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 8
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"HARLEM FLATS."
"49 FILES"
At the annual inspection at the Tompkins Market Armory, October 24, 1876, Company I mustered the magnificent total of 109 men! One captain, two lieu- tenants, five sergeants, three musicians, and 49 files-the largest number ever on duty with the Company-and one-eighth of the total muster of the Regiment. This with the perfect condition of arms, uniforms and equipment certainly merited the praise and flattering press notices showered on the Ninth.
A few days later Lieutenant Dominick and the Company I rifle team took another whack at the Nevada Badge. They again stood first among the other companies of the Regiment who competed. Their score was 1,042, but the boys from Oswego, Company A of the 48th Regiment, scored 1,169 and walked off with the badge for the second time.
When the list of marksmen for the year was published in November it dis- closed the fact that "I" had twenty-five names on the roll out of a total of 105 for the whole Regiment-and furthermore Sergeant Daniel Chauncey, Jr., had the highest score in the Regiment-44.
The close of this wonderful year for the Company was marked by the resig- nation of Lieutenant Henry S. Germond, a popular officer whose long term of service had identified him with many important events in the Company's history. His retirement left another gap in the ranks of that rapidly decreasing group who had joined "during the war."
At a special meeting on December 14 First Sergeant C. Graham Bacon was elected to fill the vacancy.
1877
"The last drill of the season for the Ninth Company [ Casey's ] of the famous 7th Regiment," said the Army and Navy Journal in March 1877, "came off on Thursday evening, March 29, in the 'large drill-room' of the Regimental Armory. We expected to see an illustration of the relative perfection to which a company of infantry might be brought under the most favorable circumstances of personnel, time and place-and we were not disappointed. As regards a strict conformity with the spirit and letter of the tactics from the beginning to the end of the drill, Captain Casey's company may serve as a model for the National Guard of the World. In the matter of rigid attention, precision in the manual and many of the movements, regular troops seldom attain a higher standard than was here exemplified. Indeed, but in one or two respects is it fair to
76
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
compare the drill of one of the star companies of the best militia regiment existing, to any company in our Army. West Point only, can furnish the degree of intelligence, uniformity and style of physique, and regularity of instruction, which makes a comparison of results fair."
At the conclusion of the drill, which lasted one hour and a half, Captain W. C. Casey, Lieutenant W. G. Dominick, First Sergeant D. Chauncey, Jr., Sergeants S. C. Martine and G. W. Chauncey, Corporals H. C. DuVal, F. P. Marshall, E. E. Sage, J. L. Carr and G. E. Moore, Privates I. C. Odgen, Jr., G. F. Merchant, J. S. Klous, J. T. Pyle, J. T. Harper, O. Wiswall, F. S. Bangs, W. F. Englis, C. M. Englis and H. R. Marshall were called to the front and presented by Major George Moore Smith with "marksman's badges" for pre- cision in rifle shooting. The following received badges but were not present to receive them: Adjutant C. Graham Bacon, Corporal B. Dominick, Privates H. B. Dominick and F. L. Moore. This altogether was the largest number of any company in the Regiment; the score of First Sergeant Daniel Chauncey, Jr. (score 44) was the highest of any member of the Regiment, giving him the title of "Champion Marksman." Sergeant Chauncey later shot on the 7th Regiment team for the "California" badge on October 29, at 200, 500 and 600 yards; five shots at each distance. Sergeant Chauncey was returned the winner upon the remarkable score of 65 out of a possible 75 points.
THE RAILWAY STRIKE
Monday, July 23, 1877, orders were received calling for the assembling of the Regiment in the Armory, fully prepared for active service in connection with the general railway strike and mob situation. Officers contacted non-coms and they in turn tried to contact privates. We say "tried," as in vacation time, men were naturally "here and there," mostly "there." However, a large percen- tage of men were rounded up and the Company reported for duty as follows:
July
Present
Absent
Total
23
35
71
106
24
83
23
106
25
85
21
106
26
89
17
106
27
90
16
106
28
90
16
106
At first of course the situation looked serious but as time wore on without any action, these red-blooded soldier lads waxed restless and varied are the accounts of how they used up their extra energy and enthusiasm. The majority at night slept or attempted to sleep in the large drill room, but a few perturbed and sleep-destroying spirits kept up the fun until an early morning hour. Breakfast was a variation of the monotony of yesterday's bill of fare and con- sisted of eggs, rolls, and coffee. After that important ceremony, Companies B and I drilled together as one company in the large drill room, making an important show of seventy-five files front. They drilled "sans jackets," and the movements of loading and firing and charge bayonets were executed with
77
THE 1870's
the precision of clockwork. During this drill a catastrophe of a most serious nature occurred. Mr. Delmonico declared when called upon to feed the Regiment that the "boys" should have the best of everything in his house, and accord- ingly the finest French china and cut glass were provided for their use. When the drill was in progress the waiters were requested to move the table on which the articles rested, and in doing so they upset the frail structure and demolished seven or eight hundred plates and goblets. The crash was frightful and brought every man in the Armory to an "attention." After which the usual card playing was resumed, and draw poker passed away the time quickly for the devotees. Other games of chance, watching the horse cars from the airy second-story windows and spinning yarns occupied the weary hours for others.
"WHO WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON?"
"Rushing," as it is commonly known, was indulged in to some extent by certain irrepressible fellows overflowing with animal spirits, and the query "Who was George Washington?" was here born and first brought forth. The name of the inventor of the great 7th Regiment conundrum is, unfortunately, lost to the world. The origin of the immortal query is wrapped in mystery as deep and impenetrable as is the authorship of the Letters of Junius or the Origin of Species. That this will be a matter of as keen regret in the future to the historian and the antiquary as it is at the moment to the reader and the writer there can be little doubt. It will always, however, be a source of pride and gratification to its originator, whoever he may be, and he will undoubtedly feel in articulo mortis, to paraphrase the late A. Ward, that he has not lived in vain-but in New York.
At a time when there was a momentary lull in the storm of jollity, a voice from some quarter of the room shouted out the conundrum, "Who was George Washington?" This elicited from a score of nearby and evidently sapient throats the answer, in a schoolboy's singsong, "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen," which was immediately followed by a breakdown danced with the greatest vigor, the audible result being something like this: Slam-i-tee slam bang, bang, bang! For an instant there followed the hush of pleased astonishment, and then, with a roar of delight, the Regiment made a rush in a body toward the quarter from whence the sounds described had proceeded. It was, although perhaps open to the objection of being, like all true American humor, slightly irreverent, a stroke of genius. In five minutes it had been repeated as many times, new voices each time swelling the choral response and twice as many additional feet assisting at the breakdown, until the roof rang with the sound and the floor trembled under the repeated shocks.
The Regiment had adopted the gag as its very own.
From that time forth there was hardly an hour of the day, nor even of the night, that this conundrum was not asked, and answered a score of times by grinning hundreds. It became thereafter the keynote to all the festivities during the encampment.
78
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Again the "head devils" of the Regiment made night hideous, notwithstand- ing the good-natured growls of the sleepy-heads.
A polo match was played in the drill room, a number of heavy-weights being selected to serve as mustangs, and feather-weights as riders; brooms were used for mallets and a towel rolled tight served as a ball. The scene at this time was indescribable. Six games were played, of which the reds won five and the blues one. Later on in the evening a striking petition was presented to Colonel Clark, signed by five hundred members of the Regiment, complaining that they had been torn from the bosoms of their families, and compelled to do arduous service in hot weather, to the great destruction of morale, blankets, and crockery. They struck for $8.30 a day, four square meals at Delmonico's, wines and cigars ad libitum, and unlimited passes, new suits of clothes to replenish those worn out in service. The assembly was tumultuous, and gave Colonel Clark three minutes to decide, which, after considerable hesitation, he acceded to. Thereby turbulent and bloody results were avoided. July 28 news of release came and all lost no time in making off for home.
THE TARRYTOWN CAMP 1878
The year, in so far as the Company was concerned, started serenely, with ranks full, 113 names on the roll, and the treasury showing a balance of $1,341.48. A summer encampment was proposed and the response was imme- diate and overwhelmingly enthusiastic for it. Plans were finally completed shortly after June 1 when the following notice was sent to all Company members:
Co. "I," 7th REG'T, N. G. S. N. Y.
New York, June 17, 1878.
The required number of men having agreed to encamp July 6th, a Special Meeting of the Company will be held at the Armory, on Monday Evening, July 1st, at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of completing the necessary arrangements.
Every member of the Company is requested to attend.
JAMES T. PYLE, Secretary.
Our beloved ex-Lieutenant C. Graham Bacon, the present Regimental Adjutant, volunteered his services as Adjutant of the Battalion. They were promptly accepted and made a part of the Company Orders No. 4, dated June 20, 1878, parts of which are shown herewith :
II .- The Encampment of this Company at Tarrytown will be called "Camp Hancock" in honor of Major General W. S. Hancock, Commanding the Military Division of the Atlantic.
V .- Lieutenant Thompson, Sergeant Delafield, and Privates Belcher, Berrian, Bininger, Byrd, Field, F. E. Mirick, Ogden, LeBoutillier, Riker, Seely, Wells, G. W. Vander- hoef, are hereby detailed as a Camping Party, and will leave New York on Friday, July 5, for Tarrytown.
VI .- Members must be ready to pay the assessment ($15) upon arrival at Tarrytown.
Company I street, Tarrytown Camp, 1878
-
80
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
X .- Two men will be assigned to each tent, and the men will be allowed to select their own tent-mates. Members will require their full dress and fatigue uniform with white and black belts, at least two pairs of white trousers, white gloves, and the necessary changes of underclothing; a trunk will be allowed to each member which should be distinctly marked with owner's name, addressed "Camp Hancock, Tarrytown, N.Y.," and can be sent to camp by express.
XI .- While in camp members will wear their uniforms, as no citizen dress will be allowed, and every man is enjoined to be careful not to bring discredit upon his Company. Every allowance will be made to the members for their pleasure and comfort, but they must at all times remember that they belong to the 9th Company.
DAILY ROUTINE "CAMP HANCOCK" Tarrytown-July 6-15, 1878
1. Morning Gun and Reveille
Sunrise
2. Peas on Trencher, (B'kfast)
5:30 a.m.
3. Company Drill 6:10
7:30
66
6. Troop at Guard Mounting
7:50
7. Surgeon's Call
8:30
8. Skirmish Drill
8:40
9. Roast Beef, (Dinner)
12:00 m.
10. Inspection of Camp
5:00 p.m.
11. Call for Supper
6:00 “
12. Assembly for Dress Parade 6:30 “
13. Adjutant's Call
6:40
14. Troops at Guard Mounting
7:00 "
15. Evening Gun and Retreat
Sunset
16. Tattoo
10:00 p.m.
XII .- Adjutant C. Graham Bacon, having volunteered his services to the Company, while in camp, they are gratefully accepted, and he will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
By order of Captain WM. C. CASEY, D. CHAUNCEY, Jr., First Sergeant.
Captain William C. Casey, Company I, with seventy-eight men in ranks, left the Armory at 3:15 o'clock July 6, 1878, and marched to the Grand Central Depot for the week's encampment at Tarrytown under canvas. A special train brought them to their destination at 5:17 o'clock where drawn up in line was a surprise welcoming committee in the village's own militia Company E under Captain Hyatt, also Major Ives of the 16th Battalion, Lieutenant Newman of Colonel Cooley's staff, Captain Travis and Lieutenant Wray of Company F as well as the local fire department and its highly polished engine.
This all helped to make a colorful and jolly scene and well merited the local paper's account that "altogether we felt just a little proud of Tarrytown that day, and we know that the welcome so extended to 'I' Company was as grateful to them as it was unexpected."
4. Assembly of Guard Detail
5. Adjutant's Call
7:40
81
.THE 1870's
"I" Company group, Tarrytown Camp, 1878 Dominick Thompson Bacon G. Chauncey
Captain Casey
D. Chauncey Delafield
Line was soon formed, and headed by a detachment from the Regimental Band, the Company marched in a column of fours up a long winding hill to "Camp Hancock," so named in honor of Major General W. S. Hancock commanding the Military Division of the Atlantic. The site of the camp, a plot of ground 180 by 200 feet, was a delightful one about one mile south of the railway station and was situated on the crest of a lofty hill, upon the old Hoge farm. From the rear of the camp a splendid view of the Hudson and the Palisades beyond was to be seen, while tall shade trees surrounded the grounds on three sides. Adjoining the place were the summer residences of Robert Hoe, David Dows, the Kingslands, and other well known families of the City. The camp was laid out on three streets, designated by the euphonious titles of Center Street, South Fifth Avenue, and Thompson Street, the latter thorough- fare bearing no resemblance to the Tarrytown street of that name, but rather deriving its title from the Lieutenant whose headquarters rested on the boule- vard. Forty-eight wall tents, each nine feet square, lined the several streets,
82
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
and the national flag floated from a mast at the entrance to the main avenue, thirty feet wide, leading to the headquarters of Captain Casey, a commodious tent fourteen feet square. Each tent was neatly furnished with bedsteads, mat- tresses and blankets, gun-racks, and the smaller articles used in the brief preparation of a soldier's toilet.
CAMP HANCOCK July 6 to July 15, 1878 BY WILLIAM HENRY FOLSOM
The Company was divided into two Companies, forming a Battalion.
Commander, Captain Wm. C. Casey Adjutant, First Lieutenant C. Graham Bacon Captain, First Company. Lieutenant W. G. Dominick Captain, Second Company, Second Lieutenant C. M. Thompson
On Saturday, at 6:30 p.m., July 6, with the Camp established, the first evening Parade took place and never will be forgotten by those who partici- pated, for the parade ground was lined with over one thousand spectators, representing the élite of the summer colony for miles around, who had come in carriages and on horseback.
Mrs. C. Graham Bacon, Captain Casey's sister, had her home at Tarry- town, and also the parental homesteads of many of the Company's members were located all along the Hudson, therefore the coming of the Company had been the talk of the place for weeks and everybody joined in making the encampment a memorable one.
Never had the Company looked better than on this first Evening Parade, in full dress uniform, white trousers and gloves, with a band of forty pieces and an evening fit for the Gods. After the parade was over, hardly a carriage left without some member in uniform being carried off for a second dinner with friends and relations and newly formed acquaintances. So the week started.
Sunday opened bright and clear, and the invitation of the Rector of the Christ Church to attend morning service having been accepted, the Company with its Band marched to the Church and, with the Congregation, filled it to the doors. Will any member who was present fail to recall the grandeur of that hymn "America," not to mention the other beautiful hymns of the Episcopal service, as played by the organ and the entire Battalion band, led by the choir and sung with full voice by every member of the Company. Although the sermon by the Rev. J. Selden Spencer was very powerful, it is sad to relate that many a nodding head was observed among the members of the Company.
Many, and varied, are the stories told of this Camp:
How dear old Sergeant "Al" Delafield led the left of the Company skirmish line in a wheel on the center, chest-deep through the creek, Captain Casey
83
THE 1870's
being busy instructing the right wing, forgot the brook running through the left field.
How, again, this brook figured in a celebrated scene, when its beautiful falls, some twenty feet high, were utilized as a shower-bath and swimming pool. There are still a few copies left of the famous snapshot plate, which cost one member so much "dough."
And that was not the worst! It was Robert Graves who, wandering over the camp grounds, discovered this merry party and related to them the shocking tale of how his house on the hill, not a mile distant sewered into this stream, which fact caused the medical officer to put a veto on its further use.
How, at the dead of night, when all the fair ones had departed and the final dining stragglers had strolled in, they would find that popular tent of the old boys, Lent and Lewis, surrounded by a merry circle, spinning yarns and telling of the day's fun, cheered by a brew from the famous secret wine cellar, so ingeniously hidden under a trap-door in the floor of their tent.
The laugh was on recruit Folsom who, for non-attendance at evening parade, did police duty the following day, his excuse that the girl's father told him that he had secured a leave of absence from his Captain, failed to work.
Who of the guard detail will forget Lent who, as senior Private, finding himself in command of 'a relief, said, "Fellows, for forty years I have been in this Company, but never gave a command. Do your best and the drinks are on me!"
Not only was this a gala week for the men of the Company, but for the entire neighborhood, where were the summer homes of many of New York's best citizens, who continued their ovation of the first Saturday, at the evening parades all through the week.
How many have forgotten that famous and wonderful picture of the garden party given by Mrs. Hoag in honor of the Company, at her most attractive home, with its beautiful lawns stretching back from Broadway.
Our band was there and distinguished itself, and so was every charming girl for miles around, with her friends, for it is a well known fact that hardly a house in the entire neighborhood was without its bevy of winning guests.
Not a soul was missing on this popular occasion, where the grounds and the uniforms of the men blended so beautifully with the stunning costumes of the ladies; the very atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and flirtation and the chaperones exchanged smiles and nods at what they saw.
So great was the enthusiasm of the men, so magnificent their drill, as lauded in the press, that when the next drill season opened, many a National Guard officer was to be seen in that historic Tompkins Market Drill Hall, witnessing the work of the Company under the command of Captain Wm. C. Casey, who will ever be remembered as the greatest drill officer of his day in the National Guard.
84
THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF COMPANY I
Complimentary messages were showered on the commander of Company I as an aftermath of this summer's camp, by newspapers and individuals alike. One leading journal published the following :
Captain W. C. Casey, commanding Company I, Seventh Regiment, had the honor of listening to the following encomium passed upon his command by the Inspector-General who said: "I consider the discipline and instruction of this company to have reached as high a state of perfection as is possible of attainment in the National Guard."
And the effect of "Camp Hancock" was far-reaching. Not only was a standard set for the Regiment and the National Guard of the whole country at the time, but its influence has come down the years.
The present State Camp, "Camp Smith," was practically planned and laid out with the Company I Camp at Tarrytown in 1878 as a model.
THE ARMORY FAIR
Fresh from their well earned laurels at Camp Hancock, the indefatigable Ninth plunged head first into the preparations for the Great Armory Fair.
Ninth Company "Extracts" from THE KNAPSACK A Daily Journal of the Seventh Regiment New Armory Fair Monday, November 17, 1879 to Saturday, December 6, 1879 3 Weeks, Excluding Sundays 18 Days 18 Issues
NINTH COMPANY REPORTER Horace C. Du Val.
COMPANY COMMITTEES
Actives. Capt. William C. Casey Lieut. W. Gayer Dominick
George W. Chauncey Veterans. Capt. Edward G. Arthur
Horace C. Du Val
Frank M. Kelley
James Thorne Harper
Lawrence W. Clark
James T. Pyle
George F. Dominick
Gerald N. Stanton
Oswin O'Brien
Eben F. Wells
On Regimental Committee appointed by Colonel Clark George W. Chauncey
On Regimental Entertainment Committee
William N. Bangs Arthur M. Hatch
William A. Taylor Thomas M. Turner
John C. Inches
(Here follows a list of 200 ladies who made the Ninth Company Booth the most attractive at the Fair under the leadership of Mrs. Marshall Lefferts and Mrs. Edward G. Arthur.)
85
THE 1870's
THE NINTH COMPANY BOOTH November 17
Our Moorish booth, after plans drawn by Mr. Gerald N. Stanton, and carried out by Chatain, of 23rd Street, sets off the articles to advantage. The table is maroon, with hangings of blue, old gold, and scarlet, rich in color and artistically arranged. Graceful ebony poles, tipped with eagles and spear-heads lean outward from all sides, supporting a canopy of drab cloth, striped with red, under which hang banners bearing the Company's monogram. The effect is neat and tasteful. The Committee, from the date of their appointment, have given their untiring efforts. They assigned to each member a night upon which to have entire charge of the booth, provide a corps of twenty ladies, and be responsible for the conduct of affairs. Lieutenant Dominick is in charge today. A beautiful yacht, fully rigged, perfectly equipped and ready at a moment's notice to sail the waters "like a thing of life," is donated to the Ninth Company by John Englis & Co., of Greenpoint. It stands opposite the ladies' restaurant, at the east end of the building, and deservedly claims rank as one of the chief objects of interest. Among the novelties on sale at the booth are superb gilt-edged harlequin playing cards, by Tiffany & Co., Willimantic thread, in boxes shaped like knapsacks; knapsack albums set on easels of rifles; rifle stacks with medallion frames hung on the bayonets; nickel plated cartridges containing pins, needles and thread. Silk woven book- marks, with a wonderfully fine copy of the 7th Regiment monument stamped upon them, perfumery in bottles of special design; pocket books in the shape of cartridge boxes. These are a few proofs that the work of the Committee has been thorough. Mention should not be omitted of a pyramid of groceries containing barrels of sugar, sacks of coffee, chests of tea, canned fruits and good things of every description, that will be sure to tempt every man of family. It stands opposite the booth, at the south side of the building.
November 18
A Punch Bowl for the Victors .- The contest as to which company shall produce the most money during the Fair, though friendly, is none the less warm. At the Flower Stand is a solid silver punch-bowl, sixteen inches high and as many across, of ornate and artistic workmanship, with the new Armory worked upon one side and a military camp on the other. Out of this bowl the winners may dip their beverage of exultation, for the donors, Brooks Brothers, say that it is to go to the company which turns over the greatest sum to the Armory Fund.
Ninth Company .- Many hands make light work, but with every member of "I" Company's Fair Committee hard at it, stringing wires from pole to pole, hanging countless afghans and baby worsteds thereon, artistically arranging articles of vertu, photos of our worthy Colonel, rare vases and knick-knacks of every variety and description upon the tables so soon to be surrounded by crowds of eager buyers, it was half-past one on Saturday night, or rather Sunday morning, before the tired members of the committee ceased their, even then, but partly finished labors, and started for home and a good long Sunday morning's snooze. A proposition from one enthusiastic committee-man to "stay all night and finish up" was unanimously vetoed, and the mover of the question, feeling himself severely "sat on," and secretly very glad of it, hid his diminished head under his ulster, and the Armory was deserted for the night, save by the vigilant Sergeant Delafield and his trusty detail of guards. Did we all go to Church on Sunday ?- well, if we didn't, who's to find fault? Wasn't the cause worthy of the sacrifice? And if our dominies did preach their grandest sermons couldn't we have thought of Fair matters, just as well in our home rocking-chairs, as in the pews? Dollars to cents, the committee members could think of nothing else; no, indeed, nothing but thoughts of whether they had put a quite high enough figure on that pink pin-cushion, or had not stuck it on a little too steep on the whiskbroom holder, because of lack of past experience in a knitting needle and worsted store, could have flitted through
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