HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouthold's Civil War SoldiersCivil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
Southold’s Civil War Soldiers
Unlike most of the nation at the outbreak of the Civil War, Southold remained mostly unmoved
by the patriotic fervor the swept the nation. Those who enlisted were optimistic that the war
would be quickly won and they would be home within a year. During 1861, the first year of the
war, only 21 men felt the urge to join the military. The bulk of the first year’s recruits did not
sign up until September – two months after the union’s disastrous loss at the first Manassas (Bull
Run).
In that first year, Southold men joined twelve different units from across the state. Many signed
up with groups that were recruiting in New York City or organizations that were formed in other
counties. For example, the 99th New York Volunteers drew men from New York City,
Massachusetts and New Jersey.1 Possibly due to family ties, Julius D. Boerum of Greenport
joined the 99th, along with his cousin John from Richmond, Queens.
While the majority of Southold’s men joined the infantry, some such as Henry H. Preston of
Southold and Elbert W. Tabor of Orient joined the cavalry. Henry P. Christian, perhaps attracted
to the exotic uniforms, was the first from our area to enlist in the 5th NYSV – the Duryee
Zouaves. David S. Conklin of Southold joined the 4th NYSV Heavy Artillery.
The two groups that recruited the largest numbers of men for service from Southold were the
127th NYSV – nicknamed the Monitors2, and the 165th NYSV, known as the 2nd Battalion of the
Duryee Zouaves. Both groups gathered men in the late summer of 1862.3
In August of that year, Stewart Woodford, whose mother Susan Tuthill Woodford grew up in
Southold, arrived in town. Woodford, a lawyer and politician, gave a stirring recruiting speech
to the young men of Southold gathered in the Southold Presbyterian church. At the end of the
speech, there was a pause then Edward Huntting leaped to his feet and led a line of men to sign
the recruiting roster.4 After making speeches in each of the hamlets along the North Fork,
Woodford signed up 109 men for the 127th Company H.
John Henry Young of Orient said in his diary, Friday [August] 22 Pleasant most of the day wind
South & a little cloudy picked off 4 bush. of Pears, hoed corn. Afternoon our folks went into
Greenport. I went fishing eve[ning] went to War Meeting.
Sunday 24 Pleasant and cool morning went bathing. Went to Church had a splendid sermon.
This day concluded to volunteer for the war. Went up to Libby’s to stay to night to be ready for
the morning train for it.
Monday 25 Got up about 2 o’clock & in due time started for G’port got on the [railroad] cars &
arrived at NY about 9 o’clock went to Headquarters, Mozart Hall was sworn in, examined &c
towards supper went over to Brooklyn. After a while found Mr. Leslie’s and staid [sic] all night.
Rec Town Bonus of $100. 5
The following month September 1862, William W. Stephenson, an Orient summer resident from
Brooklyn, recruited the second largest group from Southold, 35 men, who joined the 165th
NYSV, 2nd Battalion of the Duryee Zouaves.
Civil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
The newly joined military men after being sworn in were given a couple of days to arrange their
affairs before having to return to be mustered into service. Other than the overall service records
of the units, not much is known about the day to day lives and thoughts of the men of the 165th or
most of the other units.
Several men in Company H of the 127th, John Henry Young and Henry W. Prince in particular
left detailed diaries and letters of their time in the service. Young notes during his time between
enlisting and mustering in he, “Bought a revolver of Mr. Leslie, am now a soldier.” 6
At the end of August began the men’s transition from civilians to soldiers. Young noted:
August 29, 1862 Got up at half past one and started for New York went to headquarters cruised
around a little then went to Statten [sic] Island, at camp Washington, got our uniforms and took
our first rations. Pleasant.
Saturday 30 Got up a little before sunrise & had a little drill before breakfast. After which
drilled a spell. Mr. Fitch came over to see us at 4 o’clock had regimental parade. I did not go
to rations, 9 o’clock tattoo. Went to meeting.
Sunday 31 Pleasant, had roll call before breakfast. Did not do much…”7
Prince describes their mustering in a bit more briefly, “I arrived at N.Y. this morn. Our Co.
came to Staten Island this P.M. Camp Washington, Co. H Col. Gurney, Reg 127th NYSV (Fri)
Drilled some, had a review in P.M. Col. Gurney came over.”8
Young had some complaints about the uniform hat issued to the 127th. “I hope you don’t call
that a good picture it is miserable so we all think it would have been better if we had those
confounded hats off they are a nuisance anyway they spoil our looks and we hate them however
we only have to wear them at Dress parade and on guard.”9
Attendance was taken every morning and evening, so officers could tally who deserted during
the night. On September 2nd the men were marched over to Manhattan, up Broadway to 13th
Street, where the company was presented with company flags (called colors). Five days later,
the men were issued, “…knapsacks, canteens, belts, cartridge boxes etc, etc.”10 Later that day
the new soldiers were able to drill for the first time with their newly issued muskets.11
On Sept 10th the company was packed onto the train and sent towards Washington D.C. Upon
arrival the men had some free time until dinner; then at 6 o’clock in the evening they started on a
10 mile hike. Young noted that by 11 o’clock they, “arrived at Arlington Heights and
bivouacked on the field.”12 Prince, noted that the march was, “very severe, about 10 miles. One
man died in Co.D.”13 The men tired, lay in the field with just their blankets. Tents were not
issued until the following day.14 The field was eventually named Camp Morgan and was near
Chain Bridge to the north and west of Washington D.C. The new soldiers had been added to the
forces set up to protect the capital while they trained for war.
Some of the men of the 127th took advantage of being away from home to visit the surrounding
cities. John Henry Young notes in his diary that he visited Washington DC with Charles Moore.
“First thing visited the Pattent [sic] Office then went throughout the Capital then to the
Smithsonian Institute & last to the White house. Saw and shook hands with Uncle Abe. Cruised
Civil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
a while longer then went to the Columbia House and “hung up.”15 Both Young and Prince
traveled to Alexandria and had their photos taken with their friends to send home.
Life of a soldier could be summed up as the monotonous routine of drills, guard duty and free
time punctuated with moments of terror from battle. As Prince and Young soon found out life of
a soldier preparing for war was a daily round of drills.
“Following the sunrise Reveille roll call, they policed the camp and had breakfast at 7:00 A.M.
squad drill 7:30 to 8:30; guard mount at 9:00; company drill 9:30 to 11:00; dinner at 12 P.M.
squad drill 2:30 to 3:30; company drill 4 to 5:30; dress parade at sunset; supper at 6:30 tattoo
roll call at 8:30; and taps at 9 which signaled lights out.” 16
As the men became proficient at following commands and became a cohesive unit, the amount of
drilling tapered off, to be replaced with picket, fatigue and foraging duties.17 The rules of the
volunteer regiments varied depending on their leaders, many of whom were learning military
tactics in evening classes the night before teaching them to their men.18
Putting that necessary distance between officers and enlisted men occasionally caused hard
feelings between former neighbors, “Oh we are humbugged to death. We came here out of pure
motives but we have learned so much now that no money would induce us to come again. We
didn’t come to polish brass or black shoes. We have an everlasting grudge against our officers
and would sooner shoot them than the rebels any day… They look down upon us and treat us
worse than dogs.”19
“Lieut Young will soon resign then you will have the paragon of perfection right among you…
Why we don’t pretend to hold any conversation with him at all. He takes no notice of us he is not
the same man at all that he was when he left us. Man did I say there is no man in him at all.
Rather say the hippocrit [sic] Oh I imagine now the eloquent temperance lectures which will be
delivered when he arrives it the green spot and by him that keeps his bottle well filled and emties
[sic] often. And can “Dam it” too us well as any of us. But I suppose it is wrong to back bite
him so I leave him now to his own destruction. It will be time enough to run him down if we all
get home again. Then we will be just as big as he.”20
Fueling some of the enmity was the disparity in rights that rank brought. “The Suffolk Times has
a good deal to say about the Southold Boys & our drunken officers I wish he would say less, for
the officers are mad, & a good many I think dislike Co. H on acct. of that piece in Times. I
believe it true that a number of our officers take too much whiskey but to say all do is saying too
much & to say they are beastly intoxicated is saying too much… As the law now is, officers can
get it but enlisted men cannot.”21 However part of what the Times was saying was true. Youngs
reported to his cousin, “I guess we have got the greatest set of drunken officers that can be found.
We have two under arrest one of them bucked and gagged in the guard house for a while, for
kicking up a row and calling the cook all the insulting names that could be thought of. The other
has a sentry in front of his tent all the while. The other night he got liquor and invited two or
three Serg’ts to his tent they all got tight, quarreled and gave him a regular pounding. The
Serg’ts were reduced to the ranks. Two were Orderly’s. Our Capt. Does not drink, nor the col.
And some few others.”22
Civil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
Although the army was mostly comprised of volunteers, the soldiers were paid for their service.
Up to the Civil War, the federal government issued dollar coins, but there was little control on
the issuance of paper money also called specie. Banks and in some cases businesses printed their
own money for customer’s use.23 In 1862, the Federal government needing a way to pay all of
the soldiers decided to take control of the issuance of paper money and Congress passed the first
legal tender law. The new paper money known as Greenbacks, could be traded for silver or gold
coins at any time. The Greenbacks were recalled in 1863 when the government issued a new
version of Greenbacks that is similar to what we have today. Money good within the country
that represents the gold and silver reserves the government holds.24 To John Henry Young
money was money, he was more interested in what he could use it for rather than the details
behind its issuance. “In the afternoon we were paid off up to the first of Jan’y – I was paid 56
Dollars and 75 cts. Three cheers for Uncle Sam’s Greenbacks”25
Of course an army of young men most barely out of teenage-hood were constantly hungry and
the army struggled to provide the huge mass of men that had within the first two years swelled
their ranks. It took until 1863, to finally set up semi-reliable suppliers and supply lines.
“The men became used to the rations, which at this time were “fresh bread four times a week,
and hard tack the other days; boiled fresh beef some days and boiled salt pork or salt beef on
others; bean, rice or pea soup three or four times each week; occasionally boiled rice with a
tablespoonful of molasses for flavoring and plenty of good coffee.”26
To supplement these rations men could also buy food from locals or from traveling storekeepers
also known as sutlers. Soldiers were also assigned to squads to scour the neighborhood to
supplement the army food. The men constantly looked for extra food to supplement their diets
and many were not hesitant to buy or take it from local sources.27 “About 60 of us went
aforaging into Grahamsville. Got about 20 poor cattle, 40 chickens, 2 old wagons, book, sundry
articles.”28 While stationed on Cole’s Island in 1864, John Henry Young noted in a letter home,
“At 2 o’clock a.m. George and I got up and went down hauling seine. Caught enough for
breakfast and dinner.”29 “Oysters and round clams continue to grow in the creeks and rivers in
and around Cole’s Island. (by the way) this Reg’t is called by those from other parts of the state
“Clamdiggers” because it is mostly from Long Island and we glory in the name.”30
The 127th were moved around in Virginia and Maryland before being sent to the barrier beaches
of South Carolina. There the regiment battled not only the rebels but also mosquitos, sand fleas,
unrelenting summer temperatures.
The men met and worked with black troops as well as encountering rebel deserters and runaway
slaves commonly called ‘contraband.’31 For men who came from an area with very few African
Americans, and a population with mixed feelings about slavery – the soldiers from the North
Fork likewise had mixed feelings about the blacks they came across. Prince leaned towards
abolitionist feelings, the, “North is desperately wicked as well as the South, but Slavery is a
curse…” “Talk about the negro being a curse to the country, I think it is the rebellious white
man. I am glad the black man can fight for the downfall of slavery.”32 Youngs on the other hand
was more ambivalent in his diary, “Colored gunmen. Never thought…”33 Although he relates an
event he witnessed in a letter with almost perceptible glee, “The 600 or rather the 553 Rebel
Civil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
officers have been landed here and we saw them marched by on the way up to the front.
Guarded by the 59th Mass. Col. Regt. Oh it must cut those southern bloods to be under the
power of a n….. and they showed their indignation in their looks. The 59th are just the boys to
guard them let any of them try to escape and he will soon get a pill which will be hard to digest.
They rank from Lieuts to Col’s and were dressed in all sorts of uniform but all grey. In their way
from the north the Capt of their steamer being secesh tried to run her ashore on the North
Carolina coast so that they might all escape but he was prevented in time and put in irons.”34
Charles Safford Tillinghast, wrote to the Town Supervisor, Franklin Overton in November 1864
from Beaufort, South Carolina, “Poor Fellows! It’s hard for them to think that hereafter they will
have to be their own ‘hewers of wood & drawers of water’. But they must console themselves
with scriptural advice & the blessed fact that ‘everything is for the best.”35
Apart from the excitement of incoming deserters or civilians into their camps or the terror of
battle, one of the ways enlisted men could get a break from doing the drudgery of picket and
fatigue duty was to apply for officer ship. Thomas Reeve of Mattituck in August 1864 was
given, “…a furlough to go to Philadelphia to Military School to be examined for a Commission
in a Negro Regt. One or 2 more will try I expect. B. Moore of Cutchogue has gone.”36 Neither
Thomas Reeve nor Benjamin F. Moore was selected to make the jump to officer in the Negro
Regiments. However Charles S. Tillinghast of Southold and J. Addison Corwin of Greenport,
both Sergeants in the 127th from Southold did make the jump moving to the 103 U.S. Colored
Troops, Tillinghast as Second Lieutenant and Corwin as First Lieutenant.37
Although the troops were all volunteers, the army took desertion seriously. Although most
deserters were sentenced to either a fine or imprisonment, some unlucky souls were condemned
to capital punishment. The men of the 127th, on Saturday August 1st 1863, “At Half past 3 the
Revielly [sic] was sounded with orders to be ready to march at 5 o’clock about that time we
started no one knew where but we marched in a Northerh [sic] direction. Hotest [sic] marching
we have had yet swet [sic] poured off. Marched about 10 mile then halted and got dinner after
which the whole division marched to an open field to witness the execution of a deserter. After
he was shot all passed in review by the body where it lay just as it fell behind the coffin with his
bared bosom pierced by the deadly bullet. Then we marched a little way to wood and rested
until towards night when we were marched to an adjoin field and encamped.”38 According to
the War Department only 141 men were put to death during the war for desertion.39
The discipline of the Southold men of the 127th eventually paid off when they were selected to
become the Provost guard of Charleston. Removed from active battle, the men became the
occupying forces that ran the city in February 1865. “I think Charleston is a very pleasant
place. Our comm. is detached from the Regt. And occupy the third story of a fine house on
Hudson St. between Meeting and King. Our day is at the Provost Marshals Office and various
details all over the City. In many places our shells did terrible execution and a large district was
burnt by the Rebels when they evacuated But other portions are still beautiful…The greater part
of the population though are blacks (and yellow)” 40 Compared to living in tents, periodically
moving across the countryside and engaging the enemy on a regular basis, life in Charleston was
a luxury that the men of Company H were grateful for.
Civil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
In the late spring of 1865, the Confederacy began to rapidly collapse. Prince notes in his diary,
on April 8th, “Many rumors from Va. One is that Lee has surrendered his army…”41 Rumor
became truth when Lee surrendered on April 9th. “Revd official report of Gen Lee’s surrender to
Gen Grant on Latter’s own terms… A great time in city & at Fort Sumpter… Genl Anderson
raised flag on fort. A salute fired at 12M. A guard of honor of 50 men from 127, 5 from H.
A speech by H.W. Beecher at fort. Rockets on Eve. A big time generally… Great time among the
Darkies. Speeches to them by Beecher, Tilton & other big guns from the North.”42
On April 19th, news of Lincoln’s assassination four days prior reached Charleston. “Mail arrived
& bring the sad intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln & attempt on Sec Sewards
life.”43 Young was more emotional, “the direful news came of the assassination and death of
President Lincoln. Cured be the traitorous hand who such a deed could do. The fires of Hell
were punishment to small for such a villain.”44 Charleston remained calm, the buildings were
draped in black and services were held for Lincoln.45
Jefferson Davis was captured on May 10th, and just over a month later, on June 19, 1865,
Company H was issued orders to return to New York. “The long wished for time has come at
last. Still it is hard to say ‘Good by’ to Charleston…”46 A week and half later the men marched
down to the wharf and began their journey home. Friday July 7th at 7 A.M. the men of 127th
arrived in New York on the steamer Clyde, but were not allowed to disembark until noon. After
several days of celebration in NYC the men were allowed to disband but were not officially
mustered out until July 17th. So close to home, many went home on the 7th to see their loved
ones for the first time in three years. “Bob [Ebbits] and I went together and surprised the good
people of Orient about half past 9 at night. Carried all our equipments with us.”47
In August, the people of Southold gathered together to celebrate the return on their veterans with
a grand picnic dinner, with music and speeches. Company H, fell in and performed some drills
for the audience.
In 1866, a military veterans group formed – the Grand Army of the Republic. The local chapter
which was centered in Greenport was named after Edward Huntting, the first man to sign the
roster in Southold in 1862, and who died in battle in Olustee, Florida February 1864 at age 21.
Two years later Decoration Day, which later became Memorial Day started to commemorate the
fallen, and the men of Company H marched annually in uniform. Several memorials were
erected by the citizens of the hamlets to honor the veterans. Southold has a statue of a soldier at
the corner of Tuckers Lane and the Main Road, in Greenport a grey granite obelisk stands at the
mouth of Broad Street, and Orient has a beige obelisk at the intersection of Village Lane and the
Main Road.
1 Unit Roster of the 99th NYSV. New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center Website
https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/99thInf/99thInfMain.htm. NYSV stands for New York State
Volunteers 2 According to Helen Prince editor of Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince, the name the Monitors came
about when Stewart Woodford, “…made an appeal for a “Monitorial” company. It was to be made up of men of
good moral character who would undertake to minimize the demoralizing effect of army camp life.” P8.
3 By the end of the war approximately 206 men from the area joined the war effort. They enlisted in 30 different
regiments. These numbers are somewhat approximate because in the haste to go to war, careful records were not
Civil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
maintained by the military authorities. It is not uncommon to find men who served not being listed on any official
roster, or to find them on various lists assigned to the incorrect units. 4 A Centennial Church, Epher Whitaker December 31, 1905. Publication unknown, copy in Historian’s files.
5 August 22-25, 1862. Diary of John Henry Young, Unpublished. From the collection of the Oysterponds Historical
Society
6 August 26, 1862, diary of John Henry Young, Oysterponds Historical Society unpublished. 7August 29, 1862, diary of John Henry Young, Oysterponds Historical Society unpublished
8 Helen Prince, Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 139. 9 March 20, 1863, letter of John Henry Young, Oysterponds Historical Society. unpublished.
10 September 7, 1862, diary of John Henry Young, Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 11 The infantry was mostly issued either Enfield or Springfield muzzleloaders. Irving Bell Wiley noted that some
received Gallagher, “Joslyn Patent”, Hall or Sharps rifles. Henry Prince noted that in the 127th Company A & B got
Springfields and the other companies got Enfields.10.
Calvary got Carbine repeaters – Henry/Spencers also revolvers from Remington and Savage and Colt. P63 Wiley 12 Friday September 12, 1862, diary of John Henry Young, Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 13 The man who died was Christian Corblay of Company D. According to Helen Prince, he burst a blood vessel
during the march. 14 Helen Prince, Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 140, 12. 15 March 28th 1863, John Henry Young Diary. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 16 Helen Prince, Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 12-13. 17 Picket duty – guarding the camp against enemy attack, Fatigue duty – doing work such as digging trenches,
cutting down trees, etc. Foraging duty – going out into the surrounding area and gathering food. 18 Wiley. 50. 19 April 27, 1863. John Henry Young Letter. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 20 January 15, 1864. John Henry Young Letter. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 21 Helen Prince, Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 103. 22 March 20, 1864, John Henry Young Letter. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 23 Folk, Amy Kasuga. “The General Store on Long Island, 1810-1850.” Masters thesis, Long Island University,
2008. 24 Bethauser, 15 25 February 11, 1863 John Henry Young Diary. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 26 Helen Prince, Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 13. 27 Wiley. 234. 28 Helen Prince, Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 165. 29 May 21, 1864. John Henry Young Diary. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. A seine is a local name
for a fish net. 30 March 20, 1864. John Henry Young Letter. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 31 Contraband is the nickname used to described escaped slaves. 32 Helen Prince, Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 21, 81. 33 May 3, 1864. John Henry Young Diary. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 34 September 10, 1864 John Henry Young letter. Oysterponds Historical Society. unpublished. 35 November 25, 1864. Charles Safford Tillinghast letter. Copy in the files of the Town Historian. unpublished. 36 Helen Prince. Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 160. 37 Report of the Adjutant-General Unit Roster 127th Infantry p1146 & 1054. The 103rd USCT was organized in
Hilton Head, South Carolina, March 10 1865 and mustered out in April 1866.
(https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/other/coloredTroops/coloredTroopsMain.htm#103rdInf) 38 August 1, 1863. John Henry Young Diary. Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 39 Wiley, 206. 40April 11, 1865. John Henry Young Letter, Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished. 41 Helen Prince. Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 169. 42 Helen Prince. Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 169. Beecher was Henry Ward Beecher, who was
invited to come south to speak at Fort Sumter as part of the celebration. Likewise Beecher’s friend Theodore Tilton
a newspaper man and abolitionist also spoke. 43 Helen Prince. Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 169.
Civil War History by Amy Folk, Southold Town Historian
44 April 19, 1865. John Henry Young Diary, Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished.
45 Helen Prince. Civil War Letters and Diary of Henry W. Prince. 170. 46 July 1, 1865. John Henry Young Diary, Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished.
47 July 10, 1865. John Henry Young Diary, Oysterponds Historical Society, unpublished.