USA > New York > The history of the Forty-eighth regiment New York state volunteers, in the war for the union. 1861-1865 > Part 18
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several from two to four. Seven were captured by the enemy and suffered the tortures of Anderson. te and Belle Isle. In ten days, July 10 to 18, 1863. the company lost fourteen killed and fatally wounded, and twenty-two were wounded and five taken prisoners; total, forty one, or more than three quarters of the number engaged.
Not one deserted, or failed to receive an isnorable dis- charge.
Such are the statistics of the original pany. The history of the regiment is the history of the company, for it was inseparably connected with it. It was never on detached service. Wherever the regiment went, or even a battalion of it, there Company D was to be found. At the capture of Morris Island, in the assault on Fort Wagner, at Olustee, in the engagements between the launes and the Appomattox in May, 1864; at Cold Harbor, in front of Petersburg, in the battles north of the James, in the two expeditions against Fort Fisher, and in the advance on Wilmington, Company D never failed to leave evidences of its valor in the loss of life and limb.
COMPANY E.
BY GEO. W. FAGANS.
Company E was mustered into the service at Camp Wy- man, Fort Hamilton, N. Y., on the 27th day of August, 1861. its officers being-(1) Wm. B. Coan, Captain, who at the breaking out of the war enlisted as a private in the Seventh N. Y. S. M., serving thirty days, and on his return- ing home began recruiting this company. (2) Frederick Hurst, First Lieutenant, was a native of England and a resi- dent of the city of Brooklyn, and also a member of the Seventh N. Y. S. M., serving thirty days as a private, and on returning home became interested in recruiting Company E with Captain Coan. (3) Robert S. Edwards, Second Lieutenant, was a native of New York City and a resident of Brooklyn, and was connected with the well-known firm
SKETCHES OF THE COMPANIES. 209
of Richards, Haight & Co., of Barclay Street, New York City. At the breaking out of the war he offered his services and was accepted in this company. The company was re- cruited in New York City, its members being residents of New York State, New York City, New Jersey, Massachu- setts, and Connecticut. Captain Coan recruited 29 and Lieutenant Hurst recruited 60 members ; total, S9. There. fore Company E left Camp Wyman with 89 enlisted men and its full complement of officers. The members of this company, with one or two exceptions, were young men, their ages ranging from eighteen to thirty-five, and they were a credit to the regiment, as their record will show. At the issue of orders from Washington in 1863, calling on men who had served two years to re-enlist for three years more. 37 members of this company responded, and but 15 re- mained to be mustered out in 1865 with the regiment. Of those who did not re-enlist, but whose term expired in 1864, but 26 remained to be mustered out. It had 3 officers killed and 6 wounded, and also 21 enlisted men killed and 61 wounded, and 9 died prisoners of war in rebel prisons. It had one commissioned officer promoted to field-officer, and nine non-commissioned officers promoted to commissioned officers. Captain William B. Coan was pro- moted to Major, Lieutenant-Colonel. and afterward Colonel in command of the regiment. He was a good and brave officer, and was wounded three times while in the service with the regiment. Lieutenant Frederick Hurst was pro- moted to Captain of Company K. Although very young, he was a brave and daring officer, and met an heroic death. Second Lieutenant Robert S. Edwards was promoted to First Lieutenant of Company C. He was a brave and ex- emplary Christian officer. In fact, Company E was always well officered by good and brave men, who at all times com- manded the respect of its members, and the company ranked A No. 1 in drill and discipline.
14
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FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
COMPANY F.
BY JAMES A. BARRETT.
Company F was mustered into the United States service at Camp Wyman, near Fort Hamilton, N. Y., August 31, 1861, with the following officers :
Captain-James M. Green of Brooklyn.
First Lieutenant-Samuel K. Wallace of New York.
Second Lieutenant-Henry W. Robinson of Brooklyn.
Captain Green was born and educated in Troy. N. Y. When the war broke out he enlisted as private in the Seventy- first Regiment of New York for three months. On his re- turn to Brooklyn he at once commenced to recruit a company for the Forty-eighth N. Y. V., mostly from New York and Brooklyn. Lieutenant Wallace brought a few men from the vicinity of Nyack and Katonah. When the regiment left for Washington Company F had only about forty-five men. At Annapolis, Md., the companies were equalized by trans- ferring men from other companies that had more than the average. Captain Green set to work with tireless en- ergy, and inspired his men with a respect and love that the survivors of Company F retain to this day. He was promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, and killed in action in that terrible night-assault on Fort Wagner, S. C., July 18, 1863, where the gallant Forty-eighth lost two thirds of its men and seven-eighths of its officers in killed and wounded. Captain Green was a brave officer. respected by all and beloved by his men. His memory ever lived with his old company as a benediction, inspiring them to cour- age and loyal service.
[Mr. E. B. Newman of Company F, who is now postmas- ter at Katonah, N. Y., writes an appreciative note concern- ing four of his comrades-Peck, Howard, Perkins, and On- derkirk, who were railroad engineers-from Schenectady. The death of Onderkirk, from a dreadful wound received at Wagner, and his Christian resignation, are noted .- A. J. P.]
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SKETCHES OF THE COMPANIES.
COMPANY G.
BY JAMES A. BARRETT.
Company G was mustered into the United States ser- vice at Camp Wyman, near Fort Hamilton, N. Y., Au- gust 26, 1861. The company was organized by Captain Anthony Elmendorf of Brooklyn, a young man twenty years of age, whose proficiency in drill acquired in the Thirteenth Regiment N. Y. M. obtained him his appointment as Cap- tain in the Forty-eighth, and to him was assigned the duty for a time of drilling the officers of the regiment until this duty was assumed by Colonel Perry himself.
The officers of Company G were :
Captain-Anthony Elmendorf of Brooklyn, N. Y.
First Lieutenant-Wm. H. Dunbar of Brooklyn. N. Y. Second Lieutenant-James M. Nichols of Brooklyn, N. Y.
A majority of the men were recruited from New York and Brooklyn. and a number from towns up the Hudson River ; about fifteen came from New Jersey, and the same number from Connecticut. In June, 1863, when eight companies of the regiment were sent to Morris Island, S. C., Company G was left behind to garrison Fort Pulaski, Ga., and Company I on Tybee Island, and thus escaped the terrible slaughter of Fort Wagner, which accounts for its comparatively small casualty list. But during this time Company G was not idle, for Captain Elmendorf drilled his company to a high degree of perfection, which qualified them to do gallant service in all the remaining engagements in which the regiment par- ticipated. Second Lieutenant Nichols was promoted to First Lieutenant and Captain, and received several brevets for gallantry and good service. On Morris Island he was detailed to command a battery: he was afterwards pro- moted to Captain of Company E, and served with the- regi- ment until the expiration of his term of three years,-part of the time in command of the regiment.
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FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S VOLS.
COMPANY H.
BY JAMES A. BARRETT.
During the summer of 1861, Colonel Jas. H. Perry went to witness the drill of a Home Guard Company at Montague Hall, known as the Brooklyn Union Rifles, of which Dud- ley W. Strickland, a young lawyer living in Brooklyn, was the captain and drill-master. Colonel Perry was so much pleased with the superior drill of the company that he offered Strickland a captaincy in his regiment. then about to be formed. He accepted on condition that he could name his First Lieutenant, which was granted; and he selected William L. Lockwood, also a young lawyer living in Brooklyn and a life - long friend of Strickland. They were both formerly members of the Young American Guards Infantry and Artillery in Cincinnati, O. They both went to work with much enthusiasm to recruit and organize Com- pany H. Captain Strickland was soon ordered to Camp Wy- man, near Fort Hamilton, to organize camp and superintend drill, etc. Lieutenant Lockwood, from several places on Long Island and up the Hudson River, recruited about thirty men. Second Lieutenant Caleb N. Patterson brought as many more from the vicinity of Keyport and Freehold. N. J. Only one member of the Home Guard Company en- listed-First Sergeant Jas. A. Barrett, who went into camp and assisted in drilling and recruiting for the company from the many visitors who came to the camp. Great care was taken in selection of recruits, and Company H soon took high rank for its drill and soldierly qualities, and was assigned by Colonel Perry the position of right-flank com- pany. Its officers were temperate, efficient, and devoted to the truest interests of the company.
Every man in the company knew he had a true friend in any one of his officers. A certain company pride was en-
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SKETCHES OF THE COMPANIES.
couraged and fostered, and the records of the regiment will show that the guard-house scarcely ever contained a mem- ber of Company H.
Company H was mustered into service August 16, 1861, with ninety-eight men. It always maintained a high repu- tation for efficiency, discipline, and drill.
Captain Strickland became Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, and commanded the regiment when Colonel Barton was assigned to command of the brigade.
Lieutenant Lockwood became Captain of Company F. but subsequently was transferred to his old company. He served as Inspector-General on the Brigade Staff.
Of the five original Sergeants, Barrett, Edwards, Lacoppi- dan, and Stayley were promoted officers.
Sergeant Sparks carried the colors and was wounded while gallantly planting them on the parapet of Fort Wagner, and was afterwards transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
Corporals Halstead, Garaghan, Laxey, and Private Miller also became officers; and Private Stoney was appointed Quartermaster-Sergeant.
In December, 1863, the government offered a furlough of thirty days and $400 bounty to all 1861 men who would re-enlist as veteran volunteers. The State of New York also offered 875 additional bounty, and Kings County 8300. Lieutenant Barrett, then in command of Company H. sub- mitted the offer and announced his intention to remain and see the war through. Fifty-four men promptly accepted the offer and re-enlisted as veteran volunteers. The original members of the company had been thinned out from time to time by sickness, disability, wounds, and death, so that in the fall of 1864, when the first three years' enlistment ex- pired, there were only seven men left who had not re- enlisted to claim their discharge by expiration of service.
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FORTY-EIGHTII REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
COMPANY I.
BY J. RENSHAW AND PETER TWAMLEY.
The recruiting office for Company I was opened in Orange Street, near Fulton, in Brooklyn, about July 19, 1861, by Captain Joseph G. Ward, who, with the assistance of Sergeant J. Renshaw and other non-commissioned offi- cers, went into camp at Camp Wyman, Fort Hamilton, August 2, 1861. The company was mustered into the ser- vice of the United States, August 16th, being the third of the regiment to be sworn in. Joseph G. Ward was Cap- tain ; Samuel M. Swartwout, First Lieutenant ; and James H. Perry, Jr., Second Lieutenant.
Company I was with the regiment, participating in all its duties, until July 19, 1862, when it was detailed on picket duty and sent to Tybee island from Fort Pulaski. There was a battery consisting of five guns on Tybee Island, four being six-pounder brass field-pieces, and one rifled thirty-two-pounder. This battery commanded the channel at the entrance to the Savannah River. It had been the custom to relieve each company on picket at Tybee Island every ten days previous to this time, but while Company I was on Tybee Island it had the great good - fortune to fire upon (and so injure that it was subsequently captured) the English steamer Ladona, which was endeavoring to run the blockade. General Hun- ter sent a letter of thanks to Captain A. II. Ferguson, and thereafter Company I was permanently stationed on Tybee Island. It was absent, therefore, from the regiment during that dreadful campaign on Morris Island, as also was Company G; but both these companies rejoined the regiment in the fall of that year, and served with it after- ward to the end. Company I suffered heavily at Olustec, and did its full part in the labors of the remaining cam- paigns of the regiment. Four officers of the company were
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SKETCHES OF THE COMPANIES.
.
killed in battle or died of their wounds: Captain John A. Fee at Petersburg, Lieutenant James M. Keenan at Olustee, Major Swartwout at the explosion of the mine at Peters- burg, and Lieutenant Dunn, then Captain of Company E. at Fort Fisher.
The letter of thanks from General Hunter referred to was as follows :
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
HILTON HEAD, PORT ROYAL, S. C., Aug. 5, 1862. Col. Wm. B. Barton, 48th. N. Y. Vols., Commanding Post, Fort Pulaski.
COLONEL : The Major-General commanding desires me to express through you to Captain Ferguson, Forty-eighth Regiment New York Vols., commanding the Martello Tower, Tybee Island, his thanks for the vigilance, promptness, and scientific gunnery which, about 12 P.M. on the night of the 4th instant, enabled him to arrest and drive back the steamer Ladona laden with stores, contraband of war destined for the use of the Rebels in Savannah-this steamer having succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the Blockading Squadron, and being under full headway to Savannah when so arrested and driven out to sea again -- after which, Captain Ferguson will be happy to hear, she was seen, pursued, and captured by the U. S. Gun-boat Unadilla, and is now lying a prize in this harbor.
I have the honor to be, Colonel.
Very respectfully, Your most obedient servant. CHARLES G. HALPIN, Maj. Asst. Adjt. Gen'l and Chief of Staff.
Upon the resignation of Captain Ward in January, 1862, Lieutenant A. H. Ferguson was promoted from Company A to fill the vacancy. Lieutenant Perry resigned in Sep- tember of 1862. Lieutenant John A. Fee succeeded Captain Ferguson, and upon the death of Captain Fee, Lieutenant Hutchinson became Captain of the company.
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FORTY- EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
COMPANY K.
BY W. J. CARLTON.
This Company was organized and largely recruited by Captain Samuel J. Foster, a member of the Seventh Regi- ment N. Y. S. M., and Second Lieutenant Albert F. Miller of Brooklyn. First Lieutenant S. G. Gale of Galesville, Ulster County, N. Y., joined the company with about forty recruits. It was the first company in the regiment mus- tered into the United States service, and early became proficient in drill and in discipline. Lieutenant Gale re- signed May 6, 1862. on account of ill health, and Lieutenant Miller was promoted to fill the vacancy. Orderly Sergeant Geo. L. Smith was made Second Lieutenant. January 26, 1863, Captain Foster resigned and First Lieutenant Hurst of Company E was promoted to fill the vacancy. Captain Hurst was severely wounded in the assault on Fort Wagner : and falling into the hands of the enemy was carried to Charleston, where he died in a few days. Lieu- tenant Miller became Captain, and remained with the company until severely wounded at Cold Harbor. He was afterwards promoted to the Majority of the regiment, but was unable to return to duty on account of his wound. He was also severely wounded in the assault on Fort Wagner.
Company K ranked among the best of the companies, and stands fourth in number of casualties.
The following-named enlisted men received commissions: Charles B. Umpleby, Captain, Forty-eighth N. Y. V. Benj. Seaward, Adjutant, Forty-eighth N. Y. V. Tom Dawson, First Lieutenant, Forty-eighth N. Y. V. Adolphus Henkle, First Lieutenant, Third Maryland Vols. George L. Smith. Second Lieutenant, Forty-eighth N. Y. V. Wm. B. Hunter, Second Lieutenant. Forty-eighth .N. Y. V. Lewis Holmes, Second Lieutenant, Forty-eighth N. V. V. Wm. V. King, Second Lieutenant, Forty-eighth N. Y. V.
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SKETCHES OF THE COMPANIES.
THE NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
BY W. J. CARLTON.
The original Non-commissioned Staff was as follows :
Samuel H. Moser, Sergeant-Major: Van Rensselaer K. Hilliard, Quartermaster-Sergeant ; George P. Becker. Com- missary-Sergeant : Nathaniel D. Fisher, Hospital Steward : and Wm. Smith and Edward Hastings, Principal Musicians.
Moser and Hilliard became commissioned officers. Fisher was discharged on account of disability, and Becker and Smith were killed in battle,-the former at Fort Wagner, and the latter while bearing off the wounded at Cold Harbor.
Smith was quite a character. He had seen service in the regular army, and his experience there was of value to him in teaching the drummers and enforcing discipline among them. The older members of the regiment will recall Smith as Drum-Major on dress - parade, when, at the head of the band, in gorgeous uniform, including the mighty shako, he twirled his baton with dignity and importance.
Hastings was the principal Fifer. He also had been in the regular army, and between him and Smith the drum- mers and fifers had to walk according to " regulations." It was at reveille and tattoo that Hastings was in his glory. The musical notes of his fife will never be forgotten.
Sergeants Smith of K. Morton of E, Fletcher and C. B. Wyckoff of F. and St. John of G were Sergeants-Major. and all became commissioned officers.
The Quartermaster-Sergeants who received commissions . were Ingraham of G. Taylor of F. Williams and Barney of A. Hamilton of E served until Sept. 20, 1864.
Paddock of B and Orton of E were Commissary-Sergeants and received commissions.
Newhart of K and Monel of E were Hospital Stewards.
Sneider. Stoney. Shannon, Monel, Hastings, and Ste- phenson were respectively Sergeant-Major, Quartermaster- Sergeant, Commissary-Sergeant, Hospital Steward, and Principal Musicians when the regiment was mustered out.
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FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
CHAPTER XI.
After Twenty Years .- April 21, 1881.
Presentation of the Battle-flags of the Forty-eighth Regiment to the Long Island Historical Society-The Reunion-Collation-The Meet- ing in the Hall -- Programme-Salutation by " Private" Palmer-Prayer by Chaplain Strickland-Sergeant Sparks and Corporal McKie Bearing the Old Flags-AAddress of Captain Knowles-Address of Rev. Dr. R. S. Storrs-Greeting General Gillmore-The Forty-eighth New York Veteran Association.
N April 21, 1881 .- twenty years after the Forty-eighth Regiment first took form in the brain and heart of its organizers,-a notable meeting of its survivors was held in Brooklyn, N. Y. The most historic of the flags which the noble regiment had borne in many battles were on that night presented to the Long Island Historical Society of Brooklyn, and intrusted to their care for permanent preservation. The circumstances that convened the survivors of the regiment on this memorable occasion were these: After the lament- ed death of Colonel William B. Coan, at Lawrence, Mass., Captain D. C. Knowles (then a pastor in that city) received from Colonel Coan's sister, Mrs. Simpson. a flag which was found among the Colonel's effects, and he at once commu- nicated with Captain W. J. Carlton, at whose suggestion he had recovered the flag, who called a meeting of a few of the former members of the regiment. the result of which was the determination to deposit the flags with the Long Isl- and Historical Society. Circulars were sent out everywhere to all surviving members of the regiment whose addresses could be obtained, and ample arrangements made for a re- union on the occasion. The veterans of twenty years before gladly seized the opportunity to meet their old comrades again, and they came together from all parts of the country,
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AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
120 in number, and spent an evening which will be long re- membered in recounting the deeds of the past. Many came from great distances. notably Lieutenant - Colonel D. W. Strickland, from Cincinnati, Ohio. An ample collation was prepared, after which the comrades, arm-in-arm, marched to the new and handsome hall of the Long Island Historical So- ciety, on Clinton and Pierrepont streets, and occupied the front seats which had been reserved for them. The remainder of the hall was crowded with a brilliant audience. which in- cluded many of the first citizens of Brooklyn. The following gentlemen were seated on the platform: The Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., President of the Society ; Major-General Quincy A. Gillmore, formerly commander of the Tenth Corps ; the Rev. Daniel C. Knowles, formerly captain of Company D; the Rev. W. P. Strickland, D.D., formerly chaplain of the Forty-eighth New York ; the Rev. A. J. Palmer, formerly private of Company D, and orderly to the Colonel : the Rev. Frederick O. Farley, D.D. ; the Rev. A. P. Putnam, the Rev. J. O. Peck, D.D .; David M. Stone ; A. A. Low, City Works Commissioner John French, ex- Mayor Samuel Booth, ex-Judge J. Greenwood, the Hon. S. P. Chittenden. Alden J. Spooner, Henry E. Pierrepont, ex-Mayor Hunter, and others. \ fine portrait of Colonel Perry was suspended from the wall at the back of the plat- form. The hall was suitably decorated, and the entrance of the survivors of the famous regiment was greeted with pro- longed cheers and the greatest enthusiasm. The exercises were of the most impressive character, and will never be forgotten by those who were so fortunate as to be present. The Rev. Dr. Richard S. Storrs presided.
A verbatim report of the addresses delivered was taken down at the time by a stenographer and is appended, with the exception of a brief but admirable historical sketch which was read by Major B. R. Corwin, and which is not deemed necessary to reproduce.
The following is a copy of the programmes which were scattered through the seats :
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FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
Reunion of the Forty-eighth Regiment N. Y. S. Vols., and Presentation of Battle-flags, April 21, 1381.
Grand March (entrance of the regiment).
Salutation .. . by Rev. A. J. Palmer (the youngest " private" of the regiment) Singing-" My Country, 'tis of Thee," and "Our Father's God, to Thee."
(Audience requested to unite.)
Prayer. ... .by Rev. W. P. Strickland, D. D., Chaplain of the regiment Song -- " The Two Grenadiers" .by Mr. Geo. Werrenrath
(Max Liebling, accompanist.)
Brief History of the Regiment. by Major B. R. Corwin Presentation of Battle-flags .... by Rev. D. C. Knowles, Captain of Co. "D" Response .. . . .by Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D., President of L. I. H. Society Song-"Star-Spangled Banner". .by Mr. Geo. Werrenrath (Audience requested to join in the chorus.)
Closing Prayer and Benediction. .by Rev. Frederick A. Farley, D. D. Doxology (all uniting).
THE EXERCISES.
THE PRESIDENT-Ladies and gentlemen, the first exer- cise of the evening will be the Salutation, by the Rev. A. J. Palmer.
Mr. Palmer came forward amid loud applause. He spoke as follows :
SALUTATION BY REV. A. J. PALMER.
Gentlemen of the Long Island Historical Society ; My old Com- rades ; Ladies and Gentlemen : .
Twenty years ago this coming summer a thousand men stood shoulder to shoulder yonder at Fort Hamilton, and with uplifted hands and loyal hearts swore to defend this Republic. They became known in the war as the Forty- eighth Regiment. New York State Volunteers. They were recruited and commanded by an eminent minister of this city, the Rev. Dr. James H. Perry doud applause), at that time the pastor of the Pacific Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn. Three or four of the companies came from Brooklyn, two came from New Jersey ; but individuals came
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AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
from everywhere, drawn hither, I suppose, largely by the de- sire to serve their country under the leadership of that great and blessed man of God who was our first commander, and whose memory is precious to us to this very hour. It is, therefore, with conspicuous appropriateness that at the first reunion of this regiment another clergyman, still more emi- nent. in this city of Brooklyn should preside, and still another clergyman, who was a captain in the regiment in those days, should be the chief orator. I am sure, boys, we ought to have been a deal better than we were-there was always such an ecclesiastical air about us. Of those thousand men it was my high honor to have been one, and the least one .-- as the programmes assert, the youngest one,-a little fellow away down at the end of the company in the rear rank, out of sight, merely a private soldier; and I remained a private soldier for three years and more, and was never promoted. because I presume I never deserved it. (Laughter.) We all got what we deserved in those days, you know. Those of you who have memories will recall that fact ; and why I, who was last and least of those thousand men, should have been called upon to break this long silence of twenty years and speak first here to-night. I do not know, unless it be that the scripture may be fulfilled which saith, " The last shall be first." At any rate, here I am, with a voice such as it is from the bottom of those thousand men to salute you. my comrades : and so I do, heartily. In the old days the gladiators used to enter the arena, and crossing to the seat of the emperor, bow themselves, and say. " O Cæsar ! we who are about to die salute you-morituri salutamus." But I to-night reverse their greeting, and say to these my comrades-all that can be gathered of the survivors of the thousand men : " You who have lived these twenty years, I salute you." And yet you will pardon me, I know, and bear me out if I say to this audience that we are not the worthiest spirits of our noble regiment. The worthiest were they who paid the full price and died for their country. And to-night, as we stand here and think of
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