units:69th_new_york_state_militia_primary_sources
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| Next revision | Previous revision | ||
| units:69th_new_york_state_militia_primary_sources [2019/04/01 12:18] – created admin | units:69th_new_york_state_militia_primary_sources [2026/01/21 16:16] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| __**Primary Sources for the 69th New York State Militia**__ | __**Primary Sources for the 69th New York State Militia**__ | ||
| - | <figure label> | ||
| - | {{:{{ : | ||
| - | < | ||
| - | </ | ||
| - | <figure label> | + | ---- |
| - | {{:{{ : | + | |
| - | < | + | |
| - | </ | + | |
| - | <figure label> | + | //New York Daily Herald//, May 1, 1861 |
| - | {{:{{ : | + | |
| - | < | + | LETTER FROM A PRIVATE. |
| - | </figure> | + | |
| + | ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md., April 28, 1861. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Troops on their Way to Washington—The Sixty-Ninth Guarding the Road—Casualties on The Route—Arrest of a Secessionist Spy—Public Feeling in Maryland—The People Devoted to the Union, but Attached to the South— The Communication with the Capital, &c. | ||
| + | |||
| + | My last letter gave a brief account of the trip of the steamer which conveyed the Eighth, Thirteenth and Sixty-ninth regiments from New York to Annapolis. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Sixty-ninth regiment was the first to land, which it did early on the morning of the 26th, and before the Twelfth, which had arrived a day or two previously. It was followed by a regiment of Massachusetts infantry, and by the Twelfth and Eighth of New York, and Thirteenth of Brooklyn. The Twelfth immediately proceeded to Washington, whither the Seventy-first had proceeded the day before. The Sixty-ninth, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Amongst the casualties of the route, the most melancholy are the drowning of two members of the Sixty ninth regiment and one of the Eighth. Insanity is supposed to have been the cause. I shall send you the names as soon as I can ascertain them. The health of the troops is generally good. | ||
| + | |||
| + | An officer of the Sixty-ninth regiment today arrested a spy who was, under false pretences, engaged in procuring government despatches, and conveying them to the secessionists. This regiment also arrested yesterday some members of an independent military company of this State that attempted pass their pickets; but on being assured that they were on no unfriendly or disloyal mission, the Colonel release them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is not easy to express a correct opinion of the feeling of the inhabitants of this State. They seem to have some regard for the Union, but a strong attachment for the of the South. I have talked with them a good deal. They do not generally justify the attack on Sumter but they denounce more bitterly the course of the abolitionists within the last ten years. I think it improbable that Maryland will leave the Union. Her interest will be too strong for her sympathies. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The communication with Washington through Baltimore is expected to be open to-morrow. This will greatly expedite the transmission of news to New York, and you may expect to ear from me very soon. Tell the people of New York city that her soldiers are the flower of the militia, for good order, discipline and efficiency. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{:69th_nysm: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | //New York Daily Herald//, May 3, 1861 | ||
| + | |||
| + | IMPORTANT OPERATIONS OF THE SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT. | ||
| + | |||
| + | We have the following from an informant who has recently returned from Annapolis: | ||
| + | |||
| + | On Sunday afternoon, April 21, the Sixty-ninth regiment were ordered out to guard the railroad from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction, and by nine P. M. they were posted in parties of eighteen, six and two. The officers had their quarters at the Junction, and a number of the residents of the surrounding country showed them the streams, roads, houses and farms throughout the entire line for twenty miles. By midnight they had built their guard houses, of fence rails and bushes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | During the night they saw one man attempting to draw the spikes from one of the rails, when, in accordance with previous orders, he was immediately shot. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Later in the night a pistol was stolen by a man who crawled up through the bushes, who soon being discovered disappeared from sight. A party of eighteen were immediately sent out in search of the thief, and in a short time they returned with him. Upon him was found the stolen pistol and several letters showing his connection with the rebel troops. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Still later in the night a suspicious character was observed prowling around; whereupon he was immediately arrested, and upon searching him letters containing valuable information was found respecting the movements of secessionists in that quarter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Sixty-ninth, | ||
| + | |||
| + | On Monday afternoon two trains from Baltimore arrived at Annapolis Junction, but were detained by Lieutenant Colonel Nugent, of the Sixty-ninth regiment, until he could telegraph to General Scott for orders respecting them, upon the receipt of General Scott' | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | //The (NY) Sun//, May 3, 1861 | ||
| + | |||
| + | News of the 69th Regiment. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A SECESSIONIST SHOT. | ||
| + | |||
| + | We have the following from an actual observer, and can vouch for the correctness of the news contained therein:\\ | ||
| + | Sunday afternoon, April 28th, the 69th regiment were ordered out to guard the railroad from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction, and by 9 P. M. they were posted in companies of 18, 6 and 2. The officers had their quarters at the junction, having with them a map of the surrounding country, showing the streams, roads houses and farms throughout the entire line for 20 miles, and by midnight they had built their guard-houses of fence rails and bushes. During the night they saw a man attempting to draw the spikes from one of the rails, when, in accordance with previous orders, he was immediately shot. Later in the night a pistol was stolen by a man who crawled up through the bushes, and when discovered he disappeared from sight. A party of 18 were immediately sent out in search of the thief, and in a short time they returned with him in their charge; upon whom they found the stolen pistol, and several letters, showing his connection with the rebel troops. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Still later in the night a suspicious character was observed prowling around, whereupon he was immediately arrested and upon searching him, letters containing valuable information were found upon his person, respecting the movements of secessionists in that quarter. The 69th in concert with other regiments have borne the hardships of the march and camp duty, without a single rumor or expression of dissatisfaction but have seemed determined to [...] their brethren in arms, in their strict obedience to orders and their readiness to serve their adopted country in whatever duty they may be called upon to perform. On Monday afternoon two trains from Baltimore arrived at Annapolis Junction, but were detained by Lieut. Col. NUGENT of the 69th Regiment, until he could telegraph to General SCOTT for orders respecting them, and upon receiving Gen. SCOTT' | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{ : | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | //The Baltimore Sun//, May 4, 1861 | ||
| + | |||
| + | ALLEGED SPIES.—The Northern press have a dispatch, purporting to be from Annapolis, to this effect: | ||
| + | |||
| + | A captain of the Sixty-ninth arrested a spy the night before last at Annapolis Junction, just from Montgomery, with important papers. He gave his name as Henry deGranval, a brother of the de Granval, of Hoboken, N. J., killed by a Cuban some time ago. I am informed at headquarters that he will probably be hung. A son of an influential family here is also under arrest as a spy. He opened dispatches delivered him at Washington. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{ : | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | //The Baltimore Sun//, May 4, 1861 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Letter from Annapolis Junction.\\ | ||
| + | [Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun.]\\ | ||
| + | ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, May 3, 1861.\\ | ||
| + | The Sixty-Ninth Regiment of New York—Colonel\\ | ||
| + | Corcoran—Entertainment of Baltimoreans—\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | Address of the Rev. Mr. Mooney—Interesting Pastimes, &c.\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | On my return from Washington yesterday, I was unexpectedly detained at the Annapolis Junction, and spent several hours there very pleasantly. Soldiers and civilians were curiously grouped together, and all apparently on the most friendly terms. The chief amusements observable were drilling, dancing and singing, varied by religious services. | ||
| + | |||
| + | I found here the 69th regiment of New York, under the Command of Major Corcoran, who is a gentleman of fine feeling and accomplished manners. His men were in excellent health and good spirits. They are a fine looking body of men. mostly young, and of great physical strength. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There were five or six Baltimoreans in company with your correspondent, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Baltimoreans were also kindly received by the Rev. T. J. Mooney, pastor of St. Bridget' | ||
| + | |||
| + | During our visit he made an eloquent and very feeling address to the men, during which he called their attention to the fact that they were now on the soil of Maryland—a State noted for her devotion to civil and religious liberty, distinguished for her hospitality, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The closing scenes of the evening during our stay consisted of cotillons and jig dances around blazing bon-fires, in which the whole regiment participated. A more whole-souled, | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{ : | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | //New York Daily Herald//, May 5, 1861 | ||
| + | |||
| + | JOURNEY OF THE SIXTH-NINTH REGIMENT. | ||
| + | |||
| + | LETTER FROM COLONEL CORCORAN. | ||
| + | |||
| + | HEADQUARTERS SIXTH NINTH REGIMENT N. Y. S. M.,\\ | ||
| + | ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, April 30, 1861. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Sixth-ninth is Guarding the Road and Wires from Annapolis to Point Branch Bridge - the Attack on the Twelfth Regiment, &c., &c. | ||
| + | |||
| + | JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Esq: | ||
| + | |||
| + | I perceive, by your paper of the 29th inst., that in stating that the government has taken possession of the railroad from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction, and that every rail was guarded by a musket, you have neglected or have not received information as to what regiment was assigned that duty by Lieut. General Scott; and as the matter has cost myself and my command more that a little toil, which only those who have done it or who can understand the military labor, necessary, and which must be performed to accomplish the duty, can ever appreciate. I am therefore desirous, for the sake of the one thousand and sixty brave fellows who constitute my command, that we may be justice done. | ||
| + | |||
| + | I marched from Annapolis on last Saturday at half past ten o' | ||
| + | |||
| + | I would also contradict a report which I hear was published in your issue of last Saturday, to the effect that the Twelfth regiment had been attacked, and that a detachment of two hundred and fifty men from my regiment had been sent to their assistance, who had been repulsed with loss. The facts are as follows: - A baggage train of the Twelfth had been cut off by some farmers along the route, and a detail from each company, in all some one hundred and twenty-five men, with Captain Haggerty, were sent out to retake it. When they arrived at the spot they found the train safe, and consequently returned to camp. | ||
| + | |||
| + | MICHAEL CORCORAN,\\ | ||
| + | Colonel, Sixty-ninth Regiment. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | LETTER FROM A MEMBER OF THE REGIMENT - INCONVENIENT ACCOMMODATIONS OF THE BOAT AND INSUFFICIENT COOKING ARRANGEMENTS - DRILLING ON BOARD THE VESSEL - TWO MEMBERS DROWNED AND ONE MEMBER INJURED BY A FALL - VICISSITUDES OF CAMP LIFE - IMPRESSIVE RELIGIOUS SERVICES, ETC. | ||
| + | |||
| + | I do wish I had seen the HERALD of last Wednesday, to read the graphic account in must have contained of the crush and throng of the crowds who turned out to greet the Sixty-ninth, | ||
| + | |||
| + | After we passed the narrows we sighted the Marion and Alabama, having respectively the Eighth and Thirteenth regiments on board. We also had the United States brig, Perry, twelve guns, in tow, and with this fleet we presented quite an imposing appearance. Occasionally the steamers containing the other regiments would come up abreast of us, and then three times three would rise from each deck, the three bands at the same time playing the "Star Spangled Banner," | ||
| + | |||
| + | On board the James Adger there was accommodation for only about one fourth the troops; consequently three-fourths of our men were obliged to take up their quarters, day and night, on deck, in the passage ways, and, in fact, wherever they could find a resting place, and during the night it was almost impossible to pass through the ship without treading on some of our comrades. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There were plenty of raw provisions on board, but a very inefficient way for cooking them, so that, though in the midst of plenty, we were in danger of starvation. Neither were there any medicines or surgical instruments provided, and the ship's medicine chest, very meagrely provided indeed, was the only resource in that way we had. Yet, in all our privations and sufferings, not a murmur was heard. Our boys had come to rough it and fight, and rough it they certainly did. Many raw recruits having joined our regiment, we kept up almost a constant drilling on board during the day. On Thursday, while steaming up the Chesapeake, we met many sailing craft, all of which displayed the Stars and Stripes. One schooner was inclined to keep " | ||
| + | |||
| + | I regret to record three casualties, two of which were fatal, two find young fellows fell overboard, and although every exertion was made to save them, yet they both were lost. Then an athletic young man, named Murphy, fell through two hatchways, and was seriously injured in the head and back. He was well taken care of, and removed to the hospital at Annapolis, where, I am informed, he is now doing well. | ||
| + | |||
| + | On arriving at our quarters we soon discovered that the accommodations were not of a convenient character; in fact, we had nothing to eat and were compelled to rest beneath the broad canopy of heaven. Yet notwithstanding those inadequate commissariat arrangements, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Rev. Mr. Mooney, our chaplain, from the moment the James Adger left her dock, has worked incessantly for our benefit. | ||
| + | |||
| + | On last Sunday our camp presented a solemn scene, full of picturesque beauty and impressiveness. Our camping ground was on the side of a hill, rising from the railroad track. On the top was a farmer' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The people along the route, as far as I can hear, are very peacefully inclined, and say the reprehend the action of the Baltimoreans. I suspect, however, that what they say is through fear of us, and does not truly indicate their feelings, for the rails have been torn up and the bridges cut down, but were repaired by the engineers of one of the Massachusetts regiments. As this has now been made a military road, it is a hanging matter to disturb or obstruct it. I am told that we will proceed to Washington in a day or two. Full communication exists now between there and Annapolis, and trains pass both ways several times a day. Two regiments have passed on the cars going from Annapolis to Washington since we guarded the road. We scarcely apprehend any attack now, as the community in the vicinity of the road seem overawed; but if they do make an attack, they may rest assured of a warm reception. | ||
| + | |||
| + | J. L. K. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | //The New York Times//, May 6, 1861 | ||
| + | |||
| + | THE SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The following letter from Col. M. CORCORAN, of the Sixty-Ninth Regiment, received on Saturday by a gentleman of this city, will show the duties on which that Regiment was employed up to the day previous to its march for Washington: | ||
| + | |||
| + | NATIONAL CADETS,\\ | ||
| + | HEAD-QUARTERS SIXTH-NINTH REG'T, N. Y. S. M.,\\ | ||
| + | ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md., Wednesday, May 1, '61. | ||
| + | |||
| + | MY DEAR FRIEND: Pardon me for not writing sooner, but really, I have not had time to sit to my meals; and as for sleep, I assure you I have not had twelve hours since I left the steamship James Adgar, and these few hours were hurried moments on the roadside, with a wood block for a pillow. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Regiment has had its share of duty to perform, and never have men done it more cheerfully, some brief notes may not be uninteresting to you, and particularly | ||
| + | |||
| + | The first duty we were called on to perform was on the evening of our arrival in Annapolis, when Gen. BUTLER ordered me to put one of my Companies under arms immediately and proceed to the railroad depot, to the assistance of the baggage-guard of the Twelfth Regiment, which he was informed had been attacked. I took a detail from each Company, making in all one hundred and twenty five, rank and file, and sent them off in double quick time. The rumor was unfounded, and they returned to camp quite disappointed, | ||
| + | |||
| + | I marched from Annapolis next morning, by orders of Lieut-Gen. SCOTT, to take possession then of the railroad and defend it from attack and on Sunday evening, we were in possession thereof, and extending our lines twenty-seven miles, with sentinels all along at convenient distances, and having an officer and from ten to twenty-five men as a reserve on which the men on guard could rely. The sentinels are placed in groups of three men. We have the telegraph in charge here at this point. | ||
| + | |||
| + | With love to all friends I must close, as I cannot keep the train longer. I am yours very truly,\\ | ||
| + | MICHAEL CORCORAN, Colonel. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | //New York Phoenix//, May 18, 1861 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Letter from a Member of the Sixty-Ninth. | ||
| + | |||
| + | WASHINGTON, May 5th, 1861. | ||
| + | |||
| + | DEAR FENIAN—I would have written sooner than this but that we were nearly all the while on the march, and, until now, have not had settled quarters, When we left Now York, on that Tuesday, we did not reach Annapolis till the following Thursday, and had rather a rough time of it, sleeping on deck all the way, I got very seasick and, as a matter of course, had but little inclination to eat, which was very fortunate, for we had nothing but biscuit, and sometimes a little poor coffee; however, I was satisfied and got over it like a soldier, I will give a synopsis of our journey to Washington, but it will be but a weak attempt at the facts. When we arrived at Annapolis, on the 25th of April, we were landed before the regiments who left New York on the Sunday before us, and were then reviewed by tho government authorities and got some bad meat and cracker to appease our appetites. It was a scorching day, and we had to stand exposed to the sun for about four hours. We were then quartered in a few empty houses, which was a relief, but, eventually, it was thought too good for the Irish, and we were again ordered under arms to change our quarters; we were marched—(where? | ||
| + | |||
| + | While waiting for the cars in the village we had a great time of it. It was a regular Donnybrook, and were each served with large bottles of prime ale, bonfires were lit in all directions, the band playing jigs and reels. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The drum rolls for me to Divine Service, and I must away, we are put through the same as regular soldiers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | We do not know how soon we will be ordered to Virginia, which State I am now looking at from my window, with only about three hundred yards of water between us. Write soon, and believe me, yours truly, | ||
| + | |||
| + | E. J. O'D. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{ : | ||
| - | <figure label> | ||
| - | {{:{{ : | ||
| - | < | ||
| - | </ | ||
units/69th_new_york_state_militia_primary_sources.1554121096.txt.gz · Last modified: (external edit)
