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 21
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Your sincere friend and commanding officer, (signed) FRANCIS G. LANDON Captain Company I, 7th Regiment, N.G.N.Y.
SIGNATURES ATTACHED TO THE COMPANY LETTER TO CAPTAIN LANDON
First Lieutenant McAlpin
Corporal Clark, J. W.
Second Lieutenant Houston
Corporal Berrian
First Sergeant O'Connor
Corporal Stratton
Quartermaster Sergeant Delafield
Corporal Slosson
Sergeant Cowperthwait
Corporal Smith, A. D.
Sergeant LeBoutillier
Corporal Mote
Sergeant Brown
Lance Corporal Vanderbilt
Sergeant Wenman
Corporal Potter
Corporal Hawkins
Privates
Adams
Corning
Folson
Hanson
Little
O'Connor
Steward
Babbitt
Coudert
Foster
Harding
MacGregor
Phillips
Thayer
Ballard
Cowdrey
Foster
Hebbard
McAllister
Power
Upham
Beakes
Cragin
Fowler
Hebert
McKenna
Robbins
Vanderbilt
Bloodgood
Cragin
Fowler
Holly
Mulligan
Schauffler
Vaughan Watkins
Bottome
Crocker
Frank
Horton
Moir
Sherwood
Brandreth
Currer
Gane
Hoyt
Moore
Simpson
Whitlock
Carleton
Disbrow
Gee
Hubby
Mulhallon
Slosson
Whitcomb
Carroll
Durham
Goff
Imperatori
Myer
Smith
Wilcox
Cawley
Dusenbury
Griffin
Jenks
Nichols
Spitzka
Williams
Cole
Edson
Hahn
Lawrence
Nelson
Stanton
Yocum
Edwards
Hallett
Lindley
Noble
Lance Corporal Paddock Lance Corporal Perrine
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THE NEW CENTURY
THE SUMMER OF 1902
As the new scribe of the Ninth Company, it is certainly unpleasant that the first item I must chronicle should be the resignation of Captain Landon.
Coming as it did out of a clear sky and just at a time when we were enjoying the fruitful results of his strenuous loyalty, it fell like a bomb amongst us, leaving us dazed and utterly unable to express intelligently what was in our hearts.
But now that we have begun to realize the calamity that would befall us should he carry out his intention, it is hoped that he can find it possible to reconcile his duties to himself and his interest in the Company, and reconsider his resignation.
A man who for eight years has been the heart and soul of the Company, who raised its efficiency incalculably, who was severe and just, loved by every man under him-would leave a void we cannot estimate. Captain, it is the earnest desire of 103 men that you reconsider.
Mr. H. Raglan-Harding went against the matrimonial lottery on June 3, and won the capital prize. This is officially attested by the writer who umpired the game and also by Tony Power, Walter Mote and Byrd Wenman, who were there in the capacity of "townspeople, guards, peasants, etc." After the ceremony the principals left for Niagara Falls, where they will attend the annual convention of the June Brides and Grooms.
On their return they have promised to present the Company a sea shell with the picture of the Falls painted on it, and little shells all glued around the edge-you've seen 'em. Here's Merrie Honimoonze to them.
On the same day another wedding took place-that of Henny Glazebrook to Miss Grace Squire at Elizabeth, N.J. The Ninth Company was officially represented by Ned Slosson.
Mr. B. Wenman soaring about town in his new Winton Flyer suggests a joke on the name of Byrd, which I refuse to perpetrate.
I regret that our magnificent private, Jerry Stanton, is also blowing auto- mobubbles and is at present trying to unload "The Richard," a new French machine, on the nervous public. Wasn't it Richard who offered his kingdom for a horse?
Alas! our hopes were of straw. Captain Landon's resignation stands. All our entreaties were in vain, as duty called him elsewhere. It is hard to say what is in our hearts without gushing into fulsome flattery, but he knows, howso- ever crudely expressed, that it is the saddest blow we have ever sustained in Company I.
He is unique in the fact that our love for him has not been marred by one discordant note. One hundred and two men loved him as their Captain.
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THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
The good ship "Sea Fox," July 1902
THE CRUISE OF THE SEA FOX
Of all the folks who have "gone down to the sea in ships," perhaps the weirdest and happiest bunch filed aboard the Sea Fox, Captain Landon host. They were the most bucolic bunch of landlubbers that ever "baffed a mizzen- mast." The occasion was the Captain's yachting trip of three days to the officers of Company I.
This astonishing aggregation of heroes set sail on Friday, July 18, 1902, from Larchmont Harbor, the destination being any place but the bottom.
Friday night was modest and spent in the arms of "Murphy," and at 5:30 a.m. Saturday we were piped to quarters to prime the bilgepump and furl the bowsprit.
We bore off to looard on a hard tack, the spinnaker and burgee full-no one else-it was too early.
The military officering of the 7th Regiment has long been heralded in yellow prints, but the most gamboge never dreamed of its nautical proficiency. Had Schley seen Jack Le Boot and Skipper Brown pipe aloft the top gallant back- stay, he would have jumped off the bridge. Siphon Patter would have made Captain Kidd feel like a cliff-dweller, could he have seen his nautical stride up on the poop deck, and even Hobson, "the life saver," was put down and out by the heroic leap after the "beautiful banker's" daughter by Messrs. Wenman and Stratton.
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These were the best deep-sea stunts on the trip, but the others performed theirs in different but less exciting ways.
Lilian Ganderbilk paid her tribute to Neptune early in the game. It was beautiful, and she developed a propelling power equalling the record of the writer for putting the 16-1b. lunch.
Over the others who passed away let us draw a curtain. It was not pretty, nor sanitary, nor cashmere bouquet, and the music rendered by the dying sounded like Professor Woodward's trained seals.
Captain Landon could give the Admiral of the "Swiss Navy" cards . and spades in nautical lore, and his hospitality was bounteous.
Altogether it was a pretty fine trip, and we thank the Captain for his efforts to give us a good time. Long may he live in the hearts of his fellow comrades!
*
In less than a month, September 18, the Regiment will make its long- anticipated trip to Gettysburg, and to those who did not accompany the 7th to Boston five years ago, and are therefore unacquainted with the good time we had on that occasion, this will be a great opportunity to get together and learn the true "Seventh Spirit." Not only will our trip be most delightful from the standpoint of fun we are bound to experience, and most instructive from the historical significance of the country we will see, but it will be the last
C
On board the "Sea Fox," July 1902
Hawkins
Stratton Slosson Potter
Brown Smith
Mote
Berrian Le Bout Wenman
Landon
236
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
chance of the Company to serve under Captain Landon, and if for no other reason this incentive alone should suffice to bring every man to assemble in the Armory on September 18.
-CHAS. A. SLOSSON
THE INVITATION
Aboard the Schooner Sea Fox, Off New Rochelle, June 30, 1902
To the Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, Company I Dear Sir :
Our cruise will occur over the Sunday of July 20, 1902. Following is the schedule :
The yacht will lie off Larchmont Yacht Club Friday afternoon, July 18, and you will be expected somewhere between 3 p.m. and midnight of that day, kindly letting me know at what hour to expect you. We will weigh anchor sunrise Saturday morning, July 19, and hope to be able to return to Larchmont Harbor sometime before midnight of Monday, July 21. If there are any business cranks among you who think that they must attend to business Monday we will land them somewhere Sunday night at the most inconvenient place that we can select. Elaborate wardrobes will be unnecessary as my costume afloat consists of white flannel trousers, sweater or flannel shirt and cap. This is merely to give you an idea for your trousseau.
I warn you that the boat will be very crowded and on that account we will necessarily be obliged to get very thick. Food and drink will be furnished and cigars, but we will probably have to go to mess in detail, although it is hoped that our drinks may be taken collectively. Sleeping quarters of course will be limited, but among such pleasant people it is not antici- pated that anyone will care for that old-fashioned luxury.
Kindly notify me when to expect you, etc., at 29 Broadway.
Sincerely yours, FRANCIS L. LANDON
ABOARD THE SEA FOX JULY 18 TO JULY 22, 1902
Captain Landon
Corporal Berrian
First Sergeant O'Connor
Corporal Stratton
Sergeant Brown
Corporal Slosson
Sergeant LeBoutillier
Corporal Smith
Sergeant Wenman
Corporal Mote
Corporal Potter
Lance Corporal Vanderbilt
Corporal Hawkins
Absent
First Lieutenant McAlpin
Corporal Clark
Second Lieutenant Houston
Lance Corporal Paddock
Quartermaster Sergeant Delafield Sergeant Cowperthwait
Lance Corporal Perrine Company Clerk O'Connor
AUGUST
As there seems to be a dearth of Ninth Company fellows in town during this hot month, there is likewise a scarcity of Company news, so my notes must be brief. A few incidents of interest have not escaped notice the past month, chief of which is the fact that the poor mice in the Company room must seek new ceilings to conquer, for at last the heartless committee in charge of repairs have put in a pretty new one, which reflects great credit on their artistic ability.
237
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The Jersey coast seems to claim the attention of quite a number of Company I men just at present and any afternoon one can generally locate in the café on the Sandy Hook boat such shining lights as Messrs. Mote, Harding, Stratton, Griffin, Babbitt, and others. The aggregation has incorporated itself into what is generally known as the "Seabright High-Ball Club," the aim of which seems to be to obtain a corner on the above beverage in that vicinity. From last accounts the club's efforts to this end were meeting with success.
"Clinton," of course, is one of the prime movers in the club. Strange to say, he underwent considerable difficulty in obtaining membership, receiving four black balls on the first count. He was finally voted in on the condition that the misplaced eyebrow he has been afflicting his friends with, the past four months, be separated from his person. Having complied with the aforesaid con- dition, he is now a most active member, judging from a "thirst" standpoint. Tennis, too, has been claiming his attention of late, and most any Saturday he may be found demonstrating his incomparable skill-news of his winning a match has not reached us as yet. Possibly it can be chronicled in our next issue-for this is an era of marvels.
Dan MacGregor is society correspondent for the Herald along the Jersey coast. Well! He has a big field to work in, and with his versatility and gift of gab should have no difficulty in concocting some spicy society news. If you want to keep posted watch Dan's column.
-CHAS. A. SLOSSON
TRIP TO GETTYSBURG September 18-22, 1902
In the summer of 1902 the Regiment was honored by an invitation from the Society of the Army of the Potomac to act as its escort at its Thirty-third Annual Reunion at Gettysburg on which occasion a monument to General Henry W. Slocum was to be dedicated. Colonel Appleton was prompt in accept- ing the invitation and the 7th Regiment was the first National Guard organiza- tion to camp on this historic battlefield since the Civil War.
This was a particularly notable trip for Company I as it was the last occasion on which we were commanded by our beloved Captain Landon, who had for- warded his resignation earlier in the summer and after much pleading by all ranks to withdraw it, had finally told us he could not change his mind. As Captain Landon was the senior Company commander, the Ninth Company had the coveted "right of line" which meant that we led the Regiment and marched directly behind the band, a fact which the old-timers never failed to impress upon the rookies as an honor which no member of another Company could boast.
It is interesting to note the following extract from Circular No. 1 issued by Regimental Headquarters announcing the trip:
II. On this trip rations will be prepared and served by cooks hired for the purpose by the Regimental Commissary; the digging of sinks and the preparation of the camp ground and the handling of the camp equipage will be done by labor hired by the Regimental Quartermaster.
The Ninth Company at Gettysburg, September 1902
239
THE NEW CENTURY
Thus it will be seen that the dawn of the century provided peace, comfort, and ease for the buck private, and if this should be read by an active rookie in the present Company I, his comment will undoubtedly consist of one word, "Pansies." However, the writer happened to be a rookie on this trip and recalls vividly that despite the absence of K.P. there were plenty of details for the uninitiated to keep him from wondering what he would do with his spare time.
The Regiment assembled at the Armory at 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, and proceeded to the 23rd Street Ferry, entraining on Pullmans in the Penn Station at Jersey City. Governor Odell, Mayor Low and other celebrities were on the train to take part in the ceremonies and doubtless enjoyed a restful journey. The rookies, however, having been assigned to the upper berths, were forced to stay up until the old-timers had either won or lost all the money in
Gettysburg, 1902 McAlpin Landon Houston
240
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Captain Francis G. Landon, Gettysburg, 1902
241
THE NEW CENTURY
circulation at poker, which did not permit the uppers to be made up until Gettysburg was almost in sight.
It was a gray morning, probably due to the night before, when we were ordered out for coffee but the sun did actually rise a bit later and we all felt ready for the battle or battlefield to come. The parade through the town and out to the monument which took place Friday afternoon was heartily applauded by large crowds and we all felt the unjust prejudice shown toward the Regi- ment following the Spanish War was at last abating.
Saturday was left for sightseeing and the Company divided into groups which were conducted by guides who knew more about the Battle of Gettysburg than those who were at the original performance. We did, however, acquire much knowledge and information and returned to camp so full of pep that the Company strong men, consisting of Elliott Ranney, Jack LeBoutillier and Harry Stratton, endeavored to hold the entire outfit on their shoulders in a human pyramid.
The return trip which began Sunday morning was marked by a tragedy. No scheduled trains ran on Sunday on this section of the road and a native who was totally deaf was in the habit of walking to church along the tracks. The engineer, thinking he would step off the tracks when the whistle blew, failed to apply the brakes in time and the man was run down and killed. This resulted in a long delay and made it impossible to reach New York for supper. Did the Regiment go hungry in consequence? Decidedly no. Captain Wes Myers, the commissary, had stepped to a telegraph office during the delay and when we arrived at Philadelphia about six-thirty there was supper with table- cloths and napkins and everything awaiting us in the Broad Street Station. Soldiering was certainly a pleasure in the good old days!
After our return to the Armory where our retiring Captain was cheered and cheered again, and where his successor, Ben McAlpin (who had not yet been elected), tried to look nonchalant and dignified and finally ended up with a tearful speech, we called the trip a big success. -GEORGE P. NICHOLS
CAPTAIN LANDON LEAVES US
The honorable discharge granted to Captain Francis G. Landon on October 15, 1902, brought to a close a career of twenty years of service, that for bril- liancy and achievement, for duty done, for work well performed, was one of the most notable in the history of the National Guard.
From the day he donned the gray jacket to his last act as commanding of- ficer of his beloved Company at Gettysburg, he was the impersonation of zeal, energy and enthusiasm. Enthusiasm was his motto, his watchword. He could forgive the lack of all else. To err was human-patient instruction could remedy that. Inability to grasp the technicalities of the blue book could be overcome. Sluggishness could be coaxed or drilled out of the most perverse dispositions, but enthusiasm the man must have. The Captain fairly brimmed over with it, and this was of such an infectious quality that it mastered all those with whom he came in contact.
242
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY 1
Captain Landon's last Guard Mount as commanding officer of Company I, Gettysburg, 1902
For anything that tended to the welfare of the Company or the Regiment, the impossible did not exist. "Do your best, and then do a little better," the Captain would urge. No sacrifice of time or labor was too great. An indomitable will, an unflagging spirit, pushed whatever he undertook to a successful issue. He was full of new schemes. He had the courage of his convictions and never feared to put in practice what he once decided was right. Traditions to him were only made to be broken if they stood in the way of progress. The encamp- ment at Peekskill after his appointment as Adjutant was ablaze with innova- tions : guard mount at double time with its "Landon trot," the echelon forma- tions, numberless measures that served to quicken the interest, put snap into the men, into the band, into the whole camp. His resistless energy knew no abatement and infused itself into every moment of those seven days, to end with his being carried on the shoulders of the men through the Company streets amid roars of enthusiastic cheering.
Captain Landon's seven years of command of the Ninth Company was an uninterrupted record of friendship and loyal support from those who served under him. From the oldest Company officer to the newest recruit he won the heartiest respect and admiration. Strict as to discipline, particular to the finest detail in questions of uniform and equipment, he could on the instant be the jolliest of fellows, the shining center of after-drill entertainments and pleasantry. His discharge is a severe loss to his Company, to his Regiment, and to the Guard.
We find ourselves once again hot-footing it around the good old Armory floor with a full Company. The recruits are going through their stunts of penance under the "intrepid" Smitty. It's good that golf is not a requirement of the Regiment or those poor dubs would never get it under their present in- structor. Did you ever see Smitty chasing a poor harmless capsule around Van Cortlandt? The gods wring their hands and strong men weep-but as a soldier! Fudge, Funston is a farmer compared-
243
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Martial history will henceforth date from October 9, 1902, when Mr. Clinton Randolph Griffin was exalted to a lance-corporalcy-this in recognition of his devotion to the flag and his invaluable services in the late Guinea War. "Some people are born great, and some are just good fellows."
Now that we have so many "hoot" men in the Company, why not get to- gether and show the Tenth Company how it is done at St. Andrews. We used to play them at hockey, but kind friends advised us to take up squat-tag in- stead. If we can't drive them into their holes at golf, we can still challenge them to something we do excel at, and that is squat-tag.
While dwelling on promotions, I must not overlook the fact that another of our social sunbursts, Breck Carroll, has had further honors thrust upon him-this time being promoted from chore-boy at the Lincoln Bank to ladies' teller in the same institution. If Breck can continue to hypnotize the ladies as in the past, he ought to make good in his new berth.
Dear old Captain Landon is to entertain us once again, and this time at the University Club, on the evening of the 16th of November, after drill. I trust the entire Company will be there. We shall be glad of another oppor- tunity to show appreciation of the best Captain that ever drilled a Company. -CHAS. A. SLOSSON
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN BRANDRETH McALPIN 1902-1908
When after the drill season opened it became necessary to think about electing a new commanding officer it was soon evident that a Company could not be more decided or unanimous in a choice. No name but that of Lieutenant McAlpin was mentioned or thought of.
The affairs of the Company were carried on as smoothly as though no change had taken place, and our "Ben" was now Captain of Company I. With changes all along the line our politicians immediately commenced manu- facturing issues for an active campaign.
When it came to First Lieutenant, it looked as though the politicians would have to sell out, for there was but one opinion again, and Lieutenant Houston was unanimously elected First Lieutenant.
No! The politicians could not be squelched and long before the above elec- tion, a certain few determined to have some electioneering, excitement, cam- paign arguments, etc., etc.
By skilful manœuvering a party with "Anti-Seniority" for its motto, sud- denly appeared with a Private (an ex-Corporal) for its hero or victim as you may prefer to call it. The "Seniority First, Last and All the Time" Party met the opposition, elected a Sergeant and gained strength so rapidly, that when it came time for a Second Lieutenant to be elected, we were all one party again, and First Sergeant Bill O'Connor was chosen without a dissenting voice.
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THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
We had now become so unanimous in our ideas that Sergeant Jack LeBoutil- lier was promoted First Sergeant practically by acclamation, although the for- malities of an election had to be gone through. This gave us our fourth First Sergeant in less than three years, a striking contrast with the long service of Harry V. Keep in that important position.
Benjamin B. McAlpin joined Company I October 26, 1893. He was made Lance Corporal, November 19, 1896; Sergeant, November 17, 1898; First Sergeant, June 14, 1900; commissioned Second Lieutenant, December 13, 1901; First Lieutenant, March 7, 1902; and elected Captain, November 21, 1902.
Captain McAlpin was the son of Adjutant General E. A. McAlpin, for- merly a member of the 7th Regiment, and nobly he carried on his family mili- tary tradition. It is granted to few men to possess so large a capacity for friend- ship and to enjoy the affection and esteem of such an extensive circle. His qualities of leadership were recognized during the very first year of his en- listment service by unanimous election to the office of Secretary to the Com- pany-in that day of 7th Regiment activities, an office of real importance- and one bestowed as a recognition of unusual merit.
Captain McAlpin was also one of the Regiment's finest rifle shots and served regularly as an outstanding member of the Regimental rifle teams. He com- peted for the Regiment in the first rifle match between the 7th Regiment and the Queen's Westminster Volunteers, held at Bisley, England, in June, 1905.
Under Captain McAlpin the Ninth Company maintained its outstanding po- sition in the Regiment. His ability to command and his magnetic personality soon were noticed and recognized elsewhere and in September, 1908, he was appointed to succeed Lieutenant Colonel J. Wray Cleveland (also a Ninth Company man serving through various grades from 1883 to his appointment as Aide-de-Camp to the Governor, January 1, 1899) as a member of Major General Roe's staff. Later he was assigned to the office of Assistant Inspector General of the National Guard of New York State after Lieutenant Colonel Cleveland's retirement.
COMPANY NOTES, 1902
Since the new drill season opened and our new Captain took us in hand, the men have tried to show him by their enthusiasm and attention to duty what loyal support he can always count on from them.
It is with regret that we note the resignations of two of our shining lights- Messrs. H. L. Harding and John B. Power, alias "Tony." But promotions have fallen to their lot and they are now full-fledged lieutenants in the 12th Regi- ment. This blow does not fall as heavily on the new men in the Company as on the older veterans who served with them at Croton. To us it seems that the Company has sustained an irreparable loss and one that only time can
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THE NEW CENTURY
efface. As entertainers Harding and Power were always our star performers, foremost in our smokers, dutches, and minstrel shows. They will be hard to replace. The Company will feel the loss most in the disbanding of the "Slaughterhouse Quartette." This band of silver-toned warblers, notwithstand- ing the favors and other things that have been showered upon them, have for five years kept up the high musical standard of the Ninth Company. Some cynical critics have it that they could not be criticized, holding that they were far too bad, but those that have heard "Rag's" melodious bass and "Tony's" foghorn tenor can never forget them. We are sorry to lose the old boys, but glad that their abilities have earned them such just rewards.
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