Lincoln's 1864 Trip to City Point, Va.-- Part 10: Like 'A Monitor's Turret Coming Overland'

President Lincoln then rode through the lines of Gen. Benjamin Butler's Army of the James at Bermuda Hundred.  Many of these soldiers took part in the two Battles of Fort Fisher, so I will write down some of their observations of their commander-in-chief.

One of the first camps they encountered was that of the 117th New York, where a soldier named John Humphrey recorded:  "Prisedent Lincen and Gen Buttler rode along the lines visiting the troops."  Another wrote his father the next day that there "is quite an object now for him to be familiar with the soldiers," probably referring to the upcoming elections in November as well as the huge losses Grant's Overland Campaign had experienced so fat in 1864.

Soldiers in the camp of the 7th Connecticut, another regiment that took part in the Fort Fisher Expeditions, had their fun when first spotting Lincoln toward them on his horse with his tall hat, joking that "it was a monitor's turret coming overland."

Especially if the mounted Lincoln was coming over the top of a hill and that was the first you saw of him.

That Top Hat Did Resemble a Monitor's Turret.  --Old B-Runner

Pictures of the 154th Anniversary Fort Fisher

The Wilmington (NC) Star-News has a large number of photographs taken from the 154th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher which was held on January 12, 2019.  The actual battle took place Jan. 13-15, 1865.

Twenty-four color photographs.  Several were of the 117th New York Infantry re-enactors, plus the 3rd N.C. Junior Reserves (under the age of 18)  Also,  Company F, 10th North Carolina Artillery, (Andrews Battery).

Everyone was wearing heavy coats as it must have been cold out there.

Search   Photos: 154th  anniversary Battle of Fort Fisher  to view them.

I am hoping to be there for the 155th anniversary next January.  Every five years it is an even bigger event.

--Old B-Runner

Algernon E. Smith, 117th New York At Fort Fisher and Custer's Last Stand-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

September 17, 1842 - June 25, 1876

Officer in the U.S. 7th cavalry killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana Territory June 25, 1876.

Born in New York.  In June 1862, he enlisted in Company K of the 7th U.S. Infantry and was made a lieutenant in the 117th New York Infantry where he served until October 1863.

At that time he was assigned to Major General Alfred Terry as aide-de-camp.  He was severely wounded at the Battle of  Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.  Later brevetted to major for his actions during the war.

--Old B-R'er

Oneida County's 117th New York Infantry-- Part 7: 155th Anniversary of Mustering In

August 8, 2017, will mark the 155th anniversary of the 117th's mustering in.

There is more on the 117th New York Infantry Regiment and role of Rome in the Civil War at the Rome Historical Society at 200 Church Street, or at www.romehistoricsociety.org.

--Old Secesh

Oneida County's 117th New York Infantry-- Part 6: One Member Died With Custer

After their discharge in 1865, most of the men returned to Oneida County and to their former jobs.

Some remained in the military.  Captain Algernon Smith died at Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Colonel Alvin White went on to become superintendent of the Faxton Hospital in Utica.  Colonel Rufus Daggett became the Utica postmaster.

Surviving members of the 117th met regularly in the area until the 1920s, by which point few were still alive.

--Old B-Runner

Oneida County's 117th New York-- Part 5: "The Language That Spilled Out"

Despite combat, the regiment had long periods of boredom, drudgery and restlessness while in camp.  During one of these boring periods in July 1863, an anonymous soldier of the 117th wrote a letter to the editors of the Rome Sentinel (which had been published for about twenty years at that time).

The letter appears to be a joke about a particularly dull soldier in the 117th and was not signed.

The 117th also had a bit of a crude sense of humor.  "One general commented that he had never heard language like what spilled out of the mouths of the 117th."

--Old B-Swear

Oneida County's 117th New York-- Part 4: The Race to the Parapet

So noteworthy was the 117th's actions at Fort Fisher that it actually raced a Pennsylvania regiment to plant their flag on the fort's parapets.  "When one man was shot another would pick up the flag."  Remnants of this flag today are housed in the Oneida County History Center.

Historian Peter Leonard says that the soldiers in the 117th did not enlist because of the issues of slavery or states rights, saying,: "For the average person in Oneida County, I believe it was more of a sense of duty to enlist and serve.  Many had fathers and grandfathers in the Revolution and War of 1812, including the battles of Fort Stanwix and Oriskany."

--Old B-Runner

Oneida County's 117th New York Infantry-- Part 3: Biggest Contribution the Capture of Fort Fisher

The 117th trained for about three weeks before moving south where they spent several months in the Washington, D.C., garrisons.

They went on to participate in campaigns across Virginia and North Carolina.  At one time they were under the command of General U.S. Grant.

Civil War historian and expert on the Fourth Oneida (117th NY) Peter Leonard says the capture of Fort Fisher was the unit's most significant contribution to the war.  The 117th was in what "would become the largest amphibious landing up until D-Day."

--Old B-Runner

Oneida County's 117th New York Infantry-- Part 2: Trained At camp Huntington

New York Governor Edwin Morgan exhorted his state's people to enlist, "Let the 'glorious example of the Revolutionary period be our emulation."

Rome, New York, had around 6,000 people in 1862.

The volunteers for the 117th were largely from around Rome and Utica, but they had members from every county community.

They were organized at Camp Huntington in July 1862.  This camp was located between Liberty and West Dominick streets, spanning west from Expense Street to Francis Street, about six city blocks.  Vamp Street is named after it and runs through the former camp site.

--Old B-Runner

Oneida County Answers the Call-- Part 1: 117th NY Infantry

From the July 11, 2017, Rome (New York) Sentinel  "Rome Historical Society artifacts and highlight area's Civil War history" by Mac Bullock.

155 years ago, Oneida County answered the call of duty.

The Civil War was in its 15th month and the 117th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered in in Rome August 1862.    This regiment played a major role in the capture of Fort Fisher.

Many expected the war to be over by Christmas.

Archival documents in the Rome Historical Society give an idea of the situation.

The 117th was also called the Fourth Oneida Regiment.  They were called to duty by New York Governor Edwin Morgan's call for volunteers.

--Old B-Runner

Booth Reported Near Bryantown

APRIL 22ND, 1865:  Secretary Welles warned the Potomac Flotilla that "[John Wilkes] Booth was near Bryantown last Saturday [April 15], where Dr. Mudd set his ankle, which was broken by a fall from his horse. The utmost vigilance is necessary in the Potomac and Patuxent to prevent his escape.  All boats must be searched."

The condition of alert remained in effect until word of the assassin's death on 26 April was received.

--Old B-R'er

Blockade Runner Lelia Founders

JANUARY 14TH, 1865:  Blockade Runner Lelia foundered off the mouth of the Mersey River, England.  Flag Officer Barron wrote Secretary Mallory from Paris: "The melancholy duty devolves  on me of reporting the death on the 14th instant, by drowning of Commander Arthur Sinclair and Gunner P.C. Cuddy, late of the Alabama."

Commander Hunter Davidson, learning of the accident while in Funchal, Madeira, early in February, commented: "What an awful thing the loss of the Lelia.  To death in battle we become reconciled, for it is not unexpected and leaves its reward; but such a death for poor Sinclair, after forty-two years' service...!"

Also, this date:  The USS Seminole captured schooner Josephine bound from Galveston to Matamoras with cargo of cotton.

--Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings 150 Years Ago: April 20th to 23rd,1862

APRIL 20TH

Two US ships breached river obstructions below Confederate forts protecting New Orleans while under heavy fire, opening the way for Union fleet to pass.

Potomac Flotilla capture nine ships at mouth of the Rappahannock River.

APRIL 21ST

Farragut reports that he's been bombarding the forts at new Orleans for three or four days, but current running too fast for ships to run up.  Confederate forts keeping up tremendous fire on fleet.

APRIL 22ND

USS Arthur captures three ships at Aransas Pass, Texas, but forced to abandon them when attacked by Confederate vessels and troops.

APRIL 23RD

Gen. Duncan, commanding Fort Jackson, notified Gen. Lowell in New Orleans that bombardment continues and making repairs as best he could. Barbette guns still in working order, but most have been disabled at times.  Estimated that 25,000 8-inch shells had been fired (actually 5,000).

Old B-Runner

Killed at Fort Fisher

From the Feb. 13th Madison County (NY) News "A Civil War Story" by Hobie Morris.

Most of the story was about two men coming together in a religious experience before the war, but one was killed at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, so I will tell about that man.

Orimel Gillette stood 5'9" and was a farmer born in 1835 in Shelby, New York.  On August 14, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. I of the 117th New York Infantry, at age 27.  He volunteered for a three year tour of duty and was mustered in the next day.

On July 15, 1864, he was lightly wounded in the head at Petersburg, Virginia.

On August 25, 1864, he was captured at Bermuda Hundred near Petersburg and sent with other prisoners to a Confederate prison in Salisbury, NC.  Exchanged and paroled, he rejoined the 117th.

At age 30, he was killed at Fort Fisher, NC, where the 117th led the land assault.  He is buried at he Westernville, NY, Presbyterian Cemetery.

The Story of a Man.  --Old B-Runner