More New York at Eltham 1862

 As part of my continuing series on New York state units at the battle of Eltham, here are the casualties of the 31st New York Infantry Regiment.

CASE, PHILIP.—Age, 23 years. Enlisted, August 13, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. E, August 11, 1861; promoted corporal, September 1, 1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va .

DINKEL , JOHN.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted, May 4, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. E, May 27, 1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va .

ELPET, JOHN.—Age, 31 years. Enlisted, June 17, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. K , same date; transferred to Co. E, November 27, 1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va,

GATES, VALENTINE. — Age , 34 years. Enlisted, May 24, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. K , June 13, 1861; promoted corporal, July or August, 1861; transferred to Co. E , November 27,1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va. ; also borne as Valentine Goetz.

DIES, FRIEDERICH.—Age, 37 years. Enlisted, May 4, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. E, May 27, 1861; killed. May'7, 1862, at West Point, Va.; also borne as Frederick Gies.

HAHN , FERDINAND.—Age, 24 years. Enlisted, May 7,1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. E, May 27, 1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va.; also borne as Frederick Hahn.

HAUER, CHRISTIAN.—Age, 36 years. Enlisted, May 8, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. F , May 27, 1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va.

HEISS, AUGUST.—Age, 31 years. Enrolled, May 4, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as captain, Co. E, May 27, 1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va.; commissioned captain, July 4, 1861, with rank from May 7, 1861, original.

LEISNER, ANTON.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted, May 1, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. E, May 27, 1861; killed in action, May 7, 1862, at West

Point, Va.

LINNSNER, WILLIAM.—Age, 28 years. Enlisted, May 8, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered to as private, Co. F, May 27,1861; killed, May 7,1862, at West Point, Va.

McDOUGAL, JAMES.—Age, 23 years. Enlisted, December 4, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. H, same date; killed, May 7,1862, at West Point, Va.

MILLER, JACOB.—Age, 19 years. Enlisted, June 19, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. K, same date; transferred to Co. E, November 27, 1861; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va.; also borne as Jacob Muller.

MINDERMANN, HENRY.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted, July 19, 1801, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. F, same date; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point,

Va.; also borne as Henry Menderman.

MULLER, CHARLES.—Age, 40 years. Enlisted, May 7, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as sergeant, Co. E, May 27, 1861; reduced, November 22, 1861; again promoted sergeant, February 1, 1862; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va.; also borne as Charles Miller.

MURPHY, JAMES A.—Age, 31 years. Enlisted, February 21, 1861, at New York city, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, same date; killed, May 7,1862, at West Point, Va.; also borne as James Murphy.

PROSS, FRIEDERICK.—Age, 38 years. Enrolled, May 8, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as first lieutenant, Co. F, May 27, 1861; killed, May 7,1862, at West Point, Va.; commissioned first lieutenant, July 4, 1861, with rank from May 9, 1861, original; captain, but not mustered, April 5, 1862, with rank from March 20, 1862, vice Lamb, resigned.

SMITH, WILLIAM.—Age, 22 years. Enlisted, December 18, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. H , same date; wounded, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va; died by reason of such wounds, May, 1862, on board transport.

STELZ, PHILIPP.—Age, 39 years. Enlisted, June 1, 1861, at New York city, to serve two years; mustered in as private, Co. F, same date; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va.

A New Look- II

 As I said yesterday, I have discovered that the Richmond Examiner reevaluated its opinion of the Confederated defeat at Charles City Court House, some two weeks after its original scathing article. . .

THE CAPTURE OF OUR CAVALRY AT CHARLES CITY COURT HOUSE

Evidence, lately place in our hands, proves satisfactorily that in a paragraph of this paper, relating to the capture of Confederate Cavalry at Charles City Court House, the Reporter did injustice to some who performed their duty and only surrendered when overwhelmed by superior numbers. The number of our men captured was only eighty-three, whilst the force that surrounded them is acknowledged by the Yankees themselves to have been five hundred cavalry, supported by ten companies of infantry.

The facts of the case are briefly these: Part of three companies of the Thirty-second Virginia cavalry battalion were stationed at Charles City Court House, Captain Hamlet, Company H, being at Bush Hill, quarter of a mile distant. Their couriers were at the Forge bridge, seven miles distant. The pickets of the Holcombe Legion were stationed several miles east, on the road to Williamsburg. At 3 o'clock Sunday morning, December 13th, the pickets of the Legion were driven in and made their way to Bottom's bridge, their headquarters, without informing the couriers of the Thirty-second battalion of the approach of the enemy. The Yankees then advanced to Forge bridge, where they surprised the couriers and took them prisoners. They then rode rapidly to Charles City Court House, reaching there about 7 a.m., a portion riding straight up to the Court House, and the others going in quest of Captain HAMLET, at Bush Hill. Captain HAMLET and his men saw the Yankees, but believed them to be some of our own cavalry sent to relieve them from picket, and as such cheered them as they rode up. When the mistake was discovered they had been completely surrounded, and it was too late for resistance. Lieutenant F.S. BALLARD, commanding Captain A.J. RODGERS' company, had his men, twenty-five in number, out for morning drill and inspection on foot when he discovered the Yankees, some two hundred in number, not more than two hundred and fifty yards distant. He immediately withdrew his men into the old tavern and a building near by, and waited the approach of the enemy. When the Yankees got within fifty yards of the buildings he opened on them with his carbines and kept off until every cartridge was expended. The enemy then charged into the buildings and overpowered our small force.

The enemy lost four men killed and ten wounded. Our casualties were Lieutenant BALLARD and a private, whose name we have not obtained, wounded.

At the time of the approach of the Yankees, Captain RODGERS, commanding the battalion, being ignorant of their coming, had just started to Richmond under orders, and happened to ride back to the Court House just as the Yankees arrived, and was taken prisoner. He and Lieutenant BALLARD were sent back to Richmond by the last flag of truce boat. The men and some of the officers are still held prisoners at Fort Norfolk.

This disaster seems wholly due to the failure of the pickets who were first driven in to give information of the fact to Captain RODGERS' pickets or couriers at Forge Bridge.

-The Daily Examiner(Richmond) January 1, 1864

A New Look- I

 I posted this piece last year at this time as part of a series on the December 1863 raid by Union forces on the village of Charles City Court-House. I entitled it "Snark" as John Moncure Daniel raked confederate forces over the coals for their perceived incompetence in general and the uselessness of the cavalry in particular.

THE WAR IN VIRGINIA,

CAPTURE OF CAVALRY NEAR RICHMOND.

From the Richmond Examiner, Dec. 16.

We have some facts concerning the inconsiderable cavalry affair at Charles City Court-house. Several citizens of the county have made the trip to Richmond to post us as to the facts. Two companies of our cavalry were captured entire. We lament the loss of the horses. The force of the enemy, as estimated by our informants, who counted them on their way up to the Court-house, was two hundred. The number of our men captured was at least two hundred. Each Yankee took a man. One of our companies was on parade when the enemy came in sight, and, without resistance, threw down their arms and surrendered, the other company made a show of resistance, but only a show. The citizens of Charles City mourn this event—they weep and cannot be comforted, because all the cavalry, who, up to this time, have been roaming over that country, shooting deer, partridges and poor people's turkeys, had not been captured. A few more of the sort are unfortunately left. We regret to learn that Lieut. S. BALLARD. of this city, was very badly wounded. We are said to have killed six Yankees and wounded many, but we think this very doubtful. The enemy burnt the Court-house and returned toward Williamsburgh. It is unnecessary to make any comments on this brilliant affair.

-The New York Times, December 18, 1863



 However a recent search at the Library of Virginia reveals that Daniel apparently had a change of mind, if not of heart . . .



-MORE TOMORROW-

Running with Little Ruby

A Hot Chase With a Big Pack in New Kent.

(Special to The Times-Dispatch.)

ROXBURY, VA., December 27.- One of the most exciting fox chases in New Kent for some time took place Christmas day, when Mr. Lee Jenk Boze and his brother, Joe Boze, of Highland Springs, with thirty-six hounds; Willie and George Ellyson, of Quinton; W.H. Graves, of Seven Pines, with fifty-four dogs, as fine as can be found in Virginia. The day was an ideal one-cool, clear and calm. After leaving Dispatch Station Mr. Joe Boze's Little Ruby, struck a hot trail, and was soon followed by her companions, Storm and Fleet. They soon had old Reynard on his feet, and without a hitch for forty minutes the sweetest music in all the world rolled over the hills from the red mouths of forty hounds, which, mingled with the shouts of many happy riders, could be heard for many miles out on the soft morning breeze.

The old fox, being hotly pursued, used every trick known to his kind to elude its pursuers, but alas, poor Reynard, with brush down, tongue protruding and all heart gone, headed for a hog lot and sought protection among the hogs. Here he found no friends, for soon the hogs had the fox cornered and was making short work of him, and when the boys came up it took seven huntsmen to get dogs, fox and hogs separated. In a moment old Reynard was cold in death, swinging from the saddle of Mr. Graves.

-The Times-Dispatch(Richmond), December 28, 1905

The 16th New York at the Battle of Eltham, Part IV

 Excerpted from,
-From Bull Run To Chancellorsville,The Story of the Sixteenth New York Infantry together with Personal Reminiscences By Newton Martin Curtis, LL.D. Brevet Major-General U. S. Vols.
G.P. Putnams Sons, New York & London

Companies F and G, Sixteenth New York, took into action on May 7, 1862, three officers and one hundred and two enlisted men. Casualties, six killed, and eleven wounded, total seventeen. The nominal list will be found in Appendix A, page 362.

. . .

A Nominal List of Casualties in the Sixteenth New York Infantry during its term of service.

In the Battle of West Point, May 7, 1862

Killed

Company F (3), Corporal George J. Love, Privates Edwin R. Bishop, Peter G. Ploof ; Company G (3), Privates Francis Mummery, Caleb M. Seabury, William Freeman Waymouth.

Wounded and discharged 7

Company F (4), Corporal James Cook, Privates Alexander Barnhart, George C. Brownell, A. Levi Kelly; Company G (3), Privates Thomas B. Chilton, Louis Perrin, Oliver Wells.

Wounded and recovered 4

Company F (1), Private Henry M. Helms; Company G (3), Captain Newton Martin Curtis, Privates Emerson Bostwick, William E. Gore.

From the official Roster of the Sixteenth Infantry . . .

BISHOP, EDWIN R.—Age, 28 years. Enlisted, May 2, 1861, at Potsdam; mustered in as private, Co. F, May 15, 1861, to serve two years; killed, May 7,1862, at West Point, Va.

LOVE, GEORGE J,—Age, 31 years. Enlisted, May 15, 1861, at Albany; mustered in as private, Co. F , same date, to serve two years; promoted corporal, date not stated; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va,

MUMERY, FRANCIS.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted, October 9,1861,at Potsdam; mustered in as private, Co. G, same date, to serve two years; killed. May 7, 1802, at West Point; Va.

PLOOF, PETER G.—Age, 20 years. Enlisted, April 27, 1861, at Potsdam; mustered in as private, Co. F, May 15, 1861, to serve two years; killed in action, May 7, 1862, at West Point,Va.

SEABURY, CALEB.—Age, 25 years. Enlisted, October 24, 1861, at Hermon; mustered in as private, Co. C, same date, to serve unexpired term of two years; killed May 7, 1862, at West Point, Va.

 WAMOTH, WILLIAM.—Age, 18 years. Enlisted, May 7, 1861, at De Peyster; mustered in as private, Go. G, May 15, 1861, to serve two years; killed, May 7, 1862, at West Point, as William Waymouth,

The 16th New York at the Battle of Eltham, Part III

 Excerpted from,
-From Bull Run To Chancellorsville,The Story of the Sixteenth New York Infantry together with Personal Reminiscences By Newton Martin Curtis, LL.D. Brevet Major-General U. S. Vols.
G.P. Putnams Sons, New York & London

From Major Seaver's letter to The Malone Palladium: —

"May 7, 1862.

"Company F, Captain John C. Gilmore, and Company G, Captain N. M. Curtis, of the Sixteenth were engaged to-day. For a time they were nearly surrounded, but fought their way through great odds. Captain Curtis, while urging on his men, was struck by a ball in his left breast, directly over his heart. The ball struck a rib, glanced around and came out of his back. Twice he rallied his men after the shot, and, by his presence of mind and bravery, doubtless saved many a valuable life. Captain Gilmore was in nearly as bad a condition and barely escaped. . . . Many of the dead and wounded left on the field were stripped of portions of their clothing, their pockets rifled of valuables, and, in one case, the most horrid barbarities perpetrated on the person, as that of Mummery, whose throat was cut and body thrown into a marsh. Our men behaved well, and are all eager for an opportunity to avenge the death of their comrades."

Captain John C. Gilmore's report not having been found the following letter is inserted.

"Washington, D.C., May 31, 1904.

"Dear General Curtis: —

"As I now recall the action of May 7th, 1862, at West Point, Virginia, my company held the left of the line and was deployed as skirmishers with a small part of it in support or reserve. On my right was your company, formed in the same way as mine, and, at the time of starting, was under the command of Lieutenant S. C. Vedder of your company. I am not at this time sure whether we were advancing or had halted, when the fight commenced with the enemy in much stronger force than ours. While my company was holding them in check in my immediate front, they, by a strong force, drove the left of Vedder's line back, advanced beyond the right of my line, turned to the right, and opened on my line a flank and reverse fire. I turned my line to face the enemy, about the same time you advanced with your company, having joined it from another part of the field, and drove the enemy from my left. In making this movement you received a severe wound in your left breast, but kept the field until we were ordered to retire, which order was given as soon as the artillery was put into position to open fire. Your prompt action in coming to my aid saved, without doubt, my company from greater loss than it sustained, which was three killed and five wounded.

"Corporal James Cook of my company was severely wounded in the early part of the engagement and fell into the hands of the enemy. Later in the day we recovered the bodies of our killed and brought off the wounded, except Barnhart and Kelley of my company, who were carried to Richmond.

"After the regiment went into camp on the nth of May, General McClellan rode to our regimental headquarters, and requested Colonel Rowland to send for the captains of the two companies engaged at West Point, that he might thank them in person for their good conduct in the engagement. When informed that Captain Gilmore was on picket, and Captain Curtis on a hospital boat in the York River, he asked Colonel Howland to convey to them his thanks and commendations. On returning to the camp the next morning, Colonel Howland gave me General McClellan's message, and informed me that he had communicated the same to you by mail.

"Yours cordially

"John C. Gilmore,

"Brigadier-General U. S. A., Ret."

Major Joel J. Seaver

Captain John C. Gillmore

The 16th New York at the Battle of Eltham, Part II

Excerpted from,
-From Bull Run To Chancellorsville,The Story of the Sixteenth New York Infantry together with Personal Reminiscences By Newton Martin Curtis, LL.D. Brevet Major-General U. S. Vols.
G.P. Putnams Sons, New York & London

 I quote from letters, and from official reports of the action  at West Point, Virginia: —

"Headquarters Sixteenth New York, Brick House Point,

"York River, Virginia, May 8, 1862.

"General: —

"I have the honor to report the part taken by the regiment  under my command, in the engagement of yesterday.

"About 9 o'clock A.M. yesterday, I received orders from Brigadier-General Slocum to report with five companies, (C, D, E, H, and I), to General Franklin on the right of the line. Companies A, B, F, G, and K were on picket, A, B, and K having been posted the night before, and F and G having reported to the general officer of the day. Colonel Bartlett, Twenty-seventh New York, at 3 o'clock a.m., and been sent to relieve a portion of the advance guard from the Twenty-seventh New York, at our centre and left. While the battalion under my command was marching to the front, I was ordered by General Slocum to support Captain Platt's battery* which was advancing near me, and to report to General Newton. Captain Platt took a position just beyond a small stream which empties into the York River on our left, and on the right of the road which leads inland from the point at which the division landed. I placed my battalion in column, on the left flank of the battery and a little in rear, but received orders from yourself to move to the left of the road within supporting distance, where I would be hidden from the enemy by the woods, in case he made his appearance. I subsequently received orders through an officer of your staff, to recross the stream and take position farther to the rear. As the execution of this order left Captain Platt without support, he fell back some distance. A short time afterwards, orders were received through Captain Scofield of your staff for the infantry to recross the stream, when I took position in column, on the right of the road and on the left flank of Hexamer's battery, which had come and taken the position previously occupied by Captain Platt. I remained in this position until about 5 o'clock p.m., two hours after the artillery fire ceased, when I was ordered by yourself to return to camp. The battalion was at no time under fire; but companies F and G were engaged early in the day as skirmishers, while on duty at the outposts, and met with some losses. As these companies were at the time detached from the regiment I inclose the reports of the company commanders. I have every reason to believe that the companies behaved well, and only fell back, when obliged to do so by greatly superior forces, from want of support and on account of the imminent danger of being outflanked and surrounded.

"Companies A, B, and K, upon being relieved as pickets, returned to camp for food, and then started to rejoin their regiment, but on the way were ordered by Colonel Bartlett, commanding General Slocum's brigade, to support Captain Wilson's battery, F, First New York Artillery. They were not engaged and received orders to return to camp about 5 o'clock p.m. "I have the honor of inclosing a list of killed, wounded and missing. The wounded were invariably robbed and in nearly every case were stripped of their jackets.

"I am. General, very respectfully,

"Your obedient servant,

"Joseph Howland

 "Colonel Sixteenth New York.

 "Brigadier-General John Newton."

Colonel Joseph Howland

*Battery D, Second United States Artillery.

-To Be Continued-