A famous battery and its campaigns, 1861-'64. The career of Corporal James Tanner in war and in peace. Early days in the Black Hills with some account of Capt. Jack Crawford, the poet scout

Preface

In presenting these memoirs to the public my aim is simply a plain, unvarnished tale to tell of the gallant deeds of a Battery which, to use the words of the official report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York (Vol. I, page 169, 1868), " served during the war with as bright a record as any in the whole Army," and, incidentalh', to correct some erroneous statements and reports in the light of the fuller information now attainable regarding the tremendous events of the memorable epoch in our Nation's history to which they relate.

This sketch of its marches from the uplands of Bull Run to the swamps of the Chickahominy, from the malarious Peninsula to the breez}^ Pennsylvania hills, is measurably a contemporaneous history of the battles of the Armj^ of the Potomac, for there were but few of them that this Battery did not participate in. I have endeavored to state facts, and trust that the verdict of my readers may be: "He nothing extenuated, nor aught set down in malice."

J. E. S.

A FAMOUS BATTERY.

CHAPTER I Sotitlnvard, IIo ! — An Unrecorded Engagement

ONG before the first rays of the sun had glinted on the topmasts of the shipping in New York Harbor, in the early dawn of April 19, i86i,theold "Washington Gray Troop," or Company "I" of the 8th New York State Militia, reorganized the day before as Varian's Battery of Light Artillery, started for ' ' the front " — magic words in the feverish days of the early sixties, that made the blood dance in the veins, and filled the vSouls of the average 3'oung man of that period with a wild longing for the stirring life of the camp and the battlefield.

We were on board the steamship Montgomery under sealed orders, and our destination was — well, somewhere in the tumultuous South, just where we didn't know and hardly cared, but with the confidence of 3^outh and inexperience we considered ourselves a match for an5^thing we might encounter.

A word of introduction as to who and what we were that sailed away from New York that bright spring morning to put down the Rebellion may be pardoned.

Varian's Battery consisted of six smooth-bore six-pounder brass pieces, with carriages, obtained from the 7th Regiment, and thirty-six horses, all that could be collected in the brief period allowed for that purpose. We were provided with 200 rounds of ammunition per gun.

The personnel of the Battery was, perhaps, unexcelled by any organization that ever went into the service. The Captain, Joshua M. Varian, was a very popular officer in militia circles, and held in high esteem by all who knew him. When it became known that he needed a few recruits to bring his company up to a battery standard, some of the best men in the city besieged the armory in their efforts to be enrolled, and it required but an hour or so to obtain all the men that could be carried, while he was obliged to refuse hundreds.

The nucleus of this Battery, ' ' The Gray Troop, ' ' was composed of some of the most prominent business men in the city of New York, in fact none were admitted to its ranks except those of good standing in mercantile or professional life, and care was taken that their new associates in the Battery should be young men of creditable antecedents. In the enthusiastic crowd that stood

SOUTHWARD HO ! 3

on the deck of the Mo7itgomery in the gray light of that April morning were (the subsequently Hon.) Edward Kearney, chief of piece, who distinguished himself not long afterwards b}^ retaking the light-ship at Smith's Point, on the Potomac; Gunner James Lynch, afterwards Sheriff of New York City ; Private James S. Fraser, since then Department Commander of the New York G. A. R., and numerous other privates who were to wear officer's bars and eagles before the war was over.

When the steamer cast off her moorings and swung out into the channel. Captain Varian, standing on the upper deck, proposed three cheers for the flag floating over us, three for our beloved New York, and three more for the dear ones we were leaving behind. When the last was given it is no blot on their manhood to state that not a few turned aside to conceal the tears that welled into their eyes. But the voyage had begun, a new and probabl}^ stormy phase of life was unfolding, and the path to a glorious career seemed shimmering before us on the dancing waves glistening in the first rays of the rising sun.

After passing Sandy Hook it was ascertained that the ship was bound for Annapolis, Md. All went smoothly until the 21st, when an incident occurred which has not yet found a place in history. It had been rumored that more than one cruiser carrying the Confederate flag had caused considerable damage to Federal vessels, and many hasty glances were cast towards the two guns in the bow while the boj'S discussed the probabilities of falling in with one of these unwelcome customers. So it is not to be wondered at that a cry from the lookout at the mast-head of ' ' Sail Ho ! " caused every man to rush forward, eagerly scanning the surface of the ocean in the direction indicated, and long before they obtained a sight of the vessel signaled, it is safe to say she was secretly considered by every one as something siispicious. Finally, when she hove in sight, this belief was confirmed, for it would have been difficult to find a more rakish looking craft. Instinctively each man moved nearer to the guns. Captain Varian stood near the wheel-house, while the captain of the ship, with glass and trumpet, stood by to execute any orders given. Somehow, by the time the vessels were wdthin hailing distance, the men had crept up to the guns and stood ready to open fire. All ej-es were closely watching the approaching piratical looking craft, which w^as about to pass us on the starboard side. What a mean, skulking thing she appeared to be ! Now the moment to challenge was at hand, and the captain of the Montgomery hailed the mysterious stranger, demanding her destination, whence she came, etc. Of this modest request not the slightest notice was taken; then the notion got into the boys' heads that she was trying to slip away, after having discovered our guns and the resolute men read}^ to serve them, but Captain Varian w^as equal to the occasion and at once gave the order to load with a solid shot and fire across her bows. (This means ' * heave to or take the consequences " ; it is, in fact, an insult, and if not heeded in time of war, the vessel firing the shot should, in accordance with the custom of the sea, at once open fire wdth a view to cripple or sink her adversary.) Away sped the old six-pound ball, ricocheting in front of this insolent cruiser who had dis-

AN UNRECORDED ENGAGEMENT. 5

regarded the invitation to explain her presence, but before the smoke had cleared away some one, after the style of gazers at a Fourth of July fire-works display, exclaimed, '' Ah ! Ah ! " This caused others to look, and there, within five hundred yards was discovered a sight that chilled our blood. The port-holes of this strange craft were open and from each protruded the muzzle of a long, nasty-looking gun, manned by "Uncle Sam's" Marines, ready to give us a broadside which would, in all probability, have sent us to the bottom. Then in thunder tones came the command: "Send an

officer on board, d d quick. ' ' This, it is needless to

say, was done without unnecessary delay. Explanations followed, and it was gratifying to know that '* Varian's Battery " had taken a prominent part in the first naval engagement after the fall of Sumter, and had brought-to the Grape-shot, U. S. M. Service, whose commander condescended to say that he judged it was a lot of militia or he would have sunk the outfit. As he sheered off he kindly volunteered this piece of information: "The next time you wish to hail a vessel, fire a blank, or you may not get off so easily."

A FAMOUS BATTKRV.

CHAPTER hi Camp at A7inapolis — A Tilt with General Butler

FTER quite a tedious sail around Cape Henry and up the

.. Chesapeake Bay, we arrived

at Annapolis, Md., about noon of the 2 2d of April, where Captain Varian reported to General Butler, then in command of the post. He directed that the Battery be disembarked and parked inside the marine grounds. This was accomplished after a good deal of hard work. We lacked, however, a complement of horses and harness. Providence furnished the horses in a curious way, which I will now relate, but it took the United States Government some time to provide the harness.

During a severe storm one night over one hundred horses were lowered from a steamer outside and swimming ashore were attracted by the whinnying of our thirty-six animals fastened to the picket rope, and at once joined them. The grounds being enclosed by a wall on three sides rendered it easy to capture and tie up the entire lot. They were turned over to the Gov-

IN CAMP AT ANNAPOLIS. 7

ernment at Centreville later on. General Butler, with that restless energy characteristic of him, ordered two detachments of sixteen of our men each, to be instructed in handling two thirty-two pounders stationed in Fort Severn and used formerly by the marines for practicing. The commander of the brig Perry, at anchor near by, kindly consented to give instructions, and loaned our officers a book on naval tactics. The preliminary drill requires each man from No. i, to i6, inclusive, to "speak a piece," /. <?., when the gun's crew has taken its position, at the command of the officer in charge to "cast loose and procure," then No. i explains his duties, followed by No. 2, and so on to the end.

I was assigned to the command of these detachments and reported to our naval instructor in the Fort, who, after explaining some minor details, produced the book and remarking that it would take some time to post the men, promised to call around the next day.

I hit upon a plan that enabled us to make a good showing in the morning, viz. : I copied on separate slips of paper each man's "piece," so that all could study at the same time, and during rehearsal that afternoon succeeded in making our drill a perfect success. We were at it again early the next day, to make assurance doubly sure, and when the naval gentlemen put in an appearance we were carelessly lounging around the drill room. I think it was one of the proudest moments of my life when I called the men to quarters and sang out ' ' Cast loose and procure. ' ' The boj^s were prompt and rattled off their pieces without one mistake. The guns were loaded (in our minds) and run out ready for discharging ; meanwhile our instructor looked on in astonishment, declaring it required one year's time and several marlin spikes to accomplish on board ship what we had mastered in twenty-four hours.

We felt very proud of this work, especially when there appeared to be some grounds for the rumor that the enemy intended to make us a visit by water.

Shortly after this I had the ill-luck to come into personal collision with General Butler, through no fault of mine, in a way that is amusing enough to recall now, but which did not strike me that way at the time of its occurrence. I had a spirited gray horse which I was accustomed to ride outside the walls, in company with the other Battery officers, every evening when not on duty. The horse was a famous jumper and as I felt quite proud of his abilities in that line I was always on the lookout for a fence to put him at and show ofiF his steeple-chasing qualities. As we frequently met the General and his staff out riding, I suppose he noticed the gray's superb action, and so I heard from him.

One evening the Captain sent for me, and upon reporting, he informed me that General Butler wanted my horse. I laughed at this, supposing it was a joke, but when the orderly who had brought the message turned to me and stolidly repeated it, I ceased laughing. The situation was becoming serious. At that time we still retained a large amount of * * militia-ism ' ' and were not much disturbed by the commanding tones of ranking officers who, we suspected, had little if any advantage over us in the knowledge of military matters. Still, I concluded it might be as well for me to make a call on the General. I had about made up my mind to do so, when the same orderly, who had delivered the

A TILT WITH GENERAL BUTLER. 9

message and returned to headquarters, appeared again and with a salute informed me that the General wished to see me at once.

I lost no time in obeying the order. I found the commanding officer pacing his room in slippers and dressing gown and evidently in very bad humor. I saluted and waited his pleasure. He looked at me with an angry frown for a few moments and then burst out with :

"Are you lyieutenant Smith ? "

"At your service, General," I replied, with as calm a demeanor as I could assume.

" Why did you not deliver that horse to my orderly, sir, as directed? " was the next question, in imperious tones.

"Well, General," I answered, with a rather feeble attempt at a smile, "the horse is not for sale; still, if you are particularly desirous of having him, about four hundred dollars might, perhaps, induce me to part with him — to you."

Now this was, probably, a rather free way for a subordinate to reply to his commanding officer, but I was nettled by his dictatorial manner, and I really can not see what else I could have said under the circumstances.

The General stared at me with such a malevolent look out of his good eye that I began to feel quite uncomfortable until, with something very like a grunt, he turned away, and I lost no time in getting out, supposing that was the end of the matter. But I changed my ideas on that point before the sun had set.

The General kept an old tub of a steamer wnthin call for special duty purposes. It was deemed advisable at to A FAMOUS BATTERY.

this time to place a section of guns on board, with two detachments under command of a commissioned officer, for police duty on the bay; it was further ordered that neither the officer nor men should land without permission from the General commanding. Usually an order of this kind would have directed the Captain of the Battery to detail an officer, etc., but judge of my surprise to learn that the General had directed that ' ' Lieutenant Smith and one section of the Battery ' ' be detailed for this duty. Practically I had no command, being the lowest ranking officer in the company, and to comply with the order some one would be deprived of his section. However, on board I bundled, not without making a gentle " kick," believing I was the victim of persecution. There was no way out of it but to take my medicine. For two weeks we cruised up and down the bay, during which period the General came on board with his staff for a trip to Fort McHenry. The day was very warm, as I had good reason to remember. Our guns were stationed in the bow without the slightest shelter and, as bad luck would have it, the General took a seat in the wheel-house to make observations. How he managed to twist his ej-es in the direction of the guns is more than I can tell ; nevertheless, he did ; then he took a great interest in the practice of artillery, for the time being, and made a pressing request that for his edification the men be drilled. For over one hour we stood under a broiling sun, which did not increase our love for the old man at that time.

Our release from police duty on the bay finally came, when the General took his departure for Fortress Monroe, to which point we escorted him.

EDWARD KEARNEY.

A TILT WITH GENERAL BUTLER. II

We were ordered to anchor in the "Roads" after our arrival, and not to visit the shore, I think we were detained four daj^s. At last one night at midnight an orderly delivered to me an order to report back to Annapolis. The news was passed and the boys landed the anchor on record time. I stood by the helm determined not to notice anything in the shape of signals, fearing our order would be countermanded. I have always thought there was a little desire to punish me in all this, but it may have been accidental.

While this was going on, another section of the Battery performed very valuable service in securing a light-ship which had been run up a creek to deceive vessels in the night. Of this incident I can say but little, but I remember that Ed. Kearney, then chief of piece, was the hero of this encounter. He boldly stood by his gun and was the only Federal in sight for a brief period. His example and cool judgment, with a little vigorous persuasion added, succeeded in estal^lishing order and turning defeat into victory. A reference to the records as published in the Adjutant-General's Report, State (f New York, Vol. I, iS68, a copy of which is herewith appended, will furnish a full account of this affair. I See Report, page 169.)

A FAMOUS BATTERY.

CHAPTER III 071 Picket in Virginia — Cub Rnn — Home Again

'HE Batter}^ finally reached Arlington, Va., late in May, 1 86 1, and every night at least one section was posted for picket duty on one of the roads leading from the interior of Virginia.

The night of the great ^■_^.I^^^^- false alarm that brought the

' ~ _ army over the Long Bridge

from Washington to the Virginia side, I was in charge of two guns on the Vienna Pike. Captain Brackett of the Second Dragoons, U. S. Cav. , detailed a sergeant and six men to report to me for vidette and other duty. About one o'clock a. m. I heard the clatter of a horse's feet coming down the road at a slashing pace, and as he came near the infantr}^ picket a challenge, quickly followed by the report of his piece, ringing clear and loud on the midnight air; still on came the horse. Bang ! went another gun, and by this time the frightened beast was panting and blowing among the horses of my section.

It was my duty to investigate and report at once to

ON PICKET IX VIRGINIA. I3

General McDowell at the Arlington House. I found that the advanced vidette had dismounted, and relying upon the friendship existing between himself and horse, allow'cd him to crop the grass. The ungrateful beast evidentl}'- intended to play his rider a trick, and watching his opportunity jumped and started for camp. While running the gauntlet one bullet cut him across the crupper, but ere the reports of the guns had died away, it seemed as if ever}' drum on the Virginia side of the Potomac was tr^'ing to wake the dead. The long roll was sounded in every camp and w-as taken up on the Washington side and kept up till the forces in the city crossed over into Virginia, where they formed in line of battle and remained until daylight.

I suppose it took longer to promulgate orders in the earlier days of the war, which may account for the seeming delay in giving notice of the cause, but this was the last of the false alarms in this vicinity. Next day General McDowell issued orders that thereafter no notice would be taken of the discharge of small arms, that the approach of the enemy would be designated by the discharge of field pieces, and officers in charge of such guns were instructed not to fire until they had observed the enemy, with an additional caution that they would be held personally responsible, etc.

Some time in June, while eating our mid-day meal in our pleasant quarters at the foot of the eastern slope of Arlington Hill, an order came from General McDowell to send a section to report to General Tyler, then stationed at Falls Church, Va. We had no idea of the distance or location, but the order stated that a guide would be furnished to pilot the way, and that haste was necessary, as this point was threatened b}' the ' ' Black-horse Cavalr}^"

General Tyler was without artillery, hence much depended on prompt action. The Captain left his seat at the table with the order in his hand and coming to my chair, stopped and asked, " Who shall I send with this section ? " having read aloud the order. There was no response; indeed, there could be none until the selection of the section had been announced, then as each section had a commander there would be no question as to who would or ought to go. I was still minus a section and yet felt that I was doomed. It may have been instinct; be that as it may, I w^as not much surprised when the Captain laid his hand on my shoulder and exclaimed, " You go ! "

My first thought was that danger was apprehended and I was made the scapegoat. Mj- indignation almost mastered me, but I left the table saying, " Which section shall I take, sir?" Receiving ni}' answer, I at once assumed command and made speedy preparation for our departure. Manj- men belonging to other sections honored me by their earnest requests to join the party. Some of them who appealed to the Captain were allowed to do so. My anger was so great I determined to get away without bidding the Captain " Good-bye." Therefore I hastened up the hill after the carriages at a full gallop, but on reaching the summit I found this grand little man shaking hands with the boys. I checked mj^ horse before him, he grasped me by the hand, one look into his eyes and the story was told without one word from either.

It was now about 3 o'clock p. m., and instead of a

ON PICKET IX VIRGINIA. I5

guide, a diagram of the route was placed in my hands with a statement that the distance was about fifteen miles. The pace was made accordingly, and if my memory ser^^es me, the first halt made to inquire the way was at "Taylor's Inn." General Tyler's headquarters, less than five miles from Arlington.

In this manner I had the honor of leading the first artillery from the defences of Washington into l^irginia in 1861, before the grand advance, as well as firinothe first shot, which opened the campaign. (See Report'' S. N. Y.) '

In a few days the balance of the Battery joined us and again I was a free lance.

The services rendered by the Battery while stationed at Falls Church can not be estimated too highly Constant picket duty on the various roads greatly assisted General Tyler in keeping a clear front.

When the advance began July 14, 1861, Tyler's brigade was assigned to General K. D. Reyes's Division The Battery had the right of the line for four days when the head of the Division reached a point near the Fairfax road. Marching parallel to this the enemy were plainly seen moving in the direction of Centreville; their flank being exposed, the Battery took advantage of the situation and opened fire. (See Adjutant-General's Report.) The army was detained by the felled trees thrown across the road, and the Engineer Corps was kept busy in clearing a passage.

A representative of the New York Eveymig Express and myself passed to the front on the Germantown road riding rapidly until we reached an abatis of felled timber, which my horse managed to pass. Observing a fire and kettle on a tripod, I soon had a nice boiled chicken which the Confederate outpost had hastilyabandoned. I also found a felt blanket which served as a cloak or circular by using a cord to contract one end. This I presented to the newspaper man. We then discovered that the enemy. had fired some buildings in Germantown. Ayers' U. S. Battery by this time reached the obstructions and to pass the time while waiting for the trees to be removed, threw a few shot in the direction of the enemy.

Afterwards I rode forward to the town, dismounted in front of and entered a large frame house, then burning. The first room visited on the ground floor contained a bed and a few small pictures on the walls ; a hasty glance under the bed disclosed a demijohn, which I captured and secured, and with this my curiosity was satisfied. I sat down, carefully guarding my prisoner, when a cloud of dust down the road denoted the approach of a bod}^ of cavalry. Up dashed the gallant Tompkins of Fairfax Court-House fame. I knew him well, and followed his troop until a halt was made ; then, boldly riding into camp with my prize it goes without saying, my presence was welcomed.

The history of the demijohn was soon told. The burning building had been used as an hospital by the Confederates and my jug contained about one gallon of good medicine, but was it poisoned ? The problem was soon solved by Charlie Tompkins who, after smelling, sampled it. Dr. Wilson was horrified, and shouted * ' Hold on, lyieutenant, it may be poisoned ; let me analyze it." " I do n't care, it's d d good poison anyhow," was the reply. The Doctor, turning to me, re-

' CUB RUN. 17

marked, "If Charlie lives ten minutes, we'll try some." Charlie lived.

On the 1 8th of July our Brigade, which included, among others, the 69th New York, being* on the march toward Centreville, had halted in a strip of woods about three-quarters of a mile from Cub Run. General Tyler had gone forward to feel his way to the Run. It was a warm, clear day and we were lounging about in the welcome shade, when we were startled by a sharp roll of musketry from the front. We knew at once that Tyler had developed the enemy and were instantly on the alert. Drivers sprang to their horses, cannoneers leaped to their places, and when an aid came galloping back with a message to General Keyes, we of the Battery felt sure that it meant us. But it did n't. The only troops called for were the 69th. When they received the order to go in they burst into frantic cheering and in a few moments went past us on the double-quick still shouting, and intensely eager to get to the front. The wild excitement was contagious, and mounting my horse I followed the column. When they reached a cornfield about half a mile oflf, the regiment deployed and soon was hotly engaged. I found General Tyler and his staff behind a belt of timber running east and west at the edge of the field. From here w^e could see the position of the enemy along Cub Run and protected by the thick woods shading both sides of the stream, about 1,000 yards to the south. Their lines w^ere completely hidden by the trees, affording them excellent cover, while the growing com made a very indifferent screen for our men. But they fought gallantly until the enemy opened on them from several masked batteries, when they were ordered to retire. As they fell back the Confederate artillery kept up the cannonade, and as they were passing the spot where General Tjder was sitting on his horse the shells kept pace with them, but at an elevation that swept the trees overhead, from which a shower of broken limbs and branches tumbled down on him and his staff. When the 69th came by with gallant Colonel Corcoran and knightly Maj. Thomas Francis Meagher at its head, I rejoined them and returned to the Brigade. I never could understand why our Battery, idly standing within call, was not ordered up to assist the infantry.

In this affair I saw for the first time dead, dying and wounded soldiers, and I remember what a thrill came over me as I noticed a young fellow, his blue uniform stained with his blood, lying dead amid the rows of corn, staring at the sky with sightless eyes — mustered out forever at the very threshold of the mighty struggle. And then how curiously and even admiringly we stared at the first wounded man that hobbled along to the rear in search of medical treatment. I felt like taking off my hat to him. "There," I said to myself, "that fellow will be a hero when he gets home." But we got pretty well hardened to these things before the year was out.

This was the "baptism of fire" for the 69th, and they bore themselves as bravel}^ as ever did their ancestors at Fontenoy, and here they first earned the title that has clung to the regiment for thirty years, ' * The Gallant Sixty-ninth," a title which was sealed to them by their immortal valor at Bull Run three days afterwards.