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 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Company Order No. 2
Headquarters Seventh Regiment, National Guard, S.N.Y., Armory I Company, New York, April 18, 1873.
I. In compliance with special regimental orders an election will be held at the Armory on Wednesday evening, April 23 at 8 p.m. o'clock, to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of Captain E. G. Arthur and First Lieutenant M. B. Sweet, and to fill other vacancies as may occur.
By Order Of W. G. DOMINICK, Lieut. Commd'g H. S. GERMOND 1st Sergeant
Major George Moore Smith presided at the election. Lieutenant Dominick nominated William C. Casey for Captain. No other nominations were made, and on ballot Lieutenant Casey received all the votes cast-forty-eight. The announcement was received with much enthusiasm.
The future was now confidently discussed, when but a few days before the outlook had indeed been gloomy. The polls were opened to receive the vote for First Lieutenant, and during the recess Sergeant G. F. Martin and Private Frank M. Kelley were appointed a committee to notify Captain Casey of his election. The result of the ballot was the unanimous choice of Second Lieutenant W. Gaylord Dominick for First Lieutenant. Further elections promoted First Sergeant Henry S. Germond to the position of Second Lieutenant, Sergeant George F. Martin to that of First Sergeant, and Corporal George W. Chauncey to that of Fifth Sergeant. To fill further vacancies, Privates Frederick P. Marshall and Edward Arnold were elected Corporals.
Captain-elect Casey was received by the Company with warm expressions of confidence, and from the remarks made by him in accepting the office, it was apparent that success was to be the natural sequence of his election. His commanding presence, soldierly bearing, and fluent address at once won the respect and admiration of the whole Company. One word uttered in the manner which has since become so familiar conveyed to every man the importance of hard work. "RECRUITS" was the word Captain Casey spoke. "Bring me the men. I'll do the rest."
How well the request was responded to and the pledge kept is known to thousands of the 7th Regiment men. The retiring Captain and First Lieutenant having received an intimation that the Company desired to present them with substantial tokens of the esteem in which they were held, expressed an earnest wish that no action of the kind should be taken. However, before the adjourn- ment of the meeting, it was unanimously resolved that handsomely engrossed resolutions be presented, and a committee was appointed to take the matter in charge.
From the day of this meeting the spirit of the Company was entirely changed. There were a number of inactive members on the roll, who it was expected would
67
.THE 1870's
be required to drop out. Their places must now be filled by others of good physique, good will, and genuine enthusiasm for the Company's interests. One hundred men was the minimum asked for, and that number must be reached without delay. The future was so plainly defined and the plea so earnestly made, that the whole Company resolved itself into a recruiting committee. Social standing became a matter of closer scrutiny than ever before, and the high physical standards demanded, sent many prospective recruits to other companies, or barred them from the Regiment altogether.
The first evidence of the new crusade was shown at a special meeting held May 5 at which three men were elected. At the regular meeting on the 8th a resolution was adopted favoring an excursion of one day to Creedmoor, the new rifle range, and again on June 2 one member was enlisted. On this occasion a regular form of presenting new members was first introduced, and with most favorable results. On the entrance of a new member, the Company rose, the Recruiting Committee presented the member to the Captain, who in- formed him of his election and in turn introduced him to the Lieutenants and then to the Company. The Company "to warm the cockles of his heart" cheered him and then required the newly elected member to "say a lot but in only one or two words" (usually much to his embarrassment). After two or three attempts (interrupted attempts) he was given a final cheer, and the regular order of business then resumed. After the meeting, however, each man went up to the new member and shook hands saying, "My name is so and so and I'm glad to welcome you to our midst."
As a stimulus to recruiting it was thought desirable to issue for private distribution a pamphlet which would contain reliable information on matters of special interest to young men applying for membership in the Company. The title page reads as follows:
Membership in the Seventh Regiment. What it costs, its requirements, and its positive benefits. Issued by the Ninth Company. 1873
The pamphlet consists of twelve pages of carefully arranged facts, and contains also the roll of the Company, and names of the Recruiting Committee, under whose direction the publication was issued.
With October the first drill season commenced under the new commandant, and at the first assembly reform was in the air. Without arms a small band of men stood at attention. Facings and the simple principles of marching occupied most of an hour and a half-the length of future drills-and after a short address the drill finished. All were delighted with the Captain's soldierly figure, voice and clear commands, and also his explanations. The additional half hour was therefore not burdensome in the least. Every man was taught in unmistakable terms that movements are made only in obedience to commands-that time is an essential element of perfection and that ease,
68
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
grace with snap, combined to make a perfect soldier. Constant attention to all details was demanded. Non-coms were brought together and instructed in their duties. Recruits were drilled twice and often three times a week personally by the Captain.
"I" COMPANY, 7TH REGIMENT, NATIONAL GUARD S.N.Y.
New York, September 20th, 1873.
To the members of
"I" COMPANY, 7TH REG'T, N. G. S. N. Y.
The first regular drill of the season 1873-'4, will take place on Thursday Evening, October 2d, 8 o'clock, when it is hoped that every member will be present.
On the Roll of this Company there appears about 70 members, 8 of whom are recruits, and from this number, it is reasonable to expect, that 50 to 55 will answer to their names at every drill during the season.
Each and all of you owe a certain duty to this Company, for upon signing your application for membership, you promised "a strict compliance with its By-Laws."
Thursday Evening of each week, from October to April, is set apart as "drill night," and no one has a right to absent himself, on that night, without the best of reasons. Aside from this, it should be the ambition and pride of every member to be absent as seldom as possible. There are many times when pleasure may interfere, but you should resolve to perform your duty first.
The larger the number present at drills, the more encouraging to both Officers and men, and it is useless to ever hope for perfection, or even proficiency, without the regular and punctual attendance of all members of the Company.
The drill season is short, and it is earnestly hoped that this appeal is not made in vain. Let nothing but severe illness or absence from the City deter you from your good resolu- tions, let all do their utmost for the good and welfare of this Company, and it will be a matter of great surprise, if a very marked improvement is not soon visible.
WM. C. CASEY, CAPTAIN COM'D'G "I" CO.
At the meeting of October 6 it was announced that First Lieutenant C. G. Bacon of the First Company had resigned, and that it was his desire to enlist in the Ninth. Lieutenant Dominick thereupon moved the indefinite postponement of the election of First Sergeant, the object being to secure the immediate advancement of the ex-Lieutenant to the vacant position. On Novem- ber 6, C. Graham Bacon was duly elected to membership and subsequently received the unanimous vote for First Sergeant.
The Testimonial Committee presented handsomely engrossed resolutions to ex-Captain Arthur and ex-Lieutenant Sweet, who accepted them in graceful speeches, which were highly complimentary to the administration of Captain Casey. The Company then adjourned to partake of a handsome collation at Sieghortners, at the invitation of the ex-officers.
In the selection of a First Sergeant the Company was singularly fortunate. Lieutenant Bacon brought to the Company the results of long years of ex- perience. His army service and subsequent connection with the Regiment, had made him a soldier "in a thousand" and one whose qualities had not escaped the eye of Captain Casey. From the first drill he was considered the finest First Sergeant in the Regiment. Nothing less than perfection was satisfactory to him and before a month had passed the Company was well on the way to
69
THE 1870's
this happy state. From the command "Fall In" to the report to the Commandant, four minutes was the limit of time allowed. The man who by inattention caused delay never was guilty of a second offense. Lateness was inexcusable, a missing button unpardonable, and levity received a reprimand which prevented repeti- tion. The Company's military organization was now complete. It was deter- mined that no means should be neglected to place it at the head of all similar organizations in the State and, although the undertaking entailed responsibilities which at the time were but vaguely understood, the inclination to assume them was general and the best results confidently expected.
At a meeting on December 11 the Company numbered sixty-six. The Treasury was in a "healthy" condition, and the result of the hard work of the preceding three months was most flattering.
1874
Ho! the young recruits are shakin' an' they'll want their beer today-
During the year 1874 the Company was concerned principally with building up its personnel but the Committee exercised great care in passing candidates. Recruiting became a sort of mania with everyone. "More men" was still the cry. Although the rolls in February contained but seventy-one names and the average attendance for the quarter was fifty-one, a fine squad of "rookies" had been put through their paces under the eagle eye of the Captain.
In April the recruiting medal went to Private Alexander Dominick, and Private G. N. Stanton offered a gold medal to be presented to the best drilled man in the Company.
The Ninth Company also at this time joined the National Rifle Association. By the end of the year there were eighty-seven names on the roll and this in spite of the fact that the Regiment had been deprived of the Armory for the whole drill season owing to much needed repairs and a fire which caused great damage and loss to the whole organization.
Company I during this time drilled on the third floor of a building on the corner of Broadway and 4th Street.
Events in which the Company participated during the year were: The reception to the 5th Maryland Regiment, the trip to Creedmoor where Sergeant Dominick proved himself the best shot, the celebration of the Semicentennial of the Regiment, the unveiling of the 7th Regiment Memorial Statue in Central Park, at 69th Street, near Eighth Avenue.
In April 1874 the Legislature had approved of a plan authorizing the lease of the plot of city property bounded by 66th and 67th Streets, Park and Lexington Avenues, to the field officers of the Regiment for the erection of a new Armory. A majority of the officers were in favor of raising as large a sum as possible by subscription and applying to the city and State for the balance. This plan developed strong opposition. A minority held that the entire expense should be met by the State.
70
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
EMARFATAL
Seventh Regiment Armory Park Avenue, 66th and 67th Streets, 1880
In the meantime a former sergeant of the 7th, Charles W. Clinton, drew preliminary plans for the proposed Armory which it was estimated would cost about $400,000.
1875
In no single year, except 1861, had so many desirable men presented them- selves and been accepted, and never before had the Company been so prosperous. Ninety-eight names appeared on the roll. No other unit in the Regiment pos- sessed a larger proportion of real enthusiasts. The strides forward made by the Ninth Company attracted wide public notice. Military critics pointed to it as a model of discipline and efficiency, and the hard work of the past two years was plainly evident in the carriage of the men, the promptness in attendance, and their almost faultless drill.
Sergeant George W. Chauncey wore the Recruiting Medal for the year, and for the first time in the history of the Company the Treasurer reported more than a thousand dollars in the bank!
71
THE 1870's
One man was even turned down because he measured only 5 feet 5 inches- stretch as he would-so independent and "choosey" had the Committee become.
THE TRIP TO BOSTON
The long contemplated excursion to Boston to take part in the celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill took place in June.
The 7th left on the 16th at 4 p.m. on the steamer Newport specially chartered for the occasion, aboard which the accommodations were ample and the arrangements for the care and comfort of the officers and men admirable in every respect.
"A beautiful moonlight night and fair weather upon the Sound," says Colonel Clark, "added to the pleasure of the trip, and with music by the band, songs by the members, and the amusements common to such occasions, the evening passed rapidly away."
It is unfortunate that no distinctly Ninth Company recollections of this pleasant party have been preserved in the archives.
We know that the Company was quartered in the United States Hotel in Boston, and that on the 17th of June their well filled ranks and fine march discipline must have been a matter of enthusiastic comment. In the great parade the 7th vied with famous military organizations of the leading cities of the country and its superiority was universally conceded.
During the year many old members had asked for discharges, and several had been expelled. While incessant appeals brought recruits in goodly numbers, and while the flattering condition of affairs would have satisfied most men, Captain Casey continued to urge renewed efforts. At the memorable meeting of July 12, fourteen men were elected and for the second time 104 names appeared on the roll. Never before had so many men been obtained at one meeting and their enthusiastic reception is worthy of particular note. Their names are:
Blodgett, E. Tilden; Conger, Clarence R .; Duane, Louis; Falconer, William W .; Haynes, Charles W .; Harper, John; Harper, Franklyn; Harvey, Charles A .; Johnstone, Charles J .; Klous, Julius S .; Moore, George E .; Reynolds, James E .; Stanton, Gerald N .; Young, Edward R.
W. W. Falconer was the one hundredth man elected into the Company and in honor of the event had "Old Hundred" painted on his knapsack and was known by that name for years after. To celebrate the occasion in a fitting manner, the officers invited the Company to join them in discussing a collation in the small drill room after the meeting. Nothing loath, line was formed by eighty-one members and a most uproariously jolly evening was passed. Con- gratulatory speeches were made by officers and men. That of the Captain was filled with pleasant allusions to the work which had been done, and which had yet to be done, and finished with an exceedingly earnest tribute to the unanimity with which all the members had seconded his efforts to make the Company the best in the State. "We now have punctual attendance," he said, "full ranks, a well filled treasury and one more drill season will put us in a position second
72
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
to no company in this Regiment or for that matter the National Guard of the U.S.A."
The Committee on the Nevada Badge Contest reported in September that they had secured the requisite number of men-forty-six-to enter the compe- tition and that the State had provided 5,000 rounds of ammunition. The members would be under no individual expense.
The Regiment shot their end of the match October 28 when four of the companies proceeded to Creedmoor for that purpose. Company I was high, making an aggregate total of 866 points, average 18 38/46 per man, but its personal satisfaction received a terrific blow when they heard that Company A of Oswego, N.Y., 48th Regiment, N.G.S.N.Y., had won with an aggregate score of 1,283 points for forty-six men or an average of 27 9/10 points per man. "Impossible!" was the cry. But it still remained the winning score. Although accepted, it was commonly said there must be a mistake somewhere. Time, however, proved that "our country cousins" had put it over "on the level."
The project for a new Armory again came to an abrupt halt in the fall of 1875 through the failure of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment to appropriate the necessary funds to begin the work. On the theory that the law was mandatory the Regiment began legal action which also proved unsuccessful and left a blanket of disappointment and mortification on the whole organiza- tion-at the close of the year.
THE CENTENNIAL YEAR
"At the first meeting," says the Minute Book of 1876, "it was ordered that uniform trousers be worn at the succeeding drill!" We sincerely hope that up to this point the Company had not been in the habit of drilling without them --- but whether or no, as "Mulvaney" put it,
They tuk Lungtungpen nakid; 'an they'd take St. Petersburg in their drawers!
However, the occasion for the order was the entrance of the rookie squad into the Company ranks. Twenty-eight men who had been drilled for three months in every detail of the School of the Soldier and the School of the Company were now turned over to the First Sergeant and at roll-call lost their identity as members of the "Big Squad" forever. To say that they were welcomed with enthusiasm is to put it mildly, and from this happy date the Company assumed the lead both in percentage of men present and perfection of drill.
Since Captain Casey's election, two years and a half had expired and seventy- four picked recruits had been enlisted.
The results of the arduous work of this exceptional commander and his devoted lieutenants and non-coms were shown in no more certain way than in the continued efforts of the officers of other organizations to induce Ninth Company men to accept commissions.
Several men were offered staff appointments, one a captaincy in the 22nd Regiment, another a first lieutenancy in the 23rd, another the same
73
THE 1870's
position in the 13th, and one company in the 71st asked Captain Casey to pick a Captain for them from Company I!
The Centennial Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence which was to be held at Philadelphia had begun to occupy the public attention and the propo- sition that the Regiment should participate received enthusiastic support. The first formal communication was received from Colonel Clark in February requesting that the views of the members be ascertained and the result reported. The vote in favor of the project was unanimous. The Ninth Company went on record as "in favor of an encampment at Philadelphia for a period not to exceed eight days, and at an expense not to exceed twenty-five dollars per man."
On the 30th of March the drill for the Stanton Medal was held, Colonel Clark acting as one of the judges. Many members participated and after the exhaustive grilling in the School of the Soldier, the prize was awarded to Sergeant Daniel Chauncey, Jr. Rifle practice was also discussed and the following resolutions adopted :
Resolved: That it is expedient that the Company should be represented at the Spring Meeting of the N.R.A. and that the Company Inspector of Rifle Practice is author- ized to select and enter two teams of five, one for the Military Match and both for the Mid-Range Match as announced for May 26th.
Resolved : That the Company Inspector of R.P. be and is hereby authorized to issue a challenge in the name of this Company to several companies of the Regiment, chal- lenging each to send a team of six to compete for the Armory Championship of 1876 -Match to be shot at the Armory Range, Friday Evening, May 5, 1876 at 7 o'clock.
The fight for the new Armory began again early in 1876 with renewed energy. Turned down definitely as it seemed by the city authorities the Regiment through its Board of Officers determined to try raising money enough "by subscriptions from the active and veteran members and from the liberal citizens, business men and tax-payers of New York City."
By May 1 the Armory Fund had reached the sum of $80,000, more than half of which had been subscribed by the officers and members of the Regiment. The plans drawn by Charles W. Clinton, architect, were then approved and formally adopted.
In the June competition Company I's rifle team won the 1st and 3rd Regi- mental Medals, and in July all three! Thus assuming first place in another important feature of military service-marksmanship.
THE VISIT TO THE CENTENNIAL
A camp-ground having been secured at George's Hill in Fairmount Park the 7th Regiment persevered in its intention of visiting Philadelphia the first week in July although the indifference of the staid citizens of that city as to the proposed visits of military corps from neighboring states seemed to have cooled the ardor of many and nearly every regiment had abandoned the project.
The 7th left New York on the morning of the first of July and was more or less comfortably ensconced in "Camp Washington" before sunset.
74
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
The weather was worse than usual at that time of the year. While the camp situation was pleasant, the dust and heat were most uncomfortable and to add to the discontent the commissariat broke down completely.
While the Regiment was waiting, after a march under a burning sun, to receive and escort the Veterans of the 7th to their quarters on Broad Street on July 3, a telegram announcing the death of ex-Colonel Lefferts, on the train between Jersey City and Newark, and the immediate return of the veterans to New York, cast further gloom over the Centennial tour.
The following day, July 4, occurred the great military parade through the city to Independence Hall, where it was reviewed by General Sherman. The streets were "like fiery furnaces." With the thermometer at 100° in the shade, the young men of the 7th passed through the ordeal with honor, marched like veterans and were brought back to camp without the loss or serious injury of a single man.
After another day and a half of guard mounts, reviews and dress parades and of course many pleasant visits to the Exhibition, the Regiment returned to New York, arriving at their Armory at 10 p.m. on July 7.
*
On September 16 the Regiment paraded on invitation of the New York Historical Society to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Harlem Heights. The occasion as told by a survivor, is tersely set forth in verse :
Of the many celebrations in this Centennial year, The useful one "par excellence" is briefly noticed here. It not only called attention to an historical event, But gave also quite a pic-nic to the Seventh Regiment.
A society of rich old swells, who live not far from here Decided they must celebrate-but what-was not so clear.
So they "resurrected" from their files with labored thought and pains, The details of a "Battle" known as that of "Harlem Plains!"
The spot on which the records proved this "Battle" had been fought, Is back of an Asylum, where mild lunatics disport ; And certainly one scarce could find, if he should rack his brains, So fit a place to celebrate that fight on Harlem Plains.
Well, the Seventh was invited, in the blandest kind of way, To lend their presence and their Band to grace this festal day; And having (by the merest chance) no engagements for parade We started off for Harlem Plains like veterans undismayed.
For three long weary hours we stood there in the breach While a great Centennial orator held forth-just out of reach. It was certainly judicious that his stand so well he chose For the Seventh, when imposed upon, is the wickedest of foes !
All things, however, have an end, and so did friend J-'s speech And the collation (when the boys found nothing more in reach). So those Historicus-es, having finished with the Band, Dismissed us with their blessing as the "finest in the land !"
75
. THE 1870's
"I don't think much of this parade," remarked the youthful seer, "I'll bet them Seventh fellers have gone back sick from here;
"They're stakin' Band and Drum Corps (or the loan of 'em to-day)
"'Gainst subscriptions for their armory which them nobs will never pay."
For should your aid and comfort to our "fund" be lacking now,
The ever conscious blush of shame will mantle on each brow; We can stand the common street boy yells of "cheese it," "shoot the hats!" But we never could hold up our heads were we known as
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.