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 67
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After the Chancellorsville campaign, the Light Division was discontinued, and the regiment was assigned to the Third Brig- ade, Second Division, Sixth Corps, in which it subsequently served. It was mustered ont JJune 27, 1865, with the following battles, actions and sieges inscribed on its banners: Lee's Mills, April 29, 1862; Warwick Creek, April 30, 1862; Siege of York- town, 1862; Golding's Farm, June 27, 1862; Seven Day's Bat- tles, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, December 12, 13, 14, 1862; Marye's Heights, May 3, 1863; Salem Church, May 3, 4, 1863; Banks' Ford, May 4, 1863; Fred- ericksburg, June 5, 1863; Gettysburg, July 2, 3, 1863; Rappa- hannock Station, November 7, 1863; Locust Grove, November 27, 1863; Mine Run, November 29, 1863; Wilderness, May 5, 6, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 10. 12, 18, 1864; North Ana, May 23, 1864; Coal Harbor, June 1, 2, 3, 1864; Petersburg. June 18, 28, 1864; Fort Stevens, District of Columbia, July 12, 1864; Charlestown, August 21, 1864; Opequan, September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, September 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; Petersburg, March 25, 1865; Petersburg, April 2, 1865; Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865; Surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865.
TENTH, OR ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. V.
THE Tenth Regiment National Guards, was organized at Albany, under Colonel IRA W. AINSWORTH, soon after the breaking out of the rebellion, and performed guard duty and other services, in aid of the General Government. By order of Gov. MORGAN, under a special order of the War Department, accepting volun- teers for nine months, it tendered its services, for the third time, to Gov. MORGAN. In September, 1862, it was accepted, and assigned to General BANKS, under the name of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Volunteers, and sailed for the expedition in December, for the Department of the Gulf.
On its arrival at New Orleans it was attached to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Nineteenth Corps, and served in hold- ing the defences of New Orleans until March, when the cam-
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paign of Louisiana was commenced. It served with the brigade in two campaigns on the Amite river, each time being sharply engaged by the enemy, and lost its first man in action. It then participated in the campaigns from New Orleans to Port Hudson, and arrived in front of the enemy's works on the 23d of May. On the 25th, General BANKS, wishing to ascertain the position of the enemy, and to open communication with the fleet, ordered the regiment to cut its way through to the river. This service was gallantly performed under a heavy fire from the enemy's main works. The regiment approached so near to the fortifica- tions, that the guns over-ranged, thus saving the regiment from great loss in killed and wounded. The first blood at Port Hud- son was drawn from the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh, on this reconnaissance.
The regiment was actively engaged during the entire siege of Port Hudson, taking part in the battles of May 27th and 29th, and suffered severely. On the fall of Port Hudson, the time of the regiment having expired, it returned home by way of the Mississippi river, the route originally promised by General BANKS to the troops of his expedition. After being mustered out of the United States service, it resumed its original position in the Ninth Brigade National Guard.
FORTY-FOURTH, OR, PEOPLE'S REGIMENT.
THIS was a Zouave regiment, and was organized and numbered the Forty-fourth, October 16th, 1861.
It was started with an earnest appeal to the people of our State, commencing in the following language:
" To the People of the State of New York:
The recent assassination of the gallant and lamented ELLS- WORTH, and the barbarous manner in which the rebels have thus far conducted their hostilities against the Government. has fired anew the zeal of our young men, until all are chafing with impa- tienee to meet the foe.
The quota of New York troops called for by the President is already organized; and, if they were not, too much time would be consumed in organizing under existing laws.
Under these circumstances, it has been deemed advisable to raise a regiment from among the people of this State, each town and ward to be represented by furnishing one man, to be at onee armed and equipped by voluntary subscription, and ten- dered to the General Government, to serve during the war, as the avengers of the noble blood spilt on the soil of Virginia on the 24th inst.'
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This regiment, having been completed and drilled. made a parade, October 13, 1861. It was witnessed by an immense con- course of our people. The regiment made a splendid appear- ance, and went through the manual and various evolutions in a very creditable manner. The loading and firing, especially, by companies, platoons, and by the entire line, was admirably done, and elicited great applause. At the close of the parade a newly invented battery was brought on the field-truly a terrible instru- ment of destruction. It consists of five guns, and will discharge sixty balls a minute.
On the 16th of October, Lieut. Col. RICE, of the Ellsworth, or Forty-fourth, Regiment, received a beautiful sword, and some other articles, at the house of A. MCCLURE, Esq. The present- ation was gracefully made by Mrs. EMILY BARNES.
On the 20th of the same month the regiment left for the seat of war. When the centre of the regiment was opposite the house of Hon. ERASTUS CORNING, the line was halted to receive the regimental banner from the hands of Mrs. CORNING. It was very elegant, and when put into the hands of the standard bearer, it was received with enthusiastic cheers by the regiment. The ceremony was deeply interesting.
As this noble body of patriots left our city, they carried with them the best wishes of tens of thousands, and how fully they met the public expectations appears in the sketches of many of them, who offered up their lives upon the altar of their country.
It was mustered into service September 24, 1861, and served in the following engagements, viz: Siege of Yorktown, Hano- ver Court House, Gaines' Mills, Turkey Island Bend, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run or Groveton, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Aldie. Gettysburg. Jones' Cross Roads, Rappa- hannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna, Bethesda Church and through the series of battles and skirmishes before Petersburg and on the Weldon railroad, up to September 24, 1864.
The heroic Gen. RICE, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, went out as Lieutenant Colonel of this regiment, and Gen. CHAPIN, who was killed at Port Hudson, was its origi- nal senior Captain.
The following account of the return of this regiment is taken from the " Albany Express," September 28, 1864:
"Our streets were unusually lively yesterday afternoon, the citizens turning out in large numbers to witness the return of the veterans of the Forty-fourth Regiment. The welcome extended to them was as warm and generous as it was merited. It will be remembered that but a few months after the commencement of hostilities, a number of our most prominent citizens resolved to
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unite their means and efforts to raise a regiment that would, in every respect, be a model organization. The original plan was to accept a man from each town in the State, but unforeseen diffi- culties arose under this plan, and it was abandoned; and although many parts of the State were represented in it, our own city and county furnished a larger number than any other locality. The Regiment was made up of picked men-men selected not only with a view to their own physical advantages, but also with regard to their moral worth; and we feel justified in saying, that in these respects, no finer regiment ever entered the army than was the Forty-fourth, when it left Albany nearly three years ago, (October 21, 1861). They numbered ten hundred and sixty strong.
"Since then it has participated in twelve general engagements, and in as many more skirmishes, and always with distinguished bravery. But the fortunes of war told fearfully upon its ranks. Brig. Gen. RICE and many others of the gentlemen who went out in its list of officers, gave up their lives for the cause in which they so cheerfully volunteered, fighting valiantly where the hardest and bravest blows were to be struck, and dying with their faces to the foe.
" During its service, upwards of seven hundred recruits joined its ranks, and now, when one hundred and seventy return to their homes, there are left in the field but three hundred. As an evi- dence of the material of which it was originally composed, we may state, that about one hundred and fifty of the rank and file have been promoted into other regiments. The veterans of this regiment, who are returning home, number one hundred and seventy men and fourteen officers.
" On their arrival here, about four o'clock in the afternoon, they were received by the Mayor, Common Council and the Citi- zen's Committee, and under the escort of the Twenty-second Veteran Corps (a neat and fine looking body of men), and the Sixteenth Massachusetts Battery, they marched through a num- ber of principal streets, exciting feelings of the warmest admira- tion among the thousands of citizens who crowded the walk. Passing up State street, they paid Mrs. ERASTUS CORNING, ST., the compliments of a marching salute. When, three years ago, the regiment started for the seat of war, it was presented with an elegant flag by Mrs. CORNING. This flag, having been worn out, was returned to the donor, and a new one given in exchange, about the Ist of January, 1863.
" Arrived at the Capitol, Gov. SEYMOUR was introduced by Col. CONNER to the men, who greeted his Excellency with a round of hearty cheers. Gov. SEYMOUR addressed them briefly, allud- ing in feeling and eloquent terms to their brave departed com- rades, and tendering to his hearers, on behalf of the State, as
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well as for the city of Albany, the most earnest thanks. He spoke of their services and sacrifices, and assured them that their deeds of patriotism and heroism would ever be the theme of praise on the lips of their fellow citizens. The regiment then marched from the Capitol to Congress Hall, where, as the guests of the city, they partook of a substantial collation, after which they were surrounded by many old friends, with whom they passed a happy evening.
NINETY-FIRST REGIMENT N. Y. S. V.
The Ninety-first Regiment left Albany on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1861, on the transport " Knickerbocker." They arrived at Governor's Island the next morning, where they encamped. The regiment remained there until the 8th of January following, during which time they experienced considerable hardship, as the weather was very cold, and very few of the men had been used to such a life.
On the 8th of January, 1862, they were taken on board the steamer " Ericsson," and on the morning of the 9th sailed for Key West, Florida. The " Ericsson " was a large vessel, but not a very fast one, and she did not reach Key West until the 19th. On the 20th the regiment disembarked, and encamped on the southern part of the Island.
During their stay at this place, the men were employed in making military roads, and much time was devoted to drilling. The Island was under the command of Brig. Gen. J. M. BRANNAN. On the 20th of May, 1862, the regiment embarked on the steamer " Philadelphia " for Pensacola. That place had been evacuated by the rebels a short time before, and troops were needed to garrison it, and the Ninety-first was selected for that purpose.
Upon arriving at Pensacola, the regiment was assigned to quarters in the houses of the place, which had been deserted by their owners. The men were kept busy for some time in assist- ing in the building of a redoubt and other earthworks. While stationed at this place, the regiment had a very pleasant time. Their quarters were good, the climate was fine, and there was an abundance of good water. The regiment was stationed here seven months, during which time the place was never attacked by the enemy in force, although the pickets were occasionally visited by the rebel cavalry; and at one time ten men of the Ninety-first, on the advance guard, were captured. When the regiment reached Pensacola, and for some time after, the place was under command of Gen. ARNOLD. He was relieved by Gen.
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NEAL DOW. While Gen. Dow had command, a number of expe- ditions were sent into the surrounding country to capture, not rebels, of whom there were a few in the vicinity, but furniture. Once, however, on the 27th of October, 1862, several companies of the Ninety-first marched some distance into the country, and at night surprised a detachment of rebel cavalry. A short engagement ensued, and six rebels were killed and seven taken prisoners, and fifteen horses were captured.
In December, 1862, Gen. BANKS' expedition reached New Orleans, and shortly after its arrival, orders were issued for the Ninety-first to proceed to that place. The regiment left Pensa- cola in transports on the 24th and 25th of that month, and upon arriving at New Orleans, were at once ordered to Baton Rouge, where a large force was being concentrated for an attack on Port Hudson. At this time the regiment was in splendid condition. The men were well clothed and equipped, and were well drilled, and under good discipline, and it formed one of the best regi- ments in the Nineteenth Corps.
In the latter part of March, 1863, it assisted in the feint that was made by Gen. BANKS on the rear of Port Hudson, while FARRAGUT ran his ships past the place. After this it was taken to Donaldsonville, and from there marched to Brashear city. From here the Third Division of the Corps, under Gen. GROVER, to which the Ninety-first was attached, were taken up the Atcha- falaya in transports, and on the 13th of April were landed. That day there was some skirmishing with the enemy, and on the 14th the battle of Irish Bend was fought, the first severe engagement that was participated in by the Ninety-first. The regiment did good service on that day, and met with but comparatively a small loss. Two men were killed, and some eight or ten wounded. Sergt. CLARK, of Company A, was killed on that day, and was the first man of the regiment who was killed in battle. Imme- diately after this battle, the enemy were pursued up the Teche country by the whole Nineteenth Corps. At Bayon Vermillion, the regiment participated in a little engagement, and had several men wounded, but none killed. After this it accompanied the corps to the Red river, reaching Alexandria on the 7th of May, which place was taken without any fighting. The troops remained in the vicinity of Alexandria until the latter part of May, when they were taken by water to Bayou Sara, above Port Hudson, and on the 24th that stronghold was completely surrounded. On the 25th the brigade, to which the Ninety-first was attached, made a forward movement, and had a spirited engagement, in which seven of the regiment were killed.
On the 27th a general advance was made, and the rebels were driven to their inner works. That day the Ninety-first suffered
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severely. About sixty were killed or wounded. Major STACK- HOUSE was wounded, and died from the effects of his wound. Captains JouN COOKE and J. G. MCDERMOTT were also wounded. The former lost the use of his arm for life. After this no general movement was made until the 14th of June, a day which will always be remembered by the Nineteenth Corps. It was a day of desperate fighting, by which nothing of value was secured. On that day the regiment had about twenty killed, and over sixty wounded. Among the former were Capt. HENRY HULBERT and Adjt. SYLVESTER SHEPARD; among the latter were Capt. WILLIAM LEE, and Lieuts. HERWERTH, MATHIAS, STACKHOUSE and DIAMOND.
It would require pages to describe the scenes of that day-the most remarkable day for the regiment of its entire service. When the regiment left New York it was about eight hundred strong. On the 15th of June, 1863, there were but two hundred and twenty men fit for duty. Immediately after the surrender of Port Hudson, the regiment went with part of the corps 10 Donaldsonville, where there was a slight engagement on the 13th of July, in which six of the regiment were wounded. After this the regiment was stationed in the vicinity of New Orleans until the latter part of August, when it was ordered to Brashear city. Until about this time, the regiment had been commanded by Col. JACOB VAN ZANDT. Under him it had done some hard fight- ing, and gained a reputation for endurance, bravery and good discipline, second to none in the Department of the Gulf. From the time the regiment went to Brashear until it was finally mus- tered out, it was commanded by Col. JONATHAN TARBELL. It remained at Brashear six months. doing garrison duty, during which time little of importance transpired. In January, 1864, nearly all the men re-enlisted for three years more.
In the latter part of February the regiment was removed to Fort Jackson, for the purpose of being paid and mmustered on their re-enlistment, and expecting to proceed from there, in a short time, to the north, on a furlough. For some reason they were detained there over four months. Previous to this, there had never been much sickness among the men. but the unhealthy situation of the fort had its effect upon them, and before they left, there were not sufficient well men to do the ordinary guard duty: and when the regiment started for the north, on the 9th of July, there was scarcely a strong, well man in it. Nearly every one had suffered from the fever and ague.
The regiment came home by the way of the Mississippi, and arrived at Albany on the evening of the 19th of July, receiving an enthusiastic welcome. At the expiration of the thirty days furlough it was ordered to Baltimore, where it remained. doing duty in and around that city, for about six months. Here it
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received large additions to its numbers of recruits from the north, and became over sixteen hundred strong.
In the latter part of February, 1865, the regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg, and upon its arrival at City Point, was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division of the Fifth Army Corps.
The regiment participated in the glorious campaign which resulted in the fall of Richmond, and the surrender of LEE'S army. It was in the battles of White Oak Ridge and Five Forks, and other minor engagements. During this short and decisive campaign, between forty and fifty of the regiment were either killed or died of wounds received in action; and over one hun- dred and seventy were wounded. Among the wounded were Capts. GEORGE W. HOBBS and ANDREW DODDS, and Lieuts, DAN- FORTH, CHAPMAN and MURPHY.
The regiment marched to Washington with the rest of the troops, and was at the grand review in that city on the 23d of May.
Shortly after this the one year men, belonging to the regiment, were sent home and mustered out; and about the middle of July the remainder of the regiment returned to Albany, and were dis- charged from the service.
To the survivors of this noble and heroic regiment, who are now residing with us, we tender the warm thanks of the citizens of Albany, and the lasting gratitude and admiration of the Ameri- can people.
ELEVENTH NEW YORK HAVELOCK BATTERY.
From Capt. JOHN E. BURTON.
THE formation of the Eleventh N. Y. Battery commenced as early as the 10th of September, 1861, by a call, dated at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, Albany, and signed by JAMES RODGERS and HENRY D. BROWER. An organi- zation was not effected, however, until the 26th of October, 1861, when the Rev. A. A. VON PUTTKAMMER was elected Captain.
The Battery had its full complement of officers and men, and was mustered into the service of the United States on the 6th of January, 1862.
The following are the names of the officers at that time: A. A. VON PUTTKAMMER, Captain; R. C. WARMINGTON, First Lieutenant; JAMES RODGERS, First Lieutenant; G. A. KNAPP, Second Lieu- tenant; JOHN E. BURTON, Second Lieutenant.
The number of enlisted men then on the rolls, was one hun- dred and fifty-eight.
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In the fall of 1861, the Battery was presented with a beautiful banner, having on it an excellent portrait of General HAVELOCK, after whom the Battery was named. The gift was from the ladies of Albany.
The Havelocks left Albany on the 17th of January, 1862, and arrived at Fort Ellsworth, Va., on the 25th; which place it gar- risoned until the 30th of July, 1862, when it took the field, and wss engaged in the following battles:
Second Bull Run, Aug, 26 and 27, 1862; Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, 1863: Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, 1863: Mine Run, Nov. 30. 1863; Spottsylvania C. H., May 14, 1864: North Anna River, May 24, 1864; Tolopotomy Creek, May 30, 1864; Coal Harbor, June 3d to 12th, 1864; Petersburg, June 16th to 25th, 1864; Deep Bottom, Aug. 14, 1864.
The Battery was also engaged nearly every day, in the works before Petersburg, from September, 1864, until the fall of Rich- mond, and then, with a part of the Army of the Potomac, pur- sued LEE'S army, and was in at the death.
At the battle of Chancellorsville, the Battery assisted in repuls- ing the enemy, who were following a retreating brigade of the Eleventh Corps.
At Gettysburg, on the third day, it reinforced a part of the line, at a time when it was wavering, and some of our men had already thrown down their arms. But they fought with new vigor, on seeing a fresh reinforcement. And in all of GRANT'S campaign, in 1864 and 1865-those long, fatiguing marches; those hard and tedious diggings, and those tierce and bloody battles-the Eleventh New York Battery was always foremost, and was always relied on.
The Battery reached Albany June 3, 1865, and was mustered out June 15, 1865.
The names of the officers at that time, were: GEO. W. DAVEY, Captain; G. N. P. GALE, First Lieutenant: J. A. MANNING, First Lieutenant; WM. HASTINGS, Second Lieutenant; A. G. GRAVES, Second Lieutenant.
Names of those who were killed in action, and died of wounds: Sergeant JOIN R. WARMINGTON, killed at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; Private HENRY D. CALLOWAY, killed at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; Private GERRIT H. VAN DENBURG, killed at Coal Harbor, June 12, 1863; Corporal WM. A. VAN GAASBEEK, died in hospital, at David's Island, June 23, of wounds received at Coal Harbor, JJune 6, 1864; Private JOHN H. METCALF, died in hospital, June 19, of wounds received JJune 17, 1864, near Peters- burg: Private ALFRED C. ELWELL, killed June 24, 1864, near Petersburg; Corporal WILLIAM II. BROUGHTON, killed Sept. 28,
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1864, near Petersburg; Private JONATHAN W. SCOTT, killed Nov. 4, 1864, near Petersburg.
Names of those who were wounded in action:
EDWIN W. BURRAGE, at Manassas, Aug. 26, 1862.
JOHN MARKEY, do do
MARK S. ACKER, do
do
Lieutenant JAMES T. WYATT, Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863.
Corporal CHARLES M. SWANN, do May 3, 1863.
Corporal EDWARD M. MANN,
do
do
Private SETH D. PATTERSON, do
do
Private DAVID D. DAVIS,
do do
Private DUNCAN CAMERON,
do do
Private JAMES W. PARNELL,
do do
Private L. M. MURRAY,
do do
Private JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
Private JOHN WILKES, do
do
Private ARCHIBALD BATES, do
do
Private JOIN H. SAWYER, do do
Private PHILIP GARDINIER. do
do
Sergt. ORLANDO H. CHENEY, do
do
Sergt. CHARLES W. KELLY, Coal Harbor, June 8, 1864.
Private E. D. WILLARD, do June 12, 1864.
Private E. H. ROPES, near Petersburg, June 17, 1864.
Sergt. JAS. GROESBECK, do
do
Private WyI. H. LOAG,
do
do
Sergt. JAMES A. MANNING, do
June 24,. 1864.
Corpl. ADRIAN GILLETT, do
do
Corpl. WALLACE ROBINSON,
do
do
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. V. (SEVENTH REGIMENT N. Y. V. ARTILLERY.)
To the kindness of Dr. JAMES E. POMFRET, the Surgeon Gen- eral of the State of New York, we are indebted for the following account of this distinguished regiment:
The One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment N. Y. S. V., after- wards the Seventh Regiment N. Y. V. Artillery, was formed in the Thirteenth Senatorial District, as the Albany County Regi- ment, in obedience to General Orders No. 52, General Head Quarters, State of New York, dated A. G. O., Albany, N. Y., July 7, 1862, under the auspices of the following committee, appointed by his Excellency Gov. E. D. MORGAN, viz:
Hon. ELI PERRY (Mayor), Chairman, Gen. JOHN F. RATHBONE, Hon. LYMAN TREMAIN, JOHN TRACEY, Esq., THOMAS W. OLCOTT,
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Esq., GEORGE DAWSON, Esq., Hon. CLARK B. COCHRANE, Hon. J. V. L. PRUYN, FRANK TOWNSEND, ESq., SAMUEL ANABLE, Esq., W. M. VAN ANTWERP, Esq., Hon. GEO. H. THACHER and Hon. HENRY A. BRIGHAM.
The above gentlemen met on the 10th of July, 1862, and after enlarging the committee, divided into sub-committees for each ward and town in the county, they proceeded to recruit a regi- ment.
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