USA > New York > The Ninth New York heavy artillery : a history of its organization, services in the defe battles, and muster-out, with accounts of life in a rebel prison, personal experiences, names and addresses of surviving members, personal sketches and a complete roster, pt 2 > Part 10
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My husband was sent in August, 1863, with four companies of his regiment down on the Potomac river twenty miles to a place called Rozier's bluff, where they built a fort or earth- works, called Fort Foote. It was a high bluff on the river, but back of it was a low marsh, known as "The Graveyard of Prince George County," and that, with the turning of the earth dur- ing the hot weather, caused a great deal of sickness among the men. Out of 600, 300 were sick with fever. In September I was making my mother a visit, and went one afternoon to the milliner's with my sister, Mrs. Pomeroy. While there I re- ceived a telegram from Mr. Seward saying, "William very sick; come immediately with his mother." I hurried home, while Mrs. Pomeroy went to Mrs. Seward with the despatch. We
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packed up, and in a few hours were on our way, accompanied by Mr. Pomeroy. What a hard night's ride that was. We went by the Northern Central road, so we could get there sooner. There were no sleeping-cars, so we all sat in the hard, straight- backed seats all night, two in a seat, Mary and I taking turns holding the baby. We arrived in Washington early in the morning, so thankful to find our dear one alive, a little better, but desperately ill with dysentery. He was taken sick two days before, and the doctors said that he could not live; sent for his father, who had him carried on a stretcher to Washington, accompanied by his faithful regimental surgeon, Dr. Cham- berlain, who never left him until he commenced to get better.
Sir Henry Holland, physician to Queen Victoria, was at the time visiting Mr. Seward, and hearing how sick his son was, asked to see him. After he had carefully examined the patient, he said to Mr. Seward, "The young surgeon is doing well; I think your son will recover with careful nursing; give him only mutton broth; it is the most soothing nourishment in his dis- ease." I remember how pleased we all were with Sir Henry, he was so kind and interested for us.
With the good care of the doctors and his mother, my hus- band was well enough to come home in October. We had been here only about a week when he was taken with typhoid fever, and for three dismal months he had a hard fight for his life. There were no trained nurses then. His mother and I took all the care of him. Dr. Horatio Robinson watched him day and night, and with his constant care and Dr. Robinson, Sr.'s, counsel, he finally recovered.
In February, my husband went back to his command at Fort Foote. Houses had been built there for the officers. Major Taft, who had been in command during the lieutenant colonel's absence, was occupying the colonel's house while one was build- ing for him, so I had to remain in Washington for the plaster to dry in the major's house; but it took so long that finally I moved down with my mother, who had come on to make me a visit.
Our house at Fort Foote was built of boards battened and painted drab. There was a large room in the centre, with a front and back door, a stairway going up to a loft over this room and a pantry under the stairs. On each side was a small bedroom, with doors opening on the front as well as into the
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room. The major, his wife and three children occupied one room until their house was finished. Mother and the nurse, Mary Shiels, occupied the loft, and were very comfortable excepting when the rain came through the board roof. A tent at the back served as a kitchen, where Banty Fowler con- tinued to cook us good things. His buckwheat cakes were fine, and the oysters and shad that he brought from the fishing boats that came up the river were the best that I ever ate. The shad were so fresh that Banty used to say they turned over in the pan while he was cooking them.
We were much more stylish at this fort, and had more com- pany. Major Taft and Quartermaster Knowles had their fam- ilies, and several of the captains their wives with them. Many general officers as well as citizens came down to see the fort, and we entertained the most of them.
Fort Foote was the largest and most complete earthwork that was built for the defense of Washington, and I believe is still standing. It commanded the approaches by the river for ser- eral miles, and its great guns would make it exceedingly diffi- cult for an enemy to get past it. There had never been such large guns mounted before as it contained, and it seemed to me that the soldiers (it took three or four hundred at a time) would never be able to get them up the bluff and into position. The balls fired from them were so heavy that I could not even turn one over on the ground, each weighing 500 pounds, and re- quired 100 pounds of powder to fire them. When fired, the men were instructed to raise on their toes and open their mouths to lessen the effect of the concussion.
One day there came down the president, secretary of war. and several general officers, with their wives, to see the guns fired. Careful preparation and distance measurements had been made for the experiment; a large target placed upon a raft had been anchored near the Virginia shore, about two miles below. The men had practiced until they felt sure of their aim. Just as the party were assembling to witness the smash- ing of the target with one of the great balls, the colonel was astonished and chagrined to see through his glass a small party of rebels row out from the shore, cut the anchor ropes, and quickly tow the target around a bend of the river out of sight; so the firing had to be made at other objects of an unmeasured distance.
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I gave them lunch, setting the tables in one of the great bomb-proofs, as the house was not large enough, and then took the ladies all about the quarters. The view from our window was very beautiful, overlooking the river and the Virginia shore opposite. About five miles below was Fort Washington, very picturesque, but regarded nearly useless, as stone forts had been proved not strong enough to withstand modern artillery. It was, however, garrisoned at this time.
We officers' wives made many excursions about the country. I remember once we went by boat (there was a small tug at all times in service at our fort) to Alexandria, there took ambu- lances and went to Arlington House, Contraband Camp, Sol- diers' Rest, and several other places in Virginia.
At another time we went to Mount Vernon, but were very glad to get back in our own little boat without being fired upon. Mount Vernon was considered neutral ground, but the river on each side was infested with rebel guerrilla bands that made the trip dangerous. Another time we went to Fairfax Court House, crossing the river, and using an ambulance on the Virginia side.
The only time my baby was sick in camp was at Fort Foote. She was seriously ill at midnight. We called the young sur- geon, Dr. Chamberlain, but felt that he didn't know much about babies, being a very young man. (He confessed to me privately afterwards that this was the first time that he had been called upon to attend a baby.) At daylight my husband started with the little tug-boat for Washington for Dr. Verdi and his mother. He arrived while the family were at break- fast. He told what was the matter, and said, "Where is mother?" His father answered, "She has been sick in bed for a week." "I am so sorry," he said, "I wanted to take her back with me." "She will go," was the reply. "But she can't if she is sick in bed." "I am sure she will go when she learns Nelly is sick," said his father. And sure enough, when my husband went to her room, he found her in bed, but when he said, "Nelly is sick; I have come for Dr. Verdi," she got right up, saying, "I shall go with you," and in less than an hour she and the doctor were on the little boat hurrying down the river in a heavy storm, which tossed the boat about and drenched the occupants. Such was her beautiful, unselfish character, put- ing aside her own ills when she could help the other members
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of her family. You can imagine how relieved I was when she and the doctor came in at the door.
Our tug went once each day to Washington for the mail and supplies. My windows overlooked the winding road down the steep bluff to the river, and we were always interested to see who was coming and going, but saddened when we heard, as we frequently did, the beat of the muffled drum, and watched the solemn procession, marching down to the boat, with flag furled, guns reversed, and slow step, following some soldier who had finished his service for his country.
One day in April Major Taft came and asked me if I could keep a secret, as he needed my assistance. The officers were going to present the lieutenant colonel with a sword. I kept the secret, and assisted in making the arrangements. On the 24th of April, I wrote to my mother, expressing regret that she had been obliged to go home before the presentation, saying:
"Will never suspected a thing. Colonel Haskins, a one-armed Mexican veteran, in command of our division, and party came down about 12 o'clock. Cornelius Underwood and daugh- ter and Mr. Patty arrived on the mail-boat. I did not see much of Mr. Patty, he is so shy, but he had Nelly in his arms during the presentation. After that, the companies were formed into a hollow square. Will was standing near Colonel Haskins, and I near him. We were all by the house; had seats under the trees. As the square was formed, two men started from headquarters, one with a table, the other with the box. When Will saw that, he said, 'Well, what is all this about?' Colonel Haskins said, 'I think it is time you knew; there is to be a sword presentation here to-day; that's what it all means.' Then I asked Will if he didn't know about it. He said, 'No, this is the first.' We were all invited inside the square, and Captain William Wood made a very handsome presentation speech. Will appeared perfectly cool and self-possessed, re- ceived the sword very gracefully, and made a neat little speech in return. I was so sorry you were not here. I know that you would have been as proud of Will as I was. He commenced by saying he was perfectly surprised, although he knew an officer should never be surprised, but they must make allow- ance for him, as he was only a volunteer. After that the sword, sash and belt were put on, and Will conducted a short drill, after which I invited all in to lunch. We had sandwiches,
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oysters, raw and stewed, coffee, cake and pickles. We enter- tained, I should think, about forty people; had plenty for them. and everything was satisfactory, the guests leaving between 4 and 5 o'clock. It is so warm now that we do not need fires. Nelly is out of doors most of the time. The trees at the back of the house are nearly in full leaf. It seems to me as if I could see them open."
On May 10th, about 9 o'clock in the morning, came orders for my husband, with his command, to report to Colonel Well- ing, at Arlington, Va. As soon as possible, we packed up as many things as we could take, leaving the rest. I wrote, "I came up to Washington on the tug-boat at 2 o'clock, leaving just as the companies marched down to take their boats. It is real hard to leave such a pleasant place, although I had been expecting it for a week."
Our regiment was sent from Arlington to Fort Richardson, and from there to Fort Reynolds, where the lieutenant colonel's headquarters was in an old-fashioned farm-house. Soon after, the regiment being ordered to the front, my husband came for me one morning with an ambulance, and we went to Alexan- dria and purchased such necessary articles as he thought he could carry with him, packing them in a small mess-chest. One thing I remember was a piece of dried beef, which he after- wards tied to the bow of his saddle, and carried as long as it lasted, cutting off a piece occasionally on the march. I went back with him to the old farm-house, staying until the next day. While there, I sewed his two army-blankets together. making a sleeping bag, which he afterwards used most of the time when they were without tents.
On the 18th of May, 1864, the 9th Artillery came together and marched to Belle Plain. Nelly and I were with Mr. Sew- ard in Washington. I was sure to stay in the house, fearing that my husband might come and find me away. He did come on the afternoon of the 21st of May, saying that they were ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, and that Colonel Welling had come up with him and resigned his commission. as he would not go to the front. After he had finished his business with Colonel Welling at the War Department, he had time only for a hurried dinner; then Mr. Seward and I went with him to the river. where we found the boat that had brought him up waiting, and he left us.
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The next day being Sunday, Mr. Seward took Fanny and me with several friends down the river, to go, as he said, "to Belle Plain to see William." It was a bad day, the river was rough, and when we arrived, it was too rough to make the landing, and much to my grief, the boat turned and we started back. Fanny and I strained our eyes locking, but could not see even a tent, so we sat out of sight of the rest of the party and had a good cry, we were so disappointed.
The next day we found that the regiment had left Belle Plain early Sunday morning, so we could not have found them had we landed.
Soon after this, my husband was appointed colonel, receiv- ing his commission just as he was going into the battle of Cold Harbor. We did not even hear from him for weeks. After dinner I always went upstairs and stayed while the nurse went to her dinner. On the evening of the 1st of June, while sitting in the twilight, I heard my husband call "Jenny." I jumped up, listened, and heard again, "Jenny," so distinctly that I went into the hall, and again came the voice, "Jenny," so plain I looked over the railing, fully expecting to see him coming up the stairs. There was no one there, and I went back dis- appointed, thinking how strange it was. Afterwards, I found that this occurrence took place at the very bour that he was in the Battle of Cold Harbor, and came very near losing his life.
I stayed in Washington, hoping to hear from my husband, until the weather was so warm that Nelly became ill, and Mr. Seward said, "My daughter, it is not safe to keep that little girl here any longer; I promise you I will send you the news of William immediately we receive any." The nurse and I packed our trunks, and John Butler, a trusted colored servant, went with us to New York, and put us on the train for Auburn, after spending the night at the Astor House.
Oh! what a dreadful long waiting that was! No word, only news of terrible battles every day. The first news that we re- ceived was a few words written on a piece of brown paper from Colonel MacDougall, saying, "I have just seen Will at Cold Harbor, and he is all right. Had a hard fight, in which most of his clothes were torn from him."
A letter from Quartermaster Knowles, written June 4th, 1864, received two weeks later, said. "I left there after their first day's fight, June 1st. It was a very hotly contested bat-
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tle. The colonel and Major Taft got through all right, and were so up to 8 o'clock to-night. The colonel got a rap over the head with a rebel gun or sword, and had one leg of his pants torn off, and his satchel stolen from Banty off his horse that night, as all officers were ordered to dismount and send their horses to the rear. We have been assigned to the 2d Brigade. 3d Division, 6th Corps, which is his address. Pardon the lib- erty I have taken, and be assured you have my best wishes and constant prayer for the success and safety of our dear colonel commanding, and accept the assurances of my sincere regards and sympathy for yourself, from one who feels sincerely and truly your friend. Henry P. Knowles."
All of our letters were a long time in reaching us. One I have dated June 5th, was received by me on the 20th. Of course, our letters were equally long in reaching the camps.
I think you will be interested if I tell you how our regiment on one occasion threw up their breastworks. My husband wrote a letter dated "In the field about three miles south of Petersburgh," saying, "Orders were then received for the first line of battle to intrench themselves. My regiment being larger than all the rest of the brigade, we composed the front line, and to throw up breastworks without a single tool of any description was not an easy matter. I, however, divided the regiment into two single lines, and had the first loosen the earth with their bayonets, and the second line throw it up in the form of breastworks, using their tin cups and plates in place of shovels. In one hour from the time I received the order, we had a fine work at least five feet high. The continual shower of rebel bullets accelerated the work."
On Sunday morning, July 10th, I was staying at my mother's, when about noon, my sister, Mrs. Pomeroy, and her husband came in. Mr. Pomeroy said, "There was a battle at Monocacy, Maryland, yesterday." I said, "Will could not have been in that, as he is down in front of Petersburgh, Va." "No," he re- plied, the 9th Artillery were in the battle." I looked at him startled, and he then said, "It is reported that Will is wounded and taken prisoner."
At the request of Mr. Pomery, the telegraph office was kept open all that day and the following night, and he and Mr. Bost- wick took turns in watching the news that passed over the wires. The telegraph and railroad lines beween Baltimore and
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Washington had been cut off by the rebels, so the news from there was received through couriers to Annapolis. I went to Mrs. Seward, and we concluded to pack our trunks, and be ready to start for Washington as soon as railroad communica- tions were reopened. All night my two brothers-in-law waited and watched until 2 o'clock, when a despatch came, saying, "Colonel Seward wounded, but not a prisoner." Major Taft was shot and lost his leg. Surgeon Chamberlain stayed with him, and both were taken prisoners.
My husband's horse was shot under him, and falling upon him, broke his ankle. He also received a slight wound in the arm. He escaped being taken prisoner from the fact of his having on a private's uniform, as he had lost his own at the Battle of Cold Harbor. After the rebel line had passed over him, he crawled on the ground to a piece of woods, where he found a mule, which, with the help of a straggler, he mounted, using his red silk pocket handkerchief for a bit and bridle, and rode about fifteen miles during the night to Ellicott's Mills, and overtook his retreating regiment. He was taken to Washing- ton, and after five days he came home to us. I shall never forget how shocked his sister Fanny and I were, when we met him at the depot, to see how thin and worn he looked; but how happy we were to have him with us, and to nurse him back to health. It was a singular coincidence, that this mule was one of my husband's own pack mules. Having two, his orderly, Henry Rooker, had ridden away on one, leaving this one to her fate. They were brought home, and Mrs. Chesebro, my hus- band's cousin, kept them both on her farm on Canandaigua lake until they died, taking especial care of "Jenny," as she called her, for bringing her master safely away from the rebels.
His horse lay on the field with a wound in the neck, appar- ently dead, but shortly after recovering from the shock, fol- lowed the troops, overtook the retreating orderly on the mule, who, seeing the blood streaming from the poor animal's neck, staunched its flow with the contents of his tobacco pouch, and took him to Washington, where his wound was properly cared for. He continued in my husband's service. The following winter. in Martinsburgh, when he was harnessed to an ambu- lance in order to take General Custer and his bride to Win- chester, he resented the indignity, and kicked the vehicle to pieces.
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In September, my husband received a commission as briga- dier general, conferred upon him for his service at the Battle of Monocacy. -
Early in October, he was ordered to take command of a bri- gade in the Shenandoah valley, with headquarters at Martins- burgh; and although there were constant raids and skirmishes with the rebels, there was not the continual, terrible anxiety for us women at home that there was before.
On the 10th of November, our son William was born. His father had a fifteen days' leave of absence to come home and make his son's acquaintance. This occurrence ended my per- sonal army life, as it was a little too much for me to go into army quarters with two babies.
Soon after my husband returned to Martinsburgh, where he remained during the winter of 1864 and '65. . I had two severe trials. My nurse was taken sick and died; and the night that her remains lay in the room opposite to mine, I received a letter from Captain Knowles, telling me that my husband was very sick. I felt that I was indeed deserted and everything was going wrong.
In April, 1865, my husband and my brother, George Watson, who was an aide-de-camp, rank lieutenant, on General Seward's staff, were at home on a short leave of absence. They started for Martinsburgh on the night of April 13th. In the morning of April 14th, my mother, who was keeping me company for the night, and I were awakened early by a servant coming to tell us that the man had heard that the president had been killed, Mr. Seward and Mr. Frederick were killed, and Colonel Au- gustus nearly killed, and all the rest of the family wounded. Of course. we were in great excitement.
About 7.30 the side door-bell rang furiously. Eliza went to the door, and we heard a woman's voice, very loudly and excitedly saying, "I want to see Mrs. Seward. I must see Mrs. Seward." Eliza said, "Well, you can't see her." Mother went to the door and asked what she wanted. She only said. "I must see Mrs. Seward." I started to go to the door, but Eliza pushed me back, putting her arms around me, saying, "Don't go, don't go, she wants to kill you too, I know she does, she looks so crazy." Mother would not let the woman in through the door, and finally shut it. I said, "Mother, let me see what the woman wants." Mother replied, "She will not tell what she wants,
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and she looks so wild, I do not think it safe for you to see her." The servants insisted that the woman intended to kill Mrs. Seward. I always regretted that I could not have gotten to her, as she might have had some valuable information to give me. She came and went in a hack, evidently just arrived on the train.
Soon telegrams began to arrive, telling of the dreadful assas- sination. My husband heard the awful news, upon his arrival in Baltimore, early in the morning. All the trains to Wash- ington were stopped. He telegraphed to the secretary of war, who at once ordered an especial engine, which took him, with my brother, immediately to Washington, where they found the house, of course, in the greatest confusion. My husband re- mained at the bedside of his wounded father and brothers, and cared for his mother until her death, on June 21st, 1865. The war having ended, he resigned his commission on June 1st.
CHAPTER XXIX.
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
Asahel M. Abbey .- Lieutenant Abbey was one of the 22d Independent Battery boys; starting as a sergeant, he left the service as 1st lieutenant.
He was born in Genesee county June 24, 1837; was prepared for college in the Cary Collegiate Institute of Oakfield, N. Y., and entered Hobart College in Geneva, remaining till his junior year. When the war came it found him a medical student.
For a number of years his home has been in Richland. Kala- mazoo county, Mich.
Edwin A. Bishop .- A native of Guilford, Conn., 1834; came to Ontario in 1858, and went thence, with Company B, to the war. Returning, he moved to Rochester in 1868, following his trade of house-painting.
Hle has been the commander of C. J. Powers Post, G. A. R., and in 1890 was one of the department delegates to the National Encampment in Boston.
He takes an active interest in company and regiment, and several years since read a very entertaining paper on the same before a reunion of Company B.
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Alonzo Bowen .- In war-times Comrade Bowen found all the fun that ever came his way. Two pictures in this volume faint- ly portray some of the nonsense in which he indulged and which was of the utmost good to his associates, since it kept their spirits up.
Since the war he has found a home in Monroe, Mich., where as a maker and dispenser of a specific for human ills he is achiev- ing fame and success.
George W. Brinkerhoff .- A Wolcott boy, he came from that part of the town known as Red Creek. Born October 23d, 1838, he had just got a good start in his majority when the call to arms, in 1862, drew him into the ranks of Company A, and with Captain Snyder he marched away to perils, duty, and the proud consciousness of serving his country.
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