USA > New York > The Ninth regiment, New York volunteers (Hawkins' zouaves); being a history of the regiment and veteran association from 1860 to 1900 > Part 12
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A further proof of the talent to be found in the regiment, and which while not exactly " hid under a bushel," was so modest as not to attract general attention, was the success which
194 VINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
attended the formation of " The Zouave Min- - strel and Dramatic Club."
There was some doubts expressed at first re- garding the success of the projected undertak- ing, but no sooner had the determination to have a show in camp taken definite shape than it was discovered that there were plenty of men in the regiment well qualified to fill every posi- tion in a theatrical company from that of manager to stage doorkeeper.
The company was well chosen and well man- aged. Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball, who was in command of the regiment at the time and was heartily in favor of the project, assisted the organizers in every way possible. A building was assigned to them which, after a few enter- tainments had been given, was found to be en- tirely too small, and it was arranged to provide them with a larger one, which after being fitted up properly would accommodate five hundred persons. This was soon transformed into a very respectable theatre.
Robert L. Cutler, of Company D, was gen- eral manager as well as stage manager, and also "went on" in some of the plays. He was a man of versatile talents, and although little more than a boy in years, had been connected professionally with a Broadway theatrical com- pany before the war. He wrote a burlesque on
193
THE "STARS" ON THE PROGRAMME.
Richard III, in which he appeared in one of the leading parts, and which proved to be a great success.
The scene painter was G. W. Roberts, of Company A, who belonged to a family of artists. He is still, at this writing, a prominent scene painter, as was also his father before him. Wil- bur F. Curtis, of Company B, was the orchestra leader, and was as thoroughly devoted to his work and fully as successful in his limited sphere as though he were nightly receiving the applause of Metropolitan audiences.
Among the other members of the company were Andrew Thompson, of Company A, vocal- ist as well as actor, who was heard in many songs, among them "Gently Breathe the Tender Sigh," "Simon the Cellarer," etc .; William Burns, of Company "K"; William Renner, of Company F, whose proper name seemed to have been forgotten by his comrades, and who was known throughout the regiment, and even appeared on the play-bill by his sobriquet of "Corporal Casey"; Thomas Fisher, of Company " B," the great and successful delineator of female character parts, and who was known among the men of the regiment as "Kate Fisher "; Walter Nolan, of Company E, who performed Irish characters and sang Irish songs; Hospital Steward William Grobecker,
196 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
Company A; Sergeant Al. Salisbury, of Com -- pany A, a member of the chorus, but who often sang " The Boy with the Auburn Hair;" James Fitzgerald, of Company A, delighted the boys with the ballad "The Southern Groves ;" Peter L. Drew, of Company A, who was not only an actor of some merit, but was a jig dancer who had few equals ; Walter L. Thompson, of Com- pany I, who not only performed in the "legiti- mate drama," but was the "end man " in the minstrel show; Robert M. Johnston, Company H, character singer and balladist, as well as actor, who sang the character songs of "Lord Lovell," "Billy Barlow," "Reuben Wright," " Bacon and Greens," and the "Cork Leg," to the great admiration of appreciative audiences ; J. C. Julius Langbein, of Company B. better known throughout the regiment as "Jennie the drummer," appeared as "Mary" in an original production entitled, " A Kiss in the Dark"; Frank Mergarthaler, of Company A, who de- lighted the boys with his " Essence of Old Virginny."
The "nigger " minstrel performance, which was a part of the entertainment, also carried off high honors, and will always be remembered by the Roanoke survivors; but the part of the performances longest and most pleasantly remembered by a majority of the regiment was
PROCURING " PROPERTIES" UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 197
the singing by the quartette. This part of the program was seldom omitted and was always awaited with great interest.
The quartette as per programme, was com- posed of the following voices,
ROBERT M. JOHNSTON, FIRST TENOR.
JAMES FITZGERALD,
SECOND TENOR.
ALEX. F. HAMILTON,
ALTO.
ANDREW THOMPSON, BASS.
Each one of these comrades was the fortunate possessor of a superior and well-trained voice, and while none of them were professional singers each one had been closely connected with amateur musical societies, and were more or less accustomed to appearing in public. In the estimation of their comrades in the regi- ment none of them would lose anything by comparison, either as a quartette or as soloists with many of the greater lights of the profes- sional stage.
The question of procuring properties which would enable them to make a proper presenta- tion of the various plays taxed the ingenuity of the managers and the members of the company to the utmost limit, but as necessity is the mother of invention, it-the necessity aforesaid -together with the ingenuity possessed, of which there appeared to be an inexhaustible supply, enabled them to overcome all difficulties.
198 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
The apparent impossibility of procuring curled hair for the wigs necessary for the minstrel band had at the beginning almost brought them to the verge of despair when an idea occurred to one of them. It resulted in a sudden and extraordinary interest being shown by certain men in the regiment in the welfare and also the personal appearance of the negroes about camp, especially the ones with long wool. Mission- aries appeared among them preaching the gos- pel of cleanliness and neatness; but every ex- hortation ended with advice against the wearing of long hair. They were told of the many evils attending such a practice and of the unhealth- fulness of it, and as the exhorter removed his own head covering and slapped his clean- shaven poll, he dilated on the comfort that attended a close crop. All this was to try to induce the darkies to sacrifice some of their wool for the benefit of histrionic art. Little or no progress was made until it was shown the negroes by unassailable arguments that they could never successfully aspire to be soldiers while they wore long hair; that all soldiers wore their hair short, therefore, if they wished to be soldiers they must do likewise. This made a few converts, and some material for wigs was forthcoming. It was necessary, how- ever, before the supply fully equalled the de-
-
199
A SUCCESSFUL " SEASON."
mand, to fall back to first principles and revive . Rob Roy's rule. The negroes who were the owners of the kind of head covering coveted, were kidnapped, carried to a squad-room, kept quiet by dire threats, their wool deftly and swiftly removed by a Zouave armed with a pair of shears, and the shorn victims sent on their way as bald as babies. In this way sufficient wool was secured to finish the number of wigs required.
When the theatre was first fitted up a private box was not forgotten and one was built and gayly decorated for the use of General Burnside who, while on a tour of inspection on the island, was invited to attend the play. The box was afterward reserved for Colonel Hawkins and Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball, or any visiting officer of rank.
A regular admission fee was charged and the "season" proved so successful that the managers, after paying all expenses, placed as a first contribution the sum of $364.00 in the hands of Chaplain Conway, with instructions to distribute the amount equitably among the widows of the members of the regiment who thus far had given their lives for their country. Crowds came from all the camps on the island, numbers frequently were turned away, and many returned to camp in disappointment.
200 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
The natives were simply astounded at the ease- and facility with which soldiers acted the various parts.
The entertainments were given ordinarily about once a week. To have given them more frequently would have interfered too much with the regular routine of the camp, and prop- ably have been detrimental to discipline.
On the nights when the theatre was open it was necessary for all visitors to be provided with passes, for while the building was inside the regimental guard line it was always after tatoo before the performance ended and visitors from outside, both citizens and soldiers, had to be safely escorted out of camp by their indi- vidual hosts. However, "the largest liberty compatible with law " was accorded to all who were not on duty on those evenings.
Among the stores found on the island at the time of the capture was a quantity of damaged powder. This was not " taken up" by the or- dinance officer of the army, as it was considered worthless for military purposes, but was per- mitted to remain in the magazine at Camp Reno, and was cared for so that it did not further deteriorate. It was afterwards the means of furnishing a great deal of amusement as well as instruction to the men of the regiment. Considerable quantities of it were issued to
201
PRACTICAL USES OF CAPTURED POWDER.
the several companies and sufficient good car- tridges were always found for target practice. With these Company K was enabled to obtain some valuable artillery experience, not only with their own guns but also with the heavier ones mounted on the forts. This was a great saving of the precious government cartridges. To discharge a government cartridge except in battle was next in point of heniousness to murder. In camp and on the march the men were obliged to account for each cartridge issued to them. If this was not done Uncle Sam, who held company commanders person- ally responsible, would stop from their monthly pay the money value of ammunition unac- counted for. Besides being of great service much fun was provided the men. There were improvised Fourth of July celebrations, mining operations on the line of original ideas, and all kinds of wild pranks.
Some of K's men organized a light battery after a somewhat ingenious fashion. They pro- cured six wheelbarrows from the quartermaster, and on each one fastened an old musket selected from among the captured arms. Then, with an active youth between the handles of each barrow, to perform the part of a battery team, they would occupy the parade ground between drills, and give as fine an exhibition of light-battery drill
202 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
and practice as could be desired. All their ev -- olutions were performed in strict accordance with artillery tactics, and they were always sure of a good sized audience, who were quite gen- erous in their applause.
There was one occurrence in camp, in which the captured cartridges played a prominent part. Just before dress-parade one evening, two pri- vates of Company G-George Teller and John Weaver-were seen working industriously in the middle of the company street, endeavoring to reduce a large, knotty, live oak stump into fragments of convenient size for their fireplace. They worked away steadily until the bugle sounded " first call" for parade, when they hur- ried to quarters, put on their equipments and marched with the company to the " color line." One suspicious circumstance in the manœuvers' of the men was the carelessness with which they left the stump in the street; for, while it is said " there is honor among thieves," in a camp where fuel is scarce it is well understood that a soldier has no compunctions of conscience, and. considering this a case of abandoned property, would promptly confiscate it, regardless of con- sequences. No sooner had the company left the street for the parade ground than the com- pany cook, who had been secretly observing the "stump-splitting " process, stealthily appropri-
203
GETTING SQUARE WITH THE COOK.
ated the log, and to make sure that the rightful owners should not wrest it from him on their return and at the same time to destroy the evi- dence, placed it at once on his fire. Much to the cook's wonder, no inquiry for the log was made after the parade was dismissed, and neither of the owners appeared to be in a frenzy of indignation over its loss, nor did they express their ability to whip the man who had stolen their property, which was the usual course pur- sued on the loss of anything of value. They retired to their quarters, without comment which led their comrades to believe-almost with awe-that they were unable to find a vocabulary violent enough to express their feelings. Meanwhile the cook chuckled and resumed his work. Sometime later the com- pany was aroused by a loud explosion, and, rushing out to ascertain its cause, found the street covered with pots, kettles, messpans and other cooking utensils, splintered boards, articles of food, etc., while beneath and among it all lay the cook, half dead with fright and a few injuries. The cook-house had completely disappeared.
When Captain Jardine, in whose company the affair occurred, heard the explosion, he was mys- tified for only a moment. Then he remembered the two soldiers and the stump, and light
204 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
dawned upon him. Itseemed plain to him that- the explosion was caused by a loaded stick in the cook's fire, and he at once ordered the dyna- miters to report at the guardhouse under arrest. He made no inquiries and required no further evidence to convince him that the whole affair was an attempt to "get square " with the cook. The men were kept some days in confinement, but they both persistently asserted their inno- cence, and as the cook proved to be more fright- ened than hurt, nothing more was done about it and they were liberated. Teller and Weaver still maintain their innocence of any intention to injure the cook. They relate that a hole was bored in the stump, which was then loaded with two cartridges. The fuse burned low and was extinguished and could not be relighted. Other means of splitting were tried and failed. Before they could accomplish their object the bugle called them away. Upon returning and finding the stump missing, they decided to keep quiet and await the explosion which would at once discover the thief and punish him.
Probably the most interesting and practical use to which the powder was applied was in sham battles between Company K's battery and the rest of the regiment. Several times these occurred, and were not only realistic, but both sides were familiarized with conditions which
205
COMPANY CS EXPEDITION.
arise in most engagements. The charging in- fantry were made familiar with the flash and concussion of artillery fire, while the battery- men also became familiar with the appearance of charging infantry.
In the early part of May information was re- ceived at headquarters that the rebels had a large amount of stores, consisting of bacon, corn, salt, flour, etc., collected at a point near Gates- ville, and it was determined to destroy the same if possible. Company C (Captain Parrison) was detailed to perform the task, and on May 7th they embarked on the gunboat "Shaw- sheen," Captain Underwood commanding, and proceeded through Albemarle Sound and up the Chowan River to the mouth of Catherine's Creek, which empties into the river near Holli- day's Island. They proceeded cautiously up the creek about two miles, being careful to con- ceal their lights, and about one o'clock in the morning landed in a densely wooded swamp, through which they advanced silently, and suc- ceeded in effecting a complete surprise the enemy scattering after making only slight resistance.
The torch was applied and property of much value destroyed. While returning to the gun- boat the rear guard, commanded by Lieutenant Cooper, was attacked by about twenty-five of
206 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
the enemy's cavalry. Parisen, returning to aid Cooper, repulsed the rebels, one of their num- ber being shot through the heart. The Zouaves arrived at Roanoke without further trouble.
About this time a proposition was made by the sergeants of Company B to present some kind of a testimonial to Colonel Hawkins. By virtue of seniority in rank he was nearly always in command of brigade or post, and sometimes of both, but still, his first care was always for the welfare of his own regiment. He was watchful in protecting it from being overlooked or neglected by commissary or quartermaster's department, energetic and
tireless in having it well clothed, and, in camp, well fed. The men were all aware of these attentions and desired in some man- ner to express their appreciation of them. The subject had been somewhat agitated throughout the regiment, but did not assume definite shape until B's sergeants visited the first sergeants of the other companies, and asked each one to call a meeting of his company, inform the men of the object and have them appoint a committee to take action on the matter. The plan met with general approval, contributions were limited to a moderate amount, and the enterprise reached a success- ful conclusion. It was understood that the
207
THE SWORD PRESENTATION.
participants should be only enlisted men. Commissioned officers were not only excluded but were to remain in ignorance of the movement until the presentation was ready to take place, and as there is little difficulty in withholding secrets from regimental officers the latter part of the agreement was successfully carried out.
The requisite money was quickly contributed and forwarded to Judge Whiting, of New York, with a request that he would purchase a hand- some dress sword, have a suitable inscription engraved upon the scabbard, and express it to the camp at his earliest convenience. Assistant- Surgeon White, who had been enjoying a brief leave of absence in New York, was about to return to his regiment, when the Judge had the good fortune to meet him and turned the sword over to his custody.
Dr. White arrived at Roanoke on the 9th of May, and delivered the box containing the sword to the committee who had the affair in charge.
The officers were informed, Colonel Hawkins communicated with and requested to favor the regiment with his presence at Camp Reno on the afternoon of the succeeding Saturday. Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball permitted the regi- ment to parade under command of Sergeant- Major Dusenbury, with the companies com-
208 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
manded by their respective first sergeants. When the day arrived the regiment was duly paraded, then formed in hollow square, and the sword was presented by Private Reed, of Com- pany B, in an neat and appropriate address, the Colonel accepting in a few feeling remarks which showed how deeply he was touched by this token of his men's gratitude. The cere- mony then ended, and the parade dismissed.
A notable feature of the presentation exer- cises and one which caused much comment and excited general surprise, not only among the regimental officers, but also among the many visitors present, was the appearance of the regi- ment and the excellent manner in which it was handled by the " non-coms."
The masterful way in which Dusenbury ma- nouvered the command, executing some intri- cate battalion movements before . "forming square," and the prompt and ready manner in which the first sergeants handled their com- panies, was, to state it mildly, a revelation to the officers, who gazed at one another in undis- guised astonishment, and the unwritten law of the Zouaves, that " no man could be a corporal unless he was fit to be a colonel," in this in- stance appeared not to have been mis-applied. It should be remembered that a member of a regiment, either enlisted man or officer, seldom
209
A REVELATION TO THE OFFICERS.
has an opportunity to see his own regiment on drill or parade. Only when on guard duty, or some detailed or detached service, would such an opportunity present itself.
In the present instance there was something in addition to a feeling of gratification in the breasts of captains and lieutenants in observing their own regiment. There was a sense of amazement that these non-coms. who had been drilled and disciplined, watched over, and, so to speak, held in a leash, and who were still considered pupils, could drill the regiment in such a correct and ready manner, and as one captain expressed himself to another, "just as well as we can." The men noticed the looks of surprise among the officers, and knowing the cause were correspondingly elated.
Regiments in active service in the field, are constantly losing men in addition to those lost by the casualties of battle. Some persons are more susceptible to disease than others. More or less sickness always occurs in camp. The recovery of some of the sick men is slow and tedious, while others become completely broken down in health and continue for a long time unfit for active duty. With either class it is far better for themselves and for the cause in which they are enlisted, that they be discharged and their places filled by others more able to
210 WITH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
withstand the hardships of a soldier's life, and all conscientious and patriotic surgeons recom- mend this mode of procedure. Recruits are constantly being sent to the front to refill these vacancies; regiments with the best reputations for soldierly or fighting qualities being thus continually augmented through their entire term of service. When the recruit arrives in
camp he is received in a friendly spirit, and should he bring with him a goodly share of bounty money, and is fond of the good old old game of " draw," he is treated with tender consideration until his money has been trans- ferred to the pockets of the older and more experienced campaigners, and all are glad that he joined the regiment. His verdancy speedily disappears with the tuition he experiences and he becomes a good soldier. At first he may be a little troublesome and inclined to be insubor- dinate, for in some instances he imagines he left all constituted authorities behind when he put on his uniform and started to join the regi- ment, but alas, how quickly that impression is removed, though in his mind he may for a time resent the quiet, unquestioning way in which older soldiers obey all commands. If a bully, he endeavors, and quite often succeeds, in work- ing up the other recruits to revolt against, " these fellows with stripes on their arms who
211
A DISTURBING ELEMENT.
go around bossing everybody," and thus foments to unnecessary disturbance, but extra fatigue or guard, with a tour of duty on a wooden horse or with a weighted knapsack or the novel position assumed by being bucked and gagged never fails to eliminate that feeling. In the " Ninth" the non-coms. under supervision of the first sergcants attended to all details of military life in their respective companies, the commissioned officers having advanced beyond that condition. Should a first sergeant prove incompetent to take care of his men, clothe, feed, drill and control them, it was not difficult to depose him and fill his place with one who possessed all these requisites. One of the duties of the first sergeant was to take charge of recruits assigned to his company and make soldiers of them.
This was generally accomplished without much friction, but in case of a bully appearing among them, each sergeant employed methods of his own toward him which he deemed especially applicable to the situation. On one occasion during the early days at Roanoke, a squad of recruits assigned to Company D, contained a member who seemed determined to create trouble. He did not propose to sur- render his cognomen of "bad man," without a struggle. His natural assurance enabled him
212 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
to continue an influence already established over his comrades, and organize an attempt to destroy the discipline of the company. The design was to cover the first-sergeant with shame and mortification, by openly disregard- ing the proprieties which governed military custom, and which the sergeant felt in duty bound to enforce.
The first morning after the squad arrived in camp, "sick-call" sounded and the first-sergeant presented himself at the place where the ailing men were accustomed to assemble and be marched to the surgeon's quarters, when he found in addition to those actually ill, every one of the recruits lined up, the embryo mutineer at their head, ready for business. At that time the first-sergeant of D, was one James B. Horner, a good soldier, a strict disciplinarian, but not blessed with an angelic temper. A characteristic of his, well known throughout the regiment, was a decided lack of patience. He
grasped the situation and the meaning of it all at a glance, saw but one way out of the dilem- ma, which appeared to him the right way. He believed there was but one time to solve a problem and that was the present. The moment he noticed the crowd of recruits ready to answer "sick-call," he prepared for action. To say that he was angry, feebly expressed it.
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