Comments on: #46 – Col. O. B. Willcox

By: Linda Mott

Linda Mott — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:50:53 +0000

Another website in addition to the one you mention which has proved to be very informative about the 11th NY is located at: http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/11thInf/11thInfCWN.htm
Once you wade through all the clippings there are some insightful articles about the 11th NY during Bull Run, and about the negativity afterward towards the unit. There is one clipping that describes the 11th’s recapture of the 69th’s flag taken by the rebels during the battle.
I also enclose the url for the NY Times article which features Lt. Knox’s account. He specifically describes the Black Horse Cavalry charge. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9902E4D8143EE43BBC4E51DFB166838A679FDE
As far as Lt. Larrabee’s involvement during Bull Run, I am clueless as to where Co K was that day. I did find that Co K was nicknamed the Left Flank Co. and he served under Capt. Andrew Purtell of Co K. Lt. Larrabee was an original member of Ellsworth’s Chicago Zouave group that went on a whirlwind 6 wk. US cities tour in July 1860. He was selected to go to NY and help Ellsworth train the firemen. I believe Larrabee had originally intended to enlist with an IL regiment, but Ellsworth or his #2 man, Stryker, offered him a lt. position with the Fire Zouaves. Lt. Larrabee was my grandmother’s uncle, whom we knew very little about. He was born in New York state and relocated to the Chicago area in 1856. I have since discovered that in addition to the training+ participating with the 11th NY firemen; he later was also involved with the formation of the 44th NY. He tragically was the first officer of the 44th NY killed at “Little Round Top” at Gettysburg. He (Captain now) and his Co B were sent out as skirmishers upon arrival at the hill. He determined that there were rebels approaching up the hill in force; he gave the order for his men to fall back. He was shot and killed as he was turning back early the afternoon of July 2, 1863. He was just days short of turning 26 years old.
Linda

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:34:09 +0000

Linda,

There is no OR for the 11th – Farnham was struck in the head by a spent ball during the battle, and while the wound was at first thought to be minor, he died from it a few days later. There is plenty of confusion regarding the 11th’s role, due in part to the lack of an OR, confusion with the 14th Brooklyn, a general dislike of the regiment by many regulars (particularly Heintzelman), and the likelihood that they lost unit cohesion fairly early, but continued to fight in conjunction with other units (like the 69th NY militia) during the afternoon. I plan to post other 11th NY accounts from newspapers, etc., and will be sure to pull the one you mention from the NYT archive. I have written a good deal on the 11th on Bull Runnings – just type “Zouave” into the search box over to the right. Anything you’d like to share relative to the regiment at Bull Run, or biographical information on your ancestor, is most welcome and would be put to good use here with your permission.

I assume you already are aware of this website: http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/firezou/ Lots of good stuff there.

By: Linda Mott

Linda Mott — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:01:56 +0000

Of the 11th NY Zouaves, Willcox gives a fairly favorable report of their service at Bull Run unlike other official accounts I’ve read. Was the 11th NY unjustly blamed for tactical errors/blunders made by others commanding them? Is there an account written by one of the 11th NY’s own officers about the day’s events during Bull Run. The closest credible account I’ve found is an interview the NY Times published July 26, 1861 featuring Lt. Ed Knox of Company A. I am the kniswoman of a 11th NY Zouave Bull Run participant, Lt. Lucius S. Larrabee of Co K. Larrabee and Knox were two of several men associated with Ellsworth’s Chicago Zouave group in 1860, who also became members of the 11th NY and later the 44th NYVI.
Linda