USA > New York > The first hundred years : records and reminiscences of a century of Company I, Seventh Regiment, N.G.N.Y., 1838-1938 > Part 10
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With the opening drills of the new year, it became apparent that the rapid increase in members would bring renewed interest throughout the Company. The two drill squads were remarkably enthusiastic, and quickly acquired the knack of knowing what to do. When the first squad was turned in, their seven rifles appeared to be of more than average excellence, but the nervousness natural to a first appearance at drill was as plainly visible as the want of uniformity in the movements of the Company as a whole. This was the first good-sized squad which had not been drilled by the Commandant in person ! For nearly ten years every member had received the same instruction. The result was a similarity in execution, which could never have been acquired in any other way. As no other Captain had so persistently devoted time to the proper education of recruits, no other Company had in many years attained, and preserved for so long a time, the exact uniformity of motion, which distinguished it from other commands. From January of this year dates the first general exercise of executive functions by the non-com officers. Until this date, none could comprehend the immense sacrifices made by the Commandant. An average of four nights a week was devoted to the alphabet of tactics, and its almost unbearable monotony was fully acknowledged by many a corporal and sergeant before the close of the drill season. The relaxation appeared to carry strong conviction to the mind of the Captain that all the pleasures of life were not confined to the Armory's four walls, and it was said that the present season would end his official connection with the Regiment. This was a result to be deeply regretted, and every exertion was made to delay, and possibly prevent his resignation. In January nothing more than rumors disturbed the men, but rumors created impressions, and they were magnified into a certainty.
DINNER TO CAPTAIN CASEY
During April 1883 the Captain announced his intention of resigning. As this was the first authoritative intimation of such a determination, it created
98
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
something akin to panic. Letters by the dozen poured in begging him to remain until after camp, which had been previously announced to be held June 23 to 30. The appeals were so urgent that Captain Casey acceded to the requests. Then on April 23 the Company tendered him a complimentary dinner at the Hotel Brunswick on the occasion of his tenth anniversary as Commandant.
NINTH COMPANY ROLL CALL.
Sung by the members of the Ninth Company 7th Regiment N G. S. N. Y. at the Dinner given in honor of the roth Anniversay of the Captaincy of Wm. C. Casey, April 23d 1883, and specially written and composed for that occasion.
Words by Sergeant H. C. Duval.
Music by Chas. H. Hoyt.
Bugle Call for assembly.
To be sung in March time.
J= 120.
1. It's eight
2. The roll
a . go, Will sad - ly
al - tered
mf
hall, seem,
"Fall in," The fa
"Sup-port," let all
re - joice, Who
an - swer
to
the
-
ces warm with friendship's glow, Have van - ished like
a
call. dream.
To - night But still
we
sing sing
our our
ju - bi - lee, The "Ninth" with - out ju - bi - lee, The "Ninth" with - out
&
a
21
TOT
Copyright, 1884, by CHAS. H. HOYT.
(56)
*
we
o' clock, the Ser-geant's voice Rings sharp-ly through the we called ten years
99
THE 1880's
About seventy-five members and a number of invited guests, including Gen- eral Fitzgerald, Colonel Clark, Captain Abrams of the Seventh Company, were present at the handsomely appointed table, and they discussed one of the finest dinners of the year. Ex-Captain E. G. Arthur presided and during the evening a determined effort was made-and successfully-to induce Cap-
NINTH COMPANY ROLL CALL.
A
0
1
peer, peer,
Full Full
ranks, no ranks, no
fear fear
of of
"de - tails " "de - tails "
While .... While .. ..
Ca - sey Ca - sey
an - swers an - swers
22h
ff CHORUS.
IN UNISON.
Ah
"here." "here."
To - night But still
we we
sing sing
our our
ju - bi - lee, The "Ninth," with-out ju . bi - lee, The "'Ninth," with-out
a
b
0
H
peer, peer,
Full ranks
no
fear fear
of of
"de - tails" "de - tails"
While Ca - sey While Ca - sey
an - swers "here." an - swers "here."
* For last verso.
3. Yet, here and there, the Vet'raus stand, Among our " actives" still,
Who, when we called him to command, Remember his "I will "
CHORUS. And so we sing our jubilee, The "Ninth without a peer, Full ranks- no fear of "details " While Casey answers " here."
4. Ten years ago he gave his word, If earnest efforts could, To place us first, and all who heard, Knew by his voice, he would.
CHORUS. Then let us sing our jubilee, The "Ninth" without a peer, Full ranks- no fear of "details " While Casey answers "here."
5. The promises he made us then, Have been as true as steel, Tonight, we come, a hundred men, To prove the love we feel. CHORUS. So let us sing our jubilee, The "Ninth " without a peer, Full ranks- no fear of "details" While Casey answers "here."
(57)
-
a
Full ranks
no
100
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
tain Casey to remain with the Company indefinitely. In the course of the Captain's speech, which was full of feeling allusions, he was compelled to acknowledge that it was impossible to sever his connection with the organiza- tion in which he had spent the happiest years of his life. The dinner itself was a grand success, and is said to have cost nearly $1000. A new Company song, the words by Sergeant H. C. DuVal, and set to music by Private C. H. Hoyt, contributed to the enjoyment of the evening.
"I" COMPANY'S FORTY-EIGHT FILES AIR : "Flying Trapeze." Chorus comes in heavily on the "WHAT"
It rang through the night on the wings of the breeze, It startled the birds in the Central Park trees, It made every rival feel weak in the knees- WHAT? "I" Company's forty-eight files.
The Captain receives the report with a smile, A glance down the ranks, takes in every file; On one thing he's ready to put his whole pile- WHAT? "I" Company's forty-eight files.
It comes to El Mahdi cooped up in Kartoum, While nearer and nearer the British guns boom; He prays to his aid in the distance may loom- WHAT? "I" Company's forty-eight files.
Lord Wolseley is counting his losses, and hears His Orderly say, in a voice full of tears, "But one thing is needed to quell all our fears"- WHAT? "I" Company's forty-eight files.
Old Gladstone is stamping the floor in a pet, Contriving some way from his troubles to get; With aid from one source he could beat them all yet- WHAT?
"I" Company's forty-eight files.
The French are bombarding the town of Pekin; The Chinamen, scared half to death with the din, Sit pulling their pigtails, and put their trust in- WHAT? "I" Company's forty-eight files.
The Emperor William is heard to remark, With a shiver of dread, "Ve had petter keep dark; We're ruined if ever they comes from New York" -- WHAT? "I" Company's forty-eight files.
101
, THE 1880's
Our Grover bewildered, his mind full of doubt As who to put in and who to put out,
Exclaims, "Such a choice puts my brothers to rout"- WHAT?
"I" Company's forty-eight files.
The Colonel, his captains around him, asks why
The lead is surrendered to Company "I"
Is answered "To beat it we really can't try"- WHAT?
"I" Company's forty-eight files. -- By HORACE C. DUVAL
THE OPENING OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE
In May, preparatory to the opening of the East River Bridge, the following orders were issued :
Gen. Orders No. 5.
II. This Regiment will parade by invitation of the Trustees of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge on the 4th inst. in full uniform, white belts and trousers, and summer helmets. The hour of assembly will be announced hereafter.
Gen. Orders No. 6.
I. This Regiment will parade in full uniform (white belts and trousers, and summer helmets) on Thursday, May 24, as military escort to the President of the United States, the Governor of the State of New York, and other distinguished officials. Assembly at 8:20 a.m.
This event had been looked forward to by the citizens of New York and Brooklyn with the keenest interest, and as the day approached it was generally determined to suspend business during the greater part of the day. The usual enormous crowds were massed along the line of march and the Regiment looked its best and marched magnificently. Fifteen commands of twenty files, besides the guard to the President, in all over eight hundred men, formed a military spectacle which could not be surpassed. The Ninth Company paraded ninety- four men, a greater number than any other. The march was a long one-about five miles-and the tour of guard duty on the bridge very tiresome, but the occasion was novel, and will be pleasantly remembered.
Decoration Day, May 30, witnessed the usual military display. The Regi- ment paraded thirteen commands of twenty files, and was awarded the honors of the day. The guard to the President at the grandstand was composed of a detail of two lieutenants, two sergeants, two corporals, and ten files from the Ninth and Third Companies, under the command of First Sergeant Chauncey. The comparative merits of the State uniform and that worn by the 7th Regi- ment at this time was noticed in the daily papers, and seemed to provoke little but unfavorable criticisms of the former. It is worthy of comment, however, that the regiment which stood as the exponent of the so-called reform ex- hausted every expedient to disguise its dress.
102
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
BOAT RACE
June 16, an eight-oar shell race took place on the Harlem River from the Atlantic Club House between the Ninth and Second Companies. The Ninth Company crew were:
Le Duc-1 Chauncey, D. W .- 2 Smith, J. I .- 3 Taylor, W. A .- 4
Chauncey, G. G .- 5 Wurts, C. P .- 6 Gould, G. H .- 7 Seeley, G. P .- Stroke
Although the Second Company crew were much the heavier, the race was fin- ished at the start; the Ninth Company pulling away from them at every stroke, and winning easily by a hundred feet. There was much talk of challenges from other companies but nothing came of them.
THE 1883 CAMP
On the morning of June 23, the Armory assumed an appearance indica- tive of active service. Huge camp chests lined the sidewalks, and Company servants crowded the halls and stairways in frantic endeavors to move the impedimenta to the numerous conveyances which stood in waiting to receive it. Members of the Regiment in great numbers were found in every style of costume, and in every degree of perspiring expectation. As the hour of de- parture approached, order gradually proceeded from seemingly endless con- fusion, and at the Assembly 840 men abandoned private citizenship for eight days with light-heartedness never surpassed. The Company paraded 84 of a total of 103.
Proceeding by elevated railroad to the Battery, the Regiment embarked on the steamer Long Branch for Peekskill, which was reached about noon. A dusty, hot march of a mile brought the Regiment to the camp, where the old and new guards received it with the usual honors, and after passing the outgoing regiment (the 71st), the parade was reached, and the companies marched to the quarters and assigned.
The prescribed duties were entered upon with the proverbial enthusiasm of the 7th Regiment. Comparatively few of the members had ever been under canvas. Fewer had lived upon what was termed "prison fare," but a very large proportion were born athletes, and the week's training was but a modification and a continuance of the routine in the gymnasia and on the rivers adjacent to New York.
The Ninth Company contained a few-two or three-weaklings whose health and habits precluded the heartiest participation in what may be termed "ex- cess of spirits," but their weakness in numbers rendered their infirmities almost invisible in the liveliness of the mass.
Dress parade in full dress was well but not faultlessly performed. Part of the ceremony was marred by the lack of space, the regimental line forming two sides of a square and the ground being quite uneven. A repetition was
103
THE 1880's
POLICE DUTY
The first Peekskill Camp, 1883
more satisfactory. Guard mount was also repeated owing to minor faults. The first meal, which had been a source of the most apprehensive expectation by the caterer, was voted satisfactory, and thus we met and solved one of the chief problems of a successful camp.
Never before had so many men been assembled in the mess hall and while our hunger was by no means voiceless in its demands, justice demands the acknowledgment that the food provided was of its kind good and abundant, and cleanliness not wanting. Baseball and tennis paraphernalia were put in immediate use. Not a few Peekskillians-gentlemen and ladies-strolled or rode around the grounds, adding not a little to the "looks of the place." The first evening concert was given about 9 o'clock. The Company organ was brought out and used to the mutual enjoyment of our own and the adjacent companies.
"Taps" put out the lights, or most of them; the officers and first sergeants being privileged. The ten "first" spent an hour or two in acquiring an insight into the mysteries of the "Pay Roll," and at about 11 o'clock the camp was as quiet as it ever was while the 7th was there. Some men never sleep. The 7th
104
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
The "New Jersey Lilies" (Company I) in the mock parade, Peekskill Camp, 1883
is blessed with a full score of this class, and the writer bears witness to their restless activity in the pursuit of pleasure.
Boom! The gun at reveille! Drums and bugles sound ! Long lines of owly- eyed men form! Roll is called, details are made, the day begins. Bread and coffee are served at once. Such was the daily routine for the days that followed.
Great preparations were made for an entertainment on the last evening in camp, and a large number of visitors and spectators were present. A burlesque parade and review, in a great variety of comic costumes, afforded much amuse- ment. The camp was illuminated in the evening by countless Japanese lan- terns and by fire of every color, and upon the parade ground there was a grand display of fireworks. As seen from the neighboring hills the camp was a veritable fairyland, ablaze with light and alive with people, and a more brilliant display of the kind has never been seen in this country. Music by the regimental band enlivened the occasion, and it was midnight before taps were sounded and the visitors had departed.
HEADQUARTERS DARLING DUDE BATTALION N. Y. S. NATIONAL DUDES "I" CO., CONTINGENT NEW JERSEY LILIES In Camp Peekskill, N.Y., June 26, 1883.
Company Orders ? No. 1
Ladies :
This contingent will parade in full uniform, white petticoats, poke bonnets and Jersey's (unrolled) for Parade and Review, on Friday evening, June 29. Assembly as soon after Guard Mount as you can hustle your duds on. Don't be late, girls, the 1st Sergeant is real cross and will scold if you are tardy. It's a bleak day when we are left, and it won't do to change the atmosphere of the camp.
The commandant expects every Lily to do her Dudy. Any lily caught getting a mash on a Peekskill clergyman, or a sour mash in a Peekskill barroom will be forced to parade without her bangs; we must preserve the morality of the town at any personal sacrifice, and the clergy having given our brothers in arms a chilly reception, it behooves us, as true girls, to give them the grand shake.
105
THE 1880's
So many of you have kicked against taking the rear rank, that it has been abolished, only front ranks will be used and every lily will have a chance of showing all her style.
Privates are requested to talk through the entire Parade, this will enable all to hear the orders distinctly, and give you a chance to say what you would have done if in command.
It is especially desired in wheeling that each member chins the one next on her right about going ahead too fast or not "Coming out," there is no more enjoyable feature of a Parade than is afforded by this privilege.
At roll call let each lily answer "heo" in a tone louder than her predecessor; the ascending scale dispels the monotony of the occasion and makes it lively for the 1st Sergeant.
In marching in two ranks the front rank should carefully step around holes or puddles without saying anything, and then listen entranced to the Sunday School hymns the rear rank repeats to itself as it steps into them. It is also well to change step without giving notice; it doesn't hurt your heels much, and the rear rank will remember you gratefully. Guides will endeavor to get twice as near the Company in front of them as is necessary, and then stop suddenly, and regain proper distance, they have been selected especially for their aptitude in playing "snap the whip."
Halts will be ordered every four minutes to allow fresh lilies to smoke cigarettes and yell for water.
Inspection and Review will follow Dress Parade, and lilies must change to their every day clothes immediately after dismissal. It won't do to get up any smart parades on your own account-this is business-accomplished sluggers from Harvard University and the Camp Restaurant have been engaged to enforce this order.
In conclusion, the commandant requests that none of you will try to run this yourselves. The Colonel has proved himself the worthiest of Dudes, and will work the racket for all it is worth.
BILLEE TAYLOR, 1st Sergeant.
By Order, CLAUDE DU VAL, Captain.
HIGH REVELRY IN CAMP STATE CAMP, PEEKSKILL, JUNE 29, 1883 THE DUDES' PARADE
At 6 :30 o'clock, or just after "guard mounting," came the feature of the day and the event of the week. This was the "Dudes' Parade," and a more grotesque affair never took place.
The Battalion of the Dudes was composed of twenty-four men from each company, with two sergeants and a captain for each, with a colonel, brigadier general, adjutant, drum major, chaplain and surgeon thrown in gratis, all attired in fantastic costumes, that convulsed even staid old men with laughter. The procession was headed by Cappa's Band of eighty pieces, dressed in blue jerseys with big caps. When the word to form the line of parade was given, the troops fell in and it is safe to say that such falling in was never before witnessed. "G" Company was at the head of the line and was commanded by Sergeant H. H. Spelman. Each man wore a red coat cut à la dude, white trousers with red, blue and green notarial seals pasted all over them. Their heads were covered by yellow polo caps, bearing the inscription "7 G Dudes." Each man's hair was banged in the most approved style, and each wore an Oxford monocle.
106
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
In the muzzle of each man's gun was a huge yellow flag having on it a rooster crowing (the cock of the walk), "7th Big G Dudes." Captain Spellman carried in lieu of a sword a mammoth Japanese fan ornate with flying birds, caterpillars and slant-eyed celestials.
The Babes in Mother Hubbard Costumes
They were followed by Company A, with Corporal Barrows in command. Each man was dressed à la "Black Crook,"-short, low skirts, flesh tights or drawers trimmed with lace, short sleeves and decidedly low necks. Each man carried a wand instead of a gun. Company F was commanded by Sergeant E. D. Appleton. The men were all out as "Bards of Tara" in the most approved hod-carrier's dress, blue trousers and jumpers and each carried a hod. "K" Com- pany was commanded by George C. Power. They were the babies of the parade, and were dressed in Mother Hubbard costumes with white caps and carried huge jumping-jacks with which they constantly played. Company B was repre- sented as the land of Joss and impersonated the laundrymen in a most creditable manner. They were commanded by H. M. Nesbitt.
Company C, W. A. Jennings commanding, shocked the Quartermaster by showing how corpulent they had grown. They represented huge fat men, and as freaks in museums would command high prices. They wore Dolly Varden uniforms in which the most extravagant figures were noticeable. Company E was the most sober and sedate crowd of the entire battalion. They wore the dress of a Spanish monk, with black gowns and cowls gathered in at the waist. Company D wore the suits of the Grenadier Dandies, and acted the part to perfection. Their commander was M. M. Rogers.
The Turks and the Jersey Lilies
Company H were the Turks of the crowd. They wore the full uniform of the Turkish Patrol with Sergeant Wells in command. Company I would have broken the heart of Freddie Gebhard as they paraded as New Jersey Lilies. Each man was dressed in a long gown of white swiss and carried a lily. Their headgear was poke bonnets and the commander was Sergeant Du Val.
NEWBURGH CENTENNIAL 1883
On the 18th of October the Regiment went to Newburgh at the invitation of the city authorities to aid in the celebration of the Newburgh Centennial.
At 7:30 a.m., the Regiment assembled on the cars at the Grand Central Depot instead of at the Armory, as first ordered, showing a total strength of about 725. Company I contributed seventy-six men, being equalled by but one other company. Arriving at Fishkill at 10 o'clock, there was a delay of three- quarters of an hour at the ferry owing to the inability of the authorities to govern the enormous crowds in waiting. Without further incident the Regiment crossed the river and marched to its place in line (the right) through dense masses of people who had "come to town" to see the sights. The procession
107
THE 1880's
started within an hour after our arrival, and proceeded through the business and private streets of the city, a distance of about six miles, over cobble-stone and macadamized pavements, up and down steep hills, through blinding dust to the place of dismissal. The Regiment was dismissed at the Armory of the Battalion where a substantial lunch was served, after which the men seemed to take possession of everything movable in town. All sorts of deviltry was indulged in for about two hours, after which the Assembly was sounded, and the Regiment marched to the boat, and thence to the cars. The city was reached about 8:30 in the evening, and, after a parade up the Avenue to the Armory, the Regiment was dismissed. As a celebration, the affair was a gigantic success. No such crowds could be seen outside the largest cities and the great number of visiting organizations certainly astonished everyone. The Regiment paraded twenty-two companies of twelve files, of course the largest in the procession, and won universal admiration by its fine discipline. The total strength during October and November, including those elected but not enlisted, remained 107.
First Lieutenant Daniel Chauncey, Jr., resigned his commission. A term of service of eleven and a half years had made him one of the most promising officers in the Regiment and his loss was deeply felt by every member of the Company. Frequent solicitation failed to induce his withdrawal of his resig- nation and his retirement was universally acknowledged as a loss of more than ordinary importance.
CENTENNIAL OF THE EVACUATION 1883
"In compliance with Division and Brigade General Orders, this Regiment will parade in full uniform, overcoats and white belts (the fatigue coat to be worn), on Monday, November 26, in honor of the Centennial Anniversary of the Evacuation of New York by the British. Assembly at 8 o'clock a.m.," read General Order No. 15.
The occasion was one of intense interest, and called to the city the greatest crowd of sightseers ever known. The weather was cold and rain fell incessantly throughout the march. Notwithstanding the discomforts of wind and water, the Regiment made itself the life of the procession, and, as disinterested spec- tators remarked, "was the only organization that seemed to enjoy it!" Six miles of streets running with mud and water with frequent delays, tried the temper of the troops and spectators, but good nature prevailed under the most trying circumstances, and the day passed without accident. The Regiment reached the Armory at 2 p.m. thoroughly soaked to the knees. The Company exceeded in number any other in the entire procession-ninety-six members being on duty.
On December 8, the Third Annual Athletic Games were held at the Armory. Owing to the superior training of the Ninth Company, and the capture of the larger proportion of the prizes during the preceding years, the Company repre- sentatives this year were handicapped. While placing the other companies on
108
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
a more equal footing, the Ninth succeeded in taking five first and second prizes, and again demonstrated its superiority as the athletic company of the Regiment. The following members particularly distinguished themselves winning first prizes : Corporal W. D. Preston, 93-yard dash; Private E. A. Richard, quarter- mile run; Sergeant E. E. Sage, sack race; Private F. G. Landon, 220-yard run; Private H. O. Tallmadge, 220-yard hurdle.
At the meeting in December, the nomination for First Lieutenant was unani- mously tendered First Sergeant Geo. W. Chauncey, but was declined by him with much regret. The year ended brilliantly. The roll contained 108 names. There was $2,300 in the treasury. The best of feeling prevailed and enthusiasm was universal. The average at drill during the first half of the year 1883- 1884 was eighty-nine; on parade seventy-six for the whole year.
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