Ontario County, NY Troops in the Civil War

from the History of Ontario Co., New York   Published 1878    p. 82 - p.100

Transcribed by Donna Judge and Dianne Thomas

Welcome to Ontario County, NY, History and Genealogy! 
If you would like to add or to link Ontario County data to this site please contact me. Copyright resides with the contributor.

 Return to Home Page                        Return to Civil War Homepage

CHAPTER XXX 

Ontario in the War for the Union  

When the tidings of Fort Sumter’s fall came flashing along the telegraph wires, and, close following, the call by President LINCOLN for men to put down organized rebellion, the patriotic spirit of old Ontario was most thoroughly aroused. Feeling was deep, intense, and painful; then it found vent, not alone in Canandaigua and Geneva, but in every village and town in the county. Thousands of dollars were subscribed as a volunteer fund. A splendid banner was prepared by the ladies of Canandaigua for the Ontario regiment. Flags were everywhere thrown to the breeze. The young men formed in companies, martial bands paraded the streets, and the din of preparation everywhere resounded. The history of events in Ontario would fill volumes—the heroism of the soldiers, the liberality of the citizens, and the noble efforts early instituted of the “Ladies’ Army Hospital Aid Society” and kindred organizations. To furnish supplies for the sick and wounded there was no effort neglected, no sacrifice not cheerfully made; and whether on the field of battle contending with the enemies of the country, or at home awaiting with untold anxiety the dread report of mighty battles, the pulse of this noble old county has always beat time to the music of the Union. Within a brief interval companies of volunteers had been recruited, officered, and placed at the service of the government. War was the all-absorbing topic, and the feelings there and then aroused never found rest till, with joy too deep for expression, the tidings came of LEE surrendered and the Union saved. Limited in space, but brief record can here be given of the soldiers of Ontario; but so far as possible the various organizations shall have fitting mention, and this in extent according to the numbers from this county.

The Eighteenth New York  - was the first regiment to enroll in its ranks the foremost company of Ontario. By April 26 a company had been formed, of which Henry FAUROT was captain, James H. MORGAN first lieutenant, Wm. H ELLIS, Jr., ensign. On May 9, 1861, they set out to rendezvous at Albany, where the regiment was organized to serve two years, and mustered into the United States service May 17, 1861. The company was designated Company G. On May 27 the regiment, under Colonel Wm. A. JACKSON, received marching orders, and in June had encamped at Washington. It left Camp Myers, Alexandria, Virginia, on July 16, to take part in the advance upon Richmond. It was in the advance next day, and a slight skirmish occurred whereby a loss of five wounded was sustained and a like loss inflicted upon the enemy. On the 18^th, Centreville was reached, and a brisk skirmish ensued, the advance having the worst of it. On the 21^st of July the Eighteenth was held in reserve and was not engaged; upon the retreat it was made part of the rear-guard, marched all night, and by the close of the month was back in its former camp near Alexandria. The repulse at Bull Run convinced the North that something more than brave hearts was needed by the soldier, and long months passed away, when it grew into a proverb, “All quiet along the Potomac,” and the army had become a well-drilled, equipped, and mighty force. An advance was made on Manassas, which the enemy had abandoned. MCCLELLAN then determined upon the advance, via Yorktown, upon Richmond, and thither conveyed his troops. The Eighteenth left Alexandria April 18, on board the steamboat “Long Branch,” and was landed opposite Yorktown. Bearing their part in the events which transpired in the advance upon Richmond, in the battles following the retreat to James river, the regiment acquitted itself with honor to the State which sent it forth, and on July 4 a report was made of three killed, eight wounded, and eleven missing from Company G.  Sick with fever, Captain FAUROT led his company at Gaines’ Mills, and during the day, being injured by a shell, fell and was taken to the rear. Lieutenant GREEN was ill, and Lieutenant ELLIS took charge of the company in the retreat to Harrison’s Landing, on the James river. The regiment was mustered out on May 28, 1863, and a large portion of the men again went to the field as new organizations were formed and the peril of their old comrades invoked their aid.

The Twenty-Seventh Regiment was organized at Elmira, to serve for two years. It was mustered into service May 21, 1861. In its first engagement at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, it was under command of Henry W. SLOCUM. In this engagement J. W. BUTLER, of East Bloomfield, was killed. He was a member of Company G, partly raised in the county of Ontario. In the battle of Gaines’ Mills Captain H. S. HALL was wounded, one man killed, sixteen wounded, and three missing. The roll of honor bears the names Bull Run, Gaines’ Mills, Seven Days’ Battle, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Marye’s Heights—a long list this for the first two years of the war. The muster-out took place May 21, 1863.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment, raised at Albany, N.Y., to serve for two years, was mustered into the United States service May 22, 1861. To this regiment, commanded by Colonel Dudley DONNELLY was attached the company of Captain Theodore FITZGERALD, J. J. WHITNEY, first lieutenant, and Harvey PADELFORD, ensign of the same. In assigning the companies place, the Ontario company was known as “E.” Its men were young and enthusiastic, and of the best material for soldiers. The regiment was ordered to Washington, where in June it went into camp, and from there was ordered to join General PATTERSON’s division at Martinsburg, Virginia. Many of the men had been school-teachers. The regiment numbered seven hundred and eighty men, was well drilled, and carried the U.S. rifles of 1851. It left Washington July 6, and arrived at Hagerstown on the 7^th; thence it marched to Martinsburg, where foraging occupied the attention of the command, and taught them the lessons by which they were ultimately to profit. Months, passed idly, and with the coming of spring expectations of winning distinction in the field were indulged in without realization, until on the 7^th of April the Twenty-eighth arrived near Woodstock, Virginia, and went into camp. On the 17^th the citizens of Columbia Furnace, a hamlet about eight miles distant, sent a request to Colonel DONNELLY, in command of the first brigade, to detach a force for their protection. Captain FITZGERALD with Company E was of the detachment, which consisted of eight companies of infantry, two of cavalry, and a howitzer. Next day a party of five out on a scout captured two cavalrymen, and learned that their company was quartered eight miles up the valley, by a church. A guide was procured, and at midnight of the 15^th an expedition set out to capture them. Captain FITZGERALD, with thirty men of Company E, took the advance, and, marching along a circuitous route a distance of thirteen miles, halted near the church. Half an hour passed, and thirty men of the Fifth Connecticut came up; the remainder of the force, two hundred strong, did not appear, and the sixty men were formed within forty rods of the church. The rebels were completely surprised, and surrendered at discretion., Three officers and fifty-eight privates, with horses, were the fruits of this creditable enterprise. In the afternoon of May 24, orders came to Colonel DONNELLY to march his brigade with all haste to Strasburg. Here was learned news of the battle at Front Royal, and a retreat began, leaving much property behind. Before half the eighteen miles which lie between Strasburg and Winchester had been passed over, the enemy had attacked the Union rear. Eight miles from Winchester the Twenty-eighth was ordered to the rear to reinforce the forces covering the retreat, but did not become engaged. At 11 p.m. the regiment entered Winchester and the men laid upon their arms.

Fighting began early on the 25^th. At daylight, a perfect shower of missiles was hurled upon the Union lines. Seven thousand men for four hours checked, and at times repulsed, from two to three times their number. The right wing gave way, and Colonel DONNELLY drew back his forces in good order. The Forty-sixth Pennsylvania separated from the First brigade and marched through Williamsport with the Third brigade. The Twenty-eighth New York and Fifth Connecticut kept together, and gallantly withstood a galling fire for hours. The rebel marksmen threw their shot into the retiring ranks, yet few shell exploded and scarcely a man was injured. Colonel DONNELLY, by changing the direction of the line of march, obtained temporary exemption from the rebel fire. The regiment marched forty-seven miles and crossed the river at Dam No. 4, eleven miles below Williamsport. Company E had none injured and three missing at the morning report. The men, nowise disheartened, were ready to return again to dispute possession of the Shenandoah, The regiment took part in the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862; they were engaged at Antietam, and shortly after the engagement under HOOKER at Chancellorsville set out on their return home, and were mustered out June 2, 1863. Few of the old veterans of this command but enlisted again to stem the tide of rebel advances.

The Thirty-third Regiment was organized at Elmira, New York, to serve for two years. It was mustered into the service of the United States May 22, 1861. Three companies went from Ontario: one, under Captain John R. CUTLER, from Canandaigua, and two from Geneva, respectively commanded by Captain WALKER and Captain WATERFORD. This large proportion of troops from this county gave to the regiment the appellation “Ontario Regiment,” and to its soldiers was presented the beautiful banner prepared by the ladies of Canandaigua for that purpose. The officers at organization were: Robert F. TAYLOR, colonel; Calvin WALKER, of Geneva, lieutenant-colonel; Robert J. MANN, major; and Chas. T. SUTTON, adjutant. July 8, the regiment was en route for Washington. At Camp Granger, near the city, E. BACKERSTOSE, of Company H, was accidentally shot. This was the first death in the regiment. The regiment remained to guard Washington, and was not engaged at Bull Run. On July 6, it was brigaded with the Third Vermont and Sixth Maine, under Colonel W. T. SMITH. September 15, it was attached to the Third brigade, composed of itself, the Forty-ninth and Seventy-ninth New York, and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania, commanded by Colonel STEVENS. Divisions were formed, and General SMITH, promoted from colonel, was placed over this command. The division of SMITH advanced upon Vienna on September 29, and a spirited artillery duel was carried on with no casualties, and the force returned to camp. The Thirty-third were embarked on transports March 23, and taken to Old Point Comfort. When the army advanced upon Yorktown, SMITH’S division was, on April 5, in position in front of Lee’s Mills. Here the Thirty-third were thrown forward as skirmishers, and engaged the enemy, and were under fire for fifty-four hours continuously. Closing in upon Yorktown, the regiment labored hard upon earthworks, and when preparing with others to storm the rebel position, tidings came of evacuation. Pursuit of the retiring enemy was immediately begun, and on May 4, SMITH’S division had reached the rebel works, two miles from Williamsburg. These works consisted of Fort Magruder and a number of earthworks placed at intervals across the peninsula, and occupied by the rebel rear-guard. The Union troops lay upon their arms, and at early morning advanced upon the forts. HOOKER’S force was resisted and repulsed. About noon HANCOCK was ordered to take his own and the Third brigade to flank the position. The Thirty-third had been halted some eight miles back, and had not begun its advances till 5 PM, and came up just in time to join in this movement. The columns marched two miles to the right, near York river, then bearing off to the left, crossed King’s creek, on the embankment of a dam built to overflow the ground fronting a portion of the rebel lines, and came upon strong works deserted. Near the dam, Companies B, G, and K, of the Thirty-third, were left to guard the forks, and, the force having crossed, Major PLATNER, in command, marched them into the nearest fort. HANCOCK, moving half a mile to the left, halted by a deserted redoubt near the rebel position. Lieutenant-Colonel CORNING was ordered to occupy this work with Companies A, D, and F, with the colors and the color-guard. The remainder of the regiment was at once deployed as skirmishers, and advanced to the front and right. Two batteries, supported by a brigade, opened upon Fort Magruder with shell. The attack after some time ceased, and all was quiet in this part of the field, while away to the left heavy firing indicted a heavy engagement. Night was approaching, and the men were turning their thoughts to supper and rest, when it was announced that a body of rebel troops were coming up from Williamsburg. The enemy soon deployed his columns in line of battle, and advanced steadily and with apparent confidence. Arrangements were rapidly made for their reception. HANCOCK ordered his batteries and infantry into position, and the three companies of the Thirty-third were withdrawn from the redoubt to take their place in line, leaving the colors and their guard in the work. The enemy moved determinedly forward in the face of a continuous fire, and greeted the Union lines with derisive yells. The line wavered, and the artillery began to be withdrawn by the dam; a disastrous retreat seemed inevitable, and the hostile force had come within seventy yards, when Colonel TAYLOR, fresh from the skirmish line, drew his sword, and gave command to charge. The order was cheerfully repeated by Lieutenant-Colonel CORNING, and forward, upon the double-quick, this fragment of a regiment charged to check the advance of two or more brigades. It was the turning-point of the battle. Other regiments joined in the charge, and the astonished rebels broke and ran, while the Union fire pursed them to their works. Advancing over the ground of their advances, full two hundred of the rebels were found lying dead or wounded, and among them a number of their officers. The Thirty-third, although scattered, fought the enemy wherever it, found them, whether themselves on the skirmish line or in battle array. The four companies deployed on the left had opened fire as soon as range was obtained, and had slowly fallen back, and the rebel charging column passed through without regarding them. Captain ROOT, sent forward with a supporting party, found himself surrounded, and, retracing his steps some forty rods, halted to look about him. A party of rebels were seen near by, and upon these his little command opened fire, and compelled their surrender. Captain ROOT, with twenty-seven men, came in with forty prisoners. As the enemy passed through Company H, several of the men were swept away, and soon a force returning attacked the company, and Captain DRAKE and a score of his men were captured. The soldierly conduct of all the companies in this action won a personal encomium from General MC CLELLAN, highly gratifying and fully deserved.

The enemy continued his retreat, followed closely, and on May 9 the regiment advanced fifteen miles. On the following day cast-away arms, clothing, supplies, and other evidences of a hurried retreat were observed strewed all along the road, and the spirits of the men were buoyant of hope in a speedy triumph. Arriving at the White House, on the Pamunkey, the left wing was detailed for picket, and in trying to find the line advanced a mile beyond the cavalry vidette and stampeded a rebel patrol, who doubtless awoke the rebel camps with tidings of a night movement in force. On May 21, SMITH’S division was within eleven miles of the rebel capital. Three days later, and a portion of the Thirty-third upon the skirmish line encountered the enemy at Mechanicsville. Line of battle was formed in their rear, and both sides opening with artillery, they were placed between two fires. A solid shot sped past between Major PLATNER and Captain GUION as they stood conversing. The enemy had taken advantage of a group of buildings, into which the Union regiments poured a heavy fire, compelling an evacuation with loss. A charge being opportunely made, the enemy fled in disorder, casting aside their knapsacks and blankets as impediments to their escape. It has been affirmed with good reason that had DAVIDSON been ordered forward, and properly supported RICHMOND would have been taken. DAVIDSON’S brigade are next reported at “GAINES’ Farm,” on fatigue and picket duty. The battle of Seven Pines was followed by that of Fair Oaks, and bravely the national forces contended for a victory put beyond their grasp. An advance of three miles was made on June 5 by the division, and the Thirty-third was halted by Colonel TAYLOR within six miles of Richmond, and a thousand yards from the rebel lines. Here they remained till June 28, and here the Twentieth New York was attached to the brigade. The enemy’s sharpshooters kept up a constant fire upon our men, who were busily engaged in constructing works and bridges, the latter destined to good purpose as a means of escape, when the right wing of the army was assailed by the rebel armies. MCCLELLAN had laid in the swamps of the Chickahominy with one hundred and fifteen thousand men fit for duty until LEE succeeding JOHNSON, uniting with the redoubtable JACKSON, came down upon the Union right at Mechanicsville. For long hours the men of Ontario regiments battled with desperate valor against overpowering numbers at GAINES’ Farm, and when the last shot of myriads had been fired at midnight of June 27, nine thousand Union soldiers had been killed, wounded, or taken to Richmond. To MCCLELLAN were presented two alternatives—to gather up all his forces and risk all upon a fierce, decisive battle, or fall back to the protection of the gunboats upon the James, abandoning his wounded, blowing up his war material, and burning his immense supplies. He decided on the latter, and the retreat began. On the morning of June 28, Colonel TAYLOR, ordered by General SMITH, advanced a portion of the Thirty-third to relieve the picket line, then but forty rods from the enemy; the remainder of the regiment, under Acting Adjutant TYLER, meantime made preparation for retreat. Suddenly, with a crash, the rebels opened with a score of cannon and a shower of shot and shell swept through the camp, riddling tents, firing supplies, and driving all in haste to the breastwork. This earthen rampart was repeatedly struck; shells fell within the trench, and soldiers, at their peril, seized them and flung them over the works, where they exploded harmlessly. For an hour the tempest raged unanswered, as our artillery had been withdrawn, and then an ominous silence was broken by the rebel advance upon the picket line. The skirmishers retired slowly, firing steadily, and joined the main body at the breastwork. Now came a second silence as the hostile lines closed in upon the entrenchment, behind which a long line of leveled rifles was held ready for the word of command. With a yell, once heard never forgotten, the enemy came sweeping full upon the works, when a deadly discharge from the Thirty-third smote down the foremost. Another volley, yet another, and the enemy wavered, turned, and took to flight, pursued till beyond range by the same withering fire from the rude defenses. Reformed, the rebels again advanced to encounter a like terrible experience, and once more fell back. Colonel LAMAR, of the Eighth Georgia, was seen conspicuous as he incited his men to a third charge. A volley from the works struck him down as a section of MOTT’s battery, opportunely opening an enfilading fire upon them, drove them from the field. In this assault the Seventh and Eighth Georgia lost ninety-one killed, many wounded, and fifty prisoners, among whom were Colonel LAMAR and Lieutenant-Colonel TOWER. The Thirty-third lost few, and these mainly in falling back from the picket line. The thousands of MCCLELLAN, with heavy siege-trains, were in full retreat. The right wing was marching along the west bank of the Chickahominy towards White Oak Swamp; thence the living tide moved on towards its goal—Harrison’s Bar. Three nights of vigil for the right wing of the Thirty-third, the last of the three, June 28, being passed upon the picket line to deceive the enemy, while regiment after regiment disappeared in the distance and in the darkness.

Far from support, liable to attack at any moment, the men stood at their posts and longed for the order to withdraw. A heavy fog came opportunely, and shrouded their movements in obscurity. At one a.m. of the 29^th, Companies A and F relieved C, D, and I, and a few hours later these companies were withdrawn, and the Thirty-third rejoined the division. At Savage Station an immense accumulation of war material was fired. Here was a general hospital, where thousands of sick and wounded had congregated. They were abandoned to the tender mercies of the enemy, while many a brave fellow, ghastly with the suffering of fearful wounds or the inroads of disease, struggled on upon that terrible retreat, and sank down exhausted at the river. DAVIDSON’S brigade marched to the rear of the station, and, finding abundance of abandoned clothing, soon drew each for himself a new suit. An attack being made, the brigade returned to the station at a double-quick, and, till an hour after sunset, bore part in the battle into which they immediately entered. A detail, including ten men from the Thirty-third, was sent to bury the dead, and was captured. The march was begun about ten PM towards White Oak Swamp, and just before day the brigade reached the bridge. Men were standing, torch in hand, to fire the structure should the enemy appear. An hour of anxious waiting passed by, and then the Thirty-third crossed over, marched over a hill-crest, and halted in line of battle. At eleven the bridge was fired, and soon was burning furiously. The Thirty-third soldiers were busy drawing rations, when, unheralded by any warning shot, a heavy fire from a number of batteries planted in the dense wood, at close range, was opened upon the Union position. A partial panic ensued. A regiment in front of the Thirty-third stampeded, and the men were brought back into line by officers of the Ontario regiment. General DAVIDSON, sun-struck, resigned command of the brigade to Colonel TAYLOR; and Major PLATNER, commanding the regiment, being ordered to report to General HANCOCK, was placed by him in line upon the extreme right, accompanying the order with the remark, by him in line upon the extreme right, accompanying the order with the remark, “Major, you have the post of honor; hold the position at all hazards, and add new laurels to those already won by the Thirty-third.”

The rebel infantry came out upon the farther bank, and both sides opened a heavy and constant fire. Several attempts were made to cross the swamp, and each was received with a pitiless fire, which made success impossible. At 8:30 PM the enemy crossed firing, and soon after the division silently withdrew.

General DAVIDSON, by special order, reported Captain C. H. COLE, of Company C, for promotion for distinguished service, as well as Major John S. PLATNER and James MCNAIR, of Company F.

Pickets had been placed as the troops withdrew, and it was morning before the enemy became aware of the Union withdrawal. The division was now constituted the rear-guard, and held position at the swamp all day. As it set out for the river, tidings came that the enemy under HUGER had secured the road in the rear and confidently awaited its coming. To men who had already done so much, this was disheartening news. It was but seven miles direct to the river, but SMITH, turning from the road, made a circuit of twenty-two miles, and passed the enemy in safety. Human endurance had reached its limit, and the men, falling asleep on the march, moved along mechanically. An hour before day, Malvern was reached, and gladly an hour’s sleep was taken. The Thirty-third was then ordered on picket. Major PLATNER deployed the line, and each alternate man was then permitted to sleep. To the rear lay the army in line awaiting attack. A Vermont brigade slashed the timber between the picket and the line and made a strong abattis through which, no openings being left, the men relieved at three of the next morning found their way in amid the darkness and obstructions. A few hours’ rest were given, and then the regiment was ordered to the front as support to AYER’S battery. The battle of Malvern Hill was fought, and the enemy repulsed with great loss. At two in the afternoon the regiment, having joined the brigade, had reached Harrison’s Landing, where were found food and rest.

At this place the Thirty-third assisted to build a heavy work mounting several thirty-two pound cannon. Wells were dug by the various companies, and the healthfulness and comfort of pure water were enjoyed. Soft bread was issued, and the men fared well.

At midnight, July 31, the enemy, from three batteries posted on the high bank of the river, opened a sharp fire upon the camp and shipping, but were soon repulsed. Upon the army of General POPE, which had moved southward from Washington, the enemy now concentrated his forces, and MC CLELLAN was ordered to bring forward his command to his assistance. This was all too tardily done. While preparing for retreat, HOOKER led a force to Malvern Hill, which was temporarily re-occupied, straw effigies and logs mounted as cannon were placed on the fort, and the immense army was again upon the move. On August 16, SMITH’s division took its place in a column reaching forty miles,--the rear at Harrison’s Landing, the advance at Williamsburg. The Thirty-third marched on the 17^th seventeen miles. Colonel VEGESACK, of the Twentieth New York, took command of the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel CORNING returned to the regiment. The march took the men by the old battle field at Fort Magruder, reviving the stirring events of that locality, and, reaching Fortress Monroe, the regiment was taken on board a steamer and brought to Aquia Creek, thence to Alexandria, where, on August 24, the force went into camp. The rebel generals had assumed the offensive, and were endeavoring to crush the army of General POPE. Cedar Mountain and other battles followed. A hard battle was fought upon the old Manassas ground, while PORTER’s splendid corps lay within hearing of the musketry and gave no help to the heroic soldiery who fought with unexcelled devotion. The second Bull Run was lost, POPE defeated, personal spite won its barren victory, and homes were made desolate in vain. There are dark pages in the history of the Army of the Potomac here, and the intelligent soldiery refusing longer to be sacrificed, gave way and centered near the capital. The Thirty-third was employed to stop and return stragglers; relieved it marched to Centreville, and took place in line to cover the retreat.

POPE, at his own request, was relieved and MC CLELLAN reinstated. LEE crossed the Potomac, and the army of the North advanced to encounter him in Maryland. The Thirty-third, without knapsacks, moved forward with the rest, and on September 13, crossing Monocacy bridge, received orders in conjunction with the Seventieth New York to drive the enemy from Jefferson’s Pass. This service was gallantly performed without loss. The enemy held Turner’s and Crampton’s Passes; SLOCUM and BROOKS were ordered to take the latter. The column of BROOKS marched direct upon the enemy, charged a battery, captured a section and many prisoners, among whom the Thirty-third found their old foe, Colonel LAMAR. The Thirty-third was of the regiments in support of BROOK’S column.

Preparations were now being made to relieve the force at Harper’s Ferry, where lay the new One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York, when tidings of surrender were made known. The battle of Antietam was fought September 17, and was a Union victory unimproved. HOOKER opened the fight with impetuosity and temporary success. The masses of LEE concentrated to repel his advances. MANSFIELD arrived, and the two forces held their ground for hours. SUMNER came up and joined battle, and LEE sent heavy columns to force him back. The hard-beat Union lines were giving way, when FRANKLIN, coming up with two divisions, restored firmness, and placed the enemy upon the defensive. Since early dawn these divisions had been marching, always nearer the roar of battle, and as they swept on with stern, resistless front, the veteran ranks of gray gave way, and the regimental flags were planted far in the advance. Here fell fifty killed and wounded in the Thirty-third. Sergeant Major G. W. BARRETT was shot dead after bearing Lieutenant MIX, badly wounded, from the field. The advance ground was held, and a picket detail from the Thirty-third, advancing close upon the rebel position, discovered signs of a retreat and sent back word, but LEE made good his escape, and the opportunity was lost. September 19, SMITH was ordered to join COUCH, as the enemy was reported re-crossing. A body of cavalry had forded the river, but retired on finding the Union troops in force. On the 23^rd the regiment moved near Bakersville, and went into camp. October 6, Lieutenant ROACH and ROSSITER arrived with two hundred recruits for the Thirty-third. Part of these men was made Company D, that company having been disbanded, and the rest were apportioned among the other companies. The lull in warfare, the delightful scenery, the accession of numbers, all united to inspirit the men, and made the time pass pleasantly. The regiment was placed upon the picket service along the Potomac, about the middle of October, while Stuart made his raid around our army, and LEE fell back behind the Rappahannock. October 29, the regiment joined the Third brigade, and marched to Berlin, where Colonel TAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel CORNING, and over two hundred recruits arrived. MCCLELLAN was removed, and BURNSIDE given the command. The army was organized in three grand divisions, and directed upon Fredericksburg. Valuable time was lost; LEE established his lines upon the heights and awaited attack. BURNSIDE resolved to cross at Fredericksburg, and, as a feint, sent the left grand division down the stream, and a force was sent by LEE to resist a crossing. On the night of December 11, the batteries of the national army were planted upon the bluff above the river bank; the pontoons were brought down and all made ready for crossing. The history of the Fiftieth Engineers relates how well their part was done. Then followed the tremendous cannonade, the crossing in boats of the Seventh Michigan and Nineteenth Massachusetts, the capture of the rebel sharpshooters, the crossing of the army, and, meantime, the enemy looked down from their works and bided their time. HOWE’S division had bivouacked in the woods, and during the 12^th the troops of HOOKER and FRANKLIN had been crossing. On Saturday, December 13, warm as a spring day, the battle of Fredericksburg was fought and lost. By half-past seven, HOWE’s division was in line; the Thirty-third was placed in support of a battery, and batteries opening fire the advance of the Union troops began. The particulars of that desperate assault are fully recorded, where thousands of our bravest fell before an enemy protected behind stone walls and earthen bank. For hours the regiment lay close by the battery, receiving the fire of the enemy in silence, and with little loss. With night came relief, and the Thirty-third fell back to the second line. The wish of BURNSIDE to renew the struggle at the head of his favorite corps was not received with favor by commanders, and the army withdrew across the river unassailed. December 19, the regiment marched back to White Oak Church, and built winter quarters. Many promotions followed, and among them, Captain      G. M. GUION, of A, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth of New York.

On January 20 another movement was in progress, when a storm arose whose violence was memorable. The trains became mired in a sea of mud, and gladly the Thirty-third once more returned to its old camp. BURNSIDE resigned and HOOKER took command.

In February, 1863, the Thirty-third was brigaded with the Forty-ninth and the One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania, under Colonel TAYLOR. Winter went by, and the last of April saw the army across the Rappahannock and in position at Chancellorsville. Then followed JACKSON’S onslaught upon the dispersal of the Eleventh corps, the night attack by HOOKER, the assault, the repulse, and the re-crossing of the historic river.

On Sunday, May 3, a courier brought  SEDGWICK orders to storm the heights of Fredericksburg and push on towards Chancellorsville. LEE had left what he deemed sufficient force to hold the hills, under command of BARKSDALE. The Sixth corps had broken camp, marched to the river, distant about five miles, and two bridges having been thrown across, a division had been sent over to protect them. On the afternoon of Saturday the remainder of the corps had crossed and formed line to the right of the troops already there. Darkness came on, and the Thirty-third, detailed for picket, was deployed some distance in front of the division. Morning dawned, and the men were drawn in and ordered to take position directly to the rear of COWAN’S battery. The order above noted was promptly obeyed. A column of twenty-four regiments was detailed to the task. The left of this column was led by NEILL’S brigade, the Thirty-third in front. Let one who was in that encounter tell the story in his own graphic style: “It came in whispers along the lines, that preparatory order, “Unsling knapsacks!” Too well we knew what it meant. We threw them quickly off, formed our line, and awaited the order to charge. Hark! the general commands, “Forward! guide center” An awful silence prevails; the deafening roar of artillery seems to be momentarily hushed; every heart beat high, every breath is drawn with the full consciousness that it may be our last; on every face can be seen the shadow of a stern resolve; every ear is intent to catch that final word which is to seal the fate of so many loyal hearts, “March!” Now we advance, common time at first, which is gradually changed into quick, and that again, as the men become warmed up to the work before them, is succeeded by a double-quick step, which soon brings us to the spot where the fire of two rebel batteries converges. As the point is reached, with roar, hiss, and scream, shell, grape, and canister fill the air, men fall wounded, dying, and dead, and still the line sweeps bravely on. The firing of the enemy now grown more rapid, and the troops seem enveloped in the iron storm, but still we press forward; now over a knoll, then through a gully and up a hill, and the first battery is taken without a struggle, for the enemy has fled. “Rest a moment, boys!” is spoken, and we throw ourselves upon the ground, and at a glance learn our position. We are on the flank of the only battery the rebels have left, and that must now be taken. “Fall in!” how promptly each man obeys! Moving by the right flank, we pass down through a deep ravine, and form a line at the base of the hill, on the crest of which is the objective battery. The forward movement begins. “Steady!” is the order as the men climb the hill, economizing strength for the time when it will be needed. The enemy, unaware of this danger, is directing his attention to the Vermonters coming in on his right. The hill-side, along our advance, is covered with underbrush, and the line has become broken. The foremost reach the top as the rebels are seen hitching up to retire. Time is precious; without waiting for command, a scattering, irregular volley is discharged among them, and they fly, and THE GUNS ARE OURS! Suddenly a destructive volley is poured into us from the rebel reserve, and for two-thirds of an hour the battle rages. The line is wavering as reinforcements arrive, deliver their fire, and rout the enemy. The fruits of victory were thirteen rifled cannon, two brass howitzers, a stand of colors, several hundred prisoners, and possession of the Heights of Fredericksburg.”

The works were left without a garrison, and reoccupied by the enemy before next morning. The corps advanced rapidly towards Chancellorsville, and at a distance of four miles encountered LEE’S army, and received a heavy fire, which was resisted until night closed the contest. The Thirty-third, replenishing cartridge-boxes, set out to follow the corps, and soon heard the sharp rattle of musketry, which grew in volume as the brigades came into action. Night came and found the regiment covering the left flank, resting well satisfied with the day’s work.

The men were breakfasting upon their coffee, hard-tack, and pork next morning, when the rebels were seen marching along a hill-crest half a mile distant, and towards the Union rear. The Thirty-third fell in, and marched rapidly in the same direction. It was greeted by a severe artillery fire until, passing to a protected spot, line was formed and a company deployed as skirmishers. The rebel infantry came down, and an action of three-quarters of an hour followed, resulting in their repulse. NEILL’S brigade threw up works. It was about noon when another attempt was made to break the Union lines. It was repulsed, with a rebel loss of a stand of colors and two hundred men. Hours passed, and it was late in the day, when the enemy made a desperate attempt to drive the corps into the river, a mile and a half to the rear. NEILL’S brigade was in the first line of battle, formed in an arc, with extremes resting upon the river, inclosing the bridges. The rebels came down in two lines of battle on our left, centre, and right, with heavy reserve. The centre advanced with shrill yells upon the brigade, which bore the brunt undismayed, and drove back the first line in great disorder. The second line came up, threw in a cross-fire, and compelled retirement to a new position, in line with a Vermont brigade. An hour’s desperate fighting ensued, and the enemy were checked, no repulsed, and the position was seen to be untenable longer. During the night the corps crossed the river, and at 8 AM the Thirty-third crossed over and went into camp on the north bank of the river. The regiment took four hundred and seventy-five men, all told, into the fight. Of these, two hundred and seventeen were killed, wounded, or missing, six color-corporals were shot, and the color-bearer came through safe. On May 12, term of service having expired, the regiment was discharged, and ordered to Elmira for muster-out. The brigade, division, and corps commanders, in special order, circular, and general order, gave high testimonial of gallant and meritorious service. From an extract of special order No. 120: “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 general. By command of Major-General SEDGWICK, commanding Sixth army corps.” The recruits were formed in one company, and attached to the Forty-ninth New York. The regiment met a noble reception at Geneva and Canandaigua. E. G. LAPHAM, Esq., J. P. FAUROT, and A. H. HOWELL addressed the soldiers. Colonel TAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel CORNING, and Rev. A. H. LUNG, chaplain, replied for the regiment. The flag of the Ontario regiment was returned by the colonel unsullied to the ladies who, two years before, had bestowed it with their prayers and blessings. The regiment left Elmira nine hundred strong; they returned with three hundred and fifty, and crowned with honor. They were mustered out at Geneva, June 2, and the work of the organization was completed.

The Thirty-eighth Regiment — This regiment was organized in New York city, to serve two years. In it was Company H from Geneva, commanded by Captain W. H. BAIRD. The muster into United States service took place in June, 1861. The Geneva Company behaved with great gallantry in the fight at Bull’s Run. John ORMAN, of Geneva, was killed, eleven men were wounded, and four missing. The regiment was under fire half an hour before the Fire Zouaves, and an hour before the Sixty-ninth. Repeatedly repulsed, the Thirty-eighth again and again rallied under fire. The recaptured GRIFFIN’s battery, and, repulsed with heavy loss, attempted to retake it. The loss in killed, wounded, and missing to the regiment was two hundred and one men. 

On December 23, 1862, the 38^th and 55^th were consolidated.  The two-year’s men were mustered out on expiration of term of service and recruits were transferred to the 40^th NY Volunteers.  The list of its engagements gives Bull Run, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Blackburn’s Ford, Second Bull run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. 

The 44^th New York Volunteers -  called the “People’s Ellsworth Regiment”, was to be composed of young men taken from every county in the State; selections being made of those having superior fitness for military service.  The regiment was fairly represented from Ontario County and the men did not disappoint expectation.  The regiment was organized at Albany, from August 30 to October 29, 1861, and was mustered out of service October 11, 1864.  The veterans and recruits were transferred to the 114^th and the 146^th NY Volunteers.  On the departure of the regiment for the seat of war, during October, a beautiful flag was presented to them at the hands of Mrs. Ersastus CORNING, and its preservation was a test of their devotion.  When, on July 3, the great battle of Gettysburg turned the wavering balance on the Union side, the 44^th fought hard to win victory, and the heavy list of casualties indicated peril boldly encountered.  A brief record is all we can give of their career.  The well known care taken during the first months of the war, was not to trespass on private property, even of a known enemy, and the guarding with strict orders of a rail-fence and a patch of potatoes, were at variance with the ideas of soldiers, who could not see that property was more sacred than person, and regarded confiscation as right and commendable.  Hence they viewed with approbation the dispatch of an expedition, in charge of Quartermaster MUNDY, upon the soil of Virginia, and gleaned from the plantations 132 wagon-loads of corn, hay and oats.  For a time the regiment lay in camp at the Hall’s Hill, Virginia, studious of discipline and in daily practice of the evolutions and art of war, perfecting that system which merges the individual in the mass and makes the force formidable.  The quiet monotony of camp was broken on the evening of March 9, 1862, by the pleasant tidings of orders to prepare to march on the morrow.  At 1 a.m., March 10, the Army of the Potomac was on the move.  The 44^th marched out from their home-like camp, and advanced in the direction of Manassas via Fairfax and Centerville.  The Ellsworths had the advance of the right of  the grand army – the post of honor.  Their course lay over fields of mud and through patches of timer, to Fairfax.  Here they were joined by their colonel, and with loud cheers moved out upon the road to Centerville, which place they were first to enter.  “An hour’s rest and onto Manassas,” was the order, and had it been carried out, a march of 34 miles would have signalized the firs day’s service.  Manassas had been evacuated and the movement was made too late.  Counter-marching, a return was made to Fairfax, where the regiment lay till the 15^th, when it proceeded to Alexandria, where it lay in camp until the 21^st.  PORTER’S division, in which ws the 44^th, was taken upon a fleet of 24 steamers, guarded by two gunboats and transported to Fortress Monroe.  On the morning of March 24, the division disembarked, and marched within five miles of Big Bethel.   A reconnaissance in force was made, wit the 44^th in advance.  The men were deployed as they came in sight of the rebel position and saw before them a line of rifle pits, a mile and a half in extent, wherein were men in gray busily at work.  The line advanced under cover of a close picket fence, which was leveled and at a double-quick the regiment reached the ground, to find the rebels fled, with campfires burning.  The forces under General PORTER, on May 27, attacked the enemy at Hanover Court House and after four hours hard fighting drove them from the field.  The 44^th left camp at 2 a.m. and marched some fifteen miles in a northwest direction, through a region of swamps, - mud to the knee and rain falling constantly.  Having arrived at a crossroads four miles from courthouse, ALLEN’S 5^th Massachusetts and MARTIN’S 3^rd Rhode Island batteries were put in position, and the 44^th placed in support and in reserve.  Meanwhile, MARTINDALE’S brigade and BERDAN’S Sharpshooters, pushing forward, engaged sharply, and the enemy yielding in the front, swung round upon the rear and prepared to profit by the situation.  The 44^th advanced to the support of a section of ALLEN’S battery, as the presence of the rebels became known.  Four companies, deployed to guard the left flank, were fired

Upon, while a North Carolina regiment was seen upon open ground advancing upon the Union artillery.  The skirmishers were gathered in at a double-quick, and the regiment drawn up to receive them.  The enemy turned to the right-about and retired to the woods.  Presently a hot fire was opened in front and on the right, and the regiment retiring to the road, lay there for an hour and a half exposed to a severe crossfire.  The Ellsworths and the 2^nd Maine maintained a galling fire, and kept the enemy at bay.  Wounded and dying, the soldiers gave utterance to expressions of fealty to the flag and manifested heroic devotion.  The men became wearied and the fire upon them redoubled in severity, when a few scattering shots, then a ripping volley, and finally a continuous crackling of musketry, told the glad story that the rebels were attacked by our returning troops, and speedily the action was at an end.  Five hundred men went into action; nineteen were killed and sixty-five wounded, eight of whom died.  The colors were pierced by 43 balls and the staff by one, making the number of the regiment.  Not a man had left the ranks, and men when wounded, continued to fire their muskets.  Upon the ground occupied by the enemy, lay 200 killed and wounded men, as evidence of the accuracy of the Union riflemen.  On June 7, the regiment had advanced to the eastern bank of the Chickahominy, and took their turn upon the picket line.  Those familiar with the history of the regiment know that it bore the brunt of many a battle, and sustained its name with honor.  They were discharged upon the expiration of their term of service, September 30, 1864.  Out of one thousand of the best youth of the State who went out to support he Union cause three years before, but about one hundred were left to be mustered out.   

The 50^th New York Engineers -  this famous regiment was organized during he summer and fall of 1861 at Elmira, NY, by General Charles B. STEWART of Geneva, formerly chief engineer in the navy.  Captain William O. SMALLEY and Porteus C. GILBERT, Lieutenants James L. ROBBINS and Thomas F. LANGDON, and a large number of men from Ontario went into this regiment.  The organization was recruited, by direction of the Secretary of War, as a regiment of engineers, pontoniers, sappers and miners and was mustered into service on September 18, as “Stewart’s Independent Volunteers.” 

As the breaking out of the rebellion there was but a battalion of engineers in the service, belonging to our small regular army, and it was soon seen that the command was inadequate to the duties of their branch of the service.  General STEWART was empowered to raise a regiment for this duty from the ranks of men qualified by their occupations.  The organized regiment had men qualified to build railroads, run locomotives, conduct trains, and ranged from common laborers to first class engineers. 

Starting for the seat of war September 18, 1861, the engineers were quartered for a few days on the Battery, at New York, to receive arms and equipment, then transported to Washington.  Quartermasters’ s supplies were obtained at Meridian Hill; thence they marched through Georgetown to Fort Corcoran and pitched their firs camp on rebel soil.  Here arose a serious difficulty.  Enlisted for a special service, and promised the allowances pertaining, the war department had made no provision for this class of soldiers, and the men were ordered into the field as infantry.  Severe reflections were made upon those who had promised what they could not fulfill.  Subsequently, a special act of Congress was passed, which laced the regiment upon its proper footing. 

Orders were received to proceed to Hall’s Hill, Virginia, and report to General BUTTERFIELD, then in command of a brigade in Fitz-John PORTER’S division.  This force, under General MC CLELLAN’S   favorite officer, was composed largely of regulars and contained many of the best regiments in the service.  General BUTTERFIELD gave the regiment constant exercise in the routine of duty.  There were drills by squad, company, regiment and battalion, accompanied by guard and picket duty while recitations in military tactics were the order for the night.  During this time four reviews were instituted  - one by General PORTER and there times by MC CLELLAN. 

About November 1, the engineers were ordered to Washington to receive instruction in special duties of their branch, and going into camp near the navy yard, the practice of bridge-building by the French pontoon system was begun.  Thorough instruction was given in the construction of field fortifications to military roads and to war appliances, such as gabions, fascines, chevaux-de-frise, stockades, palisades, sap-rollers and block houses.  Early in the spring of 1862, the regiment moved into Virginia, under command of General WOODBURY, of the regular engineers and was assigned to General MC DOWELL’S corps, then covering Washington.  Marching to Manassas, past the formidable Quaker guns, which were the occasion of mirth and cheer, the command proceeded to Bristoe Station, where Captain John B. MUNCY was directed to deploy a portion of K Company, under Lieutenant MC DONALD, to skirmish the road in advance as hostile cavalry had been seen hovering on our flank.  While thus advancing, expecting to meet the enemy, a halt was sounded and an order read from General MC CLELLAN, directing the return of the engineer brigade, to join his force at Yorktown.  Loudly cheering at the prospect of active service under the commanding officer, the men countermarched at quick time for Alexandria.   

April 10, the steamer, “Louisiana”  too the 15^th on board, and conveyed it to Cheeseman’s Landing, near Yorktown, on the 13^th, when duty at once began in the trenches, under fire of the rebel batteries.  The pontoon boats were ordered up and bridges thrown across the various streams that obstructed free communication, and roads were opened for the passage of heavy artillery.  It is difficult to realize the firmness required to perform these hazardous duties under the demoralizing influence of large shells constantly exploding in their midst.  An immense battery for 10, thirteen inch mortars was constructed by the regiment, and was made ready to open on the enemy.  

On the pleasant Sabbath morning of May 4, while the men in camps awaited in suspense the opening of the mortar battery with its 100 pound shells, the news spread rapidly the Yorktown was abandoned and the enemy in retreat.  Gathering up the siege material, bridge trains, and tools used in investment, the regiment followed n pursuit of the enemy up the peninsula, via Pamunkey River.  The march was continued from West Point on this stream to the White House, thence to the Chickahominy river near New Cold Harbor.  Bridges were at once commenced across this treacherous stream.  At Bottom’s Bridge, a portion of the structure had been left standing, and it was rapidly rebuilt for the passage of Casey’s division to its battlefield of Seven Pines.   

The Chickahominy, near Richmond, during dry weather is a mere brook, with march to a greater or less extent on either side, and is often not more than ten to twenty yards wide.  But on the night of March 30, while attempting to build a timer bridge across the stream at a point near Gaine’s house,  it rose so rapidly during the prevalence of a heavy rain that he approaches to the bridge were entirely under water, and in five hours the stream had widened to ten times its ordinary channel.  The opinion prevailed for a time that the enemy had created a dam above, and had now let out the accumulated water to destroy the bridges.  It seemed a crisis for effort, and the engineers, in water waist-deep, worked like beavers, in momentary expectation that the enemy would open on them from the wood beyond.  Anxiously waiting to cross this bridge was the 44^th Regiment of BUTTERFIELD’S brigade, which had taken the place vacated by the engineer regiment the year before at Hall’s Hill, and were fresh from the fight at Mechanicsville.   

At six different points, bridges were rapidly constructed, covering a distance of six miles from one to the other extreme, and these bridges became officially known as Sumner’s, Woodbury’s, Duane’s, Alexander’s the Grape Vine and New Bridges near Cold Harbor.  By command of General PORTER the bridges along his front were destroyed on June 26, and during the battle of Gaine’s Mills, next day, the pontoons were taken up and a portion of the regiment ordered forward, while companies were placed at different bridges to blow them up as soon as the troops should cross from the battle then raging.  Pushing on rapidly during the night, Captain SPAULDING and Lieutenant MC DONALD built two bridges at White Oak Swamp in time for KEYES corps, which had the advance towards the James on that occasion.  Those two bridges were next day destroyed by General FRENCH, in command of the rear-guard, just before the arrival of JACKSON’S corps at the swamp.  The men presses forward through the woods, with muskets slung and plying their axes with vigor, opened parallel roads for the immense trains of heavy artillery hurrying on to Glendale and Malvern Hill.  At his later place the regiment slashed the woods for a long distance to enable the gunboats to open on the enemy during the expected battle there, and rendered very effective service in lacing formidable obstructions along the right of the line, where the rebels subsequently attempted to capture our batteries.  While here the Ontario soldiers of the 33^rd exchanged greetings with the men of the 50^th.  The engineers, pressing forward with their bridges, encountered great difficulties from the crowd of fugitives form our army while laying the bridges over the swollen streams on the route, and not until General KEARNEY had ordered the cavalry to clear the way, did the engineers succeed in finishing the last crossing that landed our heavy trains at Harrison’s Landing.  While at the landing a demonstration was made by the enemy, and the engineers were ordered up to take part in the expected fight.  The men responded promptly, but, the movement proving a feint, the command returned to more legitimate duties.   An attack being expected, MC CLELLAN ordered bridges built over Herring creek and the smaller streams for rapid concentration of the different corps, then holding a line some five miles in extent.  While the bulk of the army seemed at rest, this regiment was constantly on duty, strengthening the defenses of the camp and facilitating communication by opening new roads for the passage of supply trains from the landing to the troops on the distant outposts.  On August 13, the regiment was divided into detachments and sent to prepare bridges for the crossing of the Chickahominy.  At Barnett’s Ferry, a pontoon bridge nearly 1600 feet long was laid, and for three days and nights was occupied by the passage of the army and its interminable supply trains.  On the morning of the 19^th General PLEASANTON came up with the rear-guard, and two gunboats took position to keep back the enemy while the bridge was dismantled.  The bridge equipage was taken to Fortress Monroe, thence to Alexandria.  On September 3^rd, the engineers set out for Aquia Creek to bridge for BURNSIODE, then about to evacuate Fredericksburg.  September 7, the men were ordered to the fortress, thence to Washington.  September 20^th, the engineers set out for Harper’s Ferry, with bridges to replace those destroyed by LEE on his retreat after Antietam.  About the 25^th of September a pontoon bridge was laid across the Potomac at Berlin, six miles below Harper’s Ferry, and along that causeway, the Army of the Potomac once more crossed into Virginia.  Later came an order to proceed to Washington to take part in the campaign, which culminated in the assault at Fredericksburg.   The failure there had been unjustly ascribed to the delay of the pontoon bridges, and justice to the Ontario soldiers requires a statement of the facts in the case.  On November 13, 1862, Major SPAULDING, commanding the battalion at Harper’s Ferry and Berlin, was ordered to proceed to Washington and there make up large bridge trains to operate on the Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg.  The order bore date, “Headquarters Army of the Potomac, near Front Royal, November 7^th, “ the very day MC CLELLAN was relieved of command.  Major SPAULDING called Captain MC DONALD to witness the reception of the order six days since its issue.  Proceeding by rail, the engineers arrived at Washington, made up the desired bridge equipage, and started, November 19, for the Rappahannock, with 50 pontoon boats, by land, it requiring nearly a thousand animals to draw this great train of bridge material. 

Alexandria has scarcely been reached when a rain set in, and the roads soon became a succession of quagmires.  Heavy hills were surmounted only by attaching drag-rope to the boats, while the men drew them up to the top.  Six days and nights of constant toil, in rain and mud, were occupied in this effort, the wagons being lifted from the deep ruts by the men, and in the advance being pushed with all possible dispatch. Major SPAULDING saw men and horses giving out, and the roads impassable; and bridging the Occoquan, the boats were made into rafts, and taken via the Potomac to Belle Plain, in tow of a large tug.  Again loaded on wagons, the train moved near and opposite Fredericksburg, November 25, full a fortnight before the crossing was attempted.  In camp a few days at Lacey House, and then ordered into camp at White Oak Church.  A week in December was passed in reconnoitering for a crossing some ten miles below the city.  Roads were repaired and miles of corduroy laid through swamps approaching the river along routes hidden form the enemy.  After a few days the plan was changed and it was determined to cross opposite the city, Captain MC DONALD was designated to throw a bridge across the river at a point some 300 yards below the railroad bridge.   

At one o’clock of December 11, the engineers were in position, while a dense fog lent its protection to shroud their movements.  A detail of bridge-builders was made, and the work went rapidly forward.  Each man acted with celerity and precision, and but thirty yards were wanting of the bridge to complete the work, when from behind a stone wall, some forty rods in front, came a deadly volley of bullets among the men clustered on the bridge, killing, wounding and driving the rest on shore.  Again MC DONALD led a detail down to the terminus, but scarcely had work begun when another murderous discharge ensued, and again the men were driven to the shore.    These two attempts having failed, and MC DONALD having been wounded, Lieutenant MC GRATH made a desperate attempt to finish the bridge, with a like result.  A body of infantry was now ferried over by the engineers, the force of the enemy captured and the bridge finished.  After crossing the army, and back again to the Falmouth side, the bridges were removed and the men went into camp.   

Bridges were laid April 29 below Fredericksburg, June 5 at Franklin’s Crossing and after Chancellorsville the engineers marched to Washington.  On June 6, trains were taken to Harper’s Ferry.  Infantry was ferried across to drive of the enemy, and bridges laid to connect Loudon, Bolivar and Maryland Heights.  Moving to Berlin, bridges were laid where MC CLELLAN had crossed, and here MEADE’S victorious army marched yet again into Virginia on the 18^th and 20^th of July.  Until the 26^th, the men guarded the bridge from the southern side, then dismantling, moved to Washington via canal and thence were ordered to Rappahannock Station to take charge of all the bridges on the river. 

During August the river was bridged at Beverly’s and Kelly’s Fords, and at the station.  Early in October, LEE began to menace our lines along the Rapidan, and the engineers were kept busy marching, building and renewing bridges, and finally, constructing a fortified camp at Rappahannock Station, went into winter quarters.  On April 12, 1864, the battalions were assigned to different corps, and entered upon arduous service.  At short notice bridges were laid, corps crossed, then dismantling and loading, rapid and fatiguing marches were made, and the process again and again repeated.  The engineers seemed empowered with ubiquity.  At one time, a bridge 200 feet long is laid in fifty minutes, a battalion marches to take part in the battle of the Wilderness, a bridge at Ely’s Ford to cross wounded; then at Fredericksburg, and on to the Pamunkey river at Hanovertown.  Again June 12, the familiar stream, the Chichahominy, is reached the position reconnoitered, and a small hostile force found on the opposite bank.   At dark, the engineers launching boats, cross with a charging party; then on the Cole’s Ferry, on the Lower Chichahominy, and lay a bridge of sixty boats, making a structure 1200 feet in length.  Formed into rafts, the boats were towed down to the James, then up to City Point.  A sheltered camp was formed July 1, within which the bridges were left, under a guard, and the men were distributed along the lines and engaged in the construction of forts with magazines, bomb proofs and traverses. 

pg 88

October 1, an extension to the left required the construction of a chain of forts within short artillery range and the 50th fund ample employment thereon.  Important service was rendered in repairing roads and extricating ammunition trains, during the last of March in the movement on Five Forks. Petersburg fell, and the need of pontoons ceased.  At Farmersville, on the Appomattox, was constructed the last pontoon bridge used against the enemy by the Army of the Potomac.  The army of LEE surrendered.  The long bridge over Staunton river was rebuilt, and other services rendered, when one evening, engaged in preparing supper, it was spread through the camps that Colonel SPAULDING had received a dispatch form General MEADE, saying that the Army of the Potomac would pass in review through Richmond next day, and if the engineers could reach the city in time the next morning, they would be placed at the head of the column.  The news was heard with cheers, and in an exalted, exultant mood, the march was begun and completed.  As the 50th passed the old 148th in line, loud cheers went up from the ranks of each. Pursuing their way with long bridge trains, the 50th reached the river at Fredericksburg and laid bridges as the old points.  Here was crossed the army of SHERMAN on its way to Washington.  The bridges were then removed, and marching to Fort Berry, near Long Bridge, the regiment went into camp on June 1, 1865.

At the grand review, the 5oth had the right of the column; then, their labors done, there remained only a return home, a muster-out, and a resumption of those civil duties whose steady pursuit had shown them not only approved soldiers, but industrious and excellent citizens.

The Eighty-fifth Regiment, New York Volunteers - Troops from which this regiment was organized had been in camp some months prior to the final muster into the United States service on the 13th of December, 1861, for a term of three years.  Uriah L. DAVIS was commissioned colonel, and John S. BELKNAP, lieutenant-colonel.  Two companies were from Ontario County.

Early in the war, William W. CLARK, of Naples, an active and patriotic man, had taken the lead in enlistment of volunteers for service, and on the organization of Company B., he was chosen captain, C. S. ALDRICH was first lieutenant nad Amos BRUNSON, second lieutenant.  Company G was raised at Geneva by John RAINES, who was made captain, with Lieutenants George W. MUNGER and Thomas ALSOP.  The men remained for some time at Elmira, which was finally left on the 3d of December, 1861. 

The regiment was conveyed upon two trains of cattle-cars, and was not fully supplied with rations, - troubles slight to those afterward endured by most of the command.  Camp was made a mile and a half northeast of the capitol, on Bladensburg Hill, and the 85th was placed in CASEY'S division in a brigade with four other regiments, - the 87th and 77th  New York, and the 9th New Jersey, under temporary command of Brigadier General ALLEN.  The division was designated as the 3rd in General KEYES' corps.

On the last of March, 1862, orders were gladly received to embarked for Yorktown peninsula.  The men had been supplied with a variety of needed articles, sent by friends at Canandaigua, and this home remembrance and kindness was fully felt and appreciated by these citizen soldiers.  Lieutenant ALDRICH was here appointed adjutant, and Orderly Sergeant Spencer MARTIN was promoted to the vacancy.  Camp was temporarily made on April 12 near Newport News and orders were awaited to join the corps near Yorktown.

On the 16th, the regiment set out upon a memorable march of 14 miles.  It was not the distance, but he load carried which so exhausted the men.  The sun was hot, the roads were full of dust from the long trains, and the first state of seven miles was a toilsome effort.  Wagon loads of clothing were thrown away, and still the remaining loads were too great for endurance.  The body was girt about with accoutrements; the cartridge-box, containing forty rounds, the haversack filled with rations, the canteen with water or coffee, upon the back a knapsack of weight from 25 to 30 pounds, and on the shoulder a ten-pound rifle.  What wonder that the body wearied and the spirits sand as the miles seemed to lengthen?  Finally, a rest was sounded and the boys sank down by the wayside and enjoyed the brief respite as only tired soldiers can.  The march was then continued for five miles, when the goal was fund to have been removed by the advance the division to Young's Mills, yet two miles farther on.  The men discouraged, fell out, lay down by the roadside and fell asleep; a reduced regiment went into camp at the mills, but of the Ontario boys, few had fallen out.  

Arrived at Yorktown, the 85th was set to work constructing roads to facilitate communication. Constant duty was required under repeated exposure  and the enemy had been confronted and skirmished with from the evacuation of Yorktown up the peninsula, across the Chickahominy and out three miles beyond; here on Saturday, May 29, the 85th was tried by a terrible fire and found not wanting. 

Company D had gone upon picket on Friday night to remain 24 hours, E and F went out with axes on Saturday morning to slash the timer, to give range to siege guns which were being put in position.  The division of CASEY was far in advance, and to their rear lay the division of COUCH.  About noon a shell whizzed into the camp of the 85th, then another and another and then by volley and distinct shots the pickets opened fire.  The troops were ordered into line.  The 85th too position behind a continuous rifle trench in its front; the 81st and 92nd on the right and on the right of the road; the 98th on the left, a section of the 1st Artillery with the right and Captain BATES' battery of 12 pound Napoleons in the rear of the 85th.

Battery H, commanded by Lieutenant HART, formerly of Naples, opened upon an advancing brigade of the enemy with grape and canister, doing some execution; but as the advance was continued, the men left their pieces,  - the last shot fired, it is said, by Lieutenant HART himself.  As the rebels came within easy range, a volley was poured into their ranks, which showed some confusion, but which rallied and advanced to within 150 yards under the rapid and deadly fire of the regiment.  Here they halted for half an hour, unable to advance, not willing to retreat.  Finally the enemy began to retire, and halted behind a fence some 250 yards distant.  As the retrograde movement was observed, the 85th raised a cheer and sprang from the pit to charge, but were called back, as regiments on both sides were nearly on the flanks.  The rebel flag lay upon the field, and Albert BANCROFT begged permission to go and get it, but the danger was too great and he was refused. 

Meanwhile, Lieutenant-Colonel WELLMAN was wounded and had retired.  W. W. CLARKE was left in command and sought to avoid coming ruin.  The enemy concentrated a fearful fusillade upon the regiment, which kept up a rapid and undismayed fire.  Edgar STEELE, a brave boy, fell, shot in the head.   Boswell INSEE of Bristol, was twice struck and still the boys saw no defeat.  A full South Carolina regiment was within 40 rods of the left, and on a line 20 rods in the rear.  Two or three regiments had passed on the right nearly as far to the rear, when CLARKE ordered the men to fall back, to avoid being surrounded.   The 85th reluctantly left their pit between a three sided fire, and fell back to the slashings above the camp of COUCH.  The fragment of a shell struck CLARKE to the ground, but he was up in a moment and directing the retreat.  The regiment became scattered, and suffered from want of command.  The men were anxious to fight, nad line officers did all that  was possible to check the advances of the rebels.  Many joined other regiments and fought with them until dark.  The camp was pillaged by the enemy, and the men left only with their arms.  CASEY'S division held a force in check for hours, which later broke through COUCH'S encampment, aided as that division was by CASEY'S men and thousands of reinforcements.  This was the first battle for the 85th.  They repulsed a superior force and fought and fell until the close of the engagement.  The loss was 9 killed, 49 wounded, and 24 missing.  The division list a total of 2,000. 

Next day was passed in reconnaissance; the men slept on their arms at night and were called up before daylight to repel an expected attack, and stood two hours under arms in a heavy rain, without a blanket in the regiment.  At 6 a.m. the men were ordered to move four miles; they waded much of the way in water two feet deep, and crossed a stream holding to a rope, where the current was strong and the water up to the shoulders.  The 85th moved into camp near White Oak Swamp, nad early in June were employed in guarding several forks and was drawn up in line at 3 a.m. each day.  Lieutenant BRUNSON died about this time, after a brief illness.

In the fall of 1862, the 85th was ordered to Suffolk, and exchanged greetings with their comrades of the 148th; they fell back to Portsmouth, and took position behind breastworks about 2 miles in the rear of the city.  Drill and picket was the only duty.  Expecting to pass the winter here, log houses were built and a town of the earlier day seemed to have arisen.  The enemy occupied Suffolk in force, and there was skirmishing on the Blackwater.  General FOSTER, in command of the department of North Carolina, organized an expedition to cut the Weldon railroad, and set out the 1st of November.  By feints in various directions the enemy were mystified, while the columns moved toward Kinston.  Near the bridges across the Neuse, leading into that place, the rebels fought desperately.  An attempt was made to turn the flank of the army where the 85th was posted.  Two South Carolina regiments took part in this movement, and were near their coveted position when Company B, under Captain CLARKE, was deployed as skirmishers, and turning their flank as the line opened fire, caused a hurried retreat.  Our line advancing rapidly, captured several hundred prisoners.  The bridge, saturated with turpentine, was set on fire and burned fiercely.  The New York 3rd Artillery opened a heavy fire, and drove the rebels from the opposite bank, when the flames of the bridge were extinguished and troops were crossed over.  Three pieces of artillery, baggage, and stores were taken.  The 85th passed through Kinston and encamped just outside of the town.  The Union loss was about 70 killed and 200 wounded.  Although in the advance brigade from Newborn, the regiment had only 3 wounded.  As an instance of good fortune, it is noted, that early in the action, as the 85th deployed into a field to support the 9th New Jersey, a solid shot, striking in front, bounded harmlessly over the line, and five minutes after the regiment had left, the place it was completely swept by a shower of grape.  The return to Newborn was made by the 20th, and for some time the regiment remained quietly in camp.  

The 85th joined in the various expeditions of conquest into North Carolina, until April 20, 1864, when the enemy attached Plymouth.  The first attack was made on a Sunday.  A hard fight took place, and lasted 3 days, when the post was surrendered, together with the entire brigade.  The rebel ram came down, ran into the "Southfield" and sank her in five minutes, and in two hours had cleaned the river.  General WESSELS commanding at Plymouth, still held the place, although entirely surrounded, and sustained assault after assault for a day and a half after the ram had command of the town.  The men were resolved not to give up, and repelled a severe attack after the general had ordered a surrender.  Of Company B., Seymour SMITH, of Bristol and B. G. POPPLE of Springwater, were killed, and J. PERKEY, Daniel L. REED and Franklin E. WILCOX were wounded.   This company was one of the nine which surrendered after a brave but hopeless resistance.  The men broke swards and guns, tore into shreds their regimental flags, and carried the pieces secretly with them to their Southern prisons, where more than half languished and died.  Of those brave fellows, who went to  endure those terrible sufferings at Andersonville, not one ever complained, and they suffered and died as they had battled before, - like heroes as they were.  About 12 of company B. survived and returned to their homes.  

An escape from Dixie was made by a party of five, namely, Captain ALDRICH of Canandaigua; LANGWORTHY of the 85th; G. H. STARR of the 104th; Lieutenant TERWILLAGER of the 85th and Lieutenant HASTINGS , of the 24th New York battery.  They were quartered in an open field near Columbia, and guarded by a double line of pickets about 100 feet apart.  Resolving to escape, the chose a dark night on October 11 and made their way out unseen.  Marching by night, a picket compass obtained by one of the party proved invaluable.  They first struck a westerly course, following the south band of the Saluda until, reaching 96, they bore off northwestward, following a railroad track towards North Carolina boundary.  ON the second night out they learned that fox and blood hounds were on their track, , but after being chased by them several miles, threw them off the scent by smearing their shoes and clothing with turpentine.  They started with the intension to see no white men, nad saw but three Negroes while in South Carolina. Their only food was sweet potatoes, beans and corn, gathered in the fields nad roasted as they had an opportunity of making fires.  They traveled entirely by night, hiding in the thickest woods by day, and leaving behind no traces of their presence.  Transylvania county, North Carolina, was almost entirely occupied by Union men, one of whom harbored the soldiers for days in a ravine, where he supplied them with food at night to last six days, and gave directions to reach another Unionist 20 miles on.  Here they met another party of escaped officers and joined by a band of Union refugees, the band was increased to 29.  Three were shot dead, by a gang of rebel militia at a house where the party was waiting for some bread to be baked.  A Unionist volunteered as a guide, and let them through within our lines at East Tennessee.  Their clothing in rages, their feet shoeless, blistered and swollen, yet they were free, and at  Chattanooga they received from the Sanitary Commission clothing and everything needed for comfort.

The last engagement of the 85th closed their career in victory.  The battle of March 8 and 10, near Kinston, North Carolina, under General SCHOFIELD, wherein some of the regiment engaged while yet but a week from having been exchanged, is thus recounted.  On the 9th of March the enemy were seen preparing to attack and the regiment, with bayonet, cut and plate, hurried to fortify its position.  Late in the day the skirmish line was assailed, but held its ground.  The preparations on the morning of the 10th betokened serious work.  The men were drawn up behind works built during the night, in four ranks; the front line to fire, the others to load.  Artillery too part in the rear, and an ominous silence prevailed; all old soldiers have experienced it, - they know what it means.  The position of the 85th before Kinston was on the extreme left of an irregular square of rifle pits in the pine woods.  The line, six miles in extent, rested, - the right on the Neuse, the left on the Trent road. The woods in front of the works had been slashed for abut 80 yards.  At ten, the enemy advanced upon the skirmish line, which fell slowly back to the works.  The rebels came close after, in long line, yelling loudly and moving straight forward.  At the edge of the slashing, the artillery opened with grape and spherical case, and the hate-inspiring cheers were renewed as the foe came on with a rush.  Then came the command, "Steady! Fire low; FIRE! " and all along the line becan a fire of musketry, which for a time, was constant; the heavier crash of cannon sounded the bass in this murderous war-music.  The firing ceased, the smoke lifted and the enemy who could had fallen back.  A ringing Union cheer broke out and was carried far away to the right.  A skirmish line thrown out gathered up about 200 prisoners, and the wounded were being brought in, when a desperate charge was made on the right and the works entered.  A Western division held the line nad drove them out again.  A charge on the right near by was repulsed, when a rebel section opened with shill a quarter mile in front.  At a call for volunteers to take the guns, company A responded; shot all the horses, drove off or killed the gunners, but failed to get the cannon.  The rebels left at night, crossed the Neuse, and burned the bridge.  HOKE took nine companies at Plymouth, but the the tenth helped to whip him at Kinston.  The war ended and the 85th, returning to New York, was mustered out June 27, 1865.  When  December 3, 1861, it left for Washington, 1,000 men marched in the ranks; during the term of service, 200 recruits were received.  Its soldiers laid down their lives upon battlefields, in the swamps of Virginia and North Carolina, and in the prisons of Andersonville, Macon and Florence, until less than 280 officers and men could be found to receive their discharge from the government they loved and served so well. 

The Ninety Eighth Regiment - By December 25 some 500 men had gone into camp at Lyons, Wayne county, and so many had enlisted from that county that it received the appellation of the Wayne County Regiment.  The organization was mustered into the United States service from January 25 to February 8, 1862.  The commanding officer was Colonel William DUTTON.  Two companies of the 98th were from Ontario.  Lieutenant ADAMS and Lieutenant WILLIAMS each engaged in recruiting service, and were promoted to captaincies.  The regiment was ordered to Washington, where it was placed in the Third brigade of CASEY'S division.  On the 2nd of March, 1862, the winter having been passed in the discipline of drill and the routine of the camp, the 98th marched to Alexandria, and on the last of the month, embarked upon the "Elm City"   steamer with five companies of the 85th, and were conveyed to Fortress Monroe, disembarked and marched inland, going into camp about five miles from Hampton.  Passing over the evacuation of Yorktown, and the battle of Williamsburg, we find the 98th crossing the Chichahominy river at Bottom's Bridge, and going into camp three miles beyond.  Next morning, in the midst of a steady rain, the First and Third brigades were ordered upon an reconnaissance.  A mile nad a half northward the skirmishers became engaged and the troops hastened forward.  Near the West Point and Richmond Railroad, the artillery wheeled about with pieces ready for action, the infantry was formed directly in the rear, and the men ordered to lie down.  A wreath of rich white smoke curled upward from a gap in the woods in front; a boom, a his, and a shell burst near General NAGLEE, in command.  Faster and hotter came the shells, leveling trees, tearing up the ground and mangling the artillery horses.  For two hours the 98th lay exposed to this fire, and then the force on the left gave way.  The 98th then heard the command to advance; and this it did with such spirit that the retreating troops at once rallied, turned, and joined in the forward movement.  The rebels retreated, leaving on the field 64 killed and 14 wounded.  On May 29, CASEY'S division was located far in advance, in an open field, with woods in front occupied by the enemy in force.  Two miles to the rear lay COUCH, posted in a line of woods.  The masses of the rebel army were rapidly gathered, and at one o'clock, form out the woods in front, the unprepared soldiers saw the long, heavy liens of the enemy advancing.  It was an unequal fight, 40,000 against 6,000; and they seeing their first battle, yet for three long hours did this division, unsustained, maintain their ground until completely flanked and threatened with annihilation; then only did it retire as best it could.  The 98th might with pride inscribe "Seven Pines" upon their banner, to have been of those who so long withstood the brunt of action with the flower of the rebel army.  At White Oak Swamp the regiment fought bravely to check the rebel attempt upon the line of retreat, and with the army fell back to Malvern Hill, and thence once more to Northern Virginia.  The command was engaged at Petersburg, cold Harbor, Chapin's Farm and in the attack upon Fort Darling.  On the expiration of the term of service the non veterans were mustered out, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, was retained in the army until August 31, 1865, when in accordance with orders from the war department, the men were mustered out, and once again returned to the pursuits and comforts of civil and peaceful avocations.  

One Hundred and Second Regiment – The fresh call for troops and the exigency of the country, aroused the sentiment of patriotism in some who had done well their part for a term and had retired again to their civil life, and with them went others whose going was a dernier resort to save the land from impending ruin.  Among them was Captain M. E. CORNELL, who had nobly served from April 19, 1861, a three months’ term in the Cleveland Light Artillery, in which he was promoted lieutenant, and given command of a section.  Aided by his brothers George and Stephen, a company was recruited, during the winter of 1861-62, from the western part of Ontario and eastern of Livingston county.  Early in the spring of 1862, the company entered the service in the 102^nd regiment, Van Buren’s Light Infantry, commanded by Colonel Thomas B. VAN BUREN.  The regiment was organized for three years, and the last company was mustered into service in April 1862.

The regiment was ordered to Virginia, where it was attached to the army corps of General BANKS.  While the regiment was in the Shenandoah valley, Captain CORNELL performed the duties of major.  On August 9, the terrible battle of Cedar Mountain was fought, in which the 102^nd too a prominent and active part, having many men killed and wounded.  When the army retreated from the Rapidan, the regiment proceeded to Washington, where, in the reorganization of troops, the 102^nd formed part of the grand army upon which devolved the task of driving the rebel legions from Maryland soil. 

As a part of Franklin’s corps, the 102^nd went into the great battle of Antietam.  Early in the day the brigade of General GREEN, to which the 102^nd belonged, was ordered to dislodge a rebel force posted in a piece of woods, from which they were seriously annoying our troops. 

The brigade consisted of four regiments, the 102^nd New York, the 3^rd Maryland, and the 109^th and 111^th Pennsylvania.  They advanced until close to the woods, when the rebels poured a deadly volley into their very faces.  The whole line was thrown into confusion.  Captain CORNELL spring to the front, and exhorted his men to rally and advance.   The brigade recovered and advancing, drove the enemy through and beyond the woods and held the ground; but CORNELL, struck in the forehead, “foremost fighting, fell.”  The regiment was engaged at Chancellorville and Gettysburg, in the east; and under GRANT fought at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold; and upon the Atlanta campaign, in Hooker’s Star Crops, at Resaca, May 15, 1864, Dallas, Altoons, Pine Hill, and in the siege of Atlanta.  The final muster-out of veterans and recruits too place upon July 21, 1865. 

The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York Volunteers – was recruited in Ontario, Yates and Seneca counties and companies for this regiment was organized on August 20, and two days later, mustered into the United States service.  Of regimental officers from Ontario, there were Colonel E. SHERRILL of Geneva; Lieutenant Colonel James M. BULL of Canandaigua; Major W. H. BAIRD and Sergeant Major, D. C. FARRINGTON of Geneva.  

Company D, was recruited in western Ontario.  The first enlistment was July 22, and company organization dates August 9.  A reward of $200 for the first company raised in Ontario County for the 126^th, was paid Company D by H. B. GISON of Canandaigua.  The original line officers were Captain Philo D. PHILLIPS, Lieutenant Charles A. RICHARDSON, and Lieutenant Spencer F. LINCOLN. 

Company E, was principally raised at Geneva, and was organized August 14, with Henry D. KIPP, captain; George E. PRITCHETT, first lieutenant; and John H. BROUGH, second lieutenant.  

Company F, was raised but in part in Ontario County.  Captain Isaac SHIMER recruited a part of the company at Geneva,  First Lieutenant Ira MUNSON, a part in Seneca county and a third part was raised in western Ontario by Second Lieutenant, Ten Eyck MUNSON. 

Company G, was raised throughout the district.  Captain John F. AIKINS recruited in Seneca, Lieutenant Frederick STEWART in Yates and Lieutenant Sanford H. PLATT in Ontario , and organized August 15.

Company H, was recruited in eastern Ontario, within the towns of Phelps and Manchester.  The first line officers were Captain Orin J. HERENDEEN, First Lieutenant George N. REDFIELD, Second Lieutenant Alfred R. CLAPP. 

Company K, was enlisted in Ontario.  A part were recruited at Canandaigua, by Captain Charles M. WHEELER and First Lieutenant H. Clay LAWRENCE, and the remainder at Naples by Second Lieutenant Isaac A. SEAMANS.   

The 126^th took cars for Baltimore, which was reached August 21 and reported to General WOOL, who sent the command to Harper’s Gerry for duty and discipline.  General LEE having resolved on carrying the war into the North, advanced rapidly in that direction, making Harper’s Ferry, an objective point.  His plan of operations opportunely fell into MC CLELLAN’S hands, but he failed to prevent such a concentration of the enemy at that point as, in command of an officer like Colonel MILES, with thousands of new troops, brave, but inexperienced, assured its surrender, and the consequent temporary loss to the service of what later proved to be the best troops in the service.  The indignation felt by the loyal masses against Colonel MILES  was great for permitting the enemy to occupy Maryland Heights, and a misdirected public opinion threw the blame upon the new Ontario regiment; and it was made to smart under the stigma of cowardice, when it should have been lauded for a bravery and resolution honorable to a veteran regiment.  

On September 12, Maryland Heights were held by the 32^nd Ohio, two companies of the 39^th New York, and a few Maryland troops, all under command of Colonel FORD, who having heard that a strong force of the enemy, under MC LAWS and BARKSDALE, were moving on his position, called for reinforcements.  The 126^th was supplied with a day’s rations, eighty rounds of ammunition and ordered to his aid.  The regiment reached the Heights on the afternoon of the day, after a rapid, toilsome march.  A and F were left to guard approach by the Sandy Hook road; D, L and C were halted about half way up the slope, while the left wing, under Colonel SHERRILL deploying on the ridge, became immediately engaged with the enemy, who had gained the crest by Solomon’s Gap.  Skirmishing increased in severity, so that C and I were moved up to give their aid.  Night came on and closed the action.  With the approach of daylight, the enemy came up in strong force, delivering their fire and flanking the Union troops, who were ordered behind the defenses. The 126^th New York and part of the 32^nd Ohio, were well posted, and company D having been brought up, the line was in readiness for the attack.  After a pause, the rebel forces advanced to the abattis, and from both sides heavy discharges were delivered.  Finally the rebel attack slackened, and it was evident that a flanking movement was in progress.  Captain PHILLIPS, acting as major, was ordered by Colonel SHERRILL to deploy D and C on the double-quick, diagonally down the mountainside.  In executing the order, a body of the enemy, were met slowly working their way up, and an action began in which the rebels were kept at bay.  In the conflict, two men were mortally and five were seriously wounded.  The enemy now renewed their efforts in front with resolution, and the 126^th returned their fire with vigor and great steadiness.  Colonel SHERRILL, regardless of safety, stood upon the logs, exposed to the enemy, directing and encouraging his men.  A shot struck him in the face, and he was carried to the rear, while the men, aroused to avenge their loss, and confident of their strength, continued the engagement.  An order came for Colonel FORD to withdraw.  Captain PHILLIPS refused to obey, as it was given verbally.  The other regiments receiving the order, retired, and the 126^th had then no option and fell back steadily to the rear of the Lookout.  Here the line was reformed across the ridge and over the declivity, and Colonel SAMMONS came up from the ferry with his regiment as a reinforcement.  The companies of the 126^th on the left knew nothing of what was transpiring, and hearing the enemy giving orders at the breastworks, Lieutenants RICHARDSON and REDFIELD went up far enough to see that the entrenchment was in rebel possession, and then rejoining their commands, led them by a detour to the rear of MC GRATH’S battery, which opened with shell upon the enemy at the abandoned breastworks.  The withdrawal was not at once improved by the enemy, who feared to advance upon the new, unknown position, fearing strategic movement and weakened by a heavy force sent to defend Crampton’s Pass against General FRANKLIN’S advance upon South Mountain.  The 126^th being without a regimental officer, chose Captain PHILIPS to command and stood ready for action, when at 3 pm, a peremptory order came to return to Bolivar Heights.  With deep surprise, the 126^th obeyed.  MCGRATH’S battery was thrown down the mountain, and a position abandoned which, held, might have been fraught with events of the highest value to the Union cause.  Upon such accidents hinge the lives and destines of nations!

All reliable accounts corroborate the statement that the regiment behaved well, and with proper management could have held their advantageous position and averted disaster; but bravery was futile where the commander was imbecile.  The corps of FRANKLIN was but five miles away; the Army of the Potomac was marching to the rescue, and a few hours would have brought relief, but JACKSON know his peril, massed his forces, planted his batteries, and sent in an order to surrender.  The cavalry, refused permission from MILES, dashed out upon the Sharpsburg road, captured a wagon train and a body of the enemy, and rejoined our forces.  General FRANKLIN, unconscious of the momentous necessity, delayed advance, and so JACKSON had time to complete his arrangements, open his batteries, and compel a surrender of well-nigh twelve thousand men.   

With sadness the paroled men set out for Annapolis, one hundred miles distant.  On the 17^th of September, they heard the thunder of the guns at Antietam, and indulged in reflections of what might have been with a brave, and efficient commander on Maryland Heights.  Ordered to Camp Douglas, Chicago, the 126^th therein took up their abode, with no happy experience for a period of two months.  Taunted with cowardice when they had burned with indignation at a compelled retreat, ordered to drill when they had given their parole of honor not to do any act militating against the Confederacy, the men resented these imputations and refused to do duty, while many, unjustly recorded as deserters, sought their homes till such times as their exchange should once more set them free.  The regiment suffered much from sickness, many died, and on October 19, the sick list of the 126^th numbered one hundred and eighty names.   

The glad tidings of exchange was received on November 19, and four days later came orders for a start next day for Washington, there to be armed and equipped to resume duty.  Joyfully the discomforts of Camp Douglas were left, but behind them were one hundred sick comrades.  Assigned to CASEY’S division, 22^nd corps, they went into camp at Arlington Heights, drew tents, and December 20, receiving arms, went on picket duty, which service was continued until the 24^th of June, when the brigade composed of the 11^th, 125^th, 39^th, and 126^th New York regiments, was sent to join HANCOCK as his Third brigade, Third division of the Second army corps.  Again LEE had swept northward, up into Pennsylvania and MEADE had been placed in command o the old Potomac army.  The advance of each army had encountered at Gettysburg, and to this point the commanders gathered their forces; LEE, holding back to make his plan a certainty, permitting the distant corps of MEADE to come up into position.  The 126^th saw troops almost innumerable marching by, while its sick were removed, its surplus baggage sent off, and then on the 26^th of June, it marched to Gum Springs and camped with the division.  Then a long hard march was made, and on June 30, a distance of 33 miles was traveled, and next day reaching Taneytown, the distant thud of cannon told of a battle impending.  Not now as when Antietam was being fought, but free-hearted, full of adore, and determined to wipe out by one heroic action, the foul aspersion upon their good name, the Third brigade marched to the great battlefield, and tired, but resolved, took their place in line, to the left of the cemetery at Gettysburg.  Next day the brigade was placed as support for two batteries fronting MEADE’S headquarters, near the northern extremity of the ridge, and the men looked excitedly upon HOOD’S contest with VINCENT’S division of SKYE’S corps for the possession of Little Round Top.  SICKLES had advanced with temerity to high ground, some distance beyond the general line, and ere he could withdraw an attack by LEE in heavy force made it next to impossible.  He met the assault, and sent beck cry for help.  All the forces sent by MEADE were in vain; the line was broken, and SICKLES was wounded.  HUMPHREYS and BIRNEY fought nobly.  HANCOCK, taking command, ordered in one body of troops after another, and again the imperative call for reinforcement came back.  Then the Third brigade gladly heard and quickly obeyed the orders, “Fix bayonets; shoulder arms; left face; forward, march!”  A mile southward, towards Round Top, was swiftly passed over; then halting, facing westward, the line was formed; on the left, the 125^th; in the center, the 126^th; on the right, the 111^th and in reserve, the 39^th.  The tide of battle and disaster poured towards them.  From a ravine, concealed by tree and brush till near at hand, poured forth the routed Excelsior brigade, closely pursued by BARKSDALE’S brigade, MC LAW’S division, of the corps of LONGSTREET.  The Third brigade charged down the slope, giving and receiving a deadly volley, and pressing through the woods to the opening beyond, where the confused and staggering rebels were desperately attempting to hold their ground.   The loss was fearful, and the line was wavering, when in front was heard a voice uttering maledictions, and urging on the enemy.  The men knew it to be BARKSDALE, and it recalled the deeply-venomed sting of “Harper’s Ferry Cowards.”  “Harper’s Ferry!” ws the battle cry as the furious brigade swept madly but grandly forward.  BARKSDALE fell, riddled by musket balls; his men, lately exultant, were cut down by scores, driven before the bayonet, while many threw themselves prone upon the ground, and threw up their hands in token of surrender.  A rebel battery now opened at short range and cut great gashes in the line, which closed up and kept steadily on.  No halt was made till the order was given, and then, proudly, grandly, the diminished line in beautiful alignment, retired over that body strewed field, bearing with them recaptured artillery and a brass cannon, the prize of C and A.  Colonel WILLARD, commanding the brigade, was killed by a cannon ball.  Colonel SHERRILL took his place, and Lieutenant Colonel BULL assumed command of the 126^th. 

This notable charge restored the Union lines, and gave opportunity for the Third army corps to fall back from its exposed position to its proper place in the general ar4my. The contest just outlined was a subject of much comment by National and Confederate writers, and all agree that the carnage was terrible, involving great loss of officers and men.  The brigade held its ground till nightfall and then marched back to Cemetery Hill, to the right of the previous position. 

Early July 3, Captains SCOTT, SHIMER, WHEELER and HERENDEEN, and their companies were detailed to skirmish with the enemy in front.  The enemy had a heavy line of good marksmen, and the work was of the most trying character.  Three of these four captains were killed.  Lieutenant BROWN of C, was wounded, and many of the men were killed or wounded.  Towards noon, it had become plain that a great movement was in progress, and every part of our lines being prepared, all lay by their post in suspense.  It was near one p.m., when two cannon shots broke the silence, and then from the 130 long range cannon, came an appalling roar, preceded at the Union position by a deluge of iron, riddling the tree, earth, horse, man and even tearing up the sods upon the graves in the cemetery as lightning bolts rend the forest trees.  

Well the troops, beside officers, knew from experience that this storm of artillery presaged the charge, and, while the ranks lay close, well-nigh one hundred Union cannon sent back their stern reply.  The batteries lost many men, and of a number of volunteers called from the brigade to work the guns a portion were killed.  Ninety long minutes this unnatural storm lasted, and the Union cannoniers, by order, diminished their fire, and then the artillery ceased.  From Seminary Hill, a mile and a half in front, came in sight Pickett’s veteran Virginians, behind them Pettigrew’s Carolinians, a charging array of 18,000 men.  Our men looked upon their sweeping, well-adjusted lines with admiration.  The three-fold line came on as if upon parade, and their steady, serried ranks betokened a mortal contest when they struck the expectant line.  The Union artillery awoke to startling life, and double-shotting their guns, poured a decimating storm of missiles through the advancing array, which closed each gap and moved unflinchingly forward.  Three lines, each a mile in length, came within range of the Second and Third divisions of the Second army corps, which yet remained silent.  Within twenty rods, and the Union infantry opened so hot, so murderous a fire that the rebel array was broken ad routed, over thirty stands of colors were taken, thousands of prisoners were captured and the ground thickly strewed with dying and the dead.  The 126^th captured five stands of color.  Colonel SHERRILL was mortally wounded, and died early next day.  Colonel MC DOUGAL, of the 111^th, next in command, was wounded and Lieutenant-Colonel BULL succeeded to brigade command.  Major PHILLIPS was dangerously ill at Washington, and Captain COLEMAN led the 126^th, which lost 60 killed, 200 wounded, captured twice their own number of prisoners, killed and wounded equal to their number and covered its name with honor.  At night, LEE began his retreat.  On July 4 the rebel sharpshooters were vigilant, and fired at everything that moved.  Within a stone barn, with narrow windows, a party found protection and annoyed the Union lines so that General HAYS ordered the barn to be taken.  Colonel BULL, commanding the Third brigade, called for volunteers from the 126^th.  Jno. B. GEDDIS, Lieutenant of Co. D, responded and led the movement, followed by most of the regiment.  In crossing a rail-fence, five men were shot, yet the rest pushed on along a fence extending towards the barn.  The rebels now concentrated so deadly a fire that the attempt was abandoned, and a return was made, brining in the wounded, and last of the band came GEDDIS, bringing up the rear.  For gallantry, Lieutenant GEDDIS was later brevetted major, and hand a commission as lieutenant-colonel, but was not mustered in through the reduced numbers of the regiment.  On the night of the 4^th, Captain MUNSON was in charge of the picket line.  Then began the pursuit of LEE, through rain and mud.  July 10, saw the 126^th guard to a train, the 11^th on picket, and recalled to join a force sent out to learn the whereabouts of the enemy.  The regiment passed through Crampton’s Gap, and amid rain and in the darkness, passed the night in building a breastwork of rails and earth.  A mail was here received, - the first for weeks.  Preparations were completed on the 13^th for a battle, but all remained quiet, and the news came next day that the enemy had made good his retreat into Virginia.  On the 26^th, the Third brigade had reached White Plains, where some of the regiment, while out gathering blackberries, were captured by guerilla bands, taken to southern prisons, and there perished in suffering.  The army lay a month at rest.  A dress parade was held on August 22, 1863, when 200 men were in line, while Company B came out with but five men.  General LONGSTREET was sent to aid BRAGG, and turned the tide against ROSECRANS at Chickamauga.  General MEADE, learning of LEE’S weakened army, advanced to occupy Culpepper.  The Third brigade, marching around Cedar Mountain to Robertson’s river, went on picket duty there for several days.  The Army of the Potomac was now reduced by transferring the 11^th and 12^th army corps, under HOOKER, to GRANT, at Chattanooga, and other troops to New York city, to quell a disgraceful riot there raging.  

General LEE again menaced Washington, and on October 8 had begun a flank movement.  The Union army fell back to interpose its forces.  On October 10, the Second corps formed line of battle two miles west of Culpepper.  Trains of stores and of the sick were hurried towards the capital, and MEADE gave orders to concentrate for a stand at Centerville, while the enemy strove to intercept and fall upon the divisions en route. 

On the morning of October 14, while the division was crossing the ford of Cedar Run, the 3^rd Brigade, leading, was attacked both front and rear by artillery and dismounted cavalry, concealed in the woods.  General HAYS ordered forward the 126^th and part of the 125^th, to clear the woods and gain the road.  The regiment deployed in a field under a sharp fire from unseen foes.  Presently a body of rebel cavalry emerging from the cover of the forest, formed for a charge, and the hostile forces were seen advancing at thirty rods’ distance.  The right engaged at close quarters briefly, and killed several of the cavalry, including their leader, and captured an adjutant and a score of men.   The regiment continued its advance and gained the position sought, having sustained a loss of four killed and nineteen wounded, and having won a decided compliment form General HAYS.  

The regiment continued to guard the column, as flankers, to Catlett’s Station.  The 126^th were left for an hour on picket and then relieved.  It was four p.m. when the advance of the Second corps reached Bristoe.  The rest of the Fifth corps, under SYKES, had just forded Broad Run at the railroad crossing.  The enemy had come into position to attack the rear of SYKES, and now opened heavily upon the command of WARREN.  SYKES, refusing to give any help, kept on towards Centerville, and the Second corps was left to rely upon itself.  As the 126^th came near the station, a rebel line of battle was seen on the left flank, in the edge of the woods on the opposite side of the railroad.  The c