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 18
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THE GAY 'NINETIES
!
Peekskill, 1895
9" CO.7++ REGT
N.G.
Peekskill, 1895
192
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
BICYCLE CORPS
Chief, Adjutant Francis G. Landon
Adjutant, Lieutenant Walter S. Wilson, Company E Sergeant Major, First Sergeant George S. Towle, Company D Guidon, Private Wilberforce D. Edwards, Company F Trumpeter, Corporal Walter H. Brown, Company E Chief First Platoon, Sergeant Major William H. Folsom Chief First Section, Sergeant Henry V. D. Black, Company B
Chief Second Section, Corporal James H. Strong, Company K Chief Second Platoon, Sergeant Major DeWitt C. Falls Chief Third Section, Corporal Louis E. Lahens, Company K
Chief Fourth Section, Corporal Henry Von L. Meyer, Company K
* *
Two very successful Ninth Company bicycle runs were organized by Lance Corporal Groesbeck. The first was on Sunday, October 27, 1895, when eighteen riders started from the Veterans' Club at 10 a.m. and rode to Travers Island. Here they were met by Quartermaster Sergeant Delafield, who, though he has not as yet mastered the art of controlling the fiery and untamed "bike," never- theless enjoys a good dinner, and to one of this description the whole party did justice at the New York Athletic Club, returning to New York about 5:30 p.m. During the run, Private E. P. Hatch was so overcome by the beauty of a Westchester maiden that he threw himself at her feet, bicycle and all, and again, forgetting he was not riding a "qualified hunter," tried to jump à stone wall with somewhat disappointing results. Corporal Keep also did a turn in endeavoring to demonstrate how much easier it was to ride over a brick than around it; but nevertheless, everyone had a glorious day.
The second bicycle run was on Election Day, November 5, 1895, when after casting their ballots at the hour of dawn, a party, consisting of :
George J. Weaver B. W. Green
O. H. Keep
J. L. Roberts
H. Groesbeck
John Seward
E. P. Hatch
T. B. Taylor
H. V. Keep
took the 7:40 a.m. train for Poughkeepsie, where they were met by Captain Landon, who rode with them to his beautiful country place, "Mansewood," at Staatsburg. Here they were delightfully entertained by him at luncheon, re- turning by the same route to New York in the evening.
* * *
On Sunday, September 18, 1898, Colonel Appleton and thirty-eight men of "I" were guests of Captain Landon at "Mansewood."
193
THE GAY 'NINETIES
Company I Football Team, 1895
Manhattan Field 155th Street and Eighth Avenue FOOTBALL November 30, 1895, at 3 p.m. Ninth Company vs. Tenth Company, 7th Regiment, N.G.N.Y. Admission, 50 cents
There was a game of football at Manhattan Field yesterday that was more productive of lame legs, stiff necks, sprained backs, and closed eyes than any other battle that has been fought there in some time. It was a royal struggle between Companies I and K of the 7th Regiment, and after two fifteen-minute halves, the K men found that they had won, four points to nothing.
As the players were in poor physical condition, they had a hard time of it. They did the best they could, but there were very many points of fine football that were missing. The principal method of play was to throw the arms around an opponent's neck or legs and hang on. If it was impossible to get in a good, square tackle, the next best thing was to run after the man with the ball and pull his hair after he had been thrown. Blows and slaps were the correct things at times, but the umpire was apparently blind.
Homans, the ex-Princeton fullback, played the whole game for Company I. His star play was when he broke through the line just as the ball was passed to Maynard for a punt. The latter didn't see Homans coming, and when the men collided, both went up in the air like balloons.
In the first half Company I kicked off and Company K retained possession of the ball until time was up. Maynard and White got in some long runs down the field until the ball was a yard from I's goal line, where Allen was pushed over for a touchdown. White tried to kick a goal, but the ball went wide of the mark and the score was 4 to 0, which proved to be the final figures, as there was no scoring in the second half.
194
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Rear elevation of Company I Football Team, 1895 "I" versus "K"
Company K had by long odds the heavier eleven, but Company I's boys were plucky and fought hard to the end. About 400 friends of the regiment were on the sidelines, and they made plenty of noise. The teams were as follows :
Company K
Position
Bliss
left end
Swords
left tackle
Worden
Smith
left guard center right guard
Center
Potts
right tackle
Barnard
De Mauriac
right end quarterback
White
left halfback
Allen
right halfback fullback
Homans
Referee-C. H. Wilson Touchdown-Allen
Umpire-H. O'Connor
Time-Two 15-minute halves -The Sun, December 1, 1895
NINTH COMPANY CHRISTMAS "DUTCH"
When the Ninth Company starts in to do a thing they usually do it well, and this idea was carried out to the letter on the occasion of their Christmas "Dutch," held at the Lexington Avenue Assembly Rooms on December 26.
After a particularly nice supper was discussed, the anxious committee proceeded to show off what they had secured in the way of talent.
Messrs. Brooks, Denton and Osman, banjoists, accompanied by Mr. Silberberg on the piano, started the programme and played as only they can play.
Then the Hengler sisters danced. Not only are they pretty and petite, but they are exceed- ingly clever dancers; the applause proved that.
D. W. Quinn always has a new song up his sleeve, and those he sang on this occasion met with great and well merited applause.
Company I Owen Houston Compton Little Adams Copp Craigen McAlpin
Elmer Preston
Maynard
195
THE GAY 'NINETIES
Likewise Miss Clara Routt, who, from the time of her entrance until the end of her last encore, amused her very critical audience.
Harry Peckham is a whole show in himself. He seems to be made of funny stories and monologues, but his imitation of a trolley car not only brought back tender recollections but also brought down the house.
Many Veterans of the Company were present, and among the invited guests were noticed Colonel Appleton, Lieutenant Colonel Kipp, Major Abrams, Captain Nesbitt, Lieutenant Schuyler, Adjutants Weaver, Townsend and Falls, Colonel Arthur, of the Veterans, and many others. -- Gazette
MORE LAURELS FOR THE COMPANY I ACTORS
A mirth-provoking travesty on "The Prisoner of Zenda," written by Guy Wetmore Carryl, was given last evening at the Carnegie Lyceum by dramatic talent from Company I of the 7th Regiment. Seldom has there been seen more clever acting by amateurs in this city.
"The Poisoner of Zenda," 1896
No women appeared in the cast, but several of the female impersonations by stalwart young fellows were so perfect that the audience was puzzled at first. Arthur W. Little, who took the part of Princess Flavia, making his entrance on a bicycle, captured the honors of the evening. They were shared largely, however, by William F. Wall, who was the pretender to the throne of Rudolf V, the Red Elphberg, King of Ruritania.
Benjamin B. McAlpin, as Michael, the Black Elphberg, a villain with a vaudevillainous voice, was a great success. One of the hits of the evening was the dance in the second act by J. F. Hahn and William A. Belden. The stage management was under the direction of Charles Elliot Warren. John Nielson acted as chorus master.
Colonel Daniel Appleton and his staff attended in a body, and in the boxes and parquet were many well known society folk. There will be a matinée today, and the last performance will be given this evening.
-N. Y. Times
196
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
The Cast of "The Poisoner of Zenda"
COMPANY I SEVENTH REGIMENT, N.G.N.Y. Presenting the Travesty "THE POISONER OF ZENDA" By Guy Wetmore Carryl, Company K (With apologies to Mr. Anthony Hope) At the CARNEGIE LYCEUM, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday matinée March 27 and 28, 1896
CAST
Rudolf the Fifth, the Red Elphberg, King of Ruritania. A victim of circumstance
Rudolf Rassendyll, a young Englishman who has a penchant for princesses
Michael, the Black Elphberg. A villain with a vaudevillainous voice Colonel Sapt, hard to get along with; and impossible to get along without
Rupert Hentzau, who knows from bitter experience what it is to be foiled
Fritz Von Tarlenheim, right bower to Colonel Sapt
Head Gamekeeper, a necessary adjunct to the forest scene
Edward P. Hatch, II
William F. Wall Benjamin B. McAlpin
Clinton S. Martin
Frederick D. Preston
Frank A. Pattison William D. Stewart
197
THE GAY 'NINETIES
Lord Fitzjames Vicompte Gramontville Signor Vifini Graf Von Strompet puttel Senor Sampafesto
ambassadors to Ruritania
A Soldier
Princess Flavia, a damsel. of a romantic disposition Antoinette de Mauban, a fiery and fetching specimen of the genus soubrette
George D. Arthur, II Irving L. Tenney John L. Roberts, Jr. Charles W. Whitney Edward E. Scovill Morton L. Fouquet Arthur W. Little
A Maid
Albert B. Ashforth Arthur D. Benson
ACT I
In the forest, near Zenda, 1896
Concerning the color of men's wigs A fair cousin and an unfair brother
ACT II The Winter Palace at Strelsau "The King can do no wrong" If Love were all!
INSPECTION APRIL 16, 1896 COMPANY I, CAPTAIN FRANCIS GRISWOLD LANDON
The general appearance of this Company at inspection was excellent, and by far the best in the Regiment, and it is taken as the standard upon which the criticisms of all the other companies are based. Great credit is due the officers and members of this Company for the very fine appearance they made upon this occasion. All uniforms and equipments, and particularly the adjust- ment of the latter, were first class; no detail being overlooked to bring about this very gratifying condition.
All books are very neatly and accurately kept, showing decided improve- ment over last inspection. Average percentage of attendance at drills, from October 3, 1895, to May 20, 1896 (30 events), 93.82; excellent; second best in the Regiment. .
Percentage present at muster, 99.03.
REMARKS ON CONDITION OF THE REGIMENT
The general appearance of this Regiment at inspection was excellent. Con- siderable improvement can be made, however, in some few details, notably in the care of and adjustment of equipments; and quite a number of uniforms are now so old as to need repairing, or replacing, wholly or in part. The criti- cisms on the appearance of the companies of the Regiment are based upon Company I, which is taken as a standard, everything about it being first-class, there being every evidence of hard work and perseverance to bring about such a satisfactory condition. Uniforms and equipments, without exception, and particularly the adjustment of the latter, were excellent, and far ahead of all other companies in the Regiment. A little effort, such as the 7th Regiment is always willing to make, will bring all the companies to a condition in which Company I was found upon this occasion.
198
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Ashforth
Preston
McAlpin
Pattison
Wall
Martin
"The Poisoner of Zenda"
199
THE GAY 'NINETIES
MORE FOOTBALL November 15, 1896
The Ninth and Tenth Companies of the 7th Regiment, old rivals in athletics, met yesterday on the gridiron at Columbia Oval. Last year, 1895, the Tenth Company came off with the honors by a score of 4 to 0, while at baseball the Ninth Company team was a winner. Therefore the outcome of yesterday's game had been looked forward to with great interest. The struggle was scheduled to begin at 3:15 o'clock, and when the soldier boys took the field there were between 300 and 400 enthusiastic spectators present. The Tenth Company won the toss. Homans kicked to Maynard, who ran twenty yards before he was downed. Tenth Company then punted on the third down to the middle of the field. The punt was returned to the forty-five-yard line. Tenth Company failed to gain, and lost the ball on downs. Ninth Company got ten yards for offside play, and McAlpin went around the right end for ten yards. Homans and Preston then worked left tackle for small gains and planted the ball on their opponents' two-and-a-half-yard line, where they lost it on a fumble. Finally McAlpin picked up the ball and ran around the end for thirty yards. He laid it on Tenth Company's ten-yard line, and Preston was sent through for a touchdown. Homans failed at goal.
Tenth Company braced up somewhat in the second half, and at one time it looked as if the team would score. Ninth Company, however, held well and gained considerable ground by punting, Maynard being slow in handling the ball. A few minutes after play Preston was sent through left tackle for a touchdown, but Homans again failed at goal. The third and last touchdown was made by Homans on a double pass. Copp kicked goal. The final score was 16 to 0 in favor of the Ninth Company. The line-up was as follows :
Ninth Company
Position
Yocum
left end
Tenth Company Warner Mckesson
Belden
left guard
LeBoutillier
left-guard
Swords O. Smith
Houston
center
Waring
right guard
Brewster
Adams
right tackle
W. Potts
Copp
right end
Barnard
Elmer
quarterback
Kurcks
McAlpin
left halfback
De Mauriau
Slosson
right halfback fullback
Maynard (Capt.)
Homans (Capt.)
Touchdowns-Preston 2, Homans; safety touchdown-Maynard; goal from touchdown -Copp.
Umpire-Hahn; referee-Christie; linesmen-Scott and Landon; time-two twenty- minutes halves.
1897 THE ENVOY
Guy Wetmore Carryl of K furnished the vehicle for the last of the great theatrical enter- tainments of the Dramatic Association of Company I. Like all the rest, it was a triumph. The first act is laid in the Waldorf Hotel, where the Chinese envoy is stopping with his suite. He is interviewed there by Pendexter Padd, and receives many hints as to the way in which things are done in this country. Padd falls in love with Ting Ah Ling, and when Li offers him a high position in China he accepts, and proceeds to Pekin with Li, who also takes with him many American innovations.
The Emperor of China has sent many cablegrams to Li while in the United States directing him to return, but Tom Gin intercepts them and destroys them. When Li reaches
H. Potts
Preston
200
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
China he finds himself disgraced and in danger of being beheaded because of his supposed disobedience of the Emperor's orders. Tom Gin at last confesses and exonerates Li, and, as punishment, is ordered to marry the ancient Dowager Empress of China.
Pendexter Padd and Ting Ah Ling receive the Emperor's blessing and Li receives back his yellow jacket and peacock feathers, of which he was deprived, and is restored to his rank.
Characters well taken .- The honors of the evening went to Mr. Wall whose excellent work in previous presentations of the association, notably "The Poisoner of Zenda," will be remembered. Clinton S. Martin as the Emperor of China, E. Ormonde Power as Major O'Munney, Frank A. Pattison as Li Hung Chang, Arthur D. Benson as Ting Ah Ling, Albert B. Ashforth as Annie Howe and Charles A. Slosson as the messenger boy and Benjamin B. McAlpin as Tom Gin were particularly good.
The dialogue is full of bright sayings and local puns. During the stay of Li at the Waldorf he is introduced to the mysteries of the American cocktail. When he is asked how he likes them, he replies that, having lived in a "walled-off" city all his life, he had never before tried them until he came to the Waldorf cafe and that they beat anything that can be found in China. There are also local witticisms, which pleased the audience greatly and were freely applauded.
There is also a clever duet in the second act between Pendexter Padd and the Emperor. In the second act Frederick T. Hahn gave a skirt dance which received much applause.
New Yorkers are not the only ones to appreciate our efforts, as was shown by the reception of "The Envoy" at Newark, N.J., on April 21. The Grand Opera House was crowded with an "elite and alert" audience. After the performance, as well as before, the men were entertained in a royal manner by the Essex Troop. "We were having, are having, and will have a simply great time." Some of the braver men who had someone waiting at home for them came to the city on the trolley. The gay and festive Thespians remained at the Club, and wandered to the Continental Hotel in the very diminutive hours of the morn- ing. After a good breakfast we said "Au revoir" to Essex Troop, for "they are jolly good fellows, that nobody can deny." Other engagements are talked of, and it looks as though our show would have more than local notoriety.
-Gazette
Finale of "The Envoy," 1897
201
THE GAY 'NINETIES
NINTH DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE "THE ENVOY" A Topical Extravaganza in Two Acts By Guy Wetmore Carryl, Company "K" At the Berkeley Lyceum Theatre, 23 West 44th Street Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings April 7, 8, 9, and 10, 1897, and Saturday matinée, at 2:00 p.m.
THE CAST
Li Hung Chang
Tom Gin, his interpreter and secretary
Pendexter Padd, a reporter on the New York "Rocket"
The Emperor of China
Brochette, the Envoy's "chef"
Major O'Munney
General de Biliti 7
Captain Hans Orff
of Li's Staff
Colonel Sir Ender Knitt J
Asa Spaids, Padd's body servant
Hang Hi
Li Lo Chinese Conspirators
Charles A. Slosson
Meen Wun )
O Mi, Dowager Empress of China
Ting Ah Ling, niece and ward to the Emperor
Annie Howe, companion to Ting Ah Ling
Harry G. Waring Frederick D. Preston Arthur D. Benson Albert B. Ashforth Charles A. Slosson
The Skirt Dance in the Second Act by J. Frederic Hahn
THE CHORUS
George D. Arthur, II,
John L. Roberts, Jr.
Calhoun Cragin Arthur Coppell
Nathaniel C. Robbins
Theodore B. Taylor
James M. Charles
John A. Le Boutillier Stirling Postley
Pipe-Bearer
Edgar Williams
§ I. Smith Homans
Chair-Bearers
¿ Haywood P. Cavarly
ACT I The Waldorf Hotel, New York
ACT II
The Envoy's Summer Residence, Pekin
UNVEILING THE SHAW MEMORIAL
TRIP TO BOSTON 1897
On Memorial Day, 1897, the 7th Regiment paraded in Boston at the unveil- ing of the St. Gaudens' monument to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, a member of the organization at the time of the march to the relief of Washington in 1861, and the Commander of the 54th Massachusetts, the first colored regiment in the Union Army, at whose head he was killed at Fort Wagner.
On this trip the Regiment was the guest of the 1st Corps of Cadets of Boston, who made the arrangements and acted with the true soul of hospitality.
Frank A. Pattison
Benjamin B. McAlpin William F. Wall Clinton S. Martin Irving L. Tenney E. Ormonde Power William D. Stewart
Alexander T. Compton, Jr. Edward P. Hatch William M. Copp Frederic C. Benson
A Messenger Boy
William A. Belden
202
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
The trip started on May 29 with a parade in connection with the unveiling of the monument to Peter Cooper after which the command embarked on the Providence Line steamer Massachusetts and it was at that moment that affairs really began to take on form. Our old friend, the Gazette, has it that men were "comfortably quartered" but the Ninth Company scribe reveals that the first thing done was to hold a raffle to determine who should sleep in beds, who on cots, who on the floor and who should sit up all night. (N.B .: The latter class was self-appointive, the bar and a certain process of natural selection having largely to do with it.) It also seems that our Company, capturing records as usual, pointed with pride to the fact that in spite of all that went on, which was considerable, what with initiations and such, only one window was broken.
Up early the next morning (Sunday) and by train to Boston where the pieces were left at the Armory of the Cadets after which the men were quartered at hotels. Divine service was attended by the Regiment as a body at Trinity Church, the Cadets being present at the same service.
After this the members of the Company started out to explore Boston, some under the guidance of the Cadets and others either claimed that they knew their way around or else managed to dig up "relations." The fashion prevalent in those days of presenting the lady whom you are escorting with a button from the dress coat was religiously adhered to, so much so that those who lacked true constancy of heart soon found themselves obliged to consider what was the least possible number of buttons that would pass inspection. This matter finally got to such a state that ladies began to telephone, in the hope of securing buttons and the more expert were detailed to cope with the situation. A reception in the evening was given by the Cadets for the Regiment.
On Monday the unveiling took place and the event was made forever memor- able in the minds of those present by the rain, the bad state of the Boston streets, and the consequent sea of mud. For some reason those who were mounted on bicycles seemed to think themselves well off, but no one could discover the reason, except the wide possibilities for exploration. The parading was in overcoats but the Company showed to excellent advantage.
The unveiling was conducted in the presence of the Governor of Massa- chusetts and the veterans of the 54th, an inspiring sight and one not to be forgotten. Later in the day the Regiment entrained for the boat and it was noticed that ladies in large numbers were present to give our Company a proper send-off.
On the voyage home the bar appeared too crowded to suit some of our mem- bers, so one bethought him of standing near the door and yelling "Man over- board." The bar was cleared instantly and he had the place to himself for long enough to get what he wanted.
This trip was one of the best that the Company ever took part in. The hos- pitality of the Cadets was boundless and the sentiment of the Company was that the Cadets be induced to come to New York as soon as possible.
-WILL LUSH
203
THE GAY 'NINETIES
Colonel Dan and 38 "I" Company men visit Captain Landon at "Mansewood," September 18, 1898
COMPANY I-1898
On April 19, 1898, the thirty-seventh anniversary of the departure of this Regiment for the Civil War, after consultation with the Field Officers and the Captains, the Colonel volunteered the services of the Regiment to the Major General Commanding the Guard.
On April 27 the Regiment was ordered to the Armory and then directed in orders to vote as individual citizens thereby eliminating the Regiment as an organization from participating in any such action that was taken by the in- dividual.
As a matter of interest in regard to this meeting there were present from this Company 102 men, absent one, that one being in Europe.
As might have been prophesied the individuals, with one exception, said that they would not enlist in the United States Army. I will say, however, that the one member of the Company who voted to enlist in the Army, did enlist in the United States Army; he did his duty faithfully and well; he received promotion on the field of battle; he has been discharged from the United States Army and is today again doing duty in the ranks of Company I.
204
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Finding the services of the 7th Regiment would not be accepted by Governor Black, the Colonel wrote a letter to the President of the United States in the early part of May, and that letter was taken and presented to the President by General Fitzgerald and Hon. Chauncey M. Depew. Through Secretary Bliss, a warm friend of the Regiment, an interview was arranged with the President, Secretary Alger and Attorney General Griggs. Mr. Depew, in his most earnest manner, presented the position of the Regiment and its desire to participate in the war. General Fitzgerald then presented the letter of Colonel Appleton's. President McKinley, after reading the letter and being extremely moved, said to General Fitzgerald: "This is very pathetic. We want the Regi- ment and we must have it." The contents of that letter was in substance that the Regiment, one thousand strong, were willing, ready and anxious to volun- teer and offered its services to the Administration for any length of time, or for any place, or country, that the Administration wished to use it, waiving all rights absolutely, and in that offer there were no "ifs" or "ands" or requests of any kind except the request to be called into active duty. Secretary Alger said he would communicate with Governor Black and make the request that our organization be included in the quota from this State, which request was refused. I might say in addition, while on this matter, that Colonel Appleton's letter was warmly endorsed by Major General Miles, Commanding the Army.
In the early part of June Secretary Alger telegraphed Mr. Depew asking him if the 7th Regiment would volunteer its services for a rapid movement on Havana, saying that he wanted for this force only thoroughly drilled and equipped troops, and not having enough at hand, wished the 7th Regiment. Mr. Depew consulted with Colonel Appleton who again offered the services of the
At ease. 1899 Camp
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