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HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 2 yth Regiment N.Y.Vols. 
 
 (Badge of the First Division, Sixth Corps.} 
 
 BEING A RECORD OF ITS MORE THAN Two YEARS OF 
 
 SERVICE IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION, FROM 
 
 MAY 2 ist, 1 86 1, TO MAY 3ist, 1863. 
 
 WITH A COMPLETE ROSTER, AND SHORT SKETCHES OF 
 COMMANDING OFFICERS. 
 
 ALSO, A RECORD OF EXPERIENCE AND SUFFERING OF 
 
 SOME OF THE COMRADES IN LlBBY AND 
 
 OTHER REBEL PRISONS. 
 
 Compiled by C. B. FAIRCHILD, of Company "D. 
 
 Published under the direction of the following Committee : 
 GEN. H. W. SLOCUM. CAPT. C. A. WELLS. 
 
 Carl &= Matthews, Printers, Binghamton, N. Y. 
 
 t- I o O D 
 

 Entered according to A ct of Congress, in the year /<?<?, by 
 
 C. B. FAIRCHILD, 
 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
TO THE 
 
 COMRADES OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 WHO FELL WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY, 
 
 IS THIS VOLUME SACREDLY DEDICATED, 
 
 BY THE 
 
 SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION, 
 
 AS A TESTIMONY TO THEIR 
 
 HEROISM ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE, 
 
 AND THEIR 
 
 SACRIFICE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE REPUBLIC. 
 
 M157153 
 
THE official accounts of battles arc all wonderfully alike, 
 dealing with bodies and masses of men, and not with in 
 dividual hopes, aspirations and fears. We read about march 
 ing and flanking and enfilading ; but when we go behind 
 these terms, and ask what the individual soldier in the ranks 
 is thinking or doing or suffering, the story is too light to be 
 included in an official report, and too unimportant for the 
 dignity of general history ; and yet, it is this unwritten his 
 tory of the war that gives any true estimate of the price 
 that was paid to save our nation. This history is designed 
 to give more of individual and personal experience ; not 
 claiming that this regiment acted the most important part 
 in the late w r ar, but to show that its members offered them 
 selves a willing sacrifice in the service of their country, and 
 at no time did they withhold the best they had to give. 
 Years have elapsed since we left the " lines and tented 
 fields," but time cannot erase from memory recollections of 
 those eventful days in which the Twenty-Seventh New 
 York, by its heroism and zeal, helped to preserve the unity 
 of the best and freest government ever established by man. 
 The fact that they were actors in the great struggle, and a 
 constituent element of the grandest army the world ever 
 saw, engaged in the grand work of saving the Citadel of 
 Freedom, makes them take a noteworthy pride in offering 
 to history the following record, which is made up chiefly 
 from private diaries, personal experience and general orders, 
 as these tend to show the esteem in which the regiment was 
 held by commanding officers. 
 
 Our trust in the future of the country rests in the bravery, 
 integrity and virtue of the men who fought for it. They 
 have brought back the old flag, " its white as bright as 
 angels robes, and its stars GOD S stars, as truly as are the 
 stars in the canopy of heaven." 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 For this, let not our people fail to recognize their duty 
 to the returned soldiers, and to the families of those who 
 can never return, lest they repudiate a part, and one of the 
 most sacred parts of the national debt. 
 
 Thanks are due for the information furnished for the fol 
 lowing record, to 
 
 H. W. SLOCUM, JOSEPH J. BARTLETT, 
 
 C. C. GARDINER, CHARLES A. WELLS, 
 
 W. B. WESTERVELT, ERI S. WATSON, 
 
 Jos. L. Ross, C. B. FAIRCHILD. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THE election of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, in 1860, was made 
 the pretext and signal in the South for open defiance 
 of the authority of the Federal Government. Mutterings, 
 even threats of secession had been heard before the elec 
 tion, and were generally treated as the grumblings incident 
 to an anticipated defeat, especially as a majority of such 
 expressions of discontent came from the State of South 
 Carolina, which was proverbially hot-headed. Now, how 
 ever, meetings were held in that and other Cotton States, 
 declaring for Southern independence, and " minute men " 
 were being mustered. Startling events followed each other 
 rapidly, until, on December 2Oth, 1860, South Carolina 
 passed " An ordinance to dissolve the union between the 
 State of South Carolina and other states united with her, 
 under the compact entitled the Constitution of the United 
 States of America." This action was, soon after, followed 
 by the seizure of the arsenal and other government prop 
 erty at Charleston. On the I2th of April, 1861, the North 
 ern States were astounded and shocked by the news which 
 was flashed over the wires, that Fort Sumpter was being 
 bombarded. The so-called secession of the State from the 
 Union, followed by the same action on the part of other 
 Southern States, had been regarded with indifference by 
 many, and the public heart seemed almost insensible to the 
 great peril which threatened to sunder the republic. But 
 the news from Sumpter awoke unwonted echoes, and touched 
 the patriotic chords in the great American heart. The 
 loyalty, which had been doubted, sprang into instant life, 
 and throughout the North, expressions of deep devotion 
 and promise of unlimited aid were borne on the wings of 
 lightning to the Nation s capital. The mighty heart of the 
 people seemed to pulsate with patriotism and love of the 
 
Vlll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 government, which had been founded and maintained by 
 the blood of our fathers. The world never witnessed an 
 uprising as mighty, as spontaneous, and as glorious as that 
 which now occurred. On April I5th, the following procla 
 mation was issued by President LINCOLN: 
 
 Bv THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 A PROCLAMATION. 
 
 WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been for some time past, 
 and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States 
 of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, 
 and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary 
 course of judicial proceedings, or the powers vested in the marshals by 
 law : 
 
 Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, 
 by virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, 
 have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth the militia of the 
 several States of the Union, to the aggregate of seventy-five thousand, in 
 order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly 
 executed. 
 
 The details of this object will be immediately communicated to the 
 State authorities by the War Department. 
 
 I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to 
 maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National 
 Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs 
 already long enough endured. 
 
 I deem it proper to say, that the first service assigned to the forces 
 hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places and 
 property which have been seized from the Union ; and in every event the 
 utmost care will be observed, consistently with the object aforesaid, to 
 avoid an}- devastation of or interference with property, or any disturbance 
 of peaceful citizens in any part of the country. 
 
 And I hereby command the persons composing the combinations afore 
 said to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within 
 twenty days of this date. 
 
 Deeming the present condition of public affairs presents an extraor 
 dinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the 
 Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. Senators and Repre 
 sentatives are, therefore, summoned to assemble at their respective cham- 
 
INTRODUCTION. IX 
 
 bers, at twelve o clock, noon, on Thursday, the 4th day of July next, then 
 and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their wisdom 
 the public safety and interest may seem to demand. 
 
 In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal 
 of the United States to be affixed. 
 
 Done at the City of Washington, this fifteenth da} of April, in the year 
 of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the inde 
 pendence of the United States the eighty-fifth. 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 By the President : 
 
 WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. 
 
 Simultaneously with the above proclamation, calls for 
 troops were made upon the States, the Governor of New 
 York, Edwin D. Morgan, being requested to immediately 
 furnish the quota designated for the State of New York, 
 to wit, seventeen regiments. On April i6th, the two bodies 
 of the Legislature, then in session at Albany, passed an Act 
 " To authorize the embodying and equipment of a Volun 
 teer Militia, and to provide for the public defence." This 
 bill provided for the enrollment of thirty thousand volunteer 
 militia, to serve for two years ; and appropriated three mil 
 lions of dollars to meet the expense. Governor Morgan 
 issued a proclamation, on the i8th, citing the President s 
 requisition, and calling for seventeen regiments, to consist 
 of 649 officers, and 12,631 men; forming an aggregate of 
 13,280; the rendezvous for the State being designated as 
 New York, Albany and Elmira, with headquarters at Albany. 
 Afterwards (on April 25th) the Governor issued his procla 
 mation for twenty-one other regiments of volunteers, which, 
 with the first seventeen, made up the complement of volun 
 teers under the State act providing for 30,000. These first 
 thirty-eight regiments were the only troops from New York 
 State mustered for the term of two years. 
 
THE 27th Regiment (Infantry) N. Y. Volunteers was 
 organized at Elmira, on the 2ist of May, 1861. It was 
 composed of companies, recruited and accepted as follows, 
 
 Company. 
 
 Where Recruited. 
 
 By Whom Recruited. 
 
 Date of Acceptance. 
 
 A. 
 
 White Plains. 
 
 Capt. Jos. J. Chambers. 
 
 April 30, 1861. 
 
 B. 
 
 Lyons. 
 
 Capt. Alex. D. Adams. 
 
 May 2, 1861. 
 
 C. 
 
 Binghamton. 
 
 Capt. Jos. J. Bartlett. 
 
 May 2, 1861. 
 
 D. 
 
 Binghamton. 
 
 Capt. Hiram C. Rogers. 
 
 May 2, 1861. 
 
 E. 
 
 Rochester. 
 
 Capt. Geo. G. Wanzer. 
 
 May 7, 1861. 
 
 F. 
 
 Binghamton. 
 
 Capt. Peter Jay. 
 
 May 8, 1861. 
 
 G. 
 
 Lima. 
 
 Capt. James Perkins. 
 
 May 7, 1861. 
 
 H. 
 
 Mount Morris. 
 
 Capt. Chas. E. Martin. 
 
 May n, i-86 1. 
 
 I. 
 
 Angelica. 
 
 Capt. Curtis C. Gardiner. 
 
 May 13, 1861. 
 
 K. 
 
 Albion. 
 
 Capt. Henry L. Achilles, Jr. 
 
 May 16, 1861. 
 
 The companies were organized into a regiment by Gen 
 eral VanValkenburgh, when the following field officers were 
 elected, viz.: Henry W. Slocum, Colonel; Joseph J. Cham 
 bers, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Joseph J. Bartlett, Major. The 
 State Military Board confirmed the election on the 2ist of 
 May, by General Order No. 208, and the regiment was ac 
 cepted, and numbered " 27 ;" and Colonel Slocum was di 
 rected to report for duty, and hold his regiment in readiness 
 to be mustered into the service of the United States. 
 
COL. HENRY W. SLOCUM. 
 
IN CAMP AT ELMIRA. 3 
 
 At one of the recent reunions, Gen. Slocum explained 
 some of the incidents which led to his election as Colonel 
 of the 27th. Being a West Point graduate, he offered his 
 services to the Governor of the State, who asked him to 
 remain and assist him in Albany. This he declined, and 
 went to Elmira at the request of some officers, who talked 
 of making him Colonel of their regiment ; but he found 
 so much wire-pulling, and was requested to make certain 
 pledges, that he left Elmira in disgust, and returned to his 
 home in Syracuse. But he soon received a telegram from 
 some other company officers, asking him to return to Elmira. 
 He did so, and was unanimously elected Colonel of the 
 27th, without any pledges, although he was a total stranger 
 to every one of the officers. That he proved to be the 
 right man for the place, was fully shown by the subsequent 
 history of the regiment. 
 
 While in camp at Elmira, the regiment took the name of 
 " Union Regiment," because the companies comprising it, 
 having been recruited from seven different counties, were 
 united in one regiment, by their own choice. 
 
 Some of these companies had been in Elmira since the 
 8th of May, and had been practicing in the school of the 
 soldier, and in company drill. They had been quartered in 
 vacant buildings at different places about the town, till about 
 the time the regiment was organized, when the companies 
 moved from their several headquarters into barracks, that 
 had been built of rough boards, at Southport, across the 
 river from Elmira. Here the duties of a soldier were for 
 the first time fully assumed : such as guard duty, dress pa 
 rade, battalion drill, varied, between times, with a drill not 
 laid down in Hardie s Tactics picking stone from the rocky 
 ridge, and grading the parade ground. This caused a great 
 deal of grumbling; but a greater dissatisfaction existed 
 over the rations furnished by the government contractor. 
 The men of Co. " E " were the first to make demonstrations 
 to show their disgust with the fare ; and one day they 
 claimed it was necessary to imprison the beef, to keep it 
 from walking off. So they conceived the idea of holding a 
 
4 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 funeral over it. They nailed a large piece strongly in a box, 
 and, to the tune of " The Rogue s March," proceeded to inter 
 it with the honors of war. A. W. Tourgee (since, the noted 
 author), preached the funeral sermon ; and for this he was 
 severely reprimanded by the Colonel. On June 1st, the 
 dinner was so bad that some of the companies, after being 
 seated in long rows beside the rough board tables, led off 
 by Companies " D " and " B," in answer to a pre-arranged 
 signal, kicked over the tables, and sent the boards, tin plates, 
 cups and steaming soup, flying through the air ! " That 
 same old soup never appeared again," and that night w r e 
 had a good supper of mush and milk. 
 
 This incident gave Colonel Slocum an opportunity to 
 make his maiden speech to the regiment ; for, in about an 
 hour, the " long roll " sounded, the line was formed on the 
 parade ground, and the Colonel told the boys, "that, so long 
 as he remained in command of the regiment, they should 
 have what the government intended them to have, and it 
 should be served in palatable style ; that no contractor 
 should fill his pockets at the expense of the stomachs of 
 his men." After this, the Colonel was frequently seen about 
 the cook-house, giving directions as to the quality of food, 
 and how the cooking should be done. From this time on, 
 everything was in apple-pie order, and Col. Slocum was 
 idolized. But after the boys reached the front, occasions 
 were frequent when they would gladly have accepted sim 
 ilar rations without " kicking." 
 
 On the 3d of June, Daniel S. Dickinson, from Bingham- 
 ton, rode into camp, and, about 7 o clock, made a rousing 
 speech to the regiment, which was received with hearty 
 cheers. 
 
 June 4th, after the regular drills, we had a good supper, 
 with bread and butter and cake, which had been presented 
 to the Colonel by the ladies of Syracuse, Mrs. Slocum and 
 several of the ladies gracing the table with their presence. 
 The boys gave three cheers for the ladies, and had a jolly 
 time. 
 
 June 7th, there was a fine regimental drill in the fore- 
 
BIG ROW WITH THE 33!). 5 
 
 noon, and the men were practiced in the manoeuvers of 
 street fighting. 
 
 The same routine of daily drill, of about eight hours a 
 day, continued without incident till the I2th, on which date 
 there were two memorable events. The first was, drum 
 ming a deserter out of camp ; and the second, the boys had 
 a big row with the 33d Regiment, which was camped near by. 
 It seems that one of our boys, Gibson Dunn, of Co. " B," 
 while intoxicated, had shown some disrespect to Col. R. F. 
 Taylor, of the 33d or " Ontario Regiment," for which he had 
 been arrested and confined in the guard house of the 33d. 
 This enraged the 2/th boys, and in the evening they went 
 in a body to make an attack on the guard house, and release 
 their comrade. Their advance was resisted by the 33d, and 
 soon the two regiments were in battle array, armed with 
 cobble stones ; and began to entrench themselves behind 
 windrows of stones. With great difficulty the few officers 
 in camp prevented an attack till word could be sent to the 
 Colonel, who was quartered in the city. He soon arrived 
 on the ground ; the " long roll " was ordered ; and about 
 ten o clock the regiment was formed in hollow square, and, 
 though it was pitch dark, the Colonel made one of his tell 
 ing speeches, and assured the men that their comrade should 
 be released. This cooled the boys somewhat, and good feel 
 ing was restored. In the meantime Dunn had made his 
 escape from the guard house, by removing a board from the 
 roof. This same evening the first prayer-meeting was held 
 in the camp, many of the comrades leaving the meeting to 
 take part in this their first fight. 
 
 On the 1 5th, the regiment was moved from Southport to 
 the barracks on the Fair Ground. These barracks after 
 wards became noted as the place of confinement for Con 
 federate prisoners. 
 
 On the 25th, the men of the Union Regiment received 
 their first pay, it being for twenty days service previous to 
 the 2 ist of May; in amount, $8.60. 
 
 On the 29th, we received our equipments ; and as we 
 dressed ourselves in blue, and took charge of our guns, 
 
6 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 knapsacks, haversacks and canteens, we realized more fully 
 than ever that we were no longer citizens, but soldiers, 
 ready to enter the. service of the government. 
 
 Sunday, June 3Oth, divine service was held in camp, when 
 the Chaplain, D. D. Buck, preached his first sermon to the 
 regiment. From this time till after the 4th of July, many 
 of the men were allowed to go to their homes on furlough. 
 
 On the 5th, the regiment was mustered into the U. S. 
 service for two years from the 2 1st day of May, 1861, by 
 Capt. Sitgraves, U. S. A. Seven men refused to take the 
 oath, and were discharged and sent home. About this time 
 one of the Corporals in Co. "A," who had been sent to 
 arrest some men in one of the low dives of the city, was 
 murdered. His body was recovered and sent to his home 
 in White Plains, under an escort from his Company. 
 
 The officers of the 2/th, being gentlemen of manly and 
 gallant bearing, were cordially received into the best society 
 at Klmira ; a circumstance which led those of other regi 
 ments who had been less favored, to facetiously christen 
 the " Twenty-seventh " officers as the " Mutual Admiration 
 Society." 
 
 On the morning of July loth, we received orders to leave 
 Elmira for Washington ; and, amid uproar and enthusiasm, 
 commenced packing up. Almost every man was loaded 
 with useless articles, and had yet to learn the hardest lesson 
 of the soldier, how many things to get along without. 
 
 At 2 P. M. the regiment bid the barracks good-by, and 
 marched into the city. After a short parade through the 
 streets, the cars were boarded, and at 4 P. M. moved out on 
 the Northern Central road, amid the waving of handker 
 chiefs and the cheers of assembled thousands. It rained 
 all the way to Williamsport, Pa., where we arrived about 
 9 i\ M. Here the ladies had prepared a fine supper for us, 
 and we left the cars to find a grand entertainment. Tables 
 had been spread in the square near the depot, and the pa 
 triotic ladies were out in force to give the boys one good 
 meal, and bid them a hearty God-speed as they set their 
 faces toward the South. This entertainment was one of 
 
TRIP TO WASHINGTON. 7 
 
 the bright spots in the history of the regiment ; and there 
 were many expressions of admiration for our fair hostesses. 
 One comrade, at least, was so much impressed with the 
 kindness of these ladies that he asked the privilege of writ 
 ing to one of them ; and, months afterward, he applied for 
 a furlough, returned to Williamsport, and married his fair 
 entertainer. 
 
 About 10 o clock we returned to the cars, and rode all 
 night, getting but little sleep. In the morning we found 
 ourselves opposite the City of Harrisburg, where we re 
 mained about an hour. It was a beautiful morning, and 
 from our position, looking across the Susquehanna, we had 
 a grand view of the city, and the dome of Pennsylvania s 
 Capitol, towering above the structures of the city. Here 
 the train was divided, and we ran slowly on through a 
 splendid country, especially about York, Pa., where we 
 passed immense fields of wheat, corn and rye. Here the 
 farming lands are excellent ; large and beautiful houses ; 
 with a degree of thrift that but few of the men had ever 
 seen before. After crossing the Maryland line, we found 
 soldiers quartered at every bridge on the road ; and as we 
 approach Baltimore, the track is being guarded by the I2th 
 Pennsylvania Regiment. The people do not welcome us 
 in Maryland as they did in Pennsylvania, and there is not 
 near as much enthusiasm. We roll into Baltimore in fine 
 shape, where we left the cars, formed in line, and having 
 fixed bayonets, marched through the city. Some of the 
 officers proposed that the men should load their pieces, but 
 Col. Slocum, thinking it a useless precaution, did not order it. 
 The streets were crowded with people to see us. There 
 were many who cheered for the Union, and some for Jeff. 
 Davis. We were received very kindly at the depot where 
 we took the train, and were soon underway for Washington. 
 We halted some time at the Rellay House, where several 
 regiments of New York troops were stationed. Soon after 
 dark Washington was reached, and we were marched to our 
 quarters, afterwards named Camp Anderson, on Franklin 
 Square, a splendid place. 
 
8 RECORD OF 27TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Before leaving Elmira, Col. Slocum had taken the pre 
 caution to send Lieut.-Col. Chambers on to Washington, to 
 provide rations for the men when we should arrive there. 
 But, alas ! when we reached camp, between icand 1 1 o clock 
 at night, we found nothing except two barrels of salt pork : 
 so we had to go to bed supperless, filled with disgust at the 
 officer who had given too much attention to refreshing his 
 own inner man, to the neglect of his weary men. 
 
 Sunday, July I4th, we had company drill before break 
 fast, and preaching service, by Chaplain Buck, at 10 o clock. 
 During the service several regiments, that had been ordered 
 to Virginia, marched past our camp, on their way to the 
 Long Bridge ; and the Chaplain, with more enthusiasm than 
 piety, gave out a hymn ; and as we sang the chorus 
 
 " Our friends are passing over, 
 And, just before, the shining shore 
 We may almost discover, "- 
 
 He waved his hand in the direction of the passing troops. 
 
 About 5 o clock we had battalion drill and dress parade. 
 There were a great many visitors in to see the parade. Pie 
 peddlers prosecuted a lively trade, as the boys did not take 
 kindly to salt pork and hard tack ; but the " rag pies," as 
 the boys called them, did not agree with them as well as 
 the government rations would have done. 
 
 July i 5th : Practiced target shooting all day, in a vacant 
 lot, on the Georgetown road, about a mile from camp. 
 Each man fired twenty rounds. This was the first and 
 only target practice the regiment had before engaging in 
 its first battle. 
 
 We were armed with the smooth-bore, muzzle-loading, 
 government gun, known as the Harper s Ferry Musket, of 
 58 caliber, and using a paper cartridge, which the men had 
 to tear open with their teeth before loading. The gun was 
 fired with a large percussion cap, and would kick about as 
 hard as a government mule. One man declared, after com 
 ing out of battle, " that his gun kicked him back over a rail 
 fence, and kicked him seven times after he was down." 
 
 Several companies received recruits after coming to 
 Washington. These men had no uniforms, and had never 
 
ON TO RICHMOND. 9 
 
 been practiced in the manual of arms before going on the 
 march to our first battle. 
 
 On the 1 6th of July, the regiment was assigned to the 
 First Brigade, commanded by Col. Andrew Porter, of the 
 i6th U. S. Infantry; in the Second Division, commanded 
 by Col. David Hunter, of the Third U. S. Cavalry; in the 
 Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Brigadier- 
 General Invin McDowell. 
 
 Hunter s Division was composed of the following com 
 mands : 
 
 Eighth New York Militia, Fourteenth New York Militia, 
 Twenty-Seventh New York Volunteers, a Battalion of 
 U. S. Infantry, Battalion U. S. Marines, Battalion U. S. 
 Cavalry, and Battery D of the Fifth U. S. Artillery. 
 
 About noon of the same date (the i6th), Hunter s Di 
 vision received orders to march. Destination : " On to 
 Richmond !" We packed up and left about 3 o clock. 
 We crossed the Long Bridge, and so found ourselves on 
 the sacred soil of the Old Dominion. W r e passed through 
 the fortifications on Arlington Heights, and reached the 
 Alexandria and Manasses R. R. about 6 o clock. At Bail 
 ey s Cross Roads we halted for supper. Each man had 
 been supplied with two loaves of bread and a pound of 
 salt pork. W 7 e could hear picket-firing in the front, when 
 the regiment was ordered to load their muskets, each man 
 having been supplied with forty rounds of ammunition. 
 The route continued along the Little River Turnpike, past 
 the fertile plantations of the Lees, the Balls, Baileys, and 
 Arlingtons, that had not yet felt the devastating hand of 
 war, but were destined to be left a barren waste, from 
 which they have never recovered. We marched about 
 twelve miles, and about 10 P. M. went into camp, on the 
 Annandale hills, near the main army; and for the first time 
 slept on the ground, with no covering except our blankets, 
 not having been supplied with tents. We rested well, and 
 started on the march again at sunrise, the i/th, taking the 
 road to Fairfax Court House. The march was a slow one, 
 for the Rebels, in their retreat, had felled trees across the 
 
10 RECORD OF 2;TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 road, and we were obliged to cut them out before we could 
 pass. After a few hours marching at " route step," we 
 were called to quick time, and moved by platoons, closed 
 to half distance. The day was very warm, and many were 
 prostrated by the heat. 
 
 Soon our mounted rifles and cavalry were ordered to the 
 front, and, as they moved forward at a gallop, we almost 
 held our breath, in the excitement and expectation of hear 
 ing them open fire and commence an engagement ; but the 
 enemy retreated on their approach, with but a few scatter 
 ing shots from our men. We then marched leisurely on ; 
 and the fact that they had left their fires burning, and other 
 evidences of a hasty retreat, made some of the men think- 
 that the Rebels had all turned back; and that night an 
 officer, passing through the camp, overheard two men talk 
 ing about the probability of their ever seeing a battle. One 
 says to the other: "Now, this is just exactly what I ex 
 pected. These fellows have all run off, and we are never 
 going to see a fight. We will go home without seeing a 
 fight, sure." 
 
 Others were not so sanguine ; for, from one of the diaries, 
 we copy the following; under date of the i^th: "I think 
 we shall have a fight soon, but I trust I am prepared for 
 any emergency ; and, if necessary, am ready to die for my 
 country." 
 
 We went into camp about 2 o clock. The boys were 
 allowed to "forage" about the country, and it is needless 
 to say that they lived well. Some of the troops pillaged 
 the houses, and burned a few barns, acts of vandalism of 
 which our regiment was heartily ashamed. 
 
 We started on the march again early the next morning, 
 the 1 8th, but were delayed till 3 o clock, when we marched 
 about five miles ; then halted and bivouacked, on the 
 left of the Warrenton turnpike, two miles east of Centre- 
 ville, and remained there the two following days. W r hile in 
 this camp, the regiment of regulars who were camped near 
 us were called in line, and formed a square, when two of 
 their number were whipped, receiving thirty lashes each on 
 
"^mmm&/- f ^ ti" 
 
FLOGGING TWO DESERTERS. I I 
 
 their bare backs, and were then branded, on the side of the 
 hip, with the letter D. It was a sickening sight. This was 
 the last case of flogging in the army, as this barbarous style 
 of punishment was soon after abolished. 
 
 On the afternoon of the iQth there was some sharp skir 
 mishing a few miles in front of us, and soon after some 
 prisoners were brought in, who were the first rebels we had 
 seen. They attracted a good deal of attention, and we dis 
 cussed the question among ourselves, whether we should 
 shoot or hang them. Fortunately the question was not 
 left to the private soldier to decide. At dark we went on 
 picket, and remained all night. Were relieved from picket 
 duty about 9 o clock of the morning of the 2Oth, and re 
 turned to camp, where we remained quiet all day. 
 
 While in this camp, a detail of eight corporals was made, 
 from different companies, to act as Color Guard, Sergeant 
 Burton Freeman, of Co. " I," being Color Sergeant. 
 
 Sunday morning, July 2 1st, at 2 o clock, we were called 
 and ordered to get ready to move. Soon after, we formed 
 in line and moved out in light marching order, taking one 
 cooked ration. Owing to the delay of the First Division 
 getting out of its camp, Hunter s Division did not reach 
 Centreville till 4 o clock ; moving thence along the War- 
 renton turnpike, over a bridge crossing Cub Run. Here 
 we put out one company as skirmishers, and continued to 
 advance, turning to the right into a heavy timber. The 
 day was intensely hot, and this being a portion of Virginia 
 noted for a scarcity of water, we suffered both from heat 
 and thirst. At 9 o clock we passed Sudley s Church, when 
 the firing in front of us became quite lively. We soon left 
 the woods, and as we came out into the open field, one of 
 Gen. Porter s aids met us, and ordered Col. Slocum to 
 move forward, and, with a wave of his hand, exclaimed : 
 " You will find the enemy down there somewhere !" 
 
 We crossed Bull Run at Sudley s Ford, after a march 
 occupying fully six hours ; and, without coming to a halt, 
 advanced at a double quick toward the enemy s position. 
 We were soon under fire : the solid shot and shell began to 
 
12 RECORD OK 2^TU REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 pass over our heads, and made us do some involuntary 
 dodging. The first man wounded, in the regiment, was 
 Henry Wheeler, of Co. "C." He was hit in the instep, by 
 a musket ball, before we had come in sight of the enemy. 
 It is supposed the ball was fired by a sharp-shooter from 
 one of the tall trees on our left. We continued to advance, 
 in column of fours, every step the shot coming thicker and 
 faster. We passed the 8th N. Y. Militia, who, dressed in 
 their gray State uniforms, were caring for some of their 
 wounded comrades. 
 
 We soon reached the crest of a hill, and, by a road lead 
 ing to the valley beneath us, made a charge directly on the 
 Stone House, from which we drove the enemy. The Colonel, 
 having dismounted, then directed the color guard to take a 
 position to the left and in rear of the Stone House, that he 
 might form a line of battle on them. While getting into 
 position, a rebel battery opened on us with canister shot, 
 and several of our men were killed and wounded. Private 
 Wesley Randall, of Binghamton, was the first man killed. 
 
 The Colonel then ordered the line to form still further to 
 the left, and the regiment moved a hundred rods in that 
 direction, the colors taking the lead. Soon another stand 
 was taken, and our ranks, which had been thrown into some 
 disorder, were ordered to re-form ; but before the order 
 could be executed, we saw two regiments coming, at double 
 quick, over the crest of the hill from our rear and left, a 
 direction from which we did not expect the enemy. They 
 were dressed in gray, and we mistook them for the 8th 
 New York. As they moved around in our front, some of 
 the men called out " that they were enemies," and began 
 to fire. Others excitedly "declared them to be the 8th 
 New York," and begged us not to fire on our own men. 
 Just then a Confederate straggler between the lines, ran up 
 to Col. Slocum, and declared that the " regiment yonder 
 wanted to surrender." Slocum threatened the man with 
 drawn sword, but he persisted ; and, by the Colonel s order, 
 Adjutant Jenkins started towards the enemy, waving a 
 havelock as a flag of truce. " What regiment are you ?" he 
 
COL. SLOCUM WOUNDED. 13 
 
 asked. He was answered by the unfurling of the Confed 
 erate colors and the firing of a volley. He rode back to 
 our lines, exclaiming, " Give it to them, boys!" The 2/th 
 responded, firing at will, but many did not hear him, and 
 still held their fire. Our mistake had given them time to 
 form in line of battle, under cover of thick bushes, and they 
 poured volley after volley into us, with deadly effect. Our 
 men replied vigorously, but could not long stand under 
 such a fire, and began to retire slowly over the crest of the 
 hill. The colors were the last to retire. A few of the men, 
 having secured covered positions behind hay-cocks and un 
 der the banks of a small stream just in our front, remained 
 and kept up a vigorous fire on their own hook, for some 
 time after the regiment left. Some of these men fired so 
 many rounds that their guns became hot, and they had to 
 cool them off in the water of the brook. The enemy did 
 not advance on this position. 
 
 While making this movement over the crest of the hill, 
 Col. Slocum fell, shot through the hip, and was sent to the 
 surgeons in the rear. Major Bartlett now took command, 
 and soon after withdrew the regiment to the woods, in the 
 rear, where we rested awhile, and refilled our cartridge- 
 boxes. 
 
 After this, we advanced again to the Stone House, 
 where we took shelter under the banks of the roadside ; 
 and again were moved from one point of the field to an 
 other, taking but little active part in the fight, yet contin 
 ually under fire, till 5 P. M., feeling sure that we had gained 
 a decisive victory over the enemy. 
 
 But the tables were soon after effectually turned, by the 
 arrival of a heavy column of Confederate troops, which 
 proved to be the rebel reserve of twelve thousand fresh 
 men, under Gen. Johnston. 
 
 A retreat was now ordered, and we marched off the field 
 in good order, with Major Bartlett riding at the head of the 
 regiment, and our colors flying. Our ranks were kept closed 
 up until passing Sudley s Church, when some of the panic- 
 stricken cavalry rode through our line and scattered some 
 
14 KKC ORI) OF 27 lTl REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 of our men among the fragments of other regiments, so that 
 it was impossible to rally them all again. The retreat then 
 became a stampede. A few miles from the field we came 
 to the Stone Bridge across Cub Run. Here was a blockade 
 of cannon and caissons, from which the drivers had cut the 
 traces, and rode off on the horses, so that the troops had to 
 turn to the right, and ford the stream just below the bridge. 
 The panic was increased by the frantic rush of a large num 
 ber of civilians and Members of Congress, who had ridden 
 out from Washington to witness the battle, one of the 
 latter, the Hon. Alfred Ely, of Rochester, N. Y., being 
 taken prisoner. 
 
 Such a scene was never before witnessed : the highway 
 was blocked with cavalry, infantry, artillery and civilians, 
 in solid mass, shouting and yelling until it seemed as though 
 the flood-gates of Pandemonium had been thrown open. 
 Before midnight w r e reached the camp we left in the morn 
 ing, near Centreville, where, aside from the losses in killed, 
 wounded and missing, the 2^th was wholly intact, having 
 its colors and arms, and awaiting orders. 
 
 Capt. Averill, of Col. Porter s staff, sent a verbal message 
 requesting the regiment to form in column and march to 
 Fairfax, a distance of eight miles. This order was exe 
 cuted, and from midnight we kept trudging along towards 
 Washington, passing through Fairfax this time without 
 music, while the cry, " On to Richmond !" seemed to have 
 lost all its charm. About sunrise we reached Arlington, 
 made a short halt at Fort Runyon, where coffee and hard 
 tack were issued. Then we re-crossed the Long Bridge to 
 Washington, and were, soon after, back to our former quar 
 ters on Franklin Square. 
 
 The wildest excitement existed in the city. Pennsylvania 
 Avenue was gorged with panic-stricken citizens, and soldiers 
 who were relating wonderful stories of their heroism on the 
 field of battle. 
 
 Thus ended the battle of Bull Run, where both armies 
 were for the first time under fire ; and for hard fighting and 
 
CASUALTIES AT BULL RUN, 15 
 
 stubborn resistance, they challenged the admiration of the 
 world. 
 
 The regiments which we mistook for friends, proved td 
 be the 4th Alabama and the 8th Georgia ; but they received 
 severe punishment at our hands, the 8th losing their 
 Lieutenant-Colonel and Adjutant, killed, and many of its 
 enlisted men killed and wounded. 
 
 The casualties of the 27th, in this battle, were : One 
 officer and twenty-six enlisted men killed ; two officers and 
 forty-two men wounded. 
 
 Sixty men were reported missing, most of them wounded 
 and taken prisoners, and many of them died from their 
 wounds in the Southern prisons. Total, 131. (Fora list 
 of those taken prisoners, see the last chapter.) Among the 
 prisoners were three of the color guard, all of them having 
 been hit during the action. Corp. Fairchild was hit in the 
 left breast by a canister shot, a spent ball, which lodged in 
 his shirt pocket. Corp. Merrill was shot through the left 
 breast. Corp. Wood had a ball through his hand. Lieut. 
 Asa Park, of Co. " D," the only officer killed, was shot in 
 the abdomen. As he w r as struck, he placed his hand over 
 the wound, and said to the Captain : " See what a big hole 
 that is !" and immediately fell and expired. 
 
 On the march from Washington and in this battle, many 
 men in the regiment wore white linen " havelocks," with 
 long capes over the back of the neck. These had been 
 recommended to protect the wearers from the effect of the 
 sun. The only good purpose they served, however, was to 
 furnish lint and bandages for the wounded, and were never 
 much worn after this battle. 
 
 The following is a copy of Major Bartlett s official report 
 of the battle of Bull Run : 
 
l6 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS 2JTH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. | 
 CAMP ANDERSON, Washington, D. C., July 23, 1861. ^ 
 
 SIR : Pursuant to order, I hereby submit for your consideration a 
 report of the operations of the Twenty-Seventh Regiment New York 
 State Volunteers, under command of Col. H. W. Slocum, in the battle 
 of Bull Run, on July 21, 1861. 
 
 At precisely 2 o clock A. M. we formed for march, in rear of the Marine 
 Corps, commanded by Major Reynolds. After an exhausting march of 
 eight hours, the enemy was discovered to be in force on our front and left. 
 Fifteen minutes after their appearance, we were hurried on at double-quick 
 time for the distance of at least one mile, and formed in line of battle by 
 the left flank on the brow of the hill, commanding a part of the enemy s 
 position. Without coming to a halt, we were ordered to charge the enemy 
 by a road leading to the valley beneath us, where they were in numbers 
 strongly positioned in and about a large stone house, with a battery of six 
 mounted howitzers commanding the approach. The men, though greatly 
 fatigued and exhausted, gallantly attacked and drove the enemy from the 
 house, who retired in disorder behind their battery, leaving a large num 
 ber of killed and wounded on the field. The battery was next attacked, 
 and after receiving eleven rounds hastily retired, taking up another posi 
 tion about one hundred and fifty yards on our left and front. We were 
 immediately attacked on our right flank by a large force, who approached 
 by a ravine, under cover of a thick growth of bushes, and in the front by 
 about 1,500 others, who had been driven from their position on the hill 
 commanding our left, and whom we mistook for the 8th New York Regi 
 ment coming to our support. By this mistake we lost many killed and 
 wounded, besides the opportunity of capturing a large number of pris 
 oners. We were now engaged by more than twice our own numbers, and 
 fired upon from concealed positions, and receiving the fire of the battery 
 from its new point of attack. Perceiving the necessity of support, I rallied 
 about 200 of the 8th New York Regiment on the brow of the hill com 
 manding the enemy ; and the Colonel withdrew the regiment to the top of 
 the hill in a perfectly exhausted condition, formed, and marched them into 
 the woods for rest. During our retreat Colonel Slocum received a wound 
 from a musket ball, in the right thigh, which rendered it necessary for him 
 to retire from the field, which he did, placing the command in my hands. 
 After remaining half an hour in this position I was commanded by Capt, 
 Averill, Aid-de-Camp to the Colonel commanding, to join a united charge 
 to be made against the enemy s strongest position by all the regiments not 
 actually engaged at that moment. I marched in four ranks, under fire of 
 
BARTLETT S REPORT. 17 
 
 the battery commanding the road, to the creek, and filed to the right, under 
 protection of its hanks, to await the general assault. Seeing our forces 
 engage the enemy by small detachments, and not in the order in which the 
 attack was commanded to be made that they were repulsed and driven 
 back in disorder, and believing that no assistance I could render would 
 avail in restraining the troops or stay their flight, I withdrew my command 
 in perfect order to the heights above the stream, and formed in line of 
 battle, facing the enemy, and remained in position until thousands of troops 
 had passed to our rear, in flight and confusion. I then, at the urgent so 
 licitation of the line officers, marched to the rear in direction of the retreat, 
 and again formed, by command of General McDowell, in line of battle, 
 facing the enemy, that he might have a nucleus to form the Division upon 
 once more. The attempt proving ineffectual, I again marched to the rear, 
 and by his command formed in line a third time. It being impossible to 
 form in any force upon our lines, I withdrew the regiment from the field, 
 and after a short rest, joined the retreating column. In the retreat to 
 Washington we lost two sergeants believed to have been cut off from the 
 regiment at the bridge, which was fired upon bv the enemy and many 
 men from exhaustion. 
 
 I am happy to report that, during the whole day, the men of the regi 
 ment behaved coolly and gallantly, promptly obeying every order ; and 
 that they never once retreated or gave way before the enemy without a 
 
 positive command. 
 
 J. J. BARTLETT, 
 
 Major, commanding. 
 COL. ANDREW PORTER, 
 
 Commanding Second Brigade. 
 
 EXTRACTS, RELATING TO THE MOVEMENTS OF THE 2yTH REGIMENT, FROM 
 COL. ANDREW PORTER S OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE. 
 ****** 
 "The head of the First Brigade was immediately turned slightly to the 
 right, in order to give time and room for deployment on the right of the 
 Second Brigade. Griffin s Battery found its way through the timber to the 
 fields beyond, followed promptly by the Marines, while the Twenty-Seventh 
 took direction more to the left. The enemy 
 
 appeared drawn up in a long line, extending along the Warrenton turn 
 pike. * * * Q ur right was rapidly developed by the Marines, 
 Twenty-Seventh, Fourteenth and Eighth, with the Cavalry in rear of the 
 
1 8 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 right : the enemy retreated with more precipitation than order as our line 
 advanced. * * Rebels soon came flying through the woods 
 
 towards the right, and the Twenty-Seventh completed their rout by charg 
 ing directly upon their center, in the face of a scorching fire, while the 
 Fourteenth and Eighth moved down the turnpike, to cut oft" the retiring 
 foe, and to support the Twenty-Seventh, which had lost its gallant Colonel, 
 but was standing the brunt of the action, with its ranks thinning in the 
 dreadful fire. Tyler s Division was engaged 
 
 with the enemy s right. The Twenty-Seventh was resting in the edge of 
 the woods in the center. The prestige of success 
 
 had thus far attended the efforts of our inexperienced but gallant troops. 
 A column, composed of the Twenty-Seventh New 
 
 York, Eleventh and Fifth Massachusetts, First Minnesota and Sixty-Ninth 
 New York moved up towards the left flank of the batteries. * 
 Fire came from some infantry of the enemy, which had been mistaken for 
 our own forces. Soon the slopes behind us were 
 
 swarming with our retreating and disorganized forces. * 
 The Twenty-Seventh was the first to rally, under the command of Major 
 Bartlett, and around it the other regiments engaged soon collected their 
 scattered fragments. The commanding general 
 
 then ordered a retreat to Centerville. Among 
 
 those who deserve special mention are : Col. H. W. Slocum, who was 
 wounded while leading his gallant Twenty-Seventh New York to the 
 charge ; and Maj. J. J. Bartlett, who subsequently commanded it, and by 
 his enthusiasm and valor kept it in action and out of the panic. His con 
 duct was imitated by his subordinates, of whom two, Capt. H. C. Rogers 
 and Lieut. H. C. Jackson, were wounded, and Ensign Asa Park was 
 killed. * * * 
 
 A. PORTER, 
 
 Col. i6th Infantry U. S. Army, commanding Brigade. 
 To Capt.J. B. Fry, A. A. C. 
 
II. 
 
 AFTER our return from the battle of Bull Run, we occu 
 pied our quarters at Franklin Square, in Washington, 
 until near the middle of August. That terrible disease, 
 camp diarrhoea more destructive than the enemy s bullets 
 broke out in the regiment, and for a few weeks made sad 
 havoc with the men. Drilling was dispensed with, and all 
 other duties not absolutely necessary. It was impossible 
 to find enough capable of performing duty to make up a 
 complete camp guard. 
 
 On August 1st, we received our first pay from the United 
 States, for one month and ten days service, amounting to 
 $15.03, in gold. This was a bonanza for the boys. 
 
 Col. Slocum visited the camp on August I3th, still suffer 
 ing from his wound, and walking upon crutches. Every 
 body was glad to see him, but sorry that we must soon lose 
 him, as he had been promoted to Brigadier-General. 
 
 One day about this time, while a number of general offi 
 cers were together at Gen. - s headquarters, it was 
 announced in the papers that Grant who was operating in 
 the West had been made a Brigadier-General, on the /th 
 of August. Several of these officers, who had known him 
 in the regular army, received the announcement with deri 
 sive laughter, and ridiculed the appointee as one wholly 
 unfit for the position. In the light of subsequent events, 
 they must have felt somewhat chagrined at their former 
 estimate of our great captain. 
 
 On August 1 4th several of the line officers were detailed 
 on recruiting service, and went home on twenty days leave 
 of absence. 
 
 The same date, Aug. I4th, the regiment was assigned to 
 Gen. Heintzleman s brigade, and ordered to move. We 
 then packed up, and again crossing the Long Bridge, marched 
 to Camp Vernon, on Hunting Creek, near Alexandria, where 
 
20 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 we received our first tents, and commenced our life under 
 canvas, and at the same time exchanged our smooth-bore 
 muskets for U. S. Springfield rifles, which we carried during 
 the entire term of service We here spent most of our time in 
 drilling by battalion or brigade, and the men began to show 
 the effect of the drill in their improved soldierly appearance. 
 
 On the 1 6th the regiment went on picket, and on the i/th 
 moved the camp to near Fort Ellsworth. On Sunday, the 
 1 8th, had preaching in the camp. In the afternoon a rain 
 storm set in, continuing all night. The tents were not 
 properly ditched, and before morning the boys found their 
 " sleep " thoroughly water-soaked. After this they made 
 up beds of cedar boughs to keep them off the damp 
 ground. 
 
 On the following Sunday, the 25th, there was a brigade 
 review in the morning, by Gen. McClellan ; and preaching 
 in the afternoon, by the Chaplain. 
 
 August 26th there was a detail made from each company 
 and sent out to cut away the woods, and clear the ground 
 on which Fort Lyon was afterwards built. 
 
 On the 2;th news was received that the enemy was ad 
 vancing, and that we should be attacked before morning. 
 A fresh supply of ammunition was issued, knapsacks packed, 
 and a sharp lookout was maintained all night. Nothing- 
 came of it, however. 
 
 From this time to September 5th, the ordinary routine 
 of camp and picket duty was kept up. The picket line 
 was along Hunting Creek. The " boys " seemed to like it, 
 as it was gipsy-like, and preferable to remaining in camp, 
 on account of green corn, potatoes and fruit, which were 
 plentiful. 
 
 On the 5th an election was held to fill the vacancies 
 caused by the promotion of Col. Slocum to be Brigadier- 
 General, the resignation of Lieut.-Col. Chambers, and the 
 death of Lieutenant Park. The result was the election of 
 J. J. Bartlett, Colonel ; A. D. Adams, Lieutenant-Colonel; 
 and C. C. Gardiner, Major. In place of Lieut. Park, Geo. 
 Dickson was made Lieutenant. 
 
COL. J. J. BARTLETT 
 
22 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 On the same day the regiment was detached from Heint- 
 zleman s brigade, and assigned to a new brigade, commanded 
 by Gen. Slocum, which was composed of the i6th, 26th and 
 2/th New York, and the 5th Maine Volunteers ; and was a 
 few days later (the I2th) ordered into camp on the site of 
 Fort Lyon, and built that fort. The camp at this place was 
 called Camp Dickinson, in honor of Hon. D. S. Dickinson, 
 of Binghamton, N. Y. Here we put aside our drilling, and 
 exchanged our guns for the pick and shovel. The monot 
 onous labor of building the fort was kept up for the next 
 month, varied only by an occasional picket tour, or patrol 
 after the cake, pie and whiskey peddlers, who came out from 
 Alexandria and infested the camp. Rations of whiskey 
 were occasionally issued, and although each man received 
 only a half gill, yet by ways known only to a soldier, some 
 would get drunk and find their way to the guard-house. 
 
 Fort Lyon was the grandest camping ground the regi 
 ment ever occupied. Standing on the entrenchments, and 
 looking to the right, across the Potomac, could be seen the 
 City of Washington, with the dome of the Capitol rising 
 proudly towards the sky. Vessels were plying to and fro 
 in the river, while Alexandria lay beneath us, like a sullen 
 child, its Confederate sympathizers cowed into silence by 
 the presence of troops and the frowning of cannon. In 
 front stretched the green valley of Hunting Creek, and to 
 the left the highlands in the direction of Ball s Cross Roads : 
 an artistic view, worthy of a painter s skill. 
 
 The picket lines were frequently posted on the Fairfax 
 road and on the Stone road ; also on the plantation of Dr. 
 Mason, who was in the Confederate lines. The Mason 
 family were bitter towards the soldiers ; and the boys 
 seemed to take a delight in milking their cows, an occu 
 pation at w r hich they were frequently aided by the slaves 
 on the plantation. The Windsor plantation, further out, 
 was at one time raided by order, and a fine herd of blooded 
 stock was brought in, and some fine horses. These, how 
 ever, were afterwards restored to the owner, by orders from 
 headquarters. 
 
FIRST FORAGING EXPEDITION. 23 
 
 October 3d a detachment, consisting of Co. F of the 
 2/th, and companies from the 5th Maine and 26th New 
 York, was sent out, under command of Col. Christian, of 
 the 26th. They took the Mount Vernon road, and marched 
 out through the Village of Occbaquan, near Pohick church, 
 in which Gen. Washington and his family formerly wor 
 shipped. The outposts of the enemy were met, but retired 
 without firing a shot. On the return, a private in Co. K 
 was accidentally shot and killed by one of his comrades. 
 
 On - - date, Cos. K and C, commanded by Capts. 
 
 Achilles and Wells, with a wagon train, made a raid upon 
 the plantation of Col. John Washington, adjoining Mt. Ver 
 non, on the Potomac, some fourteen miles from our camp. 
 They secured several hundred bushels of grain, thirty-six 
 barrels of salted Potomac herring, besides flour, bacon, sev 
 eral head of cattle, etc. 
 
 Some excitement was caused in camp during their ab 
 sence by a report from the outposts, that a heavy cloud of 
 dust marked the movement of the enemy in the direction 
 of the Washington estate ; and Gen. Slocum at once sent a 
 force to their relief w r hich met the raiders returning with 
 their plunder, unmolested. 
 
 A few days after, Col. Washington, who was in the Con 
 federate army, was shot and killed by a Union sharp-shooter, 
 while he was reconnoitering our lines. 
 
 Gen. Slocum s brigade was transferred to another location 
 on October I4th, about half a mile southeast of Fairfax Sem 
 inary. In the immediate vicinity were the brigades of Gen. 
 Kearney and Gen. Newton, and the three brigades together 
 formed a division, commanded by Gen. Franklin, the nu 
 cleus of the grand army known in history as the Army of 
 the Potomac. 
 
 The camp of the 2/th at this locality was named " Camp 
 Clara," in honor of Mrs. Slocum, the wife of our first Colonel. 
 Here we built log foundations to our tents, and went into 
 winter quarters, and once more resumed our drilling, which 
 was kept up almost uninterruptedly until the mud became 
 
24 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 so deep on our drill ground, about mid-winter, that it had 
 to be discontinued. 
 
 While in camp here, runaway slaves would often come 
 into the lines and engage themselves as servants to the 
 officers. Gen. Slocum hired a bright boy as body servant, 
 whom the boys named " Jeff," after the President of the 
 Confederate States, and he soon became a general favorite. 
 About this time, orders were issued to the army, that all 
 slaves should be returned to their masters, if a demand were 
 made for them. Jeff s master and some rebel neighbors 
 came after him, but the boys in our regiment getting wind 
 of it, soon planned an "underground railroad," and Jeff 
 was spirited away from one tent to another, and so securely 
 hidden that, although every tent in camp was searched, this 
 little darky never again gladdened the heart of his master. 
 Gen. Slocum took him with him to the Peninsula, and he 
 followed the fortunes of the army till about the time of the 
 retreat, when he succumbed to the swamp fever; but was 
 tenderly nursed by his fellow servants, in an attic room of 
 a house where the General had his headquarters. One day, 
 as a fellow-servant entered his room, he exclaimed, in his 
 delirium, " Hurry up and black the General s boots !" These 
 were his last words, and he soon passed away. 
 
 Many of the officers, having fixed up their quarters in 
 comfortable shape, sent for their wives ; and the camp 
 seemed like the homes of a country village. The monotony 
 of camp life was relieved by amusements of various kinds. 
 Literary comrades became war correspondents^ and in their 
 diminutive quarters penned articles which were printed in 
 the Northern journals, and fired anew r the enthusiasm of the 
 loyal. Sportive comrades (and there were many) employed 
 their leisure moments in shuffling the " deceptive cards," 
 and staking their " Government salary " on strong hands. 
 Still others studied the army tactics, with a worthy ambition 
 to ascend the ladder of military fame. The 2/th was made 
 up of an aggregation of rare geniuses, and its reputation 
 extended wherever the drum-beat of the Army of the Po 
 tomac was heard. 
 
TRANSFER OF THE 26TII. 25 
 
 On November 8th, a brass band of twenty pieces was 
 mustered in as part of the regiment, with Alexander Scott, 
 of Rochester, as leader. 
 
 In November, the 26th New York was transferred to 
 another brigade, and the 96th Pennsylvania took its place 
 in Slocum s brigade. 
 
 KOSTEK OK 
 
 GEN. W. B FRANKLIN S DIVISION, 
 
 AUTUMN AND WINTER OF 1861. 
 
 CAVALRY. 
 
 Col. McReynold s ist New York Volunteers (Lincoln 
 Cavalry). 
 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 First Brigade. Gen. PHILIP KEARNEY. 1st, 2d, 3d and 
 4th New r Jersey Volunteers. 
 
 Second Brigade. Gen. H. W. SLOCUM. 2/th New York, 
 1 6th New York, 5th Maine, 96th Pennsylvania. 
 
 Third Brigade. Gen. JOHN NEWTON. i8th New York, 
 3ist New York, 32d New York, 95th Pennsylvania (Gosline 
 Zouaves). 
 
 ARTILLERY. 
 Platt s Battery D, 2d United States Six Napoleon guns. 
 
 Porter s A, Massachusetts Four lo-pound Parrott guns ; 
 two 12-pound howitzers. 
 
 Hexamer s A, New Jersey Four lo-pound Parrott guns; 
 two 12-pound howitzers. 
 
 Wilson s F, New York Four 3-inch ordnance guns. 
 
26 RECORD 01 27TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 During the winter three events of special interest occurred. 
 The first was the great review at Bailey s Cross Roads, No 
 vember 2Oth, when about 100,000 soldiers passed in review 
 before President Lincoln and Gen. McClellan. The 27th 
 received special praise for the splendid division lines main 
 tained, in spite of the muddy and slippery condition of the 
 ground over which they passed. This review was one of 
 extraordinary grandeur, and it seemed as if there were troops 
 enough to move through the Confederacy without a repulse. 
 
 The next event was the execution of a soldier, named 
 Johnson, of the 1st New York Cavalry, on December I3th. 
 He was taken while attempting to desert to the enemy, with 
 the intention of having his company captured on the picket 
 post. On his person were found drafts of the fortifications. 
 It seems that he was from New Orleans, and had joined this 
 command for the purpose of serving the Southern cause. 
 He was speedily tried, and sentenced to be shot. The en 
 tire division was marched out to witness the execution, and 
 formed on three sides of a square. The prisoner \vas placed 
 in position, blindfolded, and while kneeling upon his coffin, 
 ten members of his company marched to within a few paces, 
 and fired their carbines into his breast. He fell forward on 
 his face, and the troops marched past the body and back to 
 their camp. This was the first execution after the opening 
 of hostilities, by sentence of court martial. 
 
 January I, 1862. The new year was welcomed in by the 
 firing of cannon and music by the bands. Volley after vol 
 ley of musketry was fired, until the whole army participated 
 in the noisy demonstration. Citizens of Washington and 
 Alexandria were alarmed, thinking that a battle was being 
 fought. 
 
 But the " red-letter" day of the regiment, while in winter 
 quarters, was the nth of January, 62, the occasion being 
 the return of about thirty of the prisoners who had been 
 captured at the Bull Run battle. Considerable preparation 
 had been made in anticipation of the day set for their re 
 ception. A triumphal arch of evergreens was erected on 
 the extreme left of the street between the officers quarters 
 
KKTUKX OF TIIIKTV PRISONERS. 
 
 and the companies quarters. At the centre of the arch, 
 within a wreath, was the number "27," and below, the fol 
 lowing : 
 
 " jALelcome, d/Cinrades! 
 
 44 Youir Wounds Bleed Afresli 
 
 in our Hearts." 
 
 It was Saturday afternoon. The whole regiment turned 
 out. and, headed by Scott s Band, and preceded by Gen. 
 Slocum and stafT, marched down the Alexandria road about 
 a mile, where they met the comrades, fresh from a Southern 
 prison pen, under the command of Corp. Merrill, whom they 
 had selected to direct their movements. They were a fan 
 tastic squad, some dressed with government blankets over 
 their shoulders, to protect them from the wintry blast ; 
 others, with rags hanging about their emaciated frames. 
 The regiment halted and formed in two ranks, open order, 
 facing inward. Gen. Slocum and staff, with the field offi 
 cers, advanced and saluted the prisoners, and escorted them 
 between the open ranks, while Scott s Band played " Bold 
 Soldier Boy," and the whole regiment set up a terrific 
 cheering. The line was re-formed, and escorted the pris 
 oners to Camp Clara, where the parade was dismissed, and 
 every one participated in a sort of do-as-you-please enter 
 tainment until a late hour. The enthusiasm was conta 
 gious, and many officers and men from other regiments, 
 camped in the vicinity, came to help welcome the returned 
 comrades, and participate in the general hilarity. 
 
 The next day the Richmond boys, each with a furlough 
 for twenty days, started for a visit to their several homes. 
 
28 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 From this time till Spring, is known as the "Season of 
 inactivity." Some of the time picket duty was performed 
 in the midst of severe rain and snow storms, the men 
 suffering greatly. The camp was like a mortar-bed ; dress 
 parades and drills were impossible. Details were made to 
 cut wood and bring it to camp. Roads had to be repaired, 
 and it took six horses to draw a one-horse load. This work 
 continued until March loth, when the wood details were 
 discharged, and the regiment marched, in a pouring rain, to 
 Fairfax C. H.. fourteen miles from our camp. This move 
 ment was made by the whole army, and called a " parade," 
 because the enemy was not found, having retreated to the 
 Rappahannock, leaving strong fortifications, from which, 
 it would seem, they never Could have been driven. The 
 regimenr, while at Fairfax, was camped near the village, 
 and Col. Bartlett named the location, "Camp Diven," in 
 honor of Hon. A. S. Diven, of FLlmira, N. Y. Here, for the 
 first time, we camped under small shelter tents: there had 
 been issued, to each man, two pieces of twilled cotton cloth, 
 about four feet wide and six feet long; when these were 
 buttoned together, they formed what was termed a " shelter" 
 tent ; but that was a misnomer, and the boys thought it 
 must have been adopted because of the very imperfect 
 shelter they afforded, except in dry and pleasant weather. 
 As two comrades generally slept together, the extra two 
 pieces formed the ends or gables of the shelter, and when 
 these pieces were sloped out sufficiently, it was possible for 
 a medium-sized man to crawl in on his hands and knees, 
 and, by lying in the center, shelter himself from a light dew ; 
 but when two were obliged to squeeze into this queer 
 sort of a "dog-house," as we dubbed it, somebody s feet 
 generally protruded. When it. rained, the water trickled 
 through the ridge where the pieces were joined ; the rain 
 also finding its way through the thin material, fell in 
 fine spray upon our blankets. But carrying our own 
 tents relieved the baggage trains of a large part of their 
 load, and the number of wagons was correspondingly re 
 duced. The men recognized the necessity of this, and 
 
RAID OX A I.Af .KK HKKR TRAIN. 2Q 
 
 after a little became reconciled to the change, and we had 
 no other shelter during the remainder of our term of ser 
 vice. 
 
 The soldiers will all remember Camp Divert with interest. 
 One day while here, a long train of army wagons passed the 
 camp, loaded with lager beer, going out to Blenker s Di 
 vision of Germans, camped more to the front. A very large 
 number of men collected on each side of the road, gaping 
 at the novel train, with their mouths just watering for the 
 good stuff, that was "so near, and yet so far!" Hut, like 
 all good soldiers, they were equal to the occasion and 
 presently, as the train was ascending a little hill, sonic one 
 managed to cut the straps that held up the tail-gate, and 
 the ropes with which the canvas cover was tied over the end 
 of the wagon, when out rolled barrel after barrel of the 
 Germans beer. These were quickly rolled to one side, the 
 heads knocked in, and thousands of men. with tin cups and 
 pails, could be seen running to the train, all anxious to get 
 a taste of the booty. Load after load was thus dumped on 
 this hill, and finally it was found necessary to make a charge 
 with a whole regiment of cavalry in order to drive off the 
 raiders, and to protect the train over the balance of its 
 journey. 
 
 We remained in Camp Diven two days. 
 
 The nights were so cold that many could not sleep ; 
 but the foraging was very good, and many a porker was 
 brought in. 
 
 While at Fairfax a new organization of the Army of the 
 Potomac was made. Slocum s brigade and Franklirr s di 
 vision were placed in McDowell s corps, and called 2d Brig 
 ade, 1st Division, 1st Corps. 
 
 On the 1 4th, the regiment marched back and bivouacked 
 near Brenton s Tavern, and on the next day returned to 
 44 Camp Clara," where we remained till the morning of April 
 4th, when Fred. Bender s bugle called the regiment into 
 line, and we started on a march to Alexandria, and took 
 the cars to Manassas Plains, and from there marched, via 
 Bristol, to Catlett s Station, where we bivouacked for sev- 
 
3O RECORD OK 2/T1I RE(HMKNT N. V. VOI.S. 
 
 eral days, under our shelter tents. While here a terrible 
 storm of rain and snow came on, and the camp, being on 
 low ground, was almost flooded, so that the men had to 
 abandon the camp and seek shelter on higher ground, under 
 sheds and in negro cabins, near a farm house. Here we built 
 up rousing fires in those old Virginia fireplaces, and around 
 them at night the men could be found in squads, singing 
 (while the pitiless storm raged without), " Do they miss me 
 at home?" and other songs, all tending to cheer them up 
 in their forlorn condition ; and could you have looked in 
 upon us, you would have found a happy, jolly crowd. 
 The calves, chickens and pigs that were brought in, were 
 served up in savory style, and the feasting and revelry that 
 marked this camp will be long remembered by every com 
 rade. 
 
 Some of the officers will remember the uncivil manner 
 in which Gen. Kearney drove them off when they sought 
 shelter at a house where he had established his head 
 quarters. 
 
 The weather having cleared, we returned to camp, 
 and at daylight on the I2th boarded the cars, and returned 
 to Alexandria, where we went into camp, near Fort Ells 
 worth. 
 
 Before leaving Catlett s Station, there was a dispute be 
 tween Gens. Slocum and Kearney as to which brigade 
 should take the cars, as there was transportation for one 
 brigade only. It was decided in favor of our brigade, and 
 we boarded the platform cars and started, being drawn by 
 two wheezy old engines. We moved along very well on 
 the level track and down-grades, but on the up-grades we 
 had to dismount, and sometimes help the engines up with 
 the empty train. The consequence was, that when we ar 
 rived at Alexandria, we found a part of Kearney s men 
 already in camp, he having marched them over the dis 
 tance in better time than our train made ! 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 WE remained in this camp till the i/th, when the regi 
 ment, accompanied by Gen. Slocum and staff, em 
 barked on the steamer S. R. Spanieling and sailed down the 
 Potomac, passing Mt. Vernon and other points of interest 
 on this historic stream. 
 
 For a time the scenery along the banks was magnificent, 
 and the men, accustomed only to plodding up and down 
 the hills, through Virginia mud, enjoyed the new sensation 
 of a sail very much ; but at night a violent storm set in ; 
 many were sea-sick ; and, while the wind whistled through 
 
 ** o 
 
 the shrouds, and the vessel rolled, making but little head 
 way in the darkness, many a man was ready to exchange 
 " his life on the ocean wave " for the red mud again. 
 
 We remained on the steamer for several days; were quar 
 tered on the upper deck, without shelter from the rain, and 
 with no facilities for cooking our food. We ate our salt 
 pork raw, and sometimes (by paying the cook), we could 
 get enough hot water from the galley to make a cup of 
 coffee. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 23d we ran down past Fortress 
 Monroe, securing a fine view of the outside of the fort. 
 At dark we ran over to Ship Point, and on the 24th landed 
 near the mouth of the York River, and put up our tents in 
 a beautiful grove of pine trees along the shore. Here oys 
 ters and clams were plentiful, and, while the main part of 
 the army was besieging Yorktown, we quietly remained at 
 
32 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 this safe distance, and fairly reveled in the bivalves, fresh 
 from the beds. On May 3d, Yorktown was evacuated, and 
 the next day we bid a sorrowful good-by to our camp and 
 oyster-beds, and re-embarked on the S. R. Spanieling; an 
 chored in the bay for the night, and at daylight (May 5th) 
 ran up the York River as far as Yorktown, and anchored. 
 While here we could distinctly hear the cannonading of the 
 battle of Williamsburg. On the following day the fleet ran 
 up the river to West Point, the S. R. Spanieling in the lead. 
 The journey was one that never will be forgotten by the 
 soldiers of that command. The banks and sloping hills 
 were green with the heavy foliage of May, and the beauty 
 of the scene far exceeded anything before witnessed by the 
 men, on the soil of Virginia. It was a sun-burst of May 
 glory, preceding the gloom of a tedious and bloody cam 
 paign. A landing was effected at Brick House Point, on 
 the left bank of the river, opposite West Point, the regi 
 ment going ashore in small boats, Col. Bartlett, in a boat 
 with Co. " C," being the first to land ; and, after searching 
 the field with his glass, ordered the regiment ashore. Only 
 a few of the enemy s mounted videttes and infantry scouts 
 were discovered. The regiment was deployed as skirmishers 
 upon the open plain, which extended back a mile or more 
 to a dense forest. Across this plain the line advanced to a 
 roadway running into the woods, along which- the picket 
 posts were established for the night, in squads of three or 
 four, with intervals of four or five rods between. In the 
 rear of this line lay the reserve. About dark two prisoners 
 from the 5th Texas were captured, on the left. One of 
 these was a very tall man, and the other a little short man, 
 who wore spectacles,- a comical looking soldier. 
 
 Darkness soon came on ; the night was very cold, and 
 the men began their anxious watch through the long, dark 
 hours. The moon rose over the woods soon after 1 1 o clock, 
 and exposed some of the posts to the view of the enemy 
 who were lurking in the woods. All seemed quiet in 
 front till 12 o clock, when Lieut. Bailey, of Co. D, began 
 his tour of inspection along the vidette posts. He tarried 
 
SHOOTING OF I5AILEV AND HARTLEY. 33 
 
 to chat with some of his men who were stationed in a clear 
 ing occupied by two or three " poor-white-trash cabins," 
 with the gardens grown up to bushes. Through this clear 
 ing ran a wagon track, which terminated at the woods, with 
 a set of bars. Bailey seated himself on the knapsack of 
 Corp. Crocker, who w r as standing guard, and with whom he 
 was conversing in a low tone, saying " he was anxious to 
 meet the enemy in battle on the morrow," as he had never 
 been in an engagement, on account of sickness. Crocker, 
 hearing a rustling of the leaves in the direction of the 
 woods, notified Bailey, who, seizing the gun of one of the 
 comrades who was lying down, took his stand by the side 
 of Crocker, both peering into the darkness: soon they saw 
 approaching, along the roadway, two men walking side by 
 side, with guns at a trail, and not more than fifteen or 
 twenty feet distant. "Halt! Who comes there?" de 
 manded Bailey. The two men immediately drew their 
 pieces, Crocker and Bailey doing the same. Two of the 
 four pieces were discharged, Bailey and one rebel falling 
 with their guns cocked, neither having fired. Crocker, with 
 his companions, retired towards the reserve, re-loading his 
 piece as he did so. The) then lay down in silence the bal 
 ance of the night. 
 
 At daybreak, when the advance was made, we found a 
 body dressed in gray, a few feet in front of our fallen officer. 
 Both the victims lay on their backs, outstretched at full 
 length, with their heads in opposite directions. Bailey was 
 shot through the heart, and the rebel through the left arm 
 and neck. On search, the dead Confederate proved to be 
 Sergt. Wm. Hartley, of the Fourth Alabama. On his body 
 was found an order from Gen. Magruder, authorizing Hart 
 ley to act as a scout ; also a revolver, and a gold watch of 
 antique English pattern. After the war, Lieut. C. N. Elliott 
 forwarded the watch to Hartley s family, at Huntsville, 
 Alabama, and received a kind acknowledgment of the cour 
 tesy. The watch proved to be an old family relic. Hartley 
 was a Yale graduate, and a young man of promise. Among 
 
34 
 
 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 the letters found on his person were some from a young 
 lady friend in New Haven. 
 
 Lieut. Bailey was from Binghamton, N. Y., and a young 
 officer of great promise, and a favorite with the whole reg 
 iment. He had received his commission only a few days 
 before, and this was his first tour of duty as an officer. 
 The ball that killed him passed through the Company Roll- 
 
 ROLL-BOOK OF CO. "D," SHOWING BULLET-HOLE AND 
 
 BLOOD STAINS. 
 
 REVOLVER FOUND ON (THE REP.EL) HARTLEY S BODY. 
 
 Book, which he carried in his left side pocket, and through 
 tlic name of Crocker. This ghastly relic is still preserved 
 by one of the comrades of Co. " D." Corporal Crocker 
 still owns the revolver that was found on the body of his 
 
ADVANCE TO THE LINE OF BATTLE. 35 
 
 victim ; and, by the way, has made New Haven his home 
 since the war, and is now living in the same city as the lady 
 whose lover he killed on that memorable field. The body 
 of Lieut. Bailey was placed in a rough board box, and ten 
 derly buried by his comrades, at the side of the York River, 
 beneath two weeping-willow trees, and marked by a board. 
 The body of Hartley was interred where he fell. This 
 tragic death of Lieut. Bailey, and the swift retribution that 
 met the handsome, daring Rebel scout, was a marked inci 
 dent in the history of the regiment. 
 
 At daylight on the morning of the 7th, we advanced our 
 line of skirmishers into the woods, and soon had our picket 
 line established in a half-circle, with the York River on the 
 left, and the Pamunkey on the right. 
 
 About 9 o clock Capt. Jay, of Co. F, with a detail from 
 different companies, made an advance through the woods. 
 Seeing a few cavalrymen on a hill in advance, his force was 
 so disposed as to capture them, if possible. As the little 
 force advanced, the cavalrymen leisurely fell back over the 
 brow of the hill, and the Captain bid his men go on, say 
 ing he was a little lame, and would follow as fast as he could. 
 When the advance reached the top of the hill, they found 
 themselves within short range of a heavy line of battle. 
 Our boys fired their pieces, and then retreated, some to 
 the cover of the woods on the right and left, and others 
 straight down the field, in the direction from which they 
 had advanced, followed by a shower of rebel bullets. 
 Sergt. Ronk, of Co. " C," sought shelter behind a clump 
 of bushes, where he remained till nearly every branch was 
 shot away by the enemy s balls. Then jumping up and 
 running for his life, he cleared a rail fence at a single bound, 
 and came down in a deep ditch on the other side. He often 
 afterwards declared that he was the worst frightened man in 
 the Army of the Potomac. In this retreat Capt. Jay led 
 the line. He was not lame then : hatless, and with coat- 
 tails flying, he came through the woods upon the reserves, 
 shouting : " Get out of these woods ! Get out of these 
 woods !" 
 
36 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 When our men discharged their pieces, an officer seated 
 on a gray horse fell to the ground ; and the next day, when 
 the advance was made, we found a fresh grave, and the 
 headboard was marked, " Major - , of the First Regi 
 ment of Texans." Two of our men were lost. 
 
 The enemy followed up closely, and a general engage 
 ment came on. The plan of the Rebels was to drive our 
 skirmishers from the dense woods, and endeavor to get a 
 position in the open ground between the woods and the 
 river, from which they could reach our place of landing and 
 our transports with their artillery fire. The open plain was 
 covered with Union regiments, batteries of artillery and 
 battalions of cavalry, the division having all landed. The 
 battle now commenced in dead earnest. The forest was all 
 ablaze with musketry. They succeeded in driving us away 
 from the woods, but when they attempted to advance, our 
 fire was too much for them, and they were driven back, 
 with the aid of the artillery and the gunboats, which sent 
 over the heads of our men, their ponderous messengers of 
 death. The battle continued till 3 o clock, when the enemy 
 retired. 
 
 After being relieved, we had little to do except to watch 
 the shells as they exploded between the contending lines ; 
 and, aside from the danger connected with it, it is one of 
 the grandest things, in the fireworks line, one ever saw. 
 We could not see the shell, but by aid of the sound its 
 path could be traced. At first it rushes along high in air, 
 at a rate that puzzles the eyes and ears to follow it, 
 when presto ! change ! and where nothing had been seen 
 before, a little cloudlet of whitish blue smoke appears, and 
 the sharp report soon comes to our ears. The furious whistle 
 or screech of the shell, its tremendous rapidity, its instant 
 explosion and apparently dead stop, make it wonderfully 
 exciting and brilliant. 
 
 The casualties of the battle of West Point did not fall 
 heavily on our regiment. 
 
 The following extracts are from the reports of the com 
 manding officers, in regard to the battle of West Point-: 
 
GEN. FRANKLIN S REPORTS. 37 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FRANKLIN S DIVISION, j 
 At BRICK HOUSE, May 7, 1862. ( 
 
 GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, this morning, about seven 
 o clock, our pickets were driven in on our left flank ; and that, after skir 
 mishing for about two hours, the action became quite sharp at the right 
 extremity of that flank. Our reserves were driven in several times, but 
 returned to their positions with ardor. Finally we held the position which 
 we had taken in the morning, and at several points of the line advanced 
 our positions. Wherever we advanced, the enemy was found in rifle-pits. 
 The day has been a success, and but for the extreme want of forage and 
 provisions, we might have followed it up. As it is, I congratulate myself 
 that we have maintained our position. Gen. Newton s command was 
 most severely engaged, and his conduct and that of Gen. Slocum, who 
 have charge respectively of the right and left wings, was admirable. 
 
 All of the officers and men behaved admirably, and with transportation 
 and forage we could move on to-morrow. The killed and wounded and 
 
 missing amount to 186. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 W. B. FRANKLIN, 
 Brigadier-General Commanding Division. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS OF DIVISION, ^ 
 WHITE HOUSE, Va., May 17, 1862. J 
 
 GENERAL : I have the honor to make the following report of the land 
 ing of my division on York River, near West Point, on the 6th instant ; 
 and of the action with the enemy, near the point of disembarkation, on 
 the 7th instant. 
 
 In obedience to the orders of the General-in-Chief, the division left 
 Cheesman s Creek during the night of the 4th, using for the infantry and 
 a portion of the cavalry the transportation which had brought them from 
 Alexandria; and for the artillery, canal boats fastened together in pairs, 
 decked over so as to serve as wharves for landing ; and a few barges and 
 schooners. I arrived at the point designated for the landing at three p. M. 
 of the 6th. The landing commenced as soon as a reconnoissance of the 
 shore was finished. My ignorance of the topography of the place of land 
 ing, and the fact that the enemy s cavalry and infantry were seen in the 
 woods surrounding the plain on which we landed, as soon as the landing 
 
38 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 began, convinced me that something was to be feared from the enemy in 
 the morning. During the night one of our pickets and one of the enemy s 
 were killed, and two prisoners were taken by our pickets. From these 
 we learned that the enemy was in large force in our front, and that we 
 were to be attacked in the morning. Precautions were taken during the 
 night to prevent the success of an attack. The roads approaching the 
 landing were obstructed by felled trees ; the vigilance of the sentinels 
 was redoubled ; the wood surrounding the plain upon which the landing 
 was made, was thoroughly watched by pickets which were posted by Col. 
 Bartlett s Twenty-seventh New York Regiment, the Colonel being general 
 officer of the day, and to their watchfulness and efficiency our success of 
 the next day is, to a great extent, due. 
 
 Nothing was heard from the enemy until about nine o clock in the 
 morning: then firing between the pickets in the vicinity of the road en 
 tering the plain from the interior commenced, and increased in violence 
 until the action became severe, between ten and eleven o clock. The 
 Twenty-seventh New York Regiment, Col. Bartlett, was on picket during 
 the night of the 6th. Three companies helped to commence the contest 
 on the next day. They behaved well; and Capt. Jay, of that regiment, 
 was distinguished for his good conduct and good sense. The other 
 seven companies of this regiment supported Wilson s Battery during the 
 day. I recommend to your favorable consideration Gens. Slocum and 
 Newton, who commanded the left and right wings ; both showed superior 
 skill in placing troops on the field. I regret that our loss was so heavy, 
 but it is no larger than might have been anticipated, considering the 
 severity of the attack and the numbers engaged on both sides. 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 W. B. FRANKLIN, 
 
 Commanding Division. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, ) 
 NEAR WKST POINT, Va., May 7, 1862. ( 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to report that, in the engagement which occurred, 
 to-day, I was in command of the centre and left wing of our forces. It 
 was apparent, soon after the commencement of the engagement, that the 
 efforts of the enemy were to be directed mainly against our right wing ; 
 and at the request of Gen. Newton, I sent reinforcements to him. consist 
 ing of the Fifth Maine, and the Sixteenth and Twenty-seventh New York, 
 
GENERAL NEWTON S RETORT. 39 
 
 which arc attached to the brigade under my command. All of our troops, 
 so far as my observation extended, behaved with great coolness and 
 bravery. The First Massachusetts Battery, under command of Capt. 
 Porter, is entitled to great credit for the accuracy of its fire. 
 
 I am greatly indebted to ( apt. H. C. Rogers and other members of 
 my staff, all of whom were actively engaged during the entire day. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 11. W. SLOCUM, 
 
 Brigadier-General Volunteers. 
 
 HEAnoi ARTKKS TlllKD BRIGADE, ) 
 
 WEST POINT, Va., May 8, 1862. ) 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to report the result of the action with the enemy 
 on the yth instant. Early in the morning of that day, the division having 
 landed at this place the night previous, I made, as far as time permitted, 
 an examination of the ground upon which we had landed ; and aided by 
 information obtained from Captain Jay, of the Twenty-seventh New York 
 Volunteers whose gallant conduct during the day deserves honorable 
 mention I became satisfied that the map of the locality furnished us was 
 entirely incorrect, in a military point of view ; in consequence of which 
 it became necessary to change the location of my brigade to the right of 
 the position. 
 
 A little before 9 A. M. the pickets commenced firing on the front of the 
 right of our position, and I immediately directed Capt. Hexamer s battery 
 to harness up and proceed to that point. Pickets then signaled the en 
 emy approaching in large force, with cavalry and artillery, upon the right, 
 which was occupied by my brigade. Soon the firing of musketry in front 
 became very quick and rapid, and in heavy volleys, indicating the presence 
 of a large force before us. After a gallant and obstinate resistance, our 
 pickets and several reconnoitering parties which had been sent out, were 
 driven in by overwhelming forces. The pickets fell back in good order, 
 and, being reinforced by two regiments, were again sent forward. By 
 ii A. M. the force of the enemy engaged had become so great that my men 
 were forced back to the edge of the woods, retiring slowly and in excellent 
 order. I then threw into the woods, in front of the right, four regiments, 
 with directions to "feel" the enemy, and maintain their ground at all 
 hazards. I am happy to say that this was effectual, and that for three 
 hours until 3 p. M., when the action terminated my position was firmly 
 held, jwhen the enemy slowly retired. 
 
40 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 Gen. Slocum, who commanded the left and centre ot the division, gen 
 erously furnished me with all the assistance I required. Among the troops 
 engaged on our side were three companies of the Twenty-seventh New 
 York. All the troops engaged behaved with great steadiness. 
 
 Our loss in the action was over 200, in killed, wounded and missing. 
 I regret to add a long list of killed and wounded among the officers en 
 gaged. 
 
 Capt. Hess, of the Thirty-first New York, with a single company in 
 front of a regiment of the enemy, was killed, and his two lieutenants were 
 wounded one mortally, and the other severely. Of this one company all 
 the non-commissioned officers, save one, were killed, and forty privates 
 killed and wounded, evincing a degree of heroism which is worthy of all 
 praise. 
 
 All the troops engaged behaved with great steadiness, and there were 
 many other instances of heroism among the officers and men brought to 
 my notice, but they are too numerous to be included in a report. 
 
 The enemy committed inhuman barbarities upon some of the wounded. 
 One was found with his throat cut, and another bore the marks of eight 
 bayonet stabs in his body. 
 
 I have no means of ascertaining correctly the force of the enemy. We 
 know, however, that it was at least Gen. Whiting s division, including the 
 Hampton Legion. Besides this large body of the enemy, a reserve at 
 least 20,000 strong was supporting the attacking force. The attack which 
 they made was evidently with a view to prevent the division molesting 
 their line of retreat, and to drive us into the river, if they obtained the 
 advantage. The gunboats rendered efficient service by throwing shells 
 into the enemy, at a distance of two miles. At the end of the day we 
 occupied a position in advance of that held at the commencement of the 
 action. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN NEWTON, 
 Commanding Right Wing General Franklin s Division. 
 
ROSTER OF SIXTH ARMY CORPS. 
 
 MAJOR-GEN. WM. B. FRANKLIN, COMMANDING. 
 IN THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN, 1862. 
 
 FIRST DIVISION. 
 
 Major-General II. \V. SLOCUM, Commanding. 
 First Brigade. Col. A. T. A. ToRBKRT. 1st, 2cl, 3d and 
 4th New Jersey Volunteers. 
 
 Second Brigade. Col, J. J. BAkTLKTT. i6th and 2;th 
 New York, 5th Maine and Q6th Pennsylvania. 
 
 Third Brigade. Brigadier-Gen. JOHN NEWTON. iSth, 
 3 1st and 32d New York Volunteers, and 95th Pennsylvania 
 (Gosline Zouaves.) 
 
 ARTILLERY. 
 
 Platt s Battery D, 2d United States Six Napoleon guns. 
 
 Porter s A, Massachusetts Four lo-pound Parrott guns; 
 two 12-pound howitzers. 
 
 Hexamer s A, New Jersey Four lo-pound Parrott guns; 
 two 12-pound howitzers. 
 
 Wilson s F, New York Four 3-inch Ordnance guns. 
 
 SECOND DIVISION. 
 
 Major-Gen. WILLIAM F. SMITH, Commanding. 
 
 First Brigade. Brigadier-Gen. W. S. HANCOCK. 5th 
 Wisconsin, 49th Pennsylvania, 43d New York, 6th Maine. 
 
 Second Brigade. Brigadier-Gen. W. H. BROOKS. 2d, 3d, 
 4th, 5th and 6th Vermont Volunteers. 
 
 Third Brigade. Brigadier-Gen. DAVIDSON. 33d, 77th, 
 49th New York Volunteers, and 7th Maine Volunteers. 
 
 ARTILLERY. 
 
 Ayres s F, 5th United States Four lo-pound Parrotts 
 and two Napoleons. 
 
 Mott s 3d New York Battery Four lo-pound Parrotts 
 and two Napoleons. 
 
 Wheeler s E, 1st New York Four 3-inch Ordnance guns. 
 
 Kennedy s 1st New York Battery Six 3-inch Ordnance 
 guns. 
 
42 RECORD OF 2JTH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 The next morning after the battle a detail from our regi 
 ment accompanied Gen. Slocum beyond our lines, to ascer 
 tain the position and numbers of the enemy. Marching 
 through the woods, evidences of the conflict of the previ 
 ous day were noticeable on all sides. Large trees were 
 splintered by the gunboat shells, dead soldiers were strewn 
 here and there, and the ambulance force was busy gathering 
 the bodies for burial. As the escort was moving leisurely 
 along, they met two colored men coming in from the en 
 emy s lines. They were carefully questioned by the Gen 
 eral, as to the location and numbers of the enemy. One 
 of the colored men replied: " Bar s heaps ob cicm out in 
 de field. Dis poor uneducated nigger can t count em, but 
 dey s like the locusts of Egypt, and dat s as near as I can 
 cipher it, Massa." The escort. did not advance further, but 
 soon after returned to camp. Two days the regiment lay 
 in camp three miles from the battle-field, at Brick House 
 Point, and on the nth moved to Eltham. While here 
 Gen. McClellan rode through our camp, and the same day 
 it \vas announced that the enemy had evacuated Norfolk. 
 We then began to move up the peninsula, in the rear of 
 the rebel army, which was gradually drawing closer to 
 Richmond. 
 
A LOYAL SECESSION SONG. 43 
 
 As we advanced, in a deserted rebel encampment we 
 found numerous loyal secession songs, which their soldiers 
 were encouraged to sing. The following is a sample : 
 
 Come, all ye sons of freedom, and join our Southern band ; 
 We are going to fight the enemy, and drive them from our land. 
 Justice is our motto, and Providence our guide, 
 So jump into the wagon, and we ll all take a ride. 
 
 CHORUS Wait for the wagon, 
 
 The dissolution wagon ; 
 The South is our wagon, 
 And we ll all take a ride. 
 
 Secession is our password, and our rights we ll all demand, 
 And to defend our firesides we pledge our hearts and hands ; 
 Jeff. Davis is our President, with Stephens by his side, 
 Brave Beauregard, our General, will join us in the ride. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Our wagon s plenty large enough, our running-gear is good, 
 It s stuffed with cotton around the sides, and made of Southern wood 
 South Carolina is the driver, with Georgia by her side, 
 Virginia will hold our flag up, and we ll all take a ride. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 There s Tennessee and Texas also in the ring ; 
 They wouldn t have a government where Cotton isn t king ; 
 Alabama, too, and Florida have long ago replied ; 
 Mississippi is in the wagon, and anxious for a ride. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Kentucky and Maryland are slow ; 
 They must join ere long, or where will they go? 
 The Missouri boys are ready to join our noble tide, 
 So come along, brave Jackson, and join us in the ride. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Our cause is just and holy, our men are brave and true ; 
 To whip the Lincoln invaders, is all we have to do. 
 God bless our noble army, in Him we all confide, 
 So jump into the wagon, and we ll all take a ride. 
 
 CHORUS Wait for the wagon, 
 
 The dissolution wagon ; 
 The South is our wagon, 
 And we ll all take a ride. 
 
44 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 On the 1 3th started at 3 A. M., and after a ten-mile march 
 in the scorching sun, we reached the sandy plain of Cum 
 berland. Here we formed a junction with our main army, 
 that had come up from Yorktown by way of Williamsburg. 
 Soon after getting into camp, the enemy made a dash on 
 our wagon train, which created some alarm. We were 
 called into line, but the excitement was soon over. Cum 
 berland was made a base of supplies for the Army of the 
 Potomac ; and while here Gen. McClellan organized two 
 additional army corps : the Fifth Corps to be commanded 
 by Fitz John Porter, and the Sixth Corps to be commanded 
 by Franklin. By this change, Franklin s division and 
 W. F. Smith s division constituted the Sixth Corps, and 
 Gen. Slocum assumed command of the First Division. 
 Col. Bartlett was put in command of Slocum s brigade, and 
 the 2/th Regiment was commanded by Lieut.-Col. Adams. 
 
 May 1 5th, broke camp at daylight, and marched to White 
 House (about eight miles), on the Pamunky River, a place 
 where it is said Gen. Washington first met the widow Custis, 
 who afterwards became his wife. Rained hard all day ; the 
 roads muddy, and baggage delayed. All agreed that it was 
 one of the most fatiguing marches the regiment had ever 
 made. We were not allowed to take the fence rails for 
 fires, and we passed a cheerless, tedious night. 
 
 May 2Oth, marched to Tunstall s Station. Here the mile- 
 posts on the railroad read: "To Richmond 18 miles." 
 Towards evening, advanced three miles, and bivouacked 
 after dark. The next day we moved on to Cold Harbor, 
 on the Chickahominy River ; and on the morning of the 
 22d, in company with the i6th New York, a section of ar 
 tillery, and two companies of the First New York Cavalry, 
 we were sent on a reconnoissance towards Mechanicsville, 
 under command of Col. Bartlett, and advanced about six 
 miles, close up to the enemy s lines. After ascertaining 
 the position of the enemy, we returned to camp, where we 
 arrived about 1 1 P. M., having lost only two cavalrymen- 
 one of whom was killed, and the other captured. 
 
 Col. Bartlett was complimented in flattering terms by his 
 
COL. A. D. ADAMS. 
 
46 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 superior officers for his skill, and the important information 
 he had gained as to the position and numbers of the enemy. 
 The next morning Stoneman was heard pounding away at 
 Mechanicsville, which soon fell into our hands. 
 
 On the 2/th broke camp, at daylight, during a hard rain 
 storm, and marched into Mechanicsville. Pitched our tents 
 in a beautiful grove, in the centre of which was a large 
 hotel, built on the crest of a high bank, which sloped back 
 some distance from the Chickahominy. It was a lovely 
 spot, five miles from Richmond, and, in ante-bellum days, 
 a favorite resort for people riding out from the capital, to 
 spend a pleasant afternoon or evening. There were only a 
 half dozen houses in the village, all of which showed the 
 marks of the shelling they had received ; and a shot that 
 passed over a wheat field near by, had cut a trough just 
 below the heads, the size and shape of the under side of 
 the shot, as .clean as it could have been done with a sickle. 
 
 To the left of our position the main army was encamped. 
 Previous to our arrival, the bridges over the Chickahominy 
 had been destroyed, and McClellan built eleven bridges, 
 with logway approaches across the swampy bottom lands 
 which border the stream. These were all soon swept away 
 by a flood, and had to be rebuilt. From this camp we per 
 formed picket duty along the river, going as far north as 
 Meadow Bridge, the enemy saluting us with an occasional 
 shell. One day a twelve-pound conical shell came whistling 
 through the air, and buried itself in the ground near a re 
 serve party. As it did not explode, the men dug it up and 
 took it to a gunner of Upton s battery, who inserted a new 
 fuse, and sent it back, aiming at a supply train that was 
 passing in the distance. It struck and blew up a wagon 
 loaded with ammunition, the gunner sustaining his repu 
 tation of being the best shot in the Army of the Potomac. 
 
 A prominent object of interest to all the soldiers, since 
 landing on the peninsula, has been Prof. Lowe s captive 
 balloon, which is attached to headquarters, and in which 
 some of the officers make an ascent nearly every day, for 
 the purpose of inspecting the rebel lines and watching their 
 
A PERILOUS BALLOON ASCENSION. 47 
 
 movements. Occasionally the rebels train a gun on it, and 
 try to reach it with a shell. They do not succeed, however; 
 but one of these shells, the other morning, came over our 
 lines, and dropped down into the cook-house at Gen. Slo- 
 cum s headquarters, scattering the camp kettles and demor 
 alizing the cooks, who were just then preparing breakfast. 
 Sometimes these ascents are quite perilous, at least the 
 one made by Gen. Fitz John Porter, in front of Yorktown, 
 early in April, proved to be. The following account of it 
 is taken partly from the New York Herald : 
 
 YORKTOWN, Va., April u, 1862. 
 
 The exciting event of the day has been a balloon reconnoissance, by 
 Gen. Fitz John Porter, on a scale of rather larger magnitude than was 
 intended. At 5 o clock in the morning Gen. Porter took his place in 
 Prof. Lowe s balloon. He supposed the usual number of ropes were 
 attached to it, whereas there was only one ; and a place in this, as was 
 afterwards ascertained, had been burned by vitriol used in generating gas. 
 Taking his seat in the car, unaccompanied by any one, the rope was let 
 out to nearly its full length the length is about 900 yards when, sud 
 denly, snap went the cord ! and up went the balloon ! This was an un 
 expected part of the programme. The men below looked up with aston 
 ishment, and the general looked down with equal bewilderment. 
 
 " Open the valve !" shouted one of the men below. " I ll manage it," 
 responded the general. Up went the balloon ! higher ! ! higher ! ! ! It 
 rose with great rapidity, and the wind was taking it directly over the en 
 emy s lines. Bv this time every staff officer and hundreds of others were 
 looking at the run-away monster. It was impossible to describe the anx 
 iety felt and expressed for the fate of him, the brave general, who was 
 thus, apparently, being taken directly into the enemy s hands. In the 
 meantime the general, having no wish to drop in among the rebels, 
 thought it best to let the valve take care of itself ; and, throwing out a 
 little ballast, soon rose out of the reach of the rebel bullets, and employed 
 his time in taking notes of the rebel objects below. Crowds of soldiers 
 rushed from their tents, and he could hear their shouts distinctly. The 
 map of the country was clearly discernible. He saw Yorktown and its 
 works ; York River and its windings. 
 
 Fortunately a counter current of air struck the balloon, and its course 
 was reversed. Its retreat from rebeldom was rapid, and when safely over 
 our lines, he opened the valve, the gas escaped, and down he came. The 
 
48 RECORD Ol< 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 car struck the top of a shelter tent, knocked the tent into " pi," and left 
 him enveloped in a mass of collapsed oil silk. He crawled out, and 
 found himself in the middle of a camp, not a hundred rods from Gen. 
 McClellan s headquarters ; and was soon surrounded by the members of 
 his staff and a squad of cavalry, who had ridden out in the direction of 
 the descending balloon. 
 
 " You are a suspicious character !" remarked one of the officers. 
 
 "How so?" asked the general. 
 
 " In the space of half an hour, you have been taken up by a balloon, 
 and arrested by a shelter tent." 
 
 Gen. Porter made over one hundred ascents in the bal 
 loon while on the peninsula. 
 
 While at Mechanicsville the battle of Hanover C. H. was 
 fought, May 27th, Gen. Porter commanding ; the Fifth 
 Corps engaging the enemy, who had fallen back from 
 Fredericksburg towards Richmond. Our regiment was 
 ordered to be prepared for action, and the reserve artillery 
 in the grove was made ready for an attack. 
 
 When we were ordered to prepare for action, a recruit in 
 Co. - notified his captain that he did not want to go 
 to the front. He was taken over to headquarters and re 
 ported to Gen. Slocum, when he began to cry, and begged 
 to be sent home. The general made game of him, and 
 called him a big baby. " I wish I was a baby, and a girl 
 baby, too !" whimpered the soldier. His tears, however, 
 did not avail, and he was sent back to his company, where 
 he soon learned that he could not clear right out every 
 time a fight was brewing. 
 
 The roar of Porter s conflict was distinctly heard, and 
 all indications pointed to an engagement in which the 27th 
 would again be numbered. Nothing came of it, however, 
 as Porter soon routed the enemy. 
 
 On the night of the 3Oth occurred one of those terrible 
 thunder storms for which Virginia is noted. The rain de 
 scended in torrents, the flashes of lightning were vivid and 
 continuous, and the thunder at times seemed to fairly shake 
 the earth, and at others sounded like volleys of musketry. 
 In the morning the low lands were deluged, the Chicka- 
 
A MOVE TO DRAW THE ENEMY S FIRE. 49 
 
 hominy had overflowed its banks, the bridges were swept 
 away, a nd the army had been cut in two by the rapid and 
 unlooked-for rise ! The enemy, taking advantage of this 
 condition of things, determined to fall upon, and if possible 
 crush that portion south of the river. Accordingly, on the 
 3 ist, the battle of Fair Oaks was fought; and June 1st, 
 that of Seven Pines. During the latter battle our regiment 
 was called out, and made a feint upon the rebel videttes at 
 the Mechanicsville bridge, but elicited no response. All 
 day we could see their columns moving towards Fair Oaks, 
 but we were cut off from crossing the river to the support 
 of our troops. 
 
 June ist, the regiment went on* picket, and received a 
 good shelling from one of the enemy s batteries. A few 
 rounds from one of our batteries soon silenced them. The 
 paymaster arrived on June 2d,and we received two months 
 pay. 
 
 The same day Gen. McClellan issued the following order: 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ^ 
 
 Camp near New Bridge, Va., June 2, 1862. J 
 
 Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac : 
 
 1 have fulfilled at least a part of my promise to you. You are now 
 face to face with the rebels, who are at bay in front of their capital. The 
 final and decisive battle is at hand. Unless you belie your past history, 
 the result cannot for a moment be doubtful. If the troops who labored 
 so patiently and fought so gallantly at Yorktown, and who so bravely won 
 the hard fights at Williamsburg, West Point, Hanover Court House, and 
 Fair Oaks, now prove worthy of their antecedents, the victory is surely 
 ours. The events of every day prove your superiority ; wherever you have 
 met the enemy you have beaten him ; wherever you have used the bayo 
 net, he has given way in panic and disorder. I ask of you now one last 
 crowning effort. The enemy has staked his all on the issue of the coming 
 battle. Let us meet and crush him here, in the very centre of the rebellion. 
 
 Soldiers, I will be with you in this battle, and share its dangers with 
 you. Our confidence in each other is now founded upon the past. Let 
 us strike the blow which is to restore peace and union to this distracted 
 land. Upon your valor, discipline and mutual confidence that result de 
 pends. GEO. B. McCLELLAN, 
 
 Major-General , Commanding. 
 
50 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 June 4th the regiment was again on picket, and on the 
 6th, after returning from picket, received orders to move. 
 We left Mechanicsville just before sunset, and made a de 
 tour of several miles to the right of the direct route, and 
 reached our former camp at New Bridge just before mid 
 night. The next morning we were called in line at 3 A. M., 
 and stood under arms until daylight, expecting an attack. 
 
 During the 8th the regiment was engaged in building 
 corduroy roads across the Chickahominy swamp ; and on 
 the Qth received another lively shelling from one of the 
 enemy s batteries. 
 
 Went on picket again on the 1 3th, and on this date the 
 rebel Gen. Stuart, with about two hundred men, made the 
 entire circuit of our army, capturing two companies of the 
 5th U. S. Cavalry. 
 
 June 1 5th again we were at work on the corduroy ap 
 proaches to the bridges across the Chickahominy, and con 
 tinued at this work till the i8th, when we moved across the 
 river, to the south side. 
 
 There were now eleven of these trestle-work bridges 
 across the river. The one on which we crossed is named 
 Woodbury s Bridge, after Gen. Woodbury, of the Engineer 
 Brigade, who constructed it ; and it was regarded as a tri 
 umph of military engineering. The approach to the bridge 
 on the north side, from the foot of the hill, was of earth, 
 raised about three feet. Deep lateral ditches were made, 
 and the earth from these was thrown upon a layer of brush. 
 There were about twenty cribs built upon the swampy 
 shore and into the stream, and beyond these, six framed 
 trestles. On the other side, there were twenty more cribs, 
 or firm, compact log piers. Stringers extended from cribs 
 to trestles, and from trestles to cribs upon the other side of 
 the stream. Upon these were laid logs of nearly uniform 
 size, for the floor of the bridge ; and these were ballasted 
 on either hand by sticks of timber, which extended parallel 
 with the stringers. The driveway, which was eleven feet 
 between these timbers, was covered with earth. The ap 
 proach to the- bridge from the south side was of raised cor- 
 
BUILDING BRIDGES. 51 
 
 duroy. The length of the whole structure, including the 
 approaches, was 4,200 feet. The length of the bridge 
 proper was nearly 1,100 feet. 
 
 Having crossed, we moved forward over the corduroy, 
 through the wood, into the open country, and went into 
 camp on Garnett s Farm, between the river and the battle 
 field of Fair Oaks. We were now so close to the enemy s 
 lines that when on picket, in the still morning, we could 
 hear roll-call in their camp. Here we constructed bough 
 houses, as a protection from the scorching sun. 
 
 While here we had more road-building, till the 23d, when 
 we took a rest from this work, many of the men having be 
 come sick with malaria, which they had contracted while 
 working in the swamps. 
 
 June 2d, at 9 o clock, we struck tents ; then policed the 
 camp, and pitched tents in regular order, making a nice 
 camp. There was heavy firing on our left most of the day. 
 During the night there was a heavy thunder shower ; the 
 lightning struck and killed two horses in the camp of the 
 96th Pennsylvania. 
 
 Again, at 2 A. M. of the 24th, we heard the bugler sound 
 the notes of reveille, and, after roll-call, were ordered to 
 stack arms, and have all equipments hanging on the stacks, 
 canteens all filled with water, and to hold ourselves in read 
 iness to move at a moment s notice. All day long there 
 was picket-firing on the right. 
 
 The bugle routs us out again, at 3 o clock on the 25th, 
 and we lay on our arms all day ; heavy skirmishing by the 
 pickets all day, till 12 at night. We were called in line 
 three times after dark, but everything quieted down, and 
 we slept the balance of the night. During the forenoon of 
 the 26th all was quiet, and till 3 P. M., when suddenly a per 
 fect storm of cannonading burst on our ears, from the direc 
 tion of Mechanicsville, and continued late into the night. 
 It moved back in the direction of Games Mill, and we infer 
 that our troops are falling back. 
 
 On this date, it will be remembered, Mrs. Howlancl, wife 
 of Col. Howland, of the i6th New York, at her own ex- 
 
52 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 pense, furnished every man in the i6th with a neat, com 
 fortable straw hat. They looked so comfortable this hot 
 morning, that our boys, wearing their fatigue-caps, almost 
 envied them. 
 
 Hark ! At 3 o clock A. M. of the 2/th, the bugle sounds, 
 and we are called out and marched down to protect a bridge 
 across the Chickahominy. Here we lay quiet all the morn 
 ing, stretched under the comfortable shade of the trees. 
 Some played cards ; others dozed away the time, under the 
 soothing influence of the sound of cannon, on the north side 
 of the river, where the Fifth Corps, under Gen. Fitz John 
 Porter, was engaging the enemy. About 2 l>. M. we saw 
 one of Gen. McClellan s aids ride up to division headquar 
 ters, and after a few hurried words with Gen. Slocum, gal 
 lop away. Soon the entire division was ordered into line, 
 and, turning to the left, took the road towards Alexander s 
 Bridge, across the Chickahominy. After crossing, we moved 
 a short distance towards the left of the line of battle, when 
 we were halted, and our brigade was detached from the 
 division, and marched rapidly to the right, behind the en 
 tire line of battle, to the extreme right flank. The shot 
 and shell of the enemy s guns, passing over the line of bat 
 tle, fell in our ranks all along the march. This march, mid 
 the din and confusion, the screaming of shot and shell, the 
 " zip " of minie balls, was a good test of the metal of our 
 regiment. 
 
 Reaching the right, we were ordered to seek shelter in a 
 small ravine in the rear and a little to the left of the crest 
 on which Sykes division of regulars and the 5th and loth 
 New York Volunteers were stubbornly holding in check the 
 overwhelming numbers of the advancing rebels. As we lay 
 in line, the half-spent balls from the enemy s guns, passing 
 over the crest, came pattering down all about us, like the 
 big drops of rain on a dusty road, preceding a hard shower 
 in the summer time, their places marked by little puffs 
 of dust, making our position very uncomfortable. We 
 saw that several regiments of the regulars were stag 
 gering under the terrible fire, when our brigade was or- 
 
GALLANT CHARGE AT GAINES MILL. 53 
 
 dered up, and one regiment after another was moved for 
 ward, deployed to the right, and placed in position on 
 the crest. First the i6th New York, led by Col. How- 
 land ; then the Q6th Pennsylvania, Col. John Cake; the 
 5th Maine, Col. Jackson; and then the 27th, led by Lieut.- 
 Col. Adams, and Gen. Bartlett, in person, was ordered 
 to fix bayonets, and, with three ringing cheers, charged at 
 double quick up the slope, driving the enemy from the left 
 crest of the hill, on which there was a dwelling and numer 
 ous out-houses. No rebel troops, however brave, could 
 stand the unearthly yell that we had learned to give. A 
 part of our line encountered a picket fence, along a garden 
 near the McGee house. This they quickly battered down 
 with the butt end of their muskets, and moved on and took 
 possession of the dwelling and out-houses, from which the 
 enemy had been driven, capturing several prisoners, and 
 among them two officers. A large body of fresh troops 
 soon appeared in our front, but every man held to his place 
 and nobly maintained the fight, without giving an inch of 
 ground to the enemy, until long after darkness came over 
 us, and the position of the rebels could be known only by 
 the flash of their guns. 
 
 About dark it was reported to our Colonel that the i6th 
 had moved partly into our front, and that we were firing 
 on our own men. He gave the order to cease firing, but at 
 that moment our supposed friends poured a volley into us, 
 at close range, which our boys, not \vaiting for orders, re 
 turned with interest, and the rebel regiment turned and fled 
 down the road whence they came. We continued to fire, 
 aiming at the flash of the enemy s guns, until near 9 o clock, 
 when Gen. Bartlett, riding up, gave the order to retire. We 
 now discovered that we were the last regiment to leave the 
 field, all the regiments on the right having been withdrawn ; 
 and the order did not come a minute too soon, for a brigade 
 of rebels had already advanced past our left, and were al 
 most in our rear. The regiment left the field in good order, 
 marching as if on parade, and bringing off nearly all our 
 wounded, including Major Gardiner, who had been disabled 
 
MAJOR C. C. GARDINER. 
 
A MAN SHOT WITH A CRACKER. 55 
 
 early in the action by the concussion of a shell ; and Capt. 
 White, of Co. B, who had been shot through the hip, and 
 was lying on the ground in rear of his company. 
 
 Again a line of battle was formed, near the ravine in 
 which we took shelter in the afternoon, and we remained 
 here till about 12:30, when we retired across the river, and 
 returned to the camp that we had left in the morning. 
 
 In this battle there were several incidents which many of 
 the men will recall. In Company " C," just as the charge 
 was ordered, a certain man threw a cracker at private , 
 who, previous to this battle, had been on detached service. 
 The cracker hit him on the leg, when he fell as if shot, and 
 left the field. The next day he was read off on parade as 
 a coward. 
 
 Two men in the same company, during the hottest of the 
 firing, stood up and had a fierce fist fight. One, it seems, 
 had stepped upon the other while he was lying down, and 
 the other demanded satisfaction. The captain had to 
 move to the left of the line and part them. 
 
 In Company " B," tw^o men were shot through the leg by 
 the same ball, and afterwards both of them died from the 
 shock, after undergoing amputation. 
 
 As we withdrew from the field and approached the river, 
 numerous little fires were burning, at which soldiers were 
 stationed to direct stragglers to their regiments. These 
 men were calling out : " This way to the 1st Jersey ! " " This 
 way to the loth New York!" etc.; and, a little further on, 
 some wag had seated himself on a gate post, and was call 
 ing out, " This way for Broadway and Fifth Ave !" His 
 grim humor put new life into many a weary limb, and woke 
 up the irrepressibles all along the line. 
 
 During the night, all the Federal forces were withdrawn 
 to the south side of the Chickahominy ; the last of the rear 
 guard crossing after daylight, destroyed the bridge behind 
 them. 
 
 In this battle of Games Mill the regiment lost heavily: 
 12 men were killed, 10 officers and 106 men wounded, and 
 23 men missing. 
 
CAPT. H. R. WHITE, Co. " B. 
 
CASUALTIES AT GAINES MILL. 57 
 
 Every man in the regiment has reason to feel proud of 
 his record made in this engagement. The brilliant charge 
 of the regiment up the slope, and the stubborn manner in 
 which they held the ground from which the regulars had 
 been driven, even in the face of the fresh troops that the 
 enemy hurled against the position, and the steady manner 
 and perfect order in which they made the retreat, were fully 
 recognized in the general orders of commanding officers. 
 
 All about us, in the gathering darkness, lay the bodies of 
 the dead and wounded ; the blue and the gray were mixed. 
 The gray, the blue, and the artillerymen, in their red- 
 trimmed uniforms, lay side by side, while the blood flowing 
 from their wounds mingled together. So night closed upon 
 the second of the " seven-days " fight in front of Richmond. 
 
 The Fifth Corps had for hours alone withstood the as 
 saults of a rebel force aggregating, towards night, between 
 sixty and seventy thousand men ; and, at the close, with 
 the aid of the two fresh divisions Slocum s and French s, 
 with the Irish brigade had caused the armies of Jackson 
 and Lee to halt. 
 
 Twenty-two cannon fell into the hands of the enemy, the 
 horses having been killed or wounded. Including the two 
 supporting divisions, the troops under Purler numbered 
 about thirty-three thousand men. 
 
 At the battle of Games Mill the Union loss was: 894 
 killed; 3107 wounded; 2836 missing; total, 6837, or one 
 in four engaged. On the Confederate side the loss in killed 
 and wounded was much greater than ours. 
 
 The following statement from Comrade Wm. H. Lay, of 
 Co. " D," will be of special interest to the friends of the 
 killed and wounded in the battle of Games Mill : 
 
 " On the day of the battle, I made a mistake in not keep 
 ing with the regiment when it fell back to the second line. 
 I remained to re-load my piece and give the rebs. one more 
 shot, before doing so. On going back to the line, which 
 had re-formed about ten rods to the rear, and while passing 
 a negro cabin, I heard Col. Adams give the order: " The 
 2/th this way." I turned in behind the cabin, and was, 
 
58 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 with two others, ordered by the colonel to go inside and 
 get Henry Frazer, of Co. " H," who was seriously wounded, 
 and carry him to the rear. 
 
 While doing so, our whole line fell back the enemy ad 
 vanced, and we were caught ! This was soon after dark, 
 and we were placed in a garden near by, until morning, by 
 which time the number of prisoners had greatly increased. 
 Soon after daylight, ten or fifteen of us were paroled, and 
 detailed as nurses to care for our wounded about 250 in 
 number the most of whom were scattered over the field 
 where they fell. We did not finish gathering them all in 
 from the field until Sunday afternoon, the 2Qth, two days 
 after the battle. All the prisoners, except the nurses and 
 wounded, were sent to Richmond. 
 
 The suffering of the wounded was intense, as the pangs 
 of hunger were added to the pain from their wounds and 
 the torture of the amputation table. We were without 
 food of any consequence until the 4th day of July, when 
 the enemy brought and issued to us flour, bacon, salt, etc. 
 The flour we made into dough, and baked it on flat stones, 
 placed around a fire built out in the field. This, though 
 as heavy as lead, the men eagerly devoured, and seemingly 
 could never get enough to satisfy the cravings of their 
 hunger. Death came to the relief of many of the boys, 
 whose remains we buried after sundown and before sunrise, 
 as we were too weak to dig graves under the hot sun. 
 
 The following is a partial list of the 2/th boys who died 
 there, and were buried by us: Corp. James H. Burlison, of 
 Co. "G;" Eugene Rappel, of Co. " G ;" Henry M. Gould, 
 of Co. "G;" Alexander Miles, of Co. " G." 
 
 I searched among the dead for the bodies of Irwin Burge 
 and Ira Frederick, of Co. " D," who were killed during 
 the charge, but did not succeed in finding them. They, no 
 doubt, were covered, as were the bodies of others scattered 
 all over the field, by a burial party of the enemy, which I 
 saw at work throwing a little soil over them. 
 
 At the end of eighteen days, all who were left there were 
 transferred to the hospital at Savage Station, where we re- 
 

 BATTLE OF GAINES MILL. 
 
 [A, 
 
 Morell s Division < /?. 
 (C. 
 
 Butterfield s Brigade. 
 Martindale s " 
 Griffin s " 
 
 fZ>, G, S. Warren s Brigade. 
 Sykes Division -j J- /^y 
 
 \PtoH. 
 
 Chapman s 
 Buchanan s 
 Bartlett s 
 
 ^ K. Meade s Brigade. 
 
 McCall s Division-; L. Seymour s " 
 
 I M. Reynold s " 
 
 N, Cavalry. 
 
 Artillery Reserve - - 
 
 - 
 
M CLELLANS DISPATCH. 59 
 
 mained about two weeks, when the wounded were all placed 
 aboard cars and forwarded, via Richmond, to City Point, to 
 be paroled. The nurses, after reaching Richmond, were 
 confined in Libby Prison. Here two more weeks slowly 
 melted away, at the end of which time the occupants of 
 old Libby were transferred to Bell Isle, and fed on " fly 
 soup," u beef-hair soup," and once a day a morsel of bread 
 and meat. Sweeter bread, meat and soup, I never tasted 
 before or since(?) 
 
 On the I4th day of September, the seven thousand pris 
 oners, who had been packed in the small space of two acres, 
 were released on parole, and escorted by rebel cavalry down 
 the James River to Aiken s Landing; were placed on board 
 of our transports that w r ere there waiting for us, and were 
 once more under the old flag. 
 
 The following is an extract from Gen. McClellan s dis 
 patch to the Secretary of War, dated Savage s Station, 
 12:30 A. M., June 28th. 
 
 " I now know the whole history of the day. On this side of the river, 
 the right bank, we repulsed several strong attacks ; on the left bank, our 
 men did all that soldiers could accomplish, but they were overwhelmed 
 by vastly superior numbers, soon after I had brought my last reserves into 
 action. The loss on both sides is terrible : I believe it will prove to be 
 the most desperate battle of the war. The sad remnants of my men be 
 haved as men ; those battalions who fought most bravely, and suffered 
 most, are still in the best order. My regulars were superb, and I count 
 upon what are left to turn another battle, in company with their gallant 
 comrades of the volunteers. Had I twenty thousand, or even ten thou 
 sand, fresh troops to use to-morrow, I could take Richmond ! But I have 
 not a man in reserve, and shall be glad to cover my retreat and save the 
 material and the personnel of the army. If we have lost the day, we have 
 yet preserved our honor, and no one need blush for the Army of the 
 Potomac." 
 
60 RECORD OF 2/TJL REGIMENT N. V. VO1.S. 
 
 The following extracts are from the official reports : 
 
 Report of Brigadier-Gen. Henry W. Slocum, command 
 ing First Division. 
 
 CAMP NEAR HARRISON S LAXDINI;, Va., ^ 
 July 8, 1862. j 
 
 SIR : On the- 27th of June last, in obedience to orders received from 
 Gen. Franklin, 1 ordered the brigade commanded .by Gen. Newton to 
 cross Alexander s Bridge, to the left bank of the Chickahominy, to the 
 support of Gen. Porter. The order was received at 2 o clock r. M., and 
 the brigade immediately moved, in light marching order. At 2:30 i 1 . M. 
 I was ordered to cross at the same point, with the remainder of my division. 
 The movement was executed at once, and Gen. Taylor s brigade crossed 
 at about 3 ! . M., followed by the brigade of Col. Bartlett. 
 Having received no specific directions as to the disposition of the remain 
 ing brigade, under command of Col. Joseph J. Bartlett, of the 2yth New 
 York, I directed Col. Bartlett to take position on the extreme left of the 
 line, near the new road leading through the valley, from Dr. Games house 
 to Alexander s Bridge. On approaching the point indicated, Col. Bartlett 
 found our troops engaged to the right of his position, and immediately 
 moved his brigade to their support. He was subsequently ordered to the 
 right of the line, to support Gen. Sykes, whose troops, fatigued by the 
 long contest of this and the previous day, were nearly overpowered by the 
 overwhelming numbers of the enemy. Porter s battery (A), of the First 
 Massachusetts Artillery, was assigned to the command of Col. Bartlett, 
 and remained with his brigade during the day. * 
 
 As to the conduct of the officers and men of my division, I have only 
 to say that the division entered the field 8,000 strong, and that the list of 
 killed, wounded and missing amounts to 2,021. These lists attest the 
 devotion and heroism of officers and men. Notwithstanding this fearful 
 loss, all the regiments left the field in good order, and returned to their 
 camps in the same compact and orderly manner that marked their march to 
 the scene of conflict. The brigade commanders, Gens. Newton and Taylor, 
 and Col. Bartlett, are^each entitled to the greatest praise, not only for 
 their heroic conduct on the field, but for their untiring efforts after the 
 close of the action, in bringing off the wounded, and in maintaining order 
 and steadiness amid the prevalent confusion. 
 
 The loss of the division in officers was particularly severe, not only in 
 numbers, but in the character of those killed and wounded. Col. Tucker 
 
SLOCUM S. AND IJAKTLKTT S RKPOKTS. 61 
 
 .nul Major Rycrson, of the Second New Jersey, and Lieut. -Col. Heath, of 
 the Fiftli Maine, were killed while gallantly discharging their duty. Their 
 loss is deeply felt in their regiments and throughout the division, and will 
 be lamented by a wide circle of friends. Col. Gosline and Maj. Hubbs, 
 of the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania, and Lieut. -Col. Marsh, of the Sixteenth 
 New York, were mortally wounded, and have since died. Col. Howland, 
 of the Sixteenth New York ; Col. Pratt, of the Thirty-First New York ; 
 Col. Jackson, of the Fifth Maine ; Maj. Gardiner, of the Twenty-seventh 
 New York ; and Maj. Hatfield, of the First New Jersey, were so severely 
 wounded as to be rendered unfit for duty. 
 
 Of the many other officers of less rank the non-commissioned officers 
 and soldiers I cannot speak in detail. Like soldiers and like men, they 
 performed their duty and met their fate, and a grateful country will long 
 bear them, and the thousand nameless heroes of this conflict, who have 
 offered up their lives at the nation s shrine, in lasting and honored remem 
 brance. 
 
 H. W. SLOCUM, 
 
 Commanding First Division Sixth Corps. 
 
 Report of Col. Jos. J. Bartlett, Twenty-Seventh New 
 
 York Infantry, Commanding Second Brigade, 
 
 of the Battle of Games Mill. 
 
 H ORS 2D BRK;ADK, (JEN. SLOCUM S Div., GTII PROV. ARMY CORPS, / 
 HARRISON S LANDING, Ya., July 7, 1862. ^ 
 
 SIR : At daylight on the 2yth of June, I put my command under arms, 
 in light marching order, in compliance with orders from Brigadier-Gen. 
 H. W. Slocum, commanding division, and moved at 5:30 A. M. to a posi 
 tion near Duane s Bridge. About 10 o clock A. M. I was ordered to move 
 back to camp. While on the march the enemy opened a heavy fire of 
 artillery upon our lines, and I was once more ordered back to the bridge, 
 to prevent any attempted passage by the enemy, who were now threaten 
 ing Gen. Porter s forces on the left bank of the Chickahominy. 
 
 After partially destroying the bridge, by order of Gen. W. B. Franklin, 
 commanding Sixth Provisional Army Corps, I was relieved by a portion 
 of Gen. Brooks brigade, and marched about 2:30 o clock, pursuant to 
 orders of Gen. Slocum, to cross Woodbury s Bridge, and hasten to the 
 assistance of Gen. Porter s forces, who were at the time being severely 
 
62 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 pressed. I accordingly reported to Brigadier-Gen. Slocum, on the first 
 hill rising above the river on its left bank, about 4 o clock P. M., and was 
 ordered by him to proceed to the extreme left and engage an enemy, who 
 seemed at that distance to be turning our flank. Nearing the position 
 indicated, it was found to be thoroughly protected by Acting Brigadier- 
 Gen. Averell s cavalry and Rush s lancers, and that the enemy was being 
 driven by our infantry through the woods. I discovered, however, that 
 our troops were being repulsed in my immediate front, and hastened to 
 form line of battle to support our hard-pressed lines. The Sixteenth 
 New York, which led my brigade, was already formed and moving for 
 ward, when I was ordered by an aid-de-camp of Gen. Porter, command 
 ing, to report with my command on the extreme right of the field, to 
 Brigadier-Gen. Sykes, commanding the division of regular infantry, 
 which I did at about 4:30 p. M., suffering a loss of fifteen killed and 
 wounded, by round shot and shell, while making the flank march across 
 the whole length of the battle-field from left to right. 
 
 Immediately upon reporting to Gen. Sykes, I was permitted to cover 
 my command in a ravine to his rear and right, and allow the men to rest, 
 of which they were greatly in need. Capt. Porter s First Massachusetts 
 battery reported to me at this juncture for orders, and seeing no chance 
 to engage the battery, commanded as it was by an officer whose rare merits 
 and brilliant reputation were well known to me, I was obliged to shelter 
 it in the ravine in rear of my infantry, which position it kept until an 
 enfilading fire from a battery on the extreme left of the enemy s line was 
 poured upon it, to which it was impossible to reply from any position 
 that could be taken up by him. I then ordered it to take position to the 
 rear in the second line. 
 
 At 5 o clock P. M. I was ordered by Gen. Sykes to bring forward my 
 men to support the troops on his left and a portion of his own command, 
 who were unable longer to withstand the fierce attacks and withering fire 
 of the enemy, who were slowly but surely forcing back the right of the 
 entire line of battle. At this juncture I ordered forward the Sixteenth 
 New York Volunteers, Col. Joseph Howland commanding. From the 
 position of the regiment it was necessary to change front forward on first 
 company under the most terrific fire of musketry, with the shells and 
 round shot of two batteries raking over the level plain, making it seem 
 ingly impossible for a line to withstand the fire a single instant. But 
 with the calmness and precision of veteran soldiers the movement was 
 executed, and the line, giving three cheers, long and loud, rushed on to 
 relieve their now routed friends, led by their noble colonel and myself in 
 
BARTLETT S REPORT. 63 
 
 person. The position was gained, and I then ordered up the Ninety-sixth 
 Pennsylvania, Col. Cake commanding, to continue my line to the left. 
 The murderous fire across the plain rendered it almost impossible for 
 their gallant colonel, aided by Lieutenant-Col. Frick and Major Martin, 
 to form his line of battle ; and I am pained to state that their noble exer 
 tions were not in many instances seconded by some of the line officers, 
 who lacked that impulsive enthusiasm and cool determination required of 
 them under such trying circumstances, and I was forced to lead forward 
 the third regiment in line, the 5th Maine Volunteers, Col. N. J. Jackson. 
 This regiment also changed its front in the most soldierly manner, and 
 under the sweeping storm of iron and leaden hail, sent up their battle- 
 shout and rushed upon the enemy, forcing back his lines and holding the 
 crest of the hill in our front, from which our troops had so recently been 
 driven. 
 
 The Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers, Lieut. -Col. A. D. Adams 
 commanding, was now ordered to the front, and after executing the same 
 maneuver of changing front under the same scathing fire, charged bayo 
 nets, and giving three ringing cheers rushed at double quick upon the 
 enemy, who occupied the left crest of the hill, on which was a dwelling 
 and numerous outhouses ; nor did they stand to meet the impetuosity of 
 their charge, but retreated so precipitately that they left as prisoners in 
 our hands two of their officers, who were vainly endeavoring to make 
 them stand their ground. Thus the left and right of my line of battle 
 being retaken and established, and the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volun 
 teers being in line and eager for the fight, I ordered them to the front, 
 and most nobly now did they respond to the command. No officer or 
 man faltered, and their solid and unwavering line pressed forward to 
 their position, and completed the front. 
 
 The enemy now hurled his fresh troops in double numbers against my 
 line, directing his heaviest fire upon my left, and the Twenty-seventh New 
 York Volunteers and Fifth Maine staggered back under the fearful fire ; 
 but it was the recoil of the lion to gather new strength to support the un 
 daunted resolution of every breast, and once more every man sprang to 
 the front, where they nobly maintained the fight, without giving an inch 
 of ground to the enemy, until long after darkness showed the flash of 
 every musket, and revealed to the enemy how small a force was holding 
 them in check. 
 
 To meet the fire which came from our left, Col. Howland, who held 
 the right of my position, changed front forward on tenth company, and 
 the line thus established held its position until all firing of musketry had 
 
64 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 ceased on the field, except that from my own brigade; and not until nearly 
 every cartridge had been expended, was the order given i to retire behind 
 our batteries, which were posted about 600 yards in the rear. 
 
 In retiring, I first withdrew my right regiment in line of battle, then 
 the next from the right, holding the two left regiments to protect the 
 movements, as I was completely flanked on the left by a brigade of the 
 enemy, which he had moved up in the darkness from the woods, and had 
 just opened a galling cross-fire upon my left and rear. 
 
 The withdrawal of my brigade was done under my immediate com 
 mand, regiment by regiment, and in as good order as when they were 
 taken into the field. 
 
 From the moment my troops were engaged up to 8:30 o clock p. M. (at 
 which hour it was too dark to distinguish an enemy at the distance of fifty 
 paces), they nobly held the position assigned to them, and regretted the 
 necessity which compelled them to retire from the field. I formed a new 
 line of battle in front of the hospital on the second hill from the bridge, 
 with the Twenty-seventh and Sixteenth New York, and a part of the Fifth 
 Maine, the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers having, by some unac 
 countably mistaken order, recrossed the bridge and returned to their camp. 
 At 12:30 A. M . I was ordered to recross the Chickahominy, and repair to 
 the camp occupied by the brigade before the battle. 
 
 With many painful regrets I have to report the loss of five hundred 
 officers and men. It is with sorrow that I record the death of Lieutenant- 
 Col. W. S. Heath. Fifth Maine Volunteers, who was killed by a rifle-shot 
 through the forehead, while gallantly leading his men to the charge. Col. 
 N. }. Jackson being wounded in the arm in the first part of the engage 
 ment, the command devolved upon this able, accomplished and devoted 
 officer, who fell nobly discharging his duties to his regiment, his State, 
 and his country. Lieutenant-Col. Samuel Marsh, Sixteenth New York 
 Volunteers, was mortally wounded in the neck by a minie ball whilst 
 riding in front of his regiment, waving his sword and cheering his men 
 on to noble deeds. The service has lost in Lieutenant-Col. Marsh an able 
 officer and a true patriot, and his brother officers a genial companion and 
 a noble friend. Lieut. E. T. Ellrich, Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volun 
 teers, and Lieut. A. M. Barnard, Sixteenth New York Volunteers, were 
 killed while faithfully and fearlessly discharging their duties. 
 
 Were I to direct your attention to the bravery and efficiency, the cool 
 ness or the intrepidity of any individual officer, I fear I should by impli 
 cation wrong the majority of my command. In the reports made to me 
 bv the commanding officers of regiments, none have been more favorably 
 
BARTLKTT S RETORT. 6$ 
 
 mentioned than others, while all assign the same reason for the omission 
 of a time-honored practice that when all were brave, energetic and effi 
 cient, no invidious distinction could be drawn. It is left for me, therefore, 
 to mention only those whose modesty restrained them from recounting 
 their own valor and efficiency. 
 
 I would particularly mention Col. Take, Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania 
 Volunteers, who exhibited rare traits of military excellence. Cool, ener 
 getic, fearless and decided, with the assistance of Lieutenant-Col. Frick 
 and Major Martin, he has won an enviable name for his regiment, which 
 will always be sustained while the command rests in its present hands. 
 
 To Col. Joseph Howland I am indebted for maintaining the extreme 
 right of my line ; for nobly leading his regiment to the charge, and re 
 taking two guns from the enemy. Whatever of noble, moral, physical, 
 and manly courage has ever been given by God to man, has fallen to his lot. 
 Cheering his men on to victory, he early received a painful wound, but 
 with a heroism worthy of the cause he has sacrificed so much to maintain, 
 he kept his saddle until the close of the battle, and not till then yielded 
 to the painful and exhausted condition to which he had been reduced. 
 
 Col. N. I. Jackson, Fifth Maine Volunteers, was wounded while lead 
 ing his regiment to the charge on the extreme left of the line. His cool 
 ness and clear, decided tones, kept his regiment like one man moving 
 steadily to the front. In him I lose an able, efficient and manly officer. 
 
 Lieut. -Col. A. I). Adams, commanding the Twenty-seventh New York 
 Volunteers, led his regiment in a brave, masterly manner, and maintained 
 one of the most important positions of the line, with a full and clear com 
 prehensiveness of the critical position the whole army would be placed in 
 were he to falter or give way. He was everywhere, encouraging and di 
 recting his men, and three times during the terrible fight we were main 
 taining, he closed up and dressed his thin and serried ranks, and finally 
 led off from the field a weakened but well-aligned battalion. It is enough 
 to say that under his command the Twenty-seventh has fully sustained its 
 former reputation. He was nobly assisted by Major C. C. Gardiner, who 
 was early wounded in the action by a shell. 
 
 Major Seaver, Sixteenth New York Volunteers, established a name on 
 this occasion of which he may well be proud. He was fearless, enthusi 
 astic and efficient, and nobly fills the place made vacant by Col. Howland 
 and the lamented Lieutenant-Col. Marsh. 
 
 I cannot close my report without mentioning Lieut. Robert P. \Yilson, 
 my acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieut. M. K. Richards, my aid- 
 de-camp. Both were all that could be expected of educated, brave and 
 
66 RECORD OF 27TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 dashing young gentlemen. At no moment of the action were they screened^ 
 from the leaden hail that was showered upon the field. Prompt and cor 
 rect in promulgating orders, they exposed themselves along the whole 
 front, and were unceasing in their endeavors to aid me in every way. 
 I ask for them your consideration. 
 
 I herewith annex an official report of killed, wounded and missing, in 
 my brigade. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 JOSEPH J. BARTLETT, 
 
 Colonel 27th N. Y. Vols., Commanding 2(1 Brigade. 
 Capt. II. C. ROGKRS, Act. Assist. Adjutant-General. 
 
 Report of Lieutenant-Col. Alexander D. Adams, Twenty- 
 seventh N. Y. Infantry, of the Battle of Games Mill. 
 
 HDORS. TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT N. Y. Yoi.s., ) 
 
 IN THK FIELD, July 6, 1862. \ 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to transmit a report of the action of the Twenty- 
 seventh Regiment of New York Volunteers, on Friday, the 2yth ultimo. 
 Together with the other regiments composing the brigade, the Twenty- 
 seventh moved from camp at an early hour towards Duane s Bridge, for 
 the purpose of supporting the divisions of Gen. Porter, then being en 
 gaged with the enemy. About 4 o clock p. M. the brigade was moved rap 
 idly down to Woodbury s (or Alexander s) Bridge,* where it crossed, and 
 turning to the left, was marched toward the left of the field of battle on 
 Games Hill. This regiment, being on the left, was first overtaken by an 
 aid-de-camp of Gen. Porter, who desired that it might be halted while he 
 overtook the head of the column, as Gen. Porter desired that Col. Bart- 
 lett s brigade should go to the assistance of the right wing. The delay, 
 however, was momentary. The head of the column filing almost immedi 
 ately toward the right, the regiment resumed its position and marched 
 across in rear of the line of battle, under a heavy fire of artillery and mus 
 ketry, to the position assigned. Here Col. Bartlett, commanding, placed 
 
 *It will be noticed that there is a discrepancy in the reports as to the 
 name of the bridge crossed. It seems that when the order came in the 
 morning for the division to cross the river, the line started over Wood 
 bury s bridge, but was recalled. The advance to the battle was made 
 over Alexander s bridge. 
 
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COL. ADAMS. 67 
 
 the brigade, formed in close column by division, in a ravine, where the 
 men were completely covered, and where they were ordered to lie down 
 and rest until called into action. 
 
 In about thirty minutes the regiments were called up in succession, 
 deployed into line of battle, changed front forward, and thrown across a 
 slightly rising level field toward the enemy, under a severe fire. The right 
 of the Twenty-seventh was directed upon a house surrounded by outbuild 
 ings and an orchard, from which the enemy were firing. When within 
 about fifty yards, and before delivering a shot, at the command, " For 
 ward to the charge !" the line advanced at double-quick, crossed the fence 
 in rear of the house, and came up to the front fence, where it encountered 
 a destructive fire at close range. The enemy did not offer any resistance 
 to the charge, and a rapid, steady fire was opened on him, evidently doing 
 great execution. At this point two officers were taken prisoners and sent 
 to Col. Bartlett. 
 
 A fresh force appearing on the right, the fire of the right wing was 
 directed obliquely against it. Soon after, it was represented that we were 
 firing on our own men, and not knowing how far the Sixteenth New York, 
 whose constant volleys were heard on our right, might have advanced, the 
 order was given to cease firing, and re-form line of battle on the fence in 
 rear before mentioned. 
 
 While this was being coolly executed, the smoke lifted partially, dis 
 closing an apparently fresh line of the enemy in front. The Twenty- 
 seventh was at once advanced to its former position, and again opened an 
 effective fire. The small buildings offered a partial cover to a few of the 
 men, who were enabled to fire with the utmost precision at a rest. The 
 fire of the enemy slackened about dusk for a little, and word was again 
 brought that our own brigade had advanced on the right so as to come 
 within range of the fire of the Twenty-seventh. These reports coming, as 
 before, from officers, induced another order to cease firing, which, how 
 ever, was speedily revoked, as the flashes of the muskets revealed the 
 position of the enemy. Again the line opened, though the rapidly gather 
 ing gloom rendered the aim somewhat uncertain. The cessation of the 
 tiring on the right of the brigade having attracted attention, it was deemed 
 advisable to re-form the line by this time considerably thinned on the 
 fence in rear of the house (about three rods), which offered the nearest ad 
 vantageous position, owing to the location of the various buildings. The 
 appearance of a large force (apparently a brigade) on the left, marching as 
 if to flank this brigade, who responded irregularly to the challenge of the 
 color-bearer (and who were afterwards ascertained to be the enemy), de- 
 
68 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 cided the propriety of this maneuver. While this was being accomplished, 
 Col. Bartlett in person gave the order for the regiment to retire in order. 
 On reaching the ravine from which the brigade had advanced, the regiment 
 found itself in its proper position, on the left ot the column. 
 
 Early in the action two companies or more of the Fifth Maine Volun 
 teers, with Capt. Edwards at the head, asked permission to join the line 
 of the Twenty-seventh, stating that they had become separated from their 
 regiment, their colonel and lieutenant-colonel having fallen, and there 
 being no mounted officer to direct them. The request was at once granted, 
 and they continued with the regiment, doing most efficient service in gal 
 lant style. 
 
 The conduct of officers and men was admirable, the former seeming to 
 vie with each other in the performance of their duties, and the latter wait 
 ing only the word of command, which insured prompt obedience. The 
 temporary confusion caused here and there during the engagement, by the 
 nature of the position, the falling of comrades, and more particularly by 
 the fire of our own battery directly in our rear, the shots from which passed 
 close over, and in three instances caused trifling injuries to the men, was 
 promptly corrected by the united efforts of the officers, non-commissioned 
 officers and men. 
 
 Instances of individual heroism are not wanting, though perhaps not 
 suitable for this report. 
 
 The list of casualties, heretofore sent to headquarters, comprises 12 
 killed, 118 wounded, and 32 missing. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 ALEX. D. ADAMS, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. 
 Lieutenant WIT. SON, 
 Act. Assist. Adjutant-Gen. 2(1 Brigade, Slocum s Division. 
 
 Swinton s " Army of the Potomac," page 151, says : 
 
 "And thus it happened that, while on the north side of the Chicka- 
 hominv, thirty thousand Union troops were being assailed by seventy 
 thousand Confederates, twenty-five thousand Confederates on the south 
 side held in check sixty thousand Union troops ! When therefore, Lee, 
 with all his divisions in hand, made a general advance, it was with an 
 overwhelming weight and pressure. The right held its ground with much 
 stubbornness, repulsing every attack. That wing was held by Sykes 
 division of regulars, and Griffin s brigade, and was subsequently rein 
 forced by Bartlett s brigade, of Slocum s division." 
 
CENERAI. MAdRUDER S REPORT. 69 
 
 Gen. McClellan s entire army was now south of the 
 Chickahominy, and all communication had been cut off 
 with White House Landing. There were probably nearly, 
 if not quite, ninety thousand men for duty in the army 
 after the battle of Games Mill ; and with that body of 
 troops united south of the river, and the main portion of 
 the rebel army on the opposite side, with the bridges de 
 stroyed, the capture of Richmond would seem to have 
 been an easy task, had McClellan seen fit to advance upon 
 the enemy which remained in the works before Richmond. 
 
 The Confederate Gen. Magruder, in his official report of 
 his part in the " Seven-Days " struggle, says : 
 
 " From the time at which the enemy withdrew his forces to this side of 
 the Chickahominy, and destroyed the bridges, to the moment of his evac 
 uation that is, from Friday night until Sunday morning 1 considered 
 the situation of our army as extremely critical and perilous. The larger 
 portion of it was on the opposite side of the Chickahominy, 
 and there were but twenty-five thousand men between his (McClellan s) 
 army of one hundred thousand and Richmond." 
 
 While we were in camp at Mechanicsville, in the early 
 part of June, some of the scouts of McDowell s army 
 reached our lines with the intelligence, that that army was 
 within a few days march of us, and would soon join us. 
 McDowell and Fremont were in the Shenandoah Valley, 
 holding Stonewall Jackson in check, and expecting to come 
 to our support, and help take Richmond. But on the 25th 
 it was learned, through a deserter, that Jackson had eluded 
 McDowell and Fremont, and with fifteen brigades, under 
 Whiting and Ewell, was on his way to join Lee, and attack 
 McClellan. It was Jackson, with these forces, who opened 
 the fight on our right, at Games Mill. 
 
 June 28th. On this date was inaugurated the famous 
 " change of front," or retreat of our army across the penin 
 sula to the James River. The 2/th Regiment was called 
 out at 5 A. M., in heavy marching order, and moved towards 
 the river to support one of our batteries. About 9 o clock 
 we were shelled out by the Confederate batteries on the 
 north side of the river, in the vicinity of Porter s position 
 
/O RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 of yesterday. We were ordered to fall back about a mile, 
 out of range, where we remained till 2 o clock, when we 
 moved down to the river, in the woods, and went on picket 
 duty for the night. 
 
 The next morning, the 29th, we joined in the general 
 movement to the rear, and when we reached Savage s Sta 
 tion, the line was halted and line of battle was formed, 
 facing to the rear. After remaining awhile, we moved on, 
 and the scenes that met our eyes beggar description. It 
 had been found necessary to destroy the Commissary stores 
 and Quartermasters supplies, to prevent their falling into 
 the hands of the enemy. There were many smoldering 
 piles, and others still burning ; and there were deafening 
 and incessant reports from the explosion of shells and am 
 munition among the stores that were being destroyed. 
 A train of cars loaded with ammunition, was set on fire, 
 and then the engine was started, on a down grade, and it 
 made a rapid run for the river; and, the bridge being de 
 stroyed, it plunged in, amid the roar of bursting shells ! 
 
 Here we found the hospitals filled with the wounded 
 from the battle-field of Games Mill. Scores of mangled 
 men lay upon the ground around the hospital tents : their 
 wearied, haggard and smoke-begrimed faces, which looked 
 up to us, appealed not less strongly than their words, that 
 they should not be left to fall into the hands of the enemy. 
 Capt. Wells, of Co. " C," succeeded in getting control of 
 three ambulances, and loaded into them all the wounded 
 of his company, and some other wounded men of the regi 
 ment, and these were taken away before the enemy came up. 
 
 Certainly these scenes were more trying to the spirit of 
 the soldier than the combats that ensued. The narrow 
 roads were choked with the endless trains of artillery, army 
 wagons, and ambulances with their sad burdens. 
 
 Truly, " This is a time that tries men s souls." What is 
 to become of the wounded who cannot bear the jolting and 
 swaying of the ambulances ? Are the hospital tents, with 
 their faithful nurses, to be abandoned to the enemy? It 
 may be that the safety of the army demands it. Various 
 
CAPT. C. A. WELLS, Co. "C 
 
72 RECORD OF 2/T1I REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 arc the reflections of men of diverse temperaments. Now 
 we hoar from a dust-begrimed veteran, with sleepless eyes, 
 an optimist to the core : u I have not the faintest doubt of 
 the final triumph of our cause, and I have the firmest faith 
 in our commander-in-chief." Then one officer replies to 
 another, who asks: "Where are we going?" " To the 
 James, to take transports to Fortress Monroe. The 
 Southern Confederacy will be recognized within a week." 
 
 We moved on from Savage Station, across White Oak 
 Swamp. There was heavy firing in our rear, by the troops 
 in and around Savage Station. After crossing the swamp 
 we went on picket, and remained all night. Early Monday 
 morning, the 3Oth, we were ordered out to support one of 
 our batteries on the right of Charles City road, in a posi 
 tion to prevent the enemy crossing or repairing the bridges, 
 which had now been destroyed. A terrific cannonade was 
 kept up all day, and we were under fire most of the time, 
 but no one was hurt in our regiment, except the adjutant, 
 who was knocked off from his horse. 
 
 We held our ground till 2 o clock A. M. of the 1st of July, 
 when we moved on till 9 o clock, at which time we halted 
 to breakfast, on our small allowance of rations; and again, 
 at noon, to boil coffee, when we moved on to Malvern Hill, 
 and took up a position on the right of the army. Here we 
 went into the woods and threw up small breastworks, as we 
 were ordered to hold this position, to prevent a flank move 
 ment of the enemy. We remained there till 2 o clock on 
 the morning of the 2ci. 
 
 Malvern Hill is an elevated plateau, about a mile and a 
 half by three-fourths of a mile in area ; generally cleared of 
 timber, and converging roads running over it. It possesses 
 great natural advantages. In front are defensible ravines, 
 and the ground, sloping towards the north and east, affords 
 the artillery a clear range. Towards the northwest the pla 
 teau falls abruptly into a flat, extending to the James River. 
 The dwelling which crowns the hill, is a quaint structure 
 of the last century, built of red brick, and stands about a 
 thousand yards from the river, commanding a beautiful 
 
BATTLK OF MAI.YMKN II I LI.. 73 
 
 view of the river for many miles. It was immediately oc 
 cupied as headquarters of the various corps and divisions; 
 and the signal officers took possession of the roof, where 
 their parti-colored flags were to be a guide for the artillery 
 of the gunboats stationed in Turkey Bend. 
 
 It was an eventful period in the retreat to the James. 
 Lee had determined to bag and capture the National army, 
 or drive it into the James. The right of our line was made 
 as secure as possible by barricading the roads and slashing 
 the timber. On the left, it was feared the main attack 
 would be made. Porter s corps held the left, with his ar 
 tillery advantageously posted ; while the reserve artillery 
 was so disposed that the fire of sixty guns could be concen 
 trated on any point in front or to the left. Ten siege guns 
 were planted on the crest of the hill, and all the batteries 
 available were ready to deal out their missiles of death. 
 Between 9 and 10 A. M. the enemy commenced feeling of 
 the left wing. At 2 P. M. a column moved to the right, 
 within the skirt of w r ood in front of Heint/leman, but be 
 yond artillery range, and soon disappeared. About 3 P. M. 
 a heavy artillery fire opened on Kearney s left. The in 
 fantry lay upon the ground until the enemy was within 
 short range when they sprang to their feet, and gave 
 them a deadly volley ! which forced the rebels to retreat 
 in disorder. Again all was quiet till 6 o clock, when brigade 
 after brigade, having formed under cover of the woods in 
 front of Couch and Porter, started on a run across the open 
 plain, and attempted to charge on our batteries ; but the 
 fire of the artillery and infantry sent them reeling back to 
 the woods, leaving the ground covered with their dead and 
 wounded. Then came the bayonet charge of our lines, cap 
 turing many prisoners and colors. It w r ould seem that, after 
 these repulses, they would abandon the undertaking. Not 
 so : again, at 7 P. M., from the dark pine forest, at a double- 
 quick, came their yelling hordes once more, determined, if 
 possible, to take the position so sternly defended ; but they 
 were compelled to retire to the shelter of the ravines, woods 
 and swamps, utterly broken. 
 
74 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Shortly after 9 o clock the artillery ceased its fire, and 
 the Army of the Potomac had again checked the advance 
 of the Confederate Army. 
 
 We had plainly won a battle, and still occupied a position 
 on and around Malvern Hill, from which, it would seem, 
 offensive operations could have been directed against a 
 beaten enemy ; but the order came to fall back, and take 
 position at Harrison s Landing, on the James River. 
 
 Wednesday, July 2d, at 2 A. M., we started on the march, 
 and, though it was short, it was unexampled for mud, slush, 
 vexation and misery. Rain fell incessantly. The roads 
 were mainly used by the artillery and wagons, and the sol 
 diers were compelled to take their way, generally, through 
 the fields and woods. Mud was everywhere, and many lost 
 their shoes, and even stockings, in the clayey, dark-brown 
 mixture. Many fell out by the way, weakened, as they 
 were, by a week s steady marching and maneuvering, and a 
 very small allowance of sleep ; while hunger added its 
 pangs, to help fill our cup of misery. And yet we can all 
 recall the laughter which rang out sometimes at an unlucky 
 fall, accompanied by a curse from the victim. 
 
 So we plodded along till after noon, when we went into 
 camp in an immense wheat field the stalks as high as the 
 waist ; but before night not a green spear or root was dis 
 cernible, as the whole field had become an area of gray 
 paste, by the ceaseless tramp of soldiers and horses. We 
 drew a scanty supply of rations, a half-gill of whiskey, and 
 then lay down and slept soundly till the next morning. 
 
 The familiar sound of cannonading awoke every one early 
 on the 3d, and we were called out in heavy marching order. 
 We stood along the road all day, as the mud was so deep 
 that we could not find a place to sit down. We moved 
 about a mile, and went into camp, in a nice field, drew a 
 full supply of rations, and felt quite recruited. 
 
 July 4th we moved our camp again, about a mile, cleared 
 off the ground, pitched our tents in good order, and found 
 ourselves in a pleasant camp, near a supply of good water. 
 We then turned in to help celebrate the Natal day. The 
 
LOSSES IN THE SEVEN DAYS FIGHT. 75 
 
 gunboats and batteries fired a National salute, just to let 
 the enemy know that the " Yankees" were still alive. 
 
 The week of battle was over; and, according to McClel- 
 lan s reports, " The total loss of our army, in the engage 
 ments from the 26th of June to the 1st of July, inclusive, 
 was 15,849;" that of the Confederate army, 19,749- Tne 
 Confederate losses, in killed and wounded alone, were greater 
 than the total losses of the Army of the Potomac, in killed, 
 wounded and missing. McClellan says : " No praise can be 
 too great for officers and men who passed through these 
 seven days of battle; enduring fatigue without a murmur; 
 successfully meeting and repelling every attack made upon 
 them ; always in the right place at the right time ; and 
 emerging from the fiery orcleal, a compact army of vet 
 erans, equal to any task that brave and disciplined men 
 can be called upon to undertake ! 
 
 Report of Brigadier-Gen. Wm. B. Franklin, commanding Sixth Corps, 
 
 of Operations June 27-July 2, including the Actions at White 
 
 Oak Swamp Bridge, and the Battle of Malvern Hill. 
 
 llKADorARTF.kS SlXTH PllOV. AkMYCoRl S, / 
 
 CAMP NEAR HARRISON S LANDING, Va., July 17, 1862. \ 
 
 GENERAL : I have the honor to make the following report of the action 
 of the corps under my command, between June 27th last and the time of 
 its arrival at this place : 
 
 On June 26th my command was stationed as follows, viz.: Slocum s 
 division was in reserve, encamped on the Courtney Clearing. 
 On the morning of the 27th of June I was ordered to send Gen. Slocum s 
 division to the east side of the Chickahominy, to report to Gen. F. J. Porter. 
 After the division was put in motion, and had partly crossed, the order was 
 countermanded, and the division returned to camp. The order was reit 
 erated about 2 o clock, and the division crossed the river by Alexander s 
 Bridge, and very soon became severely engaged with the enemy. 
 
 On the morning of the 28th of June, finding the enemy in great force 
 
76 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 at Garnett s, a new battery in the valley of the river, and a battery of heavy 
 guns at Games Hill, I withdrew all the forces to the edge of the wood in 
 closing Golding s farm : Slocum s division on the right of the road, and 
 Smith s on the left, connecting with Gen. Simmer s line. We were se 
 verely shelled from all of their batteries, just before the movement com 
 menced, and while it was going on. Just after the movement was com 
 pleted, two Georgia regiments made an attack upon the pickets. They 
 were handsomely repulsed, with great loss, with the help of Capt. Mott s 
 battery. A colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and about twenty privates were 
 taken by our troops. In the morning of the 2gth of June, I was ordered 
 by the commanding general to move my command as follows, viz.: Slo 
 cum s division to Savage Station, in reserve. * * * Gen. Slocum 
 arrived at Savage Station at an early hour, and was directed by the com 
 manding general to cross the White Oak Swamp. 
 
 During the morning of June 3oth I posted Gen. Slocum s division on the 
 right of the Charles City road, by order of the commanding general. 
 
 About noon I was directed to assume command at the position guard 
 ing the crossing of the swamp, and repaired there at once. I found that 
 a terrific cannonade had been opened by the enemy upon the divisions 
 stationed there. * 
 
 The enemy kept up the firing during the whole day, and crossed some 
 infantry below our position, but he made no very serious attempt to cross 
 during the day, and contented himself with the cannonading and the firing 
 of his sharpshooters. 
 
 Nightfall having arrived, and the wagons having all disappeared, I took 
 the responsibility of moving my command to the James River, by a road 
 to the left, which had not been much used, and arrived at headquarters 
 safely, about daylight. * 
 
 On July ist, the two divisions of my command were posted toward the 
 right of the position near Turkey Creek. They held this position during 
 the day and part of the night ; and, in compliance with orders from the 
 commanding general, moved to Harrison s Bar. 
 
 Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men of my com 
 mand, for the fortitude and courage shown by them in the fatiguing and 
 distressing marches made in the interval between June 27th and July 2cl. 
 
 In Gen. Smith s division every march was made at night. In Gen. Slo 
 cum s it was nearly as severe. The nervous excitement of being under fire 
 every day for nearly a week often without the opportunity of returning 
 the fire has caused a prostration from which, in many cases, the men 
 have not yet recovered. 
 
FRANKLIN S AND SLOCUM S REPORTS. 77 
 
 1 think that all of the general officers of the two divisions deserve to 
 be made major-generals, and I hope that they will be so made. 
 
 Col. Pratt, Col. Bartlett and Col. Matheson deserve to be made briga 
 dier-generals. ******** 
 I have the honor to be, General, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. B. FRANKLIN. 
 
 Report of Brigadier-General H. W. Slocum. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH PROV. ARMY CORPS, 
 CAMP NEAR HARRISON S BANDING, Va., July 10, 1862. 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to submit the following report of the move 
 ments of the division under my command, from the close of the battle of 
 Games Mill, on the 2yth ult., until its arrival at its present position. 
 
 The division returned from the battle-field at Games Hill at about 
 IIP. M., leaving on the field, in killed, wounded and missing, one-half of 
 its regimental commanders, about one-fourth of the non-commissioned 
 officers and soldiers, who had so recently crossed the river to the support 
 of Gen. Porter. The men, weary with the labors and excitement of the 
 day, were allowed but little rest. Early the following morning their camp 
 at Courtney s was changed to a position where they could be better shel 
 tered from the fire of the enemy s batteries planted at Garnett s and 
 Games Hill. 
 
 The same evening, the 28th, orders were received by me to move the 
 division to Savage Station, there to await further orders. The movement 
 commenced at n P. M., but was delayed at Trent s Hill, by the passage of 
 other troops, so that the division did not arrive at Savage s until about 
 5 A. M. on Sunday, the 29th. At this place I received orders from Gen. 
 McClellan, in person, to move the division across White Oak Swamp. 
 We crossed at 2 P. M., and at 5 P. M. I was ordered to proceed to a point 
 on the Long Bridge road, about one and a half miles beyond the swamp. 
 
 * * * The division reached this point at 7 P. M., and fully 
 
 one-half of the effective force was immediately sent out on picket duty for 
 the night. 
 
 On the following morning I took position on the Charles City road, 
 about one mile from its juncture with the Long Bridge road, and about an 
 
78 RECORD OF 27TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 equal distance from Brackett s Ford. In anticipation of an attack by a 
 force said to be approaching on the Charles City road, this road was 
 blockaded as thoroughly as possible. Soon after our arrival our line of 
 battle was established, and Upton s Battery (D), Second Artillery, and 
 Porter s and Hexamer s Volunteer Batteries placed in position. The in 
 fantry necessary to support the artillery was posted on the flanks of the 
 batteries, and the balance so disposed as to be entirely protected from the 
 fire of the enemy s artillery. The bridge near Brackett s Ford was de 
 stroyed by our troops immediately after our arrival, and an infantry force, 
 with one 12-pound howitzer of Hexamer s battery, placed to defend the 
 position. At 10 o clock the enemy appeared at this point, and attempted a 
 reconstruction of the bridge, but were repulsed. At n A. M. our pickets 
 on the Charles City road were driven in, and the enemy immediately ap 
 peared in force in a large open field in our front, their position being 
 partially screened from our view by a narrow belt of woodland. They 
 opened fire from two batteries, which was at once replied to by Porter s 
 and Upton s batteries, and two pieces of Hexamer s battery. * 
 
 The artillery fire was continued by the enemy in our front until nearly 
 dark, but our troops were so well covered that we suffered but few casu 
 alties, our total loss not exceeding twenty-five in killed and wounded. 
 
 At 7 o clock it was reported to me that the left of our line, held by 
 Gen. Heintzelman, was severely pressed ; and the fire of the enemy in our 
 front having ceased, I ordered the brigade of Col. Bartlett to move to the 
 front and gain possession, if possible, of the field on which the enemy 
 first appeared. As soon as his brigade moved down the road leading to 
 this position, a strong force of the enemy s infantry appeared, drawn up 
 in line a short distance beyond a creek separating our position from that 
 held by the enemy. Upton s battery of light 12-pounders was at once 
 moved to the front, and a very effective fire of canister opened upon them, 
 which caused their well formed lines to disappear. 
 
 The fire on our left was continued until a late hour in the evening, and 
 at times the shells, and even musket balls from the enemy, fell in the road 
 directly in rear of our position. 
 
 At 9 P. M., having expended nearly all our ammunition, and being des 
 titute of rations, I sent a staff officer to general headquarters to report our 
 condition. At u P. M., having obtained permission of Gen. Heintzelman, 
 I moved the division to Malvern Hill. We arrived at this point at day 
 light ; and at 9 A. M., the 2d instant, moved to a position on the right of 
 our line. From the time of our arrival, until the commencement of the 
 engagement on this day, the men were employed in constructing abatis, 
 
SI.OCUM S REPORT, 79 
 
 and otherwise strengthening our position. During the engagement on 
 our left, the division was under arms. 
 
 At ii P. M., orders were received to move to our present position, 
 where we arrived at daylight on the 3d inst. During this entire week the 
 troops inert allowed scarcely an hour of undisturbed rest, either by night or day; 
 Vet the division marched into its present camp in good order, having very few 
 stragglers, and without the loss of any arms, ammunition, clothing or wagons; 
 and with a cheerfulness prevailing among the soldiers, as well as officers, which 
 to me was as astonishing as it was gratifying. 
 
 Great credit is due to the brigade commanders. Gens. Newton and 
 Taylor, and Col. Bartlett, for their vigilance and untiring efforts on the 
 field, as well as on our night marches. 
 
 They were constantly with their commands, cheering them by noble" 
 example, as well as words. 
 
 To the members of my staff, Capt. Rogers, Assistant Adjutant-General, 
 * * and Surgeon Burr, I am greatly indebted. 
 
 They were with me during the entire week, and proved very efficient in 
 the discharge of their respective duties. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 H. W. SLOCUM. 
 
80 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 A Soldier s Letter, and a Woman s Answer. 
 
 HOSPITAL, June, 1862. 
 
 I write with a great deal of pain, dear girl, 
 
 I ve not been able before, since the fight ; 
 And my brain is still so much in a whirl, 
 
 That I can tell you but little to-night. 
 I m wounded don t start ! tis not very bad, 
 
 Or, at least, it might be worse ; so I said, 
 When I thought of you, " I m sure she ll be glad 
 
 To know that I m only wounded not dead !" 
 
 I ve lost my left arm ! there, now you know all ! 
 
 A minie ball shattered it, and I fell ! 
 The last that I heard was our Captain s call, 
 
 Until the rest is too painful to tell ! 
 I ve had throughout, the most excellent care, 
 
 And am doing finely, the Surgeon says ; 
 So well, indeed, that the prospect is fair 
 
 For a homeward trip, before many days. 
 
 But I ve something else, dear Mary, to say 
 
 And I d say it if it cost me my life 
 I ve thought of it well there s no other way ! 
 
 You re released from your promise to be my wife 
 You ll think me foolish at first : then you ll think 
 
 Of the loose, armless coat-sleeve at my side ; 
 And your proud and sensitive heart will shrink 
 
 From the thought of being a cripple s bride. 
 
 Tis a bitter struggle to give you up, 
 
 For I ve loved you more than ever of late ! 
 But down to its dregs I ve drained the cup, 
 
 And am calm, though my heart is desolate. 
 I m coming home, and, of course, we must meet ; . 
 
 My darling, this once, one boon I implore : 
 Let us still be friends for that will be sweet, 
 
 Since now, alas ! we can be nothing more. 
 
A GENUINE SWEETHEART. 8t 
 
 The Answer. 
 
 SWEET HOME, July, 1862. 
 
 MY ROBERT ! how brave and noble you are ! 
 
 Too brave and too noble, I know, for me ; 
 But you ve too little faith in me by far, 
 
 If you believe I want to be free. 
 I m not released from my promise no, no ! 
 
 Twas never so sacred to me before ; 
 If you could but hear how I ve longed to go, 
 
 And watch by your side, you d doubt me no more. 
 
 I read your name in the terrible list ! 
 
 But the tears froze back that sprang to my eyes, 
 And a fearful pain, that I could not resist, 
 
 Crushed my heart till I only longed to die. 
 The blessed tears, by and by, came again, 
 
 And I felt, as you in your letter said, 
 A feeling of gladness, mid all my pain, 
 
 That ROBERT was only wounded not dead ! 
 
 Oh, darling ! to think you have suffered so, 
 
 And I all these long, weary miles away ; 
 You ve needed me very often, I know ; 
 
 While I could do nothing but hope and pray. 
 But hardest of all is the bitter thought, 
 
 That you have been suffering so much for me ; 
 Poor ROBERT ! your manly letter has brought 
 
 A strange mixture of joy and misery. 
 
 But you are coming home to my arms and heart : 
 
 You re right I AM proud and sensitive, too ! 
 But I am only so when we are apart, 
 
 And now I shall only be proud of you ! 
 You re coming home to be happy and rest, 
 
 And I wait the moment of blissful calm, 
 When I shall be held to a soldier s breast, 
 
 By a Patriot Hero s one strong arm ! 
 
82 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 July 5th, we had to go out on picket a mile and a half 
 from camp. Three companies were on the outposts, and 
 the other seven in reserve. The men in reserve had a nice 
 time, for blackberries were plentiful, and were a fine relish 
 for the soldiers. We returned from picket at 10 A. M., and we 
 well remember it as the hottest day we had ever experienced. 
 These sandy ridges along the James are said to be the hot 
 test places in all Virginia. In the afternoon we left our 
 guns, and took up the spades, picks and shovels, and com 
 menced our share of the work of throwing up entrench 
 ments in front of our lines. This work resulted in a system 
 of ponderous barriers, from the old church on Westovcr 
 Heights, on the bank of Herring Run, along the position 
 of our lines, to the James. It was dig, dig, dig, lift and 
 throw, until the bank reached the height of the embrasures 
 and platforms for the field pieces. 
 
 July 8th we turned out to welcome the President of the 
 United States, who rode, with the Commander-in-Chief and 
 his staff, through the principal streets of the vast camp, 
 amid the plaudits of the soldiers. We seem yet to see that 
 rugged form towering above general and staff, and those 
 massive, grand features of our War President, ABRAHAM 
 LINCOLN. 
 
 From this time till the i/th the regiment was kept busy 
 at picket duty and working on the breastworks, when, on 
 this date, we moved camp about two miles, and put up our 
 tents near the rifle-pits. Here we remained a few days, and 
 busied ourselves fixing up camp, digging a well from which 
 to supply the camp with water, working on the forts, and 
 the usual camp duties. First, at 5 A. M., the bugle notes 
 are heard calling us out of our nests for roll-call. It again 
 sounds for Surgeon s call ; then for breakfast. At noon it 
 sounds for dinner, and at 4 p. M. to fall in for work on the 
 fort. Sometimes it sounds at 1 1 A. M. for inspection, and 
 again at I for police duty, for the camp is kept scrupu 
 lously clean. 
 
 The 20th finds us again on picket, and where vve find 
 plenty of blackberries, and the men are happy. The 2ist 
 
MUSTER OUT OF REGIMENTAL BANDS* 83 
 
 we drew new clothing. From the 26th to 28th the weather 
 was terribly hot and sultry. All quiet in camp ; no duty 
 except picketing, as we are strongly intrenched for many 
 miles. If Lee attempts to make an attack on us here, he 
 will become an " angel," and with the angels stand ; but we 
 do not think he will be so unwise as to trap himself. 
 
 Each man received sixty rounds of cartridges on the 
 29th, as there were indications of an attack. No enemy 
 was in sight, however, but we were kept on the alert till 
 the evening of the 3 1st, when the enemy, having placed a 
 battery on the opposite side of the James River, shelled our 
 camps. We could follow the course of the shells, as the 
 burning fuse was discernible in the darkness. The gun 
 boats soon wheeled into line, and silenced the hostile guns. 
 About twenty Union soldiers were killed, and forty wounded. 
 A large number of horses were also killed. 
 
 On the 3d of August the paymaster arrived, and the men 
 were paid off. There was but little duty for the next week 
 or more, and the men amused themselves with the games 
 incident to pay-day. Weather exceedingly hot, and many 
 horses dying from the effects of the heat. 
 
 August 8th, in pursuance of an Act of Congress, and a 
 general order from headquarters, the musicians of the regi 
 mental bands assembled at headquarters, and were mustered 
 out of service. One band only is hereafter to be allowed 
 to a brigade. This order causes a great deal of dissatisfac 
 tion among the troops. 
 
 August loth we sent away our knapsacks and baggage 
 on the transports, as orders had been given to move. Did 
 not get off, however, till the Hth, when the boys bid good- 
 by to Harrison s Landing, and marched about three miles, 
 and were again stationed for picket duty, where we remained 
 till 4 P. M. of the 1 5th ; then marched to Charles City Court 
 House. 
 
 At sunrise on the i6th we started on a twenty-mile march. 
 The day was very hot, and the roads dusty. A portion of 
 the country through which we passed was very fine, with 
 large mansions, surrounded by extensive plantations. 
 
84 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 About sundown we crossed the Chickahominy, near where 
 it widens out into a bay, at its junction with the James. 
 The pontoon bridge on which we crossed was 2200 feet 
 long, and said to be the longest and best ever constructed. 
 The train of artillery moved in the centre, and two ranks 
 of infantry marched on each side. We went into camp 
 about a mile from the river. While crossing, a gunboat 
 stood guard over the moving column. The next day made 
 a very rapid inarch, at which the men grumbled a good deal, 
 as melons and fruit were quite plentiful along the route ; 
 but there was no time to indulge, nor even to sample them. 
 During the day we passed the house which was the birth 
 place of ex-President Tyler. It was under guard, to pre 
 vent defacement and pillage. At about 3 P. M. we passed 
 through Williamsburg, a quaint, moss-covered town, once 
 the centre of the aristocracy of the Old Dominion. Here 
 we saw the College of William and Mary, founded during 
 the last century ; and had a good view of the fortification 
 that, in May, cost us so much to capture. Five miles from 
 here we went into camp, having marched twenty-five miles. 
 Only a few of the regiment stacked arms, as the day had 
 been unusually hot, and the march so rapid that many had 
 fallen out by the way, and did not reach camp till after dark. 
 Two months before, a conquering and exultant army had 
 passed through the historic town of Williamsburg ; but 
 now we turn back from the city we had confidently ex 
 pected to hold. The next day we made another march of 
 fifteen miles, and camped within the fortifications of York- 
 town. 
 
 It seems that McClellan wanted to make a stand at Wil 
 liamsburg, and there recruit his forces, and advance again 
 on the enemy. This plan was not favored by the Wash 
 ington authorities, and, by their orders, on down the penin 
 sula was heard the tread of the receding columns. 
 
 Reveille at daylight on the iQth, and for the first eight 
 miles of our march we passed line after line of the enemy s 
 works, which they evacuated at the time of our advance up 
 the peninsula. Our men realized, for the first time, the 
 
LEAVING THE PENINSULA. 85 
 
 great strength of this fortified position, from which, the 
 engineers said, the enemy could never have been driven, 
 Fort Magruder being one of the most extensive and formi 
 dable works known in modern times. 
 
 At 4 A. M., August 2oth, we took up the line of march 
 from Yorktown, and started for Newport News, and camped 
 three miles below Warwick C. H. In this camp and along 
 the route, we feasted on green corn, apples, plums and 
 peaches. 
 
 At 7 A. M., the 2 ist, we started on our march, and moved 
 nine miles, to Newport News, three companies B, F, and 
 G acting as rear-guard to pick up stragglers ; and a hard 
 day s work they had. From our position here we can see 
 the masts of the frigate Cumberland, which was sunk by 
 the Confederate ram, Merrimac. 
 
 The next day, the 22d(?), we embarked on the steamer John 
 Brooks, and started down the bay. Next morning we found 
 ourselves anchored near Fortress Monroe. The movement 
 of this large fleet down the bay at night, each vessel carry 
 ing its many-colored signal lights, made a scene of unusual 
 grandeur. 
 
 Our next move was up the Potomac, to Aquia Creek, 
 where we made a short stay, and then moved on to Alex 
 andria, and about noon of the 24th(?) disembarked and went 
 into camp near Fort Ellsworth. August 2/th we pushed 
 out on picket duty near Avondale ; and, August 28th, 
 marched to Fairfax, and then on to Centreville. 
 
 We did not get into the second Bull Run fight in time to 
 do any good, only to help check the retreat ; and, after that 
 battle, we marched back to Alexandria; and, September ist, 
 went into camp at Fort Lyon. 
 
86 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 The following letter from Dr. George Burr, Medical Di 
 rector of our Division, to his wife, gives quite fully the part 
 taken by our division in the second Bull Run campaign : 
 
 ("AMP NEAR ALEXANDRIA, Va., September 4, 1862. 
 
 MY DEAR WIFE : For the fourth time we are back. Alexandria seems 
 to be a hard place to keep away from. As I wrote you what we were about 
 to do, we marched towards Manassas on Friday last. The division en 
 camped for the night about seven miles out, and next morning pushed on. 
 A heavy cannonading had commenced, indicating that a severe battle was 
 in progress. I did not leave with the division. I had been confined to 
 my bed the day before, and though feeling much better in the morning, 1 
 did not feel able to march, and so remained behind. Staid that night at 
 Alexandria, with Dr. Griffin, of Great Bend, who is there employed as 
 physician for the railroad men. Saturday morning I felt much better, 
 though somewhat weak. The sound of the cannonading, however, with 
 the division hastening towards it, made it impossible for me to remain 
 behind, for on no account would I have it go into battle without my going 
 with it. So I started on foot, and walked seven miles ; got into a sutler s 
 wagon and rode seven miles further, to Fairfax Court House ; there found 
 that Gen. Slocum was pushing on as rapidly as possible ; so I started to 
 wards Centreville, again on foot ; walked about six miles, when I over 
 look Gen. Slocum. The battle was still going on, and the division pushed 
 forward, past Centreville, on towards Bull Run. We arrived within a 
 mile of the battle-field about sundown, where the division was halted. 
 It soon became evident that our men were falling back. First, a few 
 stragglers came along ; then their numbers increased, until the road was 
 completely filled with a disorganized mass of men, teams and ambulances. 
 There was nothing now to be done but to save a complete rout of the army, 
 and this duty devolved upon our division. It was kept in perfect order, 
 and the regiments were placed in good positions for defense, and our ar 
 tillery so posted as to command every point from whence the enemy could 
 make a charge. 
 
 Col. Bartlett had the post of danger, as well as of honor, for he re 
 mained all night in that position, until the entire army had fallen back, 
 and was re-formed at Centreville. 
 
 When I was told we were to go back to Centreville, I retraced my steps, 
 for I was still on foot, weary enough, I assure you, and my feet so blis 
 tered that every step caused me much pain. On reaching Centreville, long 
 after dark, I could hear only inquiries, "Are there no surgeons?" " No 
 
SURGEON r.URR S LETTER. 87 
 
 hospitals?" I at length got a piece of candle, and opened the old stone 
 church, that was used at the other Bull Run battle, and the poor wounded 
 fellows began to turn in at once. The church was soon filled with wounded 
 men some able to walk ; others brought by their comrades. I attended 
 to them all night, without ever sitting down, and all the next day likewise. 
 In the course of the night other surgeons came in, and also the next day. 
 The wounded also kept coming in, especially after daylight Sunday morn 
 ing. We, however, attended to them all, and by night, on Sunday, put 
 them on board of ambulances, to be taken to hospitals. I performed one 
 amputation of the arm, and two or three fingers ; and cut out perhaps a 
 f>cck of balls from different parts. I assure you I was very willing to go 
 to bed at night. I had eaten but very little for several days ; Saturday 
 morning, at Alexandria, I ate only a small piece of dry toast, and drank 
 freely of tea. The sutler s wagon had ginger cakes, cheese and dried her 
 rings : of these I ate some. Had nothing else until next day along to 
 wards noon. The Sanitary Commission men brought some bread, cold 
 meat, and some kind of cordial, all of which answered a good purpose. 
 1 am somewhat surprised at my own endurance, for, after resting one 
 night, I was as bright, and felt as well as ever the next day, with the ex 
 ception of my sore feet. 
 
 Monday night we were ordered to fall back to Fairfax. So, at evening, 
 we packed up, and tins time I had a horse. We commenced the march 
 about 9 o clock in the evening, but we were soon blocked by teams, and 
 the greatest confusion that I ever saw was prevailing. It was rainy, also, 
 and everything was gloomy enough. The enemy, we knew, were on our 
 left flank, and really we were at their mercy, had they only known our 
 situation. Despairing of getting through under several hours, Gen. Slo- 
 cum said we would try and get some rest. So we built a fire by the side 
 of the road, spread our india rubber blankets and ponchos, and went to 
 sleep. At daylight we rode forward, the division having passed us. 
 
 The next day we were ordered back to Alexandria, and a little before 
 dark, reached the camp we left a few days before. We are now in a new 
 camp, on the hill, near the seminary, on the opposite side from where we 
 were last winter. 
 
 Thus ends the campaign. Many will call it a failure. It is true we 
 have failed to take Richmond, but we have not been defeated ; and after a 
 thorough reorganization, we shall be more powerful than ever. General 
 McClellan is again in full command, and he is the only man we seem to 
 have as yet. Had it not been for his army, Washington would now be in 
 the hands of the rebels, and our cause probably ruined. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SOON after reaching Alexandria, from the peninsula, Gen. 
 McClellan was relieved from the command of the Army 
 of the Potomac, and Gen. John Pope was placed at its head. 
 The latter was busy marshaling his forces for the disastrous 
 battle of second Bull Run, which will be remembered in 
 history for the frothy orders of Gen. Pope, that were pre 
 faced with " Picks and shovels to the rear !" " No more 
 lines of retreat !" " Honor is at the front ! Shame and 
 disgrace are at the rear!" These orders, with the jealousy 
 of the subordinate officers, of which Fitz John Porter was 
 made the " scapegoat," have given this campaign a prom 
 inent place in the history of the rebellion. Pope blazed 
 forth like a meteor, and disappeared as quickly. McClellan 
 was once more placed in command, on September 2d, 
 and the first part of September, orders were given to move 
 through Maryland, to intercept Lee s army, which, follow 
 ing up the victory at Bull Run, was now attempting to 
 transfer the fighting ground from Virginia to the Northern 
 States. We remained at Fort Lyon till the evening of the 
 5th, when we broke camp and moved towards Washington, 
 and crossing the Long Bridge, about midnight, we moved 
 slowly through the city, on towards Georgetown ; and about 
 daylight, after a fifteen-mile march, camped on Georgetown 
 Heights. The following night we made another seven-mile 
 march. After this we continued to march every day, pass 
 ing Darnsville, then Sugar Loaf Mountain on the I2th, 
 
LlEUTENANT-COL. J. H. BODINE. 
 
BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 91 
 
 where we saw some dead cavalrymen, who had been killed 
 on the skirmish line ; then through Paducah, and near 
 Frederic, and through Jefferson ; and, on Sunday morning, 
 the 1 4th, arrived at Burketsville, on the east and under the 
 shadow of South Mountain, and near to the enemy s lines. 
 The 96th Pennsylvania had the lead to-day, and, advancing 
 through the village, Col. Cake reported that he had not 
 found the enemy. This report not suiting Gen. Slocum, 
 he rode up to Gen. Bartlett and said : " General, I want 
 you to order my old regiment to move out and find the 
 enemy." Gen. Bartlett then rode up to Col. Adams, and 
 pointing with his sword, said : " I want you to take your 
 regiment and go to the top of that mountain, unless you 
 find the enemy !" We were soon ordered forward, and in 
 heavy marching order, at double quick, deployed as skir 
 mishers on an open plain, facing the mountain, the centre 
 of the line following the road \vhich crosses the mountain 
 at this place, known as Crampton s Pass. As we advanced, 
 the enemy opened on us with artillery, stationed half-way 
 up the mountain, and with a heavy volley of musketry from 
 behind trees and rocks, and a stone wall at the foot of the 
 mountain. The skirmishers advanced in splendid line till 
 within thirty or forty rods of the wall, when we were or 
 dered to rally, and give place to the line of battle that was 
 coming on close behind us. One squad of the pickets took 
 shelter in a barn-yard, behind the sheds and outbuildings, 
 where they kept up a lively and telling fire till the main line 
 came up. Another squad of pickets, not hearing the order 
 to rally, found themselves between the two lines of battle, 
 and were obliged to lie down, the bullets cutting up the 
 ground all around them. Others joined the main line in 
 the charge on the stone wall. As our men went over the 
 wall, some of the rebels tried to retreat, and others threw 
 down their arms and surrendered. Those on the retreat 
 were exposed to our fire from behind, and very few of them 
 made their escape. On went our line, up the side of the 
 steep mountain, so steep in many places that the men had 
 to pull themselves up by taking hold of the bushes. We 
 
92 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 soon had their second line on the retreat ; and, after an ac 
 tion lasting three hours, drove them over the mountain, 
 capturing one piece of artillery, about three hundred pris 
 oners, and three stands of colors, one of which was taken 
 by the i6th New York. On this flag was inscribed the fol 
 lowing : " COBB LEGION IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!" 
 Our advance was so rapid that some of the sharp-shooters 
 had not time to climb down from the trees. During the 
 day we could hear heavy cannonading on our right. This 
 proved to be another battle on South Mountain, where 
 Gens. Burnside and Hooker drove the enemy out of Tur 
 ner s Gap, some six miles to the north. Two braver " sol 
 diers battles " were never fought than these of Crampton s 
 Pass and Turner s Gap, on South Mountain. Our regiment 
 lost in this fight, six men killed, two officers and twenty-five 
 men wounded ; total, thirty-three. The total loss of the 
 division in this battle was 5 officers and 109 men killed, 
 1 6 officers and 381 men wounded, and 2 men captured. 
 Total, 513. 
 
 The following interesting account of this battle is from 
 the Century Magazine : 
 
 Upon Franklin s arrival at the foot of the mountain, at 
 Burkettsville, at noon of the I4th, he found the enemy 
 posted behind a stone wall, while the artillery were on the 
 road, well up the heights. About 3 .P. M. Bartlett s brigade, 
 supported by the brigades of Newton and Torbert, and all 
 of Slocum s division, advanced upon the enemy, and a se 
 vere contest ensued. The enemy, overpowered, fell back 
 up the hill, firing upon our men from behind rocks and the 
 natural defensive positions presented by the ground, until 
 they reached their artillery, where they made a more de 
 cided stand. Their riflemen took advantage of every pos 
 sible cover of ledge and rock and tree. 
 
 A Vermont soldier told me that, during this up-hill fight, 
 while climbing over a ledge, he slipped and fell eighteen or 
 twenty feet, between two rocks. Rapid as had been his 
 tumble, upon his arrival he found himself preceded by a 
 Confederate soldier. For an instant they glared angrily at 
 
A REBEL AND A YANKEE IN " A FIX. 93 
 
 each other, when the " reb." burst out laughing, saying: 
 " We re both in a fix ! You can t gobble me, and I can t 
 gobble you, till we know which is going to lick. Let s wait 
 till the shooting is over, and if your side wins, I m your 
 prisoner; and if we win, you re my prisoner!" The bar 
 gain was made. u But," said my informant, " didn t that 
 reb. feel cheap when he found I d won him !" 
 
 After this fight we remained two days in camp, near the 
 top of the mountain, where we buried the dead of both 
 armies, and cared for the wounded. Water was scarce in 
 this camp, as it had to be brought in canteens from the foot 
 of the mountain, more than a mile away. 
 
 Gen. McClellan, reporting on this battle, says : 
 
 " Slocum s division was formed on the right of the road 
 leading through the gap, and Smith s upon the left. A line 
 formed of Bartlett s and Torbett s brigades, supported by 
 Newton, whose activity was conspicuous, advanced steadily 
 upon the enemy at a charge on the right. The enemy were 
 driven from their position at the foot of the mountain, 
 where they were protected by a stone wall, and steadily 
 forced back up the slope until they reached the position of 
 their battery on the road, well up the mountain. There 
 they made a stand, but were soon driven back, retiring their 
 artillery in echelon, until, after an action of three hours, 
 the crest was gained, and the enemy hastily fled down the 
 mountain on the other side." 
 
 September I7th, heavy cannonading commenced at day 
 light, and soon after, we formed our line and moved over 
 the west side of the mountain. While descending, we had 
 a view of the well cultivated valley lying beneath, with good 
 farms and good buildings, the latter resembling more fully 
 the farm buildings of the North, rather than those of the 
 South. But little opportunity, however, was given us to 
 take in the beauty spread before us, for we could hear, a 
 few miles in front, a continuous roar of cannonading and 
 musketry, and we must hurry on to take our part. 
 
 About noon we reached Keedysville, and found many of 
 the houses in possession of our surgeons, and fast being 
 
DR. WM. H. STUART, ASSISTANT-SURGEON. 
 
ADVANCE TO ANTIETAM. 95 
 
 filled with our wounded. The streets were almost blocked 
 with ambulances, waiting to unload their mangled; suffering 
 burdens, while the surgeons and assistants, with coats off 
 and sleeves rolled up ; with hands and amputating instru 
 ments covered with blood, looked more like butchers in the 
 shambles, than like professional men in hospitals. On we 
 went, and, two miles further, we reached the battle-field of 
 Antietam, and were placed in line of battle ; then, loading 
 our pieces, we moved forward across fields, through bits of 
 wood and over fences, continually passing the dead, in blue 
 or gray, and meeting stretcher-carriers with wounded, on 
 their way to the rear. 
 
 Finally we took position in a cornfield, about the centre 
 of our lines, where the heaviest fighting had taken place, 
 some two hours before. The dead lay so thick that we had 
 to pull them out of the way to make room for the troops 
 to form their lines. This ground had been fought over 
 twice before we reached it, each side holding it in turn. 
 The corn was trampled to the ground, and some bushes 
 that were left standing, were completely riddled with bul 
 lets. Here we formed our line, and remained all day, sup 
 porting some batteries, with one company out as skirmishers. 
 We took but little part in the fighting, the most severe of 
 which seemed to be on our left, by Burnside s corps, at 
 Monocacy Bridge. The bridge had been captured by our 
 men during the day, and Gen. Lee, seeing the importance 
 of regaining it, hurled brigade after brigade of his best 
 troops against it. But it was no use. Burnside, with his 
 corps, had come there to stay ; and they met every charge 
 of the enemy with a counter charge, and advanced till they 
 occupied the heights beyond. 
 
 Darkness now settled upon the field, and we unrolled our 
 blankets and laid down, behind our stacks of guns, ready to 
 " fall in." We were called in line several times during the 
 night, by the pickets firing at each other. When, on each 
 occasion, quiet was restored, the wearied men would lie 
 down among the dead and fall asleep. Thus ended the 
 first and principal day of the Antietam battle ; and although 
 
96 RECORD Ol< 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 we took but little part in the fighting, it was the hardest- 
 fought battle of the war, up to this date. 
 
 September i8th we were called in line at daylight, as an 
 attack was expected. We remained standing under arms 
 till sunrise, when Maj. H. C. Rogers, of Gen. Slocum s staff, 
 and some other officers were sent out to meet a flag of truce 
 from Gen. Lee, when, after a short parley, it was agreed to 
 cease hostilities until 5 P. M., in order to bury the dead, and 
 carry off the wounded that lay uncared for between the 
 lines. The bodies of the dead, having lain so long exposed 
 to the sun, were rapidly decomposing, and the stench was 
 almost unendurable. Many of the men could not eat, and 
 became sick from breathing the tainted air. The day was 
 spent with pick and shovel, digging long trenches, in which 
 the dead were buried. In one space of less than half an 
 acre, sixty-five members of a South Carolina regiment were 
 picked up and buried. The work was not all completed 
 when 5 o clock, the hour for the expiration of the armistice, 
 had arrived ; and, without warning, the enemy fired on our 
 stretcher-carriers, wounding five and taking seven prisoners. 
 After this, Maj. Rogers was once more sent out with a white 
 flag, and the time of the armistice was extended until morn 
 ing. The night was passed in comparative quiet, the men 
 sleeping till daylight. 
 
 At sunrise our skirmishers advanced, and found that the 
 enemy had retreated during the night to the opposite side 
 of the Potomac. In this, Lee had outwitted McClellan, 
 taking advantage of the truce to retreat across the river, 
 but leaving his wounded in our hands. 
 
 About noon we received orders to move, and marched 
 across the field, when the stench from the unburied dead 
 again sickened some of the men. Guns and equipments 
 by the thousand lay scattered about the fields, showing 
 with what haste the enemy had retreated. We shortly 
 came to the bank of the Potomac and camped, but Lee s 
 army had disappeared over the hills on the Virginia side. 
 Thus ended the first attempt of Lee to carry the war into 
 the Northern States. 
 
A FEAST OF GOOD THINGS. 97 
 
 September 2Oth, about dark, we started and marched all 
 night to Williamsport, Md., where we arrived about noon 
 of the 2 1 st. It was thought that the enemy would make 
 an attempt to recross the river here ; so we were sent to 
 receive them ; but, after two days, we marched back to 
 Bakersville, near the field of Antietam, where we camped 
 till November. Here the time was spent in camp and picket 
 duty. Our picket line was along the Potomac, the regiment 
 being on duty near Shaffer s Mill, eight miles above Dam 
 No. 4. The rebel pickets were often in sight, on the oppo 
 site side of the river. 
 
 Wednesday, September 24th. The orders are that we lie 
 in camp a day or two, so that the boys can wash up their 
 clothing, and bathe in the creek. We are having good 
 times ; can go out of camp and get anything we want to 
 eat soft bread, pies, and flour from which we make pan 
 cakes, which are a great luxury. 
 
 September 25th. Are still lying in camp at Bakersville. 
 Nothing of interest is being done in camp. The boys all feel 
 in good spirits, for all they have to do is to go out and get 
 chickens, turkeys and flour, and then make pot-pies for 
 dinner. 
 
 Monday, September 29th. Still in camp. Nothing of 
 importance doing, only some of the officers are having a 
 spree, and raising the - generally throughout camp. 
 
 Dress parade as usual, at 6 P. M. 
 
 October 4th. The army was reviewed by Gen. McClellan 
 and President Lincoln. The same day a squad of returned 
 prisoners, who had been captured at the first Bull Run 
 battle, returned to camp, and were given a warm reception. 
 These men had been held as prisoners more than ten months, 
 and had been in parol camp at Annapolis, Md., for some 
 months, waiting to be exchanged. All seemed glad to be 
 back in camp, and said they were ready again to meet the 
 enemy. (For a detailed account of the prison-life of these 
 men, see the last chapter.) 
 
 October 5th, the Articles of War were read to the regi 
 ment, for the first time, by Col. Adams ; and about the 
 
98 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 same time, the following general orders, relating to the 
 battles of South Mountain and Antietam, were issued : 
 
 General Orders No. 160. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ) 
 CAMP NEAR SHARPSBURG, Md., Oct. 3, 1862. ( 
 
 The commanding general extends his congratulations to the army un 
 der his command, for the victories achieved by their bravery at the passes 
 of the South Mountain, and upon the Antietam Creek. 
 
 The brilliant conduct of Reno s and Hooker s corps, under Burnside, 
 at Turner s Gap ; and of Franklin s corps, at Crampton s Pass, in which, 
 in the face of an enemy strong in position, and resisting with obstinacy, 
 they carried the mountain, and prepared the way for the advance of the 
 army, won for them the admiration of their brethren in arms. 
 
 In the memorable battle of Antietam, we defeated a numerous and 
 powerful army of the enemy, in an action desperately fought, and remark 
 able for its duration, and for the destruction of life which attended it. 
 The obstinate bravery of the troops of Hooker, Mansfield and Sumner ; 
 the dashing gallantry of those of Franklin, on the right ; the sturdy valor 
 of those of Burnside, on the left ; and the vigorous support of Porter and 
 Pleasanton, present a brilliant spectacle to our countrymen, which will 
 swell their hearts with pride and exultation. Fourteen guns, thirty-nine 
 colors, 15,50x3 stand of arms, and nearly 6,000 prisoners taken from the 
 enemy, are evidences of the completeness of our triumph. A grateful 
 country will thank this noble army for achievements which have rescued 
 the loyal States of the East from the ravages of the invader, and have 
 driven him from their borders. 
 
 While rejoicing at the victories which, under God s blessing, have 
 crowned our exertions, let us cherish the memory of our brave compan 
 ions who have laid down their lives upon the battle-field : Martyrs in 
 their country s cause, their names will ever be enshrined in the hearts of 
 the people. 
 
 By command of Major-General McClellan. 
 
 S. WILLIAMS, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
FRANKLIN S REPORT. 99 
 
 Report of Major-Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, 
 
 Commanding 6th Army Corps, of the Battles 
 
 of Crampton s Pass and Antietam. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS SIXTH ARMY CORPS, ) 
 CAMP NEAR BAKERSVILLE, Md., Sept. 3, 1862. ( 
 
 GENERAL : I have the honor to submit the following report of opera 
 tions of the corps under my command, in the battle of the I4th instant, at 
 Crampton s Pass. In compliance with instructions of the commanding 
 general, the corps advanced, on the morning of the I4th instant, from a 
 point three miles east of Jefferson, in the direction of the Blue Ridge. 
 At Jefferson a halt was ordered, to afford Gen. Couch an opportunity of 
 coming up. After a short delay, upon learning that this division was still 
 some distance in the reai, I advanced to the vicinity of the village of Bur- 
 kettsville. Upon ascertaining that the pass over the mountains at this 
 point which I was directed to secure and hold was occupied by the en 
 emy in force, I caused immediate preparations to be made for an attack. 
 The enemy was strongly posted on both sides of the road, which makes a 
 steep ascent through a narrow defile, wooded on both sides, and affording 
 great advantages of cover and position. Their advance was posted near 
 the base of the mountain, in the rear of a stone wall, stretching to the 
 right of the road at a point where the ascent is gradual, and for the most 
 part over open fields. Eight guns had been stationed on the road, and at 
 points on the sides and the summit of the mountain, to the left of the pass. 
 
 It was evident that the position could be carried only by an infantry 
 charge. Accordingly I directed Major-Gen. Slocum to advance his di 
 vision through the village of Burkettsville, and commence the attack upon 
 the right. Woolcott s First Maryland Battery was stationed on the left, 
 and to the rear of the village, and maintained a steady fire on the positions 
 of the enemy until they were assailed and carried by our troops. Smith s 
 division was placed in reserve on the east side of the village, and held in 
 readiness to co-operate with Gen. Slocum, or support his attack, as occa 
 sion might require. Capt. Ayres battery, of this division, was posted on 
 a commanding ground to the left of the reserves, and kept up an uninter 
 rupted fire on the principal battery of the enemy until the latter was driven 
 from its position. 
 
 The advance of Gen. Slocum was made with admirable steadiness, 
 through a well-directed fire from the batteries on the mountain, the brig 
 ade of Col. Bartlett taking the lead, followed, at proper intervals, by the 
 
100 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 brigades of Gen. Newton and Col. Torbert. Upon fully determining the x 
 enemy s position, the skirmishers were withdrawn, and Col. Bartlett s 
 brigade became engaged along his entire line. He maintained his ground 
 steadily under a severe fire, for some time under a manifest disadvantage, 
 until reinforced by two regiments of Gen. Newton s brigade upon his 
 right, and the brigade of Col. Torbert and the two remaining regiments 
 of Newton s on his left. The line of battle thus formed, an immediate 
 charge was ordered, and most gallantly executed. The men swept for 
 ward, with a cheer, over the stone wall, dislodging the enemy, and pursu 
 ing him up the mountain-side to the crest of the hill, and down the oppo 
 site slope. This single charge, sustained as it was over a great distance, 
 and on a rough ascent of unusual steepness, was decisive. The enemy 
 was driven in the utmost confusion from a position of strength, and al 
 lowed no opportunity for even an attempt to rally, until the pass was 
 cleared, and in the possession of our troops. 
 
 The victory was complete, and its achievement followed so rapidly 
 upon the first attack, that the enemy s reserves, although pushed forward 
 at the double-quick, arrived but in time to participate in the flight, and 
 add confusion to the rout. 
 
 Four hundred prisoners, from seventeen different organizations, seven 
 hundred stand of arms, one piece of artillery, and three stand of colors 
 were captured, while numberless articles of equipment, knapsacks, haver 
 sacks, blankets, etc., were abandoned by the enemy in their flight. 
 
 The gallantry of the officers, and the spirit and dash displayed by the 
 troops, are worthy of the highest praise ; and I respectfully call attention 
 to the recommendations made in the accompanying reports of Major-Gen. 
 Slocum and the commanders of brigades, and solicit for them the favor 
 able notice of the commanding general. I also respectfully refer to the 
 reports in question for a uetailed account of the operations of the respec 
 tive brigades, and for the names of such officers as have won honorable 
 mention for their gallant bearing in the field. While fully concurring in 
 the recommendation offered in behalf of Cols. Bartlett, and Torbert, who 
 have certainly earned promotion on this and other occasions, I respect 
 fully and earnestly request that Brigadier-Gen. Newton may be promoted 
 to the rank of major-general, for his conspicuous gallantry and important 
 services during the entire engagement. 
 
 The prompt and energetic action of Dr. White, the medical director of 
 the corps ; of Dr. Bradley, his assistant ; and of the medical staff of the 
 different organizations engaged in bringing off and caring for the wounded, 
 is worthy of the highest praise. 
 
SLOCUM S REPORT. IOI 
 
 Our total loss, in killed and wounded, is 530. Of these, 16 are officers, 
 5 of whom were killed. The total loss, killed, was no; wounded, 420. 
 
 The losses of the enemy are not accurately known. We buried 150 of 
 their dead, and took charge of more than 300 of their wounded, who were 
 left upon the field. 
 
 I am. General, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. B. FRANKLIN, 
 Major-General, Commanding Sixth Corps. 
 
 Report of Major-Gen. Henry W. Slocum, U. S. Army, 
 
 Commanding the First Division, of the 
 
 Battle of Crampton s Pass. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, ) 
 CAMP IN THE FIELD, Sept. 24, 1862. j 
 
 SIR : I have the honor of submitting the following report of the action 
 of this division in the engagement at Crampton s Pass, on the i4th inst. 
 The division encamped, on the night of the I3th, about three miles east of 
 Jefferson, on the road leading from Urbana to Jefferson. At daylight on 
 the I4th instant the division left camp, moved through Jefferson, and at 
 12 M. met the pickets of the enemy, near Burkettsville. Col. Bartlett, 
 commanding the leading brigade, at once deployed the Ninety-sixth Reg 
 iment Pennsylvania Volunteers as skirmishers, who drove in the enemy s 
 pickets, and advanced to the village. The other regiments of the division 
 were then advanced to a position about half a mile east of the village, 
 where they were completely concealed from the view of the enemy, and 
 covered from the fire of his artillery. Wolcott s First Maryland Battery 
 was then advanced to a point to the left of the infantry, and replied to the 
 enemy s artillery, until preparations for the attack of the infantry were 
 completed. 
 
 At 3 P. M. the column of attack was formed in the following order : 
 The Twenty-seventh Regiment New York Volunteers deployed as skir 
 mishers, followed, at a distance of 200 yards, by the Fifth Maine and 
 Sixteenth New York Volunteers, in line of battle ; the brigades of Gen. 
 Newton and Col. Torbert followed, each brigade being in two lines, the 
 
1(32 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 regiments in line of battle, and the lines 200 yards from each other the- 
 Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, of Bartlett s brigade, which had 
 advanced into the village, formed in rear, and joined the column as it ad 
 vanced : the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteers was 
 held as a reserve, at the point where the column was formed. As soon ;is 
 the advance began, the enemy opened with a heavy and well directed ar 
 tillery fire ; but the troops advanced steadily, every line in the entire col 
 umn preserving its alignment with as much accuracy as could have been 
 expected at a drill or review. The line of skirmishers soon drew the fire 
 of the enemy s infantry, which appeared in strong position in rear of a 
 stone wall, which afforded them an admirable cover. 
 
 The position and strength of the enemy having been ascertained, the 
 skirmishers were withdrawn, and Col. Bartlett led the first line to a point 
 within 300 yards of the enemy s line. A severe engagement ensued, the 
 enemy having greatly the advantage in position, and being aided by at 
 least eight pieces of artillery, posted on the side of the mountain. The 
 position of this pass and its approaches rendered it evident that, in the 
 attempt to carry it, reliance was to be placed mainly upon the infantry. 
 I had, therefore, left all the artillery of the division in rear; but, fearing 
 that the stone wall behind which the enemy had taken cover, would prove 
 an insurmountable obstacle to the advance of my lines, I at once used 
 every effort to bring forward a battery, with the view of driving the enemy 
 from his position. But, before the battery was fairly in position this ob 
 stacle had been overcome by a most gallant charge of the infantry, and tin- 
 enemy were fleeing in confusion up the mountain, closely pursued by 
 every regiment of the division, except the one in reserve, each vying with 
 the other in the pursuit. 
 
 The enemy made another stand at the crest of the mountain, but was 
 speedily dispersed, and pursued through the pass and into the plain below. 
 The victory was complete, and resulted not only in the utter rout and dis 
 persion of the forces opposed to us, but in the capture of over 30(3 pris 
 oners, 3 stand of colors, over 700 stand of arms of the most approved 
 pattern I piece of artillery, and a very large number of knapsacks haver 
 sacks, blankets, etc. 
 
 Of the gallantry of the officers and men under my command, I cannot 
 speak too highly. Although greatly reduced in numbers by losses on the 
 peninsula , although fatigued by long marches, and constant service since 
 the opening of the spring campaign, each regiment indeed, every man 
 did his whole duty, not reluctantly, but with that eagerness and enthu 
 siasm which rendered success certain. 
 
SLOCUM S AND BARTLETT S REPORTS. 103 
 
 To attempt to designate any regiment, or any regimental or line officers, 
 as being entitled to particular notice, would be an act of injustice to all 
 others. I cannot, however, without great injustice omit to call attention 
 to the conduct of the brigade commanders, Gen. Newton, Col. Bartlett, 
 and Col. Torbert, all of whom led their brigades in the action, and gave 
 renewed evidence of their skill and courage. Col. Bartlett, commanding 
 the leading brigade, was on this, as on all former occasions, conspicuous 
 for his gallantry, and the skill with which he handled his troops under a 
 most galling fire. I sincerely trust that both Col. Bartlett and Col. Torbert, 
 commanding their respective brigades, both of whom have given abundant 
 proofs of their qualifications for the positions which they now occupy, as 
 brigade commanders, may be rewarded by the promotion they have so well 
 earned. 
 
 I append a list of casualties, showing the number of officers killed, 5 ; 
 wounded, 16; men killed, 109; wounded, 381. Total killed, 114; wounded, 
 397; aggregate loss 511. This list embraces many of the bravest and 
 most gallant officers and soldiers of the division, for a more particular 
 reference to whom I respectfully refer to the reports of the brigade com 
 manders which are herewith enclosed. 
 
 1 am greatly indebted to the members of my staff, Major Rogers, As- 
 sisiant Adjutant General ; Lieutenants Guindon and Shannon, Aids-de- 
 L ain;> : an.l t.j C.ipt. L .quhart of Tol Hartlett s staff, for the /.ealous 
 n.^iKiLi i.i v. ..ij.i tiitir respective duties were discharged. 
 I am. sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 H. W. SLOCUM, 
 Major-General Volunteers, Commanding. 
 
 Report of Col. Joseph J. Bartlett, Twenty-Seventh N. Y. 
 
 Infantry, Commanding Second Brigade, of 
 
 the Battle of Crampton s Pass. 
 
 HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST Div., SIXTH CORPS, 
 , 1862. 
 
 MAJOR : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part 
 taken by my brigade in the battle of Crampton s Pass, Sunday, September 
 I4th, 1862 : 
 
104 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 My command, after a march of ten miles, arrived opposite the village 
 of Burkettsvilleand Crampton s Pass about 12 o clock M., with the Ninety- 
 sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Cake commanding, deployed as skir 
 mishers. The enemy s pickets retired from the town, and opened an ar 
 tillery fire from two batteries upon the line of skirmishers. I was ordered 
 by Major-Gen. Slocum to halt, until he could mass his troops and arrange* 
 the plan of the assault, as the appearance of the mountain pass convinced 
 all that artillery was of no avail against it, and that nothing but a com 
 bined and vigorous charge of infantry would carry the mountain. 
 
 It being decided that the attack should be made on the right and flank 
 of the road leading over the mountain, 1 was ordered to lead the column, 
 under cover from artillery fire, and as secretly as possible, to a large field 
 near its base, where the column of attack was to be formed, each brigade 
 in two lines, at 200 paces in rear. 
 
 About 4 o clock p. M. I ordered forward the Twenty seventh New York 
 Volunteers, Lieutenant-Col. A. D. Adams commanding, to deploy as skir 
 mishers; and upon their placing the interval ordered between the column 
 of attack and their line, I advanced at quick time the Fifth Maine Volun 
 teers, Col. A. J. Jackson commanding ; and Sixteenth New York Volun 
 teers, Lieutenant-Col. J. J. Seaver commanding. My line of skirmishers 
 found the enemy at the base of the mountain, safely lodged behind a strong 
 stone wall. Their entire line, being now developed, exhibited a large force. 
 My first line advanced rapidly and steadily to the front, under a severe fire 
 of artillery from the heights above, and musketry from behind the wall and 
 the trees on the slope above it. Halting behind a rail fence, about 300 
 yards from the enemy, the skirmishers were withdrawn, and the battle 
 commenced. 
 
 By some unexplained and unaccountable mistake, more than 1,000 
 yards intervened between the head of the column of Gen. Newton s brig 
 ade and my own line ; and nothing but the most undaunted courage and 
 steadiness on the part of the two regiments forming my line, maintained 
 the fight until the arrival of the rest of the attacking column. On their 
 arrival, the Thirty-second New York Volunteers, Col. Matheson com 
 manding ; and the Eighteenth New York Volunteers, Lieutenant-Col. 
 Myers commanding, were sent to report to me, by order of Gen. Newton, 
 commanding Third Brigade. The Fifth Maine and Sixteenth New York 
 Volunteers having expended their ammunition, I relieved them, and 
 formed them twenty paces in rear. 
 
 The New Jersey brigade, Col. Torbert commanding, now arrived on 
 the left of the line, and commenced firing by its first line ; and the Ninety- 
 
BARTLETT S REPORT. 105 
 
 sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers having joined my command, and been 
 positioned by me on the extreme right, it became apparent to all that 
 nothing but a united charge vvonld dislodge the enemy and win the battle. 
 A moment s consultation with Col. Torbert decided us to make the charge 
 immediately, at a double quick ; and the order was passed along the line, 
 to "cease firing," and the command given to "charge!" and our whole 
 line advanced with cheers, rushing over the intervening space, to the stone 
 wall, and routing the enemy. The charge was maintained to the top of 
 the mountain, up an almost perpendicular steep, over rocks and ledges, 
 through the underbrush and timber, until the crest, overlooking the valley 
 beyond, was gained. The victory was decisive and complete, the routed 
 enemy leaving arms, ammunition, knapsacks, haversacks and blankets, 
 in heaps by the roadside. 
 
 The great natural strength of the enemy s position, supported by his 
 well-served batteries, made it absolutely necessary that the first attempt 
 should be successful, or great cpnfusion and slaughter must ensue. The 
 success was fully and clearly established by the masterly arrangement of 
 the column of attack by Major-Gen. Slocum ; and circumstances seemed 
 to have been controlled by some master hand, to enable us to carry out 
 the clear instructions received before the assault. All orders were carried 
 out in detail. No more and no less was done than to execute, the plan, 
 during the fiercely contested assault, which was so clearly expressed in 
 the bivouac. 
 
 I have the honor of reporting the capture of one battle-flag, by the Six 
 teenth New York Volunteers. 
 
 The action of my own regiments, and of the Thirty-second and Eigh 
 teenth New York Volunteers, who were under my command, recommend 
 them to the highest consideration of their general officers. There were 
 no officers, field or line, who did not distinguish themselves upon this 
 occasion ; and the highest praise should be awarded the soldiers under 
 their command. 
 
 It is with sorrow I have to report the death of Major Martin, Ninety- 
 sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who fell gallantly leading his wing of the 
 regiment to the charge. 
 
 My warmest thanks are due to the brave, able and gallant assistance 
 rendered me on this, as on all former occasions, by Lieut. R. P. Wilson, 
 acting Assistant Adjutant-General, and Lieut. M. E. Richards, acting 
 Aid-de-camp. 
 
 Among the surgeons of the several regiments, Surg. N. S. Barnes, 
 Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers, I wish particularly to mention for 
 
I06 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 gallantry in following his regiment into battle, and establishing his field 
 hospital close to the scene of action, thereby rendering immediate and 
 valuable assistance to the wounded. 
 
 JOS. J. BARTLETT, 
 Colonel, Commanding Brigade. 
 
 Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander D. Adams, 
 
 Twenty-seventh New York Infantry, of the 
 
 Battle of Crampton s Pass. 
 
 HDQRS. 27 rn N. Y. Voi.s. IN THE FIELD, NEAR ) 
 WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Sept. 23, 1862. ( 
 
 LIEUTENANT : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 part taken by this regiment in the action of Crampton s Pass, September 
 l-ith, 1862 : 
 
 On leaving Jefferson, the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania was sent out in 
 advance, as skirmishers ; and, soon after, the Sixteenth New York was 
 assigned to support a battery ; so that the Twenty-seventh had the advance 
 on approaching the pass. The presence of the enemy having been dis 
 covered, the brigade was drawn into a ravine, in column by battalion, to 
 avoid his artillery, and to prepare for storming the gap. Shortly after, the 
 Ninetv-sixth Pennsylvania having been recalled and placed in the column, 
 the brigade moved, under cover as far as practicable, toward the pass, and 
 at 3:30 the Twenty-seventhstill leading the column was ordered by 
 Col. Bartlett, commanding brigade, to deploy as skirmishers, advance on 
 the pass, and develop the enemy s position, the center of the line, which 
 was at least a mile long, being directed a little to the right of the pass. 
 Almost as soon as the deployment was completed, and the flank companies 
 had been thrown forward a little, bringing the line into the form of an arc, 
 the skirmishers became briskly engaged, simultaneously on the right and 
 left, with a superior force of the enemy, posted at the base of the moun 
 tain, behind stone fences and houses. 
 
 The firing at once became general along the whole line, and was very 
 rapid, and at close range. In ten or fifteen minutes the first line of attack 
 of this brigade had advanced to the left of the center of the line of skir 
 mishers, and opened a fierce fire on the enemy in the woods in front. 
 After considerable interval, the musketry continuing fiercely, the Second 
 
ADAMS REPORT. IO7 
 
 Brigade, in column, Gen. Newton s, having been brought up to support 
 the attack, and the skirmishers, as well as the first line of Col. Bartlett s 
 brigade, having expended their ammunition, the colonel commanding 
 directed that the skirmishers should retire and rally on the center, for the 
 purpose of re-forming the regiment. This was done in good order, though, 
 owing to the extent of the line, it necessarily occupied some time, the 
 charge which carried the pass being made when but three or four compa 
 nies had formed. As soon as the flank companies had come in, the regi 
 ment was placed in the position previously indicated by Gen. Bartlett, 
 where it remained until the next morning. The action had terminated in 
 the total rout of the enemy before this position was taken up. 
 
 The conduct of this command, during the entire engagement, was most 
 admirable. Though exposed to the fire of the enemy s artillery, while 
 advancing over the open fields, there was no faltering or hesitation, and 
 the severe musketry fire of the enemy was returned with the cool deliber 
 ation and steady aim of experienced marksmen. 
 
 It is reported by prisoners, that the manner and steadiness of the ad 
 vance convinced the enemy that he had not raw troops to deal with. The 
 great extent of the line rendered the transmission of orders difficult, and 
 I am greatly indebted to Major Bodine and Adjutant Thompson, for the 
 aid which maintained the proper disposition and unbroken continuity of 
 the line. All the officers, save one, maintained and added to the reputa 
 tion they had won in the previous history of the Twenty-seventh. 
 
 It would not be proper to conclude this report without mentioning the 
 efficient conduct of Surgeon Barnes, of this regiment, whose hospital was 
 established nearest to the field, and who was the first surgeon to visit the 
 wounded, collected in the houses at the foot of the mountain, and on the 
 field after the action was over. 
 
 The casualties are : 6 killed, and 27 wounded ; among the latter are 
 Lieuts. Seely and Christman, and Color-bearer Sergt. McMahon. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 ALEXANDER D. ADAMS, 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. 
 
108 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Report of Major-Gen. Wm. B. Franklin, U. S. Army, 
 Commanding Sixth Corps, of the Battle of Antietam. 
 
 HDQRS. SIXTH ARMY CORPS CAMP NEAR BAKERSVILLE, Md 
 October 7, 1862. 
 
 1 
 
 GENERAL: I have the honor to make the following report of the oper 
 ations of this corps, under my command, in the battle of Antietam, on 
 the I7th ultimo : 
 
 For the preceding two days I had been encamped in rear of Rohrers- 
 ville, in Pleasant Valley. During the night of the i6th I received orders 
 to move towards Keedysville, in the morning, with two divisions, and to 
 dispatch Gen. Couch s division to occupy Maryland Heights. 
 
 I started at 5:30 A. M. Gen. Smith s division led the column, and its 
 head arrived at the field of battle about n o clock. This division was 
 ordered to take post in a wood on the left of the stone bridge across the 
 Antietam ; and I was directed to place Slocum s division on the right of 
 the same bridge. Before the arrival of Slocum s division, Gen. Smith was 
 ordered to go to the assistance of Gen. Sumner, forming on his left. He 
 at once obeyed this order, and arrived on the field at a most opportune 
 moment. His first brigade (Hancock s) formed as the support of two of 
 Gen. Sumner s batteries (then severely pressed by the enemy), drove away 
 his skirmishers, who had already advanced close to the batteries, and oc 
 cupied some buildings and fences in front of his position. This brigade 
 was the means of saving two batteries, and occupied a position during the 
 remainder of the action, sometimes under very heavy cannonading. 
 ******* 
 
 Slocum s division arrived on the field about n o clock. Immediately 
 after its arrival, two of his brigades (Newton s and Torbert s) were formed 
 in column of attack, to carry the wood in the immediate vicinity of the 
 white church The other brigade (Bartlett s) had been ordered by General 
 Sumner to keep near his right. As this brigade was to form the reserve 
 for the column of attack, I waited until it came up. About the same time 
 Gen. Sumner arrived on the spot, and directed the attack to be postponed; 
 and the enemy at once proceeded to fill the woods with infantry, and 
 planted a battery there, which opened a severe fire upon us. 
 
 Shortly afterwards the commanding general came to the position, and 
 decided that it would not be prudent to make the attack, our position on 
 the right being considerably in advance of what it had been in the morn 
 ing. This division therefore held its place until it was finally removed, 
 
REPORTS OF FRANKLIN AND SLOCUM. 1 09 
 
 on the igth. On two occasions, during the afternoon of the I7th, the en 
 emy opened upon us from the wood with artillery fire. In each case their 
 fire was soon silenced, and, it appeared from an examination of the ground 
 afterward, with heavy loss of artillery and men. 
 
 In this position, suffering severe cannonading at intervals, which they 
 bore like the veterans they are, my command remained without change 
 until daylight on the igth, when a general advance was made by the pick 
 ets, under orders from headquarters. This advance revealed the fact that 
 the enemy had retreated during the night. 
 
 The batteries of the corps, under command of Capt. Ayres and Lieut. 
 Upton were splendidly served, and did excellent execution. 
 
 ******* 
 My staff were very efficient, and behaved well. Without any previous 
 knowledge of the field, and with a large extent of ground covered by my 
 command, its duties were arduous in the extreme. * 
 I am, General, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. B. FRANKLIN, 
 Major-General, Commanding. 
 
 Report of Major- General Henry W. Slocum, U. S. Army, Command 
 ing First Division, of the Battle of Antietam. 
 
 HDO.RS. FIRST DIVISION SIXTH CORPS, 
 CAMP NEAR BAKERSVILLE, September 26, 1862. 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to report that, early on the morning of the I7th 
 instant, the division under my command left Crampton s Pass to join the 
 main army, then already engaged with the enemy, near Sharpsburg. We 
 reached the battlefield ahout 12 M., and immediately took position in front 
 of the white church, on the Hagerstown and Sharpsburg turnpike, reliev 
 ing a part of Gen. Sumner s corps. Our infantry, though not actively en 
 gaged, were exposed to a heavy artillery fire from the enemy until sun 
 down, and are entitled to great credit for their gallantry under a severe 
 fire, which they were unable to return. The artillery of the division, un 
 der command of First Lieut. Emory Upton, Fifth U. S. Artillery, was well 
 served, and did good execution. The batteries of Capt. Hexamer, First 
 New Jersey Volunteer Artillery; Capt. Wolcott, First Maryland Volunteer 
 Artillery ; and Lieut. Williston, Battery D, Second U. S. Artillery, were 
 
I 10 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 all engaged, and their fire proved very accurate and effective, twice silenc 
 ing the enemy s guns, and holding in check a large force of his infantry. 
 The officers and men of the division lay or rested upon their arms in line 
 of battle for over forty hours, without leaving their position, and deserve 
 great credit for their fortitude displayed on that occasion. 
 
 I append a list of casualties, showing a loss of 5 men killed, 2 officers 
 and 56 men wounded, and 2 men missing ; making a total loss of 65. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 H. W. SLOCUM, 
 Major-General Volunteers, Commanding. 
 
 On October 22d our knapsacks that were sent off at 
 Harrison s Landing, on the nth of August, were returned 
 to us, many of them having been pillaged of their valu 
 ables. 
 
 October 3ist we were called at 3 A. M., and after making 
 coffee, fell in line and started on the march, taking the 
 road to the left of Antietam, through Keedysville, and 
 after a pleasant march of about ten miles, we camped near 
 Crampton s Pass, on the opposite side of the mountain 
 from where the fight took place. 
 
 September I4th we crossed the mountain, passing over 
 the battle-field and to the right of Burketsville, where we 
 halted a few minutes ; and while here several of our 
 wounded that were left at the village on the day of the 
 fight came to see us. We continued our march through 
 Maryland two days more, then crossed the Potomac on a 
 pontoon bridge at Berlin. This brought us into London 
 county, Va., and our march is to continue up London Val 
 ley, which is a continuation of Pleasant Valley in Mary 
 land. Every day there was more or less cannonading in 
 front, as our troops came up with the rear guard of the 
 enemy. 
 
 November 4th the regiment was rear guard, and while 
 waiting for the lines to pass us, a vote was taken to see 
 how the men stood for Governor of New York. Wads- 
 worth received twenty-three majority in the regiment, 
 Company " D " giving only one vote against him. 
 
GENERAL M CLELLAN REMOVED, til 
 
 The 6th and /th we stayed in camp at White Plains, on 
 account of a severe snow storm. The next day we came 
 to Thoroughfare Gap, when the officers, seeing smoke on 
 the opposite side of the mountain, thought it came from the 
 camp of the enemy. A battery was hastily put in position, 
 our lines of battle formed and skirmishers sent to the front, 
 who soon returned and reported that Gen. Siegel was on 
 the other side with some twelve thousand men. We con 
 tinued our line of march and. at night camped at New 
 Baltimore. The next day, the loth, Gen. McClellan, hav 
 ing been removed from the command, rode through the 
 camp, taking leave of the army. He was accompanied by 
 General Burnside, who assumes command. The men were 
 wild with excitement. They threw their hats into, the 
 air and cheered their old commander as long as his es 
 cort was in sight. The rank and file are very much dis 
 satisfied with his removal, as the soldiers have always idol 
 ized him. The next day one soldier writes in his diary : 
 " Here we are still in this miserable old camp. There is 
 much excitement among the men. We are growing uneasy 
 as dogs, and hardly know how to content ourselves, on 
 account of the change in commanders. The troops are all 
 discouraged and don t care whether the Union is saved or 
 not." The soldiers at this time did not realize what Gen. 
 McClellan might have done after the battle of Antietam, by 
 following up the enemy more rapidly. 
 
 The following is the order relieving Gen. McClellan : 
 
 WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 1862. 
 
 By direction of the President of the United States, it is ordered that 
 Major-Gen. McClellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the 
 Potomac, and that Major-Gen. Burnside take command of that army. 
 By order of the Secretary of War. 
 
 E. D. TOWNSEND, 
 
 Assistant Adjutan.t-General. 
 
112 RECORD OB 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 McClellan s Farewell Address. 
 
 HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ) 
 
 CAMP NEAR RECTORTOWN, Va., Nov. 7, 1862. ^ 
 Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac : 
 
 An order of the President devolves upon Major-Gen. Burnside the 
 command of this army. In parting from you, I cannot express the love 
 and gratitude I bear to you. As an army, you have grown up under 
 my care. In you I have never found doubt or coldness. The battles you 
 have fought under my command, will proudly live in our nation s history. 
 The glory you have achieved, our mutual perils and fatigues, the graves 
 of our comrades fallen in battle and by disease, the broken forms of 
 those whom wounds and sickness have disabled the strongest associa 
 tions which can exist among men unite us still by an indissoluble tie. 
 
 We shall ever be comrades in supporting the constitution of our coun 
 try and the nationality of its people. 
 
 GEO. B. McCLELLAN, 
 
 Major-General United States Army. 
 
 Gen. Burnside s order assuming command of the Army 
 of the Potomac was now prepared, and read as follows : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ) 
 WARRENTOWN, Va., Nov. 9, 1862. ( 
 General Order No. i. 
 
 In accordance with General Orders No. 182, issued by the President of 
 the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac; 
 and the exercise of my every energy in the direction of this army, aided 
 by the full and hearty co-operation of its officers and men, will, I hope, 
 under the blessing of God, ensure its success. 
 
 Having been a sharer of the privations, and a witness of the bravery of 
 the old Army of the Potomac in the Maryland campaign, and fully iden 
 tified in the feelings of respect and esteem for Gen. McClellan, entertained 
 through a long and most friendly association with him, I feel that it is not 
 as a stranger that I assume this command. To the Ninth Corps, so long 
 and intimately associated with me, I need say nothing : our histories are 
 identical. With diffidence for myself, but with a proud confidence in the 
 unswerving loyalty and determination of the gallant army now entrusted 
 to my care, I accept its control with the steadfast assurance that the just 
 
 cause must prevail. 
 
 A. E. BURNSIDE, 
 
 Major-General, Commanding. 
 
GOOD REASON FOR DISOBEYING ORDERS. 113 
 
 Burnside halted here several days around Warrenton> 
 and reorganized the army upon a novel plan. The six 
 army corps were consolidated into three grand divisions^ 
 the right, center, and left, respectively commanded by 
 Gens. Sumner, Hooker, and Franklin. The Sixth Corps 
 now formed a part of the left grand division, and was com 
 manded by Gen. W. F. (" Baldy ") Smith. The first divis 
 ion, to which our regiment had always been attached, was 
 now commanded by Gen. Brooks, a stern disciplinarian and 
 an able soldier, Gen. Slocum having succeeded to the com 
 mand of the Twelfth Corps. 
 
 On this march the matter of supplies was a vital one 
 to us. The supply trains were often delayed, and yet the 
 strictest rules had been issued that the country through 
 which the army passed should be " protected." No plun 
 dering was allowed. But it was a hard thing to restrain 
 hungry men from occasionally helping themselves to any 
 good thing they could find. One day Corp. - , of Co. 
 " C." walked into camp and directly past Gen. Brooks 
 headquarters, with a fine sheep swung over his shoulders. 
 The General halted him and in a peremptory voice de 
 manded his reasons for disobeying orders. " General," said 
 the soldier, " No sheep must try to bite me. If it does, 1 
 shall shoot it, orders or no orders," and immediately walked 
 on to his tent. It is needless to say that the General that 
 day had mutton chops for dinner. 
 
 One day, Col. , of our brigade, calling his orderly, 
 asked: "What s that I smell cooking? Has any one 
 killed the dog?" "Oh, no sir; it s mutton broth!" 
 "How s that? Have the men been robbing any of the 
 farmers?" " No, sir ; our men wouldn t do that." "Then, 
 where did the mutton come from?" "Well, sir, this 
 morning about daybreak, two men of the - th regi 
 ment were seen carrying a sheep toward camp. They 
 seemed, sir, to have brought it some distance. Two or 
 three of our boys slipped on their belts, and, taking their 
 muskets, started for the " forgers," who supposing, they 
 were about to be arrested by a detail of the provost guard, 
 
1 14 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 dropped the sheep and ran. Of course, sir, the boys 
 couldn t think of leaving the carcass there, and and 
 we re to have a mess of mutton broth for dinner." 
 
 I have just finished my dinner, and as some of our men 
 could not forage, I would like all to know what a good 
 soldier s dinner is: Recipe Take a quart cup and put in 
 one spoonful of coffee, one spoonful of sugar, fill to the 
 brim with water ; put it over a fire of coals and boil; this 
 is coffee. 2. Take a frying-pan, cut three slices of fat pork, 
 fry to a crisp. 3. Take five " hard-tacks," soak them in 
 cold water ten minutes, place them in the pan with your 
 pork ; fry ten minutes. Having done this, your dinner is 
 ready. Then sit down upon the ground ; take your knife 
 (your fingers serve as a fork) and eat heartily. This is 
 what may be called a good dinner, a cheap one, and the 
 recipe should be carefully preserved. 
 
 Sunday, November i6th, broke camp, and started on the 
 march about 7 o clock. Passed through New Baltimore 
 and Greenville, then turned south and marched through 
 Catlett s Station, going into camp two miles beyond. The 
 day s march was fifteen miles. Here the little gray rabbits 
 were very numerous ; they seemed to start up from every 
 bush. The men knocked them over with sticks and stones, 
 and that night rabbit pot-pie was the favorite dish in camp. 
 On this march I congratulated myself on having confis 
 cated a pillow-case full of flour. I carried it on my shoul 
 ders nearly two miles, when one of the battery boys offered 
 to relieve me by carrying it to camp on a gun carriage and 
 he did relieve me most effectually, for I have never seen it 
 since. After two days more of marching, we went into 
 camp near Stafford Court House, where we remained for 
 some time. The weather was cold and stormy, and as we 
 had only green pine for fires, the men were soon smoked up, 
 and became the color of a sugar-cured ham. 
 
 November 2/th the regiment was ordered on picket, and 
 after a long march they formed the line a few miles from 
 Aquia Creek. This being Thanksgiving Day in the State 
 of New York, the boys are thinking much of home. This 
 
THANKSGIVING DINNER. 115 
 
 is the way one man gives his experience, in his diary, next 
 morning : 
 
 " Four of us are on post near the forks of a road. We 
 are not allowed to have any fires on the post at night, and 
 the boys complain bitterly of the cold. We built us a 
 shanty of brush and got some hay and made a comfortable 
 bed. It was a bright moonlight night, and as I passed up 
 and down my lonely beat, I had pleasant thoughts of 
 home and often wished I could have a share of the good 
 things from the home Thanksgiving table ; for our rations 
 were very short and I had only a small piece of boiled 
 beef, with coffee and crackers, and a lot of ripe persim 
 mons, which are very plentiful in this section. But war 
 will have an end, and we will return and join our loved ones, 
 and share of the good things there." 
 
 The men on reserve, however, fared much better. They 
 foraged about the country and had a good supply of chick 
 en, bread, eggs, milk and sweet potatoes. 
 
 Returned from picket duty on the 2Qth, and remained in 
 this camp until December 4th. While in camp at Stafford 
 Court House, one of the hospital tents took fire and one 
 patient was suffocated. There was one case of small-pox 
 while in this camp. The patient was quarantined in a small 
 tent at some distance from the camp. 
 
 We marched at daylight on the above date a long 
 march and camped on the top of a hill, where the wind 
 was piercingly cold. We gathered some dried grass and 
 made as comfortable beds as possible. The next morn 
 ing we removed our tents and put them in a piece of woods 
 where it was more sheltered, and made ourselves quite 
 comfortable. It began to rain about 9 o clock, and we did 
 not expect to move ; but about noon orders came to pack 
 up, and we started back towards Belle Plain, a place that 
 we passed yesterday. We had a very hard march of four 
 miles. The rain had turned to snow ; it was very muddy 
 and very cold, and proved to be the most disagreeable 
 march we had ever had. They led us out on the open 
 plain near the river, where we stacked arms, just at dark. 
 
Il6 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 The snow and mud were several inches deep. The cold 
 wind swept over the plain. There was no wood for fires 
 and no place to lie down. Being thoroughly soaked, the 
 men could not stand it ; so we left the plains and went 
 into the woods on the heights, about a mile back from the 
 river. Here we built huge fires and remained all night, 
 drying our clothes and blankets, and getting but little 
 sleep. The weather cleared about midnight, and there was 
 an eclipse of the moon that attracted a great deal of atten 
 tion. 
 
 The next morning we returned to the plain, took our 
 arms, and went into an old camp near the landing. It 
 seems that our brigade had been detailed and sent here to 
 guard the landing and unload boats. 
 
 The following day, December 7th, was the coldest day 
 we had ever experienced in Virginia. Ice formed in the 
 Potomac so that the boats had great difficulty in landing, 
 and some of the men crossed the river on the ice. Many 
 took to the woods again, and spent their Sunday around 
 the fires, having suffered very much from cold and hunger. 
 To this day the men well remember their experience at 
 Belle Plain. One soldier, writing to a comrade recently, 
 says : " Whenever I hear the wind blowing on some cold 
 and snowy day or night, I shudder and think of Belle 
 Plain." 
 
 On fatigue duty, unloading boats, during the 8th and 9th. 
 The sutler arrived on the Qth, and put up a big tent, well 
 stocked with goods, but refused to sell to the men except 
 for cash, and at exorbitant prices. That night some of 
 the men made a charge upon the establishment, tore down 
 the tent, and seized the goods. Some had an armful of to 
 bacco ; others, fine-tooth combs ; some, boxes of sardines, 
 buckskin gloves, and the various articles usually kept on 
 sale. It took half the night to swap round, and get things 
 evenly divided. 
 
 The next morning we were made glad by orders to march 
 and join the division. We started at 8 o clock, and while 
 on the march, all along the line, men were shouting, " Who ll 
 
FIRST BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. I 17 
 
 swap a right for a left ?" and vice versa. When they ob 
 tained these gloves from the sutler the night before, time 
 was too pressing to notice whether all had mates or not. 
 After marching five miles we went into camp, at White 
 Oak Church. 
 
 The roll of the drum summoned the men in line at 5 A.M., 
 on the morning of December i ith, 1862. At about 8 o clock 
 we left our camp at White Oak Church, taking up the line 
 of march towards the river. Cannonading commenced in 
 the direction of Fredericksburg very early, and continued 
 very rapidly all day. About noon we reached the Rappa- 
 hannock, a short distance below Fredericksburg, and from 
 our position on the bluffs, bordering the valley, we had a 
 fine view of Fredericksburg and the fortified hills in rear. 
 It was a beautiful day, a warm sunshine and smoky atmo 
 sphere reminding one of a Northern Indian summer. Be 
 low, on the river, the engineers brigade was engaged laying 
 the pontoon bridges, subject to the annoying fire of the 
 enemy s sharp-shooters, who were plainly seen on the other 
 side of the river. 
 
 We were marched down to a level plain near the bank of 
 the river, when suddenly all the batteries, which had been 
 stationed on high ground a little back from the river, opened 
 fire and sent a continuous stream of shells over our heads, 
 across the river, into the city, and over the plain below. 
 Sixty shells a minute went whizzing through the air, and 
 crashing through buildings, while the earth fairly shook be 
 neath the terrific cannonade. The scene was one of awful 
 grandeur. A dark column of smoke rose heavenward from 
 the doomed city, showing that the explosives were doing 
 effective work. The bombardment continued about an 
 hour, when the pontoon bridges in our front were com 
 pleted, and we were ordered to advance. Above, opposite 
 the city, the bridges could not be completed till the troops 
 had crossed over in boats, and driven the sharp-shooters out 
 of the houses. This was done in a most gallant manner by 
 the SQth New York, the iQth and 2Oth Massachusetts, and 
 the /th Michigan. 
 
Il8 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. V. VOI.S. 
 
 Just at dark the 2/th crossed the river, following a Rhode 
 Island regiment that moved off to the right, while our regi 
 ment moved obliquely to the left, and advanced with the 
 steadiness of a dress parade, about a mile, when we found 
 ourselves close up to the enemy s lines ; and we could sec- 
 through the darkness the outlines of moving forms. The 
 men all along the line wondered at the mysterious move 
 ment, sending a regiment squarely up to the rebel line, 
 with no troops to support us, and a river between us and 
 our army. A halt was made and the men lay down, but 
 soon a retreat was ordered, in a whisper, and the regiment 
 marched back to the river in good order, recrossed the 
 bridge and went into camp for the night. 
 
 While all this was going on, the men of the 8Qth New 
 York and other troops were holding high carnival in the 
 lower part of the city. Houses were entered and articles of 
 food seized. Bacon and eggs were plenty. The soldiers 
 were determined to enjoy one square meal. They baked 
 hot cakes in the kitchen and ate them with sugar and mo 
 lasses. Mattresses and beds were carried into the streets 
 and laid upon the sidewalks for a place to rest. Some 
 dressed themselves in the old-fashioned clothes found in 
 the houses, and sang to the music of pianos that were also 
 taken into the street. A citizen of Fredericksburg remarked 
 after the war, that he believed " a Yankee could eat, drink, 
 and lie down to sleep in the very jaws of death ; for," said he, 
 "on that eventful night when the Confederates were still in 
 the city, the Union soldiers acted as though there was no 
 one to fight north of Richmond. Why," he added, "it 
 was the biggest jamboree Fredericksburg ever saw !" In 
 deed it was a first-class "jamboree," from the time Burn- 
 side opened on the town with his artillery. 
 
 December I2th we were called at 4 A. M., and at 8 o clock 
 the troops began to cross the river. Soon after, our regi 
 ment fell in and marched over, taking position first on the 
 right, then on the left, and finally moving to the center of 
 the line, advanced about a mile. A dense fog shielded our 
 movements from the enemy, who were posted on a range 
 
STORMING MARY S HEIGHTS. 
 
 119 
 
 of hills in the form of a half circle, reaching from above 
 Fredericksburg southeast, some four miles, while we were 
 on a level plain, extending from the river some two miles, 
 to the foot of the hills. About 9 o clock the fog lifted, and 
 the enemy opened on us with their batteries from the for 
 tified heights in our front. We were ordered to take shelter 
 in a ravine, which protected us from their fire. They con 
 tinued to shell us for about an hour, many of the shells 
 bursting right over us, and our batteries occasionally reply 
 ing. At last all became quiet, and as the ravine furnished 
 us wood and water, we made ourselves comfortable, and 
 leisurely cooked our dinner. 
 
 At 3 P. M. the enemy opened on us again, and this time 
 fired pieces of railroad iron, about two feet long, which 
 went over our heads, burying themselves in the opposite 
 bank, doing us no harm, but making a horrible noise. 
 Whenever the discharge of a cannon in the fort was seen, 
 the men would cry out, " Lie down ! another blacksmith 
 shop is coming!" 
 
 Brisk firing now commenced on our right, first cannon 
 ading, then musketry. It was our troops charging the 
 heights back of Fredericksburg, and, although we could not 
 see them, every comrade knew, from the noise, that it was 
 desperate fighting. At dark all became quiet, and re 
 mained so all night, but it was so cold we could not sleep. 
 The morning of the I3th, cold, foggy and dark, found us 
 still in the ravine, and in line of battle before daylight ; 
 and, as one soldier writes : " We expect to try our hand to 
 day. God grant to give us success, and take me to Him 
 self, if I am killed. I will trust in Him, and not fear what 
 man can do unto me ; and will try and do my duty, and 
 fight worthy the cause we are defending." But no orders 
 to march were received, and after standing under arms for 
 an hour, we were dismissed, and allowed to cook our break 
 fast. About noon our batteries on the right began to shell 
 the heights, whfch brought on an artillery duel, that was 
 kept up at intervals all day. There was also heavy mus 
 ketry firing at intervals on our left, and also on the right ; 
 
CAPT. H. SEYMOUR PIERCE, Co. " G, 
 
RECROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK. 121 
 
 but the only engagement in our front was an advance just 
 at dark by the First Jersey brigade, who carried two lines 
 of the enemy s works, but could not hold them, and were 
 driven back with heavy loss. After this, all became quiet, 
 and we stacked arms for the night. 
 
 Sunday, December I4th, there was more or less picket 
 firing all night, so we got but little rest. The enemy 
 opened the ball a little to the left of our position, and soon 
 after the firing became fast and furious on the right. Our 
 men were making another desperate effort to carry the for 
 tified heights back of Fredericksburg. Twice they reached 
 the outer works, but with numbers so reduced that they 
 could not carry the works, and had to retreat. About 8 
 o clock we were sent to the front to relieve the 8th Jersey 
 regiment on picket, and were ordered close up to the ene 
 my s works, where we lay down and were partially pro 
 tected by a slight rise in the ground, and further protected 
 by our knapsacks, which every man set up before him. 
 Every head that came up above their line of works would 
 receive a volley, and they would answer us with one in 
 return. Picket firing was kept up most of the day and 
 numbers were killed on both sides, but none of our regi 
 ment were hurt. The rebels finally sent in a flag of truce, 
 asking for time to bury their dead, and picket firing ceased. 
 Some of our boys went over and shook hands with the 
 rebels. One deserter gave himself up to our regiment. 
 The weather was very fine and we passed a comfortable 
 night, but were not allowed to sleep. Just before daylight 
 on Monday, the I5th, we were relieved by the g6th Penn 
 sylvania, when we moved back to the ravine and cooked 
 our breakfast. Here we remained quiet all day. There 
 was but little firing anywhere along the lines, and at night 
 we prepared for a good rest, but at midnight orders came 
 to move, and we marched back and crossed the river. 
 
 It was now evident that our army had been defeated 
 again. The whole army was safely withdrawn across the 
 river during the night. All were much discouraged and 
 disheartened. We had learned nothing definite of our loss, 
 
122 RECORD OF 2fTl-I REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 but imagined that it was very great, and began to fear that 
 wo should never conquer the rebels. Our regiment went 
 into camp on a side-hill a little back from the stream, and 
 we lay down to rest. Soon it commenced raining hard 
 and continued so till morning, when we arose, wet, hungry, 
 and tired, but thankful that our lives were spared and that 
 we were not wounded. 
 
 Soon after daylight on the i6th, the enemy having got 
 a battery in position, began to shell our camp, as a parting 
 salute. This caused us to pack up lively and move back 
 out of range, where we put up our tents and had a good 
 day s rest. Thus ended the first battle of Fredericksburg, 
 under Burnside, that for courage, bravery, and reckless sac 
 rifice of life had not been equaled in any battle of the war. 
 After dark we were ordered to go on picket on the bank of 
 the river, where we relieved the 2d Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 who cautioned us not to show ourselves, as the enemy 
 would pick off any one at whom they could get a shot. The 
 night was very cold, and even the reserves could not sleep. 
 
 At daylight we found the enemy s pickets on the other 
 side of the river, and could see that they were carefully 
 watching us After a while one of our men, without ex 
 posing himself, called out, " Hello, Johnnie!" The answer 
 came back, " Hello, Yank!" "Say, Johnnie, we won t fire 
 if you won t !" " All right ; we won t fire unless the officer 
 of the day comes and orders us to, and then we will fire 
 high until you get under cover." 
 
 Taking them at their word, we stepped from behind our 
 shelter, when they did the same ; and we all walked down 
 close to the shore, where the river was not more than four 
 or five rods wide, and opened conversation with the 4< John 
 nies." We found some of them were the Texans, whom 
 we had fought at West Point and Games Mill ; and others 
 of the 4th Alabama, whom we had already met four times 
 in battle. We invited them to come across the river, and 
 have a social time, with the promise that they should return 
 without hindrance from us. Soon a boat was found, and 
 pushed off from the other side, filled with Texans. On 
 
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 /s / 
 
 BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 
 
MAJOR-GEN. W. B. FRANKLIN. 
 
124 RECORD OF 2JTII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 reaching our side of the river, we cordially shook them by 
 the hand, and while some entertained them, others of our 
 men took the boat and crossed over to the rebel side, where 
 they met with just as friendly a reception. 
 
 We could treat them to coffee, and they in turn gave us 
 tobacco. The boat went back and forth all day. We had 
 found them brave men in battle, and now found them to 
 be more intelligent than the ordinary Southern soldier. 
 The men traded knives, pipes, rings and other trinkets, and 
 wrote down each other s names, with a promise that if 
 either were taken prisoner, the other should do all he could 
 for the captive s comfort ; and before the war closed, there 
 were several instances where the promise made that day 
 was faithfully carried out. Others said, that if we ever met 
 in action again, to cry out our number, " 27th New York," 
 and they would not fire on us. 
 
 Just before dark we parted, after a general hand-shaki n g> 
 and each one betook himself to his own side of the river, 
 ready to shoot at the word of command. Soon after dark 
 we were relieved from picket, and moved baclrto our camp 
 in the woods, where we remained till the iQth, when we 
 broke camp, and marched back near White Oak Church, 
 where we were very glad to take a rest, having been under 
 fire for six days. 
 
 The loss of the Army of the Potomac had been very 
 severe. Official returns stated it to be as follows : Gen. 
 Hooker, 3,548; Gen. Franklin, 4,679 (of which 1,531 were 
 prisoners) ; Gen. Sumner, 5,494 ; Engineers, 50 ; the total 
 amounting to 13,771. The enemy s loss was said to be only 
 half that number. The Confederate position was strongly 
 intrenched from right to left and lavishly supplied with 
 artillery, while our own field batteries were worked at a 
 great disadvantage. 
 
 Gen. Burnside in his official dispatch to Major-Gen- Hal- 
 leek, said : " For the failure in the attack I am responsible, 
 as the extreme gallantry, courage and endurance shown by 
 them (the officers and soldiers) were never exceeded and 
 would have carried the points had it been possible. To the 
 
OUR PLACE IN THE ARMY. 125 
 
 families and friends of the dead I can only offer my heart 
 felt sympathy ; but for the wounded I can offer my earnest 
 prayers for their comfortable and final recovery." 
 
 ROSTER OK 
 SIXXH ARMY CORPS. 
 
 DECEMBER 13, 1862. 
 
 Right of the Left Grand Division. - Major-Gen. W. B. 
 FRANKLIN, commanding. 
 
 Sixth Corps. Major-Gen. W. F. SMITH, commanding. 
 
 FIRST DIVISION. 
 Brigadier-Gen. W. T. H. BROOKS, commanding. 
 
 First Brigade. Col. A. T. A. TORBERT, commanding 
 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, i 5th and 23d New Jersey Volunteers. 
 
 Second Brigade. Brigadier-Gen. J. J. BARTLETT, com 
 manding 2/th, 1 6th, 1 2 ist. New York, 5th Maine and Q6th 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Third Brigade. Col. G. W. TOWNE, commanding i8th, 
 3 ist and 32d New York and 95th Pennsylvania. 
 
 ARTILLERY. 
 
 Williston s D, 2d United States; McCartney s A, ist Mas 
 sachusetts; Hexamer s A, ist New Jersey; Woolcott s A, 
 ist Maryland. 
 
 SECOND DIVISION. 
 
 Brigadier-Gen. A. P. HOWE, commanding. 
 
 THIRD DIVISION. 
 
 Brigadier-Gen. JOHN NEWTON, commanding. 
 
CAPT. H. C. ROGERS, Co. " D." 
 
 (Assistant Adjutant-General, on the Staff of Gen. Slocum.) 
 
V. 
 
 DECEMBER 20th the paymaster came, and the men 
 received four months pay, $52.00. This was followed 
 by the usual amount of excesses on the part of some of 
 the men ; but, we are glad to say, the 2/th had as few men 
 who indulged in the ordinary camp vices as any regiment 
 in the department. 
 
 Soon after camping at White Oak Church we received 
 orders to make ourselves comfortable for the winter, as here 
 would be our winter quarters. The weather continued quite 
 cold, and there was little camp duty besides inspection, till 
 the 25th, when we had a mild, pleasant Christmas, and 
 cabin building became the great industry of our camp. A 
 ration of whiskey was served to the men this morning, and 
 some of them became " ga-loriously " happy. 
 
 Christmas was a lively day in camp. Most of the men 
 spent the day industriously working on their cabins, with 
 little to eat, while others were casting about for materials 
 for a Christmas dinner. Foraging was out of the question, 
 for there were too many iroops in the neighborhood, and 
 the country had been thoroughly scoured. So we had to 
 depend entirely upon the commissary and the sutler for 
 the wherewithal. Some pooled their rations, and had a 
 family dinner in one of the tents. Happy was the squad 
 whose culinary department could show a frying-pan, and a 
 quart tin cup for boiling coffee. But it was a dark day that 
 did not show some pleasure, and many a soldier can look 
 back to that Christmas dinner in camp and say that he had 
 
T28 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 more rollicking fun and a greater amount of hearty enjoy 
 ment with half a dozen companions curled up in the cor 
 ner of his little tent, than now, even when seated beside a 
 well filled table and surrounded by friends. Then fancy 
 free, with few ties to bind him to life, he was determined to 
 extract all the pleasure possible out of existence as he went 
 through it. 
 
 So there was much sunshine even in a soldier s life. Our 
 cabins were usually built large enough for two, and were 
 partly in and partly above ground. The Virginia red clay 
 Was good ground on which to build. First we would dig a 
 hole about two feet deep and six feet square ; then build 
 walls of small pine logs, from four to six inches in diame 
 ter, laid up " cob-house " tashion, two or three feet high 
 and resting on the edge of the cellar already dug. These 
 were covered with shelter tents that let in plenty of light, 
 and the logs were banked and plastered with clay, which 
 made them wind proof. A fire-place was made by digging 
 a recess two feet square into the clay on one side, and 
 above this a chimney was made with split sticks that ex 
 tended above the top of the tent and were well plastered 
 inside and out with the tough Virginia clay, which was a 
 good substitute for mortar. Our bed was just high enough 
 from the ground to make a comfortable seat in front of the 
 fire-place, as it took up about two-thirds of the cabin. It 
 was made of poles or pieces split thin enough to make a 
 good spring bottom. On these were placed cedar boughs ; 
 or, when they could be had, gunny-bags, filled with straw, 
 made more comfortable beds. Knapsacks, overcoats or 
 boots were used for pillows, and our two blankets made the 
 covering. 
 
 Our cabins completed, the men turned in and built com 
 fortable log houses for the officers quarters. 
 
 We remained quietly in this camp several weeks, with 
 nothing to disturb the monotony of camp life. There was 
 the usual routine of drill, reviews and inspection, with an 
 occasional tour of two or three days of picket duty. The 
 weather was cold, and snowy much of the time. We vis- 
 
THE SOLDIER, AS A COOK. l2C) 
 
 ited our friends in the different regiments within a radius of 
 ten miles of our camp, read all the books and papers we 
 could get, gave a good deal of thought to the culinary de 
 partment, and having got tired of government rations, 
 we bought flour, sugar and lard of the commissary, made 
 crullers, cakes and pies, and these, helped out with an occa 
 sional box from home, made a menu that home folks might 
 envy. Some enterprising comrades turned their little tents 
 into bakeries, made crullers and sold them to the men. 
 
 The annoyances which the soldiers were sometimes sub 
 jected to in the way of bad biscuit or unwholesome meat 
 were the means of developing much wit and linguistic 
 sprightliness that otherwise would have remained dormant, 
 and tended also to stimulate culinary ingenuity. Some 
 wag would declare that B. C., on the cracker boxes at this 
 time, denoted that the hard-tack was made before the 
 Christian era, and kindred jokes abounded at the expense 
 of salt junk and desiccated vegetables. The following va 
 riety of delectable dishes, all made from government 
 rations, illustrate the culinary ingenuity, " army scouse," 
 " lumgullion," "dingbats," "flippers," "succotash," etc. 
 
 The story went the rounds of the camp one morning, 
 that Captain - n, late the night before, after having 
 imbibed too much " Commissary," blundered without cere 
 mony into the quarters of Captain - s, in search, as 
 he said, " of something sour either vinegar or pickles as 
 he felt very sick !" Captain - s answered from his 
 bed, " that he had no pickles, but that there was a bottle 
 of horseradish standing on the Company desk, that would 
 answer every purpose." The bottle was found, the cork 
 removed with some difficulty, and a large spoonful bolted 
 down. It did not stay, however! and the victim expressed 
 the opinion that it must have become spoiled ! " Oh, no !" 
 replied Captain - s, " you have just taken the top of 
 the bottle ; dip lower down, and you will find it all right !" 
 A second dose was self-administered, with the same nause 
 ating effect, when, upon examination, the boozy captain 
 found that he had swallowed about half the contents 
 
130 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 of a bottle of 4i Hair Pomatum !" Captain - n, now 
 a temperance man, is always ready to say, " Smoke at my 
 expense !" whenever the word horseradish is mentioned. 
 
 The most enjoyable part of our time was that spent in 
 writing letters to " the girls we left behind us." and our his 
 tory would not be complete without quoting some of 
 these : 
 
 A SOLDIER S LETTER. 
 
 CAMP OF TIIK 271-11 REG T N. Y. VOLS., ) 
 NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, VA., Dec. 29, 1862. ( 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND : I was made very glad this afternoon by receiving 
 your welcome letter. Almost the only comfort we have to cheer a sol 
 dier s life is receiving letters from our friends, and gladly do we spend 
 our leisure time in answering them. 
 
 And now let me begin just where your letter found me, and review the 
 last few weeks of our campaign. 
 
 1 was sitting in my little tent with my comrade, each of us doing some 
 mending, when the letters came. You know our shelter-tents are very 
 small, and when we remain in camp any length of time they are very in 
 convenient. So to remedy this, we build up a pen of logs and pitch the 
 tent on top, and by banking up the eaith around and building a fire-place 
 in one side, make ourselves a comfortable home. In such an one, which 
 we spent all day Christmas in building, are we seated to-night. Christ 
 mas was a pleasant but not a very merry day ; for the scenes through 
 which we have passed during the last two weeks have so depressed our 
 spirits that the holidays bring but little cheer to us. Our repulse at 
 Fredericksburg, followed by the extreme cold weather and the discom 
 forts attending, of course gave rise to a great deal of murmuring among 
 the troops. They do not seem to blame Burnside so much, although the 
 attempt to cross at this point seemed a piece of the greatest folly, and had 
 it not been for great stupidity on the part of our enemies, our whole army 
 could have been driven into the river. But the blame rests farther back, 
 upon those at home and the .Washington authorities, who have kept up 
 the constant cry, " Why don t the army move?" and so have forced a cam 
 paign unwelcome and impracticable. They could not be satisfied after 
 removing our General. He was the only one that has realized the strength 
 of his foe and shaped his plans accordingly, and who held the confidence 
 
A SOLDIER S LETTER. 131 
 
 of his men. To-day the whole army is praying for his return, and may 
 God arrant that lie may come back to us. Not until this is dorie, arid the 
 rewards at home shall cease their cry, and. as you say, "shall on with the 
 garb and off to the wars themselves," may we look for success. 
 
 Personally I am not at all discou/aged at our late repulse. I feel that 
 God had a purpose in thus humiliating our nation ; and I fear that we 
 must have many such a lesson before peace is established. Something 
 must be done to unite our people. When we become a unit, as the South 
 is to-day, and the administration adopts a different policy, then shall I 
 look for success to our arms. 
 
 I am very glad that you agree with us in regard to Gen. McClellan, and 
 your letters came with much cheer for us ; for of all my correspondents, 
 except mother, you are the only one who takes the same view of affairs 
 as the soldiers do. Most of my friends seem to rejoice that he was 
 removed, and seem to believe the absurd falsehoods that are circulated by 
 his enemies, but they will yet change and be as glad as we to see him 
 returned. 
 
 Since Christmas the weather has been very mild and warm, and this, 
 together with the short rest, has raised our spirits ; the gloom is fast dis 
 appearing, and by New Year s I think the army will be itself again. Many 
 are hoping that we shall be allowed to rest the remainder of the winter, as 
 they do not believe in a winter campaign. I hardly think we shall remain 
 here long, and I am ready at anytime when orders come, to go where duty- 
 calls. I have firm confidence in Him who has ever sustained me, and my 
 faith shall never waver. It is not so hard as you seem to think for us to 
 live on faith. Even in the darkest hours I find the greatest comfort. I 
 thank you heartily for your kind sympathy, for it is this 
 
 "That cheers the soldier s lonely way, 
 And makes him to his lot resigned." 
 
 It is getting late, and I must retire to rest on my couch made of cedar 
 boughs spread upon the ground, where I shall sleep as sweetly as if lying 
 upon a bed of down. So, bidding you good night and wishing you a 
 
 Happy New Year, I remain 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 P. S. December 3Oth. This morning we have received orders to be 
 ready to move in twelve hours, with three days rations and sixty rounds 
 of cartridges. Where we are to go, we cannot tell. It is a dark time in 
 our country s history. God grant that the clouds may soon be raised. 
 
132 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Jan. i, 1863. To-day the army and the nation arc 
 thrilled by the advent of the " EMANCIPATION PROCLAMA 
 TION." Every contraband who might be waiting upon an 
 officer s mess, or cleaning an officer s horse, every colored 
 servant, every African mule-driver, on this 1st of January, 
 1863, becomes at once as completely a new object of inter 
 est to the average soldier as if the black man had just 
 dropped from the clouds before his startled eyes. There 
 are various shades of sentiment with which this immortal 
 proclamation is received. There are some men in every 
 company who perfectly comprehended the relation which 
 slavery sustained to secession, and who had foreseen the 
 necessity of an emancipation measure, when the first gun 
 was fired. There are others who to-day look upon the 
 measure as a dangerous expedient. 
 
 Confirmatory Emancipation Proclamation. 
 
 WHEREAS, On the 22d day of September, in the year of our Lord one 
 thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the 
 President of the United States, containing, among other things, the fol 
 lowing, to wit : 
 
 " That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
 eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State 
 oj designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion 
 against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free ; 
 and the Executive Government of the United States, including the mili 
 tary and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom 
 of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any 
 of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom." 
 
 "That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by 
 proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the 
 people thereof respectively shall then be in rebellion against the United 
 States ; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day 
 be in good faith represented in the Congress of the United States, by 
 members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified 
 voters of such States shall have participated, shall, in the absence of 
 strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such 
 State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion against the United 
 States." 
 
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION. 133 
 
 Now, therefore, I, AKKAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United 
 States; by Virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief of the 
 Army and Navy of the United States iri time of actual armed rebelliori 
 against the authority and Government of the United States, and as a fit 
 and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this 
 first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
 and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly pro 
 claimed for the full period of one hundred days from the day first above 
 mentioned, order and designate, as the States and parts of States wherein 
 the people thereof, respectively, are this day in rebellion against the 
 United States, the following, to wit : Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana (except 
 the parishes of St. Barnard, Plaquimines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, 
 St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terre Bonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, 
 St. Martin, and Orleans, including the city of New Orleans), Mississippi, 
 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Vir 
 ginia, (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and 
 also the counties of Barkley, Accomac, Northamton, Elizabeth City, 
 York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and 
 Portsmouth), and which excepted parts are for the present left precisely as 
 if this proclamation were not issued. 
 
 And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order 
 and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, 
 are, and henceforward shall be free ; and that the Executive Government 
 of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, 
 will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. 
 
 And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, to ab 
 stain from all violence, unless in necessary self defense ; and I recom 
 mend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for 
 reasonable wages. 
 
 And I further declare and make known that such persons, of suitable 
 condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States, to 
 garrison forts, positions, stations and other places, and to man vessels 
 of all sorts in said service. 
 
 And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, war 
 ranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the consid 
 erate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God. 
 
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused the 
 seal of the United States to be affixed. 
 
 Done at the City of Washington, the first day of January, in the year 
 of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the In 
 dependence of the United States the eighty-seventh. 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
t34 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Our quiet camp life at White Oak Church was not dis 
 turbed by any great amount of duty. All sorts of rumors 
 filled the air, of a raid here, or a flank movement in some 
 other direction, but we continued to enjoy ourselves in our 
 snug winter quarters until the night of January iQth, 1863. 
 When orders came to move, the next morning. 
 
 Tuesday, January 2Oth, as soon as our breakfast was 
 over, we dismantled our cabins of their canvas roofs, as 
 they had to serve us for tents on the march, and about 
 noon bid a sorrowful adieu to our comfortable quarters and 
 fell in line. Just before starting, an order from Gen. 
 Burnside, was read to us by Gen. Bartlett, stating : " That 
 we were about to meet the enemy once more," and that 
 " the auspicious moment had arrived to strike a great and 
 mortal blow to the rebellion, and to give that decisive vic 
 tory which is due to the country." 
 
 We had a long march of twelve miles. The weather 
 was very cold, but pleasant. The pontoon train was along, 
 and it was ordered that an attempt should be made to cross 
 the river above Fredericksburg. 
 
 The air had been so cold during the week, and the frost? 
 so keen, that the roads seemed as firm as adamant, and the 
 trains were moved with celerity. When we reached that 
 portion of our line in the rear of Falrnouth, we found that 
 the troops that were encamped in and around Falmouth 
 though none of those whose camps were in view 7 of the 
 Confederates had changed their positions. The expedi 
 tion was evidently to be a surprise. 
 
 It was a splendid day, and mounted and foot made good 
 time over the firm roads. Auspices were favorable, and 
 rank and file were hopeful of a successful result. We went 
 into camp just at dark, in a dense pine forest ; could not 
 build any fires as the green pine would not burn. The 
 ground was frozen so hard that we could hardly drive the 
 tent-pins. Scarcely had night arrived, when a storm arose, 
 a storm in earnest. The wind blew a gale and rocked the 
 trees spitefully. The night was very dark. The rain soon 
 dissolved the firm crust that had borne us up all day. The 
 
STORY OF THE MUD MARCH. 135 
 
 tent-pins would not hold, and down came the tents. The 
 wheels of the artillery and wagons settled into the ooz 
 ing mud, hours before an attempt was made to move them. 
 Our blankets were wet through, and we found ourselves 
 lying in a pool of ice-cold water. Morning dawned upon a 
 dank, wet body of men. No one got a wink of sleep, and 
 all, in that cheerless wilderness of trees and mud, agreed 
 that it was the most tedious night that we had ever passed. 
 
 About 8 o clock we packed up and marched on two or 
 three miles. Our blankets were wet and very heavy ; the 
 mud was deep, and we had a hard time. One soldier, in 
 his diary, puts it in this way : " Marched at 8 o clock. 
 Every rag wet ; knapsack heavy as a mountain ; poor me 
 nearly frozen to death ; expect to cross the river and have 
 a fight." 
 
 We went into camp in a piece of oak woods, about noon. 
 Built up large fires, dried our blankets and clothes, pitched 
 our tents and made ourselves quite comfortable. The rain 
 continued to fall all day and night, and defeated our plans, 
 for we soon heard that the move was given up for which 
 the rebs. may thank their stars. 
 
 Friday, January 23d. The men are in excellent health 
 and fine spirits, after having had a good night s rest, and a 
 gill of whiskey in lieu of rations, which are getting quite 
 short. The clouds cleared away about three, and the sun 
 shone out warm and bright, when we were ordered to 
 pack up, and made a short march up the river, very near 
 the shore, where we are to guard one of the pontoon trains, 
 which is stuck in the mud, and help draw it and the ar 
 tillery up from the plain to higher ground back from the river. 
 
 Looking across the river, we could see a big tent fly, 
 which the rebs. had put up early Wednesday morning, on 
 which they had written with charcoal : 
 
 "BURNSIDE STUCK IN THE MUD!" 
 They were greatly elated at the discomfiture of our army, 
 and amused themselves by offering to come over and extri 
 cate our men from the mud ; to aid them in crossing, and 
 to show them around on the other side. 
 
136 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Saturday, the 24th, our entire division was set to work 
 pulling the pontoon wagons out of the mud. Every wagon 
 and gun was down to the axle in the mud, and it was vain 
 to try to draw them with the mules. So a long rope was 
 made fast to each side of a wagon, and from one to two 
 hundred, and sometimes three hundred men would take 
 hold of the ropes, and at a given signal would start and 
 draw them up a hill TO some high ground, where they were 
 parked, and left for the mud to settle. This gave us a hard 
 and dirty day s work, but at the same time lots of fun. 
 
 At one time, when we were all tugging away at the ropes, 
 a spruce young officer rode up, dressed in a bright uniform, 
 with white gauntlets, and, in a petemptory tone, ordered 
 some of the men to pull harder, when a man who had 
 hold of one of the ropes, and was dressed in an old blouse, 
 with a slouch hat, looked around over his shoulder, and 
 said, "Who are you, anyway?" "I am Lieut. Hunter, 
 in command of the engineers." " Well, I am Major-Gen. 
 Brooks, in command of this division, and I order you to 
 get down from that horse and take hold of the rope with 
 these men." And down he had to come, saluted by a de 
 risive cheer from the men ; and the boys soon had his new 
 uniform well spattered with mud. 
 
 After a few hours work Sunday morning, the last boat 
 was drawn out ; and we, looking as though we had been 
 buried in the mud and dug out again, were ordered to 
 march back to our old camp at White Oak Church. We 
 reached our cabins about dark ; and, though the men had 
 been allowed to march at will and pick their way, the mud 
 being knee-deep, they were very tired. The officers had 
 ordered that barrels of whiskey should be placed beside the 
 street, with the heads removed, and every man was urged 
 to take a big ration. We then wrapped ourselves in our 
 damp blankets, and lay down on our old beds, without 
 shelter, and awoke next morning with our garments steam 
 ing from the heat and moisture. Thus ended the march 
 that has gone into history under the name of " Burnside 
 Stuck in the Mud !" 
 
GENERAL KURNSIDE RELIEVED. 137 
 
 It was the second unsuccessful attempt to take Fred- 
 ericksburg, which still held out against us, while the enemy s 
 pickets would tauntingly call across the Rappahannock to 
 our pickets, and ask, " When are you coming over again ?" 
 " Have you got your mules out of the mud ?" But we can 
 quietly bide our time, for we know that eventually the 
 place must fall into our hands, not without hard fight 
 ing, however ; but this we are ready for when the weather 
 will permit. 
 
 In this last movement Gen. Burnside had acted almost 
 solely upon his own responsibility. The sentiment of his 
 general officers was almost unanimously against it, and some 
 of them freely expressed themselves in opposition. This 
 was a powerful reason for abandoning the plan, aside from 
 the inclemency of the weather. 
 
 Gen. Burnside now expressed his intention to either 
 partly re-officer and reorganize his army, or to resign his 
 commission as major-general ; for he had become con 
 vinced not only that he did not have the co-operation of 
 a large number of his subordinate officers of high rank, but 
 that some of them were doing all in their power to thwart 
 his plans. He accordingly prepared an order dismissing 
 from the service Gens. Hooker, Brooks, Cochrane and New 
 ton ; and relieving from their commands Gens. Franklin, 
 W. F. Smith, Sturgis, and Ferrero, and Col. Taylor. Pro 
 ceeding to Washington, he asked the President to approve 
 of this order, or to accept his resignation. The President 
 referred the order to his military advisers, who declined to 
 recommend its approval. 
 
 Accordingly, unwilling to accept his resignation, the 
 President relieved Gen. Burnside of the command of the 
 Army of the Potomac, and not long after assigned him to 
 the command of the Department of the Ohio, Gen. Hooker 
 was made Gen. Burnside s successor. At the same time, 
 Gens. Sumner and Franklin, at their own request, were also 
 relieved, and ordered to report elsewhere. These changes 
 were announced to the army January 26th. 
 
138 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 In taking leave of the army, Gen. Burnside issued the 
 following order : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ) 
 FALMOUTH, Va., Jan. 26, 1863. j 
 
 General Orders No, q. 
 
 By direction of the President of the United States, the commanding 
 general this day transfers the command of this arm) to Major-General 
 Joseph Hooker. 
 
 The short time that he has directed your movements has not been fruit 
 ful of victory, or any considerable advancement of our lines ; but it has 
 again demonstrated an amount of courage, patience, and endurance that, 
 under more favorable circumstances, would have accomplished great re 
 sults. Continue to exercise these virtues ; be true in your devotion to 
 your country and the principles you have sworn to maintain ; give to the 
 brave and skillful general who has so long been identified with your or 
 ganization, and who is now to command you, your full and cordial sup 
 port and co-operation, and you will deserve success. 
 
 In taking an affectionate leave of the entire army, from which he sep 
 arates with so much regret, he may be pardoned if he bids an especial 
 farewell to his long-time associates of the Ninth Corps. 
 
 His prayer is that God may be with you, and grant you continued suc 
 cess, until the rebellion is crushed. 
 
 A. E. BURNSIDE, 
 
 Major-General. 
 
 President Lincoln s letter to Gen. Hooker, upon his ap 
 pointment to the command of the Army of the Potomac, 
 was a characteristic document from a remarkable man, and 
 was as follows : 
 
 EXECUTIVE MANSION, ) 
 
 WASHINGTON, D. C., January 26, 1863. j 
 Major- General Hooker : 
 
 GENERAL : I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac. 
 Of course I have done this upon what appeared to me to be sufficient 
 reasons, and yet I think it best for you to know that there are some things 
 in regard to which I am not quite satisfied with you. 
 
 I believe you to be a brave and skillful soldier, which, of course, I like. 
 I also believe you do not mix politics with your profession, in which you 
 are right. You have confidence in yourself, which is a valuable, if not 
 
PRESIDENT LINCOLN S LETTER. 139 
 
 an indispensable quality. You arc ambitious, which, within reasonable 
 hounds, does good rather than harm ; but I think during Gen. Burnside s 
 command of the army, you have taken counsel of your ambition, and 
 thwarted him as much as you could, in which you did a great wrong to the 
 country and to a most meritorious and honorable brother officer. I have 
 heard, in such a way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both the 
 army and the government needed a Dictator. Of course it was not for 
 this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the command. 
 
 What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictator 
 ship. The government will support you to the utmost of its ability, which 
 is neither more nor less than it has done, and will do for all commanders, 
 I much fear that the spirit which you have aided to infuse into the army, 
 of criticising their commander, and withholding confidence from him, will 
 now turn upon you. I shall assist you, as far as I can, to put it down. 
 Neither you nor Napoleon, if lie were alive again, could get any good out 
 of an army while such a spirit prevails in it. 
 
 And now beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance, 
 go forward and give us victories. 
 
 Yours, very truly, 
 
 A. LINCOLN. 
 
 Notwithstanding some grave defects in his character and 
 habits, Gen. Hooker, as a soldier, had enlisted the confi 
 dence and won the affection of the men. The plucky qual 
 ities which had given to him the name of "Fighting Joe," 
 seemed to be an assurance of the activity and energy that 
 were so necessary to the successful endurance of the con 
 test ; while his kindly nature, and his genial, social temper 
 ament, won the love and good wishes of all who came in 
 contact with him. 
 
 In appearance, when in command, he represented the 
 clashing, chivalrous soldier, of whom we have read in his 
 tory and fiction, inspiring confidence and awakening our 
 enthusiasm. As he rode along the line while reviewing a 
 corps, mounted upon a snow-white steed, horse and rider 
 seeming but one ; erect in all the pride of command ; his 
 hair nearly white, contrasting strongly with his ruddy com 
 plexion, he looked the perfect ideal of a dashing, gallant, 
 brave commander. We soon learned that his skill in organ 
 ization fully equalled his bravery japon the^battle-field ; and 
 
140 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 the results were apparent in the improved discipline and 
 morale of the troops. 
 
 And it must be recorded on every page that illustrates 
 the splendid military achievements of Hooker, that he was 
 the commander who knew how to inspire confidence in him 
 self, by considerately reposing confidence in others. 
 
 Gen. Sumner, after being relieved, retired to his home in 
 Syracuse, N. Y.; but his enforced idleness, and the absence 
 of the military surroundings to which he had been accus 
 tomed during the best part of his life, chafed the veteran 
 soldier, and probably hurried him to his end. He died on 
 the 2 1st of March following. The words of a brilliant wri 
 ter, when afterwards speaking of him, were fully merited: 
 44 We have had better captains than Sumner, but no better 
 soldiers no braver patriots." 
 
 The words which trembled upon the dying lips of the old 
 general " May God bless my country, the United States 
 of America" were the key-note of his life. Green be the 
 turf above his grave. 
 
 Gen. Hooker, upon assuming command, immediately be 
 gan improving the discipline and perfecting the organization 
 of his troops, and with such success that he had, some two 
 months afterward, as he declared, " The finest army on the 
 planet !" He broke up the " grand divisions," which many 
 officers had considered useless formations ; infused his own 
 vitality into the staff and administrative service ; and gave 
 distinctive badges to the different corps. This latter idea 
 was one of the best ever adopted, and the soldiers of the 
 army took pride in the display of the badges of their respec 
 tive divisions and corps. 
 
 These badges were made of flannel cloth, cut into the 
 shape designated for each corps, an inch and a half long, 
 and were ordered to be worn on the top of the cap, or on 
 the left side of the hat. 
 
 The 1st Corps was designated by a disk; the 2cl, by a 
 trefoil ; the 3d, by a lozenge ; the 5th, by a Maltese cross ; 
 the 6th, by a plain (or Greek) cross ; the i ith, by a crescent ; 
 and the I2th, by a star. (See next page.) 
 
j 
 
 
 CORPS BADGES. 141 
 
 Each corps had three divisions, and the badges, 
 whose form determined the corps, also designa 
 ted the divisions by colors. The badge of the 
 first division of each corps was made of scarlet 
 cloth; the second, of white; and the third, 
 of blue. The headquarters flag of each division 
 was decorated in the same way. 
 
 The idea of corps badges first originated with 
 Gen. Kearney, who had, some time before he 
 was killed, directed that the men of his brigade 
 should wear a badge to indicate the command 
 to which they belonged. 
 
 By means of these badges, any officer or man g 
 could tell at a glance to what command any body 
 of men belonged. The 2/th, being in the first 
 division, sixth corps, wore a red Greek cross. ON 
 When the order to wear badges was first issued, 
 Gen. Bartlett conceived the idea of making a 
 badge that would also indicate his brigade : so 
 he ordered them to wear a cross, with the stand- 
 ard longer than the arms, or a regular " crucifix ;" 
 but this gave rise to so much profane wit, and * 
 made the brigade a " butt " for so many irrev- . 
 erent remarks from other commands, that it was 
 soon abandoned. 
 
 The same day, the 26th, everybody was busy fixing over 
 their cabins, and getting comfortable quarters constructed. 
 Gen. Slocum visited our camp, and we gave him three times 
 three hearty cheers. We now settled down to the regular 
 camp duties, and with the exception of a few individual 
 mishaps, camp life was quite endurable. Occasionally a 
 tent would take fire and burn down over its luckless occu 
 pant. One man cut off his foot while chopping wood ; and 
 one wrote in his diary as follows : 
 
 " Wednesday, January 28, 1863. Snowed all day; mud 
 knee deep ; my fire-place caved in ; cold as Greenland ; I 
 am in a peck of trouble ! My country ! oh my country 
 
142 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 would that my patriotism had been less ! so that I had 
 never fought for thee!" 
 
 " January 29. Snow ten inches deep ; made a new she 
 bang ; snow all melted before night." 
 
 We now had plenty of time to write letters, and some of 
 these, with their answers, will show better what a soldier 
 was doing or thinking, than any other line of history : 
 
 CAMP OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. Voi.s., NEAR WHITE ( 
 OAK CHURCH, Va., February, 1863. J 
 
 MY KIND FRIEND: It is a bright, beautiful day, and not unlike the 
 one you described in your letter, received two weeks ago. But what 
 changes have we experienced during these two weeks : Cold, rain, snow, 
 and mud, have been the order with us ; and, 1 assure you, we know how 
 to appreciate pleasant weather now. As I apprehended, our regiment 
 started on the march the day after my last was written. We had to leave 
 our comfortable quarters only to experience a week of the most extreme 
 cold and exposure that it has ever been our lot to endure. It being a 
 " variety," the men bore it without a murmur, but were thankful enough 
 to get back to our old camp, which we reached Sunday night. 
 
 You have already read the particulars of the last move, in the papers ; 
 so I will not write them, only to say that our division had it much harder 
 than the rest of the army, having been left behind to guard and drag the 
 pontoon train out of the mud. But it is all over, and for the past week 
 we have been busy building up our huts again, and we are now even more 
 comfortable than we were before ; and can enjoy it, without any fear of 
 another move at present. For the last attempt has clearly demonstrated 
 the fact that a winter campaign in Virginia is out of the question. 
 
 Gen. McClellan learned this long ago, but the new generals and -the 
 people have only just found it out. Your letter came straight, as you 
 charged it, and it met me when returning to camp, at just the right time 
 to revive my spirits ; for I was very weary with the fatiguing march. That 
 was a Sabbath long to be remembered, but now that we are settled com 
 fortably in camp, we try to forget by-gones, laugh at our discouragement, 
 and keep in the best of spirits. 
 
 There is beauty even in war, but how hard for us to see it. Yet God s 
 purposes will be accomplished. The day of good may be near at hand, 
 or it may be far away, and we may not live to see it ; but what are our lives 
 
A SOLDIER S LETTER. 143 
 
 compared to the existence of the Nation ? At present our cause looks par 
 ticularly dark. There has been another change of generals, but no more 
 satisfactory. Still, " Fighting Joe " has gone to work with a will, and he 
 may yet prove to be " the man ;" but we look for nothing till the tried and 
 worthy " Little Mac" is returned. We grieve much at the loss of Sumner 
 and Franklin. We know them to be gallant and brave, and hope that 
 Franklin may be returned. Our old Colonel now General Slocum is 
 in a fair way to rise still higher, and will probably take Franklin s place. 
 He came to visit his old brigade one day last week, and made us a nice 
 little speech. He is a favorite with all who know him. Our division 
 commander Brooks has never distinguished himself, but is liked quite 
 well. He had some difficulty, during the late move, with Gen. Burnside 
 and Gen. Smith, and is now in Washington, under arrest. And our fav 
 orite, Joe Bartlett, is now in command of the division. He, too, is bound 
 to rise, and will soon get the other " star." The boys are now all looking 
 anxiously forward to the time of our discharge : only three months more, 
 and we shall be free. This is now all the talk in camp, and there are 
 some rumors that we are to be discharged before. For if there is to be no 
 move till spring, we can hardly see the object in keeping us ; but I do not 
 look for a premature discharge. 
 
 (Evening.) I think if you were to look into our tent to-night, you 
 would almost envy us our situation. We are seated beside a good warm 
 fire. Our tent is much better than it was before we moved : we have dug 
 down deeper in the ground, and built the logs up higher on the sides. 
 We are each writing letters by the light of a tallow candle. We have just 
 finished our supper, and have had an excellent meal of potatoes and pan 
 cakes, with butter to eat on them. Yes ; as good as you can get up at 
 home. The butter, mother sent me in a box ; the flour and potatoes we 
 buy of the commissary. I won t give in to any woman on getting up a 
 meal. If you don t believe me, step in and take breakfast with us in the 
 morning, and I will prove it. To-day there has been an inspection of our 
 brigade, all the men being called out : I, being on duty, did not have to 
 go, but 1 shall have to be up a good part of the night. Discipline among 
 the old troops is about " played out." Excuse my soldier phrase. 
 
 Oh ! what a sick lot of men the new troops are. They do not seem to 
 understand how to make themselves comfortable : so that they suffer very 
 much from exposure, and just sit down and complain. One of our boys 
 made a visit to the regiment to-day. They are in camp fifteen 
 
 miles from here. He says "they have not fixed up their camp at all, but 
 have their tents pitched on the ground, the same as we do in summer. 
 
144 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 They are already very tired of the service. It is amusing to hear them talk. 
 I reckon they will get enough of it before their time is out." 
 
 I hear that my brother has entered the service. It must be quite lonely 
 at home, but mother, judging by her letters, seems to keep quite cheerful. 
 I hope you will do all you can to comfort her. 
 
 Yesterday, Sunday, we had no service in camp. Our Chaplain does 
 not seem to exert himself much in the line of his calling. Very few of 
 the men have any regard for religion, and Sunday is disregarded and pro 
 faned, to a great extent. 
 
 Last evening we spent quietly in our tent, but were disturbed until 
 midnight by a lot of men and officers of a regiment camped near us, who 
 had collected in a tent near by, and spent the evening in drinking, and 
 singing religious and profane songs alternately. They held a mock 
 prayer-meeting, some exhorting, and otheis cursing in a most profane and 
 vulgar manner: while, in our tent, we read one of Beecher s sermons, 
 from the "Independent." Awful good boys, aren t we? 
 
 Colporters and exhorters are numerous through the camps, and 
 there have been many conversions among the men of the Sixth Corps. 
 1 must relate another incident, to show the tone of some of the officers in 
 relation to religious things : 
 
 Zealous Col. , having been informed that seven men in a neigh 
 boring regiment had been baptized, ordered his sergeant to detail fifteen 
 men to be bapti/.ed, adding that he did not propose to be outdone in 
 anything by Col. , of the regiment ! 
 
 I had a good joke played on me one day last week, by a comrade from 
 another company. lie was in my tent a short time, and proposed (for 
 sport) that he should write to some young lady of his acquaintance whom 
 I did not know, and sign my name ; and 1 was to do the same, and sign 
 his name. Of course I agreed. Anything for fun here in camp. But 
 to-day I learn that he has written to an old acquaintance of mine, and has 
 got me into a bad box. So the fun is all on one side. It is getting late, 
 and I must retire so as to be ready to get up at three in the morning. 
 
 Orders have just come for our regiment to go on picket to-morrow, 
 to be gone four days. How provoking ! but never mind all for variety ! 
 Many thanks for your sympathy and kind remembrance. Please write 
 soon to your true friend. 
 
A flOOD FRIEND OF GEN. M CLELLAN. 145 
 
 A Woman s Answer. 
 
 HOME, Feb. 10, 1863. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND : Welcome was your little white-winged messenger, 
 as it dropped in on us last Friday evening, just when "the candles were 
 lit in the parlor." We had a great many fears that, on account of your 
 marching, our letters had failed to reach you, and had gone to swell 
 " Uncle Sam s" already long list in the " Dead-letter Postoffice." I some 
 times think your letters do us as much good as ours can you. In our 
 lonely winter of watching over the sick for sister E. is gradually wasting 
 away it brings us much cheer to hear from our friends. 
 
 Your invitation to breakfast with you 1 certainly would accept, if there 
 were not so many ifs in the way. I would love to visit my old acquaint 
 ances in camp, and well imagine the good visit you and Major W. must 
 have enjoyed. But now, just as you are nicely settled aga^n, the papers 
 say the Army of the Potomac is to advance ! How provoking. Variety, 
 to be sure, is the spice of life ; but too much spice is as bad as none at all. 
 I can appreciate your feelings on returning again to your old camp. You 
 almost felt like singing " Home, Sweet Home," when you saw it again, 
 didn t you? (I had forgotten you never sing) for it was your soldier 
 home. 
 
 I do think you have had a regular splitting up time among jour gen 
 erals, and hardly know how to understand it. Those whom I have always 
 supposed to be the best of all, are censured and dismissed. How strange ! 
 Yet perhaps I do not know, being only a woman ! When Burnside took 
 McClellan s place, I prophesied a short term of service for him, that he 
 would soon be dismissed, and McClellan eventually returned. Not that 
 I disliked Burnside, for I have thought well of him, judging from past 
 events. And sure enough, he is relieved ; and, strange as it may seem 
 I hope it is something more than rumor yesterday s papers said the Pres 
 ident wished to return McClellan, but, the cabinet objecting, postponed 
 it for the present. Yet the papers added, that it was thought in two weeks 
 he would be returned. Can you imagine that I said I would not go back, 
 if I were he? Twas a quick thought that prompted it, but I hope if he 
 does, his accusers will all own his blamelessness, and be convinced that 
 he knows, more than they what ought to be done. Oh, when that time 
 comes, and he rises pre-eminent above his detractors (as I almost feel con 
 fident he will), as high as the tallest trees are above the lowest shrubs on 
 the hillside, won t we shout aloud and clap our hands for joy ! 
 
 But I am getting rather demonstrative, am I not ? Never mind ; the 
 
146 RECORt) OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 case calls for it. I am so wicked, some would say, that I ask no greater 
 enjoyment than to see his accusers as deeply sorry and humbled for the 
 injustice they have done him, as they have been abusive against him. 
 All the powers of earth combined can never convince me that he is wrong, 
 as long as his conduct is as Christian and upright as it ever has been, 
 lie wrong ? No ! When the sun withdraws its light, and the stars forget 
 to shine, then it will do to talk of his faults ; but till then, let all be sat 
 isfied to talk no more ; and while time lasts, as there is no danger of being 
 deprived of these lights, so there will be no opportunity of talking against 
 him. But you must think my letter is a panegyric on McClellan, bin 
 when I get to writing about him, I hardly know when to stop. 
 
 You wrote that you were to start next day for a four days picket ex 
 cursion (?) Did you have as extreme cold weather as we had, these days? 
 You must have had a tedious time, for it was the most severe cold here 
 that has been known in a long while. I always think of our soldiers at 
 such times, particularly for fear they suffer. I have been so little versed 
 in the arrangements of the army, that I have never known just how your 
 letters are carried to you. Have you a postmaster connected with your 
 regiment, who attends to such matters? Some have, I know. Also, are 
 your tents arranged together, with the headquarters for a center guiding 
 star? and are you in the " woods," or on a plain ? I try to imagine your 
 situation, but feel, when I have finished my sketch, it is nothing but imag 
 ination after all. You must miss Sabbath privileges, but I cannot see 
 why your chaplain does not hold regular services. Sabbath after Sabbath, 
 
 as we gather in our church and listen to Mr. H , our dear, good pastor, 
 
 my thoughts involuntarily turn to those who once met with us, wilh the 
 wish they could enjoy his discourses too. Hut, though away, he always 
 remembers them, and craves heavenly blessings for them, and the protec 
 tion of Him who gives His angels charge concerning them. 
 
 And now good-night. May sweet slumbers and pleasant dreams be 
 yours to-night; and when the home feeling will creep over you, and von 
 sigh for the "leeks and onions of Egypt," and wonder if they think of 
 you at home, just draw the long sigh that betokens homesickness, sit down 
 in one corner of your tent, and write to your true friend, in her far-away 
 Northern home. ***** * * * * -x- 
 
LOOKING AFTER A RABBIT. 147 
 
 March 2d to I3th. But little doing in camp. Occasional 
 details were made to build corduroy roads. These roads 
 would sink so deep in the mud that others had to be built 
 over them, and it was with the greatest difficulty that our 
 supplies could be brought over from Aquia Creek. "An 
 other mule lost in the mud," was a common phrase in 
 camp. 
 
 March I5th, we started out on a four days picket tour, 
 with cooked rations. We were relieved by the 95th Pennsyl 
 vania, and when we returned to camp, orders were read in 
 regard to more thorough police duty. For the next few 
 days police duty was in full operation, and the camp put 
 on its former cleanly appearance. 
 
 March 22d, there was brigade inspection by the Inspec 
 tor General, which is thus recorded in a comrade s diary : 
 "General inspection didn t get to our company until dark. 
 We were just as well satisfied, whether the Inspector was 
 or not. Our company shows to the best advantage in the 
 dark. In fact they love darkness rather than light, be 
 cause their breeches are dirty ! " 
 
 It was a favorite pastime for some of the men to slip 
 past the regimental guards and stroll out over the country 
 for the purpose of hunting rabbits, which were very numer 
 ous about the old fields and swamps. As the country was 
 thickly studded with camps, it was rather dangerous sport, 
 and an order was issued forbidding any soldier going out 
 of camp with his musket, except on special duty. Bob 
 Way, the "famous jumper" of Co. " C," and "Pony 
 Blair," his tent-mate and inseparable companion, had been 
 out on an excursion of that kind, and, returning, passed 
 near division headquarters. Unfortunately for them, they 
 came upon Gen. Brooks, who commands the division. 
 The boys saluted and marched steadily on, but the General 
 was not so easily fooled. " Halt ! " he roared. " What are 
 you men doing here with your muskets, and without an 
 officer?" The boys saw they were in for it, and knew the 
 old General well enough to quickly determine that they 
 had better make a clean breast of it ; so they meekly 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL W. T. H. BROOKS. 
 
THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR HARD. 
 
 149 
 
 replied, " We were looking after a rabbit." " Ah ! " said the 
 General, in his blandest tones, " so you were hunting rabbits, 
 were you ? Well, I can save you the trouble." Calling to a 
 staff officer, he said : " Mr. Parsons, these men are looking for 
 rabbits; just show them to the rabbit pen." Following the 
 officer, they were conducted to the guard-house, where they 
 were kept for a few hours, and then released. 
 
 Confinement in the guard-house was a mild punishment 
 compared with some of the methods adopted at head 
 quarters. Passing the vicinity, one would observe several 
 men lugging rails upon their shoulders and marching 
 around in a circle under guard, and near them others stand- 
 
 MODES OF PUNISHMENT. 
 
 ing upon barrels, and still others were marching around 
 with a barrel overcoat. This was a favorite mode of pun 
 ishment with the old General, but the rogues were usually 
 disporting themselves in their limited circles, not feeling- 
 very keenly the humiliation it was designed to produce. 
 
 Still another mode of punishment was to make the cul 
 prits sit astride a pole, elevated and supported upon forked 
 posts about ten feet high, each man wearing a placard stat 
 ing the nature of his offense. (See cut.) 
 
 Sometimes the offender would be put on special log duty. 
 Two or three sticks of four-foot fire-wood, not excessively 
 large, but fair size, were placed at one end of a line, and as 
 many more at the other end. The transgressors were re- 
 
ISO RECORD Ol< 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 quired to shoulder a billet at one post and carry it in " com 
 mon time" to the other, there to lay it down, and taking 
 up another, to return over his beat and deposit it at the 
 place of departure, and so on for several hours. The pun 
 ishment consisted not in the laborious character of the 
 occupation, but in the fact that it was useless labor, and 
 known to be such by every one else as well as the offender. 
 
 Another Soldier s Letter. 
 
 CAMP OK THK 27 i H RKC T N. Y. Voi.s., ) 
 
 NKAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, VA., March , 1862. ( 
 
 DKAR FRIEND : Your ever welcome letter of date received. You 
 ask me to describe the incidents of a regiment on the march. 
 
 To the uninitiated, a day s or night s march of an army might seem 
 easy to define nothing more than the change of its location some ten or 
 perhaps twenty miles, entailing a promenade interesting or the reverse, 
 according to the nature of the country. Hut this would he a very faint 
 idea of the reality, especially when, often after tramping for hours under 
 a hot sun, darkness brought no halt, and the marching extended far into 
 and perhaps through the night. 
 
 Orders have been received to prepare to move, and daylight is faintly 
 glimmering when the first stir is made among the shelter-tents, in answer 
 to the bugle notes of reveille. Breakfast is hurriedly cooked and eaten, 
 if the boiling of a quart cup of coffee and the friz/ing of a piece of pork 
 on a smoking log may be termed a culinary process. 
 
 The laggards and epicures are still enjoying the last mouthfuls when 
 the bugles again sound the "general," which means, Strike tents, pack 
 up, and form regimental line." A large army has in it elements of a 
 well regulated community, and it is as easy for fifty thousand soldiers to 
 bestir themselves as a dozen. So in a moment, acres of tents melt away 
 like spring snow, and the white camp has given place to thousands of 
 armed black figures standing amid surrounding camp-fires and skeleton 
 tent-poles. Now time drags, unless your regiment is near the van of the 
 column, for it takes an hour, perhaps more, for the dillerent regiments, 
 brigades, divisions, and corps to debouch from their places of bivouac 
 and take the road in their right order. 
 
 At length the column is fairly under way, the men fresh and lithesome 
 in the morning air, when " Halt !" sounds the bugle. Some other corps, 
 or perhaps an ammunition train, comes in from another road, and you lie 
 
HOW A MARCH IS CONDUCTED. 15 1 
 
 here for an hour. Then the bugle again sounds " Forward !" and the line 
 is oft" again. Two or three miles are made at a brisk pace, when the gait 
 becomes slower, and the column seems to move by inches. Old soldiers 
 know what this foretells. A stream is being crossed, and the fording- 
 place permits the passage of only a few men at a time. Over they go, 
 however, perhaps waist deep in water, and, as soon as the opposite bank 
 is reached, the closing up process begins, and " Double-quick " is the 
 word. The longer the column is, the slower by degrees becomes the 
 march of those not yet over, and a long running march in wet clothing 
 will be the lot of those who bring up the rear after crossing the stream. 
 
 The men think it would have been just as well if they had been 
 allowed to straggle up leisurely and save their wind, for no sooner does 
 the last straggler come pulling up to join his command, than " Halt ! " is 
 blown again, and down all sink on the ground for a rest. 
 
 Now something seems to be in the way, for after a few minutes comes 
 an order to turn out of the road, and the line pushes through the bushes 
 and brakes on each side, and past a long ammunition train, discovering at 
 length that one of its wagons has been stalled, i. e., stuck in the mud. 
 The drivers of the mules are pulling, hauling, striking and swearing, and 
 the mules are kicking and plunging as only army mules can do and sur 
 vive. The line is at length past the obstruction, and again takes the road. 
 Perhaps it is noon by this time, and if there is no hurry, a halt may be 
 made to boil the much-loved coffee ; but if, on the contrary, it be neces 
 sary to make up lost time, the column presses on, each man nibbling hard 
 tack as he goes, or biting into his piece of bacon if he is the lucky pos 
 sessor of such a morsel. There is no time for rest now, and the tired men 
 sweep along with the steady swing indicative of the veteran. 
 
 On the morning start, the regiment was noisy with conversation and 
 loud jokes were passed from one to another. One soldier would call 
 out, "Hey, Jim ; what are you here for, anyhow?" Jim would answer 
 with grim facetiousness : " Thirteen dollars a month and found dead." 
 A voice would follow with some other absurd question that would receive 
 an equally ludicrous reply, and then would burst forth the chorus, 
 "John Brown s Body," sung by everybody who had voice enough left, 
 followed by " Rally Round the Flag," and under the inspiration of the air 
 and words the regiment would jog along as though unconscious of the 
 surroundings. 
 
 Later in the day, words grow fewer, and laughter and song more scarce; 
 and now, late in the afternoon, the soldiers have no stomach or spare wind 
 for words, and scarcely anything is heard but the groan of some sufferer 
 
15^ RECORD OF 27TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 from blistered feet, or the steady clink of the bayonet, swinging at the left 
 side, against its neighbor, the canteen. An occasional straggler drops 
 from the column : he may be really sick, and will wait for an ambulance ; 
 or he may be what army vernacular terms a "cooler" or a " boiler," and, 
 if fortunate enough to elude the lynx-eyed provost guard, will shirk ofi" 
 into a piece of woods, cook his pot of coffee and drink it, take a quiet 
 smoke, and come straggling into camp a long time after the regiment has 
 reached it. 
 
 For hours the troops have been travelling along a road which, at all 
 points, \vas "a right smart distance," " two screams and a holler," or "a 
 right smart git" from the haven aimed at. Such, at least, have been the 
 answers received from grinning contrabands and pipe-smoking dames 
 along the way. Up hills, down into valleys and across brooks, the column 
 moves, with the grim and silent woods often upon each side ; and, although 
 the sun sinks, still no indications of a halt have appeared. 
 
 Sometimes during the last few hours of a march, each side of the road 
 will be lined with stragglers whom it is impossible to force along further, 
 their powers of locomotion having completely given out. At times both 
 men and horses seemed to plod along mechanically, asleep to everything 
 but the fact that it was their business to walk and cover ground. The 
 men would doze while jogging along, to be suddenly startled by a halt, or 
 some obstruction in the road. 
 
 Soon, however, straggling orderlies, and perhaps an aid, pass the 
 column towards the rear, and eager questions are again asked as to the 
 distance yet to be traversed. Perhaps camp is only a mile away, but a 
 long mile it appears to be, ere the first indications, in the shape of some 
 headquarter s tent, or the encampment of a battery, are seen. Gradually 
 the column leaves the road, brigade after brigade turning to the right or 
 left, and are marcheu straight ahead, some into ploughed fields, and 
 others into thick woods, where they halt, stack arms, break ranks and 
 proceed to cook supper. Water and wood may be directly at hand, or 
 both may be half a mile away. It is certain that every regiment cannot be 
 in the same proximity to these necessities of a soldier s existence ; but 
 even the growlers are at length satisfied, or appear to be, and in an hour 
 the great bivouac of thousands is silent. 
 
 And this experience may happen day after day upon a continuous 
 inarch sometimes not so hard, and at other times infinitely more so, es 
 pecially when rain sets in to drench everybody, convert the roads into 
 heavy, sticky clay, and thoroughly spoil every one s good nature. 
 
 Yours, truly, **| *** 
 
A WELCOME TELEGRAM. 153 
 
 March 230! and 24th. There was company drill in the 
 forenoon and afternoon. This caused a great deal of grum 
 bling. As our time is so soon to expire, the men think they 
 have had enough of such duty. 
 
 On the 25th all cartridges were taken up, and fresh am 
 munition issued. From this time till after the first of April, 
 " base ball " vas the popular amusement in camp, and a 
 select nine from our regiment played many games and re 
 turn games with the 32d New York Regiment, the 2/th 
 winning a good share of the games. This sharp exercise 
 put the men in good condition after the winter of idleness 
 in their tents and cabins. 
 
 April 1 4th. This has been another "red letter" clay 
 with the regiment. For a week the camp has been in a 
 ferment of excitement over the removal of Gen. Bartlett, 
 our brigade commander. It seems that Congress, for polit 
 ical reasons, has failed to confirm his appointment as Brig 
 adier-General, and he has put off his uniform, and dresses 
 in citizen s garb. Monday was the day on which he was 
 to take leave of his old brigade, and we were ordered to 
 turn out at i o clock to bid him farewell ; but we were hap 
 pily disappointed. Early in the day he was summoned to 
 Gen. Hooker s headquarters, where he received a dispatch 
 from the President re-appointing him ; and at 4 o clock the 
 brigade was ordered out to welcome him back, on the same 
 ground where we had supposed, only a few hours before, we 
 were to see him take his leave. He appeared in full uni 
 form, and read the following telegram : 
 
 " Tell General Bartlett to put on his clothes again, and 
 return to his command. A. LINCOLN." 
 
 Gen. "Joe" then made a rousing speech, and said, "he 
 did not even ask for a confirmation. All he asked was the 
 privilege of leading such noble and generous soldiers into 
 battle once more !" 
 
 He then rode off, followed by cheers of joy from his vet 
 eran followers. Had he not been returned, it is a question 
 whether the two-years regiments would have followed any 
 
CAPT. SAMUEL M. HARMON, Co. "I." 
 
MKKTlMiS HV THK CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. 155 
 
 other leader into another battle. They would have feared 
 to risk their reputation in the hands of an untried man. 
 
 April 3d the 6th Corps was reviewed by Gen. Hooker. 
 The men were all in fine spirits and expected to move 
 soon. There was another hard snow-storm on the 5th, and 
 more or less rain till the 8th, when there was a grand re 
 view of the Army of the Potomac, by President Lincoln, 
 which left the men in good spirits and ready for a move. 
 Under this date, one diary says: .* Went to the review of 
 the army; saw Father Abraham ; saw Gen. Sedgwick, and 
 several other great guns." 
 
 The following, from a diary, tells how another soldier 
 spent April I3th: "A very beautiful day. My health is 
 excellent. Regimental inspection at nine ; general orders 
 were read to the men relative to re-enlistment, and also a 
 part of the Articles of War. I attended service at White- 
 Oak Church at three, and heard a most excellent sermon 
 by a missionary of the Christian Commission. I also at 
 tended a prayer-meeting, on Saturday evening, at the same 
 place ; it was very interesting. Meetings are now held in 
 the church every evening, conducted by the Christian 
 Commission, and are well attended. This is the hap 
 piest Sabbath I have passed in a long time. There is but 
 little prospect of moving, yet plenty of rumors. During 
 our stay in the army we have made the acquaintance of 
 several Mr. Say-So s. They are not very reliable. News 
 from Charleston is very encouraging. This army is in good 
 spirits, and most of them ready for a move." 
 
 April 13th. This morning all the cavalry in the army 
 have broken up their camps and arc moving up the river, 
 but we do not know their destination. With a comrade I 
 went over to see the captive balloon, which is now kept up 
 every pleasant day. The station is located far enough 
 back from the river to be out of range of the rebel cannon. 
 Two men usually make the ascent, equipped with large 
 field-glasses and telegraph instruments. From an elevation 
 of about two thousand feet they can overlook the rebel 
 works and telegraph their observations to headquarters. 
 
156 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 April 1 4th received orders to move, and drew sixty 
 rounds of ammunition and ten days rations, but the 
 weather continued stormy and the contemplated move was 
 delayed several days. The time was taken up with reviews, 
 inspection, picket, pay-day, and writing letters, another of 
 which we quote : 
 
 A SOLDIER S LETTER. 
 
 CAMP OF 27 ni REGIMENT N. Y. Voi.s., ) 
 NKAK WHITE OAK CHURCH, Va., , 1863. j" 
 
 DKAK FRIEND : Your letter came Monday afternoon, and was read 
 with the same pleasure that all of your letters give me. To day we 
 are having O ne of your cold March days. The ground is frozen ; a cold 
 wind is blowing and a few flakes of snow are flying. . It is time for spring, 
 IHU winter seems loth to leave us. We have had a few pleasant days, but 
 none warmer than it was there the day you wrote. It is a mistaken idea 
 that we are far enough south to enjoy a warm climate. We have about the 
 same changes and degree of temperature that you have had in York State. 
 No signs of flowers or vegetation yet, and besides, were it warm weather, 
 1 don t believe this country would produce a flower, the land is so barren 
 and poor, except along the river. 
 
 You wish to know something about the mail arrangements in the army. 
 At Washington there is a military postoffice where all the letters for the 
 soldiers are sent. Here they are sorted, letters for each division being 
 put together. Then agents bring them to army headquarters, where they 
 are delivered to the letter-carriers of each division. These sort and give 
 them to the brigade carriers, and these in turn deliver them to the head 
 quarters of each regiment, and then they are sent to the companies. We 
 usually get a mail every day. 
 
 As to the camp, it is a very interesting picture. Now that the men have 
 built log huts, it is more like a city. The streets are regularly laid out. 
 The headquarters are a little distance off, in a line with the main street, 
 and the line officers tents are on the left, fronting the company streets. 
 This part of Virginia is not hilly, but very rolling. 
 
 When we laid out this camp, on the igth of December, it was in a 
 dense forest of pine and cedar, and not far off was plenty of oak timber ; 
 but now scarcely a tree is left standing, and we have to go a mile and a 
 half for wood, and " tote" it in on our backs. In some places where the 
 trees had been cut high, we took the second cut off the stumps, and even 
 
A SOLDIERS LETTER. 157 
 
 dug out the stumps where it was easy digging. We get but little at a 
 time, as it is not safe to leave any out-doors at night, for some find it easier 
 to steal than to v carry it from the woods. The land is now nicely cleared, 
 and you can imagine what a change it has made in the appearance of the 
 country. Citizens returning would not know their own farms. 
 
 The roads are rapidly improving here, and it is quite evident that 
 Gen. Hooker contemplates another move as soon as practicable. He has 
 issued orders to the different generals to procure all necessary supplies, 
 dispose of all surplus baggage, and have their commands in readiness 
 to move at a day s notice. The rebels are still in strong force on the 
 other side of the river. We can plainly see them at work on their fortifi 
 cations. Whether "Joe intends to attack them here again, it is hard to 
 tell. If he does as well with his army in action as he has while we have 
 been in camp, he will win for himself a noble name. He has won the 
 esteem of all the army, because he has been so prompt in supplying the 
 wants of his men. Never has an army lived better tha:i we have this 
 winter. We have been content, and in fact have enjoyed ourselves much 
 of the time. 
 
 The question now uppermost in our minds is, shall we return to the 
 service after we are discharged ? Many say they will not I have not 
 fully decided, but think that after a short visit home I shall re-enlist, and 
 may do so without returning home. The soldiers are much pleased with 
 the Conscription Act, and think it will hasten the end of the war, but it 
 must make a great many squirm, at home. Some, it seems, talk of resist 
 ance, and we hear that there are organized bands to resist the draft. We 
 may have to come home and put them down, and would like nothing bet 
 ter than to see the skulkers who are urging others, forced to go them 
 selves, also our Northern secessionists ; I think the Northern fault-finders 
 might reap some benefits from a soldiers campaign. So let them come, 
 we say, and tell their friends not to shed a tear. 
 
 The pressed pansies you sent me were the first bright objects that have 
 greeted our eyes in many a month. Nothing could be more acceptable 
 than such tokens in a time like this. There seems to be nothing beautiful 
 on the face of the " Old Dominion " since war, with its devastating heel, 
 has trampled upon its " sacred soil." 
 
 I long to return to my own home-land, with all the attractions and 
 social pleasures that it now affords, and for the new ones that it will afford ; 
 for a brighter day will soon come, even for the South, which was always 
 attractive for its sunny skies, but uninviting because a dark, dark spot 
 has dimmed its brightness. This shall remove, and our whole country be 
 
158 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 held up to the world, a picture bright and beautiful with attractions that 
 we cannot now even name a country whose God is the Lord, shining as 
 the sun and surpassing all others in brightness. This is not a dream, but 
 a fulfillment, to accomplish which we are read)* to sacrifice our blood upon 
 the altars of our country. And for this service we ask no better reward 
 than the sympathy and support of friends at home. 
 With best wishes, 1 remain, 
 
 A WOMAN S ANSWER. 
 
 HOME, April, 1863. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND : Here I am again, and so full of good wishes that, 
 if the envelope had not held me tightly in its grasp, I should have scattered 
 them all along the way, among the blue coats I passed. But though that 
 might have divided them among the many, it would not have been fulfill 
 ing my errand, so as I am safely here, open me carefully and take my 
 greetings, greetings that come from one who loves her native land ; who 
 thinks with gratitude of the soldiers who are striving to defend her in her 
 hour of distraction ; and whose most ardent wish is, that " He who re- 
 moveth kings, and setteth them up," may so order in His infinite wisdom, 
 that the summer s sun may shine o er a peaceful country, a country where 
 the cannon s roar and the din of arms have ceased, for brothers war no 
 more with brothers. 
 
 The beautiful spring has come once more. Its balmy breathing air to 
 day ; its warm sunshine seems full of beauty to us, after the winter s cold 
 breath ; yet there is a sadness about it, for its gentle bree/.es murmur 
 " Advance !" on the Rappahannock, and I wonder if there is a stir among 
 the camps. God protect them if there is, and shield them by His mighty 
 power. He is a refuge in the time of trouble ; and how sweet to be able 
 to cast all our care on Him, feeling that Jesus still lives to intercede for 
 us, and that He will. For if He died to save us, will He not plead for 
 us, now He is ascended on high. " Blessed be the name of the Lord for 
 ever. For wisdom and might are His." 
 
 How my thoughts follow the soldiers as they march ! I can imagine 
 them plodding on ; every footfall I seem to notice. Yes, our soldiers go 
 not alone. A thousand womanly hearts go with them, hearts full of grat 
 itude to our country s preservers. They note their privations and know 
 
A WOMAN S ANSWER, 159 
 
 their sacrifices, and are hourly dropping prayers arouhd their path. May 
 our Heavenly Father heed those prayers ! 
 
 As I sit down to my meals, I wonder if they are taking theirs also, and 
 if they partake of a comfortable one. As I enjoy the comforts of a good 
 home, and a warm room at night, I think of them in their tents. And for 
 what are they there? That 1 may enjoy the comforts of my quiet home, 
 undisturbed by the ravages of foes. And this is why I ask Heaven to 
 bless them for their patriotism and fidelity. 
 
 Our country (any country in war) makes hard demands of her 
 sons. But let our soldiers glory in the fact that they have the best 
 country to fight for in the whole world the noblest ! And how I wish 
 all those who have so nobly stood up for their country could see her 
 emerge in all her purity as the fruit of their toil and blood. And will 
 they not see it? In that beautiful Land where so many now rest, undis 
 turbed by the din of arms or the cannon s roar, tasting of that peace 
 found only in Heaven above, they will see. The}- will look down upon 
 the victory of the right, and strike their harps anew to the praise of Him 
 through whose grace they conquered, through whose grace their efforts 
 became a blessing. 
 
 How sad the death of General Sumner, just at this time when we teel 
 that we need all our generals. It seems to induce the thought that our 
 Father seeks to draw our trust from them to Him. Generals Mitchell 
 and Sumner, who doubtless looked to a death on the battle-field with 
 their brave troops, breathed out their lives in quiet, with friends (this was 
 true of Gen. Sumner at least) to attend to their last wants, smooth their 
 dying pillows and close their eyes in death. Surely, God was kind to 
 them, and a Nation now honors them, and will love them none the less 
 though they died in peace. 
 
 We are looking forward to the time when we can welcome you again in 
 . Many changes some of the boys will find at home especially 
 those who have not left the service since they first enlisted. They, too, I 
 presume, have changed while leading their wandering life. It seems to 
 them, no doubt, a long time, in looking back to that afternoon when, 
 amid the huzzas of the multitude and the tears of friends, they left for 
 the seat of war. Yes, noble remnant of the 27th, welcome home again ! 
 You went out to defend our hearthstones from the ruthless invasion of 
 foes, and though the rebellion is not yet quelled, we believe that you have 
 done all that you could. Fearless and brave in battle, courageous amid 
 your enemies, richly have you won, at the expense of your very life- 
 blood, our esteem and respect. Again I say, welcome ! thrice welcome ! 
 
i6o RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 heroes of Bull Run, and West Point, and Games Mill ; welcome ! ye 
 prisoners from rebel pens; welcome! from hospital, where the fever s 
 wild heat is no less a foe to be dreaded than the enemy s bullets. Come 
 home to your hearthstones and your sires. There s been a sorrowing 
 here for the absent one ; anxiety that cannot be told, as the eager glance 
 hastily scanned each account of battle, fearing your name would there 
 mark the loved one fallen. Precious dust you have left where you have 
 been ; dust we trust guarded by angels some by the water s side, some 
 by the hill. Yes, welcome! truly, welcome! Come one, come all, :md 
 We ll greet you kindly home. 
 
 Faithfully yours, * * * * 
 
 The maid who binds her warrior s sash, 
 
 With smile that well her pain dissembles, 
 The while beneath her drooping lash 
 
 One starry tear-drop hangs and trembles. 
 Though Heaven alone records the tear, 
 
 And Fame shall never know her story, 
 Her heart has shed a drop as dear 
 
 As e er bedewed the field of glory ! 
 
 The wife who girds her husband s sword, 
 
 Mid little ones who weep and wonder, 
 And bravely speaks the cheering word, 
 
 What though her heart be rent asunder: 
 Doomed nightly in her dreams to hear 
 
 The bolts of death around him rattle,. 
 Has shed as sacred blood as e er 
 
 Was poured upon the field of battle ! 
 
 The mother who conceals her grief 
 
 While to her breast her son she presses, 
 Then breathes a few brave words and brief, 
 
 Kissing the patriot brow she blesses ; 
 With no one but her secret God 
 
 To know the pain that weighs upon her, 
 Sheds hoi)- blood as e er the sod 
 
 Received on Freedom s field of honor! 
 
 THOMAS BUCHANAN READ. 
 
A SOLDIER S LETTER; i6t 
 
 CAMP OF THE 27TH REGIMENT, N. Y. VOLS., ) 
 NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, VA., April 24, 1863. i 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND : You see by my heading that the prophecy of the 
 breezes is not yet fulfilled. The Army of th Potomac is still in camp and 
 likely to be for some time to come, for the prayers of the soldiers seem to 
 be more weighty than those of Gen. Hooker, and in answer to them the 
 rain keeps falling, falling, falling. Many are rejoicing, and well they 
 may, for it is the only prayer they have ever had answered. 
 
 The most of the men who have any heart in their work are tired of 
 rain and mud, and would much rather be on the move and accomplish 
 something looking to the end ; but every time "Joe" gets ready to move, 
 down comes the rain, and while I write, it is pattering on the canvas and 
 seems to whisper, "Our day ; no move ; no move." We have had a few 
 fine days, but they are a scarce article with us. 
 
 Last Sunday, the most beautiful day of the season, we left camp early 
 to go on picket. Had "grand-guard mounting" at headquarters, and did 
 not reach the picket line, some three miles distant, till noon. It was a 
 busy Sabbath for us, for the afternoon was spent in building brush huts 
 for shelter. Early next morning, as usual, the rain commenced falling, 
 and continued all day, giving us a good soaking. You can imagine how 
 pleasant it is sitting in a brush hut beside a smoking fire, with the rain 
 drops scattering through, not an inch of space that they do not fill, and so 
 annoy one with the constant drizzle, driz/le, drizzle. Oh, I tell you it is 
 romantic ! "Who wouldn t be a soldier?" 
 
 The remainder of our three days picket duty passed pleasantly, and 
 we are now snugly quartered in camp. While out on this tour, T went to 
 the front to take a look at the "Johnnies," our quondam friends on 
 the other side of the river. Our picket line is about a mile and a half 
 back from the river, while near the river is a line of videttes or cavalry 
 pickets. So we have no opportunity to converse with the enemy s pickets, 
 and besides do not have to be very vigilant while on post. 
 
 The scenery of the valley of the Rappahannock from the point where 
 I viewed it (a high bluff half a mile from the north bank of the river) was 
 with one exception the most beautiful I ever beheld. Spread out before 
 me was the broad plain, its fields already green with spring vegetation, 
 and dotted here and there with beautiful mansions, surrounded by the 
 now deserted negro quarters the wealthy occupants of the former as well 
 as the chattels from the latter, having fled at the approach of the invading 
 " Yankees" but from this distance, these houses nestled among the 
 
162 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 peach-trees now in full-bloom, look cheerful and inviting. Across the 
 river there is the same extent of beautiful plain and the same indication of 
 happy homes. But from its further boundaries rise the heights spotted 
 With the rebel camps and smoking with the rebel fires, every angle faced 
 With frowning forts, from which the bristling cannon command every 
 inch of the plain below. 
 
 Oh ! War ! War ! Why didst thou set thy devastating foot in this beau 
 tiful valley? Why didst thou pollute these lovely plains with the blood of 
 those who have dwelt here securely for many years? Why didst thou not 
 goto the wilderness and there satisfy thy cruel greed by the sacrifice upon 
 some barren soil, of the blood of the noble and brave? In vain do we 
 question ; there is no answer. 
 
 Yesterday, that ever welcome visitor to our (-amp, the paymaster, came 
 down on us, and the boys as usual are very happy, and are singing, " Green 
 backs have come again once more." Many of the two years men are 
 not anxious to see another fight, and the feeling is increasing every day. 
 Some claim that their time is out on the 2d day of May, but we are to be 
 held until the 2ist, as that is the date on which the regiment was mus 
 tered into the United States service. We have been ordered to be in F.l- 
 mira on the 2ist, and shall probably leave here on the I2th or 15th. The 
 boys are now counting the minutes and seconds that we have yet to serve, 
 and estimating the number of hard-tack they have yet to eat. This is an 
 easy problem in multiplication and addition, for ten of these tough teeth- 
 destroyers generally come to the pound, and a pound is a daily ration. 
 
 Gen. Hooker has been making some very mysterious movements of 
 late, but what it all means it is hard to tell. The night before we came in 
 from picket, a train of pontoons, numbering thirty boats, was brought out 
 near where we were, and started for the river. The men said they had 
 orders to lay them that night, and that another train had gone below. 
 This looked like a move, sure, and we expected the next day would find 
 us on the go ; but the train is still there. Whether a rebel battery that 
 they found waiting for them, on the other side, deterred them from com 
 pleting the plan ; or whether it was only a feint to deceive the rebs., is a 
 mystery to us. At any rate, the enemy found out the train was coming in 
 time to get a battery in position, near the river, before it had moved two 
 miles; and it did not start till after dark. From this you will see that 
 they keep well posted as to any movement we may make. The plan of 
 crossing the river here again does not suit many of the troops. They 
 prefer to Hank the rebs., or siege them out. The health of the troops is 
 excellent, and they are cheered with the news from our armies in the 
 
A WOMAN S ANSWER. 163 
 
 South and Southwest. The spirit of the majority of our men who have 
 survived the arduous services of the past two years, is still unbroken, and 
 their love of country undiminished, but you cannot imagine what a desire 
 thev have to see home and friends once more. Notwithstanding this, I 
 fancy most of them will be back in the service again in less than six 
 
 months. 
 
 Yours, truly. 
 
 Monday, April 2/th. Orders have come to be ready to 
 march early to-morrow morning, and the boys are busy 
 getting their rations ready. Gen. Bartlett made a speech to 
 our regiment and the i6th, in regard to re-enlisting, and also 
 about our going into the next battle, saying that he " could 
 not leave us behind, and had no fears of our righting qual 
 ities." He spoke well, but the boys " can t see the re- 
 enlist," at least till after we have been home. 
 
 Let it be noted here that the companies forming the reg 
 iment had all enlisted and been mustered into the state ser 
 vice during the month of April, 1861, and all had expected 
 that their two years term of service would expire during 
 April, 1863, but the Federal Government claims to hold us 
 for two years from the 2ist of May, the date of muster 
 into the United States service. This decision has given 
 rise to a good deal of discussion among the men as to 
 whether they should be taken into another battle ; but 
 when the orders come to march we will not think of this, 
 and are ready to fight as cheerfully as we have ever done. 
 All are in good spirits, and expect to see fighting, soon. 
 
 April 2<Sth. At 12 o clock we got orders to be under way 
 at 3 P. M. Packed up and got off at that hour, in a light 
 rain-storm. Our division is to cross the river at the same 
 place where we crossed before. Bivouacked about 8 o clock, 
 about a mile back from the river. Were ordered into line 
 about ten o clock, and the plans of attack were read to us. 
 Our division is all that is to cross at this point at present. 
 The pontoon boats are to be unloaded and carried down to 
 the river by the men, as it is feared the rattling of the 
 wagon train would be heard by the enemy. Russell s brig 
 ade is to cross first in boats, and we are to follow them in 
 
CAPT. BURTON FREEMAN, Co. I. 
 
CROSSING THE RIVER IN PONTOON BOATS. 165 
 
 boats and take possession of the first two lines of rifle-pits ; 
 then the bridge is to be built, and the balance of the divis 
 ion is to come as a support. There was great delay in get^ 
 ting the boats down, and we did not reach the river till 5 
 o clock, just at daybreak. 
 
 Russell s men immediately embarked. A very heavy 
 fog over the river concealed their movements until they 
 reached the shore, when they received a sharp volley from 
 the rebel pickets^ The balls came across and just over our 
 lines as we stood on the shore, which made the boys lie 
 down in a hurry. We were ordered to load our pieces, and 
 the right wing of the i6th was ordered to fire a volley high 
 enough to pass over the heads of our men. This drove 
 the pickets away, and a landing was effected. The boats 
 returned and were filled at once, about forty men in each 
 boat. No sooner did we start than the enemy opened fire, 
 but we were packed so closely in the boats that we could 
 not return it. We were soon across, and the men scrambled 
 up the steep bank and, engaging them sharply, were soon in 
 possession of their works, and had many of them prisoners. 
 Two of our men were killed, four or five were wounded, and 
 two fell overboard and were drowned. 
 
 The skirmish line advanced about a mile, and we lay 
 down along the rifle-pits. Several stand of arms were 
 found, which the Johnnies had thrown away in their haste. 
 Two bridges were soon laid, and in about an hour the whole 
 division was over and deployed in line of battle. 
 
 The boys feel very thankful that they got over the river 
 with so little loss, as we expected to meet a strong force. 
 The first corps, which crossed the river about a mile below 
 this point, had a hard fight, for they found a battery wait 
 ing to welcome them. 
 
 It is a warm and beautiful day. Both the balloons are 
 up, and we can see large numbers of the enemy passing to 
 the left (their right). We are looking for hot work in that 
 direction. All the plans seem to be working well, and our 
 men are in excellent spirits. About three it began to rain, 
 and we moved out in advance of the rifle-pits and pitched 
 
166 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS; 
 
 our tents, where we remained till after dark. We theil 
 moved back to the captured rifle-pits again. Then with 
 shovels^ tin plates, and hands, about-faced the pits, and lay- 
 clown in the mud and took the full benefit of a rain-storm 
 , ill night; 
 
 April 3<Dth. A wet, dreary morning. We were drawn up 
 in line, and mustered as quietly as though we had been in 
 camp. About noon we were ordered into line, and an order 
 from Gen. Hooker was read to us, praising the men for their 
 feats, and stating "that certain results had been accomplished 
 by the 5th, nth and I2th Army Corps, so that the rebels 
 would be obliged to retreat, or come out and give us battle 
 on our own ground, which would be certain destruction." 
 This was very encouraging to the men, for they had had 
 some fears that they were to be pushed against the heights, 
 but feel perfectly able to defend themselves if the enemy 
 should attack them on the plain. 
 
 About 4 o clock the rebels commenced shelling our works 
 on the left, and kept it up till dark, without doing much 
 harm. About dark we were ordered on picket, and advanced 
 a line of skirmishers near the ravine in which we lay at the 
 first battle of Frcdericksburg. The outposts had to be 
 keenly alert all night, so there was little sleep. The enemy 
 were moving a great deal during the night, and many con 
 jectured that they were leaving ; but at daylight they showed 
 a bold front, and we could see them moving about on the 
 heights in front of us, where they were partly hidden by the 
 bushes and trees. As they showed no disposition to fire on 
 us, we showed them the same respect, and remained very 
 quiet all day. About dark we were relieved, and fell back 
 toward the river, where we lay clown and had a good 
 Tii ght s rest. 
 
 Saturday, May 2d. The weather is very fine. The reb 
 els threw a few shells at us early in the morning, one striking 
 the ground right in front of Company - , undermining 
 some of the men, and making a big hole, into which they 
 were dropped and half covered up with dirt. No one was 
 urt. This made us pack up lively and move forward to a 
 
A STAR SHOT OUT OF THE FLAG. 167 
 
 more sheltered position. Soon the troops on our left re- 
 crossed the river, and moved off to the right, up the river, 
 to assist Gen. Hooker, who was now fighting the battle of 
 Chancellorsville, some ten miles distant. We could plainly 
 hear the continual roar of artillery, and sometimes, when 
 the wind was favorable, the sound of musketry would reach 
 us, and told us that hard fighting was going on. Towards 
 night more troops came over to our support, and General 
 Hooker sends word that he is pushing the enemy, and orders 
 us to advance. We expect hard work to-morrow. 
 
 May 3d. The column commenced advancing at daylight, 
 and the whole army is moving, and deploying well to the 
 right, our division holding the extreme left. The ball 
 opened early, and they gave us a good shelling. Our regi 
 ment advanced to the same ravine we occupied during the 
 first battle, on December I4th. The rebs. had a battery 
 that now commanded the ravine, and they shelled us beau 
 tifully. Two of our men were killed, and about twenty 
 wounded. The 96th Pennsylvania, who were on picket, 
 were soon driven in, and we were ordered forward to take 
 their places. As soon as we were out from cover, a battery 
 on the heights opened upon us, and the range was directly on 
 the colors. Most of the shells went over, but one passed 
 through the flag, and cut out a star, leaving it whole ; and 
 it was picked up by the color-bearer, A. L. VanNess. We 
 hugged the ground every time we saw the flash of the guns. 
 None of our men were hurt here, and all kept very cool. 
 We were ordered to deploy, and advanced near a hill, where 
 we remained till afternoon. 
 
 Here Gens. Brooks and Bartlett came up to the line, 
 to reconnoitre the position. They stood with their field- 
 glasses to their eyes, and though the shells were bursting all 
 around them, not a muscle was seen to move ; while staff 
 and line officers were hugging the ground or trying to dodge 
 the shells. To the coolness of such leaders may be attrib 
 uted the bravery and steadiness of many a regiment in the 
 division. 
 
 On this line, the left of the regiment was greatly annoyed 
 

 LIEUT. HENRY HANINGTON, Co. " K. 
 
STORMING MARY S HEIGHTS. 169 
 
 by a rebel sharp-shooter, who, posted in a tall tree to our 
 left, kept up a regular fire, killing one man Charles A. 
 Hosmer, of Co. u E " and wounding several others. The 
 men were more uneasy under the fire of this one man than 
 all the rebel batteries on the heights. Finally a detail of a 
 few men crept up in range of his position, and he was soon 
 wounded and brought down from his lofty station. 
 
 From our position we had a splendid view of the fighting 
 on the right, where our men were advancing on the heights 
 back of Fredericksburg. About 1 1 o clock the cannonading 
 was perfectly terrific. Our men advanced rapidly, and soon 
 the first line of works was carried. Then on went the boys 
 up the hill, regardless of the terrible shower of iron hail that 
 welcomed them. Soon one of our shells blew up a caisson 
 in one of their forts, and apparently used them up, for 
 they soon began to skedaddle ; and, presently, the old flag 
 waved upon every fort. Their guns were turned upon them, 
 and on pressed our lines, and kept them moving. Our men, 
 going to the right and moving along the plank road, ad 
 vanced a mile or more. The troops on the plain were then 
 ordered to withdraw, our regiment bringing up the rear, 
 with one company deployed as skirmishers. We moved up 
 the river into Fredericksburg, the rebels following us right 
 in, our men feeling all the time that it was a great mistake 
 to take us all from the valley, and allow the enemy to come 
 in our rear. We passed through the city, and up the heights, 
 by the plank road, which was strewn with the dead and the 
 wounded, showing the bitter struggle that had taken place 
 for the possession of Mary s Heights. We passed the for 
 tifications, and Gen. Bartlett rushed his brigade past all the 
 other troops, and, about three miles from the city, came up 
 with the enemy, near Salem Church, where he had a furious 
 struggle with them, and was obliged to retire ; but another 
 line coming up, the enemy was driven back. 
 
 We did not get up in time to take part ; but the other 
 regiments of the brigade lost terribly. We were drawn up 
 across the way to stop stragglers ; and as the broken lines 
 came back, they were re-formed in front of us. 
 
I/O RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOT,S. 
 
 Night soon set in and the firing ceased, when we lav- 
 down and had a good night s rest. As the slaughter had 
 been terrible, the stretcher bearers were busy all night car 
 ing for the wounded, and as we lay there behind our stacks 
 of guns we could hear the grinding of the ambulance 
 wheels, as they moved back and forth filled with their 
 bleeding and suffering burdens. The dead were left on the 
 field. 
 
 The following extracts from the official Confederate 
 Reports relative to this battle at Salem Church, will illus 
 trate Gen. Bartlett s vigorous style of fighting : 
 
 After shelling the woods to the right and left of the road a shorl time, 
 the Union troops advanced. A brisk skirmish ensued. The Confeder 
 ate skirmishers were pushed back to the woods, and then upon the line of 
 battle. The Federal line followed quickly. Reaching the edge of tin- 
 woods thev gave a cheer and rushed forward to the charge. On, on they 
 came, to within eighty yards of the opposing line. Here they received 
 the Confederate tire, which had been reserved. Well directed and at 
 close quarters, its effect is terrible. A scene of carnage presents itself. 
 The line wavers under the witheiing fire, but it is only for a moment. 
 Hartlett dashes on. He surrounds the school-house and captures the gar 
 rison. Then pushing forward to the line in the rear, he delivers all the 
 impetus of his attack on the regiment stationed there. It wavers, yields, 
 breaks. A little further on, and the victory had been won. Wilcox has a 
 regiment djth Alabama) in reserve just behind this part of his line. In a 
 moment he hurls this upon the advancing troops. The Alabamians de 
 liver a deadly fire, at close quarters, and rush forward to gain what hail 
 been lost. Gallantly does Barllett strive to hold the advantage won at 
 such a cost. A fierce struggle, and in turn the Federal line gives way. 
 No time is allowed it to rally. Wilcox follows closely, increasing at each 
 step the carnage in the Federal ranks. The school-house is reached. 
 The captured garrison is set free, and some of their captors are in turn 
 captives. On the other side of the wood, the attack, which was not vig 
 orous, has also been repulsed. "" * Wilcox has lost in his brigade 
 between three and four hundred men. Hartlett, whose brigade has been 
 principally opposed to him, has seven hundred men Jwrs du combat. 
 
 Our regiment being on skirmish duty, bringing up the 
 rear, Gen. Hartlett made the charge alluded to, with his 
 
COVERING THE RETREAT TO BANKS FORD. I/T 
 
 three remaining regiments, numbering 1440 muskets, of 
 which he lost 260. But he had broken two lines of battle 
 and penetrated the enemy s centre, and would have main 
 tained himself there, except for the reason given by the 
 Confederate historian, in the following sentence : " On the 
 other side of the wood, the attack, which was not vigorous, 
 had already been repulsed." 
 
 Monday, May 4th, at 4 A. M., we were called in line and 
 stood until daylight. We then cooked breakfast, and soon 
 after moved off to a ravine. During the night the enemy 
 had moved around our left and into the rear, giving us a 
 warm morning salute from the left. We were formed in 
 line of battle, facing the left, and our regiment was de 
 ployed as skirmishers and advanced towards the enemy s 
 lines. There was picket firing all day, our boys holding their 
 ground till near night, when they were forced back a short 
 distance. Soon on came the enemy, in line of battle, when 
 the battery in our rear opened on them with several rounds 
 of grape and canister, and their line broke in great disorder. 
 They had now gotten so far to our rear, and were holding all 
 the forts on the hill that we had taken from them, and were 
 pressing us from three sides : it became evident that we 
 would have to retire from the field. At dark we were 
 ordered to fall back up the river in the direction of Banks 
 Ford. Our regiment still being on the skirmish line in 
 rear of the corps, fell back fighting as we went. The front 
 rank would fall back while the rear would load and fire, 
 then the rear rank would pass to the rear of the front rank. 
 While executing this movement, Corp. - , of Co. D., 
 loaded three or four charges into his gun, and when he had 
 discovered his mistake, he was afraid to fire, but one of the 
 sergeants ordered him to fall behind the line a little and fire 
 his piece, which he did without harm to his musket. An 
 other man put the ball into his gun without powder. When 
 he discovered his mistake he sat down, took the screw out 
 of the tumbler, put in powder, blew out the ball, and 
 though the balls of the enemy were flying around him, de 
 liberately loaded his gun, turned and fired on the advancing 
 
172 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 foe, then ran and overtook his company. In this way we 
 fell back two or three miles, firing at the flash of the ene 
 my s guns. We then rallied and formed regimental line, 
 having lost in the retreat one killed and one wounded. It 
 being very warm and the men weak from continual duty, 
 the rapid march soon began to tell, and some of them, to 
 save themselves, were obliged to throw off their knapsacks 
 and all of their load. Coming up to the rifle-pits near the 
 ford, a line of battle was formed and we lay down, waiting 
 for the balance of the corps to cross the river. The rebs. 
 kept shelling us all night, trying to get their range on the 
 pontoon bridge. We could trace the curve of the shells by 
 the lighted fuse. Very little harm was done by these 
 shells. We expected the enemy would advance on us 
 every moment, and it was a night of anxious suspense. 
 Still, if the shells did not burst too near, the men would 
 fall asleep from sheer exhaustion. 
 
 About three or four o clock we again commenced to 
 retire, and were safely across the river before the rebels 
 came up. As we reached the shore, the first words we 
 heard were : " 27th, where did you come from ? I expected 
 to hear from you at Richmond." "Ah, General, our legs 
 were too long for them," we replied. It seems that we had 
 been left far in the rear, to cover the retreat, with the ex 
 pectation that the whole regiment would be obliged to sur 
 render on the best terms it could. 
 
 The conduct of the 27th in going into this fight, after 
 its time was nominally out, is a record of which every 
 man may well be proud ; and it will go down to later 
 generations as a noble sacrifice. Whatever credit may 
 be given this regiment for former services, everything 
 dwarfs in the light of this crowning act of its history 
 " Obeying orders to move against the enemy, when, in jus 
 tice, they should have been on their way home." 
 
 We marched back about a mile from the river and went 
 into camp a thoroughly used-up army. The men are 
 very much chagrined at having to give up a position they 
 had gained so gallantly. Again they feel that they have 
 
GEN. HOOKER HELD BY A SKIRMISH LINE. 173 
 
 been made the dupes of bad generalship. Had Gen. Sedg- 
 \vick been content to have stopped in the works on the top 
 of the hill, he could have held them against all their forces, 
 and now been in possession of the heights and the city(?) 
 As it is, we have accomplished nothing ; or, rather, have 
 lost all that we did accomplish. It seems to be one of the 
 most foolish blunders of the war. All our wounded have 
 fallen into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 The above strictures on the generalship of our corps com 
 mander, Gen. Sedgwick, are from the diary of a private sol 
 dier. We did not then know that Gen. Sedgwick was acting 
 under positive orders from Gen. Hooker, which were : " That 
 he should carry the heights, and then immediately push on 
 to join Hooker at Chancellorsville, and strike Lee in the 
 rear." This Sedgwick attempted to do ; and had Hooker 
 engaged Lee on the 4th, instead of being held by a strong 
 skirmish line, and allowing Lee to bring the bulk of his 
 army over and hurl it upon the 6th Corps, the result would 
 have been far different. 
 
 It is now thought that Gen. Hooker will be able to hold 
 his ground on the right, and probably we shall go to rein 
 force him, but are not able to march to-day. 
 
 May 5th. The rebels kept throwing shells at us all day, 
 but we, having become quite used to them, don t mind them. 
 We are looking anxiously for news from the right. We 
 have heard but little fighting there to-day, and still hope 
 for success. God grant that we may not be repulsed again. 
 Our loss has been heavy 622 in our brigade. 
 
 May 6th. Very stormy, cold and disagreeable. Hooker s 
 army is now passing back, having re-crossed the river last 
 night. So we are again defeated, and have left a lot of 
 spoil in the hands of the enemy. The fighting at Chancel 
 lorsville has been terrible, but Gen. Hooker was not enough 
 for them. Our cause looks dark, but we are not in the 
 least discouraged. There must be a different plan of oper 
 ations. Our forces should be concentrated more, and should 
 use the spade. Had we commenced a siege, after crossing 
 the river, we could have driven them off, and not have lost 
 
MAJOR-GEN. JOHN SEDGWICK, 
 
GEN. HOOKER AS CONFEDERATE QUARTERMASTER. 175 
 
 HO many men. The troops are calling vehemently for little 
 Mac, again, and would that we had him back ! 
 
 Most of the troops are moving back into their old camps; 
 and we shall probably move soon. We are camped he re in 
 great confusion, and hardly know where we are. 
 
 May /th. The men are getting well rested, and are ready 
 for another move. We have seen quite a number of Gen. 
 Hooker s men, and they say they were repulsed and obliged 
 to retreat. Dr. H , of - regiment, gave us quite 
 a description of the battle. He says he is sick of fighting. 
 The loss on both sides is heavy. It is dark ! dark ! ! dark ! ! ! 
 Still the men keep cheerful, and the army will soon be on a 
 good footing again. 
 
 The enemy appears to be very quiet. We took a walk 
 down to the river, and could plainly see them and their 
 camps, on the other side. Many of them are dressed in 
 blue clothes, and they feel very jubilant over their victory, 
 and rejoice over the spoils they have taken. They say, 
 " they have got a new quartermaster-general Joe Hooker ! 
 It is a good joke, and too true. 
 
 May 8th. Got the order to pack up early, and started 
 back for our old camp, where we arrived about 2 o clock, 
 taking possession of our old quarters. We found them 
 about as we left them, except half full of water, which 
 we soon bailed out, put up our tents, and were " at home" 
 once more. Some of us had to take in a comrade from the 
 number of those who had thrown away their blankets and 
 tents, on the hurried retreat. For a few days we remained 
 quietly in camp, performing the usual duties. On the nth^ 
 the i6th New York started for home. That made us feel 
 very lonesome, as we had always camped beside each other, 
 and had seemed more like one regiment than two distinct 
 commands ; and were always ready to support each other 
 in action. For the next four days we made our farewell 
 calls among the regiments where we had acquaintances. 
 Camp life seemed very dull, as our minds were fully occu 
 pied with the thoughts of home. 
 
1/6 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 On the 1 4th, at evening parade, the following special or 
 ders were read to us : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS SIXTH ARMY CORPS, ) 
 May 13, 1863. j 
 
 Special Orders No, 120. 
 
 The term of service of the 2yth New York Volunteers having expired, 
 they will proceed to Elmira, N. Y., the place of enrollment, where they 
 will be mustered out of service. 
 
 Upon arrival there, their arms, equipments and public property will be 
 turned in to the proper officers. The Quartermaster s Department will 
 furnish transportation from Falmouth. 
 
 The general commanding the corps congratulates the officers and men 
 of the 2yth New York Volunteers upon their honorable return to civil life. 
 They have enjoyed the respect and confidence of their companions and 
 commanders. They have illustrated their term of service by gallant deeds, 
 and have won for themselves a reputation not surpassed in the Army of the 
 Potomac, and have nobly earned the gratitude of the republic. 
 
 By command of Major-Gen. Sedgwick. 
 
 M. T. McMAHON, A. A. General. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, ) 
 May 14, 1863. j 
 
 Special Orders No 55. 
 
 In taking leave of the 2yth Regiment of New York Volunteers, the 
 Brigadier-General commanding the division is happy to be able to wi tness 
 to their soldierly qualifications and general good conduct. Their action 
 in the late campaign, on the south side of the Rap pahan nock, will be a 
 proud record for every officer and man to cany to his home. Their record 
 is said in a few words " You did your duty !" and did it to the satisfac 
 tion of your commanders. 
 
 By order of Brigadier-General Brooks. 
 
 A. K. PARSONS, 
 
 A. A. A. General. 
 
GEN. KARTLETT S FAREWELL ORDER. 177 
 
 HDQRS. 2D BRIGADE, IST DIVISION, 6-ni ARMY CORPS, \ 
 ARMY OF THE POTOMAC NEAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, Va., - 
 
 May 12, 1863. 
 Special Order No. 46. 
 
 The term of enlistment of the 27th New York Volunteers having 
 nearly expired, they are ordered to proceed to their rendezvous, at El- 
 mira, N. V., to be mustered out of service of the United States, on the 
 2 ist day of May. 
 
 This order severs other connections than those which bound the regi^- 
 ment to the military service. Two years of honorable and distinguished 
 service have made you soldiers. 
 
 After the fall of your gallant and distinguished colonel, I commanded 
 you in the first battle of the Army of the Potomac. I have led you through 
 all of its subsequent campaigns, and have participated with you in a do/en 
 battles. I now send you to the quiet haunts of peace, with the blood of 
 the enemy upon your honored old flag scarce yet dry. In separating from 
 you, I can only give you my assurance that the honor of the regiment has 
 ever been my care. Our connection has been one of love, cemented by 
 your bravery and noble deeds ; and in its severance I believe the regret to 
 be mutual. I have always relied upon you in even emergency, and you 
 have responded with true heroism. You leave brave comrades behind 
 you, stretched in death, upon all our battle-fields. You bear with you 
 the grateful feeling that you have avenged them. In the history of the 
 Army of the Potomac, no prouder record it ill be inscribed t/iau vour own. 
 
 I hope to see the standard of your regiment once more raised. I hope 
 again to command you : till then, farewell ! And may God, in His infi 
 nite mercv, bless each and all of you. 
 
 JOS. J. BARTLETT, 
 
 Brigadier-General, Commanding. 
 
 After the orders were read, Gens. Slocum and Bartlett 
 made short addresses to the men ; and when the parade was 
 dismissed, we gave them three cheers the stoutest of the 
 whole term of service. 
 
 At 3 A. M., on the I5th, the drums sounded the reveille, 
 and at 5 we were packed up and on our way to Falmouth. 
 The different regiments of our brigade turned out to bid us 
 good-by, and as we said adieu to these weather-beaten vet 
 erans, we heartily wished the war was over, and that we 
 were all going home together. Arriving at Falmouth, we 
 
178 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 quickly boarded the cars, and a short run took us to Aquia 
 Creek, where we were soon on board a steamer bound for 
 Washington. About dark we reached the capital and were 
 quartered in the Soldier s Retreat. The next day we spent 
 in Washington, strolling about the city, until about 5 P. M., 
 When we took the cars for Baltimore, where we unloaded to 
 change cars, and remained the rest of the night. 
 
 Sunday, May 1 7th. At daylight we started and ran very 
 slowly ; passed Harrisburg about noon ; reached Williams- 
 port between 4 and 5 P. M.; made a short stop, and arrived 
 at Elmira about midnight. Left the cars and slept until 
 morning on the platform of the depot. 
 
 The next morning we marched to the barracks, but find 
 ing them very dirty, most of the men took board in private 
 families. The three companies from Binghamton were met 
 at Elmira by a delegation of citizens and tendered an invi 
 tation to receive the hospitality of the city. The invita 
 tion was accepted. We remained in Elmira till June 5th, 
 when the regiment was mustered out, and we received our 
 discharge, pay, and a bounty of $100, having been in the 
 service two years and twenty-eight days. Thus the 2/th 
 disappeared from the scene. 
 
 We broke ranks forever, and our record passed into 
 history. But few of our men, however, resumed their 
 positions in civil life. Nearly every man was fit to com 
 mand a regiment, and felt that if his services as a recruit 
 had been valuable to his government, as a veteran they 
 would be doubly so now, and after a few weeks rest, we 
 find that nearly every man who was able-bodied had re- 
 entered the service and was again found fighting the battles 
 of his country. This regiment furnished a large number of 
 the officers and many of the men of that fine regiment, the 
 ist New York Veteran Cavalry. 
 
 To write the subsequent history of all the 27th men, 
 we would have to follow them into every army and on to 
 nearly every battle-field of the war. When we say that 
 these men, after the experience they had had, enduring the 
 hardships, sufferings and dangers through which \ve have 
 
GOOD-BY TO THE 2/TH. 179 
 
 followed them, RE-ENLISTED, we have said enough for a 
 lifetime in their praise. The 2/th was indeed a noble bat 
 talion, one which won alike the compliments of its gener 
 als and the confidence of its associate regiments. During 
 and since the war great esprit de corps has characterized its 
 soldiers. Many of them have attained to prominence in the 
 walks of peaceful life, to the great rejoicing of their com 
 rades, and many have made their final march. God give 
 them rest in peace ! 
 
 THE REGIMENTAL FLAG. 
 
 The flag of the 2/th Regiment of New York Volunteers 
 was the army regulation flag for infantry regiments, and was 
 made of heavy silk, with bullion fringe, and handsomely 
 mounted on a staff. The flag was first the property of 
 Company " I," which was recruited by Capt. C. C. Gardiner, 
 at Angelica ; and was presented to the company by Mrs. 
 Church, widow of the late Hon. Philip Church, of Belvi- 
 dere, near Angelica, through her son, Mr. Richard Church. 
 On the 27th of June, 1861, Company " I " presented the 
 flag to the regiment, at Elmira, and it was carried gallantly 
 and without dishonor, through the two years term of the 
 regiment. The flag was many times struck by the enemy s 
 shot, and large holes were made by fragments of shell. 
 After the muster out, it was deposited, by the late Col. A. 
 D. Adams, in the Bureau of Military Record, in the Capitol 
 at Albany, and with it is the following record : 
 
 "The Regiment was organized at Elmira, May 21 st, 1861 ; 
 from companies raised in Binghamton, Angelica, Lyons, 
 Mt. Morris, White Plains, Lima, Albion and Rochester; 
 and entered the field commanded by Col. H. W. Slocum. 
 The Regiment received the flag from Co. " I," Capt. C. C. 
 Gardiner, June 2/th, 1861. This Company had previously 
 been presented with the flag by Mrs. Philip Church. It has 
 been borne in the battles of First Bull Run, West Point, 
 Mechanicsville, Games Mill, Goldsborough s Farm, Charles 
 City Cross Roads, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Sec- 
 
i8o 
 
 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 FLAG OF THE 27TH REGIMENT. 
 
 ond Bull Run, Crampton s Pass, Antietam, Fredericksburg, 
 and Fredericksburg Heights. The first bearer was Sergt. 
 Burton Freeman, of Co. " I," who was afterwards promoted 
 to be Captain of his Company. At First Bull Run two 
 Corporals were severely wounded on either side of the 
 Color-Bearer. At Games Mill the Color-Bearer was se 
 verely wounded. At Fredericksburg Heights, the star 
 now appended to the staff was literally shot out of the flag 
 by a shell. The Color-Bearer in that assault, A. L. Van- 
 Ness, of Co. " H," contributed it to the Bureau. Col. A. 
 D. Adams transmitted the flag, after the expiration of the 
 Regiment s term of service, to this Bureau." 
 
A (IRANI) WAR POEM. l8l 
 
 Battle-Hymn of the Republic. 
 
 Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord : 
 He is trampling out the vintage where his grapes of wrath are stored 
 He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sword : 
 His truth is marching on. 
 
 I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps ; 
 They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps ; 
 I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps : 
 His dav is marching on. 
 
 I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished rows of steel : 
 As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall de; 
 Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel, 
 Since God is marching on. 
 
 He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat ; 
 He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment-seat ; 
 Oh ! be swift, my soul, to answer Him ! be jubilant, my feet ! 
 Our God is marching on. 
 
 In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, 
 With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me ; 
 As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, 
 While God is marching on. 
 
 JHI.IA WARD HOWE. 
 
VI. 
 
 TEN MONTHS IN REBELDOM NOTES FROM THE DIARY 
 OF A BULL RUN PRISONER, AT RICHMOND, VA., NEW 
 ORLEANS, LA., AND SALISBURY, N. C. 
 
 u . 
 
 l\ SOLDIER of tlic legion lay dying at Algiers : 
 
 There was lack of woman s nursing there was dearth of woman s tears; 
 But a comrade stood beside him, while the life-blood ebbed away, 
 And bent, with pitying glance, to hear each word he had to say. 
 The dying soldier faltered, as he took that comrade s hand, 
 And said, I never more shall see my own, my native land ; 
 Take a message and a token to some distant friends of mine, 
 For I was born at Bingen, at Bingen on the Rhine." 
 
 These few lines form a fitting prelude to the following 
 record. This pathetic story of the dying boy, among stran 
 gers of an unknown tongue, has drawn tears to the eyes of 
 many a reader ; but it was reserved for the direr shock of 
 later years to bring them to us in fearful realization. The 
 clash of arms came, and it was the duty of every man to 
 take up the task assigned him, and help to save the Nation. 
 But think what a sacrifice our soldiers made in leaving 
 their pleasant homes, as most of them did, at an age when 
 the desire to live is strongest in the human heart, and know 
 ing that there were included in the terms of their contract, 
 all the incidents of war, the danger, privation, disease, 
 wounds, imprisonment and death ; and that they must be 
 prepared for any and all of these things. Yet voluntarily, 
 
1 84 RECORD OF 27TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 aye, even cheerfully and joyfully, they accepted these con 
 ditions, took their lives in their hands, and baring their 
 young breasts, made them a living rampart between their 
 homes and the enemies of freedom. 
 
 A few have returned, but many went down to death in 
 the midst of the thunder and the wreck of battle, or in the 
 prison pen, or in the hospital, far away from home and 
 friends and help. In almost every household throughout 
 the land, there are saddened memories of these dreadful 
 prisons ; and if the cause for which so many sacrifices were 
 made which so many died in prison to perpetuate was 
 worth suffering for, are not the scenes through which they 
 passed worthy of commemoration and remembrance in the 
 hearts of their fellow-countrymen? Justice to the living 
 who suffered, impartial history, and the martyred dead, 
 demand a full record by survivors of these horrors. For 
 this purpose, this chapter is added to our history. 
 
 The following is the list of the names of the Twenty- 
 seventh men who were in the Richmond prisons, up to 
 October, 1861, most of them having been captured at the 
 first Bull Run battle : 
 
 Co. "A" --Eli Barrett, John Chamberlain, * Charles 
 Demorest, Thomas Smith. 
 
 Co. " B "A. H. Crannell. 
 
 Co. "C George VV. F. Fanning, George W. Dunn, 
 *F. Durand, Eugene M. Davis, William Vanalstine, *John 
 Boyden, *C. F. Yenney, *f G. M .Andrews, William Barnes, 
 ^George Butler. 
 
 Co. "D" Charles W. Platt, *f Cyrus Pardee, *f James 
 V. Snedaker, Wm. Trail, John H, Hogan, * James Coon, 
 James McCauley, * S. A. McKune, * William Sampson, 
 C. B. Fairchild. 
 
 Co. "E"* William H.Merrill, -William E. Hanlon, 
 M. McGetrick, *John T. Clague. 
 
 * Indicates those who were wounded. 
 f Indicates those who died in prison. 
 
HOW WE WERE CAPTURED. 1 8$ 
 
 Co. "F" Edgar II. Warner, Reuben A. Wright, 
 N. A. Corson, Wm. VanValkenburg, Edwin M. Watrous, 
 T. M. Yates, John Kcarn. 
 
 Co. "G" A. II. Hunt, + Armenius M. Hunt, Tyler J. 
 Briggs, Wm Hall, * Gardner W. Agard, * Edwin E. Bond, 
 *J. Butler, * Solomon Wood, William Mileham, John 
 Merritt. 
 
 Co. " H " Harlan Boyd, Geo. Stout, Wm. W. Aplin, 
 James Donahue, *f Joseph R. Johnson, ~* William Welch, 
 C. H. Hunt, William Briggs. 
 
 Co. 4i I " Jeremiah K. Reading, F. D. Clark, John II. 
 Crandall, * James G. Wellman, Judson S. Oliver, Lawrence 
 Powers, * James O. Andrews, Charles W. Berry, fj. W. 
 Bishop. 
 
 Co. "K" Orson T. Jewett, James Tucker, Henry S. 
 Wells, J. L. Mudge, Volney Mudge, f Charles W. Tibbitts, 
 John C. Fowler, Charles Dwinnell, Henry L. Van Dresser. 
 
 Having assisted several of my wounded comrades to 
 seek shelter in the cellar of the stone house, and having 
 stanched their wounds with lint and bandages made from 
 some havelocks ; and, moved by their agonizing cries for 
 " Water! water !" and their entreaties for some one to re 
 main with them, I tarried till it was too late to make my 
 own escape. No words can adequately depict the fears of 
 these wounded men as to the treatment they would receive, 
 if they should fall into the hands of the enemy. They 
 expected to be bayoneted on the spot. They would not 
 at first drink the water from a spring found in one corner 
 of the cellar, because they feared the rebels had poisoned 
 the water. And not until I had made two wounded rebel 
 soldiers (who had also been taken into the cellar), drink 
 some of the water, would they be convinced that it was 
 safe for them to drink it. All the time the stone house was 
 a target for the rebels, and the rattle of musket balls against 
 the walls of the building was almost incessant, and some of 
 them came through the windows, wounding three of the 
 men the second time. 
 
1 86 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Several cannon shot also passed through the building, 
 and one took off the top of the chimney, the bricks and 
 mortar coming down inside, and nearly burying the two 
 wounded rebels, who had crawled into the fireplace for 
 safety. 
 
 At the distance of about two rods from the building, on 
 the rebel side, was a well ; and though the wounded were 
 perishing with thirst, very few dared to go out for water ; 
 but one noble fellow ^whose name I regret that I have for 
 gotten), took two canteens and went out to obtain water. 
 While so doing, he received five or six musket balls, in dif 
 ferent portions of his body, from the rebel forces, yet was 
 not fatally injured, and survived the battle to become a 
 prisoner in Richmond. He will ever be re.nembered with 
 gratitude by those who witnessed his noble conduct, and 
 shared in the benefits of his exploit. About fifty men were 
 killed in the immediate vicinity of the il old stone house." 
 After our forces were on the retreat, a body of troops sur 
 rounded the stone building, entered with bayonets, and de 
 manded our surrender ! No resistance was made, and no 
 violence was offered to the prisoners. They demanded our 
 arms, and ordered those of us not too severely wounded to 
 form in a line. Some of us had taken the precaution to 
 bend our muskets, and also to remove the chamber from 
 our revolvers. We were, soon after, marched up the hill to 
 a large white house, which was the headquarters of Gen. 
 Beauregard. We remained here a short time ; and while 
 lying on the ground, Gens. Beauregard and Johnson, and 
 Jeff. Davis rode up and surveyed their captives, their faces 
 illumined with joy and exultation. A few of our men be 
 gan to make inquiries for a revolver, and could one have 
 been found, some of those saddles would have been sud 
 denly emptied ! 
 
 We were marched five miles to Manassas Junction that 
 night, where we remained till 3 o clock the next day. It 
 rained all night, and we had no cover, and nothing of any 
 account to eat. We were kept standing in an open space 
 a solid mass of men ; and what little food was given us, 
 
THE FIRST TOBACCO WAREHOUSE PRISON. I 8/ 
 
 was thrown into the pen, and most of it trampled into the 
 mud before we could get it. We were put on board of box 
 cars and taken to Richmond, where we arrived at about 
 8 o clock on the evening of the 23d of July, 1861. 
 
 We were marched through the streets, under a strong 
 guard to protect us from the violence of the mob, who, 
 flushed with their recent victory, were armed with clubs, 
 bricks and stones, and followed us with scoffs and curses. 
 The march brought us to Harwood s large tobacco factory, 
 on Main street, near Twenty-fifth street, which with several 
 other similar buildings, afterwards became famous (or 
 rather infamous) under the name of Libby Prison. 
 
 July 25th. Have had a good night s rest. Slept on the 
 bare floor, without any blankets. It is terribly tiresome 
 being shut up here in this building, which is 108 feet long, 
 40 feet wide, and three stories high. Water is very scarce 
 and poor ; we cannot get enough to drink, and none to 
 wash or to bathe in. From our prison windows we can 
 look out on the James River, to the south. On the 
 west we can look over the city, see the capitol building, 
 and a secesh flag waving at each end. It makes us feel 
 rather down-hearted to think we cannot get out and pull 
 them down. The men keep up as good spirits as possible, 
 but are all longing to return to their regiments. We hope 
 to be let off soon. 
 
 Sunday. To-day we had service in our quarters, con 
 ducted by an Episcopal minister. A great many people 
 came in to see us. We had three meals to-day, served at 
 9, 3, and 10 o clock fashionable hours, we think. Food is 
 very scarce in Richmond. The people are anxious to get 
 rid of us, or make us earn our own living. The papers are 
 full of plans for treating us badly. They threaten to make 
 us work on the fortifications or in the coal mines. All these 
 schemes keep us worrying for our safety. 
 
 July 26th. Slept well during the night ; am getting ac 
 customed to bunking on the bare floor. My health is 
 good, but we are very weak from having no exercise and 
 very little food. A new quartermaster was appointed to- 
 
1 88 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 day ; his name is Warner, a Northern man, from Ohio. He 
 pretends to be a rebel, that he may collect some money due 
 him in Richmond. He gives us more to eat. Our rations 
 are : pork, bread and coffee for breakfast ; bread, pork and 
 rice for dinner ; coffee with bread and pork for supper. 
 
 July 2/th. Have formed a new arrangement in regard to 
 giving out the rations. Till now, the food has been 
 brought in in buckets and thrown in heaps on the floor. 
 The men were so ravenous that they would dive in and get 
 all they could, and trample much of it under foot, so that 
 many would get none. We have formed into squads of 
 fifty, and one man is chosen to draw and distribute the ra 
 tions for the fifty. All are made to sit down on the floor 
 in their places, and every man is given an equal ration. 
 
 Sunday, July 28th. This is a beautiful day, but there is 
 no regard for the Sabbath. Many of the men are playing 
 cards and gambling, and other sports are going on the 
 same as on a week day. We have no books to read. Gen. 
 Winder, Provost Marshal of the city, says he will not allow 
 any books except the Bible. I spend a good deal of my 
 time reading my Testament, which is a great comfort to 
 me. We are all very anxious to get out of this terrible 
 place ; the confinement is almost beyond endurance. We 
 are very weak, and our minds seem to be in a half-dormant 
 state, so we cannot fully realize our condition. I find great 
 comfort in prayer. I feel that God is very near to me, and 
 that in His own good time He will bring me out of trouble. 
 Many of the men are getting sick. Water is very scarce, 
 none to wash in. The men are very filthy and are covered 
 with vermin. It is with great difficulty we can get out to 
 the sinks, which are situated in the yard. Only two are 
 allowed to go from the building at a time, and it takes 
 nearly all day to get out. We have been obliged to use 
 one end of the first floor and it is covered several inches 
 thick with filth. It is tedious being shut up here, but I do 
 not complain, and am not sorry that I enlisted. I hope I 
 shall have a chance to try it over again. 
 
 The quartermaster still feeds us pretty well, but many of 
 
A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE. 189 
 
 the guards arc cruel and harsh. Several times they have 
 shot at the men who were standing near the windows. 
 This morning a ball came through the floor not far from 
 where I was sitting. It had been fired into the window of 
 the room below. 
 
 July 3Oth. To-day I have formed the acquaintance of a 
 young man by the name of Trowbridge, of the 2d Wiscon 
 sin regiment, and find that he is a cousin of a school-mate 
 of mine. He looks so much like her that when I first saw 
 him I asked him if he was a relative. He is sick to-day, and 
 I am taking care of him. 
 
 Many of the boys are writing letters home to-day. We 
 do not know whether our letters go through the lines or 
 not. If my parents knew what had become of me, I 
 would be more contented. I hope they will soon hear 
 where I am. May God sustain them, and may I be able to 
 see them again. (After the battle my name was given in 
 the list of killed, and it was several months before my pa 
 rents knew that I was alive.) 
 
 The weather is very warm, and we are more and more 
 afflicted with vermin. A great many of the men are sick. 
 I fear we shall all die if we are left here much longer. 
 Charley Platt, a member of my company, was taken to the 
 hospital to-day. It is terrible to be sick here. 
 
 Wednesday, July 3ist. The weather still continues very 
 hot. More of the men are getting sick. I continually 
 think of home and of what our folks are doing. Haying and 
 harvesting are now over ; the barns are full ; fruit must be 
 abundant. But we are shut up here, our friends not know 
 ing whether we are dead or alive. If I could only hear 
 from them, it would do my soul good. I wonder what 
 they think has become of me, and if mother worries about 
 me. If this trouble could only be settled ! God grant 
 that it may be, that we may return to our homes and live 
 in peace, and this nation become a great and happy one. 
 How is it possible that such a state of feeling as now exists 
 could have sprung up? Why did God permit it ? We 
 cannot see now, but He has some wise end in view. May 
 
IQO RECORD OP 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 that end speedily come. I am willing to wait His time and 
 not complain. I will not say aught against His dealings 
 with me, for " He doeth all things well." He suffered His 
 ancient people to go into slavery and trouble, and even His 
 own Son to die. But they vvere made soon to triumph 
 over their enemies and dwell in peace. Will he not do so 
 with us? We have the promise in His Word. And may 
 the lesson which God would teach us by this reverse of 
 fortune be understood by us, and we come out as silver 
 from the furnace, refined and purified, more perfectly fitted 
 to do our Master s will. I love Him more and more every 
 day, and I will try to continue in His love as long as I live, 
 that at the end I may not be found wanting, but ready to 
 die and go to my heavenly home. 
 
 Time passes away rather fast but drearily. We have 
 succeeded in getting a few books, and I am now reading a 
 volume of Anderson s Travels in South Africa. One of the 
 men has been allowed to go into the city and has bought a 
 quantity of apples, crackers and nicknacks to sell to the 
 boys. These are purchased quickly by those who have 
 money, and the edibles are eagerly devoured. 
 
 August 1st. Yesterday was the hottest day of the season 
 since we came here ; we could scarcely breathe, and it is 
 very warm and muggy this morning. Rumor says that 
 some of us are to be removed to another building to-day. 
 I hope it will be done, for there are 332 men on this floor, 
 which is 108x40 ft., a floor space of 2x6 ft. to each man. 
 We have to bring water a long distance in buckets, and 
 suffer a great deal for lack of enough to drink and wash in. 
 Another of our men was shot at this morning while sitting 
 in the window. This makes the fifth time that shots have 
 been fired into this building, but no one has been hurt yet, 
 although the balls came right among us. We hope to have 
 revenge on these cowardly fellows some time, although we 
 would gladly forgive them if it would do any good. 
 
 Arrangements having been made for another building, 
 fifty of the prisoners were taken over this forenoon to clean 
 it, and another squad of fifty have been over this afternoon. 
 
A NEW PRISON OPENED. iQl 
 
 I went with them and helped to sweep and remove rubbish 
 from the room. This, too, is a tobacco factory, and we 
 found large quantities of good tobacco, of all kinds. I per 
 suaded the officers in charge to let the boys from our regi 
 ment move into this building, which is just across the street 
 from our former quarters, where we occupy the second 
 floor. Just at night we came over, together with the men 
 of the 2d Wisconsin and 1st Massachusetts, in all about 
 seventy men. These quarters are much cleaner and more 
 pleasant than the old ones, and we are very lucky to get 
 them. This room is well lighted with gas, so that our 
 evenings are pleasant, and it has also twelve large win 
 dows, and is 40x60 ft. in size. On one side is a large tub, 
 and a hydrant that brings river water, so that we can wash, 
 and each man is cleaning himself up. This is the first time 
 since the battle that we have had water enough to wash in. 
 
 Quartermaster Warner has charge of all the cooking and 
 feeding arrangements, but the cooking is done by eight or 
 ten darkies. The coffee, meat and rice are boiled in large 
 iron kettles, holding nine gallons each, and there are about 
 thirty of these kettles. 
 
 August 2d. I have had a good night s rest in our new 
 quarters. We had no supper last night, and there is no 
 prospect of any breakfast this morning. We are getting 
 very hungry. I am feeling well this morning, and I hope I 
 may continue to enjoy good health, for it is discouraging to 
 be sick here. W^e hope to go home soon, though there is 
 no prospect of it now. The people here say that they are 
 willing to exchange prisoners, if President Lincoln will. 
 We hope he will, for we think it would be better for our 
 cause than to leave us here, doing no good ; but we trust 
 his policy is a good one. 
 
 There appears to be but little business going on in the 
 city now. All the tobacco factories are stopped, as there 
 is no. demand for the article outside of the city, on account 
 of the blockade, which is injuring them very much. 
 
 Breakfast has finally come, about 1 1 o clock, consisting 
 of bread and coffee. Many wounded prisoners were brought 
 
tQ2 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 in during the night, and, having to be fed, occasioned the 
 delay of our breakfast. We are to have but two meals a 
 day after this. Our supper, of bread and meat, came about 
 5 o clock. 
 
 To-day we have adopted a code of rules for our personal 
 cleanliness, and a police force has been elected to enforce 
 these rules. Every man is required to take off all his cloth 
 ing twice a day, and carefully search the seams, and kill all 
 the body lice. So we hope to keep quite clean now. 
 
 We can get the city papers at our quarters, for five cents 
 apiece, but they are so rabid and lie so much, that we hate 
 to read them. We do not know anything of what is going 
 on in the country, or what is to be done with us. 
 
 August 3d. Several of our men are quite sick. We had 
 breakfast about 10 o clock, of bread and coffee. We get 
 half a loaf of bread apiece, and have to go rather hungry 
 now-a-days, because there are so many here to feed. More 
 are coming all the time. I think they will soon get tired 
 of keeping us, for grub is very scarce. There is some talk 
 that we are to be sent further south, but we hope it is not so. 
 The rebel papers report that their prisoners at the North 
 are treated very cruelly, but we do not believe it. More 
 wounded were brought in last night, and placed in the 
 building we first occupied, so that about 130 more men 
 were brought over from there to this building, making our 
 quarters very crowded. How we wish we could get hold 
 of some school books, or more books to read, that we might 
 improve our time in studying, but we fear it will be impos 
 sible to do it. 
 
 Sunday, Aug. 4th. The most of the men are very quiet 
 this morning, but many are regardless of the Sabbath. I 
 had wished several times this morning that we might have 
 preaching in the prison to-day, when about eleven o clock a 
 rough-looking man came in and said : " We will have divine 
 service." At first I thought he was some stranger from the 
 city, but he proved to be the Rev. Hiram Eddy, of Litch- 
 field, Conn., Chaplain of the 2d Connecticut Regiment. 
 The services were opened with singing by the men. After 
 
NURSING A WOUNDED COMRADE* 193 
 
 this a prayer, and a more earnest one I never heard. The 
 men were quite still during the prayer, which compre 
 hended all that our circumstances would suggest. After 
 prayer, he read the I4th Chapter of St. John, with com 
 ments, and then took his text from the first verse of the 
 same chapter. He spoke at some length, and held the un 
 divided attention of the men. It was the most interesting 
 and delightful hour of worship I ever spent the talk and 
 the chapter applying so well to our circumstances, were 
 very affecting. He urged all to accept Christ, read the 
 Bible and be saved. Nearly all the men seemed affected, 
 and must have profited by the sermon. It seemed like 
 church at home, and made us more contented here, more 
 willing to wait God s time to bring us out and return us to 
 our friends, who must be very anxious about us. After 
 service I had a very pleasant chat with the preacher. God 
 grant that much good may be done here, and that all the 
 men may learn to reverence their God. For since we feel 
 God s presence, we can be happy. 
 
 About 5 o clock seventy more prisoners were brought in, 
 increasing the number on our floor to one hundred, so that 
 we are somewhat crowded, but we shall have to put up 
 with it. 
 
 At 6 o clock I was requested to go to the hospital and 
 help take care of Sergeant Wellman, of Co. " I," of our 
 regiment. I found he was wounded in the leg, below the 
 knee. I remained with him all night. I also found in the 
 same building (the one we first occupied) S. A. McKune 
 and Will. Sampson, of Co. " D." McKune was wounded in 
 the abdomen, the ball passing in a slanting direction across 
 his body. I think he will soon recover. Sampson was hit 
 in the ankle, and has a dangerous wound. I also found 
 four others there from our regiment, all badly wounded. 
 As I had had nothing to eat for a day before coming into 
 the hospital, the bad smell from the putrid wounds made 
 me very sick, but I kept on with my work till morning. 
 
 Monday, August 4th. I returned from the hospital 
 about 10 clock, sick and hungry, not having had anything 
 
194 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 to eat. We did not get breakfast till nearly noon, then had 
 some meat, rice and mush. Nothing more till 12 o clock at 
 night, when some meat and bread were brought in to us. It 
 looks as though they want to starve us to death. They 
 say that food is very scarce in the city. As prisoners of 
 war we are treated very shamefully. We fast so much we 
 are very weak, and it will take years for us to recover from 
 the effects of prison life I have been quite ill all day, but 
 hope soon to recover. 
 
 August 6th. I am a little better than I was yesterday. 
 My comrade, Charley Trowbridge, takes good care of me. 
 It is now nearly 12 o clock, and nothing to eat yet. I am 
 afraid we shall all starve to death. God forgive them for 
 treating us so. Breakfast came about noon some coffee, 
 rice and mush. We had supper about eight a very small 
 supply of meat and rice. 
 
 August 8th. One of our men, by the name of Crandall, 
 is sick with the measles. Our wounded are mostly doing 
 well. Oh ! how we long to go home ; we shall appreciate 
 home if we ever return. The men are getting very dirty 
 and lousy, some are completely covered with vermin. It is 
 with great difficulty that I can keep myself free from them. 
 I am a good deal worse to-day than I have been "; the more 
 I doctor the worse I seem to get. We have had enough to 
 eat to-day, for a wonder. 
 
 August Qth. I rested quite well during the night, and 
 we have had a very good breakfast this morning, of meat, 
 bread and coffee. Those who have money live first-rate, 
 for they can send out by the guards and buy fruits or any 
 thing they wish. The men find all the tobacco they want 
 in the upper rooms of the prison. Several boxes of plug 
 and twist have been opened to-day. 
 
 The weather is very warm, and the wounded are dying 
 off fast. We had supper about 8 o clock, and then all lay 
 down for the night. It is a funny sight to see so many men 
 stretched out on the floor. There are so many of us that 
 when we lie down the floor is completely covered. One 
 cannot cross the room without walking on the men. 
 
RUMOR THAT WE ARE TO RE EXCHANGED. 195 
 
 There are many rumors as to what may be done with us. 
 One is that we are to be sent to work in the coal mines ; 
 another, that we shall be taken further south in a clay or 
 two ; and still another, that we are to be sent home soon on 
 a parole of honor. The time set for this happy event is 
 Monday next. Of course we do not credit this, but let it 
 go the way it came. 
 
 August 10th. I am quite well to-day, for which I am 
 truly thankful. We hope that the government will soon 
 see fit to exchange prisoners, for we are doing no good 
 here. But as we do not know the policy of our govern 
 ment, we will not complain, but bide our time. 
 
 Orderly Davis, from Co. " C.," came over to our quarters 
 to-day. He says there are six or eight of our boys with 
 him in another prison. So there must be fifty or sixty of 
 our regiment prisoners, wounded and all. 
 
 Sunday, August nth. Three weeks have passed since 
 the memorable battle, and we are still here in prison, pass 
 ing away our time to no purpose. Amid the noise and 
 bustle of a hundred men, it is hard to keep the Sabbath. 
 What a luxury it would be to be alone for a little while, but 
 not for one moment can one escape from the crowd of noisy 
 men. 
 
 M-r. Eddy came in and preached to us to-day, and we had 
 a delightful hour of worship. The men were very atten 
 tive, and all passed quietly. His text was, "God is Love." 
 He spoke exceedingly well, and the service did us a great 
 deal of good. We went back, in imagination, to the old 
 church at home, where we had so often heard the " Word 
 of Life ;" and where perhaps, at this very time, our friends 
 were worshiping, and earnestly praying for us ; for we felt 
 that God was very near, comforting us by his Holy Spirit. 
 I am room orderly to-day, and have had a great deal to do, 
 cleaning the floor and keeping it in order. Some of our 
 doctors have been sent home to-day, on parole. They were 
 granted this favor for an act of kindness to a wounded 
 rebel colonel. It seems hard to fight against our brethren, 
 but when we see their acts of treason, it is a great incentive 
 
196 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 to action. But I think this trouble could have been settled 
 without blood-shed, and I hope there will be no more fight 
 ing. But the right will triumph. May God prosper the 
 right, and all be well. 
 
 August I2th. After breakfast I got the guards to pass me 
 to No. i Hospital. Here I found three wounded men from 
 our regiment Corp. Wood, one of the color-guard who was 
 shot through the hand, and a man by the name of Bond, 
 from Co. " I." I remained with them a short time, and 
 then went over to the other hospital, where McKune and 
 Sampson are. I found them doing well. The doctors 
 wanted more help in the hospital ; so I volunteered as a 
 nurse. I went back to my quarters, got my coat and things, 
 and returned to the hospital, where I am now, beside 
 McKune s cot, writing by the gas light. There are one hun 
 dred wounded men on this floor. Most of them are doing 
 well. One man died this afternoon. He belonged to the 
 2d Rhode Island Regiment. He has been deranged several 
 days, and has suffered a great deal. He was a long time 
 dying. It seemed sad to see him go. We have had preach 
 ing in the hospital to-day, by an Episcopal minister, the 
 same one who preached when we first came here. One of 
 the men died just as he finished talking. Twelve men were 
 sent home on parole to-day. I sent a letter by them. 
 
 August 1 3th. It is 9 P. M. I have had a hard day s work, 
 and have just finished. I have had enough to eat, and my 
 health is excellent. Nearly all the wounded are doing well. 
 One man died last night. Besides nursing the wounded, I 
 have assisted in cleaning the floor of the third story, where 
 the nurses and sick are quartered. This hospital is the 
 building where we were quartered when we came to the city. 
 A rebel soldier died to-day, in a hospital which is just across 
 the street from ours. On the hearse that carried the body 
 out for burial were four small secesh flags. This is going 
 it big, we think. Wonder if he will change his colors when 
 he gets on the other side ! Mr. Eddy has been in to see the 
 wounded. I had a pleasant chat with him. 1 am tired, and 
 must go to bed. Good-night. I sleep on the bare floor, 
 
DEATH OF COMRADE PRESCOTT. 197 
 
 with my boots for a pillow, beside McKune s cot. Most of 
 the wounded are provided with cots and mattresses. 
 
 August 1 5th. One poor fellow died to-day, by the name 
 of Jacob Sparahall, from the 4th Maine Regiment. I think 
 another will die to-night, for he is but just alive. The rest 
 seen: to be doing well. McKune and Sampson are gaining. 
 Reports of another battle are prevalent, but we cannot get 
 any particulars. The wounded soldier mentioned above 
 died during the night. He was one of the I4th Brooklyn 
 Regiment, by the name of Charles R. Prescott. He was a 
 very intelligent and well educated man. His leg had been 
 amputated twice, but the operation was- badly performed : 
 it was taken off near the hip, and the bone left several 
 inches bare. He lived five days on nothing but whiskey, 
 suffering a great deal. Death, for which he had long prayed, 
 finally came and released him from his suffering. 
 
 August i6th. Several prisoners, that had escaped, have 
 been recaptured and put in irons to-day. This is rather 
 hard. We do not see why our government does not ex 
 change prisoners. We see nothing to hinder it. Many of 
 the men are getting sick, and we are all very anxious to get 
 back to our regiments. One of the wounded men received 
 a letter from his brother to-day. Oh ! how I wish I could 
 hear from my home. 
 
 Sunday, August i8th. To-day I had a talk about religion 
 with one of the wounded boys from our regiment, by the 
 name of Johnson. He is badly wounded in the thigh, and 
 I fear he will not live long. He seems to be serious, and 
 tries to repent. His father is a Presbyterian minister, living 
 near Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 August 2Oth. Death, with his arrow, has again entered 
 the hospital, and cut down two of our number. Two strong 
 men have survived their injuries four long weeks, but at last 
 they have died. Joseph Campbell, of Co. " C," I4th Brook 
 lyn, has gone to his long home. He trusted in Christ, re 
 pented, and has gone to meet Him in heaven. He has suf 
 fered a great deal, and died hard ; but we never heard him 
 complain. His home is 142 Plymouth St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
198 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 August 2 1 st. Another man has died to-day. He was 
 wounded in the thigh, the whole fleshy part of his hip was 
 carried away by a cannon ball. His leg was not broken, 
 but the veins sloughed off, and he bled to death. 
 
 August 22d. I am doing all I can in the hospital for the 
 wounded. Many of the prisoners are getting sick. I fear 
 that some malady may break out among them. All the 
 wounded from our regiment are doing well, except John 
 son. For a couple of days he has been out of his head, 
 and he thinks he sees his mother, brother and sister near 
 him, and tries to speak to them often wishes me to call 
 them to him. I think he will not live through the night. It 
 seems hard to die now, aftei having lived so long since the 
 battle. I sat down by his cot about 8 o clock, and thought 
 him dying then. His pulse had ceased, and the cold sweat 
 stood in thick drops on his brow. He lay in this state some 
 time, breathing very short. I thought him dying, but we 
 raised his head and gave him water. The water seemed to 
 revive him, his pulse beat again and his limbs became 
 warm. He seemed easier after this and slept a short time, 
 but kept muttering broken sentences, only a few words of 
 which I could understand. He repeatedly commenced the 
 Lord s Prayer, but could only say a few words when his 
 mind would wander, and he would seem to be speaking to 
 his mother and his sister, but his meaning we could not 
 make out About 3 o clock he passed away and his body 
 was carried out. I think from what he told me before his 
 mind wandered, and from what he said afterward, that his 
 heart had been changed and that he died happy. He suf 
 fered very much from his wound, but had as good care as 
 we could give him here. His wound was so bad that we 
 could not move him, and his clothes had not been taken off 
 since he was wounded. The doctors fixed his leg in a 
 sling suspended by cords from the ceiling, so that it could 
 be dressed. He was not strong enough to undergo an am 
 putation. I have the things that were found on his per 
 son, a prayer-book and several letters, which I shall en 
 deavor to send to his friends, if I live to get out of prison- 
 
PROMOTED TO A BETTER PLACE 199 
 
 The book was a present from his mother. His name and 
 date of receiving this parting gift are on the fly-leaf. May 
 God comfort the mother! 
 
 P. S. After reaching home, I sent the things to his 
 mother. She came to see me, and has written me a letter 
 every year since. 
 
 August 23d. I awoke this morning feeling very sick. 
 The steward directed me to take a drink of whiskey, which 
 made me feel better. This is the first liquor I ever drank. 
 I have had to work hard all day and am very tired to-night. 
 My work consists in removing the bandages, cleansing the 
 wounds, replacing the dressings, and feeding and nursing 
 the helpless ones. I prefer this work to lying idle in the 
 prison. 
 
 Some of the rebel reserve guard got to fighting among 
 themselves last night, and killed one of their sergeants his 
 name was Hamilton. He had put one of his men in irons, 
 for some breach of discipline, and when he went to lock 
 him in the guard-room, the fellow seized a musket and let 
 drive at him, the charge passing through his body. 
 
 August 2/th. To-day I have had a falling out with the 
 old sergeant who is acting steward of our ward, or rather he 
 has with me. He is a very cross, crabbed old chick, and 
 got jealous of me because I took too good care of some 
 of the men. He told me to leave the hospital, which I 
 did. But when one of our doctors came in, the boys all 
 took my part and told him the circumstances. He sent for 
 me and took me over to headquarters, and told the rebel 
 doctor that he wanted him to appoint me superintendent 
 of the hospital cook-house. This was done, and I am to go 
 into the hospital and carry things to the boys whenever I 
 like, and also have a pass to visit any of the other prisons. 
 The cooking is all done in the open yard without shelter. 
 We have to make great quantities of beef tea for the 
 wounded. The work is very hard, but we get plenty to 
 eat and enjoy the luxury of being in the fresh air. 
 
 Sunday, September 1st. Have worked the same as on a 
 
200 RECORD OF 2JTH. REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 week day. Another man died to-day Charles I) u rant, 
 from Rochester. He was sick with fever. 
 
 September 2d. We have made but one kettle of beef 
 tea to-day, and in the other we cooked a mess of beef, cab 
 bage and potatoes, for the wounded got them up a regu 
 lar farmers dinner. The cooking is done in two large iron 
 kettles, holding about ninety gallons each. This supplies 
 all the hospitals. I get a little time each day to cook a 
 beefsteak and roast a few potatoes for some of my friends 
 in the hospital 
 
 September 3d. To-day some of our men who have been 
 treated in the general hospital, which is further up town, 
 have been brought down to our building. They have 
 nearly all recovered from their wounds. Among them was 
 George Coon, from Co. " D." He told me that Pardee and 
 Snedaker, both from the same company, had died of their 
 wounds, in the general hospital. 
 
 September loth. The same routine of daily work in the 
 cook house continues. To-day one hundred and fifty of 
 the prisoners have been sent to Charleston, S. C, twenty- 
 seven of them officers, and among them Col. Corcoran, of 
 the 69th. It is rumored that others will go soon. 
 
 September I ith. One of the assistants in the cook-house 
 was among the men sent off to the South yesterday, and I 
 asked the quartermaster to detail my friend Charley Trow- 
 bridge to assist in the work, and he is now with us. Soon 
 after I left the prison and came to the hospital, Charley, 
 with a number of others, was moved to another building, a 
 factory in the lower part of the city. Here they suffered 
 still more for the want of rations than before I left them ; 
 and sometimes when he would come with others to head 
 quarters to draw rations for his comrades, I would give him 
 an extra loaf, some sugar, coffee, etc. After a little, he was 
 not able to come, so he sometimes sent his haversack, ac 
 companied by a note. The following is a copy of one : 
 
IS IT EVER RIGHT TO STEAL? 2OI 
 
 RICHMOND, Sept. 6 Friday Eve. 
 
 FKIK.MI ("IIAKI.IK : 1 write you these few lines, hoping that you will 
 do something for a poor body that is about half starved. I do not uphold 
 a man in stealing. Still I do not think it would be laid up against him 
 for stealing something to eat, that is, if he were as hungry as I have been 
 for the last three or four days ; consequently I am going to call on you. 
 If you cannot get it without stealing it, I want you should take it. I send 
 yon my haversack, which you can send back by the upper floor squad. 
 I cannot get the chance to come after rations every time. When you see 
 this haversack coming, please look at it, and think that I am hungry. 
 
 Hunger compels me to write this. 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 C. E. TROWBRIDGE. 
 
 P. S. Can t you get me a chance to help you around the kettles? 
 I want to get out into the open air. 
 
 We loved each other like brothers, and of course I never 
 let his haversack go back empty. 
 
 September I3th. Work the same as before. Another 
 man died yesterday, by the name of Bailey; and another 
 to-day, from our regiment, A.M. Hunt, of Co. "G." I went 
 up to see him a short time before he died. I found him in 
 a small attic room of the hospital, where it was close and 
 hot. He was sick with fever. He had been out of his 
 head for some time, but seemed to know me. He has had 
 very poor care, and has been much neglected. I got water 
 and washed him, and moistened his parched lips, and gave 
 him drink ; then combed his hair, and drove away the swarms 
 of flies that were tormenting him. He seemed very grate 
 ful to me ; reached his arms around my neck and drew 
 me close to him, but he could not speak. I remained with 
 him as long as I could, and then made some of the other 
 boys promise to care for him. Poor fellow ! he soon died, 
 and now sleeps in one of those unknown graves, among 
 the thousands that went down to death from those vile 
 Southern prisons. 
 
 One remark about these dying men : They retained their 
 hope of life up to the hour of dying. They did not give up. 
 
202 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 There is another thing I wish to state : All the men, with 
 out any exception among the thousands that I have asso 
 ciated with, have never in a single instance expressed regret 
 that they entered their country s service. They have been 
 the most loyal, devoted and earnest men ; even on the last 
 days of their lives they have said, that all they hoped for, 
 was just to live and enter the service again, and meet their 
 foes. It is a most glorious record in reference to the devo 
 tion of our men to their country. I do not think their pat 
 riotism h; s ever been equaled in the history of the world. 
 There was no time during our term of imprisonment that 
 we could not have been free by taking an oath of allegiance 
 to the Confederate States. Agents were constantly coming 
 to the prison to induce mechanics to come out and work at 
 their trades. Shoe manufacturers and other tradesmen 
 were anxious to get more workmen, and promised good 
 wages, plenty to eat, and -constant employment. But none 
 of the men were moved by such inducements. 
 
 September I4th. To-day I have had to move my sleep 
 ing quarters from the floor in the hospital, to No. I Prison, 
 on the same floor with Davis and Dunn, of Co. " C," 2/th. 
 On leaving, McKune gave me one of his blankets, a gift of 
 which I am very proud, as a bare floor is not the best bed 
 in the world. 
 
 September iQth. Several of the men ran away last night, 
 and the officers seem to suspect that I have had something 
 to do with the escape of so many men of late, and will 
 allow none of the cooks in the yard ; but the cooking is 
 hereafter to be done by the negro prisoners, who are 
 allowed to go where they please. So I have to remain in 
 No. i Prison. Upon reflection, I think the suspicion of the 
 officers was not entirely incorrect. Sometimes, when quite 
 a squad of the prisoners would come down to draw rations, 
 one or more of them would slip into the storehouse and 
 hide among the barrels and boxes. At night I would lock 
 them in, and after dark they would raise the back window, 
 which opened outside the guard-line, and make their 
 escape. 
 
OUR ORGANIZATION IN PRISON. 2O3 
 
 While in No. I Prison, I joined the " Richmond Prison 
 Association," a club for fun and mutual improvement. Of 
 course such an association should have a seal, sign and 
 motto; and what more natural than that we should select 
 as a coat of arms for our seal, our constant companion, the 
 " body louse." So, a skillful engraver was set to work, and 
 on a piece of bone the size of half a dollar, two rows of 
 body lice were carved around the margin, under which 
 was, " Richmond Prison Association," and in the center the 
 motto, " Bite and be damned." Then we had a sign, 
 which was to scratch under the arm with vigor. We would 
 often sing our prison song, only the last verse of which I 
 will quote : 
 
 " And when we arrive in the land of the free, 
 They will smile and welcome us joyfully ; 
 And when we think of the Rebel band, 
 Well repeat our motto, Bite, and be damned !" 
 
 Up to this time Gen. W inder has been Provost Marshal 
 of Richmond, and under him is Lieut. Todd, a brother of 
 Airs. Lincoln, who has immediate charge of the prisoners. 
 Me has two assistants, Lieut. Emac and Sergeant Wirtz 
 (also spelled Wirz, Wurz). 
 
 Lieut. Emac was a West Point graduate, and he and 
 Wirtz were connected with the two companies of United 
 States soldiers now guarding us. These two companies 
 were stationed in Richmond at the breaking out of the war, 
 and went over in a body to the Confederate States. 
 
 (It will be remembered that after the close of the war 
 Wirtz was tried, condemned and executed by our govern 
 ment, it having been proved that he had killed some of the 
 prisoners while in command at Andersonville.) 
 
204 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Lieut. Todd is vicious and brutal in his treatment of the 
 prisoners, and seldom enters the prison without grossly in 
 sulting some of the men. He always comes in with a 
 drawn sword in his hand, and his voice and manner indi 
 cate his desire to commit some cruel wrong. I have 
 
 o 
 
 seen him strike a wounded prisoner who was lying on the 
 floor, and cut a heavy gash across hi-, thigh with his sword. 
 
 After a time Todd was sent to the front, and was after 
 wards killed in battle. Two other brothers of Mrs Lin 
 coln were also killed while in the Confederate service- 
 Whenever we go too near the window we are likely to be 
 fired at by the guard. The first man killed by the guard 
 was private M. C. Beck, of the /Qth Regiment. He was 
 instantly killed while he was hanging his blanket up by the 
 window. The next was R. Gleason, of the New York Fire 
 Zouaves, who was killed while looking from the window. 
 The guard is said to have remarked, as he leveled his mus 
 ket: " See me take that - - Zouave in the eye !" The 
 ball entered his forehead and he instantly fell dead ! Four 
 others were seriously wounded in this manner, and Charles 
 VV. Tibbetts, of Co. " K," of our regiment, was instantly 
 killed by a guard in a most cruel manner. The prisoners 
 are permitted to visit in couples an out-house in the prison 
 yard, and Tibbetts and companion were going thither inside 
 the guard-line, when a sentinel on the opposite side of the 
 street raised his piece and fired at them. The ball passed 
 through the breast of Tibbetts and wounded his compan 
 ion in the arm. The indignation of the prisoners towards 
 these skulking and cowardly assassins can find no ade 
 quate expression. Yet as the bleeding forms of their mur 
 dered comrades are, one after another, borne from their 
 presence to the " negro burying ground," they feel that a 
 day of retribution, however long deferred, will surely come. 
 It is even said that the guards are promised promotion if 
 they shoot a prisoner. 
 
 No menagerie was ever regarded with more general inter 
 est and curiosity in a country village than are the Union 
 prisoners in the tobacco warehouses of Richmond. They 
 
IIARWOOD S TOBACCO WAREHOUSE. 
 
 205 
 
 arc the standard attraction of people of both sexes, all 
 ages, and every variety of shade. On Sundays, more par 
 ticularly, the citizens turn out in squads, and from morn 
 ing till night the street is blockaded with eager spectators. 
 
 RICHMOND ToHACCO WAREHOUSE PRISON NO. I. 
 
 Prison No. I is a lofty building, three stories in height, 
 its interior dimensions being 70 feet in length by 26 in 
 width. The second and third stories are occupied by 
 private soldiers (captured at Bull Run), and the lower floor 
 by the commissioned officers and a number of civilians, 
 among whom is the Hon. Alfred Ely. It is the most 
 crowded and filthy prison of all; there are 130 and often 
 150 men on one floor. At night the prisoners stretch 
 themselves upon the bare floor, uncovered ; and at meal 
 time they sit upon the floor, ranged against the walls, and 
 devour whatever they can get. 
 
 One cannot conceive a more gloomy and revolting spec 
 tacle than a look into these fi. thy quarters. Imagine a 
 hundred haggard faces and emaciated forms some with 
 hair and beard of three months growth so miserably 
 clothed, in general, as to scarcely serve the purposes of 
 decency, and many limping from the pain of unhealed 
 wounds, and some faint conception may be obtained of our 
 wretched condition. 
 
 The " standard bill of fare," which has now been adopted, 
 is as follows : About nine o clock we receive our morning 
 ration of bread, beef and water, about half as much as a 
 
206 RECORD OF 2;T1I REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 
 
 well man would naturally require. Our second and only 
 other meal is received about 4 o clock, and consists of bread, 
 and soup made from the water in which the beef was 
 boiled. The prisoners, sick or well, are compelled to accept 
 it or go without. 
 
 The question of " exchange " is naturally uppermost in 
 the mind of every prisoner, and is at intervals an untiring 
 theme of discussion, One has but to lisp the word and a 
 crowd of hib associates instantly gathers about him, can 
 vassing the subject with as much interest and energy as 
 though it were newly broached, and extracting fresh en 
 couragement from every sage or emphatic prediction of a 
 speedy release. 
 
 It was our first impression that we would be detained but 
 a few days ; that the Federal Government needed only 
 to be apprised of our situation, and our numbers, to proffer 
 the requisite exchange from the prisoners in its own cus 
 tody. This opinion at length yielded to the belief that 
 another advance was contemplated, and that our destiny 
 depended, in a great measure, upon the result of a second 
 battle. A new apprehension here presented itself, for it 
 was openly threatened by the rebels that, in the event of 
 their defeat at Manassas, the Union prisoners would be 
 massacred by the confederate soldiers in Richmond. 
 
 It must be borne in mind that the Richmond press was 
 particularly hostile to the prisoners, and recommended 
 filling the navy yard at Pensacola with Union prisoners, 
 arguing that our troops would then be compelled either to 
 sacrifice our own men or to withhold an attack. 
 
 Harrassed by such reports, we still remain in Richmond, 
 and as the weary days and weeks are added to our confine 
 ment, without affording the slightest prospect of release, 
 many of the most hopeful become disheartened. The offi 
 cial indifference manifested at Washington towards us 
 seems unaccountable. We cannot understand why the 
 government is unwilling to exchange or even ameliorate 
 the condition of men who have fought honorably in its de 
 fence, and are not only prisoners, but are known to be 
 
HOW WE PESTERED WIRTZ. 2O/ 
 
 suffering for want of food and clothing. Yet notwithstand 
 ing these discouragements, at no time would our boys con- 
 sent to receive their exchange at the sacrifice of a single 
 principle involving the national honor. 
 
 Notwithstanding the inferior quality and quantity of our 
 food, sometimes under the administration of Wirtz we got 
 nothing but bread and water. The escapes from the prison 
 were numerous. About one hundred in all succeeded in 
 getting away, but all except a very few were recaptured. 
 Whenever an escape was discovered, which was usually two 
 or three days after the prisoner had gone, Wirtz would en 
 ter the prison in a towering passion and command the prjs- 
 oners to fall in for roll-call. His jargon was excessively 
 amusing, and whenever the prisoners affected to misunder 
 stand, he was thrown into a spasmodic rage. Some one 
 would usually respond for the fugitive, and Wirtz could sel 
 dom find out who it was that had escaped. He would then 
 demand to know how they had made their escape, but the 
 prisoners would refuse to answer any of his queries. l4 Tell, 
 me," he would say, " or you shall never be so sorry in your 
 life. I shall keep you tree tays on pred and wasser. " Oh, 
 ho ! " would shout a dozen voices, " Three cheers for 
 Wirtz. He will feed us three days on bread and butter ! " 
 " No, no ! you tarn villians, I say pred and wasser wasser, 
 and not busser !" And he proved as good as his word. 
 
 At one extremity of the prison, on the second floor, was a 
 small room that had been used as an office, in which had 
 been stored a quantity of tobacco, and a barrel of sweetened 
 rum, used in flavoring the same. The door had been nailed 
 up, but the boys, aided by a saw made from a case-knife, 
 effected an entrance, and confiscated sufficient " Old Vir 
 ginia Twist " to last for several months ; and as to the 
 sweetened rum, the boys were rapturous over this unex 
 pected discovery. Sergeant Wirtz was not long in ascer 
 taining that the " tarn Yankees," as he invariably called us, 
 were in unusual " spirits" and because he could not find 
 out how the boys obtained their " fire-water," he flew into a 
 paroxysm of rage, and determined to punish the whole 
 
2O8 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 crowd, and the sentence was, as before, " Three days on 
 bread and water." 
 
 The " Poet " of Prison No. 2 could not resist the impulse 
 to immortalize our PRISON BILL OF FARK, and his efforts 
 resulted in the following production : 
 
 First, at the sink, having performed ablution, 
 
 This problem, " What s for break fast f needs solution; 
 
 Like others not in Euclid, oft tis found 
 
 To tax researches that are most profound. 
 
 At length tis solved, when, on his sapient head, 
 
 A colored "gemman" brings a loaf of bread, 
 
 Not common loaves, as in the shop you ll find. 
 
 Such large affairs must suit the vulgar mind. 
 
 Our friends take care our better tastes to meet, 
 
 So send us loaves that are unique and neat ; 
 
 Our longing eyes upon the batch we fix, 
 
 Then quickly eat our rations ounces six ; 
 
 So justly are our appetites defined, 
 
 These loaves are not the largest of their kind ; 
 
 To season them withal, our friends allow 
 
 Three ounces of some lately butchered cow, 
 
 How long ago we say not, but the smell 
 
 Would indicate it rather hard to tell ; 
 
 The doubt, however, is not worth discussing, 
 
 Such things create unnecessary fussing ; 
 
 Besides, it would be wrong to heed such stuff, 
 
 Rulv it with salt, it then goes well enough. 
 
 Thus, you perceive, all works have been at fault, 
 
 To doubt the potency of Richmond salt ; 
 
 It sweetens and removes a doubtful flavor. 
 
 We once, indeed, had coffee, but we fear 
 
 Our friends have found the article too dear ; 
 
 So now, we eat our sumptuous breakfast dry ; 
 
 For, even they use coffee made from rye. 
 
 Some time we Yankees may the secret steal, 
 
 And make pure Java from bad Indian meal ; 
 
 At all their little failings we must wink, 
 
 And so ad libitum, foul water drink. 
 
 Such is our morning meal ; now, "what s for dinner?" 
 
 Asks some insatiate, half-starved sinner, 
 
 As if the bounty of our Christian friends 
 
 Was not enough to answer nature s ends. 
 
 The fellow craves, till problem number two 
 
 Calls the attention of a hungry crew, 
 
 That in a corner squat, in deep reflection, 
 
 Like Cabinet ministers, on home protection. 
 
 With busy hands, at length, their pates they scratch, 
 
PRISON BILL OF FARE. 209 
 
 As if their brains a dinner there could hatch ; 
 
 Twould seem they had, with one consent, resolved 
 
 To scratch until the problem had been solved. 
 
 Others, again, beguile the weary hours 
 
 With quiet game of cribbage, or all fours ; 
 
 Wrapt in a cloud of smoke from morn till noori, 
 
 They don t expect a dinner from the moon. 
 
 The sick lie on the floor, as mute as mice, 
 
 Poor devils ! thankful for a little rice ; 
 
 While lame and lazy, seeming ill at ease, 
 
 Are laying plans their hunger to appease. 
 
 Some fellows who are luck) , having. money 
 
 Though Yankees think the medium rather funny 
 
 With bogus bills, of small denominations, 
 
 Contrive to add a little to their rations ; 
 
 And eat at noon, without a guilty blush, 
 
 A pint of Indian meal, made into mush ; 
 
 Another brings to view his precious store, 
 
 A bone, that he had picked too well before ; 
 
 This (our pants inform us we are thinner) 
 
 Makes the sum total of our prison dinner. 
 
 I now shall place in order proper, 
 
 The dainty items of our prison supper : 
 
 At five o clock, and sometimes half-past five, 
 
 A humming sound is heard throughout the hive ; 
 
 The boarders think their supper rather late, 
 
 And beat the devil s tattoo upon each plate ; 
 
 Some get impatient, and the rest they choke, 
 
 In stifling clouds of vile tobacco smoke ; 
 
 For, be it known, a hogshead found up-stairs, 
 
 Affords the boys a chance to " put on airs," 
 
 So those to whom the habit is quite new, 
 
 Can smoke a pipe, or take a luscious chew. 
 
 But as the boarders throng around the door. 
 
 Our colored "gemman " enters as before ; 
 
 With graceful dignity his load removes, 
 
 While some thin wretch his tardiness reproves. 
 
 Meanwhile another of the sable race, 
 
 Whose comic grin o erspreads his ebon face, 
 
 Upon his neighbor s heels had followed close, 
 
 And in his hands a curious looking dose ; 
 
 But something floating meets the boarders view, 
 
 It must be yes, it is an Irish stew. 
 
 Just then the eyes of hungry sinners gleam, 
 
 Extended nostrils scent the fragrant steam ; 
 
 The grinning darkey on his fingers blows, 
 
 His scalded hands to impatient boarders shows, 
 
 Then leaves his steaming bucket on the floor, 
 
210 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 And, with another grin, he shuts the door. 
 
 Now, anxious to inspect the savory mess, 
 
 The hungry boarders round the bucket press ; 
 
 But, short and tall, their open mouths they droop, 
 
 Their Irish stew is regulation soup. 
 
 Their happiness is changed to speechless grief, 
 
 The water, this, in which they boiled their beef ; 
 
 Some friendly hand, to make it somewhat thicker, 
 
 Had dropped a cracker in the tasteless liquor : 
 
 Of this each boarder shares a standard .gill ; 
 
 It s quite enough, and warranted to kill. 
 
 To test its strength on us is their intention, 
 
 All the ingredients I dare not mention. 
 
 We crumble in our ounces, six, of bread, 
 
 Swallow the physic, and then go to bed. 
 
 This, be it known, is on hard boards, 
 
 The best the prison discipline affords. 
 
 Shades of the epicures of ancient Rome, 
 
 Whose deeds aje writ in many an ancient tome ; 
 
 Ye mighty men, whose gastronomic feats 
 
 Were sung in ballads, in Rome s ancient streets ; 
 
 Whose wondrous deeds by Plato have been noted, 
 
 And crests by modern epicures been quoted, 
 
 Hold fast your laurels, for in Richmond prison, 
 
 E en at this day, your rivals have arisen, 
 
 Who, though they cannot boast a second course, 
 
 Have called from morn until their throats were hoarse ; 
 
 Insatiate men, whose inwards nought can fill, 
 
 Not even tubs of stuff" called wholesome swill ; 
 
 Who crammed their stomachs with suspicious beef, 
 
 Would taint the fingers of a starving thief, 
 
 Whose hungry eyes, most starting from their sockets, 
 
 Proclaiming they are starving men, with empty pockets, 
 
 Who eat with gusto the Confederate swill, 
 
 That would a famished jackal surely kill ; 
 
 Assembled round Secession s filthy tub, 
 
 Hyena-like, their eyes devour their grub ; 
 
 Nor can they have it in their hands too soon, 
 
 But bolt it, dog-like, without fork or spoon, 
 
 Then, with a rag, moustaches must they wipe. 
 
 Such rare perfection, in the mystic art, 
 
 Might cause the souls of richer men to start. 
 
 The famous sojer may safely hood it, 
 
 That he and all his tribe have got to hood it, 
 
 And open shops where science is unknown, 
 
 In some place bordering on the frigid /one, 
 
 And tell the epicure, he may find there 
 
 His fame was lost by this, our BILL OF FARE ! 
 
OFF FOR NEW ORLEANS. 211 
 
 September 2Oth. Our fears about being sent further 
 south are to be realized, and a squad of 250 are to start for 
 New Orleans to-morrow, to be followed in a day or two 
 by 250 more. It is sad to think of being sent so far away 
 from home, more than fifteen hundred miles, and no pros 
 pect of being released. The papers say they are to send 
 us south so the fevers will kill us off more rapidly. 
 
 September 2ist. Orders were, to be ready to start at 
 3 o clock this morning, and many of the men did not lie 
 down at all, but sat up, sang songs, cheered for the Stars 
 and Stripes, and made night ring. One would have thought 
 we were the happiest lot of men that ever were together. 
 The other prisoners hearing our shouts, took them up, and 
 did all they could to disturb the rebel city. The officers 
 threatened to fire on us, but could not make us keep still. 
 We did not go, however, till 4 o clock in the afternoon. 
 One of the men was shot dead by the guard, while standing 
 near the window. This makes the fifth man that has been 
 killed by the sentries firing into the window. Before leav 
 ing I was allowed to go over to the hospital and bid good 
 bye to the men for whom I had cared so long. I, passed 
 from cot to cot, and received a kind farewell from all 
 
 Harry Stewart, one of our men, had lived in Richmond, 
 and left the city only a month before the battle. He has a 
 sweetheart here by the name of Sarah Sowards. When we 
 first came here, she was allowed to visit the prison and 
 bring food and presents to Harry ; but after a little time 
 the officers would not allow this, and she had to content 
 herself by walking past the prison every day, hoping to get 
 a look at her friend through the grated window. To-day, 
 having heard that we were to leave Richmond, she came 
 down early in the morning, accompanied by a lady friend, 
 to watch if perchance she might get a parting word with 
 Harry. But Harry was sick. The fever had attacked him, 
 and he lay in a half stupor on the floor. His comrades 
 raised him so that he could look out of the window. No 
 word or sign could pass between them, as the officers were 
 watching. 
 
212 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 At last the order came to go. We were supplied with 
 three days rations of bread and bacon. A strong guard 
 wa.s drawn up on each side of the street, to keep us 
 and escort us to the depot. We bade adieu to comrades 
 who were left behind, and there was many a sad parting. 
 We left with them messages to be taken to our home 
 friends, as it was expected that those who remained would 
 soon be exchanged. My friend Trowbridge was not to go. 
 I tried to persuade him that we should not be parted, but 
 he felt too weak to undertake the journey. He thought he 
 would soon go home, and promised to tell my friends about 
 me. And so we parted, never to meet on earth again. In 
 two weeks after I left him, he starved to death. 
 
 And now we are in the street and breathe fresh air once 
 more. From the windows of all the other prisons were 
 waved many a friendly salute and warm good-bye. By a 
 preconcerted plan, when the order came to march, one 
 cried, " Three cheers for the Stars and Stripes," and al 
 though the guards charged bayonets and threatened to 
 shoot, three heartier cheers never went up for the dear old 
 flag. Then the other prisons took it up, and cheer upon 
 cheer from those brave hearts followed us as we marched 
 through the streets of that doomed city. We soon reached 
 the depot and went on board the cars. Harry s friend had 
 followed us, and stood near the cars, weeping bitterly, but 
 the guard, with his bayonet before her, would not let her 
 speak nor come near. Many of the people who were stand 
 ing by were moved to tears, and begged the soldier to let 
 her pass. The cars started. She seized hold of the mus 
 ket, threw it aside, rushed by the guard and seized her 
 lover s hand and said good-bye. Harry was sick through 
 all the journey, but recovered and returned home Sarah 
 was imprisoned by her own people as a Union sympathizer, 
 and suffered untold hardships through the war. 
 
 But to go on with our journey. We ride on open plat 
 form cars and reach Petersburg, the third station from 
 Richmond. The country so far is very poor, the soil being 
 sandy loam. Forests of yellow pine are plenty all the way 
 
A FREE RtDE THROUGH THE CONFEDERACY. 213 
 
 Corn is the chief crop, and it is poor indeed. We changed 
 cars at Petersburg, and now ride in passenger cars with 
 plank seats. One of our men John Stout, of Co. " C 
 while passing through the cars (it being dark) fell and broke 
 his thigh. We took him out, and he was sent to the hospi 
 tal, but none of his comrades were allowed to remain with 
 him. He recovered, and returned home before we did. 
 
 Sunday, September 22d. It has rained hard all night. 
 As we approach Goldsboro, N. C., the crops look better 
 than in the vicinity ot Petersburgh. We pass fields of cot 
 ton, sweet potatoes, and immense forests of yellow pine, 
 which extend clear on to Wilmington, N. C., where we 
 arrive about 5 o clock. This is a pleasant city. A great 
 number of people are out to see us, and deride us at a great 
 rate. Here we left the cars, and crossed the Cape Fear river 
 by ferry. Some of the boys proposed that we overpower 
 the guards, seize the boat and run down the river to the 
 blockade fleet, but there was so little time that the plan could 
 not be perfected, and the rebel officers, suspecting the plot, 
 strengthened the guard and made every plan to frustrate us. 
 
 September 23d. We pass on through a country with 
 splendid scenery all the way to Sumter, S. C., where an im 
 mense number of people had gathered to see the "Yankees." 
 At Kingsville we remained three hours, to cook bacon. 
 Our food is bread and bacon. We reached Orangeburgh 
 about sunset. This is a beautiful village and there is a 
 large female seminary located here. Many of the pupils, 
 " pretty secesh girls," came down to see us. 
 
 We reached Augusta, Ga., about 2 o clock in the morn 
 ing. Here, even at this unseasonable hour, we found a 
 very large number of citizens assembled to see us. They 
 hooted and yelled at us all the time, like so many fiends, 
 but we were not allowed to retaliate with a word. From 
 here we pass on to Atlanta, and on to Montgomery, Ala., 
 and are now in the very heart of the Confederacy. Mont 
 gomery was the Confederate capital until the day before 
 the battle of Bull Run, when it was moved to Richmond. 
 Here we were treated more civilly by the people, and there 
 
214 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 were not so many out to see us as in some of the smaller 
 places through which we passed. 
 
 September 26th. Breakfasted on hard bread and bacon, 
 about 8 o clock, when we went on board a steamer and 
 started down the Alabama river, for Mobile. The ride 
 is not very pleasant, as we are kept on the lower deck, 
 and the banks of the river are so high that we cannot look 
 out upon the country. We do not like sailing under the 
 rebel flag ; but when we remember that the bunting from 
 which it was made was stolen from us, and is good Union 
 stuff, it is not so bad. 
 
 September 27th. I have not slept well during the night. 
 The engines made a noise like thunder, and I had to lie 
 close beside one. No sleep would come to my eyes, so I 
 do not feel well this morning. We breakfasted on a small 
 piece of corn cake and bacon. We do not get half enough 
 to eat. 
 
 At daylight, the 28th, we arrived in Mobile bay, and as 
 we sailed down to the city we were favored with a gorgeous 
 sunrise on the waters, which for a time took away all 
 thought of our forlorn condition. 
 
 o 
 
 We were escorted through the city to the Jackson depot 
 by two companies of home guards, in new uniforms, the 
 finest dressed soldiers that we have seen at the South. We 
 were put on board of box cars with plank seats, and arrived 
 at Jackson, Miss., at I P. M., Sunday, the 2Qth, having had 
 nothing to eat since we left Mobile, 24 hours before. Jack 
 son is a most beautiful city, built upon a sloping hill. The 
 streets are wide, paved, and lined with a great many shade 
 trees. The public buildings, on a hill to the right, are very 
 fine. The people turned out en masse, the churches closed, 
 and all made a rush to see the " Yankees." They were 
 surprised to find that we looked like their own men, sup 
 posing that a u Yankee " was some kind of an animal. We 
 had a great deal of sport chafing them, playing upon 
 their credulity and turning jokes upon the guard that was 
 with us, who, like ourselves, were jaded with their nine 
 days ride. A good dinner was served to the guard by the 
 
\\IIAT DID YOU COME DOWN HERE FOR? 215 
 
 citizens, and the remnants of this dinner were given to the 
 prisoners. I was hard sick and not able to eat anything. 
 
 Soon after dark we left Jackson, and arrived in New 
 Orleans in the forenoon of the following day. Here we 
 found a larger crowd than at any previous place, but the 
 troops were not ready, and the officers in charge fearing 
 that the mob would ill treat us, ordered the train to back 
 out of the city several miles. About noon the train ran in 
 again, and found them ready for us. The soldiers had driven 
 the crowd back from the depot, and were drawn up in open 
 ranks to receive us, making a fine display. All who were 
 able to walk were ordered out of the cars into the line, and, 
 escorted by this large body of soldiers, were marched nearly 
 all over the city. Everywhere there was an immense crowd 
 of people. The housetops were covered, the windows and 
 every available spot were thronged with curious gazers, all 
 anxious to get a sight of the prisoners. The most of them 
 looked on in silence, but many hooted and derided us 
 shamefully. When we reached the city, I was very sick 
 too weak to stand, and was lying on the floor of the car 
 That fiend, Wirtz, in whose charge we are traveling, came 
 through the car after the others were out, and finding me 
 still there, gave me a kick and told me to crawl out, which 
 I did, and sank down helpless on the platform. Two other 
 sick comrades were found, and we were put in charge of a 
 policeman. While we lay here, nearer dead than alive, a 
 crowd of unfeeling men and boys gathered around us and 
 commenced the same tune that we have heard at every 
 place through which we have passed : " What did you come 
 down here for ? Think you can subjugate us? Come 
 down here to destroy our homes and firesides ? You miser 
 able Yanks, you ought to die." Such was our welcome to 
 New Orleans. The police soon drove off the crowds, and 
 told them they were cowards for insulting unarmed pris 
 oners. After a little, the sick were put on a two- 
 wheel dray or " float," without springs, and, drawn 
 by a couple of mules, we started on to bring up the 
 rear of the column. Too sick to hold our heads up from 
 
2l6 RECORD OF 2JTII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 the platform, we were jolted for hours over the pavement. 
 Occasionally there was a friendly face mid all that vast 
 throng which was following us, and once, when the line 
 halted, a man came near and asked if I was a prisoner. I 
 told him I was, and he threw me a half dollar in silver, and 
 another for the comrade who was with me. Soon after 
 this, as we halted again, a young lady came near and in a 
 kindly manner asked about our condition, and where we 
 were from. She brought something for us to eat, and sev 
 eral times, as the line halted, brought us a refreshing drink 
 of water, and kept near us through all the long march. 
 
 We did not know our destination, but at last the line 
 halted in front of Parish Prison, with its frowning, gray 
 walls and grated windows. The sight sent a shudder 
 through our weak frames. Surely, we thought, we are not 
 to be incarcerated here, like thieves and murderers. But it 
 was so. The men were thrust into the dirty cells and locked 
 in ; prisoners of war in felons cells. I was taken to the 
 hospital, on the second floor, where I remained for several 
 weeks, suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever. In 
 the hospital we had cots and moss mattresses to lie upon, 
 but we received very little attention from the nurses, who 
 were civil prisoners. After coming into the prison, I was 
 left for two weeks before my hands or face were washed, or 
 my clothes taken off, or once lifted from the bed. About 
 this time one of my comrades, George Dunn, of Co. " C," 
 was allowed to come in and see me. He was kind enough 
 to take my clothes to the yard and have them washed, 
 and afterwards gave me a sponge bath. From this time, I 
 began to improve, and after seven weeks was able to leave 
 the hospital. The doctor came in every morning, but hav 
 ing but little medicine, he could do us no good. Morning 
 after morning, as he would pass my cot, I would hear him 
 remark to the nurse, " Isn t he dead, yet?". 
 
 Gen. Palfrey was in command at New Orleans, and often 
 came in to see the prisoners, and many of the citizens were 
 allowed to visit the hospital and prison. A few Christian 
 men often came in and brought us instructive books to 
 
EXTERIOR OF PARISH PRISON, NEW ORLEANS, LA. 
 
 INTERIOR OF PARISH PRISON. 
 
218 RECORD OF 2/TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 read, and showed their kindness in many ways. Among 
 those most attentive were A. D. Donovan, Rev. G. L. Moore, 
 and -- Bartlett ; and our doctors, C. Beard, W. L. Lips- 
 comb, and Smith, were as kind as they were allowed 
 to be. 
 
 October 3 1st. I left the hospital and joined my com 
 rades in the prison proper. The prison is built in the form 
 of a hollow square a brick wall thirty feet high, on one 
 side, and on the other the cells in three tiers, one above 
 the other, and a balcony in front of each. Most of the 
 cells are 10x12 feet, and sixteen men are confined in each 
 cell. Our cell is 12x20, and twenty-four men in it. There 
 is no light, and only a small hole less than a foot square, in 
 the middle of the door, for ventilation, and this space is 
 covered with iron bars, as is also a small crescent-shaped 
 opening near the top of the cell, communicating with a cell 
 in the other division of the prison. 
 
 The men are kept locked in these cells from 4 o clock in 
 the afternoon till eight next morning. It is very warm, and 
 the air is almost stifling. During the day, the doors are 
 opened, and a part of the men at a time are allowed to 
 take exercise in the yard, which is 90x40 feet. We have 
 few blankets, and only the bare floor to sleep upon. Each 
 man when lying down occupies a floor space of less than 
 sixteen inches wide. So we have to lie spoon-fashion, and 
 if one wants to turn over, the word is given, " Spoon !" 
 and all must turn over together. In one corner of the yard 
 is a large square tank, in which the men are allowed to 
 bathe. In the opposite corner is the cook-house, containing 
 two large iron kettles, in which all the cooking is done. Water 
 from the Mississippi river is used for cooking and drinking, 
 and is always very roilly. Our food consists of bread, 
 fresh meat, and a kind of tea made from the wild youpong, 
 a plant that grows along the coast of the Gulf States. In 
 the morning we receive a small loaf of wheat bread, weigh 
 ing about eight ounces, and a pint of the youpong tea, 
 without sugar. Fresh meat, the refuse from the city mar 
 kets, is brought in about 8 o clock, and taken to the cook- 
 
THE STANDARD REMEDY FOR SCURVY. 2IQ 
 
 house by a man detailed from each cell. Here it is boiled 
 in the river water without any salt. After the meat is cooked, 
 a little rice is put into the pot liquor, and this is issued 
 to us as soup. A pint of this soup with a small bit of the 
 meat, makes our dinner. We had no supper during the 
 four months we were in New Orleans, and no change in this 
 diet, except at one time thirteen barrels of molasses were 
 sent in by a man who was said to be the largest slave 
 holder in the state. At another time, a few Irish potatoes 
 and some cabbage were issued to the men, to be eaten raw, 
 and also a lot of wild sour oranges, as a cure for the scurvy, 
 from which many of the men were suffering. 
 
 There were various forms in which scurvy manifested 
 itself. The most common was a soreness of the mouth and 
 gums. The teeth would all become loose, and often drop 
 out ; no solid food could be eaten. In another form, the 
 limbs of the patient would swell to an immoderate size and 
 turn black. Still others would break out in sores and erup 
 tions over the body. The standard remedy, when it could 
 be had, was raw potatoes or cabbage, with a little vinegar, 
 or a supply of wild oranges, which are about three degrees 
 sourer than a lemon. 
 
 A large number of the men busy themselves making 
 rings, little books, watch charms and trinkets from the 
 pieces of bones found in the beef ; and when we cannot get 
 bones enough, the guards sometimes bring them to the 
 door and sell them to the men. Many of these trinkets 
 are nicely carved and inlaid with colored sealing-wax, and 
 are readily sold to the officers and visitors who come in to 
 see the prisoners. In this way many of the boys are able 
 to buy extra rations for themselves and do not suffer so 
 much from hunger. 
 
 November gth. We hear a rumor to-day that our forces 
 have captured Port Royal, near Savannah. Our confine 
 ment is getting almost intolerable. Many of the men think 
 they cannot stand it much longer. We pray that God will 
 keep disease from our midst, and that He will give us 
 strength until the appointed time. One of the boys, George 
 
220 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 T. Childs, from Boston, has received several letters from 
 home to-day, and a trunk containing clothing. 
 
 Sunday, November loth. The weather continues very 
 warm. We had preaching this morning by an Episcopal 
 minister. His text was from Luke xviii : 13. It was not a 
 very interesting sermon. He angered the boys very much 
 by praying for Jefferson Davis, President of the C. S. A. 
 Most of the boys would not listen to him, and made a 
 great deal of noise, so that he did not stay long. After 
 wards he apologized and said he was obliged by the rules 
 of " The Church," to always remember their President in 
 his prayer. But the boys u could not see it." Mr. Dono 
 van came in with more reading matter. There is a ru 
 mor, that there is to be an exchange of prisoners soon, 
 but we dare not believe it. They probably say it to keep 
 up our spirits. It causes a great deal of talk, and each 
 asks the other if it can be so. Oh ! such a longing to be 
 free ; no one not a prisoner can imagine it. We held a 
 Bible-class in our cell at 3 o clock. It was attended by 
 twenty or more, and was very interesting. The lesson was 
 from John iii. One of the men, a minister by the name of 
 Alexander Parker, /th Ohio, takes charge of the class. 
 
 November nth. From some of the papers that are 
 smuggled in once in a while, we learn that provisions are 
 very high in the city. Pork is not to be had. Salt beef is 
 $32 per barrel; flour, $10 to $15; corn meal, $1.50 per 
 bushel ; candles, 90 cts. per pound. Molasses and rice are 
 the only things that are cheap. 
 
 November I2th. It is reported in the papers to-day, that 
 our government, having sentenced the crew of the privateer 
 Savannah to be hung, the rebels have selected fourteen of 
 our officers, by lot, and confined them in a dungeon at 
 Charleston, and threaten to retaliate by executing them, in 
 case the above sentence is carried into effect. 
 
 The following is from the diary of Corp. Merrill, who 
 was in Richmond at the time : 
 
 " On the loth of November, General Winder entered the 
 prison, called the commissioned officers together, and read 
 the following order, as addressed to himself : 
 
DRAWING HOSTAGES BY LOT. 221 
 
 C. S. A. WAR DEPARTMENT, / 
 RICHMOND, Nov., 1861. ( 
 
 SIR : You are hereby instructed to choose by lot, from among the 
 prisoners of war of highest rank, one who is to be confined in a cell ap 
 propriated to convicted felons, and who is to be treated in all respects as 
 if such convict, and to be held for execution in the same manner as may 
 be adopted by the enemy for the execution of the prisoner of war Smith, 
 recently condemned to death, in Philadelphia. 
 
 You will also select thirteen other prisoners of war, the highest in rank 
 of those captured by our forces, to be confined in cells reserved for pris 
 oners accused of infamous crimes, and shall treat them as such so long as 
 the enemy shall continue to treat the like number of prisoners of war cap 
 tured by them, in New York, as pirates. As these measures are intended 
 to repress the infamous attempt now made by the enemy to commit judi 
 cial murder on the prisoners of war, you will execute them strictly, as 
 the best mode calculated to prevent the commission of so heinous a crime. 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 J. P. BENJAMIN, 
 
 Acting Secretary of War. 
 To Brigadier-General John Winder, Richmond Va. 
 
 The reading of this order was listened to in silence, but 
 with deep sensation. At its conclusion, Gen. Winder re 
 marked that he regretted very much the unpleasant duty 
 devolving upon him, but he had no option in the matter. 
 The names of six colonels were placed in a can, and Mr. 
 Ely was required much to his own reluctance to draw 
 from them. 
 
 The first name drawn was that of Col. Corcoran, 6Qth 
 Regiment N. Y. S. M., who was the hostage chosen to an 
 swer for Smith. Mr. Ely was very much affected when the 
 name of his friend and messmate was drawn by his own 
 hand. 
 
 In choosing thirteen from the highest rank, to be held to 
 answer fora like number of prisoners of war, captured by 
 the enemy at sea, there being only ten field officers, it was 
 necessary to draw by lot three captains. 
 
 During the drawing, the most profound silence prevailed, 
 
RECORD OF 27TII REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 and great anxiety was exhibited on the part of the officers 
 whose names were in the can. 
 
 When completed, the list stood : Cols. Corcoran, Lee, 
 Coggswell, Wilcox, Woodruff and Wood ; Lieutenant-Cols. 
 Mowman and Neff ; Majors Potter, Revere and Vodges ; 
 Capts. Rockwood, Bowman and Kaffer." 
 
 November 2oth. One of the nurses having been dis 
 charged, I was asked to take his place in the hospital, and 
 am now caring for the sick. There are four of us connected 
 with the hospital : The Steward, W. Blydenburgh, of the 
 I4th Brooklyn ; A. F. Rowland, Clerk; John Paxson, Cook. 
 
 The doctors have entire charge of the hospital, and feed 
 us better than the contractor feeds the men in the yard. 
 There are now twelve sick in the hospital. 
 
 I remained at this work the balance of the time that we 
 stayed in New Orleans, and it fell to my lot to care for every 
 man who died while we were in Parish Prison, and to com 
 fort them as much as possible in their last hours. It is a 
 remarkable fact that, although many of the men had the 
 fever, only nine died out of the five hundred who were sent 
 here as the papers said to be killed off by the fever. 
 
 The bodies of our dead comrades were never buried, but 
 were carried out into the swamps, a prey for the buzzards 
 and hyenas. 
 
 December I2th. The same routine of daily duties con 
 tinues. Time is passing rapidly. The winter is now upon 
 us, with no prospect of our release ; and unless our Congress 
 does something to settle the question of exchange, we must 
 expect to remain here a long time. It will seem like in 
 gratitude if they neglect to help us. I have read President 
 Lincoln s message to-day, from one of the rebel papers. 
 He does not mention the case of the prisoners, and seems 
 regardless of our sufferings. To-day nine prisoners cap- 
 turedjrom the blockading fleet were brought to the city 
 and confined in the prison with us. 
 
 December 25th, Christmas Day, 1861. The weather is 
 fine, and the boys, thinking that the day for their release is 
 not far distant, are feeling pretty well. They s have organ- 
 
MY FIRST LETTER FROM HOME: 22J 
 
 ized into edmpariies; and to-day had a rriasqlierade drill add 
 inarch in the yard, which made a great deal of sport; After 
 this we had a good time singing patriotic songs, cheering 
 for the Flag and the Union^ and made the old prison ring; 
 It brought comfort to five hundred loyal hearts; Those of 
 us in the hospital managed to get some red$ white and blue 
 cloth from the female prisoners in the other department of 
 the prison, and made a little flag, about two feet loilg. To 
 day I took it out into the long hall, and when the officers 
 were not about, I waved it from a window overlooking the 
 yard. Such a shout as went up when the boys saw it, was 
 never heard before in this city. The noise attracted so great a 
 crowd about the prison that the officers came in, and tried to 
 stop us. Then they locked us all up, but the boys kept up 
 the singing until late into the night. So, after all, we had 
 a " Merry Christmas." 
 
 We are not guarded by soldiers here, but are under the 
 civil authorities, and the turnkeys are all civil prisoners, 
 whom the officers send in to lock us up. These men come 
 into the yard jingling a bunch of ponderous keys, and 
 shout : " Get to your holes, you - - Yankee - s !" 
 
 Every Sunday we hold a Bible-class in one of the cells, 
 and for some time a daily prayer-meeting has been held. 
 
 December 2/th. Our prayer-meeting this afternoon was 
 the most interesting that we have held, and was attended 
 by about forty, all crowded into a single cell. One sick 
 man was made a special subject of prayer. Another man 
 expressed his determination to be a Christian. There was 
 much feeling, and although in these peculiar circumstances, 
 we were happy. 
 
 December 28th. Oh ! happy am I. I have received a 
 letter from my father to-day the first time I have heard 
 from home since I was captured. My friends have heard 
 where I am, and all are well ; but the letter brings the sad 
 news of the death of my comrade, Charley Trowbridge, in 
 Richmond. 
 
 December 3<Dth. The Angel of Death has again come to 
 us and taken another comrade, by the name of Wing. He 
 
224 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 died at three this morning, after an illness of nine weeks. 
 He was a nurse in the hospital when I was sick, and little 
 did he think he would go first. He had as good care as I 
 could give him, and I think he died happy. He was very 
 wicked and profane during the first part of his sickness, but 
 I have talked with him about dying, he has been prayed 
 for in the meetings, God seemed to have called him, and he 
 is happy. He said he was willing to give up this world for 
 a home above. 
 
 January 1st, 1862. Another man, by the name of Beard, 
 from the ;th Ohio, died last night. He had been sick 
 about a week, with typhoid fever. He had a hemorrhage 
 of the bowels about 8 o clock, and died about 11. He did 
 not know of his condition till I told him he could not live 
 till morning. Not being a Christian, he desired me to pray 
 with him, which I did, and taught him to pray for himsel f 
 He repented and implored forgiveness of his Saviour, and 
 told me that he thought his prayer was heard and that he 
 would be happy in heaven. It was a solemn New Year 
 night to us, and one long to be remembered. 
 
 The boys are rejoicing greatly, having heard that the 
 government has agreed to an exchange of prisoners. There 
 is now some hope that we shall be released. We all have 
 " exchange on the brain." 
 
 January 4th. My birthday; twenty years old to-day. 
 We are not allowed the city papers, and can only get them 
 by stealing them out of the pockets of the officers or the 
 doctors, or sometimes from the convicts on the other side 
 of the prison. To-day some of the officers suspecting that 
 the men in cell No. 4 had got a paper, searched all the 
 men in the cell. They found no paper, but did find a diary 
 belonging to one of the men. This man was taken out and 
 put in irons, locked in the dungeon, and feel on bread and 
 water for many days. 
 
 The shackles which they sometimes put on the men, 
 for punishment, weigh one hundred and thirty pounds, and 
 consist of two iron clevies, which encircle the ankle ; then 
 an iron bar is put through the eyes of the clevies, and keyed 
 
GROSSLY DECEIVED; 22$ 
 
 in by a bolt, which is headed down with a heavy sledge 
 hammer. These cannot be removed except by cutting the 
 key with a cold chisel. We were then told that they would 
 search every cell, and take away every diary they found: 
 So I have to hide mine in a rat hole in the floor, and at 
 night I take it out and write in it. 
 
 January I5th. To-day we have each received a new suit 
 of clothes from our government a hat, coat, blouse, pants, 
 shirt, two pairs drawers, shoes, stockings, and overcoat. 
 So we are comfortably clothed once more. Many of the 
 men were almost naked, and all of us were without under 
 clothing. We are feeling very happy to-day. My health 
 is good. Eleven in hospital. 
 
 January 28th. The Massachusetts men have each re 
 ceived two dollars, which was sent to them by friends at 
 home. 
 
 February 5th. To-day the commanding officer, General 
 Palfrey, came in and told us that we should leave to-morro\v 
 for the North. Many of the boys are very jubilant at the 
 prospect of going home, but some of us dare not believe it, 
 for our enemies are very treacherous. A brighter day must 
 dawn some time. None of the men have ever tried to tun 
 nel out or make their escape from this prison, as they often 
 did in Richmond, for we are so far from the Union lines, it 
 would be a hopeless task to attempt to reach them. 
 
 February 6th. We left Parish Prison, the whole five 
 hundred, at 2 o clock, having been told that we were going 
 to North Carolina to be exchanged. We were marched to 
 the depot through the same street by which we came to the 
 prison. It was a very hot and sultry day, and the march 
 to the station almost overcame the men. So we bid good-by 
 to New Orleans, glad to get out of that miserable prison, 
 where we leave no pleasant associations. 
 
 We started in passenger cars, and made the journey over 
 about the same route by which we came south ; but will 
 not weary the reader with the details of the trip. We 
 reached our destination, which proved to be Salisbury, N.C., 
 at 2 o clock A. M. of February I4th, one of the darkest and 
 
226 
 
 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 stormiest nights I ever saw. We were ordered out of 
 the cars, and, marching through a line of bayonets, brought 
 up in some building, and were left in the dark to grope our 
 way about the room. We soon lay down, for all were 
 wearied by our long ride of nine days. We awoke in the 
 morning to find ourselves in another strong prison. This 
 did not look much like going home, and it seems to be the 
 darkest day of our imprisonment, for we can now 7 see no 
 siirns of our release. 
 
 CONFEDERATE MILITARY PRISON, SALISBURY, N. C. 
 
 (An Old Cotton Factory.} 
 
 Salisbury Prison is a large cotton factory, three stories 
 high, and built of brick. The rooms have been filled with 
 rough board bunks, in four tiers, with narrow aisles between. 
 The windows have strong iron bars across them, and the 
 sash and glass have been removed, so that the cold wind 
 comes sweeping through, day and night. At first, our food 
 was quite good, consisting of fresh meat, and soup made 
 from the Southern black pea or bean. But, after a little, 
 
A RARE SIGHT. 22? 
 
 the rations were very short, and instead of fresh meat, we 
 were fed on bacon and salt junk. This was meat that had 
 been cured from the carcasses of horses and mules which 
 had been condemned in the service. We would never have 
 complained had we been given even enough of this. 
 
 Our prison is surrounded by a grove of fine trees. The 
 guard line is in the shade of these trees, and our Richmond 
 experience of being fired at through the windows, was re 
 peated here. I have seen the commanding officer, Lieut. 
 Bradford, son of the Union Governor of Maryland, take a 
 musket and go creeping around among the trees, trying to 
 get a shot at some unsuspecting Yankee who might venture 
 too near the window. 
 
 One night, after the men were all asleep, the guard at 
 the door of the third floor, without any warning, opened 
 the door and fired his piece into the room. The charge 
 (three buckshot and a ball), ^eriously wounded three men. 
 
 Our drinking water is all supplied from a single well, 
 near the door. We never get enough to wash or bathe in. 
 
 Our time is passed in playing games, chess, cards, etc., or 
 in reading our old letters, and telling stories that we have 
 told more than a hundred times before, but always find at 
 tentive listeners. We have a dramatic association, which 
 gives very creditable entertainments. Sometimes the offi 
 cers furnish lights and come in to witness the play. A 
 stage was erected near the front door, and curtains were 
 made of calico, which the rebel officers brought in. At 
 one of these entertainments, an actor was costumed as a 
 woman. How the dress was smuggled in, none of us ever 
 knew. The make-up of the actor was so perfect that the 
 officers were completely deceived, and when they saw the 
 supposed woman come on the stage, they stopped the 
 play, drew their swords, and demanded to know how that 
 woman came there. This was soon explained, and the play 
 was allowed to go on. But when the curtain fell, a lot of 
 the boys rushed on to the stage and hugged the poor fel 
 low most to death so rare to them was the sight of a 
 
 Q 
 
 woman. 
 
228 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 March 5th. We learn to-day from the papers that no 
 more prisoners are to be exchanged at present, so we shall 
 have to stay here for awhile yet. It is a great disappoint 
 ment to us, for we had hoped to be released soon. It has 
 been represented to us that it is the fault of our govern 
 ment that there is no exchange, but we do not believe it ; 
 yet we cannot see why we are not released. We are will 
 ing to wait, however, if any good can come from it. The 
 long confinement is beginning to tell upon the men ; nearly 
 all have a bad cough, and look pale and weak. We are 
 afraid, if we remain here much longer, we shall contract 
 diseases from which we can never recover. 
 
 There has been a slight change in our food for a few 
 days : Bread, and coffee made from burnt meal, for break 
 fast ; pork and bean soup for dinner. Some of the men 
 were allowed to go out in the yard to-day. 
 
 March loth. Quite a number of the men have made 
 their escape lately ; they are usually gone two or three 
 days before the officers find it out. Although they come 
 in and have roll-call every day, we manage to fool them 
 and keep our full number, even when three or four escape at 
 a time. It is done by transferring men from one floor to 
 another through trap doors which we have cut through the 
 floors just over the top bunk of some tier. Through these 
 we also visit our comrades on the other floors, and the 
 guards are none the wiser for it. Almost all who make 
 their escape are caught and brought back, sometimes after 
 being out a month or more ; and such a pitiable sight as 
 they present when they return ! Usually their clothes are 
 nearly all torn off, and their hands and faces cut and 
 scratched by the briars and thorns, for they have had to 
 travel through the woods and swamps and avoid the houses 
 of white people. The negroes are always kind to escaped 
 prisoners, but hunger would sometimes drive them to ask 
 food of the whites, and this would usually lead to their 
 capture and return. 
 
 Besides the prisoners of war in Salisbury there are many 
 Union men, residents of West Virginia, Western North 
 
UNION SOUTHERN MEN IN PRISON. 22Q 
 
 Carolina and East Tennessee, who have been arrested on 
 account of their loyalty, torn from their families, thrown 
 into prison, and are treated more shabbily than the soldier 
 prisoners. One night the hospital steward sent for me to 
 come to the hospital and watch with one of these citizen 
 prisoners. I found him in an attic of one of the numerous 
 little brick houses which surround the prison, and were 
 formerly the homes of the operatives in the cotton factory. 
 I watched with him till 2 o clock, when he died. He had 
 been entirely neglected, and was in a horrible condition. 
 
 Perhaps we can forgive our late enemies for their ill- 
 treatment of our prisoners, regarding it as one of the results 
 of the war, but the blood of these Union men will eternally 
 cry to heaven for vengeance. 
 
 1 found on this visit to the hospital that no provision 
 had been made for washing the clothing of the sick men. 
 So I went to the commanding officers and asked permission 
 to set up a laundry. This was granted, and a number of 
 men were detailed to assist me. This work kept us out in 
 the open air. We followed it for nine weeks. Then I 
 went into the hospital as nurse again, and remained- until 
 the time for our release drew on. 
 
 We will not weary the reader with further details of life 
 in Salisbury Prison, only to say that as the spring came on 
 the men chafed more ^nd more under the confinement, and 
 very many of those who had borne up so manfully in New 
 Orleans became discouraged, lost heart, lay down and died. 
 By this time there were many thousand prisoners in Salis 
 bury. We found some whom we parted with in Richmond, 
 and among them the comrades who were with my friend 
 Trowbridge when he died. They gave me his diary and 
 the trinkets that were found in his pockets. These I brought 
 home and gave to his friends. After the first of May the 
 guard-line was enlarged, and the men were allowed to take 
 exercise in the yard, where various outdoor sports were in 
 dulged in, and the health of the men rapidly improved. 
 
 May 23d, 1862. The glad day has at last come! Two 
 hundred of us are to start for home to-day. Before we left 
 
230 kECORfr OF 2^f it fcfcGtMEfct N. V. VoLs. 
 
 we were 1 required to subscribe to the following oath or 
 parole of honor : 
 
 " We, the undersigned prisoners of war to the Confeder 
 ate States, swear that if released we will not take up arms 
 during the existing war against the Confederate States, 
 until we be regularly exchanged, and that we will not com 
 municate in any manner anything that may injure the 
 cause of the Confederate States, which may have come to 
 our knowledge, or which we may have heard since our cap 
 ture. Signed at Salisbury, N. C, May 22, 1862." 
 
 Notwithstanding the above parole, and an order that 
 every man should be searched, I determined to save my 
 diary and that of my comrade Trowbridge. When we left 
 New Orleans, I obtained a double canteen. In this 1 hid 
 my own diary. After removing one spout, I ripped up the 
 cloth covering on one side ; cut through the tin with a knife; 
 placed the papers inside ; turned down the tin, and sewed 
 the cloth on as before. The canteen looked as good as 
 new, and was rilled with water on the sound side. 
 
 There was not room in the canteen for the other diary ; 
 so I took a loaf of bread that I obtained at the hospital, 
 and cut a piece out of one end ; removed all the soft part, 
 to the crust ; rolled up the book, and put it in the loaf. 
 The piece was then wet and put back, and the loaf placed 
 in my haversack. Twice we were searched, and many of 
 the men lost all their records, but mine came through safely. 
 We left Salisbury by rail, and went to Tarboro, N. C., on 
 the Tar River, where we were put on board an open scow, 
 and towed down the river by a little stern wheel steamer, 
 flying the Confederate flag and a flag of truce, to Little 
 Washington, N. C., where we were received by a vessel 
 from the blockade squadron. 
 
 The ride down the river was very tedious, but the men 
 will never forget how good the "Old Flag" looked when 
 we came out into the open bay, and saw the colors waving 
 from the masthead of the U. S. gunboat. We were soon 
 discovered, and a boat, flying a beautiful new flag, and 
 manned by officers and men in brilliant uniforms, put out 
 
RETURN TO GODS COUNTRY. 23! 
 
 from the ship to hail us. We had arranged to give three 
 cheers as soon as they should board our steamer. Hut 
 when the word was given, not a cheer was heard the men 
 were too happy to cheer. Such ecstasy comes only once in 
 the. life of any man. 
 
 What a joyful moment ! Yet it seemed too good to be 
 true. We who had been so used to being deceived, were 
 incredulous to the last moment. Hut we were soon on 
 board a transport, and sailed away for New York, again 
 under the dear old flag ! How our tear-dimmed eyes gazed 
 on its folds, and the men, with solemn, sobbing voices, said, 
 ** Thank God ! thank God !" The link that bound us to 
 the terrible past is broken. 
 
 After three days we landed on Governor s Island, New 
 York Harbor, and after a few days were allowed to return 
 to our homes. 
 
 Here we remained till July I2th, when by General Order 
 No. 54, Adjutant-General s office, State of New York, all 
 paroled prisoners were ordered to report to the Camp of 
 Instruction, near Annapolis, Md. 
 
 Here we remained till the 25th of September, when we 
 were notified that we had been exchanged, and ordered to 
 report to our regiments. We were furnished transportation 
 to Washington, and from there marched in search of our 
 regiment, which \vas in camp near Bakersville, Md., where 
 we arrived October 4th, 1862, having been absent from the 
 command one year and nearly three months. 
 
 Hard as our lot was, we now realize that it did not com 
 pare with the inhuman treatment our prisoners received 
 later on in the war, at Belle Isle, Andersonville, and Salis 
 bury. The policy of our government in regard to an ex 
 change of prisoners has never been fully explained and is 
 not now generally understood. It was doubtless thought 
 to be a wise policy at the time ; but the twenty-nine thou 
 sand victims who went down to death from those vile, south 
 ern prisons, after months of suffering that baffles the pen 
 to describe, was an awful sacrifice, that the survivors to this 
 day cannot believe was necessary. And it seems to us that 
 
232 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 God s everlasting curse must surely rest upon the men of 
 the South who thus knowingly allowed the thousands of 
 young lives to be blotted out of existence by cruelties un 
 heard of before in the annals ot civilized warfare. Those 
 who abetted so great a crime against civilization and hu 
 manity, against Christianity and even decency, must in the 
 future stand condemned by the public opinion of the 
 world, until they shall have done " works meet for repent 
 ance." 
 
 About eighteen per cent, of the men captured died in 
 prison ; and a larger per cent, of prisoners were killed and 
 wounded by the rebel guards than would have been killed 
 had the men remained with their respective regiments and 
 engaged in every battle that was fought during their term 
 of imprisonment. Our own government has never yet 
 fully recognized the heroic sacrifice that even the survivors 
 made in support of one of the most vital points of our war 
 policy : " Refusing an even exchange of prisoners, lest, by 
 so doing, they recognize the enemy as a belligerent power 
 and which was claimed to be necessary in order to prevent 
 foreign nations from accepting the claims of the Confeder 
 ate States to a place in the galaxy of nations. 
 
 Still another view of the matter is outlined in the follow 
 ing letter from Gen. Grant to Gen. Butler, in 1864: 
 
 "It is hard on our men held in Southern prisons not to exchange them, 
 but it is humanity to those left in the ranks to fight our battles. Every 
 man released, on parole or otherwise, becomes an active soldier against 
 us at once, either directly or indirectly. If we commence a system of ex 
 change which liberates all prisoners taken, we will have to fight on until 
 the whole South is exterminated. If we hold those caught, they amount 
 to no more than dead men. At this particular time, to release all rebel 
 prisoners North would insure Sherman s defeat, and would compromise 
 our safety here." 
 
 The following letter from Gen. Butler to Commissioner 
 Quid, in reply to the proposition to resume exchange, is of 
 interest as bearing on the same point : 
 
WHO WILL DO IT ? 233 
 
 "One cannot help thinking, even at the risk of being deemed unchar 
 itable, that the benevolent sympathies of the Confederate authorities have 
 been lately stirred by the depleted condition of their armies, and a desire 
 to get into the field, to affect the present campaign, the hale, hearty, and 
 well-fed prisoners held by the United States, in exchange for the half- 
 starved, sick, emaciated and miserable soldiers of the United States, now 
 languishing in your prisons." 
 
 The above outline helps to explain the policy of our 
 government, and is recorded with the hope that it may 
 reach the eyes of some one in authority, who will be able 
 to stir up our people to a sense of their obligation to this 
 class of our soldiers; and that justice, though tardy, may 
 yet be done to the men who patiently endured the ten-fold 
 hardships of a soldier s life. 
 
 "The National wealth that lies in the treasures of mines, or under the 
 white wings of ships, or in the yellow tassels of wheat fields, is well ; but 
 the richest land is one rich in patriots graves." 
 
 Their memory is a holy legacy. May the next genera 
 tion grow up with this sentiment wrought into every fibre 
 of their characters that there is no nobler fate than to die 
 for one s country. And if another time of trial and trouble 
 and woe should shadow the land, may they be ready to step 
 forward and die, if need be, that the nation may live. 
 
 " For gold the merchant ploughs the main, 
 
 The farmer ploughs the manor, 
 But glory is the soldier s prize, 
 The soldier s wealth is honor. 
 
 The brave, poor soldier ne er despise, 
 
 Nor count him as a stranger ; 
 Remember, he s h S country s stay, 
 
 In day and houi of danger." 
 
234 RECORD OF 27 fH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 The following interesting statement from I). W. Bosley, 
 hospital steward of the 27th, will remind many of the 
 every-day scene about the hospital tent, after the bugler 
 had sounded surgeons call : 
 
 "The hospital department of a marching regiment, or 
 rather the dispensary part, over which I had the honor to 
 preside in the 27th regiment, is probably one of the most 
 " onerous " in the service, and compels the hospital stew 
 ard to perform almost herculean duties. When the 
 tents were pitched for the night and the soldiers retired to 
 rest, his hardest task would just commence. The unpack 
 ing of medicine chests, filling prescriptions, extracting 
 teeth, compounding medicines, attending sick, etc., etc., 
 would give him but little time to rest. 
 
 -X- -X- -X- -X- -X- -X- -X- -X- -If -X- 
 
 I am pleased to say that I have always held the boys of 
 the 27th in the highest esteem for their bravery and pluck, 
 and endurance of sickness and wounds. Their cheerfulness 
 while suffering was something wonderful. 
 
 The kindness of the soldiers to the officers of the med 
 ical department, was an exhibition of their gratitude to us, 
 for we were never allowed to go hungry, nor to be in need 
 of help." 
 
RETURNED PRISONERS. 
 
 (From a lot of foj received at a Baltimore Hospital, in May, 
 fS6j : Showing the effects of ill treatment while in the 
 hands of the enemy.) 
 
GENERAL HENRY WARNER SLOCUM 
 
 Was born in Delphi, Onondaga county, N. Y., Sept. 24th, 
 1827. His ancestors, for three generations, resided at New 
 port, R. I., where his father was born, and from whence he 
 moved to Albany, N. Y., about the year 1812 ; and thence 
 to Delphi, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits un 
 til his death, in 1853. Gen. Slocum received his early edu 
 cation at the Cazenovia Seminary. 
 
 He entered the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, 
 in 1848, and took a high stand in his class. Upon gradu 
 ating, in 1852, he was assigned to duty in the regular army, 
 as a Lieutenant in the First Artillery. 
 
 He served two years in the interior of Florida, and three 
 years at Fort Moultrie, S. C. While at the latter post, he 
 read law in the office of Hon. B. C. Presley, afterwards Jus 
 tice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. He resigned 
 his commission in the army in 1857, an< ^ commenced the 
 practice of law, at Syracuse, N. Y. In 1858 he was elected 
 to the Legislature from that city. Upon the breaking out 
 of the war he re-entered the military service, and was made 
 Colonel of the 27th Regiment, N. Y. Vols. 
 
 His regiment suffered severely at the first battle of Bull 
 Run, and he received a wound which confined him to the 
 hospital nearly two months, during which time he was pro 
 moted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and, as soon as he 
 
238 RECORD OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 was able to do duty, he was assigned to the command of a 
 brigade under Gen. McClellan. During the campaign on 
 the Peninsula he was assigned to the command of a Divis 
 ion in the Sixth Corps, under Gen. Franklin, and after the 
 seven days battle in front of Richmond, upon the recom 
 mendations of Generals McClellan and Franklin, he was 
 made Major-General. 
 
 In the Maryland campaign under Gen. McClellan, he 
 took part in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, 
 and at the close of the latter battle he was assigned to the 
 command of the Twelfth Army Corps; Gen. Mansfield, the 
 former commander, having been killed during the battle. 
 He was at Chancellorsville under Gen. Hooker, and at Get 
 tysburg, under Meade. During the great struggle at Get 
 tysburg, he commanded the right of Meade s army, and 
 was heavily engaged during the second and third days of 
 the battle. The defeat of Rosencranz, at Chickamauga, 
 late in the fall, necessitated sending immediate reinforce 
 ments to him ; and the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, 
 commanded by Howard and Slocum, were rapidly trans 
 ferred thither by railroad. 
 
 In the following spring, when Sherman reorganized his 
 army for the Atlanta campaign, he consolidated the Elev 
 enth and Twelfth Corps, and the new corps (designated 
 the Twentieth) was placed under the command of Gen. 
 Hooker Slocum being assigned to the command of the De 
 partment of the Mississippi, with headquarters at Vicksburg. 
 
 He was ordered to make frequent excursions into the 
 country and keep the enemy actively engaged, with a view 
 of preventing reinforcements from that quarter to the army 
 in front of Sherman. When Hooker was relieved from the 
 Twentieth Corps, Slocum was ordered by telegraph to sur 
 render his command at Vicksburg to the officer next in 
 rank, and join Gen. Sherman. He was at once placed in 
 command of the Twentieth Corps. 
 
 When Sherman made his bold movement around Atlanta 
 to the Macon road, he left Slocum on the bank of the 
 Chattahooche,^tojguard^the communication and take ad- 
 
<JF GfcNERAt, SLOCUM: 2$c) 
 
 vdritage df any oplpdrturiity which might be presented. 
 Sherman forced the enemy ten leave the entrerichrrtents 
 around Atlanta, to meet him in the field, arid the Twen 
 tieth Corps marched into the city. Within an hour the 
 telegraph line was established, and the first message Over it 
 was a dispatch from Gen. Slocum, carrying the glad tidings 
 to the North, "Atlanta has fallen." When Sherman 1 
 planned his great campaign " from Atlanta to the sea," he 
 gave Slocum command of the left wing of his army, com 
 posed of the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps. The his 
 tory of Sherman s grand campaign from Atlanta to the sea, 
 and from the sea through the swamps of the Carolinas to 
 Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, is well known to the 
 world. On this campaign, at the urgent request of Gen. 
 Sherman, President Lincoln constituted the Fourteenth and 
 Twentieth Corps an army, to be designated as the " Army 
 of Georgia," and assigned Gen. Slocum as its commander. 
 He continued in this command to the close of the war, 
 when he was again sent to command the Department of 
 the Mississippi. 
 
 In the fall of 1865 he resigned his commission, and in 
 the spring of 1866 he took up his residence in Brooklyn, 
 N. Y., where he now resides. He has twice been elected to 
 Congress from a district in that city, and afterwards a rep 
 resentative at large for the state. 
 
240 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 BREVET MAJOR-GEN. JOSEPH J. BARTLETT. 
 
 Joseph J. Bartlett was born in Binghamton, N. Y., on the 
 4th of November, 1834. His education was obtained in 
 the public schools of Binghamton, and he afterwards began 
 the study of law in the office of the Hon. Eaton J. Rich 
 ardson, of Utica, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar in 
 1860, and began the practice of his profession at Syracuse, 
 N. Y., and next year returned to Binghamton. 
 
 In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier, in Bing 
 hamton, N. Y., where he had just commenced the practice 
 of law. Upon the organization of the company he was 
 ejected Captain. Upon the organization of the Twenty- 
 seventh Regiment of Volunteers, at Elmira, he was elected 
 Major of the Regiment. 
 
 At the first battle of Bull Run, after Colonel Slocum was 
 wounded, he was placed in command of the regiment, by 
 the Colonel s order. A few weeks after the battle, Colonel 
 Slocum was promoted to Brigadier-General, and Major 
 Bartlett to Colonel of the Twenty-seventh. Immediately 
 upon arriving at West Point, on the Peninsula, the provis 
 ional Sixth Army Corps was organized, Gen. Franklin com 
 manding. This gave Gen. Slocum command of Franklin s 
 Division, and Colonel Bartlett the command of Slocum s 
 Brigade. A reconnoissance made by Col. Bartlett at 
 Mechanicsville was so successful that Gen. McClellan con 
 tinued him in command of his brigade, although general 
 officers were sent from Washington to report to General 
 McClellan for assignment to duty. 
 
 At the battle of Games Mill, Col. Bartlett s Brigade re 
 ported to Gen. Sykes for duty, and, with the regular 
 troops, held the right of Gen. Porter s line successfully until 
 the close of the battle, losing 504 men killed and wounded, 
 including all but three of the field officers. 
 
 For this battle he received the warm praise of Gens. 
 Franklin, Slocum, Sykes, Porter and McClellan, in their re 
 ports. He also received the same for services rendered 
 during all the seven days fighting. 
 
 At the second battle of Bull Run, he covered the re- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF GENERAL BARTLETT. 24! 
 
 treat of the army to Centreville. At the battle of South 
 Mountain his brigade led the column of attack of the First 
 Division, Sixth Corps, at " Crampton s Gap," breaking the 
 enemy s line at the foot of the mountain, driving him be 
 yond the crest, and securing the road for the passage of 
 our troops. 
 
 At Antietam he engaged with the balance of the Corps, 
 For his services up to this date, he was recommended by 
 Gen. McClellan for promotion to Brigadier-General, which 
 title he received about ten days after. 
 
 From this period to the close of the war he also engaged 
 in every battle of the Army of the Potomac. At the bat 
 tle of Marye s Heights, Second Fredericksburg, and Chan- 
 cellorsville, hewas with Sedgwick s Sixth Army Corps. 
 
 At Gettysburg he was given by General Sedgwick the 
 command of the Third Division of the Sixth Army Corps, 
 retaining its command until the " Mine Run " campaign, 
 when Gen. Sykes applied for him to command the First Di 
 vision of the Fifth Corps, which he retained until Gen. 
 Grant took command and consolidated the six corps of the 
 army into three. This legislated him out of a command, 
 but the Corps Commander made up for him the equivalent 
 of a division, by giving him nine regiments of veteran 
 troops. With this command he served through the Wil 
 derness campaign and in front of Petersburg. For dis 
 tinguished services in that campaign he was made Brevet 
 Major-General. At the battle of " Five Forks " he was 
 once more assigned to the command of the First Division 
 of the Fifth Corps, which marched from there to Appo- 
 mattox Court House with the cavalry. Being in advance 
 of the corps the morning Sheridan struck Appomattox, he 
 formed his division in two lines of battle with a cloud of 
 skirmishers in front, and forced the enemy to retire behind, 
 the town, and received the surrender of a rebel brigade be 
 fore the general surrender took place. 
 
 The next day he was appointed to receive the surrender 
 of the infantry arms of Gen. Lee s army. Gen. Bartlett 
 was struck six times, but never for a day gave up the com- 
 
242 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 mand of his troops. After the close of the war he was 
 appointed by President Johnson " Minister Resident " to 
 Stockholm, where he remained three years. 
 
 This record shows continuous service in the field from the 
 first Bull Run until after the surrender at Appomattox 
 Court House. 
 
 He is now Deputy Commissioner of Pensions, having 
 been appointed to that position by President Cleveland. 
 
 COLONEL ALEXANDER DUNCAN ADAMS, 
 
 The fourth son of Gen. William H. Adams, was born at 
 Lyons, N. Y., on the 25th of December, 1832. He en 
 tered Hobart College, at Geneva, in 1852. After leaving 
 college, he was engaged as Civil Engineer on the Erie 
 Canal enlargement, for a few years, when he accepted an 
 appointment as teacher in the Lyon s Union School. He 
 responded to the first call for volunteers, and raised the 
 first company in Wayne county. He was promoted to 
 Lieutenant-Colonel after the first battle of Bull Run, and to 
 Colonel after the battle of Antietam. At the close of his 
 term of service he returned to Lyons, and became Principal 
 of the Union School, which position he held for five years. 
 Declining health prevented active employment after this. 
 He died of consumption on the 28th of October, 1872, 
 leaving a widow and one daughter. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF MAJOR GARDINER. 243 
 
 MAJOR CURTISS C. GARDINER 
 
 Was born Dec. 1st, 1822, in Eaton, Madison County. N. Y. 
 At the age of fourteen he removed, with his father s family, 
 to Angelica, N. Y. On the fall of Fort Sumter, he was 
 practicing law, but immediately relinquished his profession, 
 and recruited a company of volunteers at Angelica, of which 
 he was commissioned Captain ; and the company was ac 
 cepted into the State service May I3th, 1861 ; and on May 
 i6th the company departed from Angelica, and reported at 
 the State Military Depot at Elmira ; and on May 2ist the 
 company was assigned to a regiment, and designated as 
 Company " I," in the 2/th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers. 
 On the ist of September, 1861, Captain Gardiner was pro 
 moted, to fill a vacancy, to Major of the same regiment. 
 The records of the regiment show his military services, 
 complete. 
 
 In the battle of Gaines Mill, Major Gardiner was injured 
 by a shell, but remained with the army until its retreat to 
 Harrison s Landing, where, on the 3d of July, 1862, he was 
 ordered sent north on Surg. Barnes certificate of disability. 
 On his arrival at Washington, he was granted leave of ab 
 sence for thirty days, on Surgeon s certificate of disability, 
 "on account of wounds," by S. O. No. 155, War Depart 
 ment, and G. O., Washington, July 7th, 1862, and returned 
 to his home in Angelica ; and in consequence of a continu 
 ance of his disability, he forwarded his resignation from the 
 service, to the War Department, which was accepted by the 
 Adjutant-General of the Army, July 24th, 1862. 
 
 Major Gardiner was subsequently brevetted Colonel of 
 U. S. Volunteers, for "gallant and meritorious services dur 
 ing the war." In 1864 he was assigned to the U. S. Muster 
 ing and Disbursing Office at Elmira. In 1867 he was ap 
 pointed U. S. Assessor of Internal Revenue of the 27th 
 District of New York, at Elmira. In 1868, he was the 
 Conservative candidate for Congress in the 27th District of 
 New York. In 1873 he removed to the City of St. Louis, 
 Mo., which is his present home. 
 
MKIVIORIAIVL 
 
 DR. NORMAN S. BARNES. 
 
 "The harp that once through Tara s halls, 
 
 Its soul of music shed ; 
 Now hangs as mute on Tara s walls 
 As if that soul were dead." 
 
 When the last toll of the funeral bell dies away upon the 
 solemn air of death, and what was mortal is laid to rest, we 
 instinctively turn to preserve in some form the biography 
 of the departed. 
 
 " His life was gentle, and the elements 
 So mixed in him that Nature might stand up, 
 And say to all the world, This was a man. " 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. BARNES. 245 
 
 DR. NORMAN S. BARNES. 
 
 On Saturday morning, April i8th, 1885, Dr. Norman S. 
 Barnes, after a severe and protracted illness, in which the 
 highest patience and courage were shown, died at his resi 
 dence, 365 Warren avenue, Chicago, 111. His life for ten 
 years preceding death, was filled with physical pain, having 
 suffered at the beginning of these years an attack of par 
 alysis of the optic nerves, terminating in the loss of sight, 
 the result of a sunstroke received while engaged in the ser 
 vice of his country ; and though doomed to silent medita 
 tion over this most unhappy affliction, his genial disposition 
 shed sunshine upon an otherwise rayless sky. Born to lead 
 and command, he was, however, of a gentle and loving 
 mold, whose sympathies were enlisted with every good 
 cause, and whose charities to the needy, financially and 
 professionally, were without stint. He possessed in full 
 those traits of character which endeared him especially to 
 the young, for whom in all worthy pursuits and aspirations 
 he had words of cheer and encouragement. Scores of 
 friends will not soon forget how pleasantly his conversation, 
 sparkling with humor and brilliancy, would entertain them 
 for hours ; nor should they forget how tenderly his ear 
 would be given to their tales of sorrow or disappointment. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Lawrence, of the Second Baptist Church 
 of Chicago, assisted by representatives of the Grand Army, 
 Post 28, conducted the last sad rites over the remains of 
 the deceased, which were quietly and simply placed in the 
 cemetery of Rose Hill. 
 
 Dr. Barnes was born at Avon, N. Y., in 1830, and four 
 years subsequently was taken by his parents to their new 
 home in Lapeer county, Mich., where the lavish mental and 
 physical gifts that nature had bestowed upon him were nur 
 tured to great strength through the quiet, simple and thought 
 ful life he led until his seventeenth year, when his ambitious 
 spirit naturally sought a wider field for cultivation and ac 
 quaintance with the world, which was gratified by taking 
 his departure for Rochester, N. Y., in the hope of fulfilling 
 
246 RECORD OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 a long cherished desire to enter upon the study of medicine 
 Without influence and with but a limited supply of money 
 he, however, soon found favor with Dr. Treat, of Rochester 
 into whose office he entered ; but, after the lapse of a few 
 months, the dread disease, cholera, appeared in that city, 
 and when Levi Ward, then Mayor of Rochester, issued a 
 public appeal for nurses, this young man quickly responded, 
 and throughout that anxious period, won, for valiant and 
 heroic conduct, the best opinions in particular of the medi 
 cal fraternity, and their brightest predictions of his future 
 usefulness. Following the cessation of this epidemic, he 
 decided to enter Amherst College, Mass., that the founda 
 tion for his medical course might be made as broad as pos 
 sible ; but after passing two courses at Amherst, he became 
 restless to begin the studies that would fit him for the pro 
 fession of which he so earnestly wished to become a member, 
 and consequently, at the very earliest session of the Berkshire 
 Medical College, at Berkshire, Mass., then one of the best 
 medical schools in the United States, he was duly installed 
 as a student. At the age of twenty-two he graduated from 
 this institution with high honors ; and on the departure, in 
 the same year, of its Demonstrator of Anatomy, Dr. Tim 
 othy Childs, for an extended trip in Europe, Dr. Barnes was 
 selected to fill his post, a position in which he continued 
 for eight years, and was the tutor of many who are now em 
 inent in their profession. At the beginning of the civil war, 
 though intending at that time to make a visit to Europe, 
 the fervor of his patriotism led him to sacrifice a valuable 
 practice in Rochester, N. Y., to enter the 2/th N.Y. Volun 
 teers as surgeon, which position he held until the regiment 
 was mustered out, in 1863 ; but not content with this ser 
 vice, he applied for the position of surgeon in the regular 
 army, and as there was no vacancy in that grade, after pass 
 ing the required examination at Washington, he willingly 
 accepted the rank of Assistant Surgeon, from which, after 
 a service of three months, he was promoted as Surgeon, 
 and in a brief time was made Medical Director successively 
 of the Sixth, Tenth, Eighteenth and Twenty-fourth Vol- 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. BARNES. 247 
 
 unteer Army Corps, and later Medical Chief of the Depart 
 ment of Virginia and North Carolina, with headquarters at 
 Norfolk, Va., positions which he filled with distinction. 
 He retired from the army with an enviable record, in 1868 
 For gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Fort 
 Fisher, President Lincoln bestowed upon Dr. Barnes the 
 rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. At the close of his army ser 
 vice he returned to Rochester, N. Y., but remained only a 
 few months, going thence to Chicago, 111., and when on the 
 high road to success, with the certainty of achieving a dis 
 tinguished professional standing in the region of his new 
 home, the loss of sight overtook him, and doomed him in 
 the flower of manhood, to inactivity and mournful reflection. 
 Much may be attributed to the domestic association of Dr. 
 Barnes, in its bearing upon his early manhood, and the 
 source of consolation it was in his years of suffering and de 
 cline. He was united in 1856 to Miss Kitty Burbank Wil 
 liams, of Deerfield, Mass., a lady of the highest cultivation 
 and literary ability, whose death occurred in 1873. He was 
 again united in matrimony, to Miss M. Augusta McPherson, 
 of Chicago, in 1874, upon whom, through the long and try 
 ing sickness that followed, devolved the exacting duty of 
 tenderly nursing and consoling her afflicted husband. 
 
248 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 A Soldier s Dream. 
 
 BY DR. N. S. BARNES. 
 
 I sometimes dream I m once more on the battle-field, 
 
 There, where wounds are given, and where wrongs are healed 
 
 Once more I hear the steady tramp of marching men, 
 
 The rushing fight, the cannon roar, through bush and glen. 
 
 Once again I hear the cannon s thundering sound : 
 
 I see its belch of fire, and feel it jar the ground ; 
 
 See once more, the cavalry charge through flame and smoke, 
 
 With carbine fire, bayonet thrust, and saber stroke. 
 
 High above clouds, on Lookout s crest, the old flag waves, 
 Carried by Union hands, held there by Union braves ; 
 And all along that crimson battle front I hear, 
 Ringing in the air, the glorious Union cheer. 
 
 And so unlike that horrid, shameful Rebel yell, 
 More like the shrieking cry from the demons of hell. 
 I see the surging columns advance, break and reel, 
 Rallying again, they meet the foemen, steel to steel. 
 
 Thus rages the combat, till, with the curtain of night, 
 Comes glorious victory for the Union and right ; 
 Again, high in the heavens, Independence sun 
 Looks down on a battle fought, and Gettysburg won. 
 
 With the sword s slash, cannon s shot, and with rifle lead, 
 The ground is strewn with the wounded and with the dead ; 
 I sometimes have wished,, irreverent though it seem, 
 That there among my comrades, still that wish I mean 
 
 That with victory won, at the close of a hard -fought day, 
 When all is hushed battle shout and bloody fray ; 
 I might have lain me down there upon a soldier s bed, 
 A soldier s eternal rest, and a soldier dead. 
 
 No, not dead, but only changed to other life, 
 Where warring ceases, and there is an end of strife ; 
 Where we no longer hear the sentinel s weary tramp, 
 A rainbow silver and gold, horizons the camp. 
 
 Comrades, somewhere and somehow, in that other sphere, 
 We will better, then, know why we have battled here ; 
 And if there be rank in the Lord s eternal plan, 
 Tis moral worth, and not wealth, that will rank the man. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF GENERAL SEDGWICK. 249 
 
 GEN. JOHN SEDGWICK 
 
 Was born in Cornwall, Ct., September 13, 1813, and gradu 
 ated at West Point, July, 1837. In this year, as a junior 
 Second Lieutenant of Artillery, he made a campaign 
 against the Seminoles in Florida. Subsequently he served 
 upon the Northern frontier, in the Canada border troubles. 
 Young Sedgwick accompanied Scott s expedition to Vera 
 Cruz, and participated in the battles that followed the sur 
 render of that post, winning for gallantry displayed at 
 Cerro Gordo, Cherebusco, Molino del Rey and Chepultepec 
 the brevets of Captain and Major. He was present during 
 the assault upon the Mexican capital, and at its capture. 
 He was made Lieutenant-Colonel of Cavalry in the Second 
 United States ; afterwards, in the same year, was commis 
 sioned Colonel of the First United States Cavalry. This 
 was in August, and in the latter part of that month he was 
 made Brigadier-General of Volunteers. 
 
 During the fall and winter of 1861, Gen. Sedgwick com 
 manded a brigade of Heintzleman s Division. In the Pe 
 ninsula campaign, he was at the head of a division of Sum- 
 ner s Corps, which participated in the seige of Yorktown, 
 and the battle of Fair Oaks, where their arrival after a toil 
 some march largely contributed to the favorable ending of 
 that engagement. His command distinguished itself at 
 Savage s station, June 29th, and at Frazer s Farm, June 
 3<Dth. where its General was wounded, as he was also three 
 times, severely, at Antietam. The wounds received at this 
 place deprived the nation of his services until the following 
 December. 
 
 The changes of corps commanders which resulted from 
 the change in the Chief Command of the Army of the Po 
 tomac, after the winter of 1862, found Gen. Sedgwick at 
 the head of the Sixth Corps, as the Commander of which 
 he is known to fame. 
 
 In May, 1863, he was ordered by Gen. Hooker to carry 
 the heights of Fredericksburg, and form a junction with the 
 main army at Chancellorsville. The town was occupied on 
 
250 RECORD OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Sunday morning, May, 3d, with but little opposition, but 
 i he storming of the heights behind it cost the lives of sev 
 eral thousand men. The advance of the Sixth Corps was 
 checked at Salem Heights, about 4 o clock in the afternoon, 
 by a superior force detached by Gen. Lee from the main 
 army confronting Hooker. The force opposing Gen. 
 Sodgwick was further strengthened the next morning, May 
 4th, and it was only by great skill and hard fighting that 
 the General was able to hold his ground during the day, 
 and to withdraw at night across the Rappahannock. 
 
 * -x- & -x- ****# 
 
 On the morning of June 3Oth, 1863, the Sixth Corps, the 
 right of the army following Gen. Lee, was at Manchester, 
 northwest of Baltimore, thirty-five miles from Gettysburg. 
 The events of the hour demanding the concentration of 
 the army at the last place, the Sixth Corps made the march 
 thither in twenty hours, arriving before 2 P. M., July 2d. 
 The corps participated thenceforth in the action of the 2cl 
 and 3d of July. 
 
 *##### X TV -X- 
 
 Gen. Sedgwick commanded the right of the Army of the 
 Potomac, at Rappahannock Station, November 7th, also at 
 Mine Run, November 26th to December 7th, 1863. 
 *******# 
 
 Gen. Sedgwick was conspicuous in the battles of the 
 Wilderness, and those at Spottsylvania. On the loth of 
 May, 1864, he was killed by the bullet of a sharpshooter. 
 He was universally beloved. In the Sixth Corps he was 
 known as " Uncle John," and his death cast a gloom over 
 the command, which was never dispelled. A monument, 
 wrought of cannon captured by the Sixth Corps, was 
 erected to his memory at West Point. 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF GENERAL FRANKLIN. 251 
 
 GEN. WILLIAM BUELL FRANKLIN 
 
 Was born in York, Pa., February 2;th, 1823. Graduating at 
 West Point, in June, 1843, he was assigned to the corps of 
 topographical engineers. In the " Chihuahua Column," in 
 the early part of Gen. Taylor s campaign in Northern Mex 
 ico, he served upon the staff of Gen. Wool. He was on the 
 staff of the Commander-in-Chief at Buena Vista, and for 
 "gallant and meritorious services" in that battle, was bre- 
 vetted First Lieutenant. 
 
 For several years prior to 1852, he was instructor in nat 
 ural and experimental philosophy, at West Point Military 
 Academy. He subsequently filled the same chair in the 
 College of New York. He was engineer in charge of the 
 capitol in Washington, from November, 1859, to March, 
 
 1861. Naturally, the services of a loyal, trained soldier, so 
 accomplished as was the subject of this sketch, were in 
 eager demand in the spring of 1861. May I4th he was ap 
 pointed Colonel of the Twelfth United States Infantry, and 
 three days later was commissioned Brigadier-General U. S. 
 Volunteers. Gen. Franklin commanded a brigade in 
 Heintzleman s Division at Bull Run. During the period of 
 organization of the Army of the Potomac, and until its 
 movement in the spring of 1862, he commanded a division 
 which was first assigned to McDowell s Corps. The divis 
 ion was detached in the spring of 1862, and joined Mc- 
 Clellan before Yorktown. Gen. Franklin commanded at 
 West Point, near the mouth of the Pamunkey, May 6th, 
 
 1862, and during this month organized the Sixth Army 
 Corps, which he commanded till the following November. 
 During this period he commanded in the affairs at Gold- 
 ing s Farm and White Oak Swamp, June 2/thto 3Oth ; com 
 manded the left at South Mountain, September I4th, his 
 troops capturing Crampton s Gap ; relieved Sumner s com 
 mand in the afternoon of September i/th, at Antietam. 
 In November he assumed command of the left grand divis 
 ion (First and Sixth Corps), and in the battle of the I3th of 
 December, commanded the left wing of the Army of the 
 
252 RECORD OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 Potomac. In the following September he commanded the 
 expedition against Sabine Pass, La. In 1863-64 he com 
 manded the troops occupying Northern Louisiana. He 
 was with Gen. Banks at Sabine Cross Roads. In this battle 
 Gen. Franklin was wounded, and had two horses shot under 
 him. It was he who conducted the retreat to Alexandria, 
 and directed Col. Bailey to make arrangements for the relief 
 of Porter s fleet, by the Red River dam. Through the 
 summer of 1864, on account of his wound, he was absent 
 on sick-leave. During this period, Gen. Grant urged the 
 appointment of Gen. Franklin to the command of the Mid 
 dle Military Division. He retired from the service in 1865. 
 
ROSTKR 
 
 OF 
 
 THE 27TH REGIMENT N. Y, VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 The following is a copy of the Muster-out Rolls of each 
 company. The numbers following the name denote the 
 age of the soldier when he enlisted. Where no date or 
 remarks occur after the soldier s name, it is to be under 
 stood that he was mustered into the service with the regi 
 ment, May 2 ist, 1 86 1, and discharged May 3 1st, 1863. The 
 names of all recruits are followed by the date of muster. 
 
 The fact is not noted that the soldier may have been ab 
 sent from his company more or less of the time on account 
 of sickness or wounds, and afterwards returned to duty. 
 
 The original Muster-in Rolls of the regiment, on legal-cap 
 paper, are still in the possession of Major Gardiner, and 
 show the check-marks in pencil made by the mustering offi 
 cer at the time. These show that Co. " I " was the -only 
 company with every officer and man present to answer to 
 his name. 
 
 Co. "A," numbering 78 officers and men,* had 11 absent. 
 
 . . . . | > U i-, t-t (i it U U i U 
 
 1 J > / / 
 
 " "C," " 81 " " " <4 2 
 
 " "D," ST " 6 
 
 44 "E," 77 " 8 
 
 u " "FT M " Qr < -5 
 
 J J S 
 
 " "G," " 81 " " " " i . " 
 
 " "H," 83 " " " 19 
 
 U T " U ~*j U U U Q U 
 
 " "K," 77 6 " 
 
 * Nine borrowed men were included in Co. "A." 
 
 The total number on the first Muster Roll, including 
 field and staff, was 809. 
 
254 ROSTER OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 
 
 COLONELS. 
 
 1. Henry W. Slocum, promoted to Brigadier-General, Sept. i, 1861 ; 
 to Major-General, July 4, 1862. 
 
 2. Joseph J. Bartlett, promoted from Major to Colonel, Sept. i 1861 ; 
 to Brigadier-General, October 4, 1862. 
 
 3. Alexander D. Adams, promoted from Captain of Co. "B" to 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Sept. i, 1861 ; to Colonel, October 4, 1862. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONELS. 
 
 1. Joseph J. Chambers, resigned August 9, 1861. 
 
 2. Alexander D. Adams, promoted to Colonel. 
 
 3. Joseph H. Bodine, promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain 
 of Co. " H," February 6, 1862 ; to Major, July 24, 1862 ; to Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, October 4, 1862. 
 
 MAJORS. 
 
 1. Joseph J. Bartlett, promoted to Colonel. 
 
 2. Curtiss C. Gardiner, promoted from Captain of Co. " I," September 
 i, 1861. Resigned, July 24, 1862, on account of disability resulting from 
 wounds received in the battle at Gaines Mill. 
 
 3. Joseph H. Bodine, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 
 4. George G. Wan/er, promoted from Captain of Co. "E" to Major, 
 October 4, 1862. 
 
 ADJUTANTS. 
 
 1. John P. Jenkins, resigned, November, 1861. 
 
 2. Melville W. Goodrich, promoted from First Sergeant of Co. "B" 
 to Adjutant, December i, 1861. Dismissed, August 30, 1862. 
 
 3. Charles E. Thompson, promoted from Private of Co. " D " to Ser 
 geant-Major, November i, 1861 ; to Adjutant, August 30, 1862. 
 
 QUARTERMASTERS. 
 
 1. James A. Hamilton, resigned, October 7, 1862. Captured by the 
 rebel General Stewart, while on his way home. 
 
 2. James P. Kirby, promoted to Corporal, November i, 1861 ; to Ser 
 geant, February 8, 1862 ; to Lieutenant and Quartermaster, from Co. "D," 
 October 7, 1862. Discharged by General Orders, No. 2, Nov. 22, 1862. 
 
 3. Texas Angel, promoted from Private to Commissary-Sergeant, from 
 Co. "I," July i, 1861 ; to Second Lieutenant, February 6, 1862; to First 
 Lieutenant, September 26, 1862 ; to Lieutenant and Quartermaster, No 
 vember 22, 1862. 
 
 SURGEONS. 
 
 i. Norman S. Barnes, Surgeon from enrollment. 
 
 SURGEON S MATE. 
 i. Barnett W. Morse, resigned, July 19, 1862. 
 
 ASSISTANT SURGEON. 
 
 i. William H. Stuart, Assistant-Surgeon from enrollment, Aug. 15, 1862. 
 
 CHAPLAINS. 
 
 1. D. D. Buck, mustered July i, 1861. Resigned, Feb. 26, 1862. 
 
 2. John G. Webster, mustered Oct. i, 1862. Resigned March 18, 1863. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 255 
 
 NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF. 
 
 SERGEANT-MAJORS. 
 
 1. Charles L. Gaul, promoted from Sergeant-Major to Second Lieu 
 tenant of Co. " B," September i, 1861. Died of disease, August 20, 1862. 
 
 2. William H. H. Brainard, promoted from Private of Co. " D," to 
 Sergeant-Major, September i, 1861 ; reduced to the ranks, Oct. 31, 1861. 
 
 3. Clarke E. Ellis, promoted from Private of Co. "B," to Sergeant- 
 Major, August 30, 1862. 
 
 4. Charles E. Thompson, promoted to Adjutant. 
 
 QUARTERMASTER-SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Lewis C. Bartlett, discharged for disability, August, 1861. Re- 
 enlisted in Co. "A." 
 
 2. Benjamin S. Coffin, promoted to Corporal of Co. " G," November 
 i, 1861 ; to Quartermaster Sergeant, March i, 1862. 
 
 COMMISSARY SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Texas Angel, mustered July i, 1861 ; promoted from Private of 
 Co. " I," to Sergeant, September i, 1861, to Commissary Sergeant, March 
 i, 1862. 
 
 2. Daniel P. Newell, mustered Aug. 2, 1861; promoted from Co. "K." 
 
 HOSPITAL STEWARDS. 
 
 1. W. Fitch Cheeney, promoted from Private of Co. " E," to Hos 
 pital Steward, June i, 1861. Discharged for disability, March i, 1862. 
 
 2. Daniel W. Bosley, promoted from Private of Co. " E," to Hospital 
 Steward, March i, 1862. 
 
 DRUM MAJOR. 
 
 i. George H. Cook, mustered out of service, October 18, 1862. 
 
 PRINCIPAL MUSICIAN. 
 
 i. Fred Bender, promoted from Corporal of Co. " E," June 30, 1861. 
 Mustered out of service, October 18, 1862. 
 
 COMPANY "A." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 T. William M. Blakely, 25, First Lieutenant to June r, 1861, then Cap 
 tain to February 8, 1862, when he resigned. 
 
 2. Edwin D. Comstock, 21, transferred and promoted from Firs 
 Lieutenant of Co. " D," to Captain of Co. "A," February 8, 1862. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Henry Ford, 29, Second Lieutenant to June i, 1862, then First 
 Lieutenant to August i, 1862, when he resigned. 
 
 2. Thomas W. Dick, 32, First Sergeant to June i, 1861, then Second 
 Lieutenant to August 20, 1861, then First Lieutenant to January 30, 1862, 
 when he resigned. 
 
 3. Benjamin Rankin, 30, mustered February 18, 1862, appointed First 
 Lieutenant, February 18, 1862, resigned July 27, 1862. 
 
 4. Lewis C. Bartlett, 20, mustered August i, 1862, appointed First 
 Lieutenant August i, 1862, detailed on Gen. Bartlett s Staff. 
 
2$6 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. James C. Croft, 25, Second Sergeant to June i, 1861, then First 
 Sergeant to August 20, 1861, then Second Lieutenant to Januaiy 30, 1862* 
 when he resigned. 
 
 2. Nicholas Christman, 21, Third Sergeant to June i, 1861, Second 
 Sergeant to March 2, 1862, then Second Lieutenant to November 20, 1862, 
 when he resigned. 
 
 3. Alexander McKay, 29, Private to September 19, 1861, then Corporal 
 to January i, 1862, then Sergeant to November 20, 1862, then Second 
 Lieutenant to March 20, 1863, then mustered out. 
 
 4. John C. Fairchild. 22, Corporal to March i, 1862, then Sergeant to 
 March 20, 1863, then Second Lieutenant. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Joseph Fitzgerald, 22, Private to April I, 1862, then Sergeant. 
 
 2. William Nicholson, 23, Private to January i, 1862, then Corporal to 
 November 20, 1862, then Sergeant. 
 
 3. James Reed,, 22, Private to January i, 1863, then Corporal to No 
 vember 20, 1863, then Sergeant. 
 
 4. Albert Blakely, Corporal to Nov. 2, 1861, then Sergeant. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 1. Thomas Riley, 20, promoted to Corporal, Dec. i, 1862. 
 
 2. William D. Gilleo, 23. 
 
 3. Richard Champenois, 18, promoted July i, 1862. 
 
 4. Andrew J. Beisinger, 19, promoted July 21, 1862. 
 
 5. Henry Zorn, 28, promoted July 21, 1862. 
 
 6. Norman P. Brown, 24, mustered Feb. 25, 1862, promoted July 21, 1862. 
 
 7. Samuel Murdock, 22, mustered December 6, 1861, promoted March 
 i. 1863. 
 
 8. Alonzo E. Harding, 18, mustered March 17, 1862, promoted March 
 
 i, 1863. 
 
 MUSICIANS. 
 
 1. John Horton, 25, mustered June 25, 1861. 
 
 2. Charles Jessup, mustered September i, 1861. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Albaugh, Isaac, 21, mustered September i, 1861. 
 
 2. Buckley, William, 34. 
 
 3. Barnes, John, 33. 
 
 4. Burns, Patrick, 18. 
 
 5. Burns, James, 19. 
 
 6. Bunyea, Albert, 21. 
 
 7. Crawford, James R. T., 30. 
 
 8. Collard, Augustus, 23. 
 y. Conklin, Abram G., 25. 
 
 10. Craigin, George W., 23. 
 
 11. Cronan, Timothy, 24. 
 
 12. Dykeman, Albert, 20. 
 
 13. Delavan, Charles H., 19, mustered September i, 1861. 
 
 14. Dick, Charles W., 22. 
 
ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 257 
 
 PRIVATES Continued. 
 
 15. Demarest, Charles, 18, mustered July 10, 1861, wounded and taken 
 prisonei at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, returned to regiment, April 30, 1863. 
 
 16. Felter, William H., 21, mustered March 4, 1861. 
 
 17. Gale, George, 19. 
 
 18. Green, Lawrence, 23. 
 
 19. Harris, Samuel, 18. 
 
 20. Jones, William, 18. 
 
 21. Lavinus, Abram F., 18. 
 
 22. Lavinus, George, 23, mustered July 10, 1861. 
 
 23. Martin, William, 22. 
 
 24. McLean, Robert, 35, mustered July 10, 1861. 
 
 25. McAinch, Daniel, 22. 
 
 26. O Brien, Andrew, 28. 
 
 27. Pattison, Henry D., 18, mustered July 10, 1861. 
 
 28. yuinn, Christopher, 21. 
 
 29. Reynolds, Edward, 22. 
 
 30. Shaughnessy, John, 22. 
 
 31. Stokem, Alexander, 36, mustered Aug. 20, 1861. 
 
 32. Smith, Willard, 25, mustered July 10, 1861. 
 
 33. Williamson, James, 24. 
 
 34. Whiston, Charles B., 28. 
 
 35. Wright, Lewis, 25. 
 
 36. White, Martin, 39, mustered July 10, 1861. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Billings, George, 18, discharged February 10, 1863. 
 
 2. Cole, John, 26, mustered Sept. i, 1861, discharged Feb. 10, 1863. 
 
 3. Dibble, William, 26, discharged October 31, 1862. 
 
 4. Dixon, John, 26, mustered Nov. 18, 1861, discharged Feb. 5, 1863. 
 
 5. Driscoll, Timothy, 40, mustered Sept. i 1861, disch. Nov. 20, 1862. 
 
 6. Evans, John, 26, discharged May 15 1863. 
 
 7. Fisher, David G., 22, mustered July 10, 1861, disch. July 14, 1863. 
 
 8. Gray, Charles, 18, mustered July 10, 1861, discharged Mar. 29, 1862. 
 
 9. Johnson, John, 32, discharged September i, 1861. 
 10. Kane, John, 21, discharged October 25, 1861. 
 
 n. Mason, Nathaniel, 45, mustered July 10, 1861, discharged Decem 
 ber 24, 1862. 
 
 12. Pride, Theodore, 21, mustered September 6, 1861, discharged 
 February 10, 1863. 
 
 13. Purdy, Eugene, 18, discharged March 25, 1862. 
 
 14. Riker, William H., 23, discharged August 20, 1862. 
 
 15. Sweeney, James, 25, mustered July 10, 1861, disch. Oct. 25, 1862. 
 
 16. Travis, William, 18, discharged March 25, 1862. 
 
 17. Thompson, Samuel M., 24, mustered March 4, 1862, discharged 
 December 12, 1862. 
 
 18.- Wright, John, 23, discharged July 10, 1862. 
 
 19. Wright, Nathaniel, mustered July 10, 1861, discharged May 25, 1862. 
 
258 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 1. Frazer, Henry, 20, transferred to Co. " 1J," September 10, 1861, by 
 order of Col. Bartlett. 
 
 2. Tucker, Jacob, 21, transferred to Co. "K,"June, 20, 1861, by 
 order of Col. Bartlett. 
 
 DIED. 
 
 1. Burke, Charles, 24, mustered July 9, 1861, died October 16, 1861. 
 
 2. Cantlin, John, 26, mustered February 20, 1862, killed in battle of 
 Crampton s Pass, September 14, 1862. 
 
 3. Hawkins, Thomas, 33, accidentally shot, November 27, 1862, at 
 Alexandria, Va. 
 
 4. Hoyt, Jesse, 20, mustered July ro, 1861, died in hospital, Hagers- 
 town, Md., October 29, 1862. 
 
 5 Murden, Jerry, 22, mustered July TO, i86j ; murdered in Elmira, 
 N. Y., July 21, 1861. 
 
 6. Newman, John, 36, died in hospital, March nth, 1862. 
 
 7. Simmonton, John, 25, mustered July 10, 1861, died in hospital, 
 January 12, 1862. 
 
 8. Walker, Henry H., 20, died in hospital, Philadelphia, August 22, 
 1862, from wounds received at Games Mill. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Boyer, John G., 21, mustered Feb. 25, 1862, deserted May 20, 1862. 
 
 2. Chamberlain, John, 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, 
 deserted June 18, 1862. 
 
 3. Corney, George, 21, from battle-field of Antietam, Sept. 16, 1862. 
 
 4. De Noyelles, Levi L., 18, from battle-field of Gaines Mill, June 
 27, 1862. 
 
 5. Farrington, Daniel D., 25, mustered July 10, 1861, from Alexan 
 dria, Va., Sept. 16, 1862. 
 
 6. Huver, John, 28, mustered July 10, 1861, from Alexandria, Va., 
 April 20, 1862. 
 
 7. Lent, Cyrus, 22, from Washington, D. C., August 22, 1862. 
 
 8. Nains, George W., 23, Elmira, June 18, 1861. 
 
 9. Shaffer, Lewis, Sergt., 20, from Alexandria, Va., August 20, 1862. 
 
 10. Shreaves, Charles, 23, from Alexandria, Va., Oct. 22, 1861, 
 
 11. Sloat, Jesse B., 19, from battle-field of Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 12. Washington, James F., 24, from Antietam, September 16, 1862. 
 
 DROPPED FROM THE ROLLS, 
 
 {In accordance with General Order No. 162, Hyrs. Army of the Potomac.} 
 
 1. Barret, Elias, 22, taken prisoner at battle Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 2. Sherwood, Aaron, 21. 
 
 3. Smith, Thomas, 19, taken prisoner, battle Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 4. Miller, Samuel, 21, Musician. 
 
 5. Bronson, James, 21. 
 
ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 259 
 
 COMPANY "B." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. Alexander D. Adams, 28, Captain from enrollment to Sept. I, 
 1861, then Lieutenant-Colonel to Oct. 4, 1862, then Colonel. 
 
 2. Henry R. White, 27, First Lieutenant from enrollment to Sept. I, 
 1861, then Captain. Wounded in battle of Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 r. William II. Swan, 44, Second Lieutenant from enrollment to 
 Sept. i, 1861, then First Lieutenant to July 24, 1862, then Captain Co. 
 "H" until March, 1863, then resigned. 
 
 2. William C. Belden, 19, Corporal to Sept. i, 1861, then Fifth Ser 
 geant to Dec. i, 1861, then Fourth Sergeant to Aug. 5, 1862, then Second 
 Sergeant to July 25, 1862, then First Lieutenant, to Jan. 4, 1863, then re 
 signed. Lost left arm in the battle of Crampton s Pass, Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 3. Crosby Hopkins, 30, Third Sergeant to August 20, 1862, then Sec 
 ond Lieutenant to Jan. 4, 1863, then First Lieutenant. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Charles L. Gaul, 26, Sergeant-Major to Sept. i, 1861, then Second 
 Lieutenant to Aug. 20, 1862, then died of disease, at New York city. 
 
 2. Charles Sherman 22, Fourth Sergeant to Dec. i, 1861, then Third 
 Sergeant to August 5, 1862, then First Sergeant to Jan. 4, 1863 then Sec 
 ond Lieutenant. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. George M. Belden, 21, Private from enrollment to Sept. i, 1861, 
 then Corporal to Dec. i, 1861, then Fifth Sergeant to Aug. 5, 1862, then 
 Third Sergeant to Jan 4, 1863, then First Sergeant. 
 
 2. William Shattuck, 22, promoted to Corporal, Sept. i, 1861, to 
 Third Sergeant, Sept. i, 1862, to Second Sergeant, Jan. 4, 1863. 
 
 3. John C. Hooper, 26, promoted to Corporal Dec. i, 1861, to Fourth 
 Sergeant Sept. i, 1862, to Third Sergeant Jan. 4, 1863, wounded at Fred- 
 ericksburg, May 3, 1863. 
 
 4. James C. Bowen, 23, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1861, then to 
 ranks Dec. i, 1861, then Fifth Sergeant to Jan. 4, 1863, then Fourth Sergt. 
 
 5. William Rooker, 25, promoted from Corporal to Fifth Sergeant 
 fan. 4, 1863. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 1. John D. McVicar, 21, wounded in battle of Gaines Mill, June 
 27, 1862. 
 
 2. Almeron Crannell, 20, promoted to Corporal August i, 1862. 
 Taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 3. John Fosmire, 24, promoted to Corporal August i, 1862. 
 
 4. James Ellison, 26, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 5. Joseph C. Sampson, 24, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 6. Franklin Hecox, 19, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 7. George C. Rooker, 18, promoted to Corporal Sept., 1862. 
 
 8. Win. H. Mclntyre, 20, promoted to Corporal Jan. 4, 1863. 
 
260 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Allen, Willard, 18. 
 
 2. Althen, Charles, 19. 
 
 3. Adams, Lewis, 19, dropped and restored. 
 
 4. Braden, Joseph A., 21. 
 
 5. Brott. William, 18. 
 
 6. Brown, Henry W., 26, wounded in battle of Fredericksburg, 
 May 3d, 1863. 
 
 7. Bulyea, Francis, 18. 
 
 8. Buell, Dexter, 19, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 9. Cassidy, Andrew, 28. 
 
 10. Czerney, Godfred, 28, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 11. Disbrow, Robert, 19, taken prisoner May 4, 1863, battle of Fred 
 ericksburg. 
 
 12. Durkee, Robert M., 20. 
 
 13. Durkee, James, 27. 
 
 14. Dwinnell, Roderick, 20. 
 
 15. Dwinnell, Myron H., 18. 
 
 16. Dunn, Gibson, 20. 
 
 17. Eames, John C., 31. 
 
 18. Ehret, Michael, mustered Nov. 28, 1861. 
 
 19. Foster, George, 34, mustered Nov. 28, 1861. 
 
 20. Hill, Sylvester C., 21. 
 
 2J. Billiard, Thomas, 40, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 22. Jensee, Charles K., 30, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 Knoblock, John, 18. 
 
 Klumpp, George, 18, mustered Nov. 27, 1861. 
 
 Lehner, George, 18. 
 
 26. Lawrence, Raymond D., 18, dropped from rolls, and restored 
 May ii, 1863. 
 
 27. Murphy, Cornelius W., 21. 
 
 28. Murphy, Patrick, 18, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 29. McCumber, Edwin, 18, mustered Nov. 26, 1861. 
 
 30. Mahaney, James, 19, mustered July 5, l861 - 
 
 31. Odell, Charles, 22. 
 
 32. Putter, Charles A., 18. 
 
 33. Potter, Henry, 31, taken sick August 28, 1862, in hospital till 
 Dec. 15, 1862. 
 
 34. Pudney, Richard D., 19, dropped from the rolls, and restored, 
 
 April 17, 1863. 
 
 35. Reeling, William, 19. 
 
 36. Rooker, Henry, 20. 
 
 37. Smith, William, 18. 
 
 38. Smith, John T., 20. 
 
 39. Sherman, LaFayette, 19, taken prisoner, Dec. 12,1862, and parolled. 
 
 40. Snitzel, John H., 18. 
 
 41. Snedaker, James W., 21. 
 
 42. Tindall, George W., 26. 
 
ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 26l 
 
 PRIVATES. Continued. 
 
 43. Tiffing, Thomas H., 20. 
 
 44. Thomas, William, 25. 
 
 45. Wai rath, George H., taken prisoner, May 4, 1863, at Fredericksb g. 
 
 46. Westfall, David, 22. 
 
 47. Williams, George W., 19. 
 
 48. Westfall, Martin, 21. 
 
 49. Whitney, Myron H., 22. 
 
 50. Zimmerman, Augustus, 18. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Bullock, Royal J., 44, discharged Dec. 29, 1862. 
 
 2. Betts, Thomas S., 21, discharged Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 3. Cosart, John H., 17, discharged Aug. 26, 1861. Minor. 
 
 4. Carey, John E., 18, discharged Feb. 18, 1863. 
 
 5. Foster, Edward P., discharged Aug. 10, 1861. 
 
 6. Hill, Eben L., 18, discharged Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 7. Jones David, 25, mustered July 5, 1861, discharged April 14, 1862. 
 
 8. Klumpp, Theodore, 19, mustered July 5, 1861, discharged 
 June 19, 1862. 
 
 9. King, Thomas, 24, mustered Nov. 25, 1861, wounded in battle of 
 Games Mill, discharged Dec. 31, 1862. 
 
 10. Leonard, Ambrose, 19, discharged April 5, 1862. 
 
 i:. Leach, Edwin, 18, discharged Nov. 21, 1862. 
 
 12. Miller, Otto, 32, discharged Dec. 29, 1862. 
 
 13. Rhodenback, Jacob, 22, discharged Oct. 25, 1862. 
 
 14. Snilling, William, 22, discharged Dec. 17, 1862. 
 
 15. Smith, George N., 18, mustered July 5, 1861, disch d Jan. 7, 1863. 
 
 16. Y osbtirgh, William, 19, discharged April 29, 1862. 
 
 17. V 7 an Amburgh, Abram, 25, discharged August 3, 1862. 
 
 18. Vaughan, James, 33, wounded in battle of Gaines Mill, dis 
 charged Sept. 13, 1862. 
 
 19. Wiley, Jonathan G., 21, discharged Oct. i, 1861. 
 
 20. Williams, Seneca, 19, mustered July 5, 1861, disch d July 12, 1862. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 1. Ellis, Clark C., 23, promoted to Sergeant Major, Aug. 30, 1862. 
 
 2. Goodrich, Melville W., 27, promoted to Adjutant Dec. i, 1861, 
 dismissed Aug. 30, 1862. 
 
 3. Holmes, Robert E., 21, promoted to First Sergeant Dec. i, 1861 ; 
 Aug. 5, 1862, to Second Lieutenant in io8th New York, and killed at 
 Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. 
 
 DIED. 
 
 1. Allee, Edward, 21, wounded and taken prisoner in the battle of 
 Gaines Mill, exchanged, and died July 29, 1862. 
 
 2. Anderson, Rowland B., 23, July 2, 1862, died of wounds received 
 in battle of Gaines Mill. 
 
 3. Brink. Chester, 38, prisoner, died in Richmond, July 2, 1862. 
 
262 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 DIED Continued, 
 
 4. Dunn, Charles, 18, died of disease, Dec. 2, 1861. 
 
 5. Hennington, Edward, 18, died of disease, Nov. 20, 1862. 
 C>. Keesler, Alfred, 21, died of disease, Dec. 15, 1861. 
 
 7. Laper, Frederick, 35, died of disease, Oct. 13, 1862. 
 
 8. Mills, Joseph, 21, died of disease, Dec. 13, 1861. 
 
 9. Morey, George, 23, mustered Nov. 27, 1861, died of disease, 
 April 3, 1862, 
 
 10. McElvain, William, 18, mustered July 5, 1861, died July 2, 1862, 
 of wounds received in battle of Games Mills. 
 
 11. Strickland, Lewis C., 18, died July 2, 1862, of wounds received in 
 the battle of Games Mill. 
 
 12. Seavey, Joseph, 23, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1861, killed in 
 battle of Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Blynn, Chauncey, , mustered Julys. 1861, deserted Aug. 13, 1861. 
 
 2. Fingleton, John 21, deserted Aug. 30, 1862. 
 
 3. Fossett, Samuel, , mustered July 5, 1861, deserted July 22, 1861. 
 
 4. Graves, Geo. C., 24, mustered Nov. 28, 1861, deserted Aug. 30, 1862. 
 
 5. Martens, Adolph, 30, deserted July 22, 1861. 
 
 6. Phillips, Andrew, , mustered Julys, 1861, deserted July 26, 1861. 
 
 7. Richardson, David, , mustered July 5, 1861, deserted Aug. 13/61. 
 
 DROPPED. 
 
 1. Lake, Abram, mustered Nov. 29, 1861, whereabouts unknown. 
 
 2. Metxker, Jacob, 44, Nov. 29, 1861, supposed to have been killed in 
 the battle of Games Mill. 
 
 3. Thorn, Samuel, 25, whereabouts unknown. 
 
 4. Weaver, Spencer C., 21, in hospital, Fort Schuyler. 
 
 COMPANY "C." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. Joseph J. Bartlett, 26, Captain from enrollment to May 21, 1861 ; 
 then Major until Sept. i, 1861; promoted to Brigadier-General Oct. 4, 1862. 
 
 2. Edward L. Lewis, 21, First Lieutenant from enrollment to May 21. 
 1861 ; then Captain until Aug. 2, 1861 ; then resigned. 
 
 3. Charles A. Wells, 19, Second Lieutenant from enrollment until 
 May 21, 1861 ; then First Lieutenant to Sept. i, 1861 ; then Captain. 
 Assigned to duty as Ordnance Officer, ist Div , 6th Corps, Apr. 20, 1863. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. George H. Hurd, discharged Feb. 23, 1862, by order Gen. Mc- 
 Clellan. 
 
 2. James M. Watson, 20, promoted from Third Sergeant Feb. 15, 
 1862, in command of the Company after July 2, 1862. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 i. James King, 20, mustered Feb. 5, 1861, promoted from Private 
 Sept. i, 1861, resigned March 8, 1862. 
 
ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 263 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS Continued. 
 
 2. John E. Ronk, 18, promoted from Fourth Sergeant May 7, 1862. 
 wounded at Gaines Mill, resigned Nov. 13, 1862. 
 
 3. Eri S. Watson, 26, ptomoted from Corporal to First Sergeant May 
 7, 1862, to Second Lieutenant Nov. 13, 1862. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Joshua V. N. Williams, 18, promoted to First Sergeant Nov. 13, 62. 
 
 2. Frederick L. Gleason, 23, promoted from Corporal May 7. 1862. 
 
 3. Gilbert Mix, 22, promoted from Private Dec. 3, 1862. 
 
 4. Robert Way, 20, mustered July 5, 1861, promoted from Private 
 Dec. 3, 1862. 
 
 5. Allen Banks, 20, mustered July 5, 1861, promoted from Private 
 Nov. 13, 1862. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 t. Orlan Harmon, 36, promoted May 7, 1862. 
 
 2. George W. F. Fanning, 22, promoted May 7, 1862, taken prisoner 
 at Bull Run. 
 
 3. Howard Evans, 21, mustered Oct. 18, 1861, promoted May 7. 1862. 
 
 4. Alvin Gibbs, 25, mustered Julys, 1861, promoted Dec. 3, 1862. 
 
 5. John Stowell, 20, mustered Sept. i, 1861, promoted Dec. 3, 1862. 
 
 6. Alexander Bailey, 23, promoted Jan. 24, 1863. 
 
 7. Charles F. Yenne, 20, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, i8Gi, 
 returned Dec. 10, 1862, promoted Jan 24, 1863. 
 
 S. Alonzo C. Taft, 19, promoted Jan. 24, 1863. 
 
 MUSICIANS. 
 
 1. Lewis W. Chichester, 30. 
 
 2. Claude Dcmpsey, 20. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Austin, William C., 25. 
 
 2. Abell, Oramel D., 23. 
 
 3. Anson, John, 26, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 4. Allard, Andrew H., 20, mustered Oct. 12, 1861. 
 
 5. Adams, Martin H., 20. 
 
 6. Bacon, Orville, 20. 
 
 7. Bowker, William H., 25. 
 S. Benson, Henry N., 18. 
 
 9. Benson, Isaac, 21, mustered Sept. i, 1861, absent (sick) from Sept. 
 15, 1862, to May 5, 1863. 
 
 10. Brown, David, 21. 
 
 n. Brown, Simeon, 19. 
 
 12. Black, Sherlock F., 20. 
 
 13. Burrows, Worcester S., 20, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 14. Barlow, Abel J., 21, mustered Oct. 16, 1861. 
 
 15. Burrows, George W., 18, mustered Oct. 17, 1861. 
 
 16. Bixby, Calvin H., 24. 
 
 17. Boyden, John, 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run. 
 
 18. Case, S. Girard, 24. 
 
264 ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 p K J v A TRS Contin ued. 
 
 19. Clow, John, 21, mustered Sept. 30, 1861. 
 
 20. Dorn, John, 19. 
 
 21. Driscoll, Michael, 21. 
 
 22. Divine, Eber S.. 22, mustered Oct. 6, 1861. 
 
 23. Fowler, Harvey C., 22, mustered Oct. 12, r86i. 
 
 24. French, Jonathan. 21. 
 
 25. Gillick, Thomas, 21. 
 
 26. Groat, Simon, 28. 
 
 27. Hokirk, Oliver, 21. 
 
 28. Johnson, Levi R.. 19. 
 
 29. Jay, William S., 18, 
 
 30. Lambert, Clark, 19. 
 
 31. Lovejoy, George, 43, mustered Oct. 18, 1861. 
 
 32. Lovelace, James F., 25, mustered Oct. 16, 1861. 
 
 33. Leonard, Charles R., mustered Oct. 12, 1861. 
 
 34. Lakin, James C., 24, mustered Sept. 30, 1861. 
 
 35. Lull, Harrison, 19, mustered Feb. 5, 1861. 
 
 36. Millmore, Patrick, 22. 
 
 37. Martin, Robert, 18. 
 
 38. Pratt, Francis, 19, mustered Feb. 5, 1861. 
 
 39. Post, Lewis J., 21, mustered Ocl, 17, 1861. 
 
 40. Sterling, Melvin F., 27. 
 
 41. Short, Joseph, 32. 
 
 42. Southworth, Charles, 27, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 43. Stoutenburg, Lawrence N., 20, mustered Sept. 23, 1861. 
 
 44. Tripp, William H., 19, mus d Oct. 28, 1861, dropped, and restored. 
 
 45. Vandervort. John, 23, mustered Oct. 17, 1861. 
 
 46. Van Alstine, William H., 35, taken prisoner at Bull Run. 
 
 47. Whitman, Albert G., 23. 
 
 48. Whitney, Franklin, 19. 
 
 49. Walker, Abram, 27, mustered Oct. 12, 1861. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Blair, Morris P., 22, Corporal, discharged Jan. 5, 1863. 
 
 2. Ballard, Lewis W., 29, discharged Aug. 12, 1861. 
 
 3. Blanshan Everett, 18, mustered Oct. 12, 1861, discharged Feb. 
 9, 1863. 
 
 4. Burrows, A very W., 21, mustered Oct. 17, 1861, discharged 
 Feb. 9, 1863. 
 
 5. Butler, John W., 19, discharged Jan. 28, 1863. 
 
 6. Coe, Henry, 21, discharged March 28, 1862. 
 
 7. Crumb, Samuel B., 19, musician, discharged Aug. i, 1861. 
 
 S. Conrow, Jacob, 44, mustered Oct. 16, 1861, discharged Jan. 5, 1863. 
 
 9. Cafferty, Edward M., 19, discharged Aug. 12, 1861. 
 
 10. Durand, Frederick, 18, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 
 1861, wounded in battle of Crampton s Pass, discharged March 14, 1863. 
 
 11. Hokirk, George, 18, discharged Sept. 30, 1861. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 265 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY Continued. 
 
 12. Hulse, Hiram W., 44, mustered Oct. 16, 1861, discharged Feb. 10, 
 1862, on account of injuries received while in line of duty. 
 
 13. Hotchkiss, Horatio G., 30, mustered Oct. 16, 1861, discharged 
 April 25, 1862. 
 
 14. Hangi, Joseph, 30, discharged April 14, 1863. 
 
 15. Lynch, Thomas, 44, mustered Oct. 23, 1861, discharged Dec. 3, 
 1862 ; old age ; fifth enlistment. 
 
 16. Lakin, Chester, 26, mustered July 5, 1861, discharged Oct. 12, 
 1862, loss of finger by accident. 
 
 17. Landphier, Deronda, 18, mustered July 5, 1861, discharged 
 Aug. 6, 1861. 
 
 18. McGuire, Michael, 20, mustered July 5, 1861, discharged Jan. 
 10, 1862. 
 
 19. Perry, Charles, 18, discharged Jan. 10, 1862. 
 
 20. Potter,Wm. H., 22, mustered Feb. 5, 61, discharged Aug. 12, 1862. 
 
 21. Schramm, Charles B., 33, discharged Oct. 31, 1862. 
 
 22. Service, Charles W.. mustered Feb . 5, 1861, discharged Aug. 
 8. 1861. 
 
 23. Tompkins, William H., 24, discharged Dec. 28, 1861. 
 
 24. Tompkins, Thomas W., 20, discharged Aug. 6, 1861. 
 
 25. Wheeler, Henry O., 21, Sergeant, mustered Feb. 5, 1861, discharged 
 Jan. 17, 1862. 
 
 DIED. 
 
 1. Andrews, George M., 19, taken prisoner at battle of Bull Run, 
 died in Richmond, Va., Aug. 15, 1861. 
 
 2. Butler, George, 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run, parolled in May, 
 1862, died Aug. 21, 1862. 
 
 3. Clark, Jason B., 20, died June 10, 1861, at Elmira, N. Y. 
 
 4. Green, Martin, 28, died Dec. n, 1861. 
 
 5. Maine, Cornelius W., 23, Sergeant, died Dec. 23, 1862 
 
 6. Shaw, Jas. G., 39, mustered October 24, 1861, died March 29, 1862. 
 
 7. Ward, James B., 33, mustered Oct. 16, 1861, died July, 1862, after 
 having been parolled. 
 
 KILLED IN ACTION. 
 
 1. Butler, John, 19, at battle Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 2. Coe, John, 20, at battle Fredericksbug, Va., May 4, 1863. 
 
 3. Esterbrook, Samuel, 21, at battle Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 4. Miller, Norman S., 23, at battle Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 5. Parker, William H., 20, at battle Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Bartholemew, James, 25, deserted Aug. 7, 1861. 
 
 2. Davis, George, 21, deserted Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 3. Dalton, Gilbert, 36, mustered Oct. 28, 1861, deserted Jan. 25, 1862. 
 
 4. Gaffeny, John, 18, mustered Oct. 7, 1861, deserted Sept. 17, 1862. 
 
 5. Hill, John, 38, deserted Aug. 21, 1861. 
 
 6. Larkin, Daniel W., 28, deserted April 15, 1862. 
 
266 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 DESERTED Continued. 
 
 7. Leonard, Theodore M., 20, Sergeant, deserted Oct. 2, 1861. 
 
 8. Richmond, Edwin S., 19, deserted September, 1861. 
 
 9. Twitchell, Theodore, 22, deserted Aug. n, i8fu. 
 10. Warner, Samuel H., 33, deserted July 21, 1861. 
 
 DROPPED. 
 
 1. Barnes, William, 25, taken prisoner at Hull Run. 
 
 2. Barwise, James, 21, nurse in hospital at Fortress Monroe. 
 
 3. Dunn, Geo. W., 21, Sergeant, taken prisoner at Bull Run, parolled 
 in May, 1862, commissioned as Captain logth New York Regiment. 
 
 4. Davis, Eugene M., 24, Sergeant, taken prisoner at Bull Run, pa- 
 rolled in May, 1862, commissioned as Captain logth New York Regiment. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 i. Carmer, Charles E., 22, transferred to the Second Regular Battery. 
 
 COMPANY "D." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. Hiram C. Rogers, 26, promoted to A.A.G. on Gen. Slocum s staff, 
 July 20, 1862. 
 
 2. Albert G. Northrop, 27, was Sergeant to July 21, 1861, Second 
 Lieutenant to July 2, 1862, Captain to Nov. 27, 1862, when he resigned. 
 
 3. Albert M. Tyler, 26, was private to July 20, 1862, then Second 
 Lieutenant till Nov. 27, 1862, then Captain, assigned to duty as Assistant 
 Commissioner of Muster, Hdqrs. First Div., Sixth Corps, April 20, 1863. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 T. Henry C. Jackson, 26, resigned Aug. 7, 1861. 
 
 2. Edwin D. Comstock, 21, Sergeant to Aug. 7, 1861, then First 
 Lieutenant. Feb. 8 promoted to Captain of Co. "A." 
 
 3. George A. Dickson, 24, promoted to First Sergeant Sept. i, 1861 ; 
 to First Lieut. Feb. 8, 1862. Dismissed by order President, Oct. TT, 1862. 
 
 4. William M. Nimbs, 21, promoted Oct. n, 1862, from Sergeant in 
 Co. " H " to First Lieutenant of Co. " D." 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 T. Asa Park, 35, killed in battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 2. Charles N. Elliott, 18, promoted to Sergeant Sept. i, 1861 ; to Sec 
 ond Lieutenant Nov. 27, 1862. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Oliver A. Kilmer, 22, promoted to Corporal Nov. i, 1861, then 
 Sergeant May 6, 1862. 
 
 2. Chancey J. Durfee, 25, promoted from Private Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 3. Edward M. Watson, 23, promoted from Corporal Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 4. Frank Coleman, 18, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1861 ; to Ser 
 geant March i, 1863. 
 
ROSTER OF 2fTH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 267 
 
 SERGEANTS Continue^, 
 
 5. Charles B. Fairchild, 19, taken prisoner at battle Hull Run, July 21, 
 1861; parolled May 22, 1862; returned to regiment Oct. 4, 1862 ; promoted 
 from Corporal March i, 1863. 
 
 CURPORAts. 
 
 1. Lewis Walton, 34, promoted Sept. I, 1862. 
 
 2. Lewis H. Brown 18, mustered July 4, 1861; promoted Sept. i, 1861 . 
 
 3. Henry M. Crocker, 18, promoted Nov. i, 1861. 
 
 4. Geo. O. Pratt, .8, mustered Aug. 22, 1861; promoted Sept. 12, 1862. 
 
 5. Wm. H. Siple, 20, mustered Aug. 26, 1861; promoted Sept. 12, 1862. 
 
 6. Wm. K.Johnson, 23, mustered Oct. 3, 1861; promoted Mch. i, 1863. 
 
 7. Wm. H. Gray, 22, promoted Marcli i, 1863. 
 
 S. Williams, Elijah P., 18, promoted to Corporal, Feb. 8, 1862. 
 
 1. Charles Winter, 22. 
 
 2. Charles VanHorn, 19. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Aylsworth, William J., , mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 2. Burrows, John W., 24. 
 
 3. Bentley, Francis, 36. 
 
 4. Cole, Russell S., 21. 
 
 5. Crawford, Alexander, 20, mustered Sept. 30, 1861. 
 
 6. Case, John G., 20, mustered Aug. 30, 1861, dropped, and restored 
 to roll, having been absent, sick in hospital. 
 
 7. Dickinson, Alon/.o, 23, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 8. Dickinson, Reuben H., 25. 
 
 9. Dyer, Pardee S., 28, mustered Sept. i, 1861, dropped, absent, sick 
 in hospital, returned May 20, 1863. 
 
 10. Fagen, James P., 20. 
 
 11. Fowler, Frederick, 22. 
 
 12. Finch, Abiel, 28. 
 
 13. Forker, Richard, 20, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 14. Gage, Aaron W., 21. 
 
 15. Gorman, Matthias, 22. 
 
 16. Harding, Charles A., 23. 
 
 17. Hobbs, Jonas, 35, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 18. Hurlburt, George E., 21, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 19. Johnson, William E., 18, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 20. Kilmer, George L., 18, mustered March 20, 1862. 
 
 21. Lay, William H., 24. 
 
 22. McLaughlin, John. 24. 
 
 23. Minkler, Jesse, 34, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 24. Moore, James E., 18, mustered Oct. 12, 1861. 
 
 25. Paddleford, Zael, 24, mustered M-ay 24, 1861. 
 
 26. Pratt, David, 24, mustered Aug. 27, 1861. 
 
 27. Platt, Charles W., 20, taken prisoner at battle of Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861, parolled May 3, 1862, dropped, and restored to roll, Mar. 30, 1863. 
 
268 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 PRIVATES Continued. 
 
 28. Reid, Edwin S., 18, dropped, and restored to roll. 
 
 29. Spencer, Benjamin F., 24. 
 
 30. Spencer, Nelson, 21. 
 
 31. Spencer, William W., 27. 
 
 32. Spendley, William [., 20. 
 
 33. Slater, Charles, 19, accidentally wounded, absent, sick in hospital 
 since Jan. 10, 1863. 
 
 34. Scott, Arthur, 18, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 35. Seymour, Albert, 19, mustered Oct. 3, 1861. 
 
 36. Smith, Henry M., 25, mustered Sept. 30, 1862. 
 
 37. Sampson, William P., 19, wounded and taken prisoner at battle of 
 Bull Run. 
 
 38. Tanner, Watson B., 23, mustered Oct. 12, 1861. 
 
 39. Webber, Charles, 22. 
 
 40. Wilkins, John, 30. 
 
 41. Williams, Daniel F., 19, mustered July 4, 1861. 
 
 42. Whittlesey, L. Hibbard, 20, mustered July 4, 1861. 
 
 43. Wilson, Benton H., 18. 
 
 44. White, Addison G., 28, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 45. Whitehead, James, 23, mustered Oct. I, 1861. 
 
 46. Winchell, 21, Samuel, mustered Oct. 5, 1861. 
 
 47. Waldorff, Henry, 31, mustered Oct. 12, 1861. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Bartram, William H., 22, First Sergeant, discharged Aug. I, 1861. 
 
 2. Armstrong, Albert D., 20, Corporal, discharged Sept. I, 1861. 
 
 3. Bolls, William D., 19, discharged Nov. i, 1862. 
 
 4. Booth, Alva, 20, mustered Oct. 12, 1861, discharged May i, 1862. 
 
 5. Burrows, Stewart A., 23, discharged May 8, 1863. 
 
 6. Canoll, Heber, 18, discharged May, 1862. 
 
 7. Crawford, Alexander H., 27, mustered Oct. i, 1861, discharged 
 March i, 1862. 
 
 Crissman, Philip, 18, mustered Aug. 12, 1861, disch. Dec. 12, 1862. 
 Cone, Clark J., 18, Corporal, discharged May 8, 1863. 
 
 10. Francisco, Frank, 28, discharged Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 11. Fairchild, Charles H., 24, discharged Jan. 8, 1862. 
 
 12. Gates, William H., 30, mustered July 4, 1861, discharged Oct. 
 31, 1862. 
 
 13. Grimes, Frank, 28, mustered July 4, 1861, disch. Nov. 15, 1861. 
 
 14. Howard, Asa L., 20, mustered July 4, 1861, disch d Aug. 2, 1861. 
 
 15. Hopkins, William H., 20, mustered Aug. 12, iSCi, discharged 
 May 25, 1862. 
 
 16. Hughes, Albert, 23, mustered Aug. 12, 1861, disch d Dec. i, 1862. 
 
 17. Leonard, Gilbert, 18, mustered Oct. 12, 1861, disch d Feb. 18, 1862. 
 
 18. Lester, James, 30, discharged Feb. i, 1862. 
 
 19. Monroe, ThaddiasS., 22, discharged Dec. 3, 1862. 
 
ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 269 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY Continued. 
 
 20. McKune, Sidney A., 20, wounded and taken prisoner at battle of 
 Hull Run, July 21, 1861, discharged Feb. 16, 1862. 
 
 21. Newman, Melvin A., 20, Corporal, discharged Aug. 18, 1862. 
 
 22. Osbcrn, Joseph R., 19, discharged Aug. 2, 1861. 
 
 23. Paddleford, Newell, 28, mustered July 4, 1861, disch. July 21, 1862. 
 
 24. Payne, Deloss, 34, discharged Jan. 20, 1862. 
 
 25. Randall, William J., 37, musician, discharged Jan 10, 1863. 
 
 26. Sturdevant, Stephen A.. 22, discharged Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 27. Smith, Charles W., 20, mustered Oct. 12, 1861, disch. July i, 1862. 
 
 28. Thompson, Charles, 18, discharged Aug. 3, 1861. 
 29 Tripp, Joseph F., 35, discharged Jan. I. 1863. 
 
 30. Vanaukin, Gideon, 31. discharged Jan. i, 1863. 
 
 31. Wilcox, George L., 27, discharged Jan. i, 1862. 
 
 32. Williamson, George, 23, Sergeant, discharged Jan. i, 1863. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 1. Hrainard, William H. H., 20, promoted to Second Lieutenant and 
 transferred to Co. " F," Dec. 14, 1862. 
 
 2. Kirby, James P , 28, promoted to Corporal, Nov. i, 1861, pro 
 moted and transferred to Reg. Staff, Oct. 15, 1862. 
 
 3. McCauley, James N , 19, mustered July 4, 1861, taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run, transferred to Pennsylvania Vols. 
 
 4. Thompson, Charles E., 23, mustered July 4, 1861, Corporal, pro 
 moted to Sergeant-Major, Nov. T, 1861. 
 
 DIED, AND KILLED. 
 
 1. Bailey, John L., 21, promoted from Corporal to First Sergeant, 
 hot by rebel scout, at West Point, Va., May 6, 1862. 
 
 2. Burge, Irvin S., 28, killed in action at Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 3. Brackett, Samuel, 26, mustered July 4, 1861, died Jan. 14, 1862, at 
 Alexandria, Va. 
 
 4. Dwight, Webster, 22, mustered Aug. 30, 1861, died Jan. 20, 1862, 
 at New York. 
 
 5. Dwight, Joseph B., 26, mustered Aug 20, 1861, died Dec. 21, 1861, 
 at Alexandria, Va. 
 
 6. Frederick, Ira, 24, mustered July 4, 1861, killed in action at 
 Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 7. Goodrich, J. Lafayette, 20, mustered Oct. 5, 1861, killed in action 
 at Crampton s Pass, Sept 14, 1862. 
 
 8. Harding, Henry A., 20, wounded at the battle of Games Mill, 
 June 27, 1862, died Aug. 15, 1862, at Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 9. Meecham, Calvin, 26, killed in action at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 10. Phelps, Oscar, 22, mustered July 4, 1861, died Aug. n, 1862, at 
 Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 11. Pardee, Cyrus, 26, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run, died 
 in Richmond, about Aug. i, 1861. 
 
 12 Snedaker, James V., 19, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull 
 Run, died in Richmond, Va., Sept. 14, 1861. 
 
270 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Hogan, John H., 25, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, 
 released Jan 21, 1862, deserted Feb. 14, 1862. 
 
 2. Howard, Chester, 28, deserted April 4, 1862. 
 
 3. Hoyt, David, 25, mustered Oct. n, 1861, deserted March 20, 1862. 
 
 4. Trail, William, 23, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, de 
 serted March 20, 1862. 
 
 5. Tiffany, George, 22, mustered Oct. n, 1861, deserted Dec. 31, 1861. 
 
 6. Ransom, George, 21, mustered Sept. i, 1861, deserted Aug. 26, 62. 
 
 DROPPED. 
 
 i Coon, James, 20, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run, 
 dropped by General Order No. 162, August 14. 1862, submuster out, 
 Aug. 19, 1864. 
 
 2, Hedding, George, 17, dropped Aug. 14, 1862, by General Order 
 No. 162. 
 
 COMPANY "E." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. George G. Wanzer, 21, promoted to Major, Oct. 4, 1862. 
 
 2. Edward P. Gould, 26, promoted from Second Lieutenant to First 
 Lieutenant Feb. 26, 1862 ; to Captain Oct 4, 1862. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Chas. S. Baker, 23, resigned on account of disability, Feb. 26, 1862. 
 
 2. Geo. H. Robertson, , promoted from First Sergeant in Co. "G," 
 to Second Lieutenant July 22, 1862 ; to First Lieutenant Oct. 4, 1862. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Joseph Webster, 28, promoted from Sergeant to First Sergeant 
 Dec. i, 1861 ; to Second Lieutenant Feb. 26, 1862 ; died July 22, 1862, at 
 Portsmouth, Va., while a prisoner, from wounds received at Games Mill. 
 
 2. Clinton E. Hodgman, 22, promoted from Sergeant Co. " K," to 
 Second Lieutenant, Oct 4, 1862. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. William E. Hyatt, 24, promoted from Corporal to Sergeant Nov. i, 
 1861 ; to First Sergeant Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 2. Morton H. Gould, 25, must d Aug. 28, 1861; promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 3. Chas.W. Peacock, 22, promoted from Corp. to Sergeant Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 4. Newton Thompson, 25, promoted to Corporal Sept i, 1861 ; to 
 Sergeant Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 5. Duncan L. Brown, 32, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1861 ; to 
 Sergeant Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 1. Frederick W. Crampton, , mustered July 5, 1861 ; promoted 
 Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 2. James H. Price, 26, promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 271 
 
 CORPORALS Continued. 
 
 3. John P. Colby, 36, mustered Aug. 28, 1861; promoted Sept. i, iSf>i. 
 
 4. John F. Cooper, 20, promoted Nov. i, 1861. 
 
 5. John T. Clague, 2o, wounded and taken prisoner at Hull Run ; 
 promoted Sept i, 1862. 
 
 6. Clark Stufdevant, 19, mustered Aug. 28, 1861 ; promoted Sept. T, 
 1862 ; wounded at battle of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863. 
 
 7. Thomas Carolan, 18, promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Bolton, Isaac, 19, mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 2. Brophy, James, 36, mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 3. Brady, William H., 22. mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 4. Baker, George, 18. 
 
 5. Bond, George A., 19. 
 
 6. Bachman, Sigismund, 21. 
 
 7. Bell, John L. Jr., 18. 
 
 8. Bounds, John, 18. 
 
 9. Cooney, Patrick, 46, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 10. Coppernall, Andrew, 18, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 11. Cowles, Roswell B., 18, mustered Aug. 28. 1861. 
 
 12. Derx, Conrad, 20. 
 
 13. Dumphy, Patrick, 19. 
 
 14. Edson, John B., 23. 
 
 15. Gunther, Frank, 19. 
 
 16. Hall, John T., 20. 
 
 17. Hibbard, Horace, 27. 
 
 18. Hickman, Joseph H., 18. 
 
 19. Hosmer, Henry, 19, mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 20. Harrington, Michael, 18, musician. 
 
 21. Hilton, Peter, 21. 
 
 22. Harper, Joseph, 18, mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 23. Kneale, William, 28. 
 
 24. Kent, George W., 19. 
 
 25. Mason, John H., 21. 
 
 26. Mack, John F., 22. 
 
 27. Mylacraine, Robert, 18. 
 
 28. Nealis, Michael, 18. 
 
 29. O Conner, Christopher, 19, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 30. Page, John G., 19. 
 
 31. Phalan, Thomas, 28. 
 
 32. Pike, Robert R., 46, mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 33. Richards, Joseph F., 25. 
 
 34. Ross, David C., 19. 
 
 35. Reynolds, William W., 18. mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 36. Schomann, Frederick, 21. 
 
 37. Schroeder, Frederick, 19. 
 
 38. Tracy, Samuel, 20. 
 
2/2 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 PRIVATES Continued. 
 
 39. Tiernay, Daniel, 24. 
 
 40. Vunk, Joseph C., 22. 
 
 41. Van Antwerp, John H., 18, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 42. Wilson, John, 25, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 43. Wallis, Frederick, 18, mustered Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 44. Weeks, James E , 19, musteied Aug 28, 1861. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Andrews, James M., 23, discharged Aug. 28, 1861. 
 
 2. Armstrong, Delos, , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, dis. Feb. 10, 1863. 
 
 3. Bachelder, Milton D., 20, Corporal, discharged Oct. 4, 1862. 
 
 4. Baker, Thomas F., 22, discharged Aug. 4, 1861. 
 
 5. Booth, Cyrus M., mustered Aug. 28, 1861, disch d March 6, 1862. 
 
 6. Burbank, John K., 20, discharged Jan. 19, 1863, from wounds re 
 ceived at battle of Games Mill. 
 
 7. Butler, Edward, , mustered July 5, 1861, discharged March 25, 
 1863, from wounds received at Games Mill. 
 
 8. Cotrell, William O., 19, discharged Sept. 9, 1861. 
 
 9. Ellerbeck, Robert E., 25, First Sergeant, discharged Oct. I, 1861. 
 
 10. Freeland, Christopher, , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, discharged 
 Sept. 15, 1862. 
 
 11. Goodwin, Frank, 18, discharged Sept 27, 1861, minor and for 
 eigner (request of Lord Lyons). 
 
 12. Gibbs, Augustus, 18, mustered Aug. 28, 1861, dis. Jan. 27, 1862. 
 
 13. Hafner, Paul, , mustered July 5, 1861, discharged Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 14. Hanlon, William, 19, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run ; 
 leg amputated ; discharged Nov. 2, 1861. 
 
 15. Hopwood, John M., 18, discharged Oct. r, 1861. 
 
 16. Jumph, Walter V., 22, discharged July 6, 1861. 
 
 17. Kelly, Mark H., 26, discharged Aug. 18, 1861, over exertion re 
 turning from Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 18. Lawrence, Henry C., discharged Aug. 27, 1861, being a minor. 
 
 19. Merrill, William H., 26, Corporal, wounded and taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run, July 21, 1861, exchanged Jan. 3, (862, disch d March 6, 1862. 
 
 20. Morrison, Thomas, 19, discharged Feb. 14, 1862. 
 
 21. Mills, Charles, 18, no date given. 
 
 22. Tallon, William, , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, disch d Oct. , 1861. 
 
 23. Tourgee, Albion W., 23, Sergeant, discharged Aug. 8, 1861, in 
 jury of spine received at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 24. Wadsworth, Charles, 19, discharged Dec. 31, 1862. 
 
 25. Watson, John 19, discharged Feb. 8, 1863. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 1. Bosley, Daniel W., 21, promoted to hospital steward of regiment. 
 
 2. Cole, Daniel D., , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, transferred to 86th 
 Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, June 18, 1862. 
 
 3. Cheney, W. Fitch, 28, promoted to hospital steward of regiment. 
 
ROSTER OF 27 1TI REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 2/3 
 
 DIED AND KILLED. 
 
 1. Crawford, Walter, , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, died Feb. 25, 1863, 
 at Smoketown (Md.) hospital. 
 
 2. Dee, John, died Jan. 29, 1862. 
 
 3. Durkee, LaFayette, , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, killed at battle of 
 Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 4. Fuller, Gilbert W., 29, musician, killed June 5, 1862, at Mechan- 
 icsville, Va. 
 
 5. Guiner, Jacob G., 21, died May 29, 1862, at Savage Station, Va. 
 
 6. Hosmer, Charles A., 18, killed in battle of Fredericksburg, Va., 
 May 3, 1863. 
 
 7. Lavis, Richard, , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, died Nov. i, 1862, at 
 Hagerstown, Md. 
 
 8. Richardson, William, , mustered July 5, 1861, died Nov. 7, 1862, 
 at Hagerstown, Md. 
 
 9. Stillson, Everard P., 22, Corporal, promoted to Sergeant, killed at 
 Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862, 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 r. Ambrose, Edward T., 18, deserted Aug. 13, 1861, from Washing 
 ton, D. C. 
 
 2. Arnott, John T., 21, deserted Aug. 10, 1861, on furlough since 
 Aug. i, 1861. 
 
 3. Decroyft, Abram W., 24, deserted July 6, 1861, from Elmira, N.V. 
 
 4. Goubleman, Edward, 18, deserted Feb. 4,1862, from Camp Frank 
 lin, Va. 
 
 5. Hislop, Ebenezer, deserted Feb. 4, 1862, from Camp Franklin, Va. 
 
 6. Halstead, James W, , Corporal, mustered July 5. 1861, deserted 
 Aug. i, 1862, from hospital, Portsmouth, Va. 
 
 7. Jenks, Woodburn C., 21, deserted Aug. 18, 1862, on the march 
 from Harrison s Landing. 
 
 8. Moore, James, 20, deserted August 5, 1861. 
 
 9. Morton, Henry, 22, promoted to Sergeant Oct. i, 1861, deserted 
 Aug. 8, 1862, from Harrison s Landing, Va. 
 
 10. O Brien, Patrick, , mustered July 5, 1861, deserted Aug. 21, 
 
 1861, still on furlough of 7 days. 
 
 11. McGettrick, Michael, 21, taken prisoner at Bull Run, exchanged, 
 but never returned to Company. 
 
 12. Marshall, Charles, , mustered Aug. 28, 1861, deserted April 8, 
 
 1862, from Catlett s Station, Va. 
 
 13. Patnode, John, 19, deserted Aug. i, 1861. 
 
 14. Putney, William, 21, deserted ]u\y, 1861. 
 
 15. White, James, 18, deserted July, 1861. 
 
2/4 ROSTER OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS, 
 
 COMPANY "F." 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. Peter Jay, 37, resigned Aug. 14, 1862. 
 
 2. William H. II. Brainard, promoted to Second Lieutenant from Co. 
 " I)," Dec 14, 1861 ; to Captain, Aug. 14, 1862 ; resigned Nov. 27, 1862. 
 
 3. George H. Roman, 20, promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, Aug. 
 i, iS6i ; to Second Lieutenant, Aug. 14, 1862 ; to Captain, Nov. 27, 1862. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. William S. Sheldon, 23, resigned Aug. r, iS6r, 
 
 2. Lafayette Cross, 35, promoted from Second Lieutenant to First 
 Lieutenant, Aug. i, 1861, resigned Feb. 22, 1862. 
 
 3. Andrew Patrullo, , appointed First Lieutenant, Feb. 22, 1862, 
 resigned Jan. 18, 1863. 
 
 4. John R. Briggs, 21, promoted from Second Lieutenant Co. " G," 
 Jan. 18, 1863. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Frank E. Northrop, 20, promoted from Sergeant, Aug. I, 1861, re 
 signed Dec. 14, 1861. 
 
 2. Frederick Randall, 21, promoted from Corporal to Sergeant Sept. 
 i, 1861, reduced to ranks July i, 1862, promoted to Second Lieutenant, 
 
 Nov. 27, 1862. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Joseph L. Ross, 28, promoted to First Sergeant, Aug. i, 1862, from 
 Sergeant. 
 
 2. Luther N. Hubbard, 23. 
 
 3. Daniel W. Wetherell, promoted to Corporal, Aug. r 1861, to Ser 
 geant, July 27, 1862. 
 
 4. William M. Robinson, 22, mustered July 5, 1861, promoted to 
 Corporal, Sept. i, 1861, to Sergeant, Feb. 20, 1863. 
 
 5. Rollin B. Truesdell, 21, promoted to Corporal, Nov. i, 1862 ; to 
 Sergeant, Feb. 20, 1863. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 1. Edwin f. Wilbur, 18, promoted Aug. i, 1862. 
 
 2. Thompson P. Howland, 23, mustered July 8, 1861 ; promoted 
 Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 3. Albert Knirrin, 26, mustered July 8, 1861 ; promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 4. William B. Westervelt, 24, promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 5. John N. Kennedy, 22, promoted Aug. i, 1862. 
 
 6. Solomon Darling, 24, promoted Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 7. Harrison Guiles, 20, promoted Nov. i, 1862. 
 
 8. Sanford Bradbury, 21, promoted Feb. 20, 1863. 
 
 MUSICIAN. 
 I. Thomas C. Smith, 18, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Bogart, James S., 23, mustered Oct. 21, 1861. 
 
 2. Brown, Hiram, Jr., 19. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 2?$ 
 
 I K I v ATES Continued. 
 
 3. Burnside, Gould, 18, mustered Oct. 3, 1861. 
 
 4. Bowker, Charles A., 19. 
 
 5. Corey, Henry, 19. 
 
 6. Cummings, Benjamin, 20. 
 
 7. Conklin, Owen D., 21. 
 
 8. Corby, Leonard, 21, mustered July 5, i8()i. 
 
 9. Dunning, James L., 24. 
 
 10. Dunning, John, 28. 
 
 11. Evans, Bailey, 20, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 12. Evans, James H., 18. 
 
 13. Finch, George W., 19. 
 
 14. Gorman, Nathaniel, 42. 
 
 15. Handy, Charles ()., 27. 
 
 16. Hayes, Timothy, 18. 
 
 17. Holland, Harlan, 21. 
 
 18. Houlihan, Patrick, 19. 
 
 19. Howland, Warren, 35. 
 
 20. Kearn, John, 24, taken prisoner at Bull Run. 
 
 21. Keeler, David T., 21, mustered Oct. 21, 1861 ; wounded at battle 
 of Crampton s Pass, Sept. 14; in hospital till May 17, 1863. 
 
 22. Kelly, Thomas, 21. 
 
 23. Lander, Oscar K., 19. 
 
 24. Lester, David A., 19. 
 
 25. Miller, Charles, 36. 
 
 26. Monroe, Alexander, 23, mustered Oct. 21, 1861. 
 
 27. O?trander, J., Washington, 19. 
 
 28. Perry, Albert, 23, mustered July 8, 1861. 
 
 29. Redfield, Henry, 23. 
 
 30. Rood, Andrew, 21. 
 
 31. Slater, Timothy S., 19. 
 
 32. VanValkenburg, William S., 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run ; re 
 turned to regiment Feb. 10, 1863. 
 
 33. Welch, Albert, 25. 
 
 34. Wright, Reuben A., 18, taken prisoner at Bull Run ; returned to 
 regiment April 7, 1863. 
 
 35. Walker, David, 24. 
 
 36. Yates, Theodore H., 21, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Benedict, Ira C., 20, Aug. S, 1861. 
 
 2. Bishop, George W., 18, mustered Oct. 2, 1861 ; disch. June 24, 62. 
 
 3. Benedict, George H., 18, June 24, 1862. 
 
 4. Butts, Charles W., 22, wounued at Games Mill; disch. Sept. 24, 62. 
 
 5. Barry, James, 34, wounded at Games Mill ; disch. May i, 1863. 
 
 6. Cooper, George, 21, mustered July 3, 1861 ; disch. Jan. i, 1862. 
 
 7. Crary, Charles, 18, mustered Oct. 2, 1861 ; disch. March 21, 1862. 
 
 8. Dawson, Lee T., 18, Aug. i, 1862. Minor. 
 
276 ROSTER OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY Continued. 
 
 (). Durfee, James, 40, Dec. u, 1862, at Philadelphia. 
 10. Davis, Joseph L., 18, disch. Sept. 24, 1862, from wounds received 
 at battle of Games Mill. 
 
 n. French, Franklin, 41, musician, discharged Dec. 12, 1861. 
 
 12. French, William H., 20, mustered Dec. 2, 1861 ; disch. March 3, 
 1863, from wounds received at Crampton s Pass, Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 13. June, John, 22, Corporal, discharged Aug. 16, 1861. 
 
 14. Kelsey, George E., 21, mustered Oct. 3, 1861 ; discharged Dec. 15, 
 1862, from wounds received at Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 15. Livermore, Edward, 18, mustered Aug. 30, 1861 ; disch. June 23, 62. 
 
 16. Lobdell, Rosander, 27, discharged Nov. 20, 1862. 
 
 17. Lade, Joseph, 23, discharged Dec. 31, 1862, from wounds received 
 at Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 18. Rose, Josiah H., 40, discharged March 3, 1863. 
 
 19. Spencer, James, 23, discharged Aug. 8, 1861. 
 
 20. Shaw, Philander P.. 20, mustered Julys, 1861 ; disch. July 3, 1863. 
 
 21. Troop, Lucius, 18, discharged Feb. 20, 1863. 
 
 22. Van Dusen, Charles, 24, mustered July 5, 186] ; disch. Apr. 16, 63. 
 
 23. Williams, Henry, 18, discharged Nov. 24, 1862. 
 
 24. Whitney, Harvey D., 19, Sergeant; was Corporal till Aug. 14, 62 ; 
 discharged Feb. 20, 1863. 
 
 DIED, AND KILLED. 
 
 1. Benedict, Davolson P., 24, Sergeant, July 27, 1862. 
 
 2. Burgee, Charles, 20, Oct. 20, 1862. 
 
 3. Coon, Jesse P., 28, Dec. 25, 1861. 
 
 4. Cresson, Miles, 18, killed in battle of Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 5. Curren, William E., 18, Feb. 2, 1862. 
 
 6. Ferguson, John R., 26, Aug. 16, 1861. 
 
 7. Hawkins, Daniel, 23, March 12, 1862. 
 
 8. Lockwood, Silas W., 26, mustered July 5, 1861 ; died Feb. 9, 1863. 
 
 9. Rogers, Frank B., r y, killed at Crampton s Pass, Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 10. Reynolds, James D., 19, Nov. 24, 1862. 
 
 11. Randall, Wesley, 25, mustered July 5, 1861 ; killed in the battle 
 of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 12. Turner, David M., 23, Jan. 28, 1863. 
 
 13. Waterman, James Frederick, 19, killed at Crampton s Pass, Sept. 
 14, 1862. 
 
 14. Warner, Edgar H., 21, taken prisoner at battle of Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861 ; died Aug. I, 1862. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Beckford, George W., 22, Aug. i, 1861. 
 
 2. Barrow, Eben E., 26, mustered Oct. 2, 1861 ; deserted Mch. 31, 62. 
 
 3. Barrows, Seth, 21, mustered Oct. 2, 1861 ; deserted February, 1863. 
 
 4. Boyd, Edward C., 18, mustered July 5, 1861 ; deserted July 7, 62. 
 
 5. Evans, Charles E., 18, Nov. 9, 1861. 
 
 6. Gerig, Harrison, 20, April 17, 1862. 
 
ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 2/7 
 
 DESERTED Continued. 
 
 j. Holland, Charles, 19, Aug. 3, 1861. 
 
 8. McAvoy, Joseph H., 19, April 17, 1862. 
 
 9. Osborne, William L., 21, Oct. i, 1861. 
 
 10. Pierce, Melvin T-, Corporal ; promoted Sept. i, 1861 ; deserted 
 
 April 17, 1862. 
 
 TI. Sherwood, Charles C., mustered July 5, 1861 ; from battlefield of 
 Fredericksburg, May 2, 1863. Second desertion. 
 
 12. Smith, William II., 24, mustered Oct. 10, Y>i ; deserted Apl. 17, 62. 
 
 13. Snell, Archibald, 19, April 17, 1862. 
 
 14. Taylor, Daniel H., 35, mustered Oct. 2, 1861; deserted Sept. r, 62. 
 
 DROPPED. 
 
 1. Corson, Nicholson A., 25, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, Y>r. 
 Never reported. 
 
 2. Hygard, John, 19, missing since battle of Bull Run. 
 
 3. Lawson, Allen, 20, mustered Oct. 3, 1861 ; sent to hospital May i, 
 1862. Never since heard from. 
 
 4. Watrous, Edwin M., 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 COMPANY "G." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. James Perkins, 58, resigned Nov. 7, 1861. 
 
 2. Philo D. Phillips, 29, promoted from First Lieutenant Nov. 7, 
 1861, resigned April 26,1862. 
 
 3. H. Seymour Hall, 24, promoted from Second Lieutenant April 24, 
 1862 ; after Jan, 1863, on detached service as Brigade Inspector on Staff 
 of Gen. J. J. Bartlett. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Seymour Pierce, 27, promoted to First Lieutenant from First Ser 
 geant Nov. 7, 1861, to Captain of Company "K" June 9, 1862; after 
 Nov. 7, 1861, on detached service in Signal Corps. 
 
 2. Charles Rock, 24, promoted to Corporal Nov. 7, 1861, to Sergeant 
 Sept. i, 1862, to First Lieutenant Nov. 28, 1862. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. John R. Briggs, 2r, promoted from Sergeant to First Sergeant 
 Nov. 7, 1861, to Second Lieutenant April 26, 1862, to First Lieutenant of 
 Co. "F" Jan. 18, 1863. 
 
 2. Edward H. Brady, 20, promoted from Sergeant to First Sergeant, 
 Sept. i, 1862, to Second Lieutenant Jan. 18, 1863. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. j. Herbert Perkins, 24, mustered Sept. 21, 1861, promoted to Ser 
 geant Nov. 7, 1861, to First Sergeant Feb. 18, 1863. 
 
 2. Arch. L. VanNess, 18, promoted to Corporal Nov. 7, 1861, to Ser 
 geant Sept. i, 1862. 
 
2/tf ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 SERGEANTS Continued. 
 
 3. Van R. Pratt, 18, promoted to Corporal Dec. i, 1861, to Sergeant 
 Nov. i, 1862. 
 
 4. George Banks, 22, promoted to Corporal April 24, 1862, to Ser 
 geant Nov. i, 1862, 
 
 5. Silas A. Sylvester, promoted to Corporal Nov. 7, i861, to Sergeant, 
 Feb. 18, 1863. 
 
 CORPORALS; 
 
 1. George A. Spring, 21, promoted June 21, 1862. 
 
 2. John A. Copeland, 18, promoted Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 3. Solomon Wood, 29, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run, 
 July 21, 1861 ; exchanged Jan. 3, 1862, and returned Jan. 13, 1862. 
 
 4. Charles F. Wells, 18, promoted Nov. i, 1862, 
 
 5. Charles H. Mitchell, 23, promoted Nov. i, 1862. 
 
 6. Myron C. Watkins, 24, promoted to Sergeant from Corporal April 
 24, 1862 ; reduced to ranks till Nov. i, 1862, then promoted to Corporal 
 
 7. Tyler J. Briggs, 23, taken prisoner at Bull Run, promoted to Cor 
 poral Sept. i, 1862. 
 
 8. Michael Cavanaugh, 26, promoted Feb. 18, 1863. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Agard, Gardner W., 22, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, 
 released June 3, 1862. 
 
 2. Atchinson, Jonathan B., 21. 
 
 3. Baker, William N., 18. 
 
 4. Brabon, Robert, 26. 
 
 5. Boyd, Alexander, 20. 
 
 6. Chappel, George H., 23. 
 
 7. Clark, William H., 21, mustered Sept. 21, 1861 ; sent to hospital 
 May 7, 1862. 
 
 8. Emmons, Seymour, , mustered Sept. i, 1861 ; taken prisoner at 
 Savage Station, Jan. 29, 1862. 
 
 9. Frazee, Robert S., 21, on detached service, General Hospital at 
 Frederick City, since Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 10. Frazee, Charles W., 20. 
 
 11. Gardner, Perry, 19. 
 
 12. Grover, Charles A., 22. 
 
 13. Hanington, Ovid G., 18. 
 
 14. Hibbard, Henry, 24. 
 
 15. Joiner, Andrew J., 20, mustered July 8, 1861. 
 
 16. Jenkins, Artemas, 22. 
 
 17. Loveland, Norman P., 47. 
 
 1 8. Markham, Henry, 21. 
 
 19. Marra, William, 18. 
 
 20. Maltman, William, 25. 
 
 21. Mileham, William, 27, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 22. Marble, Albert B., , mustered Dec. 14, 1861. 
 
ROSTER QF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 279 
 
 P R I v ATES Continued. 
 
 23. Merritt, John, 19, mustered July 8, 1861, taken prisoner at Bull 
 Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 24. Peak, Stephen, 29. 
 
 25. Preston, Atwood, 23, mustered July 8, 1861. 
 
 26. Rice, James H., 21, on detached service at First Div. General 
 Hospital at Alexandria, Va., since June 29, 1862. 
 
 27. Stone, Francis M., 20. 
 
 28. Stone, Henry H., 19. 
 
 29. Stirling, Henry H., 20, deserted Aug. 30, 1862 ; returned April 8, 
 1863, under President s Proclamation. 
 
 30. Speer, Jacob C., , mustered Dec. 4, 1861. 
 
 31. Taft, Myron L., 20. 
 
 32. Wells, Henry G., 18. 
 
 33. Willys, David, 21, left in hospital at Alexandria, Va., Aug. 28, 62. 
 
 34. Willison, William, 28, absent without leave from Oct. 15, 1862, to 
 April 17, 1863 ; returned under President s Proclamation. 
 
 35. Westbrook, Nehemiah, 28. 
 
 36. Willoughby, Thomas, 27. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Butler, Joseph B., 21, Nov. 8, 1861, on account of wounds received 
 at battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 2. Bartlett, Charles E., 21, mustered Dec. 14, 1861 ; disch. Feb. 4, 63. 
 
 3. Burr, Charles W., 21, Sept. n, 1862, on account of wounds re 
 ceived at battle of Games Mill. June 27, 1862. 
 
 4. Bond, Edwin E., 23, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run ; 
 discharged July 16, 1862. 
 
 5. Carter, John H., 22, Jan. 20, 1862. 
 
 6. Coe, William H., 20, Nov. 22, 1862. 
 
 7. Dartt, Rollin P., 18, Aug. 12, 1862, by reason of wounds received 
 at Games Mill. 
 
 8. Davis, E. Amergo, , mustered July 8, 1861; disch. July 31, 1861. 
 
 9. Hunt, Arthur H., 21, taken prisoner at Bull Run; disch. Aug. 4, 62. 
 
 10. Hamilton, Mills D., 18, Feb. n, 1862. 
 
 11. Hall, William, 23, May n, 1862. 
 
 12. Johnson, William, F., , mustered July 8, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 3, 61. 
 
 13. Keeney, Ennis A., , mustered July 8, 1861 ; disch. June 14, 1862. 
 
 14. Loveland, John C., , mustered Dec. 14, 1861 ; disch. Apr. 13, 62. 
 
 15. Laty, Henry, , mustered July 12, 1861 ; disch. July 12, 1862. 
 
 16. Paul, Samuel, , mustered July 8, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 8, 1861. 
 
 17. Sewell, Thomas E., 18, Oct. 29, 1862, by reason of wounds re 
 ceived at Games Mill. 
 
 18. Steele, Lawrence J., , mustered July 8, 1861 ; disch. July 31, 61. 
 
 19. John Smith, , mustered July 8, 1861 ; discharged Sept. 10, 1861. 
 
 20. Stone, Theodore, 19, Dec. 2, 1862. 
 
 21. Wells, G. Wiley, , Jan. 12, 1862. 
 
28O ROSTER OF 27 FH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 1. [Render, Frederick, , Corp.. to Non-Commiss d Staff", May 29, 61. 
 
 2. Cook, (George II., , Musician, to N on-Commissioned Staff, 
 
 May 29, 1 86 1. 
 
 3 Corfin, Benjamin S , 23, Corporal, to Non-Commissioned Staff", 
 puartermaster s Sergeant, May i, 1862. 
 
 4. Fleming. Benson S., , mustered Aug. 30, 1862; May 14, 1863, 
 to Sixth Army Corps Hospital. 
 
 5. Fladuny, George, , mustered Sept. i, 1862 ; May 31, 1863, sent 
 back to Sixth Army Corps, from Elmira, N. Y. 
 
 6. Guinan, Martin, , mustered Sept. 31, 1862. May 31, 1863, sent 
 back to Sixth Army Corps, from Elmira, N. Y. 
 
 7. McMahon, William II., 22, promoted to Corporal, Nov. 7, 1861 ; 
 to Second Lieutenant of Co. K, Sept. n, 1862. 
 
 S. Robertson, George H, , promoted from Sergeant to First Ser 
 geant April 24, 1862 ; to Second Lieutenant of Co. E, Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 9. Smith, John B., , mustered Sept. 8, 1862, to Sixth Army Corps 
 Hospital, May 14, 1863. 
 
 10. Woodard, Philo B., , mustered Aug. 31, 1862, to Sixth Army 
 Corps Hospital, May 14, 1863. 
 
 n. Young, Frank, , mustered Aug. 31, 1862, to Sixth Army Corps 
 Hospital, May 31, 1863, from Elmira, N. Y. 
 
 DIED, AND KILLED. 
 
 1. Burlison, James H., 24, Corporal, killed at Gaines Mill, June 27/62. 
 
 2. Baxter, Wm. H., , mustered July 8, 1861 ; killed at Games Mill, 
 June 27, 1862. 
 
 3. Davis, Hiram, , mustered July 8, 1861 ; killed at Bull Run, 
 July 21, 1861. 
 
 4. Dunn, James A., , mustered Dec. 14, 1861 ; died Dec. 29, 1862. 
 
 5. Dunn, John N., , mustered Dec. 14 1861 ; died Aug. 27, 1862. 
 
 6. Darrow. Andrew J., 21, killed at battle of Crampton s Pass, Md., 
 Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 7. George, William. 32, Dec. 20, 1861. 
 
 8. Gould, Henry M., 22, killed at Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 9. Headly, Oscar, , mustered Dec. 14, 1861 ; died April 15, 1862. 
 
 10. Hunt, George S., , mustered July 8, 1861 ; died July 25, 1862. 
 
 11. Hunt, Armenius M., 21, taken prisoner at Bull Run ; died in 
 Richmond, Sept. 13, 1861. 
 
 12. Lindsley, William F., 21. Aug. 20, 1862. 
 
 13. Miles, Alexander, , mustered Sept. 21, 1861 ; killed at Gaines 
 Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 14. Roberts, John N., , mustered Sept. 21, 1861 ; died Oct. 13, 1862. 
 
 15. Robinson, Charles W., 21, Scrgt., killed at Gaines Mill, June 27, 62. 
 
 16. Rappel, Eugene, 21, killed at Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 17. W r ood, Nicholas K., , mustered Dec. 14, 1861 ; died Feb. 18, 62. 
 
 18. Webster Daniel, 21, died Dec. 19, 1862. 
 
 19. Wright, Frederick, , mustered Sept. 21, 1861 ; died Dec. 27, 1861. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOT,S. 28 1 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Curry, Edward, 19, deserted June 30, 1862. 
 
 2. Chattis, Thomas, , mustered Aug. 31, 1862, deserted Jan. i, 63. 
 
 3. Outcher, John, 26, deserted Sept. 17, 1862. 
 
 4. Dutcher, Charles, 21, deserted Sept. 17, 1862. 
 
 5. Fairchild, Andrew, , mustered Dec. 14, 61, deserted June 30/62. 
 
 6. Griffiths, Elias, 20, deserted Aug. 28, 1862. 
 
 7. Lee, Abram, , mustered July 8, 1861, deserted Sept. 12, 1861. 
 
 S. Melrose, Orlando, , mustered Aug. 31, 1862, desert. Jan. i, 63. 
 
 (). Smith, Jacob L., , mustered July 8, 1861, deserted Aug. 3, 1861. 
 
 10. Sutherland, Oscar, , mustered July 8, 61, deserted Sept. 17, 62. 
 
 11. Vosburg, Emory P., , mustered Oct. 25, 61, desert. Aug. 30, 62. 
 
 DROPPED. 
 
 1. Hanna, John N., , mustered Nov. i, 1861, left in hospital at Al 
 exandria, Va., April n, 1862. 
 
 2. Stamford, Harmon E., , mustered July 8, 1861, wounded at 
 Games Mill, June 27, 1862 ; has not been heard from since. 
 
 COMPANY "H." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. Charles E. Martin, 41, resigned Feb. 10, 1862. 
 
 2. Joseph H. Bodine, 24, promoted from First Lieutenant to Cap 
 tain, Feb. 10, 1862, to Major July 24, 1862. 
 
 3. William H. Swan, 44, promoted from First Lieutenant of Co. "B" 
 July 24, 1862, resigned March 9, 1863. 
 
 4. Sherman M. Seely, 38, mustered May 6, 1861, promoted from 
 First Lieutenant March 9, 1863. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Joseph H. Bodine, 24, promoted to Captain Feb. 10, 1862. 
 
 2. Sherman M. Seely, 38, appointed First Lieutenant April 25, 1862, 
 from a Private in Sturgess Rifles. 
 
 3. Edward C. Camp, 19, promoted March 9, 1863, from 2d Lieutenant. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Oscar Phillips, 41, resigned Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 2. Edward Williams, 21, promoted from Sergeant, Sept. i, 1861, re 
 signed Nov. 28, 1862. 
 
 3. Edward C. Camp, 19, promoted to Sergeant from Private, Sept. i, 
 1861, to Second Lieutenant Nov. 28, 1862, to First Lieutenant Mar. 9, 63. 
 
 4. Harvey R. Clark, 22, promoted to First Sergeant from Private 
 Nov. 28, 1862, to Second Lieutenant March 9, 1863. 
 
282 ROSTER OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 SERGEANTS. . 
 
 1. John Kruhten, 22, promoted to Corporal Sept. I, 1861, to First 
 Sergeant Nov. 28, 1862. 
 
 2. David Summy, 18, promoted to Corporal Sept. I, 1861, to Ser 
 geant Nov. 28, 1862. 
 
 3. Dwight, Graham, 18, mustered Sept 21, 1861, promoted to Cor 
 poral Sept. 15, 1862, to Sergeant March 9, 1863. 
 
 4. Benjamin H. Tallman, 21, promoted to Corporal Sept. I, 1861, to 
 Sergeant March 9, 1863. 
 
 5. Henry Phillips, 21, promoted to Corporal Nov. i, 1861, to Ser 
 geant March 9, 1863. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 1. James Roberts, 32, promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 2. William Briggs, 24, promoted Nov. 28, 1862, taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run July 21, 1861. 
 
 3. Daniel D. Stram, 24, promoted Nov. 28, 1862. 
 
 4. Adam Miller, 23, promoted Nov. 28, 1862. 
 
 5. Albert Young, 23, promoted Nov. 28, 1862. 
 
 6. Charles L. Seiffert, 18, mustered Aug. 20, 1861, promoted Nov. 
 28, 1862. 
 
 7. George Stout, Jr., 20, promoted March 9, 1863 ; taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run ; leg broken while a prisoner. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Armstrong, Selma, 18. 
 
 2. Ashton, William M., 24. 
 
 3. Cady George, 19. 
 
 4. Clancey Michael, 18. 
 
 5. Coffrin, George H., 20. 
 f>. Clark, David N., 36. 
 
 7. Donahue, James, 23, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 8. Dunlava, Anthony, 18, mustered Aug. 16, 1861. 
 
 9. Flynn, Francis, 29. 
 
 10. Jones, James H., 26. 
 
 11. Kemp, Walter, 24. 
 
 12. Leddick, Samuel, 33. 
 
 13. Martin, Charles A., 20, mustered March i, 1862. 
 
 14. Morgan, Franklin M., 23. 
 
 15. Magee, Marvin, 20. 
 
 16. McCormick, Michael, 19. 
 
 17. Miller, John, 18, mustered Aug. 16, 1861. 
 
 18. McNeilly, Thomas, 21, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 19. McNeilly, Robert, 18. 
 
 20. McCarthy, Denis, 21, mustered Sept 21, 1861. 
 
 21. McGalpin, Thaddeus L., 19, mustered March i, 1862. 
 
 22. McArthur, Henry, 18. 
 
 23. Rathburn, Artemas M., 40. 
 
 24. Ryan, Thomas, 18. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 283 
 
 r R I v ATES Con tin ucd. 
 
 2$. Rulapaugh, John W., 22, mustered Sept. 21, 1861. 
 
 26. Skelly, John. 18, mustered Aug. 22, 1861. 
 
 27. Sheppard, Joseph A., 18, mustered Aug. 23, 1861. 
 
 28. Talbert, Richard, 28. 
 
 29. Wheelock, Charles H., 18, mustered Aug. 30, 1861. 
 
 30. Willis, Lafayette C., 25. 
 
 31. Welch, William, 44, taken prisoner at Bull Run. 
 
 32. Williams, Henry, 22. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Aplin, William W., 44, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; 
 discharged Feb. 18, 1863. 
 
 2. Bingham, George W., 20, Corporal, discharged June 15, 1862. 
 
 3. Barney, George W., 18, Musician, discharged Dec. i, 1861. 
 
 4. Cathrell, Abiathar V., 39, discharged June 2, 1862. 
 
 5. Dunn, John, 19, discharged June 5, 1862. 
 
 6. Edsall, David A., 19, discharged Aug. 10, 1861. 
 
 7. Fraser, William H., transferred from Co. "A," Nov. i, 1861; dis 
 charged Dec. 29, 1862. 
 
 8. Hellikee, George, 35, discharged Feb. 7, 1863. 
 
 9. Hosmer, Edward, 24, discharged Oct. 16, 1861. 
 
 10. Howden, Alexander, 21, mustered March 26, 1862 ; discharged 
 Oct. 14, 1862. 
 
 u. Hammond, Reuben, 23, mustered April i, 1862; disch. Dec. 17, 62. 
 
 12. Hunt, Charles H., 20, taken prisoner at Bull Run; dis. Apr. 26, 62. 
 
 13. Kellogg, John J., 39, Oct. 31, 1862. 
 
 14. Nichols, John M., 23, Oct. 14, 1862. 
 
 15. Parker, Ebenezer R., 21, Sergeant, discharged from hospital on ac 
 count of wounds received in battle. 
 
 16. Roy, Simon, 29, Corporal, discharged Feb. 18, 1863. 
 
 17. Scribner, James J., 19, mustered Jan. 13, 1862; disch. Sept. 19, 62. 
 
 18. Wightman, Samuel, 43, July i, 1862. 
 
 19. White, Jesse D., 19, mustered March 3, 1862 ; disch. Oct. 25, 1862. 
 
 20. Wilson, James W., 32, April 10, 1862. 
 
 21. William B. Robertson. 
 
 DIED, AND KILLED. 
 
 1. Bcggs, John, 24, First Sergeant, killed in battle of Crampton s 
 Pass, Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 2. Chilson, William H., 21, mustered Jan. 13, 1862 ; died June 29, 
 1862, from wounds received in battle of Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 3. Caughlin. Jeremiah, 20, mustered Sept. 21, 1861 ; died May 19, 62. 
 
 4. Driskscom, James, 21, died June 29, 1862, from wounds received 
 at Gaines Mill. 
 
 5. Garrett, William, 42, Jan. 24, 1862. 
 
 6. Griffith, Willis, 21, Corporal, died Dec. 24, 1862. 
 
 7. Johnson, Joseph R., Jr., 20, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull 
 Run ; died in Richmond, Va., Aug. 22, 1861. 
 
284 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 DIED, AND KILLED Continued. 
 
 8. Lockwood, Henry, 22, mustered March 28, 1862 ; killed in \he 
 battle of Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 g. Shannon, Robert, 22, died March 6, 1862. 
 10. Sullivan, Florence, 22, killed at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Abrams, William H., 19, deserted Aug. 7, 1861. 
 
 2. Busk, Richard, 30, deserted July 18, 1861. 
 
 3. Bush, Zimri, 23, deserted Aug. 8, 1861. 
 
 4. Boyd, Harlan, 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; de 
 serted Feb. 12, 1862. 
 
 5. Drue, Jerome, 28, deserted Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 6. Fitch, William, 23, deserted Aug. 8, 1861. 
 
 7. Hanna, Joseph M., 19, Corporal, deserted Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 8. Havens, John R., 22, deserted August 3, 1861. 
 
 9. Jones, Jonathan W., 21, mustered March 13, 1862 ; deserted Sept. 
 13, 1862. 
 
 10. Lockwood, Martin, 26, mustered April i, 62 ; deserted May i, 62. 
 
 n. Magee, Philander, 21, deserted Nov. 5, 1861. 
 
 12. Murdock, John, 31, deserted Aug, 29, 1862. 
 
 13. Odell, Orrin, 22 ; discharged Aug. n, 1861. 
 
 14. Palmer, Charles, 28, deserted Aug. n, 1861. 
 
 15. Pendergrass, John, 23, deserted Aug. 7, 1861. 
 
 16. Reynolds, Merriam J., 19, Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 17. Reynolds, Lyman, 24, deserted May 7. 1862. 
 
 18. Rodgers, Edmund D., deserted June 18, 1862. 
 
 DROPPED. 
 
 1. Robertson, William B., 19, Jan. i, 1863, Gen. Order 162, A. of P. 
 Was wounded and taken prisoner at battle of Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 Leg amputated. Repoited Jan. 28, 1864, at Elmira, for muster out and 
 discharge. 
 
 2. Staples, Squire, 21, mustered March 10, 1862 ; dropped Jan. i, 61, 
 Gen. Order 162, A. of P. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 1. Horton, James D., 21, Corporal, mustered March 19, 1862; to Sixth 
 Army Corps, to finish term of enlistment, June, 1863. 
 
 2. Lockwood, Joseph W., 22, mustered March 27, 1862 ; to Sixth 
 Army Corps, to finish term of enlistment, June, 1863. 
 
 3. Nimbs, William M., 20, Sergeant, promoted to First Lieutenant 
 of Co. "D," Oct. ii, 1862. 
 
 4. O Regan, Timothy, 18, mustered March 4, 1862 ; to Sixth Army 
 Corps, to finish term of enlistment, June, 1863. 
 
 5. Tanner, Albert S., 22, mustered March 10, 1862, to Sixth Army 
 Corps, to finish term of enlistment, June, 1863. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 285 
 
 COMPANY "1." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. Curtiss C. Gardiner, 39, promoted to Major, Sept. I, 1861. 
 
 2. Samuel M. Harmon, 29, promoted from First Lieutenant to Cap 
 tain, Sept. i, 1861, resigned Sept. 26, 1862. 
 
 3. Burton Freeman, 33, promoted from Sergeant to First Sergeant, 
 July 21, 1861, to Second Lieutenant Sept. i, 1861, to First Lieutenant, 
 Feb. 6, 1862, to Captain Sept. 26, 1862 ; was Color Sergeant in battle of 
 Bull Run. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Samuel M. Harmon, 29. Promoted. 
 
 2. Davis C. Hartshorn, 29, promoted from First Sergeant to Second 
 Lieut. Aug. i, 1861, to First Lieut. Sept. i, 1861, resigned Feb. 6, 1862. 
 
 3. Burton Freeman, 33. Promoted. 
 
 4. Texas Angel, 21, promoted to Commissary Sergeant July i, 1861, 
 to Second Lieutenant Feb. 6, 1862, to First Lieutenant Sept. 26, 1862 ; 
 Regimental Quartermaster after Nov. 22, 1862. 
 
 5. Darwin Maltby, 21, promoted to Corporal July 21, 1861, to First 
 Sergeant March i, 1862, to Second Lieutenant Sept. 26, 1862, to First 
 Lieutenant November 22, 1862. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Charles D. Rice, 23, resigned Aug. i, 1861. 
 
 2. Davis C. Hartshorn, 29. Promoted. 
 
 3. Burton Freeman, 33. Promoted. 
 
 4. Texas Angel, 21. Promoted. 
 
 5. Darwin Maltby, 21. Promoted. 
 
 6. Willis T- Kendall, 20, promoted from Corporal to Sergeant July 21, 
 1861, to Second Lieutenant Nov. 22, 1862. 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Delos \V. Cornell, 30, promoted from Corporal to Sergeant July 
 21, 1861, to First Sergeant April 16, 1862. 
 
 2. Romulus D. Dennison, 34, mustered July 5, 1861, promoted to 
 Corporal July 21, 1861, to Sergeant Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 3. Allan A. McDonald, 23, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1861, to 
 Sergeant Sept. 26 1862. 
 
 4. Philander Ellithorp, 20, promoted to Corporal March, 15, 1862, to 
 Sergeant March i, 1863. 
 
 5. William Seaver, 21, promoted to Corporal March i, 1862, to Ser 
 geant March i, 1863. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 1. Henry Heinneman, 26, promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 2. Joseph B. Howe, 21, mustered July 5, 61, promoted Sept. 26, 62. 
 
 3. David Wafler, Jr., 20, promoted March i, 1863. 
 
 4. Frank H. Gardiner, 22, mustered June 16, 1861, promoted March 
 i, 1863. 
 
 5. John W. Stanton, 22, mustered July 5, 61, promoted March i, 63. 
 
286 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 CORPORALS. Continued. 
 
 6. Christian Hornberg, 19, promoted March i, 1863. 
 
 7. Silas S. Seeley, 19, musteied Sept. 20, 61, promoted March I, 63. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Bullock, George H., 25, mustered Julys, 1861. 
 
 2. Bryne, Edward A., 22, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 3. Burdick, Melvin A., 36, mustered Aug. 31, 1861 ; detailed on Sig 
 nal Service Dec. 26, 1861 ; date of discharge not known. 
 
 4. Button, Louis D., 22, reduced to ranks from Sergeant April 16/62. 
 
 5. Burnham, George C., 15. 
 
 6. Burt, Charles M., 18. 
 
 7. Berry, Charles W., 23, mustered July 5, 1861 ; taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run July 21, 1861. 
 
 8. Burlingame, Henry, 21, taken prisoner at Battle of Games Mill ; 
 dropped from the rolls ; returned May 27, 1863. 
 
 9. Charles, Timothy C., 23. 
 10. Carpenter, Robert, 28. 
 IT. Cilley, Henry D., 32. 
 
 12. Coats, Alfred, 18. 
 
 13. Coon, Sebeus B., 26. 
 
 14. Cranston, Stillman, 21. 
 
 15. Champlin, Albert B., mustered July 5 1861. 
 
 16. Clark, Franklin D., 21, mustered July 5, 1861 ; taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; reported to his Co. March 31, 1863. 
 
 17. Dake, Albert J., 21. 
 
 18. Dunn, James, 22. 
 
 19. Fox, Peter, 37, mustered Aug. 31, 1861. 
 
 20. Heers, Christopher, 22. 
 
 21. Heald, John R., 18. 
 
 22. Hultz, Rawson B., 20, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 23. Huntly, Edwin, 21, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 24. Hall, Randall L., 18, mustered Sept. 20, 1861. 
 
 25. Hooper, Isaac M. ( 21, reduced to ranks from Corporal. On de 
 tached service till May 18, 1863. 
 
 26. Hurley, Dennis, 21, mustered Aug. 31, 1861. 
 
 27 Hurlbert, Alson, 22, mustered Sept. 20, 1861. Absent without 
 leave from Sept. 6, 1862, to April 27, 1863 ; returned to duty under Pres 
 ident s proclamation. 
 
 28. Lane, Lester, 21. 
 
 29. Lewis, William H., 21, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 30. McDonald, John, 24. 
 
 31. McDonald, William, 26. 
 
 32. McDonald, Patrick, 21, mustered Sept. 20, 1861. 
 
 33. McMane, James, 21, mustered Sept. 20, 1861. 
 
 34. Mapes, Charles, 23. 
 
 35. Macken, Valletia, 17, mustered Aug. 31, 1861. 
 
 36. Merrill, Thomas R., 18, mustered Jan. 16, 1862. 
 
ROSTER OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. V. VOLS. 287 
 
 PRIVATES Continued. 
 
 37. Powers, Lawrence, 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 38. Ouigley, Winfield, 19, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 39. Rogers, Orin C., 20, mustered Aug. 31, 1861. 
 
 40. Reading, Jeremiah K., 24, mustered July 5, 1861 ; taken prisoner 
 at Bull Bun, July 21, 1861. 
 
 41. Smith, David, 21. 
 
 42. Tufts, Winfield, 18. 
 
 43. Utter, George L., 21. 
 
 44. VanNostrand, Everett, 21. 
 
 45. Van Gorder, John, 21. 
 
 46. Weaver, Jacob D., 18, returned from absent, sick, April 16, 1862. 
 
 47. Wright, Aaron H., 28. 
 
 48. Weymer, Daniel G. , 22. 
 
 49. Worthington, Ira C., 19. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Ames, Ira, 24, Feb. n, 1863. 
 
 2. Benjamin, Romain, 20, Aug. 9, 1862. 
 
 3. Bingham, Justin, 45, March 18, 1862. "Old Mexico." 
 
 4. Baxter, Daniel B.,45, mustered Sept. 20, 1861; disch. March, 1863. 
 
 5. Carpenter, David D., 26, Aug. 9, 1861. 
 
 6. Crandall, John H., 19, mustered July 5, 1861 ; taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; discharged Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 7. Chamberlain, Wilber S , 18, mustered Julys, 1861; disch. Sept., 62. 
 
 8. Estabrook, George L., 21, Aug. 9, 1861. 
 
 9. Jaques, Warren W., 26, mustered Sept. 20, 1861; disch. Sept., 1862. 
 10. Jaques, Lafayette, 19, mustered Sept. 20, 1861 ; disch. Sept., 1862. 
 n. Lewis, Clinton R., 22, Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 12. Lewis, Amos C., 22, mustered Sept. 20, 1861 ; disch. Feb., 1863. 
 
 13. Lewis, Henry D., 19, February, 1863. 
 
 14. Metzcer, John, 32, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861 ; never returned to regiment. 
 
 15. Oliver, Judson S., 18, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; 
 supposed to have been discharged. No record. 
 
 16. Ogden, John, 24, supposed to have been discharged. No record. 
 
 17. Robinson, John, 40, September, 1862. 
 
 18. Snow, Harvey C., 22, Corporal, Aug. 19, 1861. 
 
 19. Van Horn, Nicholas H., 21, Feb. u, 1863. 
 
 20. Wellman, Jonas G., 23, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run, 
 July 21, 1861 ; leg amputated ; discharged Dec. 15, 1862. 
 
 21. Woodruff, Charles A., 21, from General Hospital no date given. 
 
 22. White, Joseph B., 21, Sept. 29, 1861. 
 
 23. Wilson, Charles J., 30, Aug. 9, 1861. 
 
 24. Waters, George, 24, Aug. 9, 1861. 
 
288 ROSTER OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS, 
 
 DIED, AND KILLED. 
 
 1. Bliss,William B., Sergeant, 23, died at Savage Station, June 29, 62, 
 
 2. Bishop, John W., 23, mustered July 5, 1861 ; taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; died in Richmond. 
 
 3. Babbitt, Albert, 26, killed at Bull Run, July 21, I36t. 
 
 4. Collier, Thomas, 21, died Oct. 28, 1862. 
 
 5. Ferrin, Eugene, 23, killed at battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 6. Haver, Wilber, 21, Corporal, killed at battle of Fredericksburg, 
 May 3, 1863. 
 
 7. Hobart, Stanley, 32, died Dec. 3, 1862. 
 
 8. Hobart, Charles J., 19, mustered July 5, 1861, died Nov. 29, 1862, 
 of wounds received in battle of Crampton s Pass, Sept. 14, 1862. 
 
 9. Hibbard, Enoch, 34, died July I, 1862. 
 10. Kidder, Henry D., 29, died July 22, 1861. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Adams, Frank O., 22, mustered July 5, 61, deserted Aug. 7, 61. 
 
 2. Engle, George W., 20, deserted Aug. 4, 1861. 
 
 3. Franklin, Ashley L., 19, deserted April 17, 1862. 
 
 4. Gillman, Calvin B., 22, deserted Aug. 7, 1861. 
 
 5. Kidder, William B., 25, deserted Aug. 7, 1861. 
 
 6. Rice, Robert, 24. deserted Aug. 4, 1861. 
 
 7. Strong, Frank, 19, mustered Sept. 20, 1861, deserted Feb. 20, 1862. 
 
 8. Spencer, Alfred W., 21, deserted Sept. 15, 1862. 
 
 DROPPED. 
 
 i. Andrews, James O., 26, wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run, 
 July 21, 1861 ; never returned to regiment. 
 
 COMPANY "K." 
 
 CAPTAINS. 
 
 1. Henry L. Achilles, 26, resigned June 9, 1862, on account of disa 
 bility. 
 
 2. Seymour Pierce, 22, promoted to Captain June 9, 1862 ; detached 
 on Signal Service. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. William H. Coan, 22, died September u, 1862. 
 
 2. George S. Gaskill, 20, promoted from Corporal to Sergeant Sept. i, 
 
 1861, to Second Lieutenant July 10, 1862, to First Lieutenant Sept. 6, 
 
 1862, and assigned to the command of the Company. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 
 
 1. Henry H. Hanington, 22, resigned July 10, 1862, on account of 
 disability. 
 
 2. William H. McMahon, 25, promoted to Second Lieutenant, from 
 Co. "G." Sept. 6, 1862. 
 
ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 289 
 
 SERGEANTS. 
 
 1. Henry B. Barnard, 23, promoted from Sergeant to First Sergeant 
 Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 2. James Kennelly, 23, promoted to Corporal Aug. 15, 1861, to Ser 
 geant Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 3. Ami Whitney, 22, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1861, to Sergeant 
 Dec. i, 1862. 
 
 4. John Ball, 21, promoted to Corporal March i, 1861, to Sergeant 
 Dec. i, 1862. 
 
 5. John F. Stewart, 23, promoted to Corporal Sept. i, 1862, to Ser 
 geant Dec. i, 1862. 
 
 CORPORALS. 
 
 1. Frank S. Hayden, 20. 
 
 2. Aretus H. Allen, 25. 
 
 3. Charles W. Sickles, 21, promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 4. William White, 20, promoted Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 5. John Bannister, 22, promoted Dec. T, 1862. 
 
 6. Martin G. Wood, 22, promoted Dec. i, 1862. 
 
 7. Orson T. Jewett, 20, taken prisoner at battle of Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861 ; promoted Dec. i, 1862. 
 
 8. Henry T. Latimer, , mustered July 15, 61 ; promoted Dec. i, 62. 
 
 MUSICIANS. 
 
 i. Lewis M. Clifford, 20. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 1. Ashley, George A., 18. 
 
 2. AtwelL Freeman J., 28. 
 
 3. Ashby, Charles, 39, mustered Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 4. Barber, Charles, 22. 
 
 5. Beach, Orrin D., 21, returned from absent sick, May 18, 1863. 
 
 6. Beardsley, George, 19. 
 
 7. Bishop, Jacob H., 28. 
 
 8. Blackwell, George W., 19, mustered July 15, 1861, returned from 
 absent sick, May 18, 1863. 
 
 9. Bowman, William, 18, mustered July 5, 1861. 
 
 10. Barnes, Parrish, 18, mustered Sept. 5. 1861. 
 
 11. Blanchard, Orrin D., 19. 
 
 12. Brignall, John, 27. 
 
 13. Chapman, Galusha, 24. 
 
 14. Clement, Lewis, 32. 
 
 15. Cook, Joseph, 19. 
 
 16. Dwinnell, Charles, 28, taken prisoner at battle of Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861. 
 
 17. Doane, Oscar, 21. 
 
 18. Dorrance, Joseph, 35. 
 
 19. Eggleston, Seneca, 18. 
 
2QO ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 PR I v ATES. Continued. 
 
 20. Fowler, John C., 22, taken prisoner at battle Bull Run, July 2i,Y>i. 
 
 21. Gaylor, Frederick F., 25. 
 
 22. Harris, Isaac, 23. 
 
 23. Hart, Charles, 21. 
 
 24. Hanson, William J. C.., 23. 
 
 25. Henry, Harrison, 22. 
 
 26. Howard, Charles, 18, mustered July 15, 1861. 
 
 27. Hunt, Alvin G., 18., mustered July 15, 1861, 
 
 28. Harris, James, 19, mustered Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 29. Hobbs, Ira; 20, mustered Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 30. Hall, John, 24, mustered July 15, 1861, absent sick in hospital, 
 returned to Co. May 18, 1863. 
 
 31. Harding, Horace J., 21. 
 
 32. Johnson, Andrew H., 23. 
 
 33. Johnson, William, 22. 
 
 34. Jones, Edward D. C., 20, mustered July 15, 1861. 
 
 35. Kingman, Albert E., 18. 
 
 36. Kincade, Eugene C., 22. 
 
 37. King, Charles, 20, mustered July 15, 1861. 
 
 38. Lawrence, George, 22. 
 
 39. Lake, William, 23, mustered Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 40. Mallory, William H. H., 20 
 
 41. Mudge, Volney, 19, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 42. Moore, Orra H., 20, mustered Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 43. Nash, Charles, 19. 
 
 44. Paul, James, 21, mustered July 15, 1861. 
 
 45. Pinney, Edward F., 22, mustered Sept. 5, 1861. 
 
 46. Simmons, John M., 20. 
 
 47. Sackett, Hiram, 18. 
 
 48. Tucker, Henry C., 20, mustered July 15, 1861. 
 
 49. Tucker, Jacob, 18. taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; 
 transferred from Co. "A" June 20, 1861. 
 
 50. Viele, Philip, 38. 
 
 51. Van Dresser, Henry L., 23, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861. 
 
 52. Wilson, Nathan M., 23. 
 
 53. Wells, Henry S., 23, mustered July 15, 1861, taken prisoner at 
 Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 
 
 1. Allins, Albert, 25, August 7, 1861. 
 
 2. Avery, Francis G., 22, March 31, 1862. 
 
 3. Aplin, Briggs, 19, mustered Sept. 5, 1861 ; discharged Oct. 9, 1862. 
 
 4. Clift, Amos, Jr., 22, March 16, 1862. 
 
 5. Doty, Walter, 22, July i, 1861. 
 
 6. Dalton, Martin, 26, Oct. 3, 1861. 
 
ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 29! 
 
 DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY Continued. 
 
 7. Dorrance, William, 20, Jan. 15, 1863. 
 
 8. Durkee, Oscar, 23, mustered Sept. 5, 1861; disrh. April 4, 1862. 
 
 9. Eastman, Charles B., 24, Aug. 7. 1861. 
 10. Howard, John D., 21, Dec. 2, 1862. 
 n. King, John E., 40, Dec. 12, 1862. 
 
 12. McElroy, Michael, 20, Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 13. McPherson, John, 23, Aug. 14, 1861. 
 
 14. Mudge, Jay L., 18, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; 
 discharged Jan. 9, 63. 
 
 15. Peterson, Frederick H., 18, mustered July 15 ; disch. Nov. 6, 1862. 
 
 16. Towsley, Rathburn C., 25, Corporal, mustered Sept. 5, 1861; dis 
 charged Dec. 25, 1861. 
 
 17. Wells, James E., 19, discharged Oct. 9, 1862. 
 
 DIED, AND KILLED. 
 
 1. Bowen, James, 22, Sergeant, Sept. u, 1861. 
 
 2. Cook, Dwight, 24, Corporal, killed in battle of Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861. 
 
 3. Curtis, Delos, 35, mustered July 15, 1861, died of wounds received 
 in battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 4. Edwin, Eddy, 23, Sergeant, killed in the battle of Bull Run, July 
 21, 1861. 
 
 5. Kellogg, Albertus, 19, mustered July 15, 1861, killed in battle of 
 Bull Run, July 21, 1861. 
 
 6. King, Henry J., 27, killed Aug. 20, 1861, by being thrown from a 
 horse, in Washington. 
 
 7. Larwood, Andrew, 18, mustered Dec. 17, 1861, killed in battle of 
 Games Mill, June 27, 1862. 
 
 8. Murphy, Clinton, 26, Corporal, died April 12, 1862. 
 
 9. McKenzie Peter, 26, mustered July 15, 1861, killed at battle of 
 Bull Run, July 21. 1861. 
 
 10. Mason, George K., 28, died Jan. 19, 1863. 
 
 11. Nash, William H., 20, died in hospital at Washington, date not 
 given. 
 
 12. Rowley, Oliver G., 18, died May 25, 1862. 
 
 13. Squires, Edson, 20, mustered Dec. 17, 1861 ; run over by the cars, 
 at Baltimore, Md., May 16, 1862, died from injuries May 17. 
 
 14. Tibbits, Charles W., 22, taken prisoner at the battle of Bull Run ; 
 shot and killed by a rebel sentry while a prisoner in Richmond, Nov. 12, 1861. 
 
 15. Thornton, Hira H., 18, killed in the battle of Games Mill, June 
 
 27, 1862. 
 
 DESERTED. 
 
 1. Humphrey, Carloss, 22, deserted Aug. 4, 1861. 
 
 2. Murdock, William, 21, deserted Aug. 4, 1861. 
 
 3. Sawyer, Charles W., 22, Sergeant, deserted Aug. i, 1862. 
 
92 ROSTER OF 2;TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 TRANSFERRED. 
 
 1. Hodgman, Clinton E., 22, Sergeant, Oct. 4, 1861, by promotion to 
 Co. "E," 
 
 2. Newell, Daniel P., 22, mustered Aug. 2, 1861, discharged Dec. j, 
 1862, by promotion to Commissary Sergeant. 
 
 3. Steel, Lawrence J., 20, July 5th, 1861, to Company "G." 
 
 4. Vickars, William, 18, mustered Sept. 5, 1861, transferred to Bat 
 tery " D," Second U. S. Artillery, Regulars, Feb. 15, 1863. 
 
SXA/TKMKNT, 
 
 SHOWING WHOLE NUMBER OK OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN OF THE 
 
 TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, 
 
 MUSTERED INTO THE UNITED STATES SERVICE DURING ITS 
 
 TERM OF SERVICE, FROM MAY 21, 1861, TO MAY 31, 1863. 
 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 Mustered into United States Service with Regiment, May 21, 1861.. 37 
 
 Appointed from civil life 7 
 
 Appointed from enlisted men of regiment 51 
 
 95 
 
 Promoted out of regiment Slocum, Bartlett, Rodgers 3 
 
 Resigned 36 
 
 Discharged for disability 5 
 
 Died of disease Gaul, Coan 2 
 
 Died of wounds Webster I 
 
 Killed in battle Park I 
 
 Discharged by order Goodrich, Dickson, Kirby, McKay 4 
 
 Mustered out by general order musicians 2 
 
 Mustered out with regiment, May 31, 1863 41 
 
 95 
 
294 ROSTER OF 2/TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS, 
 
 The following tabulated statement is made from the muster-out 
 of the regiment : 
 
 rolls 
 
 O 
 c 
 3 
 p 
 P 
 a 
 
 Mustered out May 
 31. 1863 
 
 Died. 
 
 Disch d. 
 
 Deserted 
 
 Transf d. 
 
 O 
 
 
 *O 
 
 | 
 
 D. 
 
 5 
 
 Promoted to Com 
 missioned officer. 
 
 o 
 SL 
 
 M 
 
 3 
 0_ 
 
 (I 
 
 3 
 
 IOI 
 
 "4 
 
 ~ 5 
 
 o E: 
 
 ?a 
 
 3 
 
 P 
 
 ; o 
 
 Wounds. . 
 
 Disease. . 
 
 Accident.. 
 
 Wounds . 
 
 Disability. 
 
 To other Com-! ^ 
 panics 
 
 ITo other Com 
 mands 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 19 
 
 A 
 
 _!L 
 
 63 
 
 64 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 7 
 
 o 
 
 12 
 
 
 5 
 
 B 
 
 1 
 5 
 
 
 18 
 
 7 
 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 
 C 
 
 
 3 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 120 
 
 
 D 
 
 62 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 6 
 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 123 
 
 
 E . . 
 
 ?6 
 
 3 
 
 
 6 
 r i 
 Ji 
 
 
 6 
 
 19 
 17 
 
 15 
 
 2 
 
 i 
 
 
 i 
 
 109 
 
 
 F 
 
 50 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 109 
 
 
 G 
 
 49 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 22 
 
 ii 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 123 
 
 
 H .... 
 
 44 
 61 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2O 
 23 
 
 18 
 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 
 104 
 
 
 I 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 109 
 108 
 
 
 K 
 
 67 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 I 
 
 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 
 Field and 
 Staff*.. 
 
 Officers.. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 Totals.. . 
 
 566 
 
 42 
 
 M 
 
 6 7 
 
 3 
 
 25 
 
 209 i 104 
 
 9 
 
 M 
 
 25 
 
 46 
 
 1165 
 
 Less those duplicated by transfer and promotion 10 
 
 Total No. enrolled, not including the band (20 pieces,) 1155 
 
 * Other than those promoted from the Companies, 
 
DEATH CASUALTIES. 295 
 
 REMARKS. The above table does not show all of the actual casualties 
 to the enlisted men. For example, the column of " discharged " is known 
 to include many who had been wounded and sent to hospitals; and like 
 wise many who had been prisoners, and returned incapacitated for duty. 
 Again, the column of "died" is known to include some who had been 
 wounded, and sent to hospitals. Again, the column of "dropped" in 
 cludes some who were taken prisoners, and never afterwards heard from. 
 It is to be regretted that there is no record of those who lost a leg or an 
 arm, or were otherwise permanently disabled. 
 
 The above statement of officers and enlisted men does not include 
 Alex. Scott s Cornet Hand of twenty men, who were a part of the regi 
 ment for about one year, and who will ever be remembered with soldierly 
 regard by all comrades. 
 
 In regard to the deserters, many served honorably in other commands, 
 afterwards. Not a few so marked left the regiment to enlist with relatives 
 or friends in other organizations, where associations were more congenial 
 or chances of promotion better ; and quite a number were men who had 
 been taken prisoners, and never returned. 
 
296 
 
 ROSTER OF 27TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 The following is the very latest information from the War Department, 
 relative to the death casualties in the 2yth Regiment New York Infantry : 
 
 TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT N.Y.Voi,s. 
 
 Officers. 
 
 Men. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Killed in action, or died from battle wounds.. 
 
 2 
 
 72 
 
 74 
 
 Died of disease .... 
 
 2 
 
 1:7 
 
 CQ 
 
 Accidental deaths 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 Causes not stated 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 I I 
 
 Aggregate 
 
 4 
 
 142 
 
 I 4 6 
 
 It will be noted that this table differs from the former, it having since 
 been found that some who were reported on the roll as dropped, were 
 either killed, or died of wounds or disease. Owing to the defective char 
 acter of the regimental records on file in the War Department, it is impos 
 sible to determine with absolute accuracy the losses sustained ; and the 
 above computations must be regarded as only approximative. 
 
DEATH CASUALTIES. 
 
 297 
 
 LOSSES IN BARTLETT S BRIGADE. 
 
 The following table of figures, on casualties in action, is from the 
 official publications of the War Department: 
 
 SEVEN DAYS BATTLES, INCLUDING GAINES MILL. 
 
 REGIMENTS. 
 
 Killed. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Fifth Maine. 9 49 
 
 Sixteenth New York 40 181 
 
 Twenty-Seventh New York 12 118 
 
 Ninety-Sixth Pennsylvania. [ 13 61 
 
 Total 74 409 
 
 CRAMPTON S PASS, MD. 
 
 Fifth Maine 4 28 
 
 Sixteenth New York 31 70 
 
 Twenty-Seventh New York . . . I 6 27 
 
 Ninety-Sixth Pennsylvania . \ 20 71 
 
 Total 61 196 
 
 Total loss of the army at Crampton s Pass] 113 | 418 
 
 ANTIETAM, MD. 
 
 Fifih Maine. o 5 
 
 Sixteenth New York i 2 
 
 Twenty-Seventh New York o o 
 
 Ninety-Sixth Pennsylvania I i 
 
 Total 2 
 
 SECOND FREDERICKSBURG. 
 
 Fifth Maine n 58 
 
 Sixteenth New York ... 33 70 
 
 Twenty-Seventh New York 3 13 
 
 One Hundred and Twenty-First N. Y. . 48 173 
 
 Ninety-Sixth Pennsylvania 16 54 
 
 Total in 368 
 
 Missing. 
 
 13 
 68 
 
 27 
 49 
 
 3 
 55 
 
 9 
 
 143 
 
2 9 8 
 
 ROSTER OF 2?TH REGIMENT N. Y. VOLS. 
 
 LOSSES IN TWENTY-ONE OF THE 
 
 IMENTS." 
 
 TWO YEARS REG- 
 
 
 
 Killed and 
 
 Died of dis 
 
 H 
 o 
 
 
 
 died 
 
 ease, accident, 
 
 E 
 
 DATE OF 
 
 
 of Wounds. 
 
 in prison, etc. 
 
 a 
 
 
 REGIMENT. 
 
 Q 
 
 w 
 
 H 
 
 O 
 
 w 
 
 H 
 
 
 MUSTER. 
 
 
 O 
 
 ^ 3 
 
 "I 
 
 o 
 
 E 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 3| 
 
 o 
 
 E 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 p 
 
 . a. 
 
 
 
 
 Q. 
 
 
 May 7, 1861 
 
 i, National Guards . . . 
 
 
 
 88 
 
 88 
 
 3 
 
 33 
 
 36 
 
 124 
 
 " 21, " 
 
 2, Troy Rifles 
 
 I 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 23 
 
 23 
 
 4 8 
 
 " 14. 
 
 3, Veterans. . . 
 
 I 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 2 
 
 64 
 
 66 92 
 
 " 9- 
 
 4, Scott s Life Guards . . . 
 
 2 
 
 60 
 
 62 
 
 1 
 
 23 
 
 24 | 86 
 
 9, 
 
 5, Duryea Zouaves . . . 
 
 6 
 
 183 
 
 189 
 
 
 
 3 1 
 
 31 220 
 
 " 25, 
 
 6, Wilson Zouaves 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 34 
 
 34 47 
 
 Apr. 23, 
 
 7, Steuben Regiment ... 14 
 
 88 
 
 IO2 
 
 I 
 
 46 
 
 47 149 
 
 " 23, 
 
 8, German Rifles o 
 
 89 
 
 89 
 
 I 
 
 4 1 
 
 42 
 
 131 
 
 May 4, 
 
 9, Hawkins Zouaves . . 
 
 2 
 
 74 
 
 76 
 
 2 
 
 25 
 
 27 
 
 103 
 
 Apr. 20, 
 
 n, Ellsworth Zouaves. . . 
 
 3 
 
 48 
 
 51 
 
 3 
 
 T2 
 
 15 66 
 
 May 13, " 
 
 12, Independence Guards 
 
 
 6 1 
 
 6 4 
 
 i 
 
 59 
 
 60 124 
 
 " M " 
 
 13, Rochester Regiment.. 
 
 4 
 
 67 
 
 71 
 
 
 
 29 
 
 29 
 
 IOO 
 
 * * T *7 * * 
 
 14 First Onondaga . . -i 
 
 56 
 
 60 
 
 
 
 44 
 
 44 104 
 
 1 /> 
 
 16, Straw Hats of History 
 
 T 
 
 4 
 
 107 
 
 i n 
 
 1 
 
 85 
 
 86 197 
 
 " 24, " 
 
 17, Westchestcr Chasseurs 
 
 5 
 
 3i 
 
 36 
 
 3 
 
 29 
 
 32 68 
 
 
 18, New York Rifles 
 
 4 
 
 34 
 
 38 
 
 i 
 
 34 
 
 35 I 73 
 
 " 17, " 
 
 19, First Cayuga 
 
 2 
 
 31 
 
 33 
 
 
 
 54 
 
 54 
 
 b 7 
 
 1 17. 
 
 20, German Turners. . . . 
 
 7 
 
 54 
 
 61 
 
 i 
 
 60 
 
 6 1 
 
 122 
 
 " 16, 
 
 21, Buffalo Regiment 
 
 
 74 
 
 76 
 
 2 
 
 40 
 
 42 
 
 IlS 
 
 June 6, 
 
 22, 2d New York Reg t. . 
 
 5 
 
 31 
 
 36 
 
 3 
 
 29 
 
 32 
 
 68 
 
 May 21, " 
 
 27, Union Regiment. .. 
 
 2 
 
 72 
 
 74 
 
 2 
 
 70 
 
 72 
 
 146 
 
 Of the thirty-eight "Two Years Regiments" from New York State, 
 the heaviest losses were as follows : 
 
 ist. The 5th Duryea Zouaves (total deaths) 220 
 
 2d. The i6th New York " Straw Hats," . 
 
 3d. The 34th New York Regiment 
 
 4th. The 7th Steuben Regiment J 49 
 
 5th. The 27th New York Vols., Union Regiment. .. " 146 
 
 197 
 162 
 
SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION, 
 
 OF THE 27x11 REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, AND 
 THE FIRST REGIMENT N. Y. VETERAN CAVALRY. 
 
 The above Association has been organized for many 
 years, and continues to hold its annual reunions. The ob 
 jects of the organization are : The promotion of fraternal 
 feelings; the revival of old memories and associations; and 
 the collection and preservation of records of the services 
 rendered by these two regiments during the War of the 
 Rebellion. 
 
 Each honorably discharged survivor whose address is 
 known, is regularly notified of the meetings of the Associ 
 ation, and is invited to become a member ; and to each is 
 mailed a copy of the printed Proceedings of the Reunions. 
 
 Our gatherings are notable for the enjoyment of friendly 
 fellowship and conversation among comrades bound to 
 gether by memories of perils and privations, encountered 
 when the majority were boys, or in the first years of man 
 hood. 
 
 The dues are nominally $1.00, but any sum that the com 
 rade is able to pay is accepted ; and there is no accumula 
 tion of back dues. 
 
 We desire to have the name of every survivor on the 
 Roster of the Association, and any comrade who knows 
 the address of a comrade not already on the list published 
 in the Proceedings, should notify the Secretary. Every 
 comrade of the 2;th should also make an effort to notify 
 the friends of deceased comrades that a History of the 
 Regiment has been published. 
 
 Doubtless the reading of the History will suggest to 
 some of the comrades many interesting incidents that 
 would be valuable if a second edition should be published. 
 These should be noted, and sent to the Secretary ; also any 
 corrections that should be made. 
 
3OO NEW MATTER FOR A SECOND EDITION. 
 
 It is to be regretted that more of the officers did not 
 respond to the invitation of the Publication Committee, to 
 furnish cuts for their portraits ; and also that it was impos 
 sible to get short biographies of the officers, and the local 
 history of each company. 
 
 It is hoped that this additional matter may yet be ob 
 tained, and kept in the records of the Association. 
 
 Address C. B. FAIRCHILD, Secretary, 
 
 545 East 84th Street, 
 
 New York City. 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Portrait of Major-Gen. H. W. Slocum (steel) Frontispiece. 
 
 Badge of the First Division, Sixth Corps. Title page. 
 
 Map of the Virginia Campaigns i v > 
 
 Portrait of Col. H. W. Slocum 2 
 
 Map of Washington and vicinity IO 
 
 Portrait of Brigadier-Gen. J. J. Bartlett 21 
 
 Roll Book of Co. " D ". 34 
 
 Revolver 34 
 
 Portrait of Col. Alexander D. Adams 45 
 
 Portrait of Major C. C. Gardiner 54 
 
 Portrait of Capt. H. R. White, Co. " B " 5 
 
 Map of Games Mill 5 
 
 Portrait of Capt. Charles A. Wells, Co " C " 71 
 
 Portrait of Lieutenant-Col. J. H. Bodine 9 
 
 Portrait of Dr. William H. Stuart 94 
 
 Portrait of Capt. H. Seymour Pierce, Co " G " 120 
 
 Map of Fredericksburg I22 
 
 Portrait of Major-Gen. W. B. Franklin 123 
 
 Portrait of Capt. H. C. Rogers, Co " D." 126 
 
 Corps Badges J 4i 
 
 Portrait of Major-Gen. W. T. H. Brooks 148 
 
 Modes of Punishment J 49 
 
 Portrait of Capt. Samuel M. Harmon, Co. " I" 154 
 
 Portrait of Captain Burton Freeman, Co. " I " 164 
 
 Portrait of Lieut. Henry Hanington, Co. " K " . . , 168 
 
 Portrait of Major-Gen. John Sedgwick r 74 
 
 Flag of the 27th Regiment l8 
 
 Richmond Prison Association Seal 203 
 
 Richmond Tobacco Warehouse Prison No. i 205 
 
 Parish Prison, New Orleans, La. 2 *8 
 
 Salisbury Prison 22 
 
 Returned Prisoners 2 34 
 
 Portrait of Dr. Norman S. Barnes 244 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Preface . . v. 
 
 Introduction vii. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Organization of the Regiment Moved to Southport Kicking over the 
 Tables Row with the 33d Mustered in the U. S. Service Off for 
 Washington First Night in Camp Target Practice On to Rich 
 mond Bull Run Battle Slocum Wounded Casualties Bartlett s 
 Report of Bull Run Porter s Report i-iS. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Back to Camp Franklin To Alexandria Slocum Promoted Election of 
 Officers Fort Lyon Camp Clara Winter Quarters Roster of 
 Franklin s Division Grand Review Execution of Johnson Pris 
 oners Return Catlett s Station Return to Alexandria. ....... 19-30 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 To Peninsula West Point Death of Lieut. Bailey Franklin s Report 
 of West Point Slocum s and Newton s Reports Roster of Sixth Corps- 
 Secession Song Col. Bartlett Promoted Mechanicsville Balloon As 
 cension McClellan s Order Corduroy Roads Games Mill A Pris 
 oner s Account Reports: Slocum s, Bartlett s, Adams Change of 
 Base Savage Station White Oak Swamp Malvern Hill Harrison s 
 Landing Reports : Franklin s, Slocum s Wounded Soldier s Letter 
 Retreat Leave the Peninsula Dr. Burr s Letter Second Bull 
 Run 31-87 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 McClellan Relieved by Pope Reinstated Maryland Campaign Battle 
 of Crampton s Pass Antietain Reports: McClellan s, Franklin s, 
 Slocum s, Bartlett s, Adams McClellan s Farewell Burnside Takes 
 Command Belle Plain First Battle of Fredericksburg White Oak 
 Church Talk with Rebel Pickets Roster Sixth Corps ... 89-126 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Winter Quarters Soldiers Letters Emancipation Proclamation Mud 
 March Hooker Takes Command A Woman s Letter Second Fred- 
 erickgburg Star Shot out of the Flag Retreat Final Orders Muster 
 Out The Old Flag Battle Hymn 127181 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Prison Life Capture Richmond, New Orleans and Salisbury Prisons 
 List of Prisoners Nursing a Wounded Comrade Hunger Cruel 
 Treatment Bill of Fare Prisoners Shot by the Guard Close Con 
 finement Long Journey Parole Home , 183-233 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 33 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Gen. Slocum 237 
 
 Gen. Bartlett ; 
 
 Col. Alexander D. Adams. 2 4^ 
 
 Major Curtiss C. Gardiner 2 43 
 
 Dr. Norman S. Barnes 2 44 
 
 Gen. John Sedgwick 2 49 
 
 Gen. W. B. Franklin 2 5 
 
 Roster 2 53 
 
 Tabulated Statements 2 93- 2 97 
 
 Notes of Survivors Association 2 99 
 
IE IR, IR .A. T .A. . 
 
 Page 6 for Sitgraves, read Sitgreives. 
 " 7 for Rellay, read Relay. 
 " 22 for Dr. Mason, read Dr. George Mason. 
 
 24 for Col. John Washington, read John A. Washington. 
 " 29 for Brenton s, read Benton s Tavern. 
 
 53 for Col. John, read Col. Henry Cake. 
 " 104 for A. J., read N. J. Jackson. 
 
 no for nth of August, read loth. 
 
 119 for Mary s, read Marye s. 
 " 150 for 1862, read 1863. 
 " 185 for James, read Jonas G. Welhnan. 
 " 196 for Co. "I," read Bond of Co. "G." 
 " 243 for G. O., read A. G. O. 
 
 " 267 for 8, after the name of Geo. O. Pratt, read 18. 
 " 268 for , after the name of Samuel Winchell, read 21. 
 " 269 for "hot" by rebel scout, read shot by rebel scout. 
 
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