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 9
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Manney, Jas. H., Lynn, Wis. Manney, Thos. J., Wurtzboro.
Bartlett, John W., Creston, Ia. Marvin. A., Derby, Mich.
Benton, Edwin J., Batavia.
Miller, David, Rodney, Ont.
Bowman, G.W., Cambria, Mich. Morgan, Israel, Sodus Centre. Bradley, C. W., Princeton, Ill. Moses. Frank, Arcadia, Neb. Brower, A. W., Sodus Centre. Cleveland, C. J., Chicago, Ill. Colt, Alva N. Batavia. Munt, John, LeRoy. .
Connelly, Henry, Newton, Mo. Connor, John, Pavilion Centre. O'Donnell, M., Wash., D. C.
Cox, Benjamin, Bergen.
Delano, E. C., Sodus Centre. Demary, Sylvester, Attica.
Dodson, Earl A., Batavia.
Eastwood, Elias, Mumford.
Eddy, Wm. A., Morley, Mich.
Forbes, Orson J., LeRoy, N. Y. Rice, Lyman, Buffalo.
F'oster, H., Council Grove, Kan. Rich. Alonzo, Grinnell. Ia. Fritsche. Herman, Alexander. Rich, Mortimer, E. Bethany.
Gloir, Paul, Attica.
Godfrey. Arthur, Eaton, Mich.
Griffis. John O., Batavia.
Hassett, John, Bath.
Hollenbeck, E. J., Mancelona, Mich.
Humphrey, Amos, Darien Center.
Hutchins. Miles, Dryden.
Kidder. James, Crittenden.
Knapp. Albert H .. Bergen. Lapp. Henry, Bennington.
Locke. E., Cedar Rapids, Mich. I.vons. Elias, Attica.
Rogers, George, Buffalo. Shadbolt, Edwin, Alexander. Smead, Charles, Pavilion.
Smith, Wallace M .. Batavia. Spring, David S., Attica.
Schiller. John D., Niles, Mich. Taylor, Stephen G., Chapman. Van Curan, Charles, Corfu.
Vishion. Henry W., Buffalo. Ward, Edwin, Batavia.
Warren, John J., Springville. Wickers, J. C., Darien Centre. Wing, Eugene B., Attica.
MeIntosh. Angus. Churchville. Wing, Stephen P., Flint. Mich. McMillen, A., Hayes City, Kan. Zweitsche, Christian, Alexander
Moulton, Albert H., Alexander.
Munger, Lucius A., Tracy, Cal.
Nichols, M. W., Detroit, Mich.
Parish. F. N., Churchville. N. Y.
Peard, J. J., Campbell. Cal. Pearsall, Levi, Moravia.
Plant, Robert, North Chili.
Pond, E. H., Greenville, Mich. Randolph, Wm. H .. Bergen.
Richmond, Sidney, Rochester.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR.
By MRS. JANET W. SEWARD.
Written for "The Fortnightly," a Woman's Literary Club in Auburn, N. Y., January 20th, 1898.
I was married on June 27th, 1860. The war began, as you know, in April, 1861.
The first regiment raised here was the 19th New York State Volunteers; John S. Clark, Colonel; my husband's cousin, Clar- ence A. Seward, Lieutenant Colonel; the Rev. Henry Fowler. pastor of my church, the Central Presbyterian, Chaplain.
The regiment must have a stand of colors, so a meeting of ladies was called. I was one of a committee appointed to raise money and procure the flags. We went to George Clough, the artist, and he painted the "coat-of-arms of the state of New York" on the blue banner, from a picture of it which I found in the State Constitution.
The regiment was then in camp near Elmira. This commit- tee, with several other ladies, accompanied by a committee of gentlemen, went to Elmira, and Charles C. Dwight presented the regimental banner and B. F. Hall the national colors, in behalf of the ladies of Auburn.
My first sight of the active operations of the war was in September of 1861, when I went with Mrs. Seward and Fanny, my husband's mother and sister, to Washington. At Havre de Grace we came upon the first camp stationed there to guard the railroad and ferry. All the rest of the way through Baltimore and on to Washington, soldiers were doing guard and picket duty along the railroad. It was a novel sight to see these "Blue Coats" in almost a continuous line for more than 150 miles. some guarding, some building block-houses, some washing or cooking. some asleep on the bare ground, others surrounding small camp-fires cleaning their arms, many smoking or singing as they performed their various duties.
Soon after reaching Washington. we went one afternoon to drive with Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward, visiting several of the camps and earthworks. Mr. Lincoln was very cordial and kind to me, explaining with great interest all which we saw en route.
At another time Mr. Seward took Fanny and me to the White
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MRS. LT. COLONEL SEWARD. "NELLIE" SEWARD (aged one year).
SEWARD HOME, FORT MANSFIELD.
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House to call on the president. We found him in his library upstairs, and were received with the utmost kindness and sim- plicity.
A few days later Fanny and I accompanied Mr. Seward to Baltimore, and from there to Fort McHenry to see General Dix, who was in command. We were received and entertained by Mrs. Dix and two daughters, while Mr. Seward was in con- sultation with the general.
I remember the deep impression that the big fort made upon us, with its guns, the old casemates brightened by the presence of handsome young officers and gay young women. At dinner there was a long table full of guests. I was seated at Mrs. Dix's right hand, beside one of her daughters, with Fanny opposite. Mr. Seward sat by the general, as they wished to continue their conference. This fort soon after this visit became famous as a place of detention for prominent secessionists.
On another occasion we went with Mr. Seward to call upon General Scott. The handsome old hero was sitting upon his piazza with some of his staff officers. He received us with much ceremony and courtesy, inviting us into his military office, saying, "Perhaps these young ladies would like to see how an old soldier lives." He was as straight as an arrow, and towered so far above me that he seemed like a giant.
We soon after came home, leaving Washington one great growing camp of soldiers, and finding Auburn, if possible, more than ever aroused by the war spirit.
In the fall of 1861. Quartermaster General Meigs appealed to the loyal families of the country for contributions of blankets for the use of the army. Mrs. Seward, knowing from personal observation the necessity for this appeal, suggested the organi- zation of a "ladies' union society." Accordingly, we formed a committee and issued a card referring to General Meigs' call, asking that blankets be sent to Corning Hall. From this grew the organization of the Ladies' Aid Society of Auburn.
The loyal women generally throughout the North organized "soldiers' aid societies," spending their time cutting out gar- ments. sewing, scraping lint and rolling bandages. We brought home many garments to make. Besides this, much of our spare time was occupied knitting socks for the soldiers.
Our society continued this work throughout the war. Pre- vious to the formation of the "Aid Society," the "Good Samari-
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tan Society," of which Mrs. Alvah Worden, Mrs. Seward's sis- ter, was president, had collected large quantities of sanitary stores and clothing, which were forwarded from time to time to the "National Sanitary Commission." This society also con- tinued its work until the close of the war.
My husband and Clinton MacDougall had lately started in the banking business. One day in the fall of 1861, MacDougall came to see me and said, "One of us ought to enlist, and I have ) told your husband that I must be the one, as he has a wife and I have no one to care for, so I am going." Mrs. Seward, Fanny and I helped to fit out "our soldier," as we called him, and he soon went away as a captain in the 75th Regiment.
In 1862 Captain MacDougall came home from Florida wounded, and at Mrs. Seward's invitation, came to our house, and we nursed him for several weeks.
In February and March, 1862, I spent six weeks in Wash- ington. Mrs. Seward and Fanny were in Philadelphia, where Fanny was studying French. The Washington family at that time consisted of Mr. Seward, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Seward, Colonel Augustus Seward, the oldest son, and myself. There were many receptions and visits. The officers' uniforms mad- the receptions very gay in appearance, and almost all the con- versation was about the war.
Every Wednesday afternoon Mrs. Frederick Seward held a ladies' reception, and every other Saturday evening a large gen- eral reception was given, when the house would be filled to overflowing. General and Mrs. McClellan always came. The general was then in command of the Army of the Potomac.
At the President and Mrs. Lincoln's Tuesday afternoon re- ceptions, the ladies of the Cabinet always assisted Mrs. Lin- coln, Mrs. Frederick Seward occupying the first place, as the representative of the wife of the secretary of state. We were all in full evening dress, the gentlemen in dress coats, as was the custom of the time. Mrs. Lincoln was gorgeous with a wreath of large white roses around her head, which, as her face was round and full, was not very becoming.
I went with Mrs. Frederick Seward to Arlington House to call upon the officers' wives who were quartered there. It was a grand old mansion, and occupied by General Robert E. Lee until the beginning of the war. One of the ladies invited us to her room, and gave us pieces of the china that was presented
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to Martha Washington by General Lafayette, she having found a box of broken pieces in the attic.
I wrote to my husband at this time: "The Comte de Paris, Duc de Chartres and Prince de Joinville were here to dinner last night. They appeared so pleased to see me again. The count asked how you were, and a great many questions about you; said he hoped that he would meet you again."
They had been traveling through the country a short time before and came to Auburn with a letter to my husband, and we entertained them while here. These three princes of the Royal House of Orleans arrived in Washington in September. 1861, the Prince de Joinville, son of King Louis Philippe, and his nephews, the Comte de Paris and Duc de Chartres, the Comte de Paris being lineal heir of the throne of France. The two young men came to offer their services and peril their lives for the Union, serving as captains in our army.
In the summer of 1862, there were more calls for troops, and the 111th and 138th Regiments were quickly raised in response. My husband was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 138th Regiment, although I did not know it until a few days later.
Of course we talked about my husband's going, but I was in hopes he would not have to do so; but one afternoon, while I was spending the day with my mother, who was not well, he came in with his hand behind him, sat down before me and unwrapped a parcel and gave to me a large photograph of him- self. I knew instantly that he was going to leave me. I hope that I took it bravely, but I can not exactly remember. After that, there were a great many preparations to make and the time went altogether too fast.
One day, while our regiment was forming, I was told that a lady wished to see me. I found her to be one of my calling acquaintances. She said, "I have come to request you to ask your husband to persuade my husband not to go to the war; I can not let him go." "But," said I, "how can I do that? My husband is going." "Oh," said she, "your husband is going as lieutenant colonel, while my husband is only a lieutenant." "Well," I replied, "it is just as hard for me to have my husband leave me as it is for you to have yours leave you, and I can not see what the difference of rank has to do with it."
On the 11th of September, 1862, our first daughter was born. On the 12th very early in the morning, I was aroused by an
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unusual sound, and listening, found that it was the steady tramp of many feet passing the house. No other sound but a few words of command in a lowered voice that I knew so. well. It was our regiment marching to take the train for Washington. It was really to me the most mournful sound that I ever heard. No drum, no fife, nothing but the quick, firm steps; and all the stillness was for my sake. My husband was permitted to stay a few days longer, and then joined his regiment near Washington, where they were in "Camp Nellie Seward," named in honor of our little girl.
One day in December came a great surprise for me. I re- ceived a letter telling me that our regiment, now changed to the 9th New York Heavy Artillery, had gone into winter quar- ters, and that a log-cabin was almost finished, and I was ex- pected to come with the baby and occupy it. There were a great many discussions in the families. Both our mothers said "Go," but the family physician, when consulted, said, "Well, if you do go, you will bring a dead baby home with you." Mrs. Seward said, "Nonsense; think of all the babies that have been born and brought up in log-cabins." I made my preparations to go; then we started one cold winter's day, Nelly three months old; Mrs. Worden, my husband's aunt; Mrs. Bostwick, my sister, and the nurse.
When we arrived at Albany, we crossed the river in a ferry- boat. The shores were packed with great cakes of ice. The passengers had to jump down several feet on to the ice, as the boat could not reach the dock. We were women alone. Mrs. Bostwick took Nelly and jumped; then the rest of us followed. with bags and bundles. There were no drawing-room cars in those days, and there was always a general rush for seats in the crowded, uncomfortable cars. We staid at the Astor House in New York over night.
Leaving Mrs. Bostwick in New York, we started early next morning. After passing Philadelphia, we began to see camps occasionally. Through Baltimore and on to Washington, the railroads were guarded. Everywhere we stopped, soldiers were on duty. At one place, while the train was waiting, I was hold- ing the baby at the window. There were several soldiers stand- ing looking at us. A guard as he passed looked up at the baby and raised his cap. At that, Aunty Worden opened the window and said, "A soldier's baby." Then all the men waved their caps and cheered until the train moved on.
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When we arrived in the long, dark depot at Washington, as I stepped off the car with baby in my arms, I was seized by a tall, great-coated soldier, who said, "Give me the baby and come this way." I helped Aunty Worden to alight, turned and ran after the man, calling, "Will, Will, wait, you are carrying her upside down." Poor fellow! He had never carried a baby before.
We received a warm welcome at our father's house, where we spent the night. I was told that an army-wagon would stop for our trunks in the morning, and we would go out to camp in the afternoon. My husband came after breakfast, and we went out and bought a cradle and table furniture. Every- thing else he had already provided for our comfort. After lunch, he hurried back to his duties. It was a great amuse- ment to the family when the big army-wagon, with its white cover, drawn by six mules, stopped at the door and took in trunks, cradle, etc.
In the afternoon, our brother, Colonel Augustus Seward, went with us in the family carriage. Our camp was situated near Tennallytown, six miles from Washington, out through Georgetown. As we were passing Georgetown, the nurse sud- denly exclaimed, "Oh! Mrs. Seward, we have forgotten a wash- tub." So we stopped, bought a tub and put it on the front of the carriage, much, I think, to the disgust of the dignified coachman in livery, a gentleman of color. The roads were very rough, the red-clay soil being badly cut up with the con- stant passage of the heavy army-wagons.
Arriving at Tennallytown, we turned into a road across the fields, going a mile towards the Potomac river, and a mile from the famous chain bridge. We came first to Fort Reno, where one-half of our regiment was encamped, under command of Colonel Welling, who had built a log-house in a pine-grove. Half a mile beyond, out in an open field, we found Fort Mans- field. commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Seward, the other half of the regiment being encamped there.
It was about 5 o'clock, the sun just going down, the beauti- ful rosy light tinting the white tents, and throwing a soft glow over the landscape. We easily found the only log-cabin there, and drove to the door. I could not understand the mean- ing of the perfect quiet. There was no one in sight excepting the soldier on guard in front of the headquarters tent, which
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was just opposite our cabin. The guard saluted Colonel Au- gustus Seward and told us to go into the house. We entered a good-sized room with a bunk, or rough bedstead, in one corner; a table, the cradle, four chairs and a rocking chair, a cunning little stove for burning wood, and a carpet on the floor. Back of this room was a kitchen and a pantry off, with stairs going up to the loft, where there was another bunk for the nurse. Augustus made a fire in the stove.
When we were nearly unpacked, a man came running in to receive us. He was Henry Fowler, known in Auburn as "Banty Fowler." I said, "Where is everybody?" He answered, "At dress-parade; the colonel will be here soon; it is almost over." And in a few moments the companies came marching back to their quarters, and my husband came in, giving us a warm welcome.
The nurse and I made the house look very homelike. I had taken red curtains and put them up at the two windows in the sitting-room. I found Banty, as we all called him, putting the tea-kettle over, and discovered that he was the colonel's cook and maid-of-all-work, and a real good cook he was, too. Our bed was a tick filled with good clean straw, over it a pair of gray army-blankets. I brought with me sheets, pillow-cases, pillows and an old-fashioned blue bedspread of my mother's.
I remember being awakened one night by a peculiar sen- sation about my head, and found the wind was blowing through the cracks between the logs so hard that my hair was blowing about my face. The next day I pinned newspapers to the logs all around the bed and cradle. With all the wind and fresh air, not one of us had a cold all winter, nor were any of us sick but once, when my husband had a sharp attack of malarial fever.
I must tell you about a funny little Italian doctor that we employed in Washington because he was a homeopathist. Dr. Horatio Robinson told me to have the baby vaccinated, and sent me a quill with the virus in it. I sent for the doctor, and asked him to attend to the baby. He took the quill, looked at it, asked about it, and said, "I will come to-morrow morning; I never saw anything like this," and took the quill away with him. He came the next morning and vaccinated the baby with the little particles from the tube. It did not take, and when we asked about it. we found that he had used the sand that
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the little glass tube of virus was packed in. Fortunately, baby did not take the small-pox.
Our camp at Fort Mansfield was located in the rear of the fort. It was laid out in company streets, the men's tents fac- ing each other about thirty feet apart, the respective company officers' tents facing each street. Then came the staff officers' tents, then the headquarters tent, and back of that and facing it our log-cabin, connected by a corduroy walk through the mud. We had very jolly times in our little house; entertained the officers and wives, two at a time, as our table would hold only four, and many an evening we played whist and euchre with Major Taft and Quartermaster Knowles, Nelly fast asleep in her cradle in the corner of the room. I never thought of our voices disturbing her, and I do not remember that they did.
One Sunday morning I happened to look out of the door, and was surprised to see my husband coming up the company street, and a soldier running after him. I was just about to scream to him, as the man looked very angry, when the guard ran and grabbed the soldier by the collar. My husband turned, looked at them, then walked over and handed me a loaded pistol, and then went back. It seems that the poor soldier was crazy drunk and had held off several of the guard who were trying to arrest him. They were all afraid of being shot, so they sent for the colonel, who asked the man to hand him the pistol, which was cocked and pointed at him, but received in reply these words, "Don't come near me, Colonel Seward; I would rather shoot any man in the regiment than you; but, damn you. I will shoot you if you lay hands on me." The colonel looked him straight in the eye, saying kindly, "I know you will not shoot me; give me your revolver." And the man did instinct- ively as commanded, and handed him the weapon. I have heard my husband say that he felt that he came nearer being killed by that man than in any of the battles.
We had a great many callers from Washington and Auburn at different times-the president, members of the Cabinet, foreign ministers and others, all curious to see how we lived in camp. I wish I had thought to have kept a record of them.
Early in February, 1863, I went into Washington with Nelly to visit Mrs. Seward, while my husband was sitting on court- martial, which took him away from camp the most of the time. While there he was sent for one morning by the president, and
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ordered to leave that night on an important secret mission to Louisiana. He was gone about three weeks. We did not hear a word from him until he arrived back in New York, nor could we tell where he had gone. Oh! how glad we were to get back " to our little cabin again.
As long as the roads were good, Mr. and Mrs. Seward came out every few days to see the baby, but in the spring the roads were so cut up by the heavy army-wagons, and the mud was so deep, that nothing but an army-wagon or a horse alone could get through them, and for six weeks they could not get out to see us. nor I in to see them. Then there came a very beautiful day, and my husband proposed that I should go in on horse- back, as he and the quartermaster were going; so I did, but oh, what a ride! Our horses had to walk all the six miles, most of the way by the fences on the grass, or sinking in the mud to their knees.
As the warm weather came on, I was surprised one day to find a soldier making a garden at the side of the house, which he filled with wild flowers. I went out to admire them and thank him, when he said, "You don't remember me; I used to make garden for your mother, Mrs. Watson; and what a pretty garden she had!" Many a morning I would find a new wild flower planted before I was up. After the flowers were gone and the sun was strong, we having the shade of only one old apple-tree, on the east side of the house, the men cut and set around the house evergreen trees. Their shade was very grate- ful to us. The soldiers were all fond of the baby, and brought all sorts of things for her amusement. One day it was a young crow, which Banty and I succeeded in taming so that he would hop in and eat with us at the table. This was great fun for Nelly.
There were constant rumors that the enemy might attack the Chain Bridge, which was only a mile from us, and they were making frequent raids, so one afternoon in May, just about sunset, the long roll, the signal of an attack, was sounded. The companies all rushed to arms, and Mary and I received or- ders to pack up and go into Washington. We started in a little one-horse wagon that we had been using, and a soldier drove us in by the light of the full moon, taking pains not to forget the countersign, that we gave to the pickets, as we passed them. Upon arriving at the house, we astonished and fright-
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ened the family, by the news that we were running from the enemy, but quieted their fears by saying that the men were getting so careless and lazy that the lieutenant colonel gave them the alarm. but had to send his family in to give it the effect of reality. I did not go back to our dear little cabin, much to my regret, as there were frequent alarms, and raids by the guerrillas, as well as rumors that the regiment was to be moved soon, and it was getting too warm to stay in the south.
We came back to Auburn, staying with Mrs. Seward. As we were women alone, the front of the house was closed, the family living in the north side and back of the house. It was Mrs. Seward's custom during the summer to rise early and read and write by a window in the north room upstairs, so the blinds were always open. One morning she was not as early as usual. but when she went in a large stone was in the middle of the room, and broken glass was on her chair and the floor. The stone had been thrown through the window, and if she had been sitting in the chair she would have been hurt. When she came to tell me about it, she said, "You had better take baby and go to your mother's; we may have the house burned, or something worse." "No," said I. "I will not leave you alone." Then she said, "If you have anything very valuable, you had better take it away." So that afternoon I took my husband's photograph down to my mother's house. it being, to my mind. the most valuable thing that I possessed. This was at the time that the copperhead element was very active in the North. and we were frequently threatened with violence.
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