. New York City, January - February 1862.
Paul Whipple and the Seventh arrived in New York on January 15, 1862 to await deployment to "the seat of war" in the South. While in New York, the soldiers had the experience of being at sea for the first time during their trip. They
Upon arriving in Jersey City, they received orders to head instead for New York City:
A vendor was allowed to set up shop instead, but soon began to charge higher prices than the traders outside. The soldiers attacked his shop and would have looted it clean had not the officer of the guard stepped in to prevent it. The soldiers also at first endured shorten the rations and poor quality food from the local vendors. In protest, the soldiers would:
, proposed to throw a party in honor of the Seventh, but the soldiers were again disappointed to find that only the officers had been invited, as reported in the
Horace Greeley, ventured down to the barracks to collect the officers, but did not quite get the reception they expected:
While the officers were treated to their dinner, Little remarks that for the soldiers:
did do a fairly extensive write-up of the Sons
of New Hampshire dinner, which was from this account a lively affair at
the posh Metropolitan Hotel. However, even in this account one can
hear the distant horrors of the war that were already known, and the
horrors to come.
WELCOME
TO THE SEVENTH NEW-HAMPSHIRE
*
Dinner
at the Metropolitan Hotel—A
Cordial
Greeting
*
Speeches
by Lieut-Col. Abbott, Mr. Soule, Mr. H. B. Perkins, Horace Greeley,
Gen. Hall, Judge Peabody, and others.
The
sons of New-Hampshire, resident in New York, extended a cordial
welcome to the Seventh New-Hampshire Regiment yesterday, as the
latter passed through the City, en route for the seat of war.
In the evening a dinner was given to the officers at the Metropolitan
Hotel. The repast was expressly designed to meet the sharp appetites
of soldiers, and abounded not only in substantials, but in some of
the delicacies which the Messrs Leland know so well how to
prepare. The arrangements were excellently made by the Committee,
Messrs. N. Higgins, E. P. Budd, H. B. Perkins, W.N. Brown, George
F. Patterson, C.A. Soule, and Joseph Cushing.
At
about 7 1/2 the guests, to the number of one hundred and fifty, sat
down and did full justice to the excellence of the viands presented
for their consideration. At the head of the table was a vacant seat
for Col. Putnam. On either side were arranged the Chairman,
Mr. Soule, Lieut.-Col. Abbot, Gen. Hall, Horace Greeley,
Judge Peabody, Judge Bonny, Maj. Roland, of the Berdan
Sharpshooters, and others.
At
the conclusion of the gustatory performance, the Chairman, M. Soule,
called the assemblage to order and proceeded to address them briefly.
He said they were a family party. They knew the cause was just, and
the right must prevail. [Applause.] When, after the memorable events
of the 19th of April, New-York saw a regiment of
Massachusetts volunteers [Applause.] marching to the relief of the
Capital and the defense of the Union, they believed that the ‛hidden
curse’ on the assailants of the Union was being fulfilled.
[Applause.] they well remember the appearance of the First New
Hampshire Regiment as it came fully prepared to take their position
in the armies of the Union. [Applause.] Today, they welcome the
Seventh Regiment. [Applause.] They all knew that the name of
Putnam, in the present as well as in the past, was a synonym
of patriotism and greatness. They all remembered the part the the
Second New Hampshire Regiment had taken in the battle of Bull Run,
and that made the soil of Virginia sacred to them. They all
remembered how Israel Putnam had sought out, and dragged her
den the wolf that had been depredating upon his own and his
neighbors’ property; and he hoped that the Putnam
who commanded this regiment would follow the wolf of rebellion to her
den, and drag her forth. [Applause.] In conclusion, he gave the
health of Col. Putnam
of the Seventh New Hampshire Volunteers.
Col.
Putnam being absent, owing to pressing official duties,
Lieut.-Col. Abbott responded. He believed that the return,
rather than the advance, would prove the proper occasion for ovations
like this. He hoped they would deserve such a reception on their
return. [Applause.] He took occasion to show what New Hampshire has
done in this war. The First Regiment had left on the 21st
of May, the Seventh was on the way, and the Eighth and Ninth were
under way. She had also furnished a regiment of artillery, a
battalion of cavalry, and a regiment of sharpshooters. [Applause.]
New-Hampshire had taken her part at Bunker Hill, and now 10,000 men
in the field of this war. [Applause.] New-Hampshire had taken part
in establishing this Government, and she meant to take some part in
its preservation. [Applause.] They consider this war much holier
than the Crusades. [Applause.] In such a war, the pomp of marching
legions was eclipsed by the grandeur of their object. In conclusion,
he gave,
“The
Sons of New-Hampshire resident in New York – Their prominence
in all walks of life in the City of their adoption is only equaled by
their attachment to the State of their birth, and liberality to their
citizens.” [Applause.]
The
Lieutenant-Colonel call for three cheers for the sons of
New-Hampshire, which were given with a will and reciprocated
likewise.
The
Chairman reiterated that they were here as a family party, and no one
could complain that they praised their noble mother, New-Hampshire.
In conclusion he proposed –
“The
health of the President of the United States.”
and
called upon Hon. Horace Greeley to respond.
Mr.
Greeley spoke of the many
officers of the army who had gone over to the rebels. The Preseident
had a great many difficulties to contend against; a great many trials
through which he was obliged to pass. Much opposition was in
Washington of a very malignant type. An Army of the people had now
been congregated. [Applause.] He believed, if the weather and roads
were favourable, this body of men could crush out the rebellion in
sixty days. He considered that the last danger was foreign
interference. All oligarchs wished the overthrow of this Republic.
He honored the old Tories of England who came out broadly against this
country, for he knew that they had in mind the former victories of
our arms. If the men who stand in the ranks of the South were to
hear them, two-thirds of their number would walk over to our side.
Only by wholesale lying can the rebellion be kept upon its legs for a
month. The South need [ ] means more than they need men. They are
called upon to buy muskets and war material, but have not the money
to pay for them. He was positive that a majority of the citizens of
the South, if they could be allowed the privilege of voting, would
vote in favor of crushing the rebellion. He beseeched the soldiers
New-Hampshire to carry upon their arms the hopes and the destinies of
the human race. [Applause.]
The
Chairman then read the next regular toast:
“New-Hampshire,
our common mother,
Where’re
we travel, whatso’er land we see,
Our
hearts untrammeled, fondly belong to thee.
The
Honor which her sons bestow upon her, is coeval with her granite
hills.”
Mr.
H.B. Perkins responded eloquently.
The
Chairman next offered a sentiment, complementary to New-York and her
citizen soldiery, and called upon Gen. Hall to respond.
Gen.
Hall responded briefly and modestly, and gave as a sentiment,
“The
‛Star-Spangled Banner’ – Whether it is spread to the breeze in
the North, South, East, or West, may every star in its field shine
with is accustomed brilliancy.” [Applause.]
The
Chairman called for “the Star Spangled Banner,” but no one seemed
willing to start it.
A
gentleman suggested that Mr. Tenney could sing it. Mr. Tenney said
he would if he could, but he didn’t know the tune. He sang,
however, with much effect, “Hurrah for Old New England.”
The
Chairman next remarked that some of the lawyers of New-Hampshire had
honored the bar of New-York. He gave as a sentiment –
The
Bench of New-York – The Sons of New-Hampshire have sat upon it,
and left it ermine unsullied.
Judge
Peabody responded briefly, returning his acknowledgments for the
honor paid himself and his Sate. His speech was received with much
favor. In conclusion, Judge Peabody gave the following:
The
War for the Union – A war not for or against any one
institution, except that it is for the institution of civil liberty,
but a war for the country and the Union, and whatever measures tend
best to the preservation of the country and the protection of the
Union are the best measures for conducting the war. [Applause.]
The
Chairman next gave the following:
Reverence
for and obedience to, the Law, the salvation of any country.
Judge
Bonnett was called upon, and briefly responded in illustration of,
and admiration for, the sentiment.
The
Chairman next gave:
The
Adopted Sons of New-Hampshire – She treats her sons as a mother
treats her children.
Mr.
Charles A. Luce, Esq.,
responded. He said that although the remark of Mr. Webster
that New-Hampshire was a good place to emigrate from, had been
interpreted as a slur upon New-Hampshire, Mr. Webster
really intended it as a compliment. Mr. Webster
has stated that he meant to say, that it was a good state to emigrate
from, that when a man was known to hail from New-Hampshire, he was
looked upon as a good fellow, and fared well accordingly. [Applause
and laughter.] He complimented the energy of Lt.-Col. Abbott in
raising the First New Hampshire Regiment, and bid God speed to the
Seventh, on its way to the seat of war. He quoted the eloquent
apotheosis of Gen. Baker
to the American flag, and in conclusion gave the following sentiment:
The
Seventh Regiment of New-Hampshire Volunteers, officered by regulars
and volunteers – May
they be each worthy of the other, and the whole combined be worthy of
the Old Granite State, and the nation at large.
The
Chairman next read the following volunteer toast:
Harvard
University – The
cradle in which the sons of New-Hampshire have learned to love their
country.
Adjutant
Henderson replied, trusting
that he should never return until the rebellion is crushed.
Mr.
Bryant, of Haverhill, said that he believed that New-Hampshire
was a good State to emigrate to, and also to emigrate from. He found
that the very heart and soul of New Hampshire was here. [Applause.]
He was glad that though the soldiers of New-Hampshire were not to be
commanded by a Stark they were to be commanded by a Putnam.
The
Chairman next gave,
Our
Parents, Brothers, and Sisters – If dead, we reverence them and
remember them; if alive, we pray for their long life and continued
prosperity.
The
Chairman next gave the health of the man who saved the Great
Eastern in her time of peril during the last voyage. He gave the
health of Hamilton E. Towle.
Mr.
Towle declined to speak, but was honored with three cheers.
The
Chairman next read a volunteer toast.
The
Smith Family – First in peace, first in war, and first in the
hearts of their countrymen.
Maj.
Smith was called upon to speak, but declined, saying he was too
old to commence that business.
Mr.
Lege gave the following:
The
Seventh New-Hampshire Regiment – When we hear from them may
they be chasing the reels and never be chased.
He
called upon Capt. Chase to respond.
Capt.
Chase replied in eloquent strains. The next sentiment was –
Pittsfield
– We feel sad to leave it for war.
Capt.
Leavitt was called upon to respond, but was excused because he
was on duty. [Applause.]
Major
Roland proposed the health of Gov. Berry of New-Hampshire,
which was received with cheers.
Mr.
Perkins proposed the health of their worthy landlord, Simon[?]
Leland, who could both make a speech and keep a hotel.
Mr.
Leland was called for and cheered, but modestly declined.
The
Chairman proposed the health of the Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Fifty-second New-York Volunteers.
Lieut-Col.
Kasinski responded, hoping that in less than one year the
thirty-four stars would be united. [Applause.]
The
Chairman next called upon Mr. John Raymond to respond to a
toast complimentary to the legal talent of New-Hampshire.
Mr.
Raymond responded felicitously.
Major
Roland proposed the health of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army
of the United States. He said that Gen. Todtleben had
remarked to him, on receiving a copy of one of Gen. McClellan’s
works, that we had two great Generals here, Scott and
McClellan, and Gen. Todtleben predicted the future
success of Gen. McClellan [Cheers]
The
Chairman next gave
New
Hampshire – Famous for granite, ice, and men, and celebrated for
good Breeding.
Mr.
Breed responded in a humorous address.
The
chairman next made a toast complementary to the Press, which was
received with cheers. He next gave “The Clergy,” to which
Mr.
Chaplin Emerson, of the New Hampshire Seventh, responded.
Other
speeches and toasts followed, and it was not until a late hour that
the convivial assemblage separated.
