Doc.
142.-departure of the 20th Regiment, of Ulster Co., N. Y., May 7, 1861.
The Twentieth Regiment,
Colonel G. W. Pratt, of
Ulster county, arrived in New York on Sunday evening, the 28th of April, and were stationed at the
Park barracks.
They came for the purpose of going to
Washington, via steamship, but no provisions had been made for their transportation.
The regiment mustered 781 men, when they arrived, recruits to the number of twenty came on subsequently, and 300 at least might have been added from the Highlands, had not the order “to stop recruiting” been forwarded.
On Sunday afternoon, May 5, a special order was received, ordering the Twentieth Regiment to return to their homes, as no more regular militia would be accepted; advices from
Washington only calling for volunteers to serve for two years.
This order caused great consternation among the rank and file.
They had enlisted in the hope of being engaged in the impending conflict, and expected to see actual service.
Many of them had given up lucrative positions, left homes and families for the purpose of manifesting their patriotism for their country, and sustain the honor and integrity of the
American flag.
At seven o'clock, on the following evening, a special order was received from
Washington, ordering them to at once proceed to the
Capital.
When this news was imparted to the troops a scene of genuine enthusiasm ensued; cheer upon cheer rang upon the air; the
President, the
Governor,
General Scott,
Colonel Pratt, and in fact every name the troops could think of, was wildly cheered.
Colonel Pratt was deeply affected at the enthusiasm manifested by his men, and took no measures to check their outbursts of joy. After order was restored, the commandant made a few pithy remarks, thanking his regiment for the manner in which they had undergone disappointments, and congratulated them on the prospect of having an opportunity of showing of what material the
Ulster county boys are composed.
He said that his regiment would come back covered with glory.
He also exonerated the
State authorities from all blame in keeping them back, and said that the principal reason for their being ordered home was the great number of organized regiments of militia offering, by which the
Government was forced to decline one-half the tenders.
A few encouraging words to the men, and the
Colonel concluded by giving orders to be in marching order as soon as possible.
The celerity with which the camp was placed in marching order is one of the very best evidences of what might be expected of this regiment in actual service.
The train could not leave owing to the storm, and the men again bivouacked.
At reveille the men were already in trim ready to take arms and march.
A hearty and substantial breakfast was partaken of, and all the arrangements made necessary for the comfort of the troops.
The order to form in line was given at eight o'clock.
After inspection by the officers and several military celebrities, who had assembled to witness their departure, the line of march was taken up, and the command wheeled out of the west gate of the
Park, and filed down
Broadway to Cortlandt street to the ferry.
The officers were mounted on splendid chargers, and the general appearance of the regiment elicited
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considerable praise from the spectators.
At the depot a train was in readiness to take the troops to
Philadelphia.
Field Officers.--
Colonel, George W. Pratt;
Lieutenant Colonel,
Hiram Schoonmaker;
Major, Theodore B. Yates.
Staff Officers.--
Adjutant, J. B. Hardenburgh;
Engineer, D. T. Van Buren; Hospital
Surgeon, (assigned to duty in the brigade,)
A. Crispell;
Surgeon, C. Leonard Ingersoll;
Assistant Surgeon,
Robert Longham;
Quartermaster, John S. Giffin;
Paymaster,
P. T. Overbaugh;
Commissary, W. Sonnsby;
Chaplain,
Rev. H. H. Reynolds.
Non-commissioned Staff.--
Quartermaster Sergeant,
P. F. Hasbrouck;
Sergeant of Infantry,
W. Webster Shaffer;
Drum-Major, Geo. Myers;
Fife-Major,
A. Goller.
Line Officers.--Company A, of
Cairo, Greene county,
First Lieutenant,
A. G. Barker, commanding;
Second Lieutenant,
James Stevens.
Company B, of
Kingston,
Captain G. H. Sharpe;
First Lieutenant,
Jacob Sharpe;
Second Lieutenant, Cornelius Houghtaling.
Company C, of
Kingston,
Captain,
J. Rudolph Tappen;
First Lieutenant, Walter W. Van Ranselaer;
Second Lieutenant,
Peter S. Voorhees.
Company D, of
Shokan, Ulster county,
Captain,
David Winne;
First Lieutenant, John Hussy;
Second Lieutenant, John W. Schoonmaker.
Company E, of Ellensville,
Ulster county,
Captain, William Lent;
First Lieutenant, Jacob A. Blackman;
Second Lieutenant,
Nicholas Sahen.
Company F, of
Rondout,
Ulster county,
Captain,
P. J. Flynn;
First Lieutenant, Edward O'Reilly;
Second Lieutenant,
John Murray.
Company G, of
Saugerties,
Captain,
J. S. Oakley;
First Lieutenant, J. Tallmadge Hendricks;
Second Lieutenant,
Sylvanus W. Miller.
Company H, of
Rondout,
Ulster county,
Captain,
John Duenbocker;
First Lieutenant, Jerrie McIntire;
Second Lieutenant,
Lawrence Stocker.
Company K, (right flank company),
Captain,
James McArdle;
First Lieutenant, Warren A. Mansfield;
Second Lieutenant,
Samuel W. Greene;
Junior Lieutenant, William Cunningham.
N. Y. Com. Advertiser, May 7, &
N. Y. Herald, April 30.
