Unit History – 16th New York Infantry

Cols., Thomas A. Davies, Joseph Howland, Joel J. Seaver; Lieut.-Cols., Samuel Marsh, Joel J. Seaver, Frank Palmer; Majs., Buel Palmer, Joel J. Seaver, Frank Palmer, John C. Gilmore. The 16th, the 1st Northern New York regiment, was recruited mainly in St. Lawrence and Clinton counties, with one company from Franklin county. It was mustered into the service of the United States at Albany, May 15, 1861, for two years, went into camp near Bethlehem and left the state for Washington on June 26. Assigned to the 2nd brigade, 5th division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, it moved to Alexandria on July 11, from there to Manassas, where it was engaged but a very short time on the 21st and returned immediately after to Alexandria. On Sept. 15 it was ordered to Fort Lyon and attached to the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac, which division later belonged with the same number to the 6th corps. The winter of 1861-62 was passed at Camp Franklin near Fairfax seminary, Va., where the regiment remained until April 6, when it was ordered to Catlett’s station, but at once returned to camp and was then ordered to Yorktown, where it arrived on May 3. The regiment was in action at West Point, and at Gaines’ mill, its loss being over 200 killed and wounded. It was present through the remainder of that week of battle, but was not closely engaged, then encamped at Harrison’s landing until Aug. 16, when it returned for a brief period to Alexandria. In the battle at Crampton’s gap it was in advance and lost heavily in a brilliant dash; was held in reserve at Antietam; at Fredericksburg was posted on picket duty, and after the battle went into winter quarters near Falmouth. It shared the hardships and discomforts of the “Mud March” under Gen. Burnside and was active in the Chancellorsville campaign, with a loss at Salem Church of 20 killed, 87 wounded and 49 missing. A few days were next spent at Banks’ ford, then a short time in the old camp at Falmouth, and on May 22, 1863, the regiment was mustered out at Albany. During its term of service its loss was 112 men killed or mortally wounded and 84 deaths from other causes. The three years men were transferred to the 121st N. Y.

From The Union Army, Vol 2, p. 59

“Soldier,” 16th New York Infantry, On the Battle and Retreat

Private Letter from a Soldier at Bull’s Run.

[Through the politeness of a friend we are permitted to make the following extract from a letter written by a soldier who was engaged in the battle of Bull’s Run, to his friends in this county. It does not contain anything new; and is chiefly interesting as coming from one who participated in the fight and subsequent stampede. – [Editor Journal]

Head Quarters, 16th N.Y.R.

Near Alexandria, July 29, 61.

Our regiment, in connection with many others, started for Fairfax Court House, where the enemy were encamped in force. About two miles this side we had a smart skirmish with the enemy, who fell back before our advance. It was the first time for all of us, and I confess it sounded strangely to hear the whistle of bullets around our ears. However, none of us were killed, and for the night we camped on the ground which the 8th Alabama regiment left on our approach.

They left behind their whole camp equipage, their dinner cooking, fires burning, &c. We took possession without asking leave. Thursday morning the whole force moved toward Centreville where we camped until the day of the fight. There I saw more of the pomp and circumstance of war than I ever expected to see. On every side the country swarmed with troops of artillery posted on every height, trains of baggage wagons filling every road, making the scene a most novel and interesting one.

You have doubtless read the published accounts of the battle. It was a foolhardy attempt to rout the enemy at great odds. At 2 ½ o’clock, A. M., we were roused for the march, and without breakfast, except such as could be eaten by the way, were led to attack the enemy in position who outnumbered us two to one – Everything was in their favor; complete knowledge of the ground, guns in position, fresh troops outnumbering ours, and sober generals. Against all of those our army had to contend. We did not begin our march until 6 A. M., when an advance on all sides was made. Our position was on the left wing, to repel any flank movement by the enemy. After marching about four miles we halted in front of a rebel battery where the fight of the 18th inst. Occurred. Our artillery opened on it, and we could see the shells burst in and over the entrenchment, but it failed to elicit any reply from the enemy. Two companies from our regiment were then detailed to go nearer as scouts, and force the enemy to discover themselves. The wood was so thick that we went within 100 yards before we were aware of their presence. A sharp skirmish then took place, men firing from behind trees and other shelter. One lieutenant in the other company was slightly wounded, while several of their men were seen to fall. Fearing an ambush, we now fell back and poured in a raking fire of artillery, which soon cleared that portion of the wood. A force of 3000 foot and 2000 horse were soon seen marching down on our left, and the brigade was ordered to the front to repel the attack. – They were in full view, and the most awful sight I ever witnessed was the effect of our artillery on their advancing column. Shells burst among them scattering in every direction, while grape shot mowed them with fearful rapidity.

I see in their account of the fight that the Tiger Rifles (the brigade attacking us) is reported as being cut up the worst of any one engaged, and for the reason that it was the only one that exposed itself – They fired on us very rapidly with rifles, killing one lieutenant and wounding a few privates, but doing us not material damage. At this time, the ammunition of our artillery gave out, and fearing the guns would be captured, they were taken off the field. Owing to confusion of orders, every regiment but ours left with them. The enemy, seeing their advantage, fired on us repeatedly, but injured no one. Orders now came for us to join the retreat, as the right wing was reported as wholly cut up.

On the heights of Centreville we camped until midnight, while the army was falling back on Fairfax, where being in the best condition we covered their retreat, which was soon turned into an utter rout. I have seen in no paper a description of it which answers to the reality. The road was literally strewn with every kind of munition of war and accoutrement of soldiers, which were thrown away or abandoned in the flight. Baggage wagons overturned and their contents tumbled out, horses shot to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, or ridden off by their cowardly drivers. But the most painful sight was the men, In all stages of exhaustion, they blocked the way. Scores of them gave out and slept by the roadside. Worn out by the day’s exertions, the panic which spread among them was the only thing which kept all from falling, for the heat had been oppressive and the work arduous. It began to rain before we reached Fairfax, but so great was the exhaustion that, without any preparations for comfort, we slept where we halted. There was no order. Regiments were mixed up in almost inextricable confusion. It was one great train of fugitives from Centreville to Alexandria, and all for nothing, for the enemy was retreating as fast, though perhaps not as disastrously, in the other direction. The defeat is universally acknowledged to be owing to the inefficiency and drunkenness of our Generals. Two have already been removed, and more are trembling.

Soldier.

The People’s Journal [Greenwich, N. Y.] 8/8/1861

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Contributed by John Hennessy

Image: Sergeants of Co. G, 16th New York Infantry

SERGEANTS OF COMPANY G.—Carte de visite by an anonymous photographer. The Civil War was two months old on June 24, 1861, when these New Yorkers left their camp in Bethlehem, N.Y., and posed for their portrait brandishing weapons and an air of confidence. 3rd Sgt. Luther Lee Partridge, 4th Sgt. Andrew Christie Bayne, 1st Sgt. John Henry Austin, and 2nd Sgt. Edwin O. Betts all served in Company G of the Sixteenth New York Infantry, and they had mustered into the Union army a month earlier at Albany. All four men resided in De Peyster, a hamlet located in the far north of the Empire State. Although each man held the rank of sergeant, none had yet received the chevrons that denote their rank. (Courtesy of Military Images Magazine)

From Military Images Magazine:

Luther Lee Partridge (1838-1881) was wounded on May 3, 1863, in the fighting at Salem Church, Va., during the Chancellorsville Campaign.

Scottish-born Andrew Christie Bayne (1841-1893) enlisted the Veteran Reserve Corps after he left the Sixteenth and advanced to the rank of captain by the end of the war. He then joined the regular army and remained in uniform until 1871.

John Henry Austin (1835-1913) became second lieutenant of Company G a few months after sitting for this portrait, and mustered out with most of his comrades on May 22, 1863.

Edwin O. Betts was reduced to the ranks on September 29, 1862, and remained in Company G until the end of its enlistment.

Maj. Buel Palmer, 16th New York Infantry, On the Battle

We are permitted to make the followin extracts from a letter from Maj. Buel Palmer, 16th Regt. To his wife, dated.

Camp near Alexandria, July 22.

My Dear Wife: You will see by the heading of this short note that I am again back at the old Camp. All of the 16th Regiment are safe, only one wounded. Lieut. Hopkins was shot in the foot, a slight wound; he will be about again in a few days. * * *

Thursday we took up our line of march for Centreville where Gen. McDowell’s army was to concentrate before any further advance on the rebels. Our Regiment arrived there about noon on Thursday last, and bivouaced in an open tract of country around and about Centreville, together with about 35,000 other troops. We remained there until yesterday morning when the army took up its line of march. The 1st Division left about 2 o’clock A. M. Our Division being the 5th and last, did not get under way before 7 o’clock A. M. We marched to the ground where Gen. Tyler two days before had a hard brush with the rebels. Here we planted our battery and immediately opened fire on the masked batteries of the rebels just below us; a ravine called the Bull’s Run. They did not return the fire, still we kept up ours occasionally stopping for a short time. The battle soon became general all along the Bull’s Run for 3 or 4 miles from us to the right. The most of the battle was fought on our right, the rebels trying to flank us, that is trying to get around our right wing; but did not succeed. — News came to us about 3 o’clock that the rebels were in retreat which at one time was actually the case, but owing to some blundering our victory was turned into a defeat or retreat back to Centreville. Of this our Division knew nothing until about 6 o’clock, when our Reg’t was attacked by about 3000 rebel Infantry and some Horse. We had at the time a battery of 4 guns, brass, and 2 iron, the 16th and 31st Regts. We supposed that the rebels were in retreat all the time. The first intimation we had to the contrary was by seeing a long line of bright bayonets glittering in the sun; they were on our left and were right on us. We immediately changed the position of our battery, formed our infantry in line of battle, the right wing of the 16th on the right of the battery, the left wing on the left and the 31st on the left of our left wing. Lt. Col. Marsh, in command of the right wing, I in command of the left wing of the 16th, and Col. Pratt in command of the 31st. As soon as formed our battery opened upon them & must have done dreadful execution, as they scattered and ran in every direction. They soon reformed and advanced again; and again our batteries let them have it; our ammunition gave out, but the battery still stood in position. The enemy came up at last through a dense thicket of underbrush. In the mean time we had ordered our men flat on their faces so when their volley came it generally passed over our heads, some fell short; it was a perfect hail storm of bullets. We could see them tear up the turf on all sides of us, but providentially none of our boys were hurt. – A Lieut of the battery was killed, a ball struck him in the forehead and killed him almost instantly. The artillery and the 31st at last withdrew from the field, leaving our right alone. We fell back about ten rods still keeping our line of battle perfect. This movement was made in hopes that the rebels would leave their cover so that we could get a chance to pepper them, but they still kept behind the trees and in the bushes. We remained in this position until Col. Davies sent peremptory orders by his aid to leave the field and fall behind the battery that was in the woods in our rear and right. – When we received this order, we formed in two ranks and marched off the field in common time, our Reg’t being in the rear. We then marched up on the hill near Centreville and remained there until near 11 o’clock at night when Gen. McDowell ordered us to fall back on Fairfax and thence to our old Camp. The 16th and 31st were the rear guard of the Grand Army and arrived in camp this morning about 9 o’clock. The reason of our falling back is a mystery to me. I think our troops should have stayed at Centreville; still all the Divisions except ours were very badly disorganized and much cut up.

Plattsburgh Republican, 7/27/1861

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From Bull Run to Chancellorsville: The Story of the Sixteenth New York Infantry together with Personal Reminiscences

Contributed by John Hennessy

J. A. V.*, 16th New York Infantry, On the Battle

Letter from the War.

———-

The following two letters from St. Lawrence County boys will be read with interest:

Alexandria, July [??], 1861.

Our regiment was sent to the extreme left to protect a battery of six rifled cannon. We remained inactive until about four o’clock, when we espied a detachment of the enemy coming to take possession of our guns. Under Lieutenant Colonel Marsh we formed to receive them, and the artillery played upon them with fine effect. They were in a ravine and we upon a hill. They fired upon us. We laid down and their bullets passed over our heads, falling among us, and in front of us. Our boys were as cool as if at their dinner, and waited for the foe to show themselves on the brow of the hill, with a smile of satisfaction on their countenances. They did not advance, and our artillery getting out of ammunition and leaving us, we were ordered to retreat, which we did in excellent style. Our regiment was the last to leave the field, and come near being surrounded, as our men had all retreated and left us alone.

Lieutenant Colonel Marsh showed great coolness and courage, and acquitted himself with great credit. Our regiment was the only one that left the field with unbroken ranks and marched in good style the whole way. This was due to the energy of Colonel Marsh and by his fearless conduct he has endeared himself to the officers and men. None of our regiment were hurt except Lieutenant Hopkins, who was slightly wounded in the heel while out on a scouting expedition.

We are again in our old camp, and were absent from Tuesday until Monday, during which time I never took off my clothes, slept on the ground, and ate hard bread and raw pork. I feel well, and am ready for another fight and hope we will have more competent leaders next time. Our loss is not so great as was first reported, although it is too much for all that was gained. The loss of the enemy must have been very great as a fierce cannonading was kept up by our men for over four hours.

Our men are very much dissatisfied with their food and I must say that our commissary department is very poor. We have not yet had our pay, and some are growling about it. All are out of money and we await with eager eyes the approach of pay day, which has been deferred from time to time.

Yours truly,

J. A. V.

St. Lawrence Republican, 8/6/1861

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*Possibly Lt. John A. Vance, Co. F, or Pvt. John Valliere, Co. B. See regimental roster

Contributed by John Hennessy