14th Regiment (New York State Militia)
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| 14th Regiment, New York State Militia (14th Brooklyn) | |
|---|---|
 14th Brooklyn Militia, Company G, in Virginia in 1862 |
|
| Active | Founded June 9 1847; April 1861–1864; 1898 {as 14th New York Infantry}; 1917 {as part of 106th Regiment} |
| Country | United States of America |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | 1,100 |
| Nickname | "Red Legged Devils" |
| Engagements | American Civil War:First Bull Run, Falls Church, Rappahannock, Gaines' Mill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House World War I {as 106th Regiment}. |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel | Edward Brush Fowler |
| Colonel | Alfred M. Wood |
| Lt. Colonel | William H. DeBevoise |
| Insignia | |
| Colors of the 14th Brooklyn |  |
| Reproduction Guidon Flag of the 14th Brooklyn |  |
The 14th Regiment New York State Militia (14th Brooklyn) was a volunteer militia regiment from the City of Brooklyn that fought in the American Civil War from April 1861 to May 1864. The regiment was led by Colonel Alfred M. Wood and then later by Colonel Edward Brush Fowler. The regiment was known alternately as the "Red Legged Devils" because of their colorful red trousers. During the battle of First Bull Run, General Stonewall Jackson nicknamed the 14th Brooklyn because of their constant charges up Henry House Hill. The General yelled to his men, "Hold On Boys! Here come those red legged devils again!"[1]
The regiment was personally requested by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, because New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan did not allow the regiment to leave for Washington. President Lincoln gave a speech to them when the regiment mustered out in 1864, thanking them for their fine and honorable service to the United States. Whenever the president was in the area of the regiment he would attempt to pay them a visit and would ask for the 14th Brooklyn to act as his personal guards when in camp or near the battle field. Because of this attention by the President, the 14th Brooklyn was nicknamed "Lincoln's Pups" or "Lincoln's Pets", a name the regiment would later shed after the First Battle of Bull Run.
The 14th Brooklyn was made up of a majority of abolitionists from the Brooklyn area. They had quite an illustrious history and were well known by both armies. During the war they were well known throughout the country as ferocious skilled soldiers, receiving a variety of nicknames and accolades, including as members of the "First Iron Brigade". Following First Bull Run, they were known for their hard drill, hard fighting and constant refusal to stand down from a fight.
[edit] Uniform of the 14th Brooklyn
The typical uniform of a Union Soldier was that of a four-button blue sack coat, light kersey blue wool trousers and a blue cap (bummer, or forage cap). At the beginning of the war both the Union and Confederate armies had a variety of uniforms within their regiments. As the war continued, the Union Army began to standardize the uniform worn by its regiments. By early 1864 most Union regiments were wearing blue. However, Brooklyn paid for and outfitted the 14th Brooklyn throughout the war, keeping them wearing their unique chasseur-style uniform for all three years of their service.
The head gear worn by the 14th Brooklyn was a navy blue and red kepi. The top of the cap was covered in dark navy blue and the lower half by a dark red with a band of blue around the bottom of the cap. Upon the front of the cap the regiment had the number '14' and above it was the company designation. On the sides of the caps were New York state buttons holding the chin strap onto the kepi. At the First Battle of Bull Run the 14th were issued havelocks, a white material that fitted over the kepis and had a long piece of cloth that hung down below over the neck. The idea was to catch air and cool the neck of the soldier. The havelocks proved ineffective as headgear, however many were used as bandages on the battlefield.
The tunics worn by the 14th Brooklyn were a beautiful combination of red and dark blue adorned with small gold buttons running up and the center of the chest. The tunic was made with a red false vest with 14 buttons closing the vest. Over the false vest was a dark blue shell with 14 buttons on either side of the shell. Some later models of the jacket did away with the false vest and actually sewed the vest into the shell making it a complete jacket. On the jacket were chevrons on the lower arms symbolizing light infantry. Earlier recruits also were issued "Shoulder-Knots" composed of thick red fabric that were attached with thread on one end and a gold button on the other.
The trousers worn by the 14th were very similar to that of the Zouave pantaloons, the only difference being that they were not as baggy as the Zouave pantaloons. The color was a vibrant red color. At the bottom of the trousers the 14th wore gaiters or leggings with seven gold buttons on each gaiter symbolizing the number 14.
[edit] Formation of the Regiment
The Regiment was formed on July 5, 1847 when New York consolidated all the Brooklyn militia companies, thus forming the Fourteenth Regiment New York State Militia. At the beginning of its formation, the Fourteenth was more of a social club, where men of Brooklyn could go and train in military tactics and spend the weekends with other militia-men. Their main purpose, however was to protect the city of Brooklyn, and the surrounding areas.
The armory at Henry and Cranberry Street was the main armory of the militia. In 1860 a traveling drill team under the command of Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth came through Brooklyn and impressed the men and officers of the 14th Brooklyn. The regiment was so impressed with the drill and uniforms of the drill team that they decided to take on similar version of the French military uniform known as the "Chasseur" uniform. This uniform remained their battle dress uniform throughout their term of service in the American Civil War. Brooklyn paid to keep the regiment in this uniform, and it remained one of the few regiments not to don the all blue standard Union military uniform.
When the war broke out the men and officers of the regiment knew that their duty was to the country and their place was at the seat of war. However, the Governor of New York refused to send them to Washington to support the White House. Finally when President Abraham Lincoln was visiting Brooklyn and the 14th Regiment at Camp Upton, the men pleaded with him to call them up to service. The officers of the 14th Brooklyn spoke with President Lincoln and told him of their situation. The president promptly called the men into service, telling the governor that the regiment would be one of his personally selected regiments. Throughout the war, whenever the president was near the regiment he would make it a point to visit with his "Red Legged Devils from Brooklyn".
The 14th Brooklyn was involved with heavy fighting, including most major engagements of the Eastern theater. Such engagements included the First and Second Bull Run, Antietam Creek, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. In the early part of the war, when the 14th Brooklyn was in General Walter Phelps's brigade, the brigade was named "Iron Brigade", later to become known as the "Eastern Iron Brigade" after John Gibbon's Black Hat Brigade was given the name "Western Iron Brigade". At the conclusion of the war, all members of the "Eastern" or "First" Iron Brigade were given medals for their service within the Iron Brigade. Both the Eastern and Western Iron Brigade medals look very similar.
[edit] First Bull Run To Second Bull Run
The 14th Brooklyn was order up to Henry House Hill to reinforce the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the 11th New York "Fire Zouaves", the three regiments were ordered to support two batteries of cannon, under the command of Captain Charles Griffin and Captain James B. Ricketts. These two batteries covered the Union right flank and were the only situated on this area of the field. When the 14th Brooklyn Arrived on the field to support elements of the 11th New York were beginning to break and some began to retreat under heavy assault. As the 14th brooklyn moved up the hill, the elements of the hard fighting and exhausted 11th New York rallied and moved up the hill with the 14th Brooklyn to hold the guns. Once in position The 14th Brooklyn and 11th New York were placed into position by Major William Barry, McDowell's chief of artillery, at the crest of Henry House Hill, they were ordered to hold there position and assault if the opportunity was there but were under no circumstances to relieve the guns to the confederates. Colonel J.E.B Stuart's Subordinate W. W. Blackford wrote this account in his memoir, "War Years with Jeb Stuart" (from page 28):
"Colonel Stuart and myself were riding at the head of the column as the grand panorama opened before us, and there right in front, about seventy yards distant, and in strong relief against the smoke beyond, stretched a brilliant line of scarlet - a regiment of New York Zouaves in column of fours, marching out of the Sudley road to attack the flank of our line of battle. Dressed in scarlet caps and trousers, blue jackets with quantities of gold buttons, and white gaiters, with a fringe of bayonets swaying above them as they moved, their appearance was indeed magnificent."[2]
During the assault of the three regiments, the 11th New York noticed that General J. E. B. Stuart Stuart was flanking, the 11th changed fronts and repulsed the cavalry assault. As the battle continued the 14th Brooklyn found itself face to face with the 33rd Virginia Infantry of the Stonewall Brigade under the command of Confederate General Thomas Stonewall Jackson. The three regiments were unable to maintain the constant barrage from Confederate artillery and infantry fire, they were forced to fall to the Manassas-Sudley Road. The 14th Brooklyn, 69th New York Militia and 11th New York would charge up Henry House Hill four times, in an effort to recapture Ricketts' and Griffin's cannon. The other two regiments met with little success, but the 14th brooklyn found gaps and weakness' in the confederate lines and exploited them with great efficiency. They would take the guns, but would be forced back again, only to retake the guns again. The Constant charging and ferocity of the 14th Brooklyn's tactics, caught the eye of General jackson himself. This is when he made his famous statement to his troops:
"Hold On Boys! Here come those Red Legged Devils again!"
With that the regiment received its famed nickname the "Red Legged Devils". Sadly the guns could not be retaken by the three regiments, and they were ordered off the field. Unlike the rest of the Army the 14th Brooklyn, 11th New York and 69th New York marched off the field of battle in good order. They refused to retreat in the form of a mob like the majority of the Union Army.
After the battle of First Bull Run the State of New York decided to change the regiment's designation from 14th Brooklyn to 84th New York Volunteer Infantry. The men of the regiment were displeased to say the least and began a letter campaign, joined by the citizens of Brooklyn. Finally the men asked the help of General Irvin McDowell who then bestowed the upon the regiment its motto which would follow it through out history. General Irvin McDowell spoke to the government and to the regiment's command, his words:
"You were mustered by me into the service of the United States as part of the militia of the State of New York known as the Fourteenth.You have been Baptized by Fire under that number and as such you shall be recognized by the United States government and by no other number"[1]
At Second Bull Run the regiment again fought courageously, losing nearly 120 men.
[edit] Battle of Antietam
The 1st Division commanded by Brigadier General Abner Doubleday of the 1st Corps began their attack on the morning of September 17, 1862 from the North Woods. Col. Walter Phelps' Iron Brigade fought through the Miller Farm's cornfield. Both Union and Confederate casualties at the cornfield were roughly 6,000. It was at the cornfield that famed nurse Clara Barton went onto the actual battlefield to help the wounded soldiers of the Union Army. According to a report from William Fox of the 107th New York, the brigade that composed of the 22nd New York, 24th New York, 30th New York, 14th Regiment (New York State Militia), and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters] was the first to be called the “Eastern Iron Brigade” because of its brave fighting at South Mountain and Antietam. Colonel Rufus R. Dawes the commander of the Sixth Wisconsin later wrote in his book "Service with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers":
"The Fourteenth Brooklyn Regiment, Red legged Devils, came into our line closing the awful gaps. Now is the pinch. Men and officers of New York and Wisconsin are fused into a common mass, in the frantic struggle to shoot fast. Everybody tears cartridges, loads, passes guns, or shoots."[3]
In the cornfield, the Eastern Iron Brigade followed the Western Brigade into battle early in the morning. While the rest of Phelp's brigade fell back, the 14th Brooklyn held its ground along with elements of the 6th Wisconsin of the Black Hats (Western iron Brigade). This effort combined into a mass of soldiers pushing the Confederates up to Dunker Church. These two regiments got further than any other Union Regiment during the attack in the cornfield.
[edit] Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville
At Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville the 14th Brooklyn saw minor action during the major engagements. The regiment was held in reserve and then used for a series of reconnaissance missions to find and assault the Confederate forces in and around the area. It was during this campaign that the Brigade proved that they truly were the "Iron Brigade of the East" During Chancellorsville the regiment saw a quick but highly deadly action alongside the Sixth Wisconsin Fitz Hugh's Crossing. The 14th held the riverbank as the sixth Wisconsin attempted to cross the river in small wooden boats. It was after this campaign a little before the Battle of Gettysburg that the 14th and all the other regiments in the 1st Corps, 1st Division , 1st Brigade were transferred out. The 14th was transferred to the 1st Corps, 1st Division , 2nd Brigade.
[edit] Gettysburg To Spotsylvania
The 14th Brooklyn was last regiment of the 2nd Brigade on the road to Gettysburg. The 2nd Brigade were the first Infantry units to fire its rifles and to set foot on the field July 1st 1863. General John F. Reynolds rode up to the 2nd Brigade and urged them onto Gettysburg to support General John Buford's cavalry who were holding the Confederate forces at bay. The 14th dropped its packs on the Emmitsburg road and double quicked across the field that General Pickett's men would on July 3rd.
The 14th Brooklyn arrived at McPherson's Woods and halted the Confederate advance, until the 1st Brigade of the 1st division arrived. Once the Western Iron Brigade was online, Colonel E.B Fowler saw Confederate forces taking cover in an unfinished railroad cut to his right. He commanded his "Demi-Brigade" (14th Regiment & 95th NYVI) across the field to meet and clear out Davis' Confederate Brigade. Held in reserve the 6th Wisconsin was ordered to support the 14th regiment and 95th NYVI into the cut. Again the 14th and 6th were together working as they did in earlier engagements.
Into the cut the three regiments rushed, supporting each other equally on each other's flanks. One 14th Brooklyn soldier said of the Confederate defense of the railroad cut "they fought with the ferocity of wildcats" the fight became a brawl of hand to hand combat.[1] The Federals who had taken a beating crossing the field in front of the railroad cut had their revenge. The Confederates facing them finally realized their position was a death trap and surrendered themselves to Colonel E.B. fowler, and handed their Flags over to the 14th Brooklyn. Finally the Confederates were able to wheel artillery down and fire on the 14th's Position in the railroad cut, the 14th marched out of the cut through the town of Gettysburg while the 11th corp came up to support the 1st corps so they could refit. The 14th Brooklyn had the honor of carrying General John F. Reynolds' body from the field into the town of Gettysburg.
The regiment continued to fight for the remainder of the battle of Gettysburg. They are the only regiment to possess 3 monuments on the field of Gettysburg - at the railroad cut, at McPherson's woods and on Culp's Hill. The remainder of the fight was had on Culp's Hill on the right flank of the Union army. They were called up to support General Greene who was losing his position to superior numbers. The 14th Brooklyn fought 2 days up there, and Greene later credited the 14th Brooklyn for helping save the entire Union army by saving the flank.
The 14th Brooklyn Fought for another year, through the Battle of the Wilderness campaign and Spotsylvania. They finally mustered out in May of 1864. The recruits who signed up and joined the regiment in 1862 were moved over to the 5th New York Veterans Regiment. The regiment mustered out at Fulton Ferry on May 25th 1864 to huge crowds who welcomed the regiment home after 3 years of service. During its 3 years in service the regiment sustained 717 casualties, nearly 41% of its men.[1]
[edit] Nicknames and Other Designations
- 84th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
- Fourteenth Regiment, N.Y.S.M (New York State Militia)
- Red Legged Devils
- 14th Brooklyn
- Lincoln's Pups
- Brooklyn Phalanx
- Brooklyn Chasseurs
- Chasseurs a Pied (French for Hunters on Foot)
- The Fighting 14th
- Brooklyn Zouaves
- Brooklyn Red Legs
[edit] Officers of the 14th Brooklyn
- Colonel Edward Brush Fowler
- Colonel Alfred M. Wood
- Lt. Colonel William H. DeBevoise
[edit] After the American Civil War
Since the regiments return from the battlefields of the American Civil War, the 14th was twice involved in service, first during the quarantine disturbances at Fire Island in September 1892, and throughout the Brooklyn motormen's strike in January 1895. The 14th was one of the few regiments selected in General Orders, No.8, General Headquarters, State of New York, dated Adjutant General Office, Albany, April 27, 1898, to enter United States Military service. At that time the regiment consisted of ten companies. Upon receiving this order the regiment began recruiting to fill these companies as well as organize two additional ones.
The 14th Regiment, Infantry, New York Volunteers was mustered into the service in May 1898 take part in the Spanish American War. The regiment was in Federal service for only four months and was detailed to camp service. The 14th did not reach the front lines, but made preparations for duty in Cuba, and the soldiers were in a "fine state of organization". All of the 14th's officers and men were anxious to be involved the real fighting on the front lines, but this movement was deemed unnecessary by the government after considerable thought.
On May 1, the regiment was order to camp at Hempstead, Long Island New York. The regiment the reported to Major General Charles F. Roe, who was in command of the National Guard. The 14th then mustered into service as follows: Companies A, G, K, and M on May 13; the rest of its companies on May 16. On May 17, the regiment left Hempstead and proceeded by rail to Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Georgia. The regiment arrived and was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Third Army Corps on May 29.
On September 5, the 14th Infantry received orders to muster out on corner of Eighth Avenue and Fifteenth Street, Brooklyn at the armory. The men of the 14th left Anniston on September 14 and arrived in Brooklyn on September 16. They were mustered out United States service on October 27, 1898.
The regiment entered the Spanish American War as the 14th New York Infantry and many sons of veterans who fought during the American Civil War with the 14th Brooklyn enlisted with the 14th New York Infantry. Following the Spanish American War, 14th New York Infantry troops reinforced the 106th Infantry and fought in World War I.[4]
[edit] Legacy of the Red Legged Devils
Following the conclusion of the war, members of the 14th Regiment New York Veterans Association continued to hold monthly meetings. Several battlefield memorials were erected over time. Today members of reenactment units do the same to preserve the honor and memory of the 14th Brooklyn.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d History of the Fighting Fourteenth,. Tevis & Marquis. Retrieved on 2007-11-05.
- ^ Stuart’s Report…and “Zouaves”! (From The Book: War Years with Jeb Stuart) P. 28. Bull Runnings. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ Service with the Sixth Wisconsin, Rufus Dawes (P. 90). E.R. Alderman & Sons. Retrieved on 2007-11-04.
- ^ NY State Military Museum unit page
[edit] References
- The History of the Fighting Fourteenth, Tevis & Marquis.
- Cutler's Brigade at Gettysburg, James L. McLean, 1995
- Reports by the Gen. S.E. Marvin, Adjutant-General S.N.Y.
- Service with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers by Lt. Colonel Rufus Dawes
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- 14th Brooklyn Historical Association History, table of battles and casualties, Civil War newspaper clippings, Letters, national flag and regimental flag for the 14th Regiment (New York State Militia) , and Full Rosters.
- State of New York Civil War Records Website
- State of New York 14th Brooklyn
- Rootsweb Regimental Information Website
