14th Brooklyn Blog

14th Brooklyn at Remembrance Day 2008

2008-12-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

The 14th Brooklyn NYSM - Red Legged Devils
Marching along the Parade Route During the Remembrance Day
Parade in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Nov. 2008.

14th Brooklyn Soldier - General Right Guide

2008-11-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

James B Tomsey - One of the Most Gallant Fighters

2008-11-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

Letter to The Editor

2008-11-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

COL. FOWLER AND THE BROOKLYN 14TH REGIMENT.

MR. EDITOR:

Dear Sir,—I have often noticed in your paper something about the Brooklyn 14th Regiment, and as the relatives and friends of such are always glad to hear, through your much esteemed paper, something good about the regiment, please permit me through your paper to say a word about its Colonel.

I think the regiment has not received credit for half the good it has done towards putting down this dreadful rebellion; the Colonel, whose name is well known throughout the Union, having been mentioned so often in reports from battle-fields has not had the correct title attached to it. I say it should be Gen. Fowler, instead of Col. Fowler, for I know how deserving the soldier is of such rank; as to his abilities, he has not his equal below the position of Major-General. He has been with the regiment since it left Brooklyn, and has led the regiment in every battle it has been in, and the papers North and South have already acknowledged that the 14th Regiment of Brooklyn has done more hard fighting and punished the enemy more than any other regiment in the army; it will be useless for me to go any farther to make known his abilities as a Colonel.
Colonel Fowler has much of the time acted as Brigadier-General—at the battle of Gettysburg he commanded the first brigade, first division, first army corps. Permit me to say that I have conversed with many prominent army officers about his conduct, and I firmly believe that he displayed the abilities of a Napoleon, as he was attacked by a superior force of the enemy, which he repulsed and captured many prisoners. The second brigade should never cease to honor him or the success they met with while under his command; such a soldier should have a higher position than that of Colonel, and as the government is aware of his fitness for the position of Brigadier General, it only remains for the citizens of Brooklyn to step forward and make known that they desire to have him promoted and it will be done. Such a brave and able officer must be put forward, and I now ask the people of Brooklyn to show that they appreciate the conduct of the brave men of the 14th Regiment N. Y. S. Militia, by demanding the promotion of Col. Fowler to the position of Brigadier General.

By giving the above a space in your valuable paper you will much oblige one who studies the interest of the Brooklyn 14th Regiment, and is acquainted with Col. Fowler. G. W. H.

The Wounded of the Fourteenth Regiment.
The following is a list of the wounded members of the Fourteenth Regiment now in the Satterlee U. S. A. General Hospital, West Philadelphia:—
Private Charles Plant, Co. C.
Private Henry Walters, Co, C.
Private John H. Bradford, Co. B.
Corporal William M. Campbell, Co. H.
Private Jno. Jochum, Co. B.
Corporal Philip F. Brennan, Co. C.
Private John S. Edwards, Co. E.
Sergeant Pat. Flynn, Co. B.
Corporal Jas. Riley, Co. F.
Private W. H. Spear, Co. D.
Private Thos. Tassie, Co. F.
Private James E. Reynolds, Co, E.
Private Michael McCarthy, Co. F.
Private Joseph Eichholz, Co. B.
Company A—Corporal Frederick II. Griffiths.
" " Private James Ires.
" B—Private David Tenyc.
" " Private Curtis H. Woods.
" " Private Washington Larkin.
" C—Corporal George H. Forrester.
" D—Private George H. Atkin.
" H—Private Joseph Walton.
" I—Private William S. Willard.
" K—Sergt. Charles Concklin.
" " Private Ludwig Isler.

WOUNDED JULY 1ST, 1863
COMPANY A.
Sergeant Peter Carberry, both hands.
Private Samuel Byers, left thigh.
Private James Connelly, body.
Private James Gibbs, right shoulder.
Private George Marshall, hand.
Private Edward Moakley, head.
Private Edward O'Connor, left leg.
Private John Ryan, side.
Private Frederick Lang.
Private William B. Whaley, both legs.
Private Charles F. Webber, right hand.

COMPANY B.
Sergeant Joseph Erkenbrack, arm, slight.
Corporal Francis Gorman, leg, slight.
Private John H. Bradford, arm, slight.
Private Thomas Early, back, slight.
Private Thomas Farrell.
Private John Jochum, neck.
Private James Jauncey, leg amputated.
Private Lewis M. Kellog, neck, slight.
Private John Manley.
Private George F. McIntyre.
Private John G. Potts, leg amputated.
Private James B. Rich, hip serious.
Private Erastus B. Roberts, thigh, since dead,
Private Frederick E. Wright, breast,
Private Joseph B. Martindale, (July 3d.)

COMPANY C.
Captain Thomas A. Burnett, foot slight.
First Lieut. Harry W. Michell, slight.
Second Lieut. George M. Martin, Head, slight.
Serg't John M. Perry, wrist slight.
Corp. John Lewis, both legs.
Corp. George M. Forrester, breast—since died.
Corp. Philip H. Brennan, left shoulder.
Private Edward McLeer, shoulder.
Private James Woodhead, right foot amputated,
Private Chas. Plant, left hand.
Private Daniel J. Harte, arm and side.
Private Wm. J. Smith, abdomen.
Private John J. Deasey, shoulder.
Private Henry Walters, left arm.
Private George G. St. John, face, slight.
Private James Ward, leg.
Private Thomas C. George, leg.
Private Cornelius Canning, right breast.
Private John R. Robbins, face, slight.
Private Albert M. Chapin, ____
Private Chas. T. Pearce, leg, slight.
Private Wm. B. Magonigle, head, slight.
Serg't James T. Scofield, right arm—(July 3d).

COMPANY D.
Corp. John C. Brown, foot, slight.
Corp. John F. Young, left knee.
Corp. Enos A. Aretell.
Corp. Theodore P. Brakaw, right thumb amputated.
Corp. James Nesbitt, left arm.
Private John C. Parker, right arm, slight.
Private Thomas J. Georghagan, shoulder, slight.
Private Robert McMillen, leg, slight.
Private Henry Becket.
Private Thos. Healey, right arm amputated.
Private John A. McLarkin, leg.
Private Wm. H. Doney, shoulder.
Private George K. Hackett, leg, slight.
Private George M. Stout, shoulder—(July 2d).

COMPANY E.
Captain George S; Elcock, side, slight.
1st Lieut. Stephen Manderville, leg, slight.
Sergt. N. E. Carlton, left arm.
Sergt. John Van Beel, left hip.
Sergt. John F. York, right wrist.
Corpl. John Egolf, arm.
Corpl. William Egolf, left foot amputated.
Corpl. Jas. B. Tomsey, right foot, slight.
Cordl. Michael Stubbs, back.
Private William E. Cashaw, foot amputated.
Private J. S. Edward, left hand.
Private William Main, right thigh.
Private Thos. Richardson, left hand, slight.
Private Walter Seaman, leg, slight.
Private Jacob F. Rocker, wrist, slight, (July 2d.)
Private Robert P. Thurston, right leg and arm.
Private Chas. A. Barton, side.

COMPANY F.
Private John McLarty, supposed killed.
Captain Wm. A. Ballyfoot, slight.
Sergt. John H. Skarren, finger.
Corpl. John H. Horan, arm.
Private, Geo. A. Douglas, body.
Private Robert W. Guy, leg amputated.
Private Chas. Kaiser, body.
Private Jacob Riell, body.
Private Robert W. Welsh, arm.
Private J. H. Connelly, arm, (July 2d)
Corpl. Thos. Healey, head, slight, (July 3d.)

COMPANY G.
Private Bernard McCormick, spine, supposed dead.
Private Warren B Ruser, breast and arm, serious.
Private Barney Kernan, hand, July 2d.

COMPANY H.
Sergeant John R. Davenport, head.
Sergeant John Shannon, hip.
Corporal John Jelly, arm slight.
Corporal William M Campbell, head and wrist, July 2d
Private George Klassman, shoulder, slight.
Private William Farrell, hip, slight.
Private Alburtus A. Horton, side.

COMPANY I.
Sergeant Daniel Lane, leg.
Corporal R. W. Bowers, hand, slight.
Corporal John I. Taylor, leg.
Corporal Rutger Hagerman, leg, slight.
Private Joseph H. Hicks, arm, slight.
Private George McConnell.arm and side, serious.
Private John Cox, arm, July 2d.

COMPANY K.
Private Charles Brower, left leg.
Private Samuel Hawthorn, left leg.
Private William J Wreford, right leg.

FIELD OFFICERS WOUNDED.
Col. E. B. Fowler, horse slightly wounded.
Lieut. Col. R. B. Jordan, slightly, by spent ball.
Ag't H. T. Head slightly, by spent ball.
MISSING July 1, 1863.--Co. B, Peter Murphy, John McGillan. Co. C, Henry C. Cook, Julius Soudder. Co. D, Patrick Lee, David L. Wilson, Alfred Lloyd, James Reily. Co. G, Jacob A. Hallenbcck, Jacob Raab, John Mungerford. Co. H, George L. Bixby, John F. Myers, George W. Harte. Co. I, Robert Webster.

RECAPITULATION.
Officers, Men,
Killed..0, 11
Wounded.. ... 6, 107
Missing ....... 0, 15
Total 6, 133
Aggregate........ 139
(Signed) E. B. FOWLER,
Col. Commanding 14th Regt. N. Y. S. M.

14th Brooklyn on Youtube

2008-04-14T10:00:00.001-07:00

14th Brooklyn Painting

2008-03-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

Here is a rare painting of the 14th Regt. N.Y.S.M "14th Brooklyn" You Can see them with Lady Liberty here. Artist was a member of the 14th Brooklyn New York State Militia.

Union Eyewitness: Miller Cornfield

2008-03-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

Union Eyewitness: Miller Cornfield

Major Rufus R. Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers:

"At the front [South] edge of the corn-field was a low Virginia rail fence. Before the corn were open fields, beyond which was a strip of woods surrounding a little church, the Dunkard church. As we appeared at the edge of the corn, a long line of men in butternut and gray rose up from the ground. Simultaneously, the hostile battle lines opened a tremendous fire upon each other. Men . . . were knocked out of the ranks by dozens. But we jumped over the fence, and pushed on, loading, firing, and shouting as we advanced. There was . . . great hysterical excitement, eagerness to go forward, and a reckless disregard of life, of everything but victory. . . .

"The Fourteenth Brooklyn Regiment, red legged Zouaves, came into our line. . . . Men and officers of New York and Wisconsin are fused into a common mass, in the frantic struggle to shoot fast. Every body tears cartridges, loads, passes guns, or shoots. Men are falling in their places or running back into the corn. The soldier who is shooting is furious in his energy. The soldier who is shot looks around for help with an imploring agony of death on his face. . . . The men are loading and firing with demoniacal fury and shouting and laughing hysterically, and the whole field before us is covered with rebels fleeing for life, into the woods."

Report of Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler

2008-03-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

Report of Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler,
U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade.
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XXVII/1 [S# 43] -- Gettysburg Campaign

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., FIRST ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, July 9, 1863.

Capt. T. E. ELLSWORTH,
Aide-de-Camp, and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part performed by this brigade in the actions of the 1st, 2d, and 3d days of the month, near Gettysburg, Pa.:
The brigade excepting the Seventh Indiana, which was on duty in the rear--moved from camp early on the 1st instant (being the leading brigade of the corps) on toward Gettysburg. As we approached, and when within about 2 miles of the town, I was ordered to move obliquely to the left across the fields to the ridge near the seminary, west of the town, where the enemy were already engaging our cavalry. I moved forward across the railroad with the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, One hundred and forty-seventh New York Volunteers, and the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, immediately formed in line of battle, and found myself engaged with a vastly superior force of the enemy, advancing in two lines, at short range, in front and on my right flank. The Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers and the Fourteenth Brooklyn had been detached to the left, by order of General Reynolds, to support the Second Maine Battery and to hold the enemy in check until other troops could arrive. The three regiments under my immediate command fought as only brave men can fight, and held their ground until ordered to fall back, by General Wadsworth, to the woods on the next ridge. The Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania and Seventy-sixth New York fell back. The One hundred and forty-seventh did not receive the order, in consequence of Lieutenant-Colonel Miller being wounded at the moment of receiving it. Major Harney held the regiment to its position until the enemy were in possession of the railroad cut on his left, when it was impossible for him to retire until relieved by a charge on the enemy from the left by the Sixth Wisconsin, Ninety-fifth New York, and Fourteenth Brooklyn, which resulted in capturing a large body of the enemy and enabling Major Harney to bring off the remainder of his regiment.
The loss of this gallant regiment was fearful at this point, being officers killed and 10 wounded, 42 men killed and 153 wounded--207 out of 380 men and officers within half an hour.
The Seventy-sixth New York fared no better. They went in with 348 men and 27 officers; their loss during the same time was 2 officers killed, 16 wounded, 27 men killed, and 124 wounded within thirty minutes.
The loss of the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania was also severe. They went into action with 17 officers and 235 men, and lost 6 officers wounded, 1 mortally, and 8 men killed and 64 wounded at that point.
After falling back to the woods, and subsequently farther back, I received orders again to advance and occupy the crest of the ridge. Although reduced by a loss of half their numbers, the men bravely and cheerfully moved back to renew the fight. On my way back, I was joined by the Ninety-fifth New York, Fourteenth Brooklyn, and Sixth Wisconsin. After occupying the old ground from half to three-quarters of an hour, I discovered the enemy putting a battery in position on my right flank and moving forward large bodies of infantry in the same direction. This being reported to General Wadsworth, he directed me to take such a position as I judged proper. I left the Fourteenth Brooklyn to assist the Sixth Wisconsin in supporting the battery, and with the balance of the brigade present changed front to the right, and endeavored to hold the enemy in check as best I could, having no support on either my right or left until 2 o'clock, when a brigade from the Second Division formed on my right, and the Eleventh Corps came in on the right of them. Immediately after, a column of the enemy moved on the Second Division. I at once pushed my brigade through the woods, came in on their flank, and opened so hot a fire on them that one regiment threw down their arms and surrendered. By this time the enemy was so close on my left flank that I again changed front, and came into line on Robinson's left, where I remained until out of ammunition, and was relieved by other troops, when I fell back under the hill, and sent for ammunition.
The Eleventh Corps was already moving into town, and soon the enemy appeared, advancing in line of battle. After waiting about twenty minutes, I moved the brigade to the railroad, with a view to forming under cover of its bank and trying to hold him in check there, when I received an order through Colonel Bankhead to send three regiments to aid in repelling the enemy near the seminary. I immediately sent the Fourteenth Brooklyn and the One hundred and forty-seventh and Seventy-sixth New York, where they remained until I received orders to move my brigade to the rear in the best order I could. I moved off on the railroad embankment, and, although exposed to the enemy's fire on both flanks, the men marched with perfect steadiness and no excitement. Their steadiness had the effect to bring the enemy to a halt, when he threw out skirmishers, thus relieving me from the fire of his main line on the left. The brigade completely covered the troops who were retiring on my right from the fire of the enemy on my left. I suffered severely while retiring, having myself a horse killed on the railroad and another wounded going through town. After passing through town to Cemetery Hill, I was joined by the Seventh Indiana, which had come up. The Seventh was sent, by order of General Wadsworth, to hold the crest of a hill to the right, and the balance of the brigade, having been in action from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., were allowed to rest for the night.
Early on the morning of the 2d instant, the brigade was moved to the hill, and took a position between the First Brigade and General Greene's brigade of the Twelfth Corps. I consider it unnecessary to particularize as to the operations of the 2d and 3d instant, as most of the time we were immediately under the eye of the division commander. Sufficient to say that the fighting on those days was mostly in the trenches, with small loss to us and great loss to the enemy.
It affords me the highest satisfaction to bear testimony to the good conduct of all the officers and men of the brigade, with but one or two exceptions. Colonel Hofmann, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Major Harney, One hundred and forty-seventh New York Volunteers; Major Pye, Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers; Captain Cook, Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, deserve special mention for gallantry and coolness. Colonel Fowler, Fourteenth Brooklyn, for charging the enemy at the railroad cut in connection with the Ninety-fifth New York and Sixth Wisconsin, by which the One hundred and forty-seventh New York was relieved from its perilous position.
Major Grover, commanding Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers, a brave and efficient officer, was killed early in the action of the 1st instant, and the command devolved upon Capt. John E. Cook, and most ably and faithfully did he perform the duty.
Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, commanding the One hundred and forty-seventh New York Volunteers, was severely wounded at the head of his regiment on the 1st instant.
Colonel Biddle, Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers, was wounded in the breast.
Major Harney, of the One hundred and forty-seventh New York, and Major Pye, of the Ninety-fifth New York, on assuming command of their respective regiments, did all that brave men and good soldiers could do, and deserve well for their services.
Sergt. Henry H. Hubbard, Company D, One hundred and forty-seventh New York Volunteers, was in command of the provost guard of the brigade on the morning of the 1st instant. He formed the guard, consisting of 18 men, on the right of the Seventy-sixth New York, and fought until the battle was over, losing 12 of his men. He deserves promotion.
The color-sergeant of the One hundred and forty-seventh New York was killed, and the colors were caught by Sergt. William A. Wybourn, of Company I, One hundred and forty-seventh New York, and brought off the battle-field by him, notwithstanding he was himself severely wounded.
For amount of losses in the several regiments, I refer to separate reports on that subject. The loss is fearful, and I can only hope that the country may not again require that these brave men shall go through so severe an ordeal.
In closing, I beg to acknowledge my great obligations to Capt. John A. Kellogg, acting assistant adjutant-general; Capt. William Bloodgood, acting aide; Lieut. S. W. Woodrow, of the Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers, and Lieut. T. W. Miller, volunteer aide on my staff.
On the 1st instant, Captain Bloodgood and Lieutenant Woodrow were severely wounded. These officers all acted with the most perfect coolness and bravery during the whole action. Every one of my staff and orderlies was dismounted by having their horses shot; Lieutenant Miller and Captain Bloodgood twice each, and Lieutenant Woodrow three times. Lieutenant [Homer] Chisman, acting assistant inspector-general, came up from the rear, and joined me at 3 o'clock on the 1st instant; Lieutenant Burritt, of the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was detailed on my staff on the 2d instant, and both behaved admirably.
Captain Kellogg not only behaved admirably on the whole, but deserves special notice for his exertions in rallying the men when repulsed on the 1st; for his efficiency in moving and placing re-enforcements to the right on the night of the 2d, when the enemy were making strenuous efforts to turn our right flank, and for having cut down with his saber a cowardly field officer of another corps who was endeavoring to march his men out of the trenches, and for keeping the men in their position.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. CUTLER,
Brig. Gen., Comdg. 2d Brig., 1st Div., 1st Army Corps.

Reports from South Mountain

2008-03-22T15:02:00.001-07:00

...Having succeeded in forcing the enemy from their position, I advanced my line about 5 rods, where I obtained partial shelter for my men from an abrupt rise of ground. Perceiving that the right of my line extended beyond the enemy's left, I ordered Fourteenth Brooklyn to advance their right, which being done enabled them to enfilade the enemy's ranks with a fire which did great execution. This brigade held its position until relieved by Doubleday's brigade, which was in turn relieved by General Ricketts, when I ordered this command to fall back slowly and in good order, when I formed the third line of battle, General Ricketts having the first and General Doubleday the second. These three lines occupied the battle-field at this point during the night of Sunday.

The regiments of this brigade engaged at this point were the Fourteenth New York State Militia, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, and Thirtieth New York Volunteers. The Second U. S. Sharpshooters, attached to this command, were ordered to the right of the general line by command of Major-General Hooker before I moved up the mountain, and were temporarily detached from the brigade.

I cannot allow the conduct of Lieutenant Cranford, Fourteenth New York State Militia, and Lieutenant Schenck, Twenty-second New York Volunteers, aides to myself, to pass unnoticed. I was often obliged to send them, through a galling fire, to different parts of the field with orders. Their conduct on this occasion was most gallant, and all that I could have desired. It was the more striking that their line of duty did not require their presence on the field at that time, the former being acting commissary of subsistence, and the latter regimental quartermaster. Captain Monroe, Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery, attached to this brigade, now acting chief of division artillery, will forward, at the earliest possible moment, a consolidated report of the casualties in the batteries in the engagements of September 14, 16, and 17.

The loss in this brigade at South Mountain, Sunday, September 14 (see report of casualties already forwarded you), was as follows: Enlisted men killed, 20; commissioned officers wounded, 4; enlisted men wounded, 63; missing, 8. Total, 95. I went into this action with less than 400 officers and men, and our loss on that day is a fraction less than 25 percent.

Very respectfully, &c.,

WALTER PHELPS, JR.,
Colonel Twenty-second New York Volunteers, Commanding Brigade.

http://aotw.org/exhibit.php?exhibit_id=250

Three from Brooklyn

2008-03-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

Although officially designated the 84th New York Volunteer Infantry, the officers and men, proud of the city from which they came, retained the militia designation of the 14th Brooklyn Volunteer Infantry throughout the unit's history.

In 1861 the City of Brooklyn provided the men of the 14th New York State Militia a semi-chasseur uniform. This uniform remained in use even after the unit was taken into Federal service, and over the years has been shown many times on the pages of MI.

The uniform was described by an observer as including "red pants, dark blue jacket with two rows of bell buttons and red breast piece having also a row of bell buttons and a red cap." Another observer noted that "they were uniformed in short zouave jackets made in cutaway style, often a seen on youngsters of about six years of age, and profusely adorned with buttons. Their pantaloons were red."

After the First Bull Run the original red trousers were worn out and the colonel recalled, "the army blue had to be substituted until others could be supplied by contract and, although the blue looked neat and comfortable, the men were not pleased with them.... The government soon supplied the distinctive uniform of the regiment and continued to furnish it during its term of service."

14th Brooklyn New York State Militia

2008-03-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

I have Created this Blog for ALL information pertaining to the 14th Brooklyn, As I find more info I will post it here, and if you have anything you'd like to share please email me and let me know! We can not let the memory of this gallant regiment be forgotten!