BREVET COLONEL H. SEYMOUR HALL, formerly Lieutenant Colonel
of this Regiment, and a native of Providence, Saratoga county New
York, is the only son of a very patriotic widow. His grand-father,
Moses Hall, was a soldier of the Revolution of 1776, and served his
country during the entire period of that eventful struggle. The
Colonel was pursuing a Scientific course in Genesee College, New York,
when the intelligence of the Rebel guns against Sumpter was
communicated to the North. With others of his collegiate companions he
immediately tendered his services to the Country, and was enlisted
April 24th, 1861, as a volunteer PRIVATE in Co. G. 27th
Regiment New York Volunteers, which Regiment was first commanded by
Colonel, now Major General Slocum, whose successor in the command was
Lieutenant Colonel, now Major General J. J. Bartlett. Upon the
organization of the Company he was chosen ENSIGN. He
afterwards was appointed SECOND LIEUTENANT, and then promoted
to CAPTAIN.
In the battle of Gaines' Hill, June 27th, 1862, he received a wound in
his left thigh by a musket ball. On account of his distinguished
services in that engagement he is specially spoken of by the
commanding officer of his Brigade, who in submitting names of officers
whose good conduct and gallantry, particularly in that action,
deserved mention, states: "H. Seymour Hall, Captain of Co. G. 27th New
York Volunteers, for coolness and intrepidity in the battle of Gaines'
Hill; and for displaying the traits of a good officer at all times."
January 15th, 1863, he became _Acting Assistant Inspector General_
on the staff of Brigadier General Bartlett, commanding 2nd Brigade
1st Division 6th Corps; and for his services in the battles of
Chancellorsville and Salem Heights, May 3d and 4th ensuing, he is
honorably mentioned in the report by that General commanding, who
states: "during the campaigns I received the most efficient aid from
Captain H. Seymour Hall, Acting Assistant Inspector General. He was
brave, energetic and untiring in his endeavors to promote the
efficiency of my command."
Upon the expiration of term of service of his Regiment he was formerly
mustered-out, but immediately re-commissioned Captain in the 121st New
York Volunteers, and continued on the staff as before. When Colonel
Upton became General Bartlett's successor in command of the Brigade,
he was placed on his staff. He is highly complimented in the report by
this latter officer of his command in the battle of Rappahannock
Station, November 7th, 1863. "From my own staff I received, in every
instance, prompt and gallant assistance, and to their united efforts
may be attributed, in a great measure, the promptness with which both
regiments re-formed inside the works. Captain H. Seymour Hall,
Assistant Inspector General, entered the rifle pits with the men."
After this engagement he was promoted to ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT
GENERAL on the staff of this Brigade commander, which position he
held in connection with the other until his commission in this
Regiment.
It may not be improper to introduce here a few extracts of
communications setting forth the high appreciation of Colonel Hall for
his ability and bravery, by very competent Judges. Brigadier General
Jackson, Commander of 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps, in his
letter addressed to Adjutant General of the State of New York,
requesting the appointment of Captain Hall to Colonel of the 145th New
York Volunteers, which Regiment was in his Brigade, and without a
Colonel, states: "I have known Captain Hall for the past fifteen
months, and consider him every way qualified to fill the above
mentioned position." Major General Slocum's endorsement on this paper
testifies: "I know Captain Hall to be a capable, efficient and
faithful officer, and most cordially unite with General Jackson in
this recommendation." Major General Slocum himself, also, in a letter
relating to the same subject, and addressed to the same Officer of
State, closes with the remarks: "I am well acquainted with him
(Captain Hall,) and know him to be a capable and efficient officer,
and think his appointment would be a great benefit to the service.
Captain Hall has no knowledge of my intention to recommend him for
this position, and in doing it I am only actuated by a desire to
improve the condition of the troops under my command." For some reason
or other, left unsatisfactory unexplained, the State Executive made no
appointment whatever. In consequence of this the Regiment alluded to
was obliged to forego its organization, and be consolidated with
others.
Captain Hall was appointed by the President LIEUTENANT
COLONEL of this Regiment, March 20th, 1864. After reporting at
Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, he completed the organization of its
1st Battalion composed of the first six Companies, with which he
joined the 9th Corps at Annapolis, Maryland, April 19th, 1864. He
commanded it through all the engagements in the Wilderness; and in the
memorable battle of the Mine before Petersburg, Virginia, July 30th,
1864, it was the charging Regiment which he led against the enemy's
works. With regard to his own gallantry in that terrible engagement,
the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 9th Corps,
testifies: "Lieutenant Colonel H. Seymour Hall, Commanding 43d
Regiment United States Colored Troops, lost his right arm while
bravely leading his Regiment." Such was his anxiety that he reported
again for duty to his Regiment when his wound was but partially
healed. He was afterwards ordered to Camp Casey, Virginia, as
Commander of that _Recruiting Rendezvous_ and _Chief Mustering
Officer_ of the District of Columbia. He remained in this capacity
until March 20th, 1865, the date under order of discontinuing the
Rendezvous, when he returned to his Regiment, then on the front before
Richmond, Virginia. Immediately after the capture of Richmond, April
3d, 1865, he was detailed PROVOST MARSHAL of Manchester, Virginia. He
conducted this office with his usual great ability, and also with
perfect satisfaction to the Government.
He was appointed by the President of the United States COLONEL OF
VOLUNTEERS by Brevet "for gallant and meritorious services in the
service of the United States, to rank as such from the 13th day of
March 1865." This honor from the late lamented Chief Magistrate was
most fittingly awarded.
Colonel Hall was a member of General Court Martial in Camp on the
Chickahominy, Virginia, of which Brigadier General Pratt was
President, in May and June, 1862; Judge Advocate of General Court
Martial in Camp near Bakersville, Maryland, of which Brigadier General
Newton was President, in September, 1862; a member of Military
Commission also in Camp near Bakersville, Maryland, of which now
Brevet Major General Bartlett was President, in October, 1862; a
member of a Board of Officers to examine officers as to qualification
and fitness for their positions in the 1st Division, 6th Corps, of
which now Brevet Major General Torbert was President, in October,
November and December 1862; a member of General Court Martial in Camp
near White Oak Church, Virginia, of which Colonel Cake, 96th Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers was President, in January, 1863; a member of
General Court Martial at Headquarters of 2nd Brigade, 4th Division,
9th Corps, near Petersburg, Virginia, of which Brevet Brigadier
General Bates was President, in June and July, 1864, and President of
Military Commission for the Western District of Texas, convened at
Brownsville, Texas, which occupied the place of Civil Court, in August
and September, 1865. Upon the discharge of his Regiment he continues
in service, having reported under orders to Major General Wright,
Headquarters Department of Texas, who assigned him to duty as
Assistant Superintendent in the Freedmen's Bureau, under Brigadier
General E. M. Gregory, Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau in that
State.
The following are actions in which he has participated, a number of
which were the most important of any during the war, viz.: First Bull
Run, July 21st, 1861; West Point, May 7th, 1862; heavy skirmish at
Mechanicsville, May 21st, 1862; Gaines' Hill, June 27th, 1862;
Golden's Farm, June 28th, 1862; Charles City Cross Roads, June 30th,
1862; Second Bull Run, August 30th, 1862; Fredericksburg, December
13th, 14th and 15th, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 3d, 1863; Salem
Heights, May 3d and 4th, 1863; Gettysburg, July 1st, 2d and 3d, 1863;
heavy skirmish at Fairfield, Pennsylvania, July 7th, 1863; heavy
skirmish at Funkstown, Maryland, July 10th, 1863; heavy skirmish at
St. James' College, Maryland, July 13th, 1863; Rappahannock Station,
November 7th, 1863; Locust Grove, November 24th, 1863; Mine Run,
November 27th, 1863; Wilderness, May 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, 1864;
Spottsylvania, May 7th to 15th, 1864; Tolopotomy Creek, May 19th and
20th, 1864; North Anna, May 22d and 23d, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1st
to 3d, 1864; Old Church, June 10th, 1864; Siege of Petersburg, June
18th, 1864; Mine before Petersburg, July 30th, 1864; and capture of
Richmond, April 3d, 1865.
Brevet Colonel Hall has risen from a private to his present rank and
office by his excellent military talent, energy, intelligence and
gentlemanliness, and by his great gallantry in all the engagements in
which he has participated. These have been the hand-maids of his
success. He is a patriot who has accomplished a good work for his
country, and who also carries the empty sleeve--the same unmistakable
mark of superior devotion and valor.