USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 10
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 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
The pursuit of Iee began, but he was too swift for Meade, and escaped across the Potomac. After various movements on both sides of the Poto- mac, which was crossed July 17th, the 124th bivouacked at Manassas Gap July 22nd, in sight of the place of its first skirmish. Then the regiment had 700 rank and file, a full field staff and twenty-five line officers. Now. although about thirty convalescents had returned, it had less than 200 men
II6
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
in all. The corps, commanded by Major General French had been strength- cned since Gettysburg by about 8,000 new troops. General Ward still commanded the division.
There were some undecisive movements and skirmishing in which the 124th participated. Lieutenant Colonel Cummins, having recovered, re- turned and took command of the regiment July 28th. It was soon estab- lished in camp near Sulphur Springs and remained there six weeks. Sep- tember Ioth, in consequence of the backward movement of Lee's army, General Meade pushed a heavy cavalry force across the Rapidan, and soon the entire army was transferred to the region between the Rapidan and Rappahannock. The 124th broke camp September 15th, and next en- camped near Culpepper. October 2nd Lieutenant Colonel Cummins was given a leave of absence for five days, and left Captain Weygant in com- mand. There were some uncertain movements, one of which followed a retrograde movement of Lee, October 19th, but he was found to be out of reach and General Meade gave up the pursuit until twenty miles of rail- road could be re-built. Next came the fight at Kelly's Ford of November 7th, in which the 124th supported the 10th Massachusetts Battery, and the Confederates were defeated. Ward's division took possession of the ford and captured over 500 prisoners. The Union loss was only about fifty. Sedgwick's right wing attacked works on the bank of the Rappahannock, carried them by a brilliant coup de main, and captured 1,500 prisoners, his loss being about 300. In the march next day toward Beverly Station, with Ward's division in front, the 124th was deployed as flankers and was under fire for some time. There was no more fighting until November 27th, when the fight at Locust Grove took place, followed by that at Mine Run. The 124th took part in both, and lost one killed, eight wounded and three captured. December Ist Meade ordered a. retrograde movement, and the regiment settled down to a long stay at Brandy Station and Cul- pepper. March 17 General Birney sent an order to Colonel Cummins stat- ing that to equalize the brigades the 124th would be transferred to the Third Brigade, This was so displeasing that fourteen officers of the regi- ment petitioned General Birney to allow them to remain under Brigadier General Ward. Major General Birney replied that "the request of the of- ficers of this gallant regiment would be fully considered," and he would try to grant it. This was done, and the 124th remained in Ward's Bri- gade. Meanwhile it had received considerable additions in volunteers
117
THE CIVIL WAR.
from Orange County, although not half as many as had been mustered out and transferred to the veteran reserve corps in consequence of physical disability.
Early in March U. S. Grant had been made Lieutenant General and invested by the President with the chief command of all the armies of the United States. In the latter part of March and the month of April he caused a radical reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and the "Old Third" became a part of the Second Corps.
An advance was ordered May 3d, and that night Birney's division struck tents and began its march. Two days afterward the memorable Battle of the Wilderness was begun. Ward's command in this battle consisted of eight infantry regiments, including the 124th and the Second U. S. Sharpshooters, constituting one of the largest brigades in the army. The leading officers of the 124th were now Colonel Cummins, Lieutenant-Colonel Weygant and Acting Major H. S. Murray. The brigade and regiment did their allotted share in the two-days' battle, but the regiment was less exposed than at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. and came out with a loss of three killed and fifty-seven wounded. Colonel Cummins being among the wounded.
The battle of Spottsylvania Court House came a week later. On the 9th the 124th N. Y. and 20th Ind. Regiments were thrown out as skir- mishers for General Birney's division as it marched forward. Near Po River a Confederate battery opened on them, but fired too high, and soon had to flee. In the battle the next day for a while the 124th sup- ported a battery on the extreme right of Hancock's line, and then marched with the division towards the left, where it was soon engaged. and assisted in an unsuccessful charge on the rebel line. It was in General Hancock's famous charge of May 12th. Birney's division was in four lines, with Ward's Brigade in front, the 124th composing the right center of the first line, Lieutenant Colonel Weygant in command. When the clash came there were hand-to-hand encounters so fierce and desperate as to defy description. There was an "unparalleled struggle of eighteen hours' duration." Hancock's men captured the enemy's works, and he finally abandoned his efforts to retake them. The 124th had been so actively en- gaged or under fire so much that the men writing home as late as May 18th spoke of the battle as having been raging since May 4th. Its losses were fifteen killed, fifty-two wounded and two captured. Colonel Weygant
I18
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
was one of the wounded. After the battle the regiment was so small that it was found necessary to consolidate it into five and then into three com- panies, and the 124th and 86th acted together, first under Lieutenant- Colonel Lansing and then Major Stafford, both of the 86th. This union lasted until they settled down in front of Petersburg.
On the evening of May 20th the movement of the army from Spott- sylvania Court House began in earnest. The 124th was in various move- ments, and on June Ist seven of its men on picket duty were captured. In the bloody battle of Cold Harbor, June 3d, Birney's command was in reserve, and the men of the 124th were lookers-on.
Offensive operations were suspended for a time, and General Grant de- cided to transfer his army to the James River. On the evening of June 12th, after a march of fifty-five miles, Hancock's corps reached Wilcox Landing and was transferred to waiting steamboats. On June 15th the advance of the rest of the army was resumed, Birney's command leading the column down the Prince George Court House road towards Peters- burg. The brigade encamped in a grove of pines on City Point. There were only about 100 men left in the 124th. Between May 18th and June 22nd it lost three killed, twenty-four wounded and eight captured. Every third day from the 4th to the 24th of July the remnant was on the picket line. There were no engagements, but some skirmishing.
General Birney had been assigned to the command of the Tenth Corps, and the veterans of the "Old Third" were consolidated into one division under General Mott, and General De Trobriand became commander of the brigade, which included the 124th, now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Weygant. When offensive operations were resumed on the last day of September, the regiment could muster sixteen officers and 230 fighting men, and two months later had been reinforced so that it numbered nine- teen officers and 362 enlisted men, a few of whom were raw recruits. It had some active and hazardous work during the fall, before the army settled down in winter quarters. October 26 Hancock's command moved to the Weldon road, and the next day De Trobriand's brigade marched with Mott's division to Hatcher's Run, where General Eagan was having a skirmish, and preparing to force the passage of the stream. This was done, and presently De Trobriand's brigade was ordered to the front to relieve the brigade on the left of Eagan's line. In the afternoon the enemy advanced in force, and there was some furious fighting, in which the
Richard WVi
1IO
THE CIVIL WAR.
124th brought to a halt a flanking force of dismounted cavalry with a battery of rifled guns and sent them into the edge of a neighboring wood. The battle continued, and a bullet struck Colonel Weygant în the side, so that he had to leave the field. Finally the Confederates fled. This was called the Battle of Boydton road. Three of the 124th were killed, fourteen wounded and six captured including two of the wounded. The regiment also took part in the raid of a week, beginning November 6th, to destroy the Weldon railroad, when its loss was only one killed and one wounded.
During the winter the Union lines tightened around Richmond, but apart from preparations for the spring campaign not much was done on either side. In February, however, De Trobriand's brigade was in a short fight at Hatcher's Run, across which the Union line was permanently extended.
Confederate leaders did not allow Grant to open the spring campaign, and on March 26th attacked his lines, east of Petersburg, but were re- pulsed. The previous day the 124th was in an engagement with 500 Con- federates, and in a gallant charge captured six officers and 164 men. Pri- vate George W. Tompkins shot the Confederate Commander. Colonel Troy, and carried off the battle flag of his regiment which he bore. Not a man of the 124th was injured. Private Tompkins was given a medal of honor from the Secretary of War. the thanks of Congress and a brevet commission.
The storming of Petersburg began April 2nd with all the artillery. That night the 124th and two other regiments were ordered to advance, and got into a fight in which several men were seriously wounded. The object of this move was to delay the return of some of Lee's troops, and was successful. The grand assault on the Confederate lines was made at the appointed time, and a part of De Trobriand's brigade led by the 124th moved at double-quick over one of the main roads leading into Peters- burg, the Confederates fleeing before them, but wheeling and firing as they ran. Lee was quick to see the inevitable result of the assault, and ordered the evacuation of Richmond. During April 3d the 124th, which had the advance of the Second Corps, marched twenty miles, and gathere.l in 200 dismounted Confederate cavalrymen. On the 6th it came up with Lee's rear guard, and in the fighting of the march along Sailor's Creek up to this date the regiment lost four killed. seventeen wounded and one missing. The pursuit was resumed on the 7th, and on the 9th
120
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
came the great surrender of Lee to Grant, when our "men shouted until they could shout no longer."
After the momentous event at Appomatox the 124th encamped at Burkesville Junction. In the night the men were awakened and horrified by the news that President Lincoln and Secretary Seward had been assassin- ated. On May Ist Meade's army took up its line of march for Washing- ton, and came in sight of it about the middle of May. On June 5th, after participating in the grand review of the whole Union army, the 124th received its last marching orders. It reached home June 13th, and re- ceived a wonderful welcome from assembled thousands at Newburgh.
The Newburgh Daily Union published the truth when it said the next day that it "had made as noble a record as any regiment in the field." It praised Colonels Ellis, Cummins and Weygant, and said of the regi- ment : "Slowly they filed past ; and now the people's enthusiasm burst out over all bounds. Our scanty police and watch force were swallowed up and overwhelmed, and the eager multitudes seemed as if they would throw themselves upon the soldiers. On they marched with steady and resistless step, their paces and uniforms telling of the fearful scenes they had passed through. Their battle flag, as it was borne aloft, awakened intense emotion ; hardly a strip of its frayed and bullet-torn silk was left ; yet it was more precious to the men and to the people than if it were made of cloth of gold."
Judge Taylor made the address of welcome, in which he said: "You are the life-guards of the nation, and we look upon you with something of the same reverence which we feel toward the fathers of our country. And we cherish the memory of those who fought, bled and died, and of those who survived the carnage of Fredericksburg, of Chancellorsville, of Beverly's Ford, of Gettysburg, of the Wilderness, of Spottsylvania, of Boydton Road, of Sailor's Creek and the many battlefields around Richmond."
The following is the official record of the commissioned officers of the 124th, in which the date of commission is followed by the date of rank :
REGIMENTAL AND COMPANY OFFICERS.
COLONELS.
A Van Horn Ellis, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Yelverton Inn, Chester, Erected, 1765.
I21
THE CIVIL WAR.
Francis M. Cummins, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863 ; discharged, Sept. 19, 1864. Charles H. Weygant, Jan. 1I, 1865; Sept. 19, 1864; not mustered.
LIEUTENANT COLONELS.
Francis M. Cummins, Sept. 10, 1863; Aug. 16, 1862; promoted to Colonel, Oct. 10, 1863.
Charles H. Weygant, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865 ( Brevet Colonel, U. S. V.)
Henry S. Murray, Jan. 11, 1865; Sept. 19, 1864; not mustered.
MAJORS.
James Cromwell, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Charles H. Weygant, Sept. 14, 1863; July 2, 1863; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Oct. 10, 1863.
Henry S. Murray, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
James W. Benedict, Jan. 11, 1865; Sept. 19, 1864; not mustered.
ADJUTANTS.
William Silliman, Sept. 10, 1862; July 16, 1862; promoted to Captain, Oct 3, 1862. C. Depeyster Arden, Oct. 3, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; discharged, Jan. 14, 1863.
William Brownson, Feb. 20, 1863; Dec. 31, 1863; resigned, Sept. 17, 1863.
William B. Van Houten, Oct. 10, 1863; Sept. 17, 1863; discharged, Jan. 23, 1865. Wines E. Weygant, Jan. 31, 1865; Jan. 31, 1865; not mustered.
QUARTERMASTERS.
Augustus Denniston, Sept. 10, 1862; July 15, 1862; resigned, Jan. 14, 1863. Henry F. Travis, Feb. 27, 1863; Jan. 14, 1863 ; promoted to Captain, Aug. 20, 1863. Ellis Post, Aug. 20, 1863; April 21, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
SURGEONS.
John H. Thompson, Sept. 10, 1862: July 26, 1862; dismissed Nov. 25, 1864; dis- ability removed by order of the President, Jan. 14, 1865.
John H. Thompson, Feb. 15, 1865: Feb. 15, 1865; failed to muster.
Robert V. K. Montfort, March 22, 1865; March 22, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
ASSISTANT SURGEONS.
Edward G. Marshall, Sept. 10, 1862; Sept. 5, 1862; dismissed, Aug. 7, 1863.
Robert V. K. Montfort, Sept. 10, 1862; Sept. 10, 1862; promoted to surgeon, March 22, 1865.
Edward C. Fox, April 6, 1865: April 7, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
CHAPLAIN.
Thomas Scott Bradner, Oct. 21, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; mustered out with regi- ment, June 3, 1865.
I22
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
CAPTAINS.
Charles H. Weygant, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 12, 1862; promoted to major, Sept. 14, 1863.
Charles B. Wood, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863; discharged, Sept. 21, 1864.
Thomas Taft, Nov. 15, 1864; Sept. 21, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Henry S. Murray, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 14, 1862 ; promoted to major, Oct. 10, 1863. William E. Mapes, Dec. 17, 1863 ; July 2, 1863; discharged, Dec. 15, 1864.
Robert J. Malone, Dec. 17, 1864; Sept. 15, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
James Cromwell, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 15, 1862; promoted to major, Sept. 10, 1862. William Silliman, Oct. 3, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; promoted to colonel, 26th U. S. C. T., Feb. 1, 1864.
James Finnegan, Feb. 9, 1864: Feb. 1, 1864; died of wounds, Oct. 28, 1864.
James A. Grier, Nov. 15, 1864; Oct. 27, 1864; not mustered.
James W. Benedict, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 16, 1862; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
John C. Wood, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
William A. McBurney, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 19, 1862; resigned, March 9, 1863.
Daniel Sayer, Dec. 17, 1863; March 6, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June
3, 1865.
Isaac Nicoll, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.
James O. Denniston, Aug. 20, 1863; July 2, 1862; not mustered.
Henry P. Ramsdell, Dec. 12, 1863; Oct. 7, 1863; not mustered.
Thomas J. Quick, Dec. 17, 1863; Dec. 10, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Ira S. Bush, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, June 21, 1864.
John W. Houston, July 15, 1864; June 21, 1864; not mustered.
Edward J. Cormick, Nov. 15, 1864; Aug. 10, 1864; killed in action near Peters- burg, Va., April 1, 1865.
Lander Clark, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, May 13, 1863.
Henry F. Travis, Aug. 20, 1863; April 21, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
William A. Jackson, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; killed in action near Peters- burg, Va., June 18, 1864.
Lewis M. Wisner, July 15, 1864; July 14, 1864; not mustered as captain.
Thomas Bradley, Nov. 15, 1864; Aug. 2, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
David Crist, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; killed in action, May 30, 1864.
Theodore M. Roberson, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Charles B. Wood, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 12, 1862; promoted to captain, Oct. 10, 1863.
Charles T. Cressy, April 19, 1864; May 1, 1864; not mustered.
Thomas Taft, Aug. 2, 1864; July 20, 1864; promoted to captain, Nov. 15, 1864.
David U. Quick, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Wines E. Weygant, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 14, 1862; resigned, Feb. 8, 1863. William E. Mapes, Feb. 27, 1863 : Feb. 8, 1863; promoted to captain, Feb. 27, 1863.
123
THE CIVIL WAR.
Edward J. Cormick, March 23, 1864; March 17, 1864; promoted to captain, Nov. 15, 1864.
Abram P. Francisco, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
William Brownson, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 15, 1862; promoted to adjutant, Feb. 20, 1863.
Ilenry P. Ramsdell, Feb. 20, 1863; Dec. 31, 1862; discharged, Dec. 13, 1863. Daniel Sayer, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 16, 1862; promoted to captain, Dec. 17, 1863. John W. Houston, Dec. 17, 1862; March 6, 1863: discharged, Dec. 13, 1863.
Ebenezer Holbert, July 15, 1864; June 21, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Wm. A. Verplanck, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 10, 1862; discharged, Sept. 23, 1863. Theodore M. Roberson, Dec. 17, 1863; Sept. 25, 1863; promoted to captain, Feb. 18, 1865.
Woodward T. Ogden, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; not mustered.
James O. Denniston, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; discharged, Oct. 17, 1863.
William H. Benjamin, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Thomas J. Quick, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; promoted to captain, Dec. 17, 1863.
James A. Grier, Dec. 24, 1863; Dec. 10, 1863; not mustered.
John B. Stanbrough, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, Nov. 12, 1862.
Isaac M. Martin, Dec. 30, 1862; Nov. 12, 1862; dismissed, May 15, 1863.
Wm. B. Van Houten, Aug. 20, 1863; May 15, 1863; promoted to adjutant, Oct. 10, 1863.
Charles Stuart, Oct. 10, 1863; Sept. 17, 1863; discharged, May 15, 1865.
James H. Roosa, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; resigned, March 7, 1863.
James Finnegan, May 26, 1863; March 7, 1863; promoted to captain, Feb. 9, 1864.
Lewis M. Wisner, Feb. 23, 1864; Feb. 1, 1864; discharged, Aug. 5, 1864.
John C. Wood, Nov. 15, 1864; Aug. 1, 1864; promoted to captain, Feb. 18, 1865.
Thomas Hart, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1 865.
Henry Gowdy, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 22, 1863; died, May 11, 1864, of wounds.
John R. Hayes, Dec. 17, 1863; May 10, 1863; not mustered.
Thomas Bradley, Sept. 27, 1864; Aug. 1, 1864 ; promoted to captain, Nov. 15, 1864.
John S. King, Dec. 17, 1864; Sept. 15, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Charles T. Cressy, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 12, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, April 19, 1864.
Jonathan Birdsall, Aug. 2, 1864; July 20, 1864; killed in action near Petersburg, Va., Oct. 22, 1864.
Gabriel Tuthill, Feb. 27, 1863; Feb. 8, 1863; discharged, Feb. 23, 1864.
Henry P. Ramsdell, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 15, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 27, 1863.
James A. Grier, Feb. 20, 1863; Dec. 31, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, Dec. 24, 1863.
Thomas Hart, Nov. 15, 1864; July 21, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 18, 1865.
John W. Houston, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 16, 1862: promoted to first lieutenant, Dec. 17, 1863.
Ebenezer Holbert, April 2, 1864: July 20, 1864: promoted to first lieutenant, July 15, 1864.
124
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
Thomas G. Mabie, Nov. 15, 1864; July 26, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Adolphus Wittenbeecher, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 19, 1862; dismissed, March 19, 1863. Theodore M. Roberson, May 26, 1863; March 6, 1863; promoted to first lieuten- ant, Dec. 17, 1863.
Woodward T. Ogden, Nov. 15, 1864; July 21, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Sylvester Lawson, March 14, 1865; March 3, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
David Gibbs, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, Feb. 25, 1863.
Wm. H. Benjamin, May 26, 1863; Feb. 25, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 18, 1865.
Joshua V. Cole, Feb. 18, 1865: Jan. 1, 1865; not mustered.
Samuel W. Hotchkiss, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, April 2, 1864.
David U. Quick, Nov. 15, 1864; July 21, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 18, 1865.
Lewis T. Schultz, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. I, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.
Isaac M. Martin, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, Dec. 20, 1862.
Milnor Brown, Dec. 30, 1862; Dec. 30, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.
Charles Stuart, Aug. 20, 1863; July 2, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant, Oct. 10, 1863.
William W. Smith, April 19, 1864; Sept. 17, 1863; not mustered.
James Finnegan, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, May 26, 1863.
Jacob Denton, May 26, 1863; March 7, 1863; not mustered; killed in action, May 3, 1863.
Lewis M. Wisner, Aug. 20, 1863; May 3, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 23, 1864.
John R. Hayes, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 22, 1862; discharged, April 8, 1864.
OTHER MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Company 1, 7Ist Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., was recruited in Newburgh, mostly from Co. L, 19th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., between May 20 and 31, 1861, by Captain A. Van Horne Ellis. Governor Morgan refused to permit the company to leave the State, and thereupon Captain Ellis took it to New York on his own responsibility. It was furnished with transpor- tation to Washington, was accepted through the influence of Secretary Seward, and mustered in for three months. It was stationed at the Wash- ington Navy Yard, sent to Chapel Point and Point Tobacco, June 28, re- turned, and on July 16 was brigaded with Rhode Island and New Hamp- shire regiments under Colonel Burnside. It went to the Bull Run battlefield dragging two twelve-pound boat howitzers on July 4th, and returned with them. Soon it went back, arriving on the Bull Run battlefield July 21st, and in the battle fired 232 shots of shrapnel and canister. It drew
yours July Henry wimmer /
125
THE CIVIL WAR.
out of the conflict by order at 3 P. M. with the loss of one killed and two wounded, and returned to Washington. It was soon back in Newburgh, where it was mustered out July 30th. The officers during this service were :
.1. VanHorne Ellis, captain ; George W. Hawkins, second lieutenant ; Wm. H. Garrison, second sergeant; John Mc Meekin, third sergeant ; James D. Hamilton, fourth sergeant; Charles Decker, first corporal ; Marshal M. Van Zile, second corporal; Henry T. Travis, third sergeant ; Thomas Riley, fourth sergeant.
May 28th, 1862, within seven hours, the company was again recruited for three months, and during that period was on guard duty in and around Washington. The officers were :
A. VanHorne Ellis, captain ; Wm. H. Garrison, first lieutenant ; James C. Taggart, second lieutenant ; John W. Forsyth, first sergeant; Henry F. Travis, second sergeant ; John McMeckin, third sergeant; James B. Montgomery, fourth sergeant; Thomas Riley, fifth sergeant; Robert Acheson, David M. DeWitt, Wm. M. Verplanck and Edward J. Hall, corporals.
Captain Ellis afterward became colonel of the 124th, and several other members of the company became captains and lieutenants in the 124th, 56th and other regiments.
In May, 1862, the 19th regiment of militia, commanded by Colonel Wm. R. Brown, was ordered to Washington, and after recruiting its ranks, which had been depleted by volunteer enlistments, left Newburgh June 4. Arriving in Baltimore, it was ordered to Stuart Hill, and remained there until July 2nd, when two of its companies were ordered to Fort McHenry and the rest of the regiment to Fort Marshall. On July 14 four companies were ordered to Fort Delaware, and remained there until August 10th, when they were sent to Havre de Grace to guard the railroad betweer. there and Baltimore. The whole regiment went back to Newburgh the last of August, and was mustered out of the U. S. service September 6.
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.