Rochester as a Possible Rendevous Camp - 1862

In 1862 the Union Army was looking for additional facilities to quarter troops prior to sending south to battle.  As a result, Col. William Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners, ordered Capt. H. M. Lazelle of the Eighth Infantry to look at facilities in Albany, Utica, Rochester and Elmira. Below is a report Capt. Lazelle sent to Col. Hoffman after inspection Camp Hillhouse in Rochester. This area is now a part of the Strong Memorial Hospital on the south side of Crittenden Blvd.

Col. WILLIAM HOFFMAN, DETROIT, MId., June 25, 1862.
Commissary- General of Prisoners, Detroit, Mich.
- COLONEL: In compliance with your order dated Washington June
12, 1862, requiring me to visit the permanent camps at Albany, 2liJtica,
Rochester and Elmira and the U. S. barracks at Buffalo to ascertain
their capacity for quartering troops and to make to you a written report
thereon accompanied by a general plan of each camp, I have the honor
to submit the result of my examination of the camp so specified at
Rochester, N. Y., as its condition when visited by me on or near the
22d instant.
This camp is known as the Camp of the State Fair Grounds.* The
grounds were rented by the Government at $100 per month for the first
three months occupied; after that period at $50 per month. It erected
on them quarters for 1,000 men, mess hall, kitchen, guard-house, stables,
officers quarters, sinks, &c., and for a considerable period occupied
them with volunteer troops. Within a few months, however, the build-
ings so erected and the furnishings contained in them have been sold,
and they together with the grounds are now in possession of the
authorities of the State Fair who contemplate holding there a fair in
September next.
        The barracks, mess halls and k,itchens are now being removed of their
furniture for that purpose. It occupies a fine situation, being located
on an excellent road about two miles southeast from town on a plot of
ground gently sloping, of a rectangular shape, being 400 by 800 yards.
The soil is firm and hard at all timesis composed of gravel covered
with sward. The camp at present contains no troops. The ground is
quite as high as the surrounding country and there is not in its vicinity
either marsh, standing water or forest or any locus of malaria or dis-
ease. The camp is abundantly supplied with pure limestone water
from never-failing wells on the ground. The Genesee Canal passes
within a few hundred yards of the west side of the camp and the New
York Central Railroad lies very near it. It is surrounded by a high,
close, board fence of about 8 feet.

The buildings were all, with the exception of that formerly used as a
hospital, erected by the Government. They are all new, of one story,
of wooden frames, with rough board coverings both on the sides and
roofs. These boards are matched and the seams again covered with
outer boards. The roofs are pitched and are, at the ridge poles of the
buildings used as the mens quarters, mess halls and kitchens, abont2O
feet high and at the eaves 10 feet. The buildings used as officers quar-
ters, hospital and guard-house are about 15 and 8 respectively. They
all have firm floors of planks and are well ventilated. In two iong
buildings built closely together and parallel with each other, each 280 by
40 feet, are the quarters for the men and mess halls. At the south end
of these two buildings and abutting against them is the kitchen, whose
extreme length is, together with a small shed at one end, just equal to
the united width of the two larger buildings plus the interval between
them, viz, 90 feet. The kitchen is 30 feet wide and contains but little
of ordinary cooking apparatus, most of it having been removed. In
one of the large buildings above mentioned is a mess hall 130 by 40
feet and in the other another hall 70 by 40. They will comfortably
seat 1,000 men, but most of the tables and benches have been removed
to the outside since the sale of the buildings.
There are two sets of quarters, one in each of the large buildings,
each 40 feet wide and 150 and 210 feet long respectively. In each the
bunks are placed end to end and are arranged in 5 rows of double
bunks, the outer rows of 3 tiers and the 3 inner ones of 4 tiers each.
By this arrangement the larger set of quarters will readily accommo-
date 600 men and the smaller 400, 1,000 men being the original adapta-
tion of the buildings. There are sufficient bunks for the reception of
this number but no ticks for straw. The hospital is 60 by 30 feet with
an L of 20 by 10 feet. The guard-house is 20 by 15 feet with an addi-
tion for cells and prison rooms of 30 by 10 and is not sufficient but for
temporary occupancy of the camp. There are 4 small buildings of 15
by 10 feet each, of 1 room each, used for officers quarters. There is no
bake-house but the rations are furnished, cooked and placed on the
tables, and furniture supplied for the tables, at 22 cents each, the con-
tractor furnishing his own cooking apparatus. The sinks are filthy
and out of repair. There is a good bath-house at the northwest end of
the ground 70 by 15 feet. On the south side are stabling sheds for
100 horses, and on the north side of the grounds stabhing sheds for 50
horses.
Hard wood is delivered at the camp for $4 per cord and soft at $3;
coal at $5 and $6 per ton. Lumber can be purchased at $9 and $10
per 1,000 feet. I was informed by General John Williams, of Rochester,
under whose care these grounds formerly were, that at Le Roy, a point
thirty miles west from Rochester, is a large stone building formerly
used as a car depot, completely fitted with furniture and ready for the
reception of 1,000 men; that the Government formerly hired and placed
in this building its furnishings but that it has now sold them, but that
they can be had complete at present if desired as they are not in use,
and have not since being occupied for military purposes been disturbed.
I am, colonel, with the highest respect, your obedient servant,
H. M. LAZELLE,
Captain, Eighth Infantry

Write-up on the Previous Day's Parade

 Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: September 7, 1858, p. 3

The Military Parade

————

The parade of the 54^th Regiment for Inspection and Review took place yesterday p.m., at Brown's Square. The weather was delightful and we expected to see an immense turn out of spectators. In this we were disappointed, for there was nothing like the usual attendance upon parades.—This absence of citizens is to us inexplicable upon any other ground than that the parade was not as fully advertised as usual. There is certainly no falling off in the interest our people feel in the military, and yesterday there was reason for an increase, as we had a company from abroad among us. The display was a good one and creditable to the military.

The five companies composing the Regiment went to the parade ground at 3 o'clock with the Lyons Infantry, and were there Reviewed by Gen. Swan and Inspected by Major Babbitt. Through all the exercises the battalion moved handsomely, and elicited the applause of all present, including may gentlemen from abroad. To speak in praise of one corps to the disparagement of another would be unjust where all did so well, and where there was so little difference perceptible. The Lyons company, now in battalion line for the first time, did remarkably well and elicited the approbation of the Brigade and Regimental officers who had an opportunity to observe their movements. Capt. Welling and his corps must have devoted themselves faithfully to drill, to have attained so much in the short space of time since their organization.

The following list of Brigade, Regimental and company officers present yesterday, with their commands, we copy from the Democrat:

Brigadier General L. B. Swan

Brigade Staff:—Captain H. S. Allis, Aid; Major C. R. Babbitt, Brigade Inspector; Major John Thompson, Judge Advocate; Major G. S. Riley, Engineer; Captain J. E. Cheney, Quarter Master; Captain E. Smith, Paymaster.

Officers of the 54^th Regiment:—Col. H. S. Fairchild, Lieutenant Colonel Truman T. Moses, Major Robert F. Taylor. The only officer of the Regiment Staff present was Lieutenant W. H. Benjamin, Assistant Engineer.

The companies in line were:

First City Dragoons, 30 men. Captain James Brackett, Lieutenants G. W. Lewis, I. S. Hobbie, E. K. Warren.

Campany A, Union Grays (artillery), 28 men. Captain Nathaniel Thompson, Lieutenants R. Bloss, N. Ellison, J. A. Reynolds.

Company B, German Grenadiers (infantry), 40 men. Captain Frederick Miller, Lieutenants J. Margrander, George Foehner.

Company A, Lyons Light Guard (infantry), 26 men. Captain Joseph Welling, Lieutenants E. P. Tafft, N. R. Merritt.

Company D, Union Guard (infantry), 34 men. Captain Louis Ernst, Lieutenants L. Sellinger, F. A. Adelman.

Company C, Rochester Light Guard (infantry), 34 men. Captain Delllon M. Dewey, Lieutenants F. A. Schofield, G. C. Putnam.

The military remained at the Square until dark and then returned to their respective armories.—The Lyons Light Guard were escorted to the Depot at half past eight by the Rochester Light Guard, and took the train for home, we trust well pleased by their first visit to Rochester.

Another Parade of the 54th Regiment

Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: September 6, 1858, p. 3

Another Parade of the 54th Regimentrade is taking place as we write.  The Regiment is to be inspected by Major Babbitt, after which, at 4 o'clock, Gen. Swan will review. The turn out is a good one, and the display is increased by the presence of the Light Infantry of Lyons.  This company was but recently organized, has made but one or two public parades, and was never before this day in battalion line.—The corps arrived at 9:40, and was met by a detachment of the Rochester Light Guard, who escorted them to the quarters.  The company is commanded by Capt. Joseph Welling, and he has a command of which he need not be ashamed.  The corps marched well and demeaned themselves like good soldiers.  As the Regiment to which they are attached has not yet been adopted a full uniform, they appear to-day in fatigue dress, but nevertheless they look well.  We should say at a glance that Lyons has put her representative men into her new corps, and she may send them anywhere without fear of being disgraced.  We have no doubt but the company will make a good appearance in the battalion this afternoon. The Inspection and Review will be largely attended as the weather is fine and exceedingly favorable for such an exhibition.

Dragoons' Excursion

Note the reference to the town of Avon as a "delightful resort." 

Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: August 25, 1858, p. 3

THE DRAGOONS' EXCURSION—To-morrow (Thursday) morning, at ten o'clock, the Dragoons leave for Avon to spend a couple of days at that delightful resort. Our contemporary, the Democrat, in a notice of the excursion this morning, was in error as to the time, putting it next week on Thursday. We are requested to make the correction at the earliest moment, lest some may be misled by the error. We hope the corps will have a good time and return on Friday, all the better for the exercise.

Military Election

In the 19th century, officers of the militia units were elected by members of the unit.

Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: August 20, 1858, p. 3

MILITARY ELECTION—At a meeting of the officers of the 54^th Regiment, held at the Osburn House last evening, T. T. Moore was elected Lt. Colonel, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jas. T. Griffin. Robt. F. Taylor was elected Major to fill the vacancy made by the promotion of Col. Moore.

A Military Parade - July 1858

Parades for the benefit of the citizens of Rochester and for their own benefit were a large part of the militia activity. These two articles in the Democrat & Chronicle in the Summer of 1858 deal with such a parade.

 Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: July 22, 1858, p. 3

MILITARY PARADE—The six companies of the 54^th Regiment are out this afternoon for parade.—They go to Brown's Square, where they will probably remain until sunset. The parade promises to be fine one, and should be witnessed by our citizens generally.

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Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: July 23, 1858, p. 3

MILITARY PARADE—The military display yesterday afternoon was a fine one. The 54^th Regiment, under Col. Fairchild, turned out and marched to Brown's Square at 4 o'clock. The following companies were out:

Union Grays—Artillery—Capt. Thompson

City Dragoons—Lieut. Lewis

German Grenadiers—Capt. Miller

Union Guards—Capt. Ernst

Light Guard—Capt. Dewey

The ranks of the several companies were pretty full, and they all looked well and marched well. Brown's Square is a fine place for a military display, it having been rolled and seeded. Sentinels were posted to keep the ground open, and the spectators stood without and under the shade trees which stand in rows around the Square. There was a large attendance of spectators—they might be counted by thousands.

After drilling for a little time, a detachment of the dragoons went to the Court House and escorted the Mayor and Common Council to the ground to review the Regiment. The review passed off very well and was followed by an evening parade, after which the companies returned to their Armories. The display yesterday indicates that the interest of our citizens in military matters is unabated.

One company was absent—the Citizens' Corps. We understand that the officers have asked to have the corps disbanded.

Rochester City Dragoons

 Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: August 24, 1857, p. 3

BUSINESS ROOM, ROCHESTER CITY DRAGOONS

Rochester Aug. 21, 1857

At a meeting of the Dragoon members of the "Old Guard," held at the above place, on motion of Monroe McKee Hollister, alias "John Smith," the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby tendered to the officers of the "Old Guard," Lieut. Babbitt, of the Rochester City Dragoons, Serg't Slick, of the Canaseraga Light Infantry, and Corporal Putnam, of the Rochester Light Guard, for their kind and gentlemanly attentions to us while on duty on the tented field at Camp Canadesaga, during the day and night of the 18^th inst.

Resolved, That the above be published in the daily papers of the city, and that a copy be sent to each of the officers named above.

M. M. Hollister     }

Jas. Bellows          }

Jas. O. Howard     } Old Guard

Harry B. Dutton    }

Joseph Flint           }

Zina H. Benjamin  }

The Geneva Encampment

An encampment by Rochester militia units at Geneva, NY in the summer of 1857.

Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: August 20, 1857, p. 3

FOR GENEVA—The early train for Geneva this morning took a number of citizens to see the military doings. This is the last day of the encampment. The encampment will break up early to-morrow morning and the Regiment will return home immediately, arriving here before noon.

————— 0 —————

Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: August 21, 1857, p. 3

THE MILITARY—A dispatch from Geneva this morning stated that the extra train with the military would arrive here at three this p.m., and would stop at North street to discharge the horses of the Dragoons and the baggage of the companies.

————— 0 —————

Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: August 22, 1857, p. 3

The Geneva Encampment

—————

We did not, as usual, have a reporter upon the Camp Ground at Geneva, and have therefore been compelled to depend upon other sources than our own observation for information of what transpired. The affair seems to have been all that it was expected to be, both to the gallant citizen soldiery and the people of Geneva. We condense from the Daily Camp Bulletin of the Geneva Gazette some notes of the Encampment.

THE ARRIVAL

MONDAY—The special train, bearing the citizen soldiery of the 54^th and 59^th Regiments, with their horses and equipments, arrived at our depot at 5½ o'clock P.M. With unparalleled dispatch they formed in line—the Rochester Grays with their splendid pieces of artillery taking the lead, succeeded by Scott's full Band, the Dansville Brass Band, and six companies of Infantry, viz: the Light Guard, Union Guard and German Grenadiers of Rochester, the Canaseraga Light Infantry of Dansville, Big Tree Artillery of Geneseo (as infantry), and Light Guards of Naples. As this fine army of military paraded through the principal streets and thence to the Camp Ground, the spectacle presented was at once brilliant, imposing and exceedingly interesting. The weather was unpleasant and cold for guard duty during Monday evening and through the night.

FIRST DAY IN CAMP

TUESDAY—The sun came out bright and the soldiers were blessed with a clear sky and balmy atmosphere. The General Orders of Colonel Fairchild in assuming the command had been read the previous evening, and were now in force and were rigidly obeyed.

Captain Miller, of the Grenadiers, was appointed officer of the day, and Charles R. Babbitt, of the First City Dragoons, second officer of the day.

The officers and companies in Camp are thus enumerated:

Col. H. S. Fairchild, Commanding; James T. Griffin, Lieutenant Colonel; T. T. Morse, Major; George W. Martin, Adjutant; C. B. Hill, Engineer; W. H. Benjamin, Assistant do.; William H. Ward, Paymaster; S. A. Stevens, Quartermaster; H. H. Langworthy, Surgeon.

Light Artillery, Rochester—Lieutenant Colonel James T. Griffin, Commanding; E. B. Collins, First Lieutenant; Reuben Bloss, Second do.

City Dragoons, Rochester—James Brackett, Captain; Charles R. Babbitt, First Lieutenant; George W. Lewis, Second do.; I. S. Hobbie, Third do.

Rochester German Grenadiers—Frederick Miller, Captain; C. Speiss, First Lieutenant; F. Hartel, Second do.

Ontario Light Guard, Naples—Wm. W. Clark, Captain; A. T. Nelson, First Lieutenant; E. L. Levally, Second do.; John Barber, Ensign.

German Union Guards, Rochester—Louis Ernst, Captain; L. Sellinger, First Lieutenant; F. A. Adelman, Second do.

Rochester Light Guard—D. M. Dewey, Captain; R. F. Taylor, First Lieutenant; F. A. Schoeffel, Second do.; W. Perry, Third do.; W. E. Roach, Ensign.

Big Tree Artillery, Geneseo—W. B. Warford, Captain; Moses Church, First Lieutenant; S. McClintock, Second do.

Canaseraga Light Artillery, Dansville—Colonel T. B. Grant, Commanding; B. S. Chapin, Captain; B. J. Chapin, First Lieutenant; E. S. Palmes, Second do.; H. C. Page, Ensign.

SECOND DAY IN CAMP

The weather was wet but many visitors were present. Brigadier General Swan and staff arrived and reviewed the Military at half past three o'clock P.M. Col. Grant of Dansville, is officer of the day, and Lieut. Taylor of Rochester, is officer of the guard, One of the Grays, Mr. James Evans, was thrown down and run over by a caisson. He was not, however, seriously injured and was on duty the following day. Rev. Dr. Bissell of Geneva officiates as chaplain, and services are held at Head Quarters at 8 A.M. daily.

THIRD DAY IN CAMP

The review this day was a splendid affair.—The troops were in line at about 3 1-2 o'clock P.M., when they passed in review before Inspector General Bruce and staff. After the review a sham fight took place, comprising the rolling of the cannon, the sharp crack of the rifle, the roaring of musketry, and the clash of steel—all done in the best possible humor and no one hurt. The company and battalion firing was well done, as also the firing and wheeling in battalion. There was a large number of people present, estimated at about 10,000, who seemed to take a lively interest in the proceedings. The display will long be remembered in western New York.

Among the visitors noticed in Camp to-day, were Maj. Williams, M.C., from the Monroe District; Capt. John G. Gray, and N. Thompson, ex-commandants of the "Grays;" Messrs. Croul, Backus and Parsons, of the Detroit Light Guards; Major Leonard of the U.S. Army; Capt. E. I. Walrath, Lieut. Griswold, and other members of the Syracuse Citizens' Corps; Lieut. Hawley of the U.S. Navy; a delegation from the Hornellsville Guards; C. P. Dewey, editor of the Rochester American; Gen. Hagadorn of the Syracuse Courier and many other gentlemen.

The ball on the camp ground in the evening was a splendid affair. It was held under an immense tent got up by Williams, of Rochester. The arrangements were admirably planned, and as successfully carried out by the committee having them in charge. The beauty of Geneva and locality were present en masse, and graced the festive scene. It was a most happy time.

FOURTH DAY—THE DEPARTURE

The Bulletin says Col. H. S. Fairchild, in command of the Camp, has signally and successfully discharged the duties of his position. He has shown himself an efficient officer, besides being a most accomplished gentleman.

At 11 o'clock this A.M., the troops appeared in town on their march for the depot. Considering the fatigues incident to camp life, they appeared in remarkable good order.

We hear of no complaints on their part, as regards the arrangements for their accommodation by the local committee; in fact, they one and all speak of them in highly satisfactory terms. Our guests are particularly pleased and gratified with the attention and courtesy extended them by Mr. N. Denton, proprietor of the Camp ground; and such feeling was manifested by promoting him to a position in the General's staff, which he filled with great dignity and credit on review day.

ARRIVAL HOME

At half-past three o'clock yesterday the special train from Geneva arrived with the military. The horses of the Colonel and Staff and the Dragoons, were taken from the cars at North street, while the remainder of the train proceeded to the passenger Depot. A large number of citizens collected about the Depot to welcome home the military. The battalion, consisting of the Rochester companies, except the Dragoons and the Livingston Co. companies, formed in State street, and awaited the arrival of the Dragoons from North street. The latter shortly appeared and wheeling in front of the Infantry, led the escort to the Genesee Valley Depot, where the Canaseragas and Big Trees took leave and departed for home.

The Rochester Regiment then marched to their Armory and dismissed for rest, having been on duty fully five days. The officers and men speak well of the encampment, and express themselves gratified with all that transpired on the occasion.

Departure of the Military

Rochester, NY Union and Advertiser: August 17, 1857, p. 3

DEPARTURE OF THE MILITARY—The companies of the 54^th Regiment took their departure at two o'clock this afternoon by a special train to Geneva, where they will go into camp.
At half-past ten this morning the train from the South brought the Canaseraga Light Infantry from Dansville and the Big Tree Artillery from Geneseo, appearing as Infantrymen, together with an excellent band. The companies were met at the Genesee Valley Depot by the Light Guard and escorted to the Military Hall.
At one o'clock the Grays, Dragoons, Grenadiers, Light Guard, Union Guard, Canasaragas and the Big Tree Artillery, attended by the Dansville Band, Scott's Band, Col. Fairchild and staff marched to the Central Depot, and were soon on the way to Geneva.
The train consisted of thirteen cars. The cannons and caissons of the Grays were mounted on one car, while the horses of the Dragoons occupied three more. It was decidedly a military train.
The weather is not auspicious, but the ardor of the soldiers did not appear to be dampened. They left full of animation.
We trust the prevailing storm may not reach Geneva, or if it does, that fair weather may shortly succeed it. The encampment will continue until Friday morning and will no doubt be visited by many of our citizens.