emancipation it really looked as though oil had been poured in at the
axes. The patriotic order or address issued by Gen. Schurz on
Washington's birthday, brought up the shades of the past, and Co. G
seemed marching on, in sunshine, escorted by the fathers of the
revolution. The signs were declared to be favorable once more.
Gen. Hooker, to cheer up the army, granted ten-day furloughs; two men
were to go from each company, and when they returned, more were
furloughed. The first two from Co. G came back promptly. Of the next,
but one returned, consequently Co. G could have no more home-going. The
scamp who deserted was always troublesome. He had been detached at
division headquarters. How he ever was allowed to step between good,
dutiful soldiers and the prospect of furloughs, is not known. The
fellow was discovered as a bounty-jumper, at Elmira a few months later,
and courtmartialed, and sent to Fort Clinch, Florida, to complete his
term at building fortifications.
As spring approached and the ground became firm, the men were drilled
regularly. Inspections were frequent. The Sunday morning inspection
related to cleanliness of person as well as arms, equipments and
quarters. Every man was obliged to stand at "attention" with one foot
bared, and occasionally the surgeons ordered prompt bathing. A very few
of the boys were taken by a guard, to the creek and there scrubbed. Co.
G had none of its members forcibly bathed, but a fellow occasionally
would escape with one clean foot. By and by, whenever possible, the men
were cleanly for sake of comfort.
When Sunday inspections came the cook-houses were thoroughly looked
after. Ziba Cloyes the cook of Co. G and Pat Matthews, his assistant,
kept all their kettles and pans in first-class order. Nobody needed
fear to partake of Ziba's fare. He was an old hotel keeper and
understood culinary matters.
Ziba's violin was a great exhilarator and the boys gathered around his
tent to hear the well-known strains of good old-fashioned reels and
hornpipes played, in style. And they straightway paired and whirled in
stag-dances, stepping to the strains of Ziba's music.
When Gen. Hooker took command of the army he reviewed the 11th Corps.
Gen. Howard also reviewed them. And a review, to soldiers in the field,
often forecasts a movement of the force.
Gen. Schimmelpfennig had the brigade out for drill. Col. Brown
frequently marched the regiment out for new manoeuvres, and Col.
Arrowsmith did the same. Capt. Frank had Co. G drilling for the first
time as skirmishers, a drill which was of little use unless accompanied
by actual, genuine experiences.
On the 10th day of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac was reviewed by
President Lincoln. Co. G came out in fine feather. New uniforms and
blackened leathers, polished brass, clean guns, and white gloves. The
boys were fast becoming useful soldiers. Discipline had greatly
improved their appearance; drill made them prompt and correct.
When the boys marched past the President in company front--"Eyes
right!" came from Capt. Frank--there sat, upon his horse, a plain
citizen, who bared his head and smiled as though he knew every one of
Co. G and could name them all. The line was fine, their carriage good,
and Capt. Frank was proud of his men. It was a red-letter day for the
company.
Capt. Frank seldom made speeches. That day was an exception. When the
company returned to camp, the captain said--
"Boys, you have done well--you have done nobly--as well as any of them.
You have done bully, by ginger! Orderly, break ranks."
During the latter part of April orders were received to pack all
superfluous clothing and send the boxes to the river. By this time the
supply of books, albums and the like, was exhausted. Much of more value
to a soldier, had accumulated during the winter and Co. G made a fair
showing of packages. Those goods were never returned to the men.
Spring weather had come and the little frogs and the big frogs were
telling the world of it. Trees were beginning to leaf out and grass was
showing here and there. Hooker thought it time to make a move.
On the morning of April 27th with eight days' rations and sixty rounds
of cartridges the men left their huts and started for Chancellorsville--of
course their destiny was unknown at the time, but Co. G scented the
battle from afar. The haversacks were filled with hard bread, boiled
beef and pork, coffee and sugar. In the new knapsacks were surplus
rations and twenty rounds of cartridges. No trouble now with knapsacks,
for the load was light; but the haversacks dragged upon a fellow's
shoulder. There was this consoling in such a load, it kept growing
lighter and lighter, each meal.
The boys felt well and marched along in fine style. Co. G were becoming
weather-beaten and seasoned.
After an easy march the column halted beyond Hartford church for the
night. Next morning was rainy. During the day the troops were moved up
near the Rappahannock and marched into the woods and told to keep very
quiet and wait until it was dark.
Toward midnight Co. G, with the others, were moved down to Kelly's
Ford. The pontoon bridge was covered with earth, men were forbidden to
speak aloud; a move to flank the rebels was in progress.
The 157th was the first new regiment to cross over. In the ranks of Co.
G strict silence was enjoined. Charley Near was not permitted to
torment Pete Cummings. A truce was established, temporarily, between
the Johnsons, Zerne and Jim. Ir Sayles was not singing. Orderly Forbes
marched at the front supported by John Pfleiger and Amos Avery, while
Dan Brockway brought up the rear. Dan always led the company when they
marched left in front. All was quiet. The boys declared the night was
so dark they might bite it; but the report that the pioneers went ahead
and tunneled a passage through was pure imagination.
After crossing the river and ascending the slope a faint line of light
could be traced along the horizon. The regiment was marched to its
position in line of battle and halted, to await the arrival of other
troops, and later were moved forward to a piece of woods and went into
bivouac.
Early the morning of the 29th, rebel cavalrymen were seen in the
distance and a few artillery shots were thrown at them. Col. Brown rode
forward to reconnoiter, soon returning hotly chased by the naughty
johnnies.
The route taken that day was toward the Rapidan. Late in the afternoon
the column arrived in the vicinity of Germania and lay until after
night, waiting for a bridge to be laid, for the enemy had destroyed the
crossing. When all was ready, Co. G marched down to the river. A narrow
passage had been prepared, by laying planks from one abutment to
another, down close to the rapid flowing water. Large fires were
burning on either bank to light the way. Co. G went over, cautiously,
without wetting a foot. John Schultz had resigned; had he been present,
it is likely he would have turned turtle, the same as he plumped into
the slip at New York. But the entire corps got over safely and went
into bivouac on the cold, wet ground. No fires were allowed until
daylight.
The halt after crossing the Rapidan is known in the annals of Co. G as
the time and place where Brock was detailed to guard the fiddle of
Ziba, the cook.
Now the boys were to march in the enemy's country. Before crossing at
Kelly's Ford, the regiment was drawn up and reminded that the eyes of
Cortland and Madison counties were upon them, which was no news to the
heroes. Col. Brown's tone on such occasions sounded very solemn as
though the eyes of those counties were sad.
The boys respected Col. Brown; they could not blame him for not showing
a cheerfulness he did not possess. There was something about those
speeches suggestive of a lack of confidence; it is believed the one
delivered at Kelly's Ford was the last of the series. Col. Arrowsmith
never commanded the boys in battle. The methods of Col. Carmichael will
appear as the record develops.
April 30th opened misty and unpleasant. The road passed into the
celebrated Wilderness, finally striking the Fredericksburg plank road.
In the afternoon the destination of the 11th Corps was reached, and the
men were bivouaced nearly in position for battle.
May 1st the historic order congratulating the right wing of the army
was read to the men. "That the enemy must either ingloriously fly, or
come out from behind his defenses and give us battle on our own
ground." He came, he saw, and the result is history.
The troops were ordered to burn all clothing and prepare for
light-marching order. The Army of the Potomac was preparing for a
lively race toward Richmond. Such an order proved wise and timely, and
much was destroyed that otherwise would have fallen into the hands of
the enemy.
Towards night the 157th was moved forward nearer the plank road and
ordered to strike arms and rest. Appearances favored a fight. Soon
after dark a rebel battery threw some shells over the line and Co. G,
for the first time heard the bang! pop! whi-z-z! of shelling; no one
was struck. But few shells were thrown, when all was quiet again.
Johnny reb. was only feeling for Co. G.
Many of the boys long remembered the whip-poor-will chorus in the woods
about them, as they lay behind their guns that night. When the rebels
opened fire the birds ceased at once. The enemy had spoiled the
concert.
May 2d was Saturday. Fresh beef was issued to the men about noon time,
and the company cooks proceeded to arrange their kettles for boiling
the meat.
All this time Stonewall Jackson is approaching Hooker's right flank.
Several officers from the picket line came in and reported to
headquarters of Howard, that the enemy were working around on the
right. Maj. Carmichael, of the 157th, was on the line; he was one of
the brigade officers-of-the-day. Those officers by message and in
person informed the commander of the 11th Corps that the enemy were
moving in force.
Says Maj. Carmichael, "All these messages received the reply that we
were green troops more scared than hurt."
About the time the officers from the picket line were trying to arouse
Gen. Howard to action, Gen. Hooker sent him these instructions:
"The disposition you have made of your corps has been with a view to a
front attack by the enemy. If he should throw himself upon your flank
he [Hooker] wishes you to examine the ground and determine upon the
position you will take. * * * He suggests that you have heavy reserves
well in hand to meet this contingency. * * * We have good reason to
suppose that the enemy is moving on our right. Please advance your
pickets * * * in order to obtain timely information of their approach."
Howard's headquarters were lethargic; his troops were enjoying
themselves.
Stonewall Jackson was a very busy man while Howard was reclining very
comfortably at Dowdall's Tavern.
While the events just related were occurring the boys of Co. G were
writing letters which the chaplain was to carry away and mail. One of
those letters, written on a drum-head, portrays a scene as follows:
"Nearly all the privates in Co. G are on picket. It is a novel sight to
see the men, who are in good spirits, taking their ease. Some chatting,
some cooking, others playing cards, while many are writing: but the
most of them are sleeping."
It was about this time that Jackson was conducted to a knoll
overlooking the position of Howard's men. He saw the whole display of
neglect--the absence of supporting columns and all. And he started his
men forward.
Near five o'clock p.m. the storm broke. First a few shots and then a
volley. From the extreme right came rushing a crowd of supernumeraries
of all grades. Thirty thousand rebels had surprised the first division
of the 11th Corps. A portion of the first and also of the third
divisions were absent reconnoitering. Back came the first division upon
the third, followed by the exultant enemy. The boys of the first
division did all they could, but what could they do?
Col. Brown was ordered forward and then countermarched to a position
east of the Hawkins house and behind some shallow rifle-pits thrown up
the night before. Gen. Schimmelpfennig says, reporting to Gen. Schurz--
"The first line of our division in connection with Col. Bushbeck's
brigade of Gen. Steinwehr's (2d) division, formed behind two of our
regiments, the 82d Illinois and the 157th N.Y., (the first commanded
by Col. Hecker and the second by Col. Brown) and occupied the
rifle-pits. * * * Your two brigades and that of Col. Bushbeck, together
comprising not quite 4,000 muskets, alone received the entire shock of
the battle and held the enemy in check at least an hour. The three
brigades above-named although both their flanks were turned, stood
their ground until a sufficient time had elapsed for the other corps to
come to their assistance and take position in their rear. * * * For the
surprise on the flank and rear, in broad daylight, by a force
outnumbering us four to one, the responsibility falls not on the third
division. * * * General, I am an old soldier. Up to this time I have
been proud of commanding the brave men of this brigade; but I am
convinced if the infamous lies uttered about us are not retracted and
satisfaction given, their good will and soldierly spirit will be
broken."
Good, brave "little Schimmel," their soldierly spirit was not broken,
and they were yours to lead for many a weary mile through stifling dust
and burning heat.
The battle of Chancellorsville has gone into history and may be found
therein by any person who wishes to follow the battle. So far as Co. G
are responsible, little more need be said.
After the terrible experience near the Hawkins house, the 157th was
withdrawn in excellent order and retreated, after some delay, to the
rear of the newly formed line of battle. Adjutant McWilliams was
dispatched in the gathering gloom, to find the proper road, and went
straight into the rebel lines, and was forwarded to Richmond.
Fortunately, the opposite direction was taken, and Col. Brown led his
men safely out of the woods. They lay in reserve on Sunday and Sunday
night, when the artillery of both forces shook the ground and filled
the air with bursting shells. Early in the morning of May 5th the Army
of the Potomac was withdrawn and in a miserable rainstorm dragged
themselves across the Rappahannock and paddled through the mud back to
their old camp on Accokick Creek. When they marched away they took the
road--on their return they came across lots and found much easier
traveling.
There was an important part played by Battery I, 1st Ohio Artillery, in
the Chancellorsville fight that adds to the record of Schimmel's
brigade, very much. Capt. Dilger, a Prussian officer, who commanded the
battery faced the advancing men of Jackson until nearly cut off, losing
one gun. He then retreated down the plank road. Sending four of his
guns to the rear he retreated leisurely, firing as he went and clearing
the enemy from the road.
But the gallantry of the boys of the 11th Corps was overlooked in the
general casting of results. There must of course always be a scape-goat
for blunders in war, and it would not have done to place the blame upon
West Point graduates.
The losses of the 157th regiment in the battle of Chancellorsville
fight, aggregated about one hundred. Co. G lost, Asa Lawrence, killed;
John Pfleiger badly wounded and Henry Whaling slightly wounded,--the
least number hit of any company in the regiment. Co. A lost the most
men in that battle--one lieutenant and three men killed and sixteen men
wounded and missing. Co. B came next, with three men killed and ten
wounded.
It was sad to think, after computing the fatalities and speculating
upon the fate of the missing, that away up in Lenox the people were
reading in the newspapers that Co. G were not so great a success, after
all. That their dear boys had "marched up the hill," exchanged shots
"and then marched down again." As communities, would Clockville,
Hoboken, Wampsville and Canastota have preferred to see their sons
brought home on their shields rather than had Hooker made a failure?
Perhaps so. Very likely. But Co. G were satisfied to live just as long
as possible.
Nor did the galling tirades of War Critics cease with the passing of
the moment. Before the War Committee of Congress, and in standard
history, the bile of the enemies of the 11th Corps is spread the mark
of Cain. Many of those critics are now dead, but their works do follow
them. No Corps of the Army is so bitter in comment of this kind as the
1st Corps, and they did not reach the field until after Jackson was
checked. Then there was still time to win laurels, fresh and brilliant.
Ah, the world will never know why the corps did not come up in time to
help Co. G whip the naughty Jackson.
One of the missing of Co. G was Dan Brockway, the bodyguard for Ziba's
violin. A few days passed and the news came that Brock was a prisoner.
But he was promptly exchanged and was soon present at roll-call.
"Brock, how about the violin?" asked one.
"Well it was this way, boys. I was in the tent, when the rebs came and
told me to crawl out. They sent me to the rear."
"And the fi-f-f-fiddle," asked John Miller. "T-t-tell us about
the--here--here--f-fiddle."
"Oh, I carried the fiddle with me. By and by along came a reb and
wanted to borrow the thing. I told him it belonged to Ziba, and I
didn't like to part with it. 'Oh,' says the johnny, 'I'll take good
care of your fiddle; there's a right smart of we'uns can play.' So I
let him take it and he never brought it back."
"I'll tell you what, b-boys, we oughter do. Jest take the b-blamed
little cuss over there and exchange him for the here--here--fiddle.
What do you say, boys--hey?"
It was a dreary reception the boys found on their return to their old
shanties. Rain was falling and the interiors of the huts were
thoroughly soaked. But they stretched once more their tent covering and
moved in. Fires were started and fresh boughs laid upon the bunks, so
it was not long before everyone was comfortable and the routine of camp
once more established.
Then came fresh soft bread again and other food, denied to a
campaigner. The sutler returned from his retreat to safe quarters. He
had learned the tricks of the men and they had learned something of
him. He was not a bad man, by any means. Occasionally a hole was cut in
his tent, and canned food and tobacco disappeared from right under his
eyes. In such matters of course, Co. G had very little to say.
There were a few boys in the company who were sharp in dealing with
sutlers. They were pleasant comrades and did their duty, but if
opportunity presented, they were not slow to act. One of them, usually
was well supplied with fried pies, and pies sowed and pegged
(suggestive of boot leather). This boy if asked how he obtained his
truck, replied, "Oh, I coddled them." Poor boy, he fell at
Gettysburg--a good soldier on duty, but a terror to sutlers.
There was another diversion upon which the pious element of Co. G
frowned--poker playing. Col. Brown prohibited gambling. It was a still
night and a dark one, when there was not a game of poker going on. And
at "taps," which brought the officer-of-the-day around to see that all
lights were out, blanket screens were arranged so that the light did
not show through the tent roof. The click-clank of a sword as the
officer approached, caused the light to disappear, and sure to be
relighted as soon as expedient. With their caps between their knees,
the candle propped up in a bayonet, and a hard-tack box for a table,
they whispered back and forth and shuffled and dealt until some of
those caps were filled with postal currency. But poker was not the only
game played in the tents--euchre was a standard game.
Soon after the return from Chancellorsville the winter camp was
abandoned, for sanitary reasons. Added to accumulated foulness nearer
by, the half-buried corpses of a number of mules and horses out beyond
the parade ground, were beginning to pollute the air.
The place had been home to the boys. Its associations to many were
pleasant, to others, saddening. One of Co. G's boys had died while
there and was buried in the little enclosure back of the camp. His name
was Foltz. The surgeons said he died of home-sickness. His friends soon
after removed the body.
But camp must be changed. Precisely as with some people renting houses,
it is more convenient to move frequently, if they can thus avoid
house-cleaning. Thus was it with the 157th, and a summer camp was
established on Greens Farms, not far from the old one.
The new camp was neatly arranged, tents raised from the ground, company
streets turnpiked and adorned with evergreens, and at the head of each
street was an arch bearing the company letter in cedar sprigs. Fine
water gushed from beneath a huge gum tree below the hill, supplies of
all kinds were abundant and the men of Co. G kept in health.
The wounded from Chancellorsville were brought over and placed in tents
not far away, conveniently near for visiting. John Pfleiger, wounded
below the knee, suffered from a painful wound. Hank Whaling was grazed
below the stomach with a piece of shell. He had but recently recovered
from an attack of measles when he went into the fight, and his voice
had left him, so that he spoke in whispers. When he was struck, the
shock restored his voice, and he yelled, "Hub, ---- ---- I'm hit!" He
finally recovered from the effects of the bruise, and saw more of the
war.
When money is plenty among soldiers in camp there are always traders of
various kinds on hand. A maker of tin-types set up his shop nearby and
drew quite a trade. Some of those old pictures are still in existence
and they are fondly treasured. Occasionally a proud son of Lenox
borrowed the coat of an officer to appear smart in the picture he was
to send to his deary. By far the greater number appeared before the
camera rough and unpolished; sometimes in blouses, with pipes in their
mouths, and caps tilted on their heads. Not at all like the frozen
figures of Hamilton days.
One result of the recent battle was the depletion of the color-guard.
While at dress-parade one evening Col. Brown delivered one of his
measured speeches.
"Men are needed to fill out the color-guard," he said. "Candidates for
vacancies can send in their names to the adjutant. I want none but
brave men. The post is one of great danger. The appointment means
promotion."
A subdued growl went down the line, for the speech was a commentary.
Brave men! Just one man in Co. G sent in his name, and he did it to
avoid guard duty. A few weeks later and a private soldier of Co. G
carries the flag off a bloody battlefield. Where were those brave
corporals? The sergeant was down, several of the corporals were
wounded. The brave color corporal from Co. G was scratched and left the
field with all its glory behind him and he never returned to the
company.
One beautiful day the battalion was taken out for a drill in charging.
Col. Arrowsmith commanded half the men and Major Carmichael the others.
The boys were moved about, here and there, until at last they started
over a sharp knoll and the divisions met, with bayonets fixed at a
charge and the officers and men cheering. Company A's captain and the
lieutenant commanding B, crossed swords and the fire flew for a few
moments. Both were quite warm over the matter. The voice of Col.
Arrowsmith stopped the threatening storm. It is safe to say, neither of
those swords ever again came so near drawing blood. For the officers'
swords in the infantry, usually, were applied to switching off the tops
of grass and daisies, or killing snakes; few of them ever tasted gore.
Dress swords were issued to the orderly sergeants and to duty sergeants
also. They were carried only for a short time. One or two campaigns and
superfluous equipments disappear. Usually, their rifles were sufficient
for the boys of Co. G. Those nice little swords would have answered for
toasters when sharpened sticks were scarce.
In the first weeks of June orders came for the men to be supplied with
extra rations and eighty rounds of cartridges. Gen. Hooker intended the
men should carry plenty of powder and ball.