USA > New York > Services of the Tenth New York Volunteers (National Zouaves,) in the War of the Rebellion > Part 13
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CAPT. JOSEPH W. PLUME,
A. A. A. G., French's Division.
CAPTAIN :- I have the honor to report the following, as the part taken by the Third Brigade, under my command, in the attack on the enemy's works near Fredericksburg.
On the morning of the 12th of December, at half-past seven, the command, following Gen. Kimball's brigade, and advancing by the left flank, crossed the pontoon bridge, and formed line of battle in the main street of Fredericksburg-the men keeping near their arms, and the roll being called every hour. This evening, the 4th New York Volunteers performed picket duty.
On the morning of the 13th, I received marching orders from division headquarters, and formed the brigade in the rear of Kim- ball, in the following order, in a street running parallel with Main Street : Tenth New York Volunteers, Col. Bendix ; 132d Penn- sylvania Volunteers, Lieut .- Col. Albright ; 4th New York Volun- teers, Col. McGregor. The Ist Delaware Regiment being now de- tailed as skirmishers, in advance of Kimball's brigade, and the column formed right in front, I reported to Brig .- Gen. French as ready to move, and received my final instructions. The men seemed full of enthusiasm and eager to meet the enemy. At this time Col. Bendix received a shell wound and Capt. Salmon Win- chester assumed command of the Tenth New York Volunteers.
At twelve, M., the command "forward" was given. My in- structions were to move by flank to a position indieated, and face to the front-thus forming the brigade line of battle and keep- ing one hundred and fifty paces in the rear of Kimball, to support him. We accordingly advanced briskly, under a heavy artillery fire, until we reached the position ; then facing to the front. marched steadily up the slope and took a position in Kimball's rear. We remained here a short time, until finding that his ranks had become reduced, and that, although he held his ground nobly. he was unable to improve his position. I ordered my men forward to support him. The commanders of regiments led on their men in a manner worthy of all praise, and remained engaged until re- lieved in turu by the next advancing brigade. They then retired, and were reformed in the second street from the river, under their
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REPORT OF COL. ANDREWS.
regimental commanders. Having myself become disabled during the action, I did not leave the field until after four o'clock ; and finding myself, on my return, unable to perform duty, I turned over the command to Lieut .- Col. Marshall, Tenth New York Vol- unteers, who had been detailed on special duty on the other side of the river with the pioneers, and was not present in the action.
In conclusion, I beg leave to state that the officers behaved with exemplary coolness and the men with the steadiness and courage of veterans. I wish, also, particularly to mention the efficient ser- vices of Col. John D. McGregor, 4th New York Volunteers, wounded in the arm ; Lieut .- Col. Charles Albright, 132d Pennsyl- vania Volunteers : Lieut .- Col. William Jameson, 4th New York Volunteers ; Maj. Thomas A. Smyth, 1st Delaware Volunteers ; Maj. Charles Kruger, 4th New York Volunteers, and Capt. Salmon Winchester, an accomplished gentleman and a true soldier, who fell mortally wounded while commanding and leading on his regi- ment, the Tenth New York Volunteers. Also the valuable aid afforded me by the gentlemen of my staff, Lieut. W. P. Saville, A. A. G .; Lieut. Theodore Rogers, A. D. C., severely wounded by my side while the command was under a heavy fire of musketry, and Lieut. W. C. Inhoff, Aid.
Having already testified to the good conduct of those under my immediate command, it becomes my duty also to state that the 1st Delaware Volunteers, detached as skirmishers, were reported to me as having behaved with great courage and endurance. That after driving in the enemy's skirmishers, they sustained alone their fire for a considerable time before the supporting column arrived, and that, after expending all their ammunition, they retired in good order. Maj. T. A. Smyth, in command, is represented as having displayed much coolness and ability.
The list of casualties will be reported by Lieut. Col. Marshall. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN W. ANDREWS, Colonel commanding Third Brigade.
The Zouave suits, which had been expected for some time, came to hand soon after the Tenth settled down again in camp, and the ardor of both officers and men
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
began to return, as the memory of the recent reverses and losses receded into the past. Drills and parades were recommenced, and the regiment soon regained its old spirit and appearance.
About the 27th of December came an order from corps headquarters, detaching the regiment to serve as guard at Gen. Sumner's (grand division) headquarters. Upon this duty it remained until the brave and sensitive general was relieved from command. His quarters were at the Phillips mansion, a large and comparatively hand- some brick structure, built on a commanding position back from the river, and a conspicuous landmark for a great distance around. The National Zouaves were again encamped in "Sibleys," with no picketing and little guard duty to perform, and they rapidly began to assume the extra polish which was so visible during their old garrison life.
During the winter the following promotions of com- missioned officers were made :
To captains : Adjt. John A. Brady and First-Lieut. Geo. M. Dewey.
To adjutant : Second-Lieut. Henry V. Martin .*
To first-lieutenants : Second-Lieuts. Putnam Field and James M. Smith.
To second-lientenants: Sergt .- Maj. W. II. II. Wilcox; Com .- Sergt. C. W. Cowtan ; Sergts. Oscar F. Angell, James Whitelaw and John H. Murray.
Surgeon J. P. P. White, who had succeeded John W. Hunt, in June, 1862, resigned on the 10th of March,
* Adjr. Martin. after the muster out of the two years organization, was com- missioned as captain in the 4;1 Regiment of U. S. Colored Troops, and served with much credit at Petersburg, Richmond and in Texas-finally le wving the ser- vice in December, IS65.
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"THE MUD MARCH."
1863. Six of the officers promoted as above were origin- ally members of Company A.
Although Gen. Burnside was deeply grieved at the heavy losses sustained by his army in its efforts against Fredericksburg, he was not disheartened, and by the middle of January he had fully resolved to again take the aggressive, although his plans were kept a pro- found secret. On the 20th of the month, the entire army was put in motion, being supplied with several days ra- tions, and the troops headed for the different fords above Fredericksburg. About ten, P. M., however, there com- menced one of the severest storms ever experienced by this army. Snow, sleet and rain fell, causing a general breaking up of the roads, and a chaos of the elements which rendered locomotion impossible and outside life hardly endurable. This storm arrested the advance at the outset, and fixed our army in the mud, wherein it hope- lessly floundered for hours. Daylight exposed to the ene- my, across the river, movements which were intended to be consummated under cover of darkness, and the fords were immediately guarded so strongly that Burnside saw that his plans were futile, and the troops were ordered baek to their old camps, many of which had been burned upon quitting them, in the expectation that they would not be again needed. In this famous " mud march " our regiment took no part, remaining in camp at the Phillips House, and seeing the respective corps march past towards the fords. Had the operations continued, we would pro- bably have broken camp and followed them the next day.
In this last movement, Gen. Burnside had acted almost solely upon his own responsibility. The sentiment of his general officers was almost unanimously against it, and
12
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
some of them freely expressed themselves in opposition. 'This was a powerful reason for abandoning the plan, aside from the inelemency of the weather. Gen. Burn- side now expressed his intention either to partly reof- fieer and reorganize his army or to resign his commission as major-general. The subject was a serious one for President Lincoln to determine, but he finally decided to relieve Burnside from the command of the army and to appoint Gen. Hooker in his place. This occurred Janu- ary 26th ; at the same time, Gens. Sumner and Franklin were also relieved and ordered to report elsewhere.
Gen. Burnside was a gallant soldier and a devoted patriot. He proved his patriotism in this instance, by consenting to serve his government thereafter wherever his aid might be required. If he did not gain a rank during the Rebellion as a great general, he at least proved himself an intrepid, devoted and intelligent officer. ITis action in assuming personal responsibility for the defeat at Fredericksburg won the esteem of the soldiers, and he retained it to a wonderful degree, until his active con- nection with the army was severed in 1864.
President Lincoln's letter* to Gen. Hooker, upon his appointment to the command of the Army of the Poto- mac, was a characteristic document from a remarkable man. It was as follows :
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 26th, 1863.
MAJJ .- GEN. HOOKER,
GENERAL :- I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac.
Of course I have done this upon what appeared to me to be sufficient reasons, and yet I think it best for you to know that there
* From " Obituary of Maj .- Gen. Hooker." by Maj .- Gen. J. Watts de Peyster.
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PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S LETTER.
are some things in regard to which I am not quite satisfied with you.
I believe you to be a brave and skillful soldier, which, of course, I like. I also believe you do not mix politics with your profession, in which you are right. You have confidence in yourself, which is a valuable, if not an indispensable quality. You are ambitious, which, within reasonable bounds, does good rather than harm : but I think that during Gen. Burnside's command of the army you have taken counsel of your ambition, and thwarted him as much as you could, in which you did a great wrong to the coun- try and to a most meritorious and honorable brother officer. I have heard, in such way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both the army and the Government needed a dictator. Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given yon the command.
Only those generals who gain successes can set up dictators.
What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship. The Government will support you to the utmost of its ability, which is neither more nor less than it has done and will do for all commanders. I much fear that the spirit which you have aided to infuse into the army, of eriticising their commander and withholding confidence from him, will now turn upon you. I shall assist you as far as I can to put it down. Neither you nor Napoleon. if he were alive again, could get any good out of an army while such a spirit prevails in it.
And now beware of ra-hness.
Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give ns victories.
Yours very truly, [Signed,] A. LINCOLN.
Gen. Sumner, after being relieved. retired to his home at Syracuse, N. Y., but his enforced idleness, and the absence of the military surroundings to which he had been accustomed during the best part of his life, chafed the veteran soldier and probably hurried him to his end. He died on the 21st of March following. The words of a brilliant writer, when afterwards speaking of him,
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
were fully merited : " We have had greater captains than Sumner, but no better soldiers-no braver patriots. The words which trembled upon the dying lips of the old general, 'May God bless my country, the United States of America,' were the key-note to his life. Green be the turf above his grave."
The Tenth now removed its camp a short distance to a position in the rear of the Lacey House, a mansion situated on the river bluff, directly opposite Fredericks- burg. The regiment was still detached from brigade duty, and supported two batteries of heavy guns mounted at this point. Officers and men who had been absent sick and wounded began to return, the command gradually assuming the proportions held before the re- cent battle. Upon the return of Colonel Bendix, after recovering from his wound, he assumed command of the Third Brigade, with headquarters some two miles from the Lacey House, and Capt. John A. Brady, Quar- termaster Hill, Asst .- Surgeon Orasmus Smith, and Se- cond-Lieut. Chas. W. Cowtan were detached from the Tenth to serve as brigade staff officers.
At this time it cannot be said that the spirit or efficiency of the Army of the Potomac was above re- proach. There seemed to be a feeling of apathy, born of despondeney, generally pervading the army. Gree- ley, in his "American Conflict," remarks : "Superior as its numbers still were, it is questionable whether this army was a full match, on equal ground, for its more homogeneous, better disciplined, more self-assured and determined antagonist."
Gen. Hooker, however, upon assuming command, im- mediately began improving the discipline and perfect- ing the organization of his troops, and with such success
181
AN ACCEPTABLE TRIBUTE.
that he had, some two months afterwards, as he declared, "the finest army on the planet." He broke up the "grand divisions," which many officers had considered useless formations ; infused his own vitality into the staff and administrative service, and gave distinctive badges to the different corps. This latter idea was one of the best which was ever adopted, and the soldiers of the army took pride in the display of the badges of their respective divisions and corps .*
Amongst other plans to insure a spirit of emulation in the ranks, an order was promulgated allowing each corps commander the privilege of selecting at least one regiment, whose drill, appearance and discipline were the best, from which command an extra number of In- officers and men were to be allowed furloughs. spections were ordered, resulting in the selection of the Tenth New York Volunteers to represent the efficiency of the Second Corps, and the regiment was named, with ten others, in General Orders No. 18, Army of the Potomac. The Fifth Corps having selected the Fifth New York Volunteers (Duryee's Zouaves) as its repre- sentative, some dissatisfaction was expressed by officers of the Second Corps that a New York zouave regiment had carried away the palm in the two corps, and favorit- ism was in several instances charged. In consequence of this dissatisfaction another inspection of the National Zouaves was ordered, which resulted in a second tri- umph for the regiment. It can readily be imagined
* Swinton, p. 268: " The germ of the badge designation was the happy thought of Gen. Kearny, who, at Fair Oaks, ordered the soldiers of his division to sew a piece of red flannel to their cap-, so that he could recognize them in the tumult of battle. Hooker developed the idea into a system of immense utility, and hence- forth the different corps and divisions could always be distinguished by the red. white or blue trefoil, cross, lozenge, star, &c."
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
that this tribute was a source of much pride and gratifi- , cation to the officers and men of the regiment, and it seemed peculiarly appropriate, coming at the hour when their connection with the army was about to be severed.
Of the period which now elapsed before the expira- tion of the term of service of the regiment, it is neces- sary to say comparatively little. Our soldiers were continually counting the days which must pass before they could return to civil life. The base and corner- stone of the soldier's ration, the despised yet coveted hard tack, about this time assumed another and more important position. Ten of these tough teeth-destroyers generally came to the pound, and a pound was the daily ration ; consequently, by an easy problemi in multiplica- tion and addition, homesick members of the regiment were enabled to figure just how many crackers each man was to consume before he could take a good square meal on Broadway, with plenty of "soft" bread as a side dish.
No movement of the army called for a march or change of camp during this time, and the relaxation and freedom of a comparatively monotonous camp life was only varied by the daily drills and parades, and occa- sionally a division or perhaps army review. Although the spirit of a majority of those who had survived the arduous services of the past two years was still un- broken, and their love of country undiminished, imagi- nation can depict the desire which was expressed con- stantly to again see friends and home.
The members of the regiment who had enlisted in the fall of 1861, and thereafter, were alone discontented. Many of these had joined the regiment with the quasi understanding that their term of service was to expire
183
ORDERED TO BE MUSTERED OUT.
with that of the regiment, and, although precedent had recently shown that their hopes were fallacious, many of them still clung to the idea of returning home in April. It was only at the last moment, when the order from corps headquarters was promulgated, direct- ing the departure of the regiment, and organizing the " three years men," as they were termed, into a new battalion, that they ceased hoping. Although these recruits were undoubtedly mustered into the service for three years, it is certain that in some instances they were given to understand that it was a matter of form merely-the zeal of the recruiting officers having evi- dently overridden their judgment in such cases .*
On the 20th of April, by General Order No. 44, from Headquarters of the Army, the Tenth New York Volun- teers were ordered to be mustered out of the United States service. On the same day, the following order was issued from division headquarters :
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, SECOND ARMY CORPS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. April 20th, 1863.
SPECIAL ORDER, No. 115.
EXTRACT.
The general commanding the division, in promulgating the order which deprives it of a portion of the Tenth Regiment New York Volunteers, deems it a duty to express to Col. Bendix, his officers and men-soon to be mustered out of service-the high position they obtained for the regiment, in the soldierly character- isties of bravery, discipline and a military tone and bearing not excelled in any army.
* * Many of the recruits for the two year'' regiments enlisted in the belief that they would be mustered out at the end of the regiment's term. Recruiting officers. by placards and otherwise, assured them that such would be the case. But their expectations in this regard were not realized, and their retention in the service for three years became a cause of keen disappointment."-Report of Bureau of Military Records, State of New York, 1865.
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
He regrets to lose these fine troops, but hopes that they will soon return, to give their aid to support this glorious Union and keep our flag to the front.
By order of
MAJ .- GEN. FRENCH, Commanding Division.
During the next few days busy preparations were made for the departure of the regiment, and, on the 26th of April, the final order was promulgated from corps headquarters, as follows :
HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA. April 26th, 1-63.
SPECIAL ORDER, No. 100.
That portion of the Tenth Regiment New York Volunteers mustered into the United States service for two years, will be fur- nished transportation to-morrow, April 27, 1863, at seven o'clock, A. M., at the Falmouth Depot, and will proceed thence to New York city, for the purpose of being mustered out of service. Arms and accoutrements will be turned over to the aeting ordnance officer of the division.
Under the authority vested in the corps commander, by Gen- eral Order No. 44, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, the 20th instant, the three years men in the regiment will be formed into a battalion of four companies, with the following assignment of of- ficers :
Major : George F. Hopper, now captain.
Adjutant : Charles W. Cowtan, now second lieutenant
Quartermaster : W. H. H. Wilcox, now second-lieutenant.
Captain : George M. Dewey, now captain.
Captain : George F. Tait, now first-lieutenant.
Captain : Putnam Field, now first-lieutenant.
First- Lieutenant : Oscar F. Angell, now second-lieutenant.
First-Lieutenant : Harvey Y. Russell, now second-lieutenant
The division commander is authorized to select four of the non-commissioned officers, who desire to remain, for nomination as
185
RECEPTION IN NEW YORK.
second-lieutenants. It is understood that an application will be made forthwith for commissions to the officers named in the above organization, and that, if they are not issued. the officers will be entitled to muster out of service.
By command of
MAJ .- GEN. COUCH.
The parting between the officers and men who were to leave for their homes and those who were to remain was in some instances pathetic ; but the farewell words were at length spoken, and the regiment boarded the train of rough cars which were to transport it to Acquia Creek. From that point the passage was made by steamer up the Potomac to Washington, and from thence the iron horse sped the homeward-bound vete- rans to the Empire City, which was reached on the morn- ing of April 29th, 1863.
The 37th New York State Militia, Col. Chas. Roome, was awaiting the arrival of the regiment, and acted as escort on the march up-town. At the City Hall the two regiments were reviewed by the President of the Board of Aldermen and the Common Council, and then proceeded up Broadway. The popular welcome to the returning zouaves was hearty, and much enthusiasm was manifested along the route as the bronzed and happy veterans marched along, with the free and yet steady swing which proved their long army experience. At Fourteenth Street the regiment was dismissed, to assemble again for final muster out, which took place on the 6th and ?th of May.
Upon the occasion of the return and reception of the 5th Regiment (Duryee's Zonaves), on the 5th of May, the Tenth made a semi-official and last parade. Lieut .- Col. Marshall was in command, and some two hundred and fifty officers and men participated in this final act
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
of courtesy towards the gallant regiment with which the National Zouaves had marched and battled in the campaigns of 1862.
Although each member of our regiment seemed glad to cast off his military bonds, there were many to whom the life of a soldier had presented charms, or sown the seeds of a restlessness unfitting them for an immediate lapse into eivil life. Again, there were others who felt that their duty was but half performed while numbers of their late comrades were left in the field to face future dangers and reap the glories attendant upon a successful termination of the yet undecided struggle. Many such re-enlisted within a few weeks or months-some of them (as hereinafter mentioned) returning to their own regiment. Those who did not again risk their lives were probably satisfied in the knowledge that they had given two of their choicest years to their country and earned a crown of laurel to be transmitted in proud remembrance to their children's children.
PART II.
-
THE VETERAN BATTALION.
PERIOD I.
A RETROSPECT-CHANCELLORSVILLE-GETTYSBURG- BRISTOE STATION-MINE RUN-RETURN TO LINE DUTY.
Two years had elapsed since the early days of 1861, when the National Zouaves were mustered into the service of the United States, and, measured by the stir- ring and fateful occurrences of these years, a whole de- cade seemed to have been borne away upon the pinions of time. The conflict which had been precipitated at Charleston, under the reckless leadership of the advo- cates of State Rights and Slavery, and which the up- holders of the Government had fondly hoped would end in a few months, at most, had during this period dragged along a tortuous and bloody existence ; and although the 75,000 men demanded by President Lincoln to suppress the insurrection, after the first blow had been struck at the unity of the States, seemed then to be an immense levy, it had proved ridiculously inadequate for the pur- pose-nearly a million troops having since been asked for and furnished. The Union armies had been successful in circumscribing and reducing the geographical area of the Rebellion, but their successes were partially eclipsed by several disastrous failures and defeats, and the people of the free North, who had arisen at the sound of Sumter's first gun, as though exorcised by an enchanter's wand, had become conscious that the work of crushing the Re- bellion was a task to be completed only by slow, careful
189
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
and sure measures, and at the cost of millions of men and treasure.
If the loyal population of the Northern States were earnest in the defense of the Government, the Southern people were fanatical to a degree in devotion to their Confederacy, and by this was meant an intense hostility to the old flag and the armies which bore it. This bitter feeling had borne the Southern cause through two years of warfare; had fed its armies and sent its best blood to do battle for ideas and institutions, which, by a fatal bigotry, had been made to appear sacred. Such blind belief was destined to uphold the structure of Rebellion for two more years, and until the armies of the South were literally thinned and starved to an extent which rendered further resistance futile.
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