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 54th
and 59th 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment