL ORDERS.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 10, 1863.
[General Order No. 27.]
The General commanding takes this occasion to commend the conduct of the "Second Brigade," and "Martin's" Sixth Independent New York Battery, in the late engagement near Chancellors- ville.
The distinguished gallantry of the Eighth Penn- sylvania Regiment in charging the head of the enemy's columns, advancing on the Eleventh Corps, on the evening of the 2d instant ; the heroism of the Sixth New York Regiment in cut- ting its way back to our lines, through treble its force of the enemy's cavalry, on the Ist instant; and the coolness displayed by the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Regiment in rallying fugitives and supporting the Batteries (including Martin's) which repulsed the enemy's attack under "Jack- son," on the evening of the 2d instant, have ex- cited the highest admiration.
These noble feats of arms recall the glorious days of "Middletown," "Boonsboro," "Antie-
120
GENERAL ORDERS.
tam," "Martinsburg," "Upperville," "Barber's," and "Amosville," where the First Brigade shared with us the triumphs of victory; and they will now, while exulting in this success, join in sorrow for the brave who have fallen.
The gallant McVickar, the generous; chivalric Keenan, with one hundred killed and wounded from your small numbers, attest to the terrible earnestness that animated the midnight conflict of the 2d of May.
A. PLEASANTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
121
GENERAL ORDERS.
The following Report was made by Colonel Devin after the battle of Gettys- burg :
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, - FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, August 6, 1863.
Captain :- I have the honor to submit the fol- lowing report of the operations of this brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.
On the morning of July Ist, the pickets of the First Brigade, on the road to Cashtown, were driven in by a force advancing from that direction, and the Second Brigade was ordered to prepare for action, and form on the crest of a hill on the right of the First Brigade.
I immediately formed as ordered, with my right resting on the road to Mummasburgh, and deployed a squadron of the Sixth New York to the front and left as skirmishers, dismounted and connecting with those of the First Brigade, at the same time connecting by skirmishers and videttes with my pickets on the three roads on the right, leading toward Carlisle, thus establishing a con- tinuous line from the York Road, on the extreme
122
GENERAL ORDERS.
right, to the left of the First Brigade on Cashtown Road.
The infantry not having arrived and the enemy's artillery force increasing, I was ordered to retire gradually as they succeeded in getting the range of my position. This I effected in successive formations in line to the rear, by regiment, in face of the enemy, the troops behaving well and forming with perfect coolness and order.
About this time my skirmishers on the right were forced back by the advance of the enemy's line of battle, coming back from the direction of Heidlerburg. Knowing the importance of hold- ing that point until the infantry could arrive and be placed in position, I immediately placed the Ninth New York in support and dismounted the rest of my available force, succeeded in holding the rebel line in check for two hours, until re- lieved by the arrival of the Eleventh Corps, when I was ordered to mass my command on the York Road and hold that approach.
While in that position immediately in front of the town, the command faced to the front, and my pickets on the York Road, three-quarters of a mile, a heavy fire of shells was opened upon us by one of our own batteries on Cemetery Hill, im- mediately in our rear. This fire becoming very
-
123
GENERAL ORDERS.
hot and persistent and many of the shells bursting among us, I was led to suppose for a moment that the enemy had succeeded in gaining that position, and I immediately removed my com- mand into the town, the column being shelled the whole distance.
After I had retired the battery turned its atten- tion to my pickets on the road and shelled them out. I was then ordered to the Emmettsburg Road, where the Brigade was formed in line in rear of the batteries of the division, with its right flank resting on the town.
The enemy having gained the York Road, entered the town immediately after my pickets retired, and passing through with their sharp- shooters attacked the flank of the Brigade, killing and wounding several men and horses. I imme- diately dismounted one squadron of the Ninth New York, who with their carbines drove them some distance into the town, punishing them severely. The Brigade was then ordered to the extreme left, where it bivouacked for the night.
The next morning-July 2d-while I was en- gaged reconnoitering in rear of the enemy's right, our sharpshooters became engaged with a division of the enemy advancing to feel our lines in front of my position. I immediately dismounted and
.
124
GENERAL ORDERS.
deployed two squadrons in support of Berdan's sharpshooters (who were engaged in our front) and formed the Brigade into line on the left of the First, with one section of Tidball's battery in position. The enemy not pressing his advance, and the Third Corps coming into position, we were ordered to march to Tarreytown, when we bivouacked, and marched the next morning, July 3d, to West Minster.
(Signed) THOMAS C. DEVIN, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.
125
GENERAL ORDERS.
This address was issued by General Devin after the battle of Cedar Creek and the pursuit of the enemy to Mount Jackson :
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE,
1 FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, MIDDLE MILITARY DIV., November 6, '64. 5
Soldiers : The Brevet Brigadier-General Com- manding feels that he should not allow the present opportunity to pass without referring to and recalling the operations of his brigade during the late engagements.
Rapidly transferred from the Army of the Potomac to the Shenandoah Valley, you, on the second day's march, engaged a brigade of mounted infantry, and in one hour drove them from two strong positions in utter rout. Again, at Front Royal, Smithfield, Kearneysville and Shepherdstown, your sturdy arms and keen sabres on each occasion hurled back the serried masses of the foe. At the battle of the Opequan, after charging and routing a superior force of the enemy's cavalry in your front, you whirled like a thunderbolt on the left of his infantry lines, and
126
GENERAL ORDERS.
rode them down in the face of a withering fire, in two successive charges, capturing over five hundred prisoners and five battle flags.
When detached from the division and in ad- vance, during the long pursuits of Early's army from Fisher's Hill to Fort Republic, your gal- lantry and daring while pressing the enemy called forth the highest praise. In the action of the 9th of October, taking the advance near Edinburg, you drove Lomax's Division " whirling " through Mount Jackson and across the Shenandoah, cap- turing his last gun and his train.
On the memorable 19th of October the crown- ing glory was reserved for you, of pursuing the enemy and reaping the fruits of that brilliant victory. After sturdily fighting from early morn with the gallant old division to which you are attached, in its successful efforts to check and finally drive the enemy's right, you dashed across the bridge over Cedar Creek, under a heavy fire, charging and completely smashing the enemy's rear guard. Darkness did not relax your efforts, but on you pushed, capturing guns, trains and prisoners, until at near midnight, you had reached Fisher's Hill, eight miles from the battlefield.
At early dawn you charged and drove the enemy's cavalry from the hill, and drove on to
1 27
GENERAL ORDERS.
Woodstock after the fast flying foe, who could not again be overtaken.
Twenty-two of the forty-three guns captured by the cavalry, fifty-nine wagons and ambulances, over four hundred prisoners, (including a number of officers, ) and two battle-flags, were the trophies of your success.
You have captured, during this short campaign, twenty-four guns, nine battle-flags in action, and over one thousand prisoners.
This brilliant success has not been effected without severe loss. One-third of your number, including forty officers, have been killed or wounded. They have fallen nobly at their post of duty.
Praise from me is superfluous. The record of your deeds is sufficient. You have done your duty, and the brigade has maintained its old reputation.
Signed,
THOMAS C. DEVIN,
Brevet Brigadier-General.
OME men are "born soldiers," and we know of no one of whom this can be said with greater truthfulness than of Thomas C. Devin. His record with that of the other brave men who constituted the officiary of the Sixth New York Cav. alry, can be found in its designated place in this book, but only those men who came into personal contact with him could understand and appreciate his soldierly qualities. To see him on the battlefield, absolutely self-poised, to see the look of determination on his face as he placed him- self in command of his regiment when the charge was to be made, to hear his clear, ringing tones amid the clash of sabres and the rattle of carbines and musketry, was to understand something of his value as a soldier. Among the brilliant officers who led our cavalry squadrons to victory, few, if any, excelled our beloved commander.
General Charles L. Fitzhugh came to the
Gh 130
PERSONAL MENTION.
regiment when it was so reduced in num- bers as not to admit of the mustering in of a colonel. Through him recruits were brought to the regiment, and he was com- missioned as colonel. He had previously been in command of Horse Battery C and E, Fourth U. S. Artillery, where he had served with distinction. Eight days after he assumed command of the regiment he was placed in command of the (2d) Bri- gade, and retained that position until the close of the war.
- -O-
The assertion has frequently been made that the worst men make the best soldiers, but this is not sustained by facts. A nota- ble exception to this was found in the person of Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison White. He went into the regiment as a lieutenant, and was successively promoted until he reached the position of lieutenant- colonel. His piety stood the test of camp and army life, and during his four years of service he remained as loyal to his God as he was to his country. It was his invaria- ble custom before retiring to kneel and
131
PERSONAL MENTION.
offer a silent prayer. No matter what his surroundings might be, he always adhered to this practice; and although his more thoughtless companions in arms were at times disposed to ridicule · his devotions, they learned to respect and honor his noble Christian character.
- 0-
Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan McVicar was also a praying man, a sturdy Scotch Presbyterian. In the absence of the chap- lain he would frequently lead the devo- tional exercises of the regiment or bat- talion.
-
The name of Major Floyd Clarkson ap- pears in the Official Report as having served in the regiment about one year, but when he resigned from the Sixth New York he entered the Twelfth New York Cavalry (Third Ira Harris Guard) as Major, and Lieutenant-Colonel by Brevet, and served with distinction until the close of the war. His resignation was deeply regretted by the officers and men of the regiment with whom he was deservedly popular.
132
PERSONAL MENTION.
Capt. Jerome B. Wheeler may be men- tioned as one of the most popular young officers in the regiment. In addition to his qualifications as a soldier, he possessed busi- ness capabilities which were appreciated and utilized by his superior officers in the brigade.
- -O-
Among the list of "born soldiers " the name of Major William P. Hall should cer- tainly appear. Handsome and courteous in his bearing, he was the model soldier and officer. Whether in camp, on the march, or under fire he was always "at home." The writer was closely associated with him during the Peninsular Campaign, as well as later in the war. He had seen service in the Mexican war and brought with him into our regiment a practical knowledge of military life which was of great service in that early period of the war.
Among the names best recognized in the regiment, is that of Augustus P. Clarke, Surgeon and Lieutenant-Colonel by Brevet. Every surviving member of the regiment
133
PERSONAL MENTION.
has reason to remember him with thoughts of gratitude. Always at his post, whether in camp or on the battlefield, he was ready to sacrifice himself in order to alleviate the sufferings of his comrades. In addition to the gratifying thought that he served his country faithfully and well, he also bears with him the pleasing assurance that he holds the esteem and good wishes of all his comrades.
Personal Incidents.
It was not our intention to enter into per- sonal details in this publication, for when we once enter upon the individual record of the men who served, or the officers who led in the Sixth New York, it would be a hard matter to find a halting place. Each man and each officer has a history of his own, and in that are incidents of sufficient importance and interest to grace the pages of any work of similar nature. Since be- ginning our labors, however, and through the medium of the pen coming into contact with nearly all the surviving members of the regiment, we have received from com- rades so many scraps of history and per- sonal reminiscences that we have made a slight departure from our original pur- pose and selected a few personal incidents from the many at hand, and give them as samples of the experience which is com- mon in some degree to all, and which will be readily recognized by those in whose presence they occurred.
14 136
PERSONAL INCIDENTS.
At the battle of Gettysburg, Private John Carroll, of Co. D, distinguished himself for bravery and heroic conduct. He was at- tached to the Headquarters of the Second Army Corps during that battle, and at a point in our lines where the infantry were giving way, Carroll succeeded in rallying the men and holding them until re-enforce- ments came, thus preventing what might have been a serious disaster. When Presi- dent Lincoln visited the battlefield a few days later, Carroll's conduct was made known to him, and the President promoted him to a Second Lieutenancy on the spot. Carroll was afterward killed in the night attack upon our camp at Lovettsville. - -0- -
On the evening of July Ist, at the battle of Gettysburg, Henry J. Wakerly, Bugler Company G, captured three prisoners and took them into General Buford's Head- quarters. General Buford complimented him very highly. He was subsequently made Sergeant.
0-
At the battle of Brandy Station, Cor- poral F. M. Ackerman returned from the
137
PERSONAL INCIDENTS.
second charge with three prisoners, which he turned over to the provost guard. His record deserves more than a passing notice.
At the battle of Cedar Creek, in the per- son of John J. Main, our regiment lost one of its brightest and most gallant young officers. Adjutant Main was in his accus- tomed place at the front; the heaviest part of the fighting was over, and young Main was sending prisoners, artillery and caisons to the rear. Many prisoners had been captured, and a number of the enemy's guns were in our hands. At this particular point in our lines the fighting had not ceased. Main, seeing a Confederate soldier nearer to him than his comrades, rode up to him and ordered him to surrender. Without making any reply he raised his pistol and fired, sending a bullet directly through the young officer's heart. Ser- geant Morgan D. Lewis was riding by the side of Adjutant Main. A second after the Confederate fired, a bullet from Lewis' pistol crashed through his brain; he fell dead. For this and similar acts of gallantry Lewis was promoted to adjutant.
-
133
PERSONAL INCIDENTS.
NOTE.
The number of battles and engagements in which the whole or part of the Sixth New York Cavalry was engaged is 143. (See Adjutant-General's Report, 1890.)
The number of killed, wounded and miss- ing are as follows :
Number of officers killed.
9
wounded
20
66
66 missing 12-41
enlisted men killed. 72
" wounded. 162
66
missing. 197-431
Total 472
Enlisted men to whom Medals of Honor have been awarded by the Secretary of War :
Chief Bugler THOMAS M. WELLS.
Farrier GEORGE E. MEACH. Sergeant PATRICK MCENROE. Private THOMAS KELLY.
ROSTER OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE
6th New York Cavalry,
(Compiled from the Adjutant-General's Report of the State of New York, 1868.)
NAME.
DATE OF COMMISSION.
DATE OF RANK.
COLONELS.
Thomas C. Devin.
Promoted to Brig .- Gen. Dec. 8, 1864. Charles L. Fitzhugh ..
(Brevet Brig.Gen'l U. S V.); trans- ferred to zd Provisional Cavalry, June 17, 1865.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
Duncan Mc Vicar
Dec. 30, 1361 Oct. 23, 1861
Killed in action near Spottsylvania. Court-house, Va., April 30, 1863. William H. Crocker. Discharged December 29, 1864. William P. Hall. Not mustered as Lieut .. Colonel. Harrison White.
June 29, 1863
April 30, 1863
Jan. 11, 1865 Dec. 29, 1864
May 11, 1865 May 4, 1865
MAJORS.
James B. Dailey Promoted to Lieut .- Colonel, June 29. 1863. William H. Crocker. Nov. 7, 1862 Sept. 6, 1861
Mustered out as Supernumerary Officer, June 28, 1865. George M. Van Buren . Discharged March 21, 1863.
June 29, 1863 | April 30, 1863 Dec. 30, 1861 Nov. 11, 1861
John Carwardine. Mustered out on expiration of serv. ice, October 21, 1864.
William E. Beardsley
June 6, 1863 Mar. 22, 186;
Nov. 19, 1854 Oct. 24. 1864
Promoted to Lieut .- Colonel, May. 11. 1505. Harrison White Brevet-Colonel and Lieut .- Colonel, U. S. V.
Dec. 30, 1861 Oct. 15, 1861
Transferred to id Provisional Cav- alry, June 17, 1865. Resigned September 5, 1862.
Dec. 30, 1861 Nov. 18, 1861
Dec. 24, 1864 Dec. 24, 1864
جاس
140
ROSTER SIXTH N. Y. CAVALRY.
George W. Goler. Transferred to 2d N. Y. Provisional Cavalry. June 17, 1865. Floyd Clarkson. Resigned September 5, 1862. William P. Hall Discharged May 12, 1865 George B. Farmer ..
May 11, 1865 May 4, 1865
Dec. 30, 1861 Nov. 11, 1861
Nov. 7, 1862 Oct. 5, 1862
Jan. 11, 1865 Dec. 29, 1864
Transferred to zd Provisional Cav- alry, June 17, 1865.
REGIMENTAL ADJUTANTS.
James W. Stanley
Dismissed May 5, 1864. John J. Main.
Killed in action near Stransburgh Va., October. 19, 1864.
Morgan Lewis.
Nov. 21, 1864 Oct. 19, 1864
Transferred to 2d Provisional Cav- alry, June 17, 1865. George A. Crocker .
Promoted to Captain. July 21, 1862
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