Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- units:5th_new_york_state_militia_sources [2019/05/23 13:34]
admin
+++ units:5th_new_york_state_militia_sources [2019/06/05 18:01]
admin
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 ----
+//New York Daily Herald//, May 7, 1861
+LETTERS FrOM THE FIFTH REGIMENT.
+ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, May 4, 1861.
+The Trip of the Fifth Regiment New York Troops from New York to Annapolis—the Regiment at Sea—Hail a Pilot, but Fear Prevailed Upon Him—Little Steamers Suspicions of Great Craft— Fortress Monroe All Right—the Fifth at Annapolis—The Star Spangled Banner in the Ascendant— A Cold Night, but the Enthusiasm Nome the Less, &c.
+On Sunday, April 28, the Fifth regiment, New York State forces, breaking up their camp on the Battery, embarked on two tugboats, and were transferred to the Cunard steamer Kedar, Captain Little—Captain Cavendy, of the United States Navy, having charge of the expedition, The officers commanding the regiment were Col. Schwarzwaelder, Lieutenant Colonel Burger and Major Von Amsberg. Staff—Adjutant Franck; Captain Engineers, Dodge; Paymaster, Steinway; Quartermaster, Fearing; Surgeon, Haase; Assistant Surgeon, Roosa. The whole number of men is 730, in good health and spirits. Almost every man composing the command was born in Germany, many of whom had seen service in the wars of their fatherland. The rain poured dismally down as we embarked, but the cheerful song of the troops, rising in glad chorus, showed how little it affected their spirits. The men were all armed and equipped, without a single exception, and had provisions and ammunition in abundance on board the Kedar. At six o'clock P.M the final order was received, and we steamed away from loved ones behind. Our boat was intended as a freight boat exclusively, and the accommodations were not as luxurious as might have been in the Baltic; yet we managed to stow ourselves away. The officers of the Seventy-first were on board, with their chaplain, going on to join their regiment; also, one of the heroes of Fort Sumter—Lyman. The officers were assembled on the quarter deck, a brief address was made by our Colonel, and the Fifth, in response to his words, pledged themselves to stand by him and each other under all circumstances. Captain Gerdes was the officer of the day. We were soon on the broad Atlantic; the waves rolled high, and a few became seasick. The morning of the 20th broke upon us bright and beautiful. About three miles astern we saw the steamship Quaker City. The day passed away without incident. In the afternoon, as we neared Hampton Roads, or were in, we hailed a pilot, and requested him to pilot us to Fort Monroe. He responded that he was a Baltimore pilot, and that Governor Letcher would hang him if he piloted a boat into Virginia waters. We then concluded to dispense with his services for the time, and soon the walls of Fort Monroe began to faintly show themselves. In the bow we had seen during the afternoon little steamer, showing the United States colors, but she seemed very anxious to get away from us. A shot was fired to make her heave to, but she made no response, and kept a good distance ahead of us. A boat containing some of our officers and a crew from the Steamer was sent ashore. A rocket was sent up from our stern, and soon the fort sent out a shot of defiance, as it afterwards proved. The harbor was in a state of blockade. All vessels are compelled to pass beneath the guns of the fort, and be examined. Our boat returned in a few hours, with the report that the little steamer had been afraid of us; hence her anxiety to get away. The boat first went to the Cumberland, and was obliged to lay under the leveled muskets of the marines until the commanding officer could be called, and the identity of the crew established; then to the fort, with an officer from the frigate, he meanwhile giving our officers the consoling news that one or the garrison's own troops had been shot by a vigilant sentry; and vigilant they proved to be—so suspicious that our Assistant Quartermaster Cary, the best natured man in the regiment, assured me that he stood in mortal danger of being shot, the sentry levelling his piece at him particularly. However, at last all were in the fort, and delighted the Colonel of the fort with the announcement that some oxen were to be landed for the benefit of the garrison. This was done during the morning of Tuesday, the 30th, and, leaving the fort well provisioned, well garrisoned, with the Stars and Stripes proudly waving over its noble walls, we started for Annapolis, and at seven P. M. we were in the harbor, and about five miles from the town. A boat's crew with Lieutenant Colonel Burger and Captain Gerdes, Captain Caverdy, and Quartermaster Fearing, were sent to the town, the sentry, not as vigilant as he at Fort Monroe, ran at the approach of the boat. Here I might tell you how we innocently frightened both the Fort Monroe and Annapolis garrisons, and this will explain the despatch to your paper stating that cannonading had been heard at Fort Monroe, and rockets seen of Annapolis, On seeing the rocket at the fort the whole garrison was beat to arms, and the shot sent to tell the supposed enemy that they were ready: and at Annapolis the same scene was repeated. The crew returned from Annapolis, but brought no order for as to go ashore, because no boat could be procured, and confusion seemed to reign supreme in the garrison. There were said to be five thousand troops in the garrison. Some of them presented a funny spectacle. They were clad in garments as antiquated as the days of '76, certainly, and some were not clad at all, but they were cheerful and anxious to do service for their flag. Gen. B. F. Butler, in command of the Sixth and Eighth New York, Thirteenth Brooklyn, and the Pennsylvanians, was here. May first dawned upon us on board the steamer. All day long we waited for orders to go ashore, but none came; but our drum corps and the songs of our troops beguiled the hours, and we patiently awaited the command to move. Night came, and our boat—but we must wait. when one knew. The stars shone beautifully, and on the quarter deck, with story and song, and friendly converse, the evening passed away; and in the cabin cards varied the monotony of shipboard life. Men in excellent spirits, very few sick, and those promptly attended to.
+On the 2d our Colonel went ashore, and about eleven A. M. the Cataline, which had just come from New York, came alongside. The Baltic, with the Zouaves of Colonel Ellsworth, came into the arbor yesterday afternoon, and we saluted each other with hearty cheers, and dipping our flags. In a short time the first load of troops was landed at the dock in Annapolis, and the men reviewed, the roll called, and, awaiting the baggage and provisions, we halted on shore. Negroes and forlorn looking white men came down with oysters, cakes, eggs, &c., to sell, for which they asked awful prices, but which they got. A lager bier shop was discovered near by in Annapolis, and not all the guards could keep our soldiers from the Teutonic beverage. Annapolis is a peculiar town, beautiful in scenery and situation, streets narrow, houses low and ancient. A great many of the people have left, and those who remain, except the shop keepers, who are fawning and cringing—as mean a looking set of men as I ever looked on—are sullen in the extreme--seccesionists at heart, depend upon it, though fear now keeps them quiet. -Not an American flag raised in the whole town, not a cheer for our troops, not a word of encouragement for our efforts to uphold the Star Spangled Banner, which one of their own sons has made immortal in song. At about six o'clock P. M. the line of march was made, and we were reviewed in the grounds of the Naval School, and then proceeded to the railroad depot. The sidewalks of the town were filled with the population looking on our noble men, fully uniformed, armed and equipped, but the same sullen look on all. Peering through the window panes out into the darkness, on the bayonets flashing and glittering in the dim light, mothers held their children by their sides, and pointed at us as if they forgot we were defenders of their soil, and not invaders. Cheers greeted us once, and a glad smile went over the staff as the single manifestation came forth. At the railroad depot we had four hours of weary waiting; and then, with the advance guard of three companies and the engineer corps, we came on, and in about two hours we arrived at this point. The camp fires of the Sixty ninth were to be seen all along the twenty miles, and we were to take their places. The night was bitter cold; but with the aid of the United States Commissary, Lieutenant Bell, our men were soon in the best order possible. They had no covering but the sky, but the fire was at their feet, and warm coffee comforted them. The officers were quartered in the Annapolis Junction Hotel, a whitewashed, two story house. It had been hastily vacated by the owners, and now was regimental headquarters. The beds had been stripped, ail the furniture possible removed; but we had blankets, and soon were asleep, except those on guard. Major Von Amsberg, a hero of the Hungarian struggle for independence, was left behind with the troops, to leave them the next day at the stations, to guard the road, which rebels are so ready to tear up. Rain, rain in the morning—cold, cheerless rain; but not a murmur from the troops. Board shanties were erected for some of them, tents sent for, and we are prepared to stay until released by an advancing regiment. Colonel John U. McCun has charge of the railroad—now a military one, This morning the rain continues. The Major came in, wet, tired, sleepy and hungry from his labors. Our troops are posted; very few sick—none dangerously. We had the prospect of a fight off Fort Monroe. Men were ready to lead; volunteer captains and lieutenants chosen, but the rebels had erected no batteries, and we had no work. Awaiting orders, the
+Fifth regiment are here. ONE OF THE OFFICERS.
+{{ :5th_nysm:new_york_daily_herald_tue_may_7_1861.jpg?linkonly|}}
-<figure label>
-{{:{{ :5th_nysm:new_york_daily_herald_tue_may_7_1861.jpg?400 |img}}
-<caption>new_york_daily_herald_tue_may_7_1861</caption>
-</figure>

Howard County, MD in the Civil War

User Tools

Site Tools

Differences

Page Tools