116 



HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



short distance apart. The picket line at one point in front 

 of the works was only fifteen paces from the rebel line, and 

 the rebel fort opposite (Fort Mahone) about twelve hundred 

 yards. The fort was a very large inclosed work, containing 

 three regiments, — the 73d and 86th New York and the 99th 

 Pennsylvania, — two batteries of guns, and twelve mortars. 

 The scenes here at times were terrific ; no one dared to 

 remain within their bomb-proofs, as they would not resist a 

 shell ; the firing was liable to be opened at any moment, 

 generally occurring about twice in twenty -four hours, often 

 lasting two or three hours at a time, sometimes calling the 

 men out two or three times during the night ; at such times 

 a person could count from ten to thirty shells in the air, 

 all pointed for these works, and it was of daily occurrence 

 that from one to ten would be killed. In these night at- 

 tacks the pickets in front of the works would have a hard 

 time, and were obliged to lie as flat to the ground as possi- 

 ble ; if a man raised his head on either side a score of bul- 

 lets were fired at it. At this place the pickets could only 

 be relieved after nightfiill, and were frequently obliged to 

 crawl back and forth on their hands and knees. On the 

 last of September the regiment was relieved, and moved to 

 the extreme left of the line, where they were set to work 

 cutting roads through a strip of woods and building a re- 

 doubt, returning after an absence of three days to their old 

 quarters. The regiment remained there until the 24th, 

 when it moved with the corps, reaching the Weldon road 

 on the evening of the 26th. On the morning of the 27th 

 crossed Hatcher's Run, and soon struck the enemy. Gen. 

 He Trobriand's Brigade was now on the extreme left ; the 

 73d and 86th, with the 124th New York, were advanced 

 as skirmishers about half a mile, remaining there all day, 

 covering the front and flank of the brigade. The skirmish- 

 line was formed in a dense wood, excepting to the right, 

 where the 124th New York was posted. The rebels had a 

 battery placed opposite this point, and after a furious cannon- 

 ade they advanced for a charge, but were repulsed by the 

 skirmish-line, assisted by the 2d U. S. Sharpshooters. The 

 movement on the part of the Union forces having failed 

 to accomplish the purpose intended, the order to retire was 

 given, and about ten o'clock p.m. the brigade was marched 

 back to the Vaughan road, and there bivouacked until noon 

 the next day, when the march was resumed, and that even- 

 ing the regiment was again in its old (juarters. The loss 

 on the skirmish-lines that day was three ofiicers and about 

 thirty men. 



The regiment remained here (Fort Sedgwick) until No- 

 vember 29. On the 13th of November Col. Lansing was 

 discharged, on his own application, and Maj. Staff"ord was 

 mustered in as lieutenant-colonel commanding. On the 

 afternoon of the 29th orders were received to pack up and 

 be in readiness to move. About sundown a division of the 

 9th Corps came marching up to relieve the troops in the 

 front line. The rebels, seeing the movement, opened a 

 furious cannonade, during which Lieut. -Col. Stafford was 

 mortally wounded, dying within a few hours. This was a 

 serious loss to the regiment, as he was a good soldier and a 

 gallant officer. Starting with the regiment in 1861 as a 

 second lieutenant of Company F, and rising by merit to 

 the command of the regiment as lieutenant-colonel, he was 



beloved, honored, and respected by all in the command. In 

 the evening the regiment was quietly withdrawn, — now in 

 command of Maj. Nathan A. Vincent, formerly a private 

 of Company D, — and on the 30th marched about six miles, 

 and shortly after started on what is known as the Weldon 

 raid. Returning to near Petersburg, went into winter quar- 

 ters, and remained there until the 4th day of February, 

 1865, doing the usual picket duty, and making thorough 

 preparations for the spring campaign. On that day re- 

 ceived orders to prepare for a march. On the 5th they 

 marched to and encountered the enemy near Hatcher's 

 Run. The brigade forded the run in battle line, pushing 

 the rebel pickets about one mile, but were brought to a 

 halt by the rebels, posted behind their main line of works. 

 They were immediately set to building works for protection. 

 On the 6th the brigade was relieved by a portion of the 

 5th Corps. That night learned that the new line had been 

 permanently extended across the run. On the 9th was 

 moved about one. mile to the right, and assigned position 

 in the new line ; remained here until the final advance, 

 March 28, 1865, participating in all the engagements until 

 the surrender of Gen. Lee, April 9, 1865, at Appomattox 

 Court- House. After the surrender started homeward bound. 

 At Burkesville Junction, on the 14th, heard of the assas- 

 sination of President Lincoln ; moved through Richmond 

 and Fredericksburg, reaching Washington about the middle 

 of May, and camped near Fairfax Seminary ; participated 

 in the grand review in W^ashington City. On the 29th 

 day of May, 1865, Lieut. D. F. Brown was mustered out 

 of the service by reason of General Order No. 26, Head- 

 quarters xVrmy of the Potomac, made May 17, 1865. After 

 the grand review the regiment prepared for the trip home 

 and the final muster-out, which occurred at Elmira, N. Y., 

 July 4, 1865. 



EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 



The following extracts from letters written by Lieut. D. 

 F. Brown, quartermaster of the 86th Regiment New York 

 Volunteers, and published in the Corning Journal from 

 time to time during the war, contain fuller statements of 

 the casualties as they took place in the regiment : 



''Fredericksburg^ May 7, 1863. 



'^ Dear Sir, — Amid the excitement and confusion of the past few 

 days, I have had but little time or inclination to write. . . . - 



" Our brave Lieut. -Col. Chapin fell about eleven o'clock a.m., while 

 leading his men in that fearful contest. Capt. W. W. Angle, Company 

 B, was mortally wounded, and has not since been heard of. Capt. D. 

 S. Ellsworth, G|)mpany D, was killed instantly, a rifie-ball passing 

 through his temples. Lieut. M. B. Stafford, Company F, and acting 

 adjutant, was severely wounded in the thigh. Lieut. A. J. AVoodward, 

 Company I, received a very severe wound in both knees. Lieut. 

 Nathan H. Vincent, Company D, was slightly wounded in several 

 places. After the fall of Ellsworth, the command of the company 

 devolved on him. Gen. Whipple rode up, and seeing him covered 

 with blood, requested him to go the rear, but he refused to leave his 

 company. Capt. N.Warner and Capt. J. H. Lansing, I am happy to 

 say, came out unhurt, though constantly exposed to the enemy's fire. 

 Tiie officers behaved admirably, and the men followed their example 

 in deeds of daring. Both officers and men received a flattering com- 

 pliment from Gen. Whipple. Among the privates seven were killed 

 and seventy-one wounded. I have not been able to get the names of 

 the killed and wounded. We deplore deeply the loss of Lieut. -Col. 

 Chapin. His death has cast a gloom over the whole command. The 



