USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > Historical sketch: with exercises at dedication of monument and re-union camp fire of 150th New York Volunteer Infantry, Gettysburgh, Sept. 17, 18, 1889 > Part 3
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of the Union armies on this field was a victory for the Constitution and the Union, and took no rights away from the South. The blessings flowing from a preserved Union reach all the States, and the fountains it feeds are those of universal liberty and prosperity, at which the Confederate soldier is as welcome to come and drink as the Union Volunteer.
The State of New York, by its representatives in leg- islature assembled, in the year 1887, appropriated the sum of $1.500 to each New York regiment that took part in the battle of Gettysburg, to be expended in providing a suitable memorial to its members who fell in that battle: The survivors of the 150th Regiment and its friends, principally residents of Dutchess County, contributed and added to the $1,500 given by the State, about the sum of $3,000, and the manner in which that money has been expended by the faithful and able Monument Con- mittee, of which Gen. Smith is Chairman, is evidenced by the beautiful monument before us which we have as- sembled to-day to unveil and dedicate.
Let us for a few moments brush up our memories of the past ; recall the organization of the 150th Regiment, and follow it to these now historic hills of Pennsylvania, where it became a part of the famous army of the Po- tomac, and was first bathed in blood.
At the end of June, 1862, the war had been in progress about fifteen months, and over eight hundred thousand volunteers, including three-months' men, had entered the service of the United States. The actual strength of the Federal army on duty at this time was about five hundred thousand. In the West the Union forces under Grant, Buell and others had secured very creditable results. Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Pittsburgh Landing, Corinth and other points of strategic importance had been captured by the Union armies. The general result of the cam- paign in Virginia was not considered to reflect much credit upon the Union army, and in consequence thereof there was a widespread feeling of dissatisfaction. in the
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North. Lukewarm Unionists and Southern sympathizers began openly to proclaim their faith in, and announce their adherence to, the Southern cause. This unarmed enemy in the midst of us, too cowardly to fight in the open field, and without an excuse for their treachery, re- tarded enlistments at home, encouraged foreign interven- tion. and in every way possible gave aid and support to the rebels. I can forgive the Southern rebel for taking up arms against the Union, grasp him warmly by the hand and call bim brother ; but a Northern copper-head -- well. God may have mercy upon him, but I cannot.
On Thursday, June 26th, 1862, the powerful and thoroughly equipped Army of the Potomac was en- trenched in works vast in extent and most formidable in character within sight of Richmond, and it was confi- dently hoped that the battle-cry of " On to Richmond " would soon be realized. Within a few days the remnants of that threatening host were upon the James River, thirty miles from Richmond, seeking to recover, under the protection of their gun-boats, from the effects of a series of disastrous defeats. This routing of Mcclellan's army thoroughly aroused the Government to the danger in which the country was placed, and an earnest determina- tion was manifested to provide against its consequences. On July 2d, 1862, the President of the United States is- sited a prochaination calling for three hundred thousand men to serve for three years, or during the war. In an- swer to this call the Dutchess County regiment was or- ganized. The prompt response of the State of New York, led by the loyal citizens of Dutchess County, to this proclamation of the President in those daik days of the rebellion, gave an impetus to enlistments throughout the whole loyal North, and under the call, 431.058 volun- teers were mustered into the Federal army. This rush to the standards of the Union was the strongest evidence of the willingness of the Northern people to stand by the Government. It was conclusive proof of their unflinch- ing loyalty, and it showed a fixed determination to sup-
press the rebellion by force of arms. It not only gave great additional strength, but a morale to the armies al- ready in the field, and to the men in high station upon whom rested the grave responsibility of conducting the war, the greatest encouragement. Prior to this, large numbers of Dutchess County men had enlisted in the Union armies. Some marched to the front with the 20th New York, and others followed the colors of the 128th. On Thursday, the 21st day of August, 1862, Mis. Ben-on J. Lossing caused to be published an appeal asking for a Dutchess County regiment. Isaac Platt, of the Pough- keepsie Eagle, endorsed the appeal by favorable com- ment, and during that day, and the next, eighteen young men handed to .A. B. Smith, of Poughkeepsie, as one of the resident members of the General War Committee, re- quest- to recruit and enter the United States service in a Dutchess County regiment. We have not a complete list of the names of these young men. Among them were Cogswell, McConnell, Gildersleeve, Titus, Woodin, Wickes, Sweet, Gridley, Broas, Cruger, Underwood,
V'an Steenburg, Van Keuren and Tripp. General A. B. Smith drafted a resolution for the Board of Supervisors of Dutchess County and it was offered by Henry W. Shaw (better known as Josh Billings), who was at that time a member of the Board, and passed unanimously. It read as follows: " Resolved, That the County of Dutchess will pay $50 bounty to each man who will enlist in a Datchess County regiment, and the Executive War Com- mittee of the County is requested to procure the permis- sion from Governor Morgan to raise such regiment, with camp located at Poughkeepsie." Provided with a certi- fied copy of this resolution, and letters of introduction from Congressman Baker and Judge Emott, Mr. Smith, under instructions from the War Committee, went to Albany on August 23d to make application to Governor Morgan for authority to recruit " a Dutchess County regiment," and returned with the following authorization, Viz. :---
" To Hon. JAMES EMOTT,
Chairman of Executive War Committee of Dutchess County :
Permission is granted to your War Committee to raise a Dutchess County Regiment, with camp located at Poughkeepsie.
EDWIN D. MORGAN, Governor.
HILLHOUSE,
A. A. G."
Previous to this Gov. Morgan had appointed a General War Committee for the Congressional District, with WVm. Kelly, of Rhinebeck, as Chairman. From this General Committee an Executive War Committee was chosen, consisting of James Emott, Wm. Kelly, Ambrose Wager, George W. Sterling, Benson J. Lossing, James H. Weeks, Stephen Baker, Joseph F. Barnard and John H. Ketcham, and the work of bringing into life, form and discipline the Dutchess County Regiment was entered upon in carnest. It was then that the home pride was fully aroused and the patriotism of the citizens of Dutchess County reached its climax. Many, who from the first breaking out of the war had felt inclined to en- list, but were restrained by business engagements they could not well forego, or by home ties that were painful to sever, had frequently declared that when a Dutchess County regiment was organized they would join it. That day had come, and the sons of Old Dutchess, true to their vows, led on by Ketcham, rallied around the American flag, eager to become members of the 150th New York Volunteers. O, the golden memories of those days! The conflicts between love of country and love of kindred ; private business interests and public duty, duty in which patriotism triumphed. Sad and distress- ing were the partings ; but, comrades, your courage did not fail you in the hour of your country's peril. Reso- lute and brave, though tender and loving, the good-byes were said with moist eyes and aching hearts. What act
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of your life would you not now sacrifice to give place to this? Those were indeed busy, anxious, exciting days. Do you recall the duties of the recruiting officers ? How the constant exclamations necessary to young men contemplating enlistment occupied the days at the several recruiting offices, and war meetings in different parts of the county filled in the nights. Our headquar- ters were at Poughkeepsie. Four and six horse teams, carrying young and enthusiastic men who had already en- listed, drove to different parts of the county, with ban- ners flying and bands playing, to attend war meetings and secure enlistments. There was scarcely a place in the county, sufficiently large to support a post office, that did not have its one or more war meetings each week. Washington Hollow, Stanfordville, Bangall, Pine Plains, Dover, Pawling, Amenia, Hyde Park, Rhinebeck. Red Hook, Schultzville, and many other places, were the scenes of enthusiastic gatherings at which the bands played patriotic airs, and from barrels, stoops, wagons and horse -- blocks the assembled crowds were harangued with war speeches until the excitement ran high and many names were added to the enlistment rolls. From the sheriff's office in the court house in the City of Poughkeepsie, which was turned into a recruiting office, was displayed a banner bearing these words : " Come in out of the draft." Their significance was apparent and caused no little amusing comment. To the indifferent they were a gentle reminder of what might be expected if a sufficient num- ber of volunteers were not promptly forthcoming ; and to those anxious to enlist, who were restrained by rela- tives and friends, they furnished a powerful argument in favor of consent. The threatened drafts and liberal bounties undoubtedly brought some men into service, but pure patriotism was generally the sole moving power. And especially was this true of the 150th Regiment, com- posed as it largely was of intelligent and thoughtful men. They hastened to the defence of their country with a spontaneous impulse, born of a correct knowledge of the
true nature of the cause for which they were to suffer fa- tigue, exposure, hunger, thirst and the perils of battle ; believing that their country's cause was their personal cause, and that the success of the Union arms was a victory for their individual principles.
The Union volunteers were not mere machines, en- rolled, disciplined and ranged in living palisades before the enemy, but they were men with ideas, who could, when occasion required, think and act for themselves.
The work of recruiting went briskly on. As soon as eighty were enrolled by any one recruiting officer he went to Albany and received his commission as captain, and also commissions for a first and second lieutenant. The captains took rank according to the date of their com- missions, and the companies received their alphabetical designation, commencing with " A," in the order in which their respective captains were commissioned. On the IIth day of October, 1862, at Camp Dutchess, just out- side of the City of Poughkeepsie, the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States. It was then we felt that we were real soldiers, and for the first time fully realized the importance of the step we had taken, and imperfectly outlined in our imaginations the life that was before us.
On October 13th we arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, where we remained on guard duty until the following June, with excellent opportunities for drill and instruc- tion in the duties of a soldier. Once during this period, on the gth of December, we were ordered out to check an expected rebel raid, and proceeded by cars to Adams Town near Monocacy Junction. We were not permitted the satisfaction of meeting the enemy and returned to Baltimore with virgin swords. The only blood shed on that cold campaign, for the thermometer was at about zero, was from two opossums captured by some men on picket duty.
The battle of Chancellorsville had been fought and lost. Ewell had taken up his march down the Shenandoah
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Valley : Milroy had been defeated at Winchester, and the triumphant rebel army, led by General Robert E. Lec, the foremost military officer of the Confederacy, was marching into the State of Pennsylvania, when, on the 25th day of June, the Dutchess County Regiment moved with the first Maryland Potomac Home Brigade, General Lockwood in command, to join the Army of the Poto- mac. We had become tired of garrison life in Baltimore, and hailed with delight the orders that sent us to the field. Thoroughly drilled and disciplined, the 150th with full ranks, in bright uniforms, with unsoiled colors, and to the strains of martial music moved out of Camp Belger and turned their faces toward the enemy. For two days our line of maich could be easily followed by the surplus clothing, camp and garrison equipage, dropped by the way and abandoned. The most intense excite- ment and alarm prevailed throughout the North, and the authorities at Washington were filled with fear and con- sternation. It seemed a question of a few days only when the rebel host would be sacking the cities of the North, levying contributions upon its citizens and demanding entrance to the capital of the Nation. All the horrors of civil war were at the doors of the men who were defend- ing the Union. The timid were disheartened and dis- couraged, but the strong, with full reliance upon the jus- tice of our cause and the valor of our soldiers, nerved themselves for the impending struggle, determined to beat back the invaders. The fate of the Nation rested with the Army of the Potomac, then under the command of a noble son of Pennsylvania, General George B. Meade. Our regiment reached Monocacy Bridge, near Frederick City, on June 27th, and with Lockwood's Brigade was attached to the first division of the 12th corps, which division at that time was commanded by General Alpheus S. Williams, the corps being commanded by a distin- guished soldier from our own State, General Henry W. Slocum. Do you remember our camp on the hill near Monocacy Bridge, from which point we first saw a por-
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tion of that great Army of the Potomac of which we had read so much ? For the first time we saw them bivouac, and listened to the music from their brigade bands as it pealed forth upon the air on that still and solemn night. What a spectacle for a recruit to look upon ! We were amazed at the length of the wagon trains and batteries of artillery as they filed into the valley below us and went into park for the night. Thousands of camp fires lighted up the region around, and we stood spell-bound at the sight of the vast enginery of war that was before us. It was in this camp, inspired by this spectacle, we first im- bibed the true spirit of war and nerved ourselves for the trying scenes we knew we must encounter, and desperate deeds which were before us.
Our cavalry under General Buford had occupied the vicinity of Gettysburg, and the Ist and Ith corps were thrown forward to join the cavalry. The situation indi- cated to General Meade that it was in the vicinity of Gettysburg that the Confederate commander had de- cided to concentrate his forces. The first division passed through Gettysburg to Willoughby Run, just beyond Seminary Ridge, where they came up with Buford's cav- alry and found them hotly engaged with the advance forces of the rebel column. Here a sanguinary conflict ensued in which the Ist corps and a part of the 11th, to- gether with Buford's cavalry participated. It lasted from 9 o'clock in the morning until late in the after- noon. General John F. Reynolds, the brave and able commander of the ist corps, was killed in this fight. The first noise of real battle that came to our ears was the boom of the distant cannon as we pressed on to- ward the battle-field. We did not get in sight of the con- tending forces that day. Going into camp at a late hour we, for the first time, slept on our arms. It was not daylight when we were in line again and ready to resume the march. Do you remember the voice of Col. Maulsby, who commanded the ist Maryland Regiment that had gone into camp adjoining us, as on that morning
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he told his men of the perils that were before them, and in patriotic words encouraged them to bravely do their duty? We had no speech from our regimental com- mander. It was not his custom to harangue us with loud-sounding phrases, but he passed quietly down the line and whispered in our cars valuable instruction and sound advice. We moved on in the direction from whence we had heard cannonading on the day previous, and the first unmistakable indications we discovered of a battle were the slightly wounded who were able to get back to the hospitals without assistance. Then we be- gan to encounter ambulances loaded with those who had been seriously wounded. Field hospitals were passed ; we could hear the rattle of musketry and see the smoke of the conflict near at hand, and we soon found ourselves a part and parcel of the grand Army of the North, fight- ing, among these hills, the battle of Gettysburg. The first missiles of war we saw were shells from some rebel batteries passing over our heads entirely too close to be comfortable, and bursting just beyond our lines. We were resting on our arms when we first heard the shriek of these flying projectiles, to us a new, ominous and pe- culiar sound. We turned our heads one side, with eyes upward, trying to see them as they passed, much as a flock of turkeys will do to catch sight of a hawk. The novelty soon wore off, but we never forgot the identity of the sound, and ever after it was readily distinguished.
On the afternoon of that day, July 2d, we were hur- riedly moved to the left to reinforce the gallant soldier, Gen. Sickles. As we passed a farmhouse on our line of march we were told that he was inside just undergoing the operation of having his leg amputated. By this time the killed and wounded were around us on every side. The rapidity of our movement clearly indicated that a sudden emergency had called us to that particular por- tion of the field, and the scene before us presented all the evidence of disaster to the Federal line of battle. With our full ranks, bright colors and clean uniforms, we
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were readily distinguished from the veteran regiments of the Army of the Potomac who had shared its fate in manœuvres and battles from the time of the fight at Bull Run to that day. All seemed to know who we were. Can you ever forget the almost fiendish shouts of maimed and dying men who had just fallen in the strug. gle, as they cried out : " Go in Dutchess County! Give it to them, boys ! Give it to them ? "
Marching in colunm, four abreast, we soon swung by the right into line, and, for the first time, were in line of battle facing the enemy. The fight at this point had been so severe and deadly that but few troops remained on either side. The lines were broken and scattered. Such rebel forces as were at this point must have fallen back on the approach of reinforcements, for we did not come up with them. We re captured three cannon, but were not called upon to fire a gun. The artillery fire, however, was constant and terrific. After dark this night we were marched from that portion of the field, and you remember how difficult it was to escape treading on the dead and dying. The cries of the wounded for water, which we could rarely give, constantly fell upon our cars. We heard no complaints, however, and each dying soldier 'accepted his dreadful fate without a murmur. No sadder spectacle was witnessed than that of a beauti- ful horse, hobbling about on -three legs, having had one leg severed from his body by a cannon ball. The service he rendered will never be known. Of the thousands of dumb brutes that toiled, suffered and died in the war, but one is immortalized, and he is the horse that won the day by carrying Sheridan from Winchester to the battle field.
The following day, July 3d, we had our full part of the fighting. We were called upon to repel the furious at- tack of Gen. Ewell, which we successfully accomplished here on Culp's Hill. From this point we were ordered to Cemetery Hill to reinforce the lines upon which the rebel General Pickett made one of the most desperate and fa-
mous assaults of the war. While marching rapidly toward the Hill we noticed a lull in the rattle of musketry -- a softening of the din of battle, and then, through the smoke and above the noise of the conflict, came a volume of cheers from the Union troops that proved to be the glad cry of victory for the North. We received orders to halt and in a few minutes long columns of Confederate prisoners were seen coming over the Hill.
Our regiment captured that day about two hundred prisoners. Many members of the regiment fired more than two hundred rounds of ammunition each. Our colors were riddled with bullets, and we lost forty-eight men in killed and wounded. Their names are upon the monument.
I shall not undertake to describe the details of the bat- tle, nor can I even refer tomany instances of our own experience. We witnessed all the horrors of the war, and found the realization more terrible than the antici- pation. Before the sun went down that day the great battle was ended. Every attack had been repulsed. The invasion of the North had failed and the tide of success for the Union arms had set in, never again to be checked. The victory of Gettysburg was a glorious gift to the na- tion on the anniversary of American Independence, 1863. It was a dear victory, but it was worth the price. The aggregate loss in killed, wounded and missing in this bat- tle was nearly fifty thousand officers and men, almost one-third of the total strength of both armies, indicating most fearful slaughter on all parts of the field. It is said that some of the first corps men, when they entered the field on the first day of the battle, cried out to their com- rades : " We have come to stay." Alas, how true the declaration the graves of thousands here testify !
We cannot stop to review the subsequent marches, battles and encampments of the Dutchess County Regi- ment. There was never a blemish on its record ; it did its whole duty and was never in a losing fight. Nearly
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all of; its members were from Dutchess County, and it was composed of many who were relatives, friends and acquaintances. It was probably nearer an harmonious family in its composition and feeling than any regiment in the service. There were no jealousies, no selfish rival- ries. Col. Ketcham's coolness in times of danger, and thorough knowledge of his duty, saved the regiment many lives. His energy, perseverance and tact secured for his men at all times their full share of supplies. If there were only enough shoes for a portion of the com- mand to which we were attached, the 150th was not the organization to go bare-footed ; if rations were to be had Col. Ketcham secured them for the Dutchess County Regiment. After the capture of Atlanta, in the autumn of 1864, Col. Ketcham was granted leave of absence and was enabled to take part in the great political conflict that was then raging at the North. He was elected to Congress and rejoined us in front of Savannah, the ob- jective point of Sherman's famous march to the sea, be- fore its surrender. Here he received serious wounds that prevented him from doing further military duty. Col. Ketcham always had the entire confidence of his command and was loved by every soldier in the regi- ment. His parting with the regiment was a scene never to be forgotten. In his address at this time, among other things, he said : " I should like very much to march with you through South Carolina, which, as it has been the birthplace of treason, seems now most fitly to become its grave. The thought of separation from you and of leaving the service of my country while she has need of a defender, fills me with sadness. If I should not return, if to day shall sever my relations with you in a military capacity, be assured that day will never come which will sever the ties of friendship and affection which bind me to you." Col. Ketcham has faithfully kept his word. He has been a member of Congress ever since his first election, with the exception of one term, and no matter how hard pressed for time by public or private duties, no
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member of the 150th was ever refused an audience by him, and not one ever wrote him a letter and failed to receive a prompt and kind reply. As our commander he won our highest respect and warmest love. We greet him on this memorial day with a renewal of our affection and esteem, and pray that he may live to enjoy many more years of health, prosperity and happiness. I might stop to recount incidents of personal heroism and bestow praise upon individuals who seemed especially deserving, but where all were so faithful to duty it would be diffi- cult to distinguish. One incident, however, is so con- spicuous for heroism and Christian fortitude that I must stop to narrate it. Henry L. Stone, of New York City, having originally enlisted in the 145th New York, was as- signed to our regiment in January, 1864. While engaged in constructing breastwork in front of Pine Knob, Georgia, a ragged piece of bursted shell tore out his bowels. The lacerated fragments were gathered together and he was borne by his comrades a short distance to the rear to die. He said, " Major, will you call the Colonel ?" Major Smith called Colonel Ketcham to the dying soldier's side. Stone said, " Colonel, have I been a good soldier ?" The Colonel replied, " Yes. Henry, you have done your duty." Stone answered, " I am glad to hear you say that. Tell my mother how I did my duty. Form around me, my comrades of Company A." They assem- bled around him, when this dying patriot said, "My work is done. Stand by that old flag ; I gave my life for it, and I am glad to do it. Boys stand by that flag." And with these words his spirit was hushed in that sweet re- pose from which there is no awakening.
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