The Tammany Regiment: A History of the Forty-Second New York Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1864

by Fred C. Wexler

Overview

As the Union mobilized to meet the military challenges of the Civil War, the people of New York volunteered in large numbers to meet the quotas set by President Lincoln. Tammany Hall used all of its political power to recruit men, mostly Irish immigrants, to form the regiment that would bear its name throughout most of the fiercest fighting of the war—from the bluffs outside Leesburg, the West Woods of Antietam, and the streets of Fredericksburg to Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg and the chaos that was Petersburg. Of the more than one thousand men who started with the regiment in 1861, less than one hundred would remain in 1864.

The Tammany Regiment: A History of the Forty-Second New York Volunteer Infantry is more than the history of a group of men fighting to preserve a way of life. It is a story of a powerful political machine. It is a story about how the Fenian Movement to free Ireland from England affected the men in the trenches. It is a story of how families survived the challenges of war and how they dealt with the tumultuous news they received about their loved ones.

Draw closer to many of the men in the Tammany Regiment, and share their thoughts and fears as they faced three years of unbelievable hardship. Did they do what was right? Could they have done more? Were they treated fairly? One thing is for sure—they will now be remembered!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781491787717
Publisher:	iUniverse, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/20/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	418
File size:	4 MB

Read an Excerpt

The Tammany Regiment

A History of the Forty-Second New York Volunteer Infantry, 1861â"1864

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By Fred C. Wexler

iUniverse

Copyright © 2016 Fred C. Wexler
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4917-8770-0

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CHAPTER 1

Formation of the Regiment

It was at a special meeting of the Democratic Republican General Committee in New York on Friday evening, April 26, 1861 that a committee of five men was appointed to draft resolutions expressing the sentiments of the city and Tammany Hall, relative to the troubled state of the country. In the resolutions they prepared they set the stage for the creation of the Tammany Regiment. The fifth resolution drafted read: "Resolved: That the democracy of this city are heartily united, with all of the citizens, as one man, to uphold the Constitution, enforce the laws, maintain the Union, defend the Flag and protect the Capitol of these United States in the full and firm belief that the preservation of our national unity is the only security for the rights, liberties and power of our own people, and the greatest hope of oppressed humanity throughout the world."

It is not the intent of this book to go deeply into the history or the individuals of Tammany Hall. Such an endeavor could fill volumes. Many works have been published outlining the good and the bad of Tammany Hall and all readers are urged to seek out sufficient information to satisfy their personal interests. On occasion, I will point out an issue or allude to an individual in New York politics, but I expect that there are endless scenarios that could be developed behind specific events well beyond those I might raise.

The beginnings of the Tammany Society, a forerunner of Tammany Hall, go back to the Columbian Order of New York City around 1789. Many of the customs of the society were based on Indian traditions and the name came from the Indian Chief Tamanend (there are many spellings) who on April 23, 1683 is reported to have struck a land deal with William Penn in Bucks County, PA. In 1776, Colonel George Morgan of New Jersey was sent by Congress to confer with the Delaware Indians. They gave him the name Tamanend in honor of their old chief. During the Revolutionary War he became known as "St. Tamany, the Patron Saint of America". The officers of the society were thirteen "Sachems", one from each of the thirteen tribes paired to each of the thirteen original colonies. From this group a "Grand Sachem" was selected as the head of the society. In the early days there was no love lost between the Irish and the members of Tammany. In 1791 Tammany announced that being a national body, it consisted of Americans, who would fill all offices though adopted Americans were eligible to fill honorary posts. It wasn't until 1809 that a Catholic would be allowed to have his name placed on a Tammany election ticket.

Another committee of three men was created at the April 26, 1861 meeting. William Miner, William D. Kennedy and Emanual B. Hart were charged with procuring a banner bearing the words of President Jackson: "The Union Must and Shall be Preserved", that would be suspended in front of Tammany Hall until the war was over.

During the months of May through July of 1861 the Tammany Regiment, originally called The Jackson Guard, took the form it was to take to battle in the second half of the year. On May 4th and 5th recruiting ads were run in the New York Times reading: "Jackson Guards: The Union Must and Shall be Preserved: 550 Volunteers wanted to complete the Jackson Guard Regiment now forming to protect the Capital of our country. None but able bodied men will be accepted. Regimental Headquarters, Tammany Hall. Roll List now open. William D. Kennedy, Colonel, Commanding, Timothy O'Meara, Acting Adjutant".

Why the regiment was originally known as the Jackson Guards is unknown to this author. One reason why it may have stopped using that designation is that there was a Confederate regiment, the First Arkansas Infantry, organized in May of 1861, which used the name Jackson Guards and had it embroidered in their battle flag.

An article in the May 5, 1861 New York Times read: "The Tammany Regiment ... is to be a thoroughly drilled and fully equipped rifle regiment of skirmishers intended for outpost duty. It is to be drilled by an experienced Crimean Officer, in the modern system adopted by the French rifle regiments in the late war, and the drum and fife to be entirely replaced by the bugle ... The arms are the minie rifle, swords, bayonets and revolver." Inspection of the Tammany Regiment was ordered by the Union Defense Committee for May 25 at 3PM on 14th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue.

On May 26, 1861 the following announcement appeared in the New York Times: "The Tammany Regiment ... appeared on the ground without uniforms or muskets but nevertheless making a very good appearance. They number 975."

The same article listed a group of acting staff officers including: Colonel: W.D. Kennedy, Lieut. Colonel: Michael Doherty, Major: George W. McLean, Adjutant: Timothy O'Meara, Quartermaster: William C. Rhodes, Assistant Quartermaster: J. F. Green, Paymaster: John Richardson. Company commanders and strengths were quoted as: A: ---- (122); B: Peter Bowe (46); C: J. Graham (62); D: H. E. Call (106); E: J. Lynch (85); F: C. R. Beneoic (62), G: John Quinn (43); H: John Mulligan (95); I: John Baker (26); K: William Vall (58); L: C. Fitzgerald (54); M: Wallace (101) and N: Farring Hall (106). Many of the names were incorrectly spelled and a number of the men were not to remain in their listed positions. Some were never to actually serve with the regiment.

On May 29, 1861 the following was printed in the New York Times: "The Tammany Regiment ... raised under the auspices of the Old Wigwam, and of which Sachem William D. Kennedy is Colonel, was yesterday accepted by the Union Defence Committee, and will tomorrow proceed to the encampment selected for them, at Great Neck, opposite Flushing, Long Island. The regiment embarks from the foot of Tenth Street at 2 o'clock P.M. The Union Defence Committee has undertaken the equipment of the corps and guarantees its speedy call to active service." The total cost of equipping the Tammany Regiment was $47,146.65 and included all clothing and equipment and rations for 1000 men for two months.

The regiment was re-organized into the standard organizational framework of the time with 10 companies A-I and K. Each company was to be about one hundred strong and headed by a Captain with two additional officers, a First Sergeant and several other non-commissioned ranks as well as one or two musicians and a teamster or wagoner. The Regimental Staff was to be comprised of a Colonel commanding the Regiment, Lt. Colonel, Major, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Surgeon, Sergeant Major, Commissary Sergeant, Hospital Steward, Fife Major and Drum Major. All together the table of organization called for a little over 1000 men.

The regimental organizers were mostly successful in raising the required manpower from within the confines of New York State with the majority of men enlisting either in New York City or Great Neck, Long Island. On Sunday, June 16, 1861 the following notice appeared in the New York Times: "The Jackson Guard: This corps, under command of W. D. Kennedy, stationed at Great Neck, numbers 700 men, and are in good condition. They are doing their cooking in messes, in the open air. They have 125 wall tents, and 10 marquees. The regiment is nearly full, a good many being absent on leave. They will be inspected early this week."

An exception to New York recruiting was Company H, which was partially staffed with a number of men that were recruited in Boston and signed on with the regiment on June 17-19, 1861 at that city. Plans were to recruit up to 50 men in Boston. Various records identify the names, using the "more likely than not criteria", of 49. All were originally recruited to be in Company C but were immediately transferred to Company H. This group is of special interest as Patrick Henry Lennon, the guy on the cover and a relation of my wife Mary, was one of those that enlisted in Boston. Why would men from Massachusetts join a New York regiment? Surely there were regiments being formed in Massachusetts. In fact, a number of regiments from Massachusetts had already been formed and the state was in the process of trying to form an additional ten regiments above their original quota. The process was slow in gaining the necessary political approvals. On the same day, June 17, 1861, that recruiting began in Boston an interesting article appeared in the same Boston Herald newspaper that ran the ad for recruits. It said: "It seems unfortunate that Massachusetts men who desire to fight for the flag cannot go in Massachusetts regiments so that the old Commonwealth may have credit for their own. But we know that the anxious desire of some to get to the war will not allow them to wait the progress of events. It is well to remember that Massachusetts is a good state to hail from and that she will watch with tender care the interests of her children who go in her name."

The Tammany Regiment was not the only New York regiment recruiting in Massachusetts. The Bay State was the source of troops for many other units. Was the rush to sign up a sign of patriotism? Surely to some degree it was. But it was not patriotism alone that prompted enlistments. Units offered sign on bonuses of $100 or more. Other attractive inducements, real or not, most likely also appealed to potential recruits. The same newspaper of June 17 ran an article on page 1 called "The Pay and Pension of Our Volunteers". The article stated: "The following recapitulation affords useful information to volunteers and their families; 1. After being mustered into the service of the United States, volunteers are entitled to the same pay as regular troops. 2. If disabled by wounds received in service or by disease contracted in service, they are entitled to an invalid pension during life, or so long as the disability continues. 3. If any are killed or die in the service of the United States, leaving a widow, she is entitled to what pay was due her husband, and a pension. If there is no widow, the child or children of such volunteer is entitled to the pay and a pension until they are sixteen years of age. 4. If there is no widow or child under sixteen years of age, the other heirs of descendent are entitled to the pay due the volunteer at the time of his death-no pension. At this time neither the volunteers or any heir is entitled to land warrants, but there is no doubt an act of Congress will be passed early in July granting one hundred and sixty acres to every volunteer that shall serve fourteen days, or engage in battle and be honorably discharged-first to the widow, second to the children, third to the mother, fourth to the father: and if all of the foregoing heirs be dead, fifth the brothers and sisters of those who may serve and die without a warrant, in like manner as the volunteers who served in Mexico, are now rewarded ..."

It is not hard to imagine what went through the minds of the young men of Boston many of who were from poor, immigrant families. Here was a chance to serve your country, be paid for it, have security for your family and potentially emerge a landowner and all at the age of 19! Of course the land warrant bill never was passed but that didn't make a difference to the state of mind of the men of Boston on the morning of June 17, 1861. That day expectations were high.

The following advertisement also ran in the Boston Herald newspaper on Monday June 17, 1861. "NEW YORK REGIMENT: JACKSON GUARD This regiment is now in camp at Great Neck Long Island, New York. About fifty able bodied men are required to complete Capt. S. Reete's Company. Capt. S. Reete is now recruiting over Little Brown & Co., 112 Washington Street. Apply early on Monday morning as the Regiment has full equipments and proceeds immediately to the seat of war."

Interestingly, the officer was Frederick Skeete who although referred to as a Captain was mustered in as a First Lt. in Company H on June 28, 1861. One possible explanation is that at the time of the Boston recruitment he had in fact been appointed as Captain of Company C but in the month that followed, before the regiment was mustered in, his position changed. This was not uncommon and there are several other examples of such changes. This would also be consistent with the fact that all of the Boston recruits were originally intended to be in Company C, and all were mustered into that company, but were immediately transferred to Company H where now First Lt. Skeete was second in command. The men had signed up to serve under the command of Frederick Skeete and they would serve with him. Captain Skeete was not the only member of the regiment that went to Boston to recruit. He was accompanied by First. Lt. S. M. Saunders a man that was appointed to the position of First Lt. of Company H and was so listed in an article in the New York Times dated July 7, 1861. There is no record of his being mustered in as a member of the regiment and as the troops left for war Frederick Skeete was the First Lt. of Company H.

Recruitment in Boston probably did not go as quickly as originally expected. On June 18, another ad was run: "VOLUNTEERS, ATTENTION! JACKSON GUARD: The First Squad of Capt. Skeete's Company left yesterday for the camp at New York. A few more able bodied men wanted. Apply early this morning over Little, Brown & Co., 112 Washington Street."

Elsewhere in the same paper was an article that read: "Jackson Guard. This is a New York Regiment, now in camp at Long Island, New York. Captain Skeete is now in this city recruiting at 112 Washington Street and he dispatched a fine body of men to New York last night. All who are desirous of getting quickly into active service should call at the recruiting office this day. Capt. Skeete or Lt. Saunders proceeds to New York this evening with another body of men."

On June 19 recruitment was still continuing with the following final ad being run: "VOLUNTEERS ATTENTION JACKSON GUARD: The Second Squad of Capt. Skeete's Company left yesterday for the camp at New York. A few more able bodied men wanted. Apply early this morning over Little, Brown & Co., 112 Washington Street."

Also in the June 19 paper was the following article: "The Jackson Guard: The second squad of Capt. Streeter's company went on to New York last evening. These men will join the Jackson Guard Regiment, which is to leave for the seat of war next week. Lieut. Saunders will leave with another squad this afternoon, at half past five o'clock." Once again Capt. Skeete's name was misspelled and the timing of the Regiment's departure for the seat of war was off by about a month. The official mustering in date for the Regiment was June 22, 1861 when over 900 men were officially taken into the service of the Union. On that date a notice appeared in the New York Times stating: "Tammany Regiment: Six companies of this regiment, Col. Kennedy, were sworn in yesterday. The remaining companies will be sworn in today or tomorrow."

Over the next few weeks, additional men were mustered into the ranks so that by the time the unit was ready to leave for their first assignment near Washington DC on July 18, there had been 1176 men that had joined and been mustered in. That is not to say that there were 1176 men in the regiment on July 18. During the time between enlistment and leaving for Washington 140 men were lost to the regiment for one reason or another. The vast majority, 134 or 11.4% of the enrolled force, were men that chose not to stay with the regiment and deserted while waiting to leave Great Neck Long Island. Five men were discharged for one reason or another including Lt. Colonel Michael Doheny and one, Private Walter Smith from C Company, accidentally drowned. Another man, Private Edward Casey from F Company died as the result of an accident on July 19, 1861 as the regiment was on the way to Washington.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The Tammany Regiment by Fred C. Wexler. Copyright © 2016 Fred C. Wexler. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse.
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Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction, ix,
Chapter One: Formation of the Regiment, 1,
Chapter Two: Washington D.c. to Ball's Bluff, 15,
Chapter Three: The Battle of Ball's Bluff, 31,
Chapter Four: The Ball's Bluff Prisoners, 67,
Chapter Five: Winter 1861-2, 81,
Chapter Six: Arrival on the Peninsula, 105,
Chapter Seven: Fair Oaks-Seven Pines, 125,
Chapter Eight: Seven Days Battles, 137,
Chapter Nine: Harrison's Landing Withdrawal from the Peninsula, 159,
Chapter Ten: Prelude to Antietam, 173,
Chapter Eleven: Antietam, 181,
Chapter Twelve: Movement to Fredericksburg, 197,
Chapter Thirteen: Fredericksburg, 207,
Chapter Fourteen: Winter 1863, 227,
Chapter Fifteen: Chancellorsville Second Fredericksburg, 245,
Chapter Sixteen: Gettysburg, 259,
Chapter Seventeen: Bristoe Station Mine Run, 273,
Chapter Eighteen: Winter 1864, 293,
Chapter Nineteen: Battle of the Wilderness, 313,
Chapter Twenty: Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, 321,
Chapter Twenty-One: Battle of Cold Harbor, 349,
Chapter Twenty-Two: Jerusalem Plank Road Weldon Railroad, 359,
Bibliography, 391,