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 4
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32
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Nast
OPENING THE ROAD TO WASHINGTON.
1861. Company I howitzers on flat cars
Sunday, April 28, 1861.
I told you long ago that I was going to have a seat in Congress, and here I am. We are going into Quarters or Camp when our equipage arrives. This I will like much better. We rise at 5 o'clock. Breakfast at 7. Company drills, dinner, afternoon parade and supper at 6 o'clock are the events of the day. The interim is filled up by reports, drilling squads, cleaning belts etc. We had a splendid service this morning by Chaplin Weston-sacred music by the band and a choir from the different companies. This is the Hall where so much political rascality and scoundrelism have brought our country to anarchy and ruin. We are expecting an attack almost hourly, but the citizens of this city of magnificient distances now rest quietly and breathe freely. It is vast camp of armed men. Trained bands and munitions of war are constantly moving from point to point, and business is almost entirely suspended.
Stone Farm, D.C. Friday, May 3, 1861.
Day before yesterday I was detailed with my Command to lay out our camp, and have had a very hard time of it. The weather has been very cold, and the first night it was hard on the boys, more especially as rations were short. Today is very stormy, but I am very comfortably quartered; that is I am dry, and do not have to stand guard. My time is so inuch taken up with reports, rations, special duties, drilling raw recruits and my leisure moments are few. Our camp is about two miles out of Washington, on a road leading in from the disaffected districts. The ground is on the Heights which overlook the City and the Potomac, and is most beautifully situated. The Headquarters of the Regiment are in the Mansion-a grand old building of the "Olden Time" with wide hall, corridors galleries and wings. The front faces South, and a wide expanse of town and country and river completes a lovely picture. On the left are the hills of Virginia, (now teeming with our foes). As one paces these halls and grand old parlors, catching a glimpse through an open window of the ivy covered walls outside-fancy takes us back to the old Virginia days of chivalry and hospitality. What gay times these walls have resounded to, and how sad the contrast-now the quarters of a Northern Regiment, the front frowning with cannon-the
33
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
windows bristling with bayonets, and long-bearded men hurrying to and fro-surely grim war has usurped the place of peace! The estate has been kept in splendid order, but was hurriedly deserted by the family through fear of the secessionists. It is so cold today fires are built in all the fireplaces.
Camp Cameron Monday, May 6, 1861.
Another severe storm of both wind and rain, our men are very much exposed, but stand it first rate. They say we are made of good material. Yesterday-Sunday-was a fine clear day and we had services in the open field. A drum head for a reading desk. Dr. Weston was happy and felicitious as usual, and also sorrowful. He caused many a tear to trickle down bronzed cheeks that would not blanch in front of a hostile battery. Our quarters contain our beds, (blankets and a hard floor), company rations for the day, and numberless odds and ends. I hired a cook for the Company, and the arrangement has proved a capital one. He is a good man and prepares for our mess anything we may purchase. We can't stand "salt horse" alone and have added eggs and milk to the menu. Big thing, isn't it, to be working for the Government, sacrificing business and health, and paying for the necessities of life? Ten days of the thirty are up, and I am looking for the end to come: not that I flinch from duty and hardship, but we are still inactive, so to speak. I suppose our presence is necessary, until the Regulars or Volunteers can take our places. Every man sleeps on his arms. Our guard duty is very onerous, as we have to station pickets one and two miles from camp. The few leisure minutes we have, are passed under oaks and evergreens, listen- ing to practical wits, who keep the camp in a continued roar. The air is filled with the perfume of the lilac and the honeysuckle, now in first bloom. Monotony is relieved by the stirring strains of the band. I notice a good many whose whiskers and mustaches were a rich black on the 19th of April, are now a half and half rusty. Almost every man in the Regiment has his hair cut 7th Regt. style, that is, close and grim beards, half grown, and close-cropped heads-very soldierly, but devilish ugly-is the style. It is a luxury in confined
Burns
Life at Camp Cameron, 1861
34
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
quarters, to have no use for comb and brush, particularly in hot weather, or on the march. As I do not want too much money about me for some secessionist to handle-not knowing what may happen-I send back some bills and keep the "gold." Since being here, I have been away three quarters of a day, and since leaving New York have not had my clothes off, except to change flannels-comfortable isn't it? I enclose a copy of resolutions to show how we are looked upon by other soldiers than New Yorkers. I am very sorry to say that the New York City Regiments are jealous of us, and show it in many ways, but unjustly, for we are doing more duty than any of them and are much more exposed. We feel a pride in all our City regiments, and were as glad to see them as brothers.
Camp Cameron, Mount Pleasant. Tuesday Night, May 8, 1861.
Today has been very beautiful and things have assumed a more cheering aspect. Our Commissary and Quartermaster Departments are beginning to work with more system and rations come more regularly. The camp is drying up and we are filling up our stomachs- quite a novel sensation. Among the stores received within a day or two, are large quantities of pressed meats and vegetables, which help the bacon etc. along. Our mess ought not to complain, for we buy outside and have plenty. Our Company have had the best of the Regiment in this wet weather, for we were quartered in the old mansion, after the Colonel, Staff and Medical Department had their choice of rooms. In one room 16'x12' sleep 18 men. In another 20. In a third 10'x12', the Lieutenants and myself. Let me describe it to you-we found it empty and now it is full. The door closes in one corner-Nail No. 1 holds a haversack containing candles, soap etc., No. 2, a knapsack, No. 3, sashes, belts, sabres and pistols-next come two camp bedsteads for the Lieutenants and my mattress, (for know you that I spent a dollar and a half for muslin and made a tick), the boards being entirely too soft. At present six outsiders are on the bed smoking-next come more nails with officers coats, and a sash artistically arranged. Corner No. 2 contains my cupboard containing 4 tin plates, 4 cups, knives and forks, improvised sugar and salt shells, etc., etc. Then a small table opposite our window which faces the east, through which we see Old Sol get up and shake himself. Then there are other various nails holding canteens contain- ing milk, hair brushes, soap and towels. We have put up shelf, upon which are various articles, rations for the men,-pork, bacon, bread, ham, rice, coffee, segars, brandy and our library bound in morocco, and some pictures, among which takes the premium. A rough stand for a wash basin, and three camp stools complete our parlor, bedroom and kitchen furniture. Now isn't all this jolly? How we do eat and sing and sleep! To-day Major Anderson reviewed the Regiment, and we were visited by a large number of the upper crust from Washington. Another day gone! Only eighteen left and then hurrah for home! Oh what may not happen in that time !
Camp Cameron. Thursday, May 17, 1861.
Since my last have an arrival of 61 recruits-all for Co. I and I have never had such trouble in my life. Our rooms not being large enough, we have moved to the tented field and have had constant business. Added to this the old men and the new have been at swords points. The last sentence needs an explanation-It appeared that a certain non-com. officer who had been detailed to forward the recruits from New York had obtained a sort of promise that in the event of an election for Captain, he would receive their votes. As the new element constituted a majority of the company the result was a foregone conclusion unless means were found to secure the interference of those in high authority. This was brought about by a statement of the facts, and no further trouble experienced.
Camp Cameron. Thursday, May 23, 1861.
A very great change has come over us in a few hours. I should say moments-our boys have been jubilant at the prospect of soon seeing home and friends-now we feel that some
35
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
of us may be deprived of that pleasure. When we left New York, we all had the same feeling but it has worn off, and bright hopes and anticipation have been kindled to be per- haps crushed for ever. Within the past hour and just after the presentation of that beautiful flag from the ladies of New York, the eight line companies received orders to be in readiness to march. Our company and the other artillery company the 10th are to be held as a guard to the camp, and reserve with everything ready for action. We know not our destination but rumors and reports are rife as to Alexandria, Arlington Heights and Harpers Ferry, as far as I am able to learn, the U.S. Regulars are to attack the Con- federate forces, and if resisted, the 7th, 12th and the New Jersey regiment are to march forward. The men all receive the news with the proper spirit and an earnest determination that the flag this afternoon presented shall be successfully carried into the enemy's camp.
During the month that had passed since the 7th Regiment reached Washing- ton other troops from the North had been continually arriving. By May 23 a sufficient force had been collected to warrant an advance into Virginia to occupy the heights that threatened the Capital. For several days there had been a good deal of feverish impatience for active duty in the camp of the 7th. Great was the disgust and disappointment of the Ninth and Tenth Companies when they were ordered to stay and guard Camp Cameron while the rest of the regiment marched away one night in the moonlight !
Perhaps they had the laugh on the other eight companies when accounts of the blisters and aching backs incurred in fortifying the point known as Fort Runyon on the Alexandria and Washington R.R., were made known to the wide world by the trench diggers. Anyway there was no fight, and no glory lost on that occasion.
Soon June 1 arrived, the famous tour was over, and the regiment was on its way home to be mustered out of the national service.
Down in Virginia on the very day the regiment was returning to private life, Major Theodore Winthrop, then a member of General Benjamin Butler's staff at Fortress Monroe, fell while gallantly leading a detachment of Union troops in that unfortunate fight at Big Bethel. His body, received from the Confeder- ates under a flag of truce, was returned to New York on June 21 and his funeral was held at the 7th Regiment Armory. The First, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Companies escorted the remains to the New Haven Railroad Depot whence they were taken to Connecticut for burial.
During the summer many members of the Company following the example of the older companies, accepted commissions in volunteer regiments, impatient of the delay. After a brief visit at home others decided to close up their business affairs, enlist and devote their lives to the preservation of the country. Never had the motto of the 7th-"Pro Patria et Gloria"-been so gallantly and un- selfishly lived up to. Forty-seven members left Company I to enter the Army from 1861 to 1865, and of this number four became brigadier-generals, two, colonels, six, majors, thirteen, captains and seventeen, lieutenants.
In September 1861 the Company elected Charles A. Easton as its captain. It was soon ready to forget its versatile past and become a plain company of "dust disturbers" as General Orders No. 34, dated October 28, indicate:
36
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Companies Nine and Ten who have been doing duty as flank companies will hereafter be assigned position in line according to rank and will upon receipt of this order commence drill with the musket.
Ordinance Sergeant Draper will furnish to Companies Nine and Ten eighty muskets each and receive the sword-bayonet rifles in return.
Captain Charles A. Easton, 1861-1869
37
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
Captain Charles A. Easton, enlisted in the Eighth Company in 1849, and was so distinguished as a non-commissioned officer that in 1861, when the National Guard Troop became an infantry company he was selected to com- mand the new organization. Although composed of old troopers and raw recruits, the executive and military ability of Captain Easton soon made the Ninth a prominent and valuable company. He was a thorough drill-officer and an admirable disciplinarian, and he commanded the respect and confidence of all ranks. He was also an excellent business manager, and conducted the affairs of his command with judgment and discretion. In person he was soldierly and attractive, and in manners easy and pleasant; and he had the happy faculty of interesting his subordinates and securing their best efforts in his support. Cap- tain Easton was born in New York in 1831. He was an active, prominent, and successful cotton-broker and merchant, but was finally unfortunate in business, and died at Ossining in 1885.
BALTIMORE, 1862.
The second tour of duty performed by the 7th Regiment during the Civil War was occasioned by that masterly campaign of "Stonewall" Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley.
'When the Union forces under Fremont and Banks had been defeated and driven back to the Potomac, President Lincoln called upon the Governors of the loyal states to hold all their militia troops in readiness to move.
On May 26, the 7th left its armory for the second time to go to the aid of the threatened Capital of the nation. It was transported by steamer to Elizabeth, N.J., and by train through the Lehigh Valley to Harrisburg, Pa., and arrived at Baltimore on the 27th.
The following day, camp was made at Stewart's Grove on the outskirts of Baltimore about two miles from Utah House. This time Company I with Cap- tain Charles A. Easton in command, mustered seventy-five men. Camp Dix, afterward known as Camp Wool, was situated on a commanding plateau in very attractive surroundings, and from this camp details from the regiment were sent to guard various railroad centers. Swinton mentions that on June 5 the Ninth Company was stationed at the Montclare Depot.
On the morning of June 6 the Regiment was ordered to occupy Fort Federal Hill. This fortification was built upon the imposing height overlooking the city, the harbor and the surrounding country including Fort McHenry. Here the 7th was mustered into the service of the United States on June 19 and settled down to the usual monotonous round of drills, guard duties and dress parades. Their camp was soon the favorite resort of the citizens and citoyennes of Balti- more, particularly at the hour for evening parade. The duties of the soldiery were not too arduous and social activities began at an early date.
38
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore, 1862
The theater at Fort Federal Hill was turned over to the amateur actors of the 7th among whom several members of the Ninth Company shone as usual.
At an entertainment on August 22, 1862, Sergeant William H. L. Barnes of Company I, first presented his song "Comrades, touch the elbow." It scored a decided hit and at once became a favorite soldier song throughout the army.
FORT FEDERAL HILL, BALTIMORE, AUGUST 22, 1862. Seventh Regiment Amusement Association.
OFFICERS
President
W. T. Farnham (B) Treasurer
Vice-President
G. A. Dickenson (D) Stage Manager
H. L. Pierson Jr. (K) J. H. Bird (B)
Secretary
D. S. Mann (H)
Musical Director, Prof. C. S. Grafulla.
The Regimental Band will perform the following selections :
Overture -- Stradella
Schottische
Selection
Donizetti Grafulla
THE TENT SCENE FROM JULIUS CAESAR
Brutus
J. H. Bird (B)
Trebonius
Cassius
J. S. McKay (A)
Metellus
Ghost of Julius Caesar
W. N. Griffith (A) Lucius
R. W. Leonard (B) A. A. Curtis (B) D. Scott (A)
Flotow Grafulla
Varsovienne
39
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
COMRADES, TOUCH THE ELBOW! Song of the Seventh Regiment, N. Y. S M.
Written at Fort Federal Hill in 1862, by Private Barnes. Mr. Barnes afterward became Major General of the California N. G.
Risoluto.
2
f
sfz
0:72
SOLO, Duo or SEMI-CHORUS.
1. When
bat - tle's mu - sic
greets
our
ear,
Our
guns
are
sight - ed
2. For
Home
and Coun - try,
Pa - triots fire, the
Kind - dle And
our
hearts
with
3. Tho'
man
y
brave men
bite
sod,
crim - son
hearts blood
1. When
bat - tle's mu - sic
greets
our
ear,
Our
guns
are
sight - ed
2. For
Home
and Coun - try,
brave
men
Pa - bite
triots fire, the
sod,
Kind - dle And
crim - son
hearts blood
on
the
Then nerve
ish
fear,
And
fer -
vid
And
ev
-
the 'ry
arm foe spir
-
man
re
- tire,
When
free -
ly
Shout
as
our
it
soars
a
bove :-- On,
on
the
foe : glow, flow ;
Then And
nerve
the
arm
and
- ish
fear,
And When
free -
ly
Shout
as
our
spir .
it
soars
a
. bove :- On,
-
'ry
foe - man
ban must
fer
.
vid
re
- tire,
with
3. Tho'
man
.
y
foe, glow, flow ;
and
ban must
-
Copyright, 1914, by THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF NEW YORK.
(12)
our
hearts
2
ev
40
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
COMRADES, TOUCH THE ELBOW!
CHORUS.
com - rades,
touch
the
el
bow.
Free - men
touch
the
bow.
Touch
the
el - bow
com - rades!
touch
the
1 -
bow. S
-b
com
- rades,
touch
the
el
- bow.
Free - men
touch
the
el
- bow.
Touch
the
el - bow
com - rades!
touch
the
el -
bow. S
-5
now
my
boys,
Live - ly,
com - rades,
touch
the
el - bow,
now
my
boys,
Live - ly,
com - rades,
touch
the
el - bow.
Nerve
the
rm and
ban - ish
fear, And com - rades, touch the
el - bow.
Nerve
the
arm
and
ban - ish
fear,
And com - rades, touch the
el - bow.
4. Though cannon ball may plow the rank, And through it cast a deadly glow ; Fill up the space the ball made blank, And comrades, touch the elbow !- CHO.
5. Now show the stuff of which you're made, The general signal, "March," Hallo! Double the Quick-step, Third Brigade,- Charge ! comrades, touch the elbow !- CHO.
(13)
....
41
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Aria-Nabuco
Verdi
C. S. Huntington (I)*
How calm and beautiful the night!
Lucchesi
Messrs. E. Foote (K), C. S. Huntington (I),* F. Rockwell (I),* R. F. Ware (B)
Aria-Ballo en Maschera Verdi
A. G. Valentine (K)
Amid the Greenwood smiling Thalberg
E. Foote (K)
Song --- Touch the Elbow,* Messrs. Wm. H. L. Barnes (I),* C. S. Huntington (I),* F. Rockwell (I)*
After Which The Farce Of SIAMESE TWINS
Forceps (a virtuoso)
W. T. Farnham (B)
Capt. Vivid Dennis O'Glib Simon Slow 5 Marian
Siamese Twins
W. N. Griffith (A) E. F. Roberts (G) D. S. Mann (H) H. H. Hollister (H) IV. Van Duzen (B)
To be followed by GYMNASTIC GROUPINGS By several Members The whole to conclude (by request) with the Burlesque of BOMBASTES FURIOSO
Artaximonious, King of Utopia
Fusbos, Minister of State
Bombastes, General of a mighty army Mighty Army Attendants Distaffina, a love-sick maiden
G. V. Quillard (B) and H. S. Gregory (B) E. Debenham (B) and C. S. Hill (B)
E. F. Roberts (G)
THE 6 AND THE 9.
I think the old members of F and I in those days, will chuckle over the memory of how they hoodoo'd the guard, when, as the case might be, either of these two companies was detailed at Locust Point-or was it Switzer Bridge? Anyhow the boys took a sly advantage of the situation, and if the Sixth Company was at the Fort, they simply reversed the belt plate, and passed the innocent (?) sentry as a Ninth man on a visit to the barracks. Then, . after a nice day in town, the cagey youths came safely back, plate still reversed, and sentry still innocent! And all the other companies with no back-action belt plates, gnashed their teeth and-prayed.
I wonder if the numberless escapades of Private C- - are still in mind-his utter disregard of any orders he could evade; his frolics in Baltimore, followed by daily guard- house; also the utter bewilderment of the officer of the guard who could not see how C -- 's dalliance with Bacchus could be kept up on bread and coffee, until he found that a small flask was concealed in the bowels of the daily bread, a la Trojan Horse?
Anyone who was there can readily understand its size for the aerated bread served out to us consisted mainly of holes.
I wonder if anyone can see with his mind's eye that gifted artist, Corporal S. R. Gifford, as he sat on the ramparts at dewy eve to catch the salient points of the wonderful Southern sunsets to be reproduced later in exquisite pictures.
-THE VETERAN, in the Gazette, December 1894
Sally
C. S. Van Norden (B) W. T. Farnham (B) J. H. Bird (B)
42
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
It is also recorded that the Ninth Company expelled one of its members at Fort Federal Hill for failing to report after the expiration of his furlough- which was probably just what the A.W.O.L. member was fishing for.
The three months for which the 7th had enlisted expired on August 24.
On the 28th orders were received to return to New York and by the following afternoon the Regiment was back again in its armory.
Five Company I boys at Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore, July 1862. R. N. Clark (with flag), M. B. Sweet, V. W. Macfarlane, E. Ketchum and E. G. Arthur, later Captain of Company I
43
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
The members of the now seasoned corps were no sooner in mufti again, than a mutiny broke out in the camp of a brigade of troops recruiting for the war at East New York.
Colonel Lefferts was ordered to send five companies of the 7th to the assistance of the general of the fractious brigade. On Friday, September 12, Companies H, B, F, G, and I under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Price proceeded to East New York in a drenching rainstorm.
By the time the 7th reached the camp the rain had apparently sobered the drunks and dampened the spirits of the disorderly, for no fight occurred. A week of most disagreeable guard duty followed and the Spinola Brigade was saved from dispersion by the firm hand of the 7th.
Thus ended the service of Company I during the historic year of the Peninsular Campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.
1863 CAMP MISERY
After the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, when the Army of Northern Virginia, under General Lee, started to carry the war into the northern states, New York was again called upon for troops, and the 7th Regiment, as usual, was first to leave for the seat of trouble.
On June 17 the Regiment left the city in a rainstorm and embarked upon a steamer for Amboy. Harrisburg was supposed to be the destination, but at Philadelphia orders were received to proceed to Baltimore. Here on the 18th the 7th reported to General Schenck, commanding the 8th Corps. On the morning of the 19th, Captain Easton, with Companies I, B, and F, was ordered to escort twelve hundred prisoners, captured by General Grant at Fort Gibson, from the B. and O. R.R. depot to the steamer that was to convey them to the military prison. This same day found the regiment back again on Fort Federal Hill, disgusted with the prospect of garrison duty again instead of active service.
Artillery drill, with the heavy guns mounted in the fort, now became part of the day's work, Company I being assigned to handle five big barkers in Bastion No. 3.
All the bridges, roads, and other approaches to the city of Baltimore were strongly guarded and the 7th furnished details for this important service. A sergeant and ten men from the Ninth Company guarded Long Bridge and another detail was sent to strengthen the garrison of Fort McHenry. Another detachment from Company I proceeded to Fortress Monroe with a party of paroled prisoners. So numerous and frequent were the demands made upon the regiment for special duty that often there were scarcely enough men left in Fort Federal Hill to mount the necessary guard.
By the end of June General Meade had succeeded General Hooker in com- mand of the Army of the Potomac, then in the vicinity of Frederick, Md. The situation was critical. While the various corps were moving north to meet the Confederate Army in Pennsylvania, General Jeb Stuart was making his last
"Camp Misery," Frederick, Md., 1863
45
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
ride around the Army of the Potomac. Several towns not far from Baltimore had been visited and plundered by Confederate cavalry and a daily attack upon the city was expected.
On June 29 Baltimore was in a state of wild excitement. News had just arrived that the enemy was about to attack. The Union troops were all at their posts at midnight. The threatening danger, however, did not develop and by the evening of July 3 news from Gettysburg began to arrive and the people of the North breathed easier.
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