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 23
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As spring advanced and the weather be- came milder the men were able to get along without the fires they had been hugging so long and to move about with less discomfort from mud and kindred evils than during the inclement winter. Consequently there was more time spent in the open air, the benefit of which was soon apparent in the improved appearance of all. Both officers and men began to organize sports and recreations of divers kinds with which to vary the monotony of drills and parades and to enliven life in camp. Horse-racing became quite popular
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404 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
among the officers, and on the evenings when matches were decided thousands of spectators assembled at the course to yell, applaud or bet for or on their respective favorites. This favorite was in every case the horse which belonged to or which was ridden by an officer belonging to their own regiment or particular sub-division of the army. Those who bet on the result were always influenced by the same feelings. Points were not taken into account at all, it was simply "ours against theirs " The great race of the season was one between the horses of Colonel Hawkins and Captain Stevens of the staff, each ridden by its respective owner. It was run, as all the races were, just before "retreat," which was the hour when everybody but the guard was off duty, and was attended by a big crowd from all the brigades, including the whole of the Ninth who were off duty. These latter con- sidered it a bounden duty to be present and to yell for their favorite. Colonel Hawkins came in a winner, to the immense gratification of the men of his regiment and the chagrin and humiliation of the partisans of Captain Stevens. Baseball "nines" were organized in a number of regiments and many games played between them in the interval between afternoon drill and dress parade. The "nines" of the Ninth
403
VICTORS IN THE GAMMES.
and the 51st New York played a series of games during the early part of March, in which the Zouaves were nearly always victorious, much to the gratification of the boys of the Ninth, who were wont, at the conclusion of each game, to express their feelings in much noisy tumult and with many sarcastic inquiries directed to the men of the 5Ist as to what if any game said 51st could play better than baseball.
These may seem small matters to chronicle in the history of a regiment, but as a matter of fact, they were of very great importance to the men of the regiment. They served to enliven and give variety to camp life; were recreation and amusement for all, and were looked forward to with delightful anticipation and remembered with a great deal of pleasure.
During the early part of March troops began to leave Newport News for some unknown destination, and by the middle of the month regiments were being sent away almost daily.
As early as the 7th of the month the regi- ment had received orders to prepare three days' cooked rations and be ready to move at a moment's notice. Nobody seemed to know the destination of the troops that had already left, or were leaving daily, but rumors were plentiful in camp and new ones were being put in cir-
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culation almost every hour about the new field of operations to which the troops were destined. Each new report differed from all others that had preceded it, but every one was discussed with great interest and animation and with many disputes and arguments among the men in relation to grand strategy, the future move- ments of the army and the plans of the generals.
The regiment continued in this state of un- certainty day after day, waiting for orders, but they did not come.
The command of the post had now devolved on Colonel Hawkins, as he was the ranking officer present.
On the 13th, the 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Div- ision embarked on transports and proceeded toward their unknown destination, and on the day following, all the rest of the division, except part of the Ist Brigade, to which the Ninth belonged, followed it. On that day the regiment was relieved from provost guard by the 51st New York.
About daybreak on the Ist of April, marching orders were at last received and the company and regimental property was soon packed and safely stowed on board the transport at the wharf, but instead of embarking thereon `the regiment, presumably by orders. took the road and marched to Fortress Monroe, where
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ON THE MOVE AT LAST.
it arrived at about four o'clock that after- noon. Tents were issued, which were soon pitched, and before tattoo all the work had been completed and the regiment was com- fortably encamped. On the 3d, camp was changed to Camp Hamilton where the regiment remained until the roth; when orders were received to proceed to Suffolk, Va. At sun- down that day it embarked on the transport " Robt. A. Morris," and about midnight arrived at Portsmouth, remaining on board until day- light next morning.
Colonel Hawkins was not relieved from the command of the brigade when marching orders were issued to the regiment and, therefore, was not in command. About the time it departed from Newport News he was either ordered or requested to proceed to Washington on some matter on which the military authorities were consulting and did not join the regiment which had arrived at Suffolk, and assume command until the morning of April 12th.
The fact that the regiment had remained so long without orders while such a large percent- age of the corps had departed, or were depart- ing for a new field of action, had caused a great deal of speculation and discussion among the rank and file. Every imaginable theory was advanced by the camp strategists and sea-
408 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
lawyers in the regiment to explain it, but none of them appeared to be entirely satisfactory. The most plausible one and the one most gen- erally accepted was, that inasmuch as the regi- ment's term of service would expire in about one month, the military authorities had concluded to (as the men expressed it) " let the boys take it easy" until the time came to send them home.
The following telegrams copied from official records may throw some light on the question. They at least show that the military authori- ties were aware that the Ninth New York existed and that, to a certain extent at least, its reputa- tion with said authorities was good.
Official records, Vol. 18, p. 582, April 4, 1863.
General Dix sends despatch to General Keyes, commanding at Yorktown, that he leaves for Washington that day, and says: "I have prom- ised General Peck, in case he is attacked, to send for the Ninth New York Volunteers, which is at Camp Hamilton, and belongs to Getty's Division."
On April 10, 1863, General Keyes, from Fortress Monroe, telegraphed General Peck at Suffolk: "I will, when the enemy advances on you, send Hawkins' Zouaves and other aid nearly equivalent."
And on the same day the General telegraphed from Fortress Monroe to General Halleck :
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CERTAIN REGIMENTAL HISTORIANS.
"Upon Peck's urgent call I have sent the Ninth New York to Suffolk to-day."
On page 598, April 11, 1863, Keyes tele- graphed to General Peck: "I have this moment received your telegram announcing that the enemy is moving upon you in large force. I suppose the Hawkins' Zouaves are now with you."
It may not be out of place here to call the attention of the reader to the fact that these telegrams demonstrate that the Ninth New York Volunteers was held in higher estimation by the officers who signed them and by those to whom they were addressed than one would believe possible after reading certain so-called regimental histories, the emanations of J. Madi- son Drake, Brigadier-General, N. J., and his fellow writers, on the battle of Roanoke Island. The reason is perfectly plain. The confidence of Generals Dix, Keyes, Peck and Halleck was inspired by the reputation gained by the regi- ment during its two years' of service, while the writings of the authors above mentioned, were governed by the wish to manufacture records for their several regiments before there had been either time or opportunity for them to earn them, and by reciting alleged occurrences which never happened, and of which none of them could have had knowledge, under the existing conditions, even had they taken place.
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When the Ninth landed at Portsmouth on the morning of the 11th, they found that owing to the advance of the enemy on Suffolk and the alarm and confusion resulting therefrom, the railroad service had been discontinued and the only way of reaching the besieged town was by marching. After marching about four miles the company and regimental property and knap- sacks were packed in wagons and the regiment completed the march of twenty-seven miles over the railroad sleepers. The march was a very fatiguing one. It rained considerably during the day and when at last Suffolk was reached the men were wet, hungry, and very tired. The marching on the ties was particu- larly fatiguing to men loaded down with the ordinary equipments.
It was late when Suffolk was reached, and for the last hour or two of the march the sub- ject uppermost in the thoughts of the men was where they were to find quarters when they arrived at their destination. After standing in the ranks for some time, waiting to be assigned to their position, it was ascertained that the 103d New York -a regiment of their own brigade which had preceded them some days-was on guard duty at the ex- treme front. This left their camp unoccupied, so the Ninth unceremoniously turned into
411
THE EVE OF A TRAGEDY.
their tents and proceeded to make themselves comfortable and at home, knowing they would be welcome.
On this night a tragedy occurred, which for a time threatened serious consequences. This was what seemed at that time, and which after the lapse of so many years still seems to be, the unjustifiable and wanton killing of Lieuten- ant-Colonel Kimball by General Corcoran.
As stated above, it was late in the night when the regiment arrived in camp. There were no provisions made for quarters for either officers or men. It had been raining all day, and if any sleep was to be had it was necessary to find shelter. Colonel Kimball was invited to share the tent of Major Bowers, of a New Hamp- shire regiment, who had been a companion in arms of Kimball in Mexico, being a lieutenant in the same company. It was necessary for Kimball to visit Getty's headquarters to report the arrival of the regiment, and to receive orders, which he proceeded to do, Major Bowers mean- while preparing a place for him to sleep. While on his way to make this call, or on his return therefrom, Kimball's attention was attracted to a sentry challenging a group of mounted nien. The challenged party did not respond to the satisfaction of the sentry, who again demanded the countersign. From among the challenged
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party came voices, some raised in expostulation and others in explanation of their identity and their destination. Colonel Kimball advanced toward the disputants, at the same time saying, "That's right, sentry ; let no one pass without the countersign." He then challenged the party himself, demanding the countersign. The group of strangers numbered a dozen or more men, some of them in military uniform, others in citizen's dress. As they could not or would not give the countersign, the principal spokesman of the party merely reiterating the statement that he was General Corcoran, Kim- ball resolutely determined that they should not pass, and placed himself in such a position as to obstruct the passage of the leader. After a few more words of altercation, a shot rang out, and Kimball fell and instantly expired.
The bullet from Corcoran's pistol had passed through his neck, severing one of the carotid arteries, and causing death almost instantly.
A day or two after this tragedy, Brig .- Gen. Michael Corcoran sent a letter to Colonel Hawkins, in which he set forth what he evi- dently considered the extenuating circum- stances or justification of his act. This letter is as follows :
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413
CORCORAN'S EXPLANATIONS.
SUFFOLK, VA., April 13, 1863.
COLONEL : - To prevent any misapprehension I send you a brief statement in relation to the sad affair of Sunday morning, which re- sulted, I regret to say, in the death of Lieut .- Col. Edgar E. Kimball. * * * I proceeded along the main road toward the front lines " * * when an officer, whose rank I could not recognize (the night being very dark) rushed out in front of me and ordered a halt, with the additional remark, " I want the countersign." ** *
* I requested to know the object of his halting me, and his name, rank, and other authority, but could obtain no other reply than it was " none of my - - business ;
you cannot pass here." I expostulated with him * * * told him he must let me pass. I asked him if he knew who he was talking to, and gave him my name and rank * * * but it was of no avail. He answered : *. I do not care a -- who you are." 1 then told him I should pass and warned him to get out of my way, and attempted to proceed. He thereupon put himself in a determined attitude to pre-
vent my progress. * * * It was at this point I used my weapon. *
MICHAEL CORCORAN, Brig .- General.
Without the testimony of the above letter over his own signature, it would be difficult to believe that any man could be found in the army-especially one who had secured the rank of brigadier-general-so utterly regardless of all questions of right and justice, so de- ficient in ordinary intelligence and so grossly ignorant of the simple primary rules and practice of camps or troops in time of war, that he would, when abroad in the night time, in the immediate presence of the enemy, surrounded by members of his staff and a crowd of visiting friends, have answered the demand for the countersign by volunteering information as to his supposed name, rank and purpose.
It is the well-known practice in all civilized
414 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
armies to enforce by both precept and practice - the rule that nobody-not even the soldier's own captain or colonel or most intimate friend-shall be recognized at night or dealt with otherwise than as a stranger and an enemy, unless he properly identifies himself by giving the countersign. . There is no de- parture from this rule, "Know nobody, at night." . A challenged person who attempts to identify himself by such explanations as an- nouncing his supposed name and rank, or stating his alleged objects and mission, at once excites the suspicion of the veteran sol- dier, and causes him to be, if possible, still more upon his guard. Camps and garrisons have been surprised and disasters have fol- lowed in numerous instances by departure from this plain and simple rule.
If parties of men, either mounted or on foot, should have the right to freely move through or about camps or bivouacs at night, by simply announcing, when. questioned, I, or we, are so and so, going to such a place, as they might care to mention, there would be no use in maintaining guards at all. Everybody, enemies as well as friends, could then go wher- ever inclination, interest or desire called them.
Among the many instances where surprise and loss has occurred when plausible ex-
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MOSBY'S ANSWER TO THE SENTRY'S CHALLENGE. 413
planations have been accepted by sentries and others in lieu of the countersign, is the following, which happened about a month before the fatal night on which Colonel Kim- ball was killed, and which was probably recalled to his mind when he discovered Corcoran and his mixed cavalcade attempt- ing to ignore the demand for the counter- sign and offering explanations instead.
On the 8th of March, 1863, Col. John S. Mosby and a detachment of his command, rode into the Federal camp at Fairfax Courthouse. They had succeeded in avoiding the outly- ing camps and pickets, the gleaming camp- fires serving as beacons to warn them where danger lay. They were not interfered with until they arrived in the heart of the camp, when a sentry challenged them. His chal- lenge was answered with the information that they were a detachment of the 5th New York Cavalry and were waiting there for the rest of the regiment. They chatted familiarly with the sentinel until the opportunity they were waiting for arrived, when a pistol was suddenly clapped to his ear and he was informed that he was a prisoner and that his death would instantly fol- low any attempt to alarm the camp. They then proceeded to the quarters occupied by the Union Commander, Brigadier - General Stougton.
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They informed the soldier on guard that they were bearers of dispatches for the General, and succeeded in capturing him in the same way they had the other sentinel. Part of them then secured the rest of the guard while the others proceeded to General Stoughton's room, and after awakening him informed him that he was a prisoner; that his camp had been completely surprised and was in pos- session of Stuart's cavalry ; compelled him to dress; took him, his staff, his headquarters guard-in all 32 persons, 58 horses and his headquarters' equipage-and rode gayly, chat- ting and laughing as they went, unmolested, out of camp, and succeeded in getting safely away.
Unfortunately for General Stoughton and his reputation, there was no Colonel Kimball awake in his camp that night.
The official recognition of this successful venture is contained in the following con- gratulatory order :
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, March 12, 1863. GENERAL ORDERS :
Captain John S. Mosby has for a long time attracted the attention of his General by his boldness, skill and success, so signally displayed in his numerous forays upon the invaders of his native State. None know his daring enterprise and dashing heroism better than those foul invaders, though strangers themselves to such noble traits.
His late brilliant exploit - the capture of Brig .- General Stoughton, U. S. Army ; two captains, thirty other prisoners, together with their
LIEUT. COLONEL KIMBALL'S ANTECEDENTS. 417
arms and equipments, and fifty-eight horses - justifies this recognition in General Orders.
This feat, unparalled in the war, was performed in the midst of the enemy's troops, at Fairfax Court House, without loss or injury. The gallant ;band of Captain Mosby share the glory as they did the danger of this enterprise, and are worthy of such a leader.
J. E. B. STUART,
Major-General Commanding.
The above single illustration of what some- times does and what at any time may follow the disregard of the simple axiom that the only identification to be received by a sentinel in the night is the countersign, would seem to be sufficient to dispose of the singularly foolish and childlike contention of Corcoran and a few thoughtless apologists of his act, that Kimball had no right to demand the countersign that night.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball was born in Pembroke, N. H., June 3, 1822. He became a printer in his youth, and for a number of years was editor and publisher of the Woodstock ( Vt.) Age. At the breaking out of the Mexican War he abandoned his paper and raised a company for the service and was assigned to Colonel Ran- som's regiment which became the 9th U. S. Infan- try. He was commissioned captain March 8, 1847; brevet-major, August 20, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct at the battles of Conteras . and Cherubusco ; honorably discharged August 26, 1848; commissioned major Ninth New
418 NINTH REGIMMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
York Volunteers May 4, 1861; lieutenant-colo- nel February 14, 1862, and died, as has been seen, the victim of a combination of ignorance and arrogance. He was a gallant and intrepid soldier, one whom no dangers could daunt nor numbers terrify when either stood in the path of his duty as a soldier. Always ready to perform any act of daring or to lead to danger where any man would follow, he was the ad- miration of the regiment, the men of which sincerely mourned his loss and the manner of it. Michael Corcoran will be remembered by many New Yorkers of ante-bellum days, as the colonel of a militia regiment, in which position he gained considerable notoriety by flatly refusing to obey the lawful command of his superior officer when ordered to parade his regiment-with the command to which it be- longed-to receive the Prince of Wales when on his visit to New York. Corcoran was then, and subsequently remained until, the breaking out of the Rebellion, the keeper of what was known in the vernacular of the day as a "three cent grog shop," Hibernia Hall, in Prince Street, New York City. He went to the front with his regiment in response to the call for three ยท months' troops, was taken prisoner at Bull Run and was confined some time in Libby Prison. Afterwards he was appointed brigadier-general
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ALMOST A MEETING.
and served a short time as commander of the Corcoran Legion. He was killed by a fall from his horse shortly after the killing of Lieutenant- Colonel Kimball, and while engaged in a night ride (accompanied by visitors, citizens and soldiers) which was a counterpart of the ride of the 11th of April, 1863.
When Colonel Kimball's death, and the manner of it became known throughout the regiment, which was not until daylight the following morning, there was intense excite- ment among the men. The indignation reached such a height that serious conse- quences were feared. There was much con- fusion and the scene for a time savored somewhat of insubordination, not to say mutiny. Some of the men loudly demanded that their officers lead them to Corcoran's head- quarters that they might avenge what they all considered the wanton and cowardly murder of their Lieutenant-Colonel. Before the point of open outbreak was reached the "assembly" was ordered sounded and the regiment "fell in." The habit of obedience and discipline was so strong that the excited, almost uncontrollable mob was instantly transformed into an obedient, well disciplined regiment.
General Getty, who had been sent for when the situation became serious, arrived in a few
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moments. He addressed them in a quieting and assuring speech, deploring the unfortunate occurrence and promising that a thorough investigation would be had and full justice rendered. He also, and very wisely too, wrote an order, directing the regiment to proceed to Fort Nansemond at once; and occupy that and adjacent works. This order was written while the General sat on his horse in front of the regiment. The Ninth was at once marched to its new field of duty, which was found to be at the extreme front, within a short distance of the enemy's rifle pits, which were on ground that commanded the fort. It remained here con- stantly under fire for twenty-two days until its time expired, so fully occupied with the enemy in front that if his satanic majesty had wished to brew mischief he could have found no heart or hands in the regiment to do it for him.
Longstreet was investing the place with an army estimated at thirty thousand men. He allowed the defenders no rest either day or night. His attempts to successfully assault various parts of the line were defeated in every instance, however, and the operations so far as the Ninth was concerned, were confined principally to sharpshooting and occasional artillery duels. A portion of the regiment,
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UNDER FIRE FROM THE RIFLE-PITS
the whole of Company K, and such other men as had been instructed in artillery drill at Newport News under General Phelps, and at Roanoke Island, manned different batteries on the line occupied by the regiment.
General Getty in his report says: " The artillery is especially deserving of great credit. Captain Morris, Ninth New York Volunteers, with a battery of 20-pounder Parrott's, silenced most effectually the enemy's battery at Nor- fleet's, and afterward rendered good service in silencing his batteries at Le Compte's.
The rebel rifle-pits were within easy range of Fort Nansemond and the other Union works, and the sharpshooting was continuous. In a very few days the men became accus- tomed to this, in a measure, and contented themselves with returning in kind these at- tentions of the enemy. The latter would occasionally become so presistent and annoy- ing that the artillery would be compelled to take part in the dispute and by dropping shells into the rifle-pits, which they learned to do very skillfully, would cause the enemy to evacuate and scamper to better cover farther to the rear. There would then be comparative peace for a short time, but it would soon be as bad as ever.
As has been stated before, the enemy's rifle-
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pits were so situated that they in part com- manded Fort Nansemond. Every part of the work except that immediately behind the para- pet facing toward the enemy was under the fire of his riflemen. Anyone exposing himself be- yond the shelter of the protecting parapet was sure to be made a target of by the rebel marksmen. This condition of affairs afforded an opportunity for some of the most irreverent and fun-loving among the Zouaves to extract a good deal of amusement from it. To do this they provided themselves with nails which, when either officer or man was discovered in an exposed place, was thrown in such a man- ner as to revolve swiftly on its shorter axis, making a humming noise not unlike the sound of a bullet, and as near to the head of the victim as possible. The unconscious subject of the trick would lose no time in putting him- self in a safer place, and nearly always in a most undignified and generally terror stricken manner. This performance would appear to throw the jokers into an ecstasy of glee. If the victim were an enlisted man there were howls of derision and great exultation. If an officer they expressed their feelings by going through many and various bodily contortions, silently of course, but nevertheless very vigorous and demonstrative.
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