USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The heroes of Albany. A memorial of the patriot-martyrs of the city and county of Albany, who sacrificed their lives during the late war in defense of our nation 1861-1865 > Part 21
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ernment and overthrow the rebellion. He had exerted what- ever influence he possessed, by public addresses and in various other modes, to induce men to take the field against the enemies of the country. The conviction that it was the solemn duty of every American citizen to sustain the authority and preserve the life of the nation at any and all sacrifices, was as full and com- plete as the human mind was capable of entertaining. This con- viction formed a part of his very being, and he believed that, in this great crisis of the nation's peril, his duty to his beloved country was second only to his duty to his God.
Adherence to this conviction had already caused the sundering of ties and associations cherished through life, and thereby pro- duced an amount of mental suffering capable of being endured only by the consciousness of duty performed. More than one year's terrible experience in the sanguinary struggle, had revealed the dangerous character of the conspiracy formed to overthrow the Union and our Republican institutions, and to strengthen the belief, that without universal self-denial and united action among the friends of the Republic, all would be lost, and once gone, could never be regained.
Should he now refuse to make the sacrifice required, by per- mitting that son to aid in the defence of his imperiled country, a sacrifice which he had been asking others to make? Should he withhold from the service of that country one who possessed the ability and the desire to make himself useful in the contest? Should he be subjected to the reproach of having urged others to send their sons, brothers and relatives to the war, and yet shrink from the application of the stern test of sincerity and patriotism in the case of his own son?
Should he compel that son to feel and, perhaps, to admit, in future times, that he was withheld from going forth to fight against his country's enemies by his own father, and that father one who had professed to be in favor of prosecuting the war with all the power and resources of the nation?
After careful deliberation, aided by the best lights which his imperfect human reason afforded, he resolved that his consent should no longer be withheld, and it was granted.
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And now, with the bright hopes and brilliant promises that clustered around that gallant youth forever extinguished-now, with soul and spirit crushed by the traitorous bullet which took his young life-now, with the prop on which I had fondly hoped to lean, in my declining years, shivered to atoms, the question comes home to me: Did I right in yielding that consent? and down, down from the inmost recesses of my soul, the still small voice of conscience whispers an affirmative response.
The consent of his mother followed, and FREDERICK imme- diately began his arrangements for the new field of duty, with great earnestness and energy. He had already become a mem- ber of Company A, of the Zouave Cadets, a uniformed company in the Tenth Regiment of Militia, and had been engaged in acquiring the drill and the necessary military science. This company has become highly distinguished during the war. It can point, on its muster rolls, to many names among the noblest, most gifted and patriotic of the young men of Albany. It has already sent more than ninety of its members to the field, each one of whom has earned and obtained a commission, many of high rank, and all of respectable position.
Having obtained from Hobart College, an honorable dismissal, his attention was immediately devoted to the new regiment of infantry, known as the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment of New York Volunteers, which was then in the process of being organized in the city of Albany.
For the purpose of organizing this regiment, His Excellency, Governor MORGAN, had designated a war committee, embracing some of the most patriotic and influential citizens of Albany, and the committee held daily sessions at the Mayor's room in the City Hall. It was resolved to make this regiment one of the best that had been sent forth from the State. The Governor had entrusted to the committee the duty of recommending suitable persons to obtain authorization papers, to recruit volunteers with reference to having commissions, as lieutenants and captains, issued to those who were able to recruit the requisite number of men.
FREDERICK promptly applied to the committee, and was the
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first person who received from the Adjutant General, on the recommendation of the committee, authority to obtain recruits for the new regiment. He erected his tent in front of Capitol Park, in State street, issued his posters, associated with him young ORR and young MCEWEN, (the former of whom has since lost his life in the army, and the latter is now Judge Advocate of the First Division, Second Army Corps, having been for some time a prisoner at Libby Prison, Richmond) and proceeded, with vigor and energy, to obtain volunteers. Indeed, the real man- hood of his character was displayed from the moment he felt the responsibilities of his position, and continued to manifest itself, more and more clearly, in every subsequent stage of his career.
The late Adjutant General, JOHN T. SPRAGUE, then a Major in the United States Army, was on duty for the Government at Albany, as an auditing and disbursing officer. The war com- mittee unanimously designated him as the Colonel of the new regiment, and he accepted the position. The Government at Washington, however, soon after this, declined to relieve him from duty in the regular army, and hence he was only enabled to act as Colonel for a very few days. During that time, how- ever, discovering the necessity of an Adjutant for the regiment, and being acquainted with FREDERICK, Col. SPRAGUE kindly ten- dered him the position of Adjutant. It was accepted, and his selection approved by Gov. MORGAN.
In the time that intervened, prior to the period when the regi- ment left Albany, which was about thirty days, the whole duty of organizing it, and getting it into proper working order, devolved upon the new Adjutant.
To the faithful discharge of these duties, FREDERICK devoted himself, days and nights, dividing his time between the head- quarters in Broadway and the barracks. How readily he mas- tered those duties, and how well he performed them, may be inferred from the frequent compliments bestowed upon him by the committee, who were superintending his movements, and who were surprised and gratified by the qualities he exhibited. If any apprehensions had been entertained, by reason of the
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Adjutant's youth, it is believed they were entirely and speedily dispelled.
LEWIS O. MORRIS, the Colonel, who was selected to command the new regiment, was a valuable and accomplished officer. He had been fifteen years in the army, and bore an enviable reputa- tion as an artillery officer.
About the 19th of August, 1862, the One Hundred and Thir- teenth Regiment, with ten hundred and sixty bayonets, left the city of Albany, under orders to report at Washington. It was one of the first regiments placed in the field, under the Presi- dent's call, and received a beautiful stand of colors, as well as the Springfield muskets, which had been promised to each of the first four regiments. A finer regiment, or one carrying with it so many good wishes and so much interest, on the part of Alba- nians, never left our city.
When the regiment reached Washington, the officer in charge of its defences, knowing the skill of Col. MORRIS as an artillery officer, procured the assignment of the regiment to duty upon the defences of the city, where it was, not long afterwards, con- verted into the Seventh New York Artillery.
The ensuing fifteen months were passed by FREDERICK, with his regiment, near Fort Reno, about five miles from Washington. He applied himself diligently to the acquisition of the knowledge required in the artillery service. Part of the time he was en- gaged in teaching a school of officers in military tactics. He devoted himself faithfully to the performance of his official duties. Twice I had the pleasure of visiting him there, and could not fail to discover that he was a universal favorite with the officers and men.
He became thoroughly familiar with his new profession. About the time of leaving the regiment, he happened one day to be engaged with a brother officer in discussing the subject of being examined, as to qualifications, before a military board in session at Washington, when FREDERICK volunteered to be examined. His duties called him frequently to Washington, and soon after- wards he presented himself before the board, and was subjected to a thorough examination, the result of which was that he passed
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the examination successfully, and was tendered, in a few days, a Lieutenant Colonel's commission in a colored regiment, but meantime he had received another appointment, which he pre- ferred.
At one time he had a severe attack of typhoid fever, produced by the miasma of the Potomac, to which he was exposed in the discharge of his official duties, and under the advice of his sur- geon, he obtained a short leave of absence and visited his home, but soon returned to his duties with renewed zeal and energy. In writing to me that he had deemed it best for his health to make a short visit home, his surgeon says:
" The Adjutant was quite unwilling to listen to the suggestion, but deeming it best, I insisted, imperatively, and shall apply for a furlough to-morrow.
" Regretting the necessity which separates him, even tempora- rily, from the staff, on his own account, I should do myself injustice, as well as injustice to my brother officers, if I omitted to state that we shall wait anxiously to hear of his convalescence, and to welcome him again to the regiment."
FREDERICK was a universal favorite among the common sol- diers. He always treated them with kindness and justice. Quick to discover real merit in a private, and mingling much with the men, his opinions concerning promotions had great influence with Colonel MORRIS, and many a deserving soldier has been indebted for his promotion from the ranks, to the aid and recom- mendation of the Adjutant.
He began, after more than a year had elapsed, and still no orders to move came, to desire more active service. The con- version of his regiment into an artillery regiment, thus placing it in a higher branch of service, had been gratifying to him, but he had not anticipated so long a continuance of garrison duty, and, having reason to believe that the regiment might remain doing that duty for a long time, and perhaps until the end of the war, his active spirit began to chafe under the monotony of his present life. Animated by an honorable ambition, he could not enjoy a life of inglorious ease.
He wrote several letters to the author, expressing these feel-
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ings, and desiring his aid in obtaining a position where he might have an opportunity to acquire distinction, and strike a blow at the enemies of his country.
Influenced by these appeals, the author applied for, and, in November, obtained, for FREDERICK, Presidential appointment as Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Captain; an appointment which was subsequently confirmed by the Senate. I was present when this appointment was handed to him by that devoted patriot and able cabinet officer, EDWIN M. STANTON. He observed, as he gave it, "I trust I shall hereafter have the plea- sure of conferring on you higher honors;" to which FREDERICK modestly replied, " I hope my future conduct will give you no reason to regret the confidence reposed in me."
FREDERICK had learned of the reputation already acquired by that brave and rising young General, HENRY E. DAVIES, Jr., of the cavalry service, and he asked for and obtained an order to report to him for duty. His departure from the old Seventh Regiment was the occasion for many regrets, with officers and men, and with himself. The officers assembled to bid him an affectionate farewell, and the regimental band serenaded him on the eve of his departure. This noble regiment took the field the following spring with more than one thousand seven hundred and sixty bayonets, and of these brave men how few, either offi- cers or men, are now surviving!
On the 12th of November, soon after his departure, Colonel MORRIS issued an order appointing his successor, which was duly made public, and contained the following handsome allusion to the late Adjutant:
" The Colonel commanding, while he rejoices at the promotion of Captain TREMAIN, regrets that it will send him to a new field of duty, and sever his connection with this regiment.
" He will bear with him the best wishes of the officers of the regiment for his future welfare and success."
Pursuant to orders, FREDERICK reported for duty to General DAVIES, then commanding the First Brigade in the Third Divi- sion of the Cavalry Corps. The new field of duty thus opened to him, was specially suited to his taste and feelings. It was the
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cavalry service, and the excitement, life and dash of that arm of the service were peculiarly adapted to his ardent and enthusiastic nature. He became devotedly fond of the cavalry service; the remainder of his life was spent in it, and he became more and more interested in and attached to it. An accomplished and veteran officer, who knew him well, and who had been for nearly a year in the same division with him, remarked to the author recently, "FREDERICK was our bean ideal of a cavalry officer. Brave, generous and chivalrous, he attracted our admi- ration. We were all proud of him. He had no enemy in the corps, and he achieved a reputation for gallantry equal to that of any officer in the army."
In the month of April commenced those grand movements of the cavalry which have become already historic. From that time, down to his death, the active military career of FREDERICK may be said to have been accomplished. He was an actor in those mighty military movements on which depended the fate of the nation. He was a soldier of the Republic in the great Army whose tread shook the Continent of America, and whose heroic deeds have excited the wonder and admiration of the world.
To the pen of history belongs the noble task of recording the military operations in which he had the honor to participate during the ever memorable campaign of 1864. And yet, when we consider the bloody and obstinate nature of the battles that were fought; the glorious and unconquerable resolution which was displayed in conducting the movements of the Union armies; the immense loss of human life; the masterly combinations of those armies; the vast extent of country which constituted the field of their display; the number of those brilliant raids per- formed by the cavalry alone, through the heart of an enemy's country, each one constituting an interesting history of itself; the toil, the sacrifices, the fatigue, sufferings, and perils to which the heroic soldiers in those armies were continually subjected, and to which, with unflinching fortitude and cheerfulness, they submitted; when we consider, too, the innumerable deeds of personal bravery, performed both by officers and men; the holy
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and patriotic purposes by which the great body of those armies was prompted; the unselfish willingness they manifested to sac- rifice their lives for the preservation of the honor, the integrity, and the unity of their country; and, finally, the glorious and suc- cessful results of all these operations, we may well doubt whether history will ever contain more than an outline skeleton of them all.
My allusions to these movements must, necessarily, be brief and imperfect. A few weeks before his death, FREDERICK, at my request, declared his resolution to prepare, at his first leisure moments, a record of the battles in which he had been engaged, but alas ! that leisure never came !
His reports, as Assistant Adjutant General, giving a history of these movements, are not yet accessible to the public, and I have derived no information from them. He participated in no less than twenty-five battles and skirmishes during a period of ten months. My knowledge of these is derived from his own letters, dashed off in the midst of exciting scenes, from his con- versations, and from information cheerfully furnished by culti- vated and intelligent army officers, who were associated with him at different periods of time during the campaign.
On the 22d of April, the Second Cavalry Division, which included the Second Brigade, to which FREDERICK was attached, moved from Warrenton to a place near the Junction-the whole Division being under the command of Major General DAVID M. GREGG. Here it remained until the 29th, when it advanced to Paoli Mills, and on the 2d of May moved over to Richardsville.
On the 4th of May the cavalry crossed the Rapidan in advance of the infantry, and the whole Army of the Potomae crossed soon after, in pursuance of General GRANT's orders. This was the beginning of the general movement of the army-the intel- ligence of which sent a thrill of excitement throughout the country.
The famous battles of the Wilderness soon followed. These commeneed on the 5th, and continued for seven days. They were fought without artillery, under great disadvantages, in the woods, with varied fortunes; and during their continuance were displayed those wonderful qualities of courage and dogged reso-
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lution for which General GRANT has become so distinguished, and also the bravery and heroism, which have covered with glory the Army of the Potomac. The loss of life was immense, but the rebels were driven from the ground, and our army moved on- ward in its progress towards the walls of Richmond, and towards the accomplishment of the great object which current events seem so plainly to indicate must ultimately be accomplished.
On the first day of these battles, the cavalry became engaged with the enemy's cavalry and infantry in the vicinity of Todd's Tavern, near Corbin's Bridge.
Severe fighting was continued by the cavalry for several days. This was the first time FREDERICK was " under fire." His con- duet on the occasion excited great admiration. He displayed all the coolness of a veteran. His General, in speaking of his gal- lantry soon afterwards, remarked, " that he was one of the few men he had seen who did not seem to know the meaning of fear."
On the first day the cavalry were mounted, and the staff offi- cers were much exposed. General DAVIES and FREDERICK Were in front, when the enemy charged in and broke our skirmish line, nearly capturing both of them. This cavalry engagement is known as the battle of Todd's Tavern. It was during the pro- gress of this battle that FREDERICK charged upon the enemy, at the head of a column, breaking through their lines, and cutting his way back to the main army.
In the evening of May 8th, an order was received commanding the Cavalry Corps to proceed to Richmond and destroy the com- munications between Lee's army and that city, and to form & junction with Butler's army. The movement of the entire Cav- alry Corps, commanded by General SHERIDAN, commenced on the morning of the 9th. In the afternoon of that day the enemy attacked the cavalry in the rear, and a severe fight occurred in which the rebels were repulsed with considerable loss. This occurred at a place called Childsburg. The cavalry only took with them on this march rations for four or five days.
On the 10th, another attack was made by the enemy, followed up by continued skirmishing and fighting. Our cavalry suc- ceeded, this day, in recapturing from the enemy about three
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hundred and fifty prisoners, who had been captured on the second or third day of the fight in the Wilderness. Among them were two Colonels and Captain WOOD, a son of the Honorable BRADFORD WOOD, of Albany. As may well be supposed, they were delighted with the change in their condition. They were on the point, when retaken, of being placed in the railroad cars at Beaver Dam Station. Some of their guard fled and the rest were taken prisoners. Our troops, on the same day, captured a large quantity of arms, about a million rations, and destroyed three locomotives besides three trains of cars. The night of the 10th they encamped within twenty miles of Richmond.
In the morning of the 11th, the First Brigade was detached from the main body and sent to destroy the railroad at Ashland Station and the bridge over the South Anna River. At Ashland the contents of a Post Office were seized, and as a school for young ladies was located here, the captured correspondence afforded some amusement to the captors.
FREDERICK accompanied the brigade, and after destroying the railroad at Ashland, he was sent, with two squadrons of cavalry (about one hundred men) to destroy the bridge, when he was cut off from the main body of the brigade, and was supposed, for some time, to have been taken prisoner. He continued, how- ever, on another route, destroying the railroad as they proceeded, until late in the afternoon, when he succeeded in rejoining the main column below, much to the satisfaction of his comrades, who had despaired of seeing him and his little force again. The same day a severe fight occurred at Old Tavern, with the enemy's cavalry under the famous Jeb Stewart, who was killed.
That night the corps marched all night, and on the morning of the 12th reached the Chickahominy river, near Meadow's Bridge. Here a terrific battle ensued with the whole of the enemy's cavalry force and infantry, which had been sent out from Richmond. The enemy greatly outnumbered our forces, and, during a considerable portion of the time, our troops were sur- rounded, and fighting was carried on, around four sides of the square where our troops were placed, but, under the command of the indomitable SHERIDAN, they broke through the enemy's
17
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lines, and in the afternoon, General CUSTER having driven the enemy from the bridge, our forces crossed the Chickahominy, leaving no prisoners in the enemy's hands except those who were wounded.
In this battle the fragment of a spent shell was hurled against FREDERICK'S person, inflicting a pretty severe injury, although he treated it lightly in his letter to his mother describing the raid.
It was during this raid that he was sent in advance to place a squadron on pieket duty, and they came so near the city of Rich- mond as to see the lights and the steeples, and to hear the bells of the city. This engagement is known as the battle of Rich- mond Heights. The enemy did not pursue, and that night the corps bivouacked at a place beyond Mechanicsville. On the night of the 13th the cavalry remained at Bottom's Bridge, and on the 14th moved to Haxall's Landing, on the James river, where our gun boats mistaking the advance guard for the enemy, at first, fired upon them, but on being signaled the firing ceased and the tired and worn out troops formed the contemplated junction with BUTLER's army.
Thus terminated one of the most extraordinary raids on record. It will ever retain a place among the most brilliant achievements of the war. A force of cavalry alone advanced through the heart of Virginia, to the very gates of Richmond, cutting their way through all opposing forces, breaking up the enemy's lines of communication, removing forever all antiquated prejudices against the cavalry, and establishing the efficiency and usefulness of that arm of the service.
The successful accomplishment of this expedition seems more like romance than sober reality. From that hour the rising star of General SHERIDAN has been in the ascendant, and a grateful people will ever cherish, with gratitude and pride, the recollec- tion of the feats performed by him and his bold raiders of the Cavalry Corps.
On his arrival at the James river, FREDERICK wrote a letter to his mother, in pencil, giving a graphic account of the raid, which was published, at the time, in the "Evening Journal." In
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alluding to this publication, afterwards, he wrote with character- istic modesty:
" I am sorry that any of my letters are published. I do not write them for publication, and do not wish them published; I hope that no more will be, for, if they are, I shall stop giving any accounts at all."
To return to the cavalry: They laid at the James river two or three days, to recruit the tired horses and men, and then moved back, to rejoin the main army, crossing the Chickahominy by night, at Jones' Ford, and returning by way of the Baltimore Cross Roads and Cold Harbor. Daily skirmishes took place with the rebel cavalry. They then went to the White House, where they obtained supplies and rations, after which they marched back and joined the main army near Hanover Court House, on the 25th, having successfully accomplished all that had been expected.
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