53rd New York Infantry Regiment's Civil War Newspaper Clippings
The D'Epineuil Zouaves.
(Wash, Cor. Phila. Inquirer.)
Ever since the formation of this regiment there has been considerable trouble amongst them. After their unsuccessful attempt to join Burnside's Expedition, they went to Fortress Monroe, and from there to Annapolis. At this point many deserted. When they left New York they had nine hundred men--now they cannot muster five hundred men. At Annapolis, they became demoralized, and the commanding officer of the post disarmed them. Orders then demanded their presence at Washington, where they are now quartered at the Soldiers' Rest.
For the last two days inducements have been thrown out to them to volunteer in other New York regiments. They decline to do so, and say that they want to be mustered out of the service and paid off, and then they will re-enter regiments of their own choice. The Philadelphians want to go into Baxter's Zouave Regiment, so as to receive the State bounty.
The Provost Guard are hunting them up like a flock of sheep without a master, for the purpose of keeping them together until a final
decision is made in relation to them by the Secretary of War. A great many colonels are anxious to get squads of them to fill up, as they are
a very fine set of men, although now in a very dilapadated condition.
VOSBURGH CHASSEURS, FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT
N. Y. V.
The above regiment, through the untiring energy of its Colonel and officers, is now rapidly filling up to its maximum standard, and will probably leave for the seat of war during the next ten days. The men are now comfortably encamped at the Red House, Harlem. They are fully uniformed and are being thoroughly drilled for the field. Men wishing to join this regiment should make immediate application to Capt. W. S. Upham or Lieut. W. R. Tremain at No. 31 Chatham street, and they will be immediately provided for.
—Sergeant Geo. T. Kent, formerly an officer in the Seymour Artillery, but now of the D'Epineuil Zouaves, is engaged in recruiting for that regiment at the headquarters, 176 Genesee street. Sergeant Kent has an excellent reputation as a well drilled officer, is popular in town, and should secure a large number of men to fill the showy uniforms of the D'Epineuils, from among his friends. Lieut Burgess, in command at No. 176 Genesee street, reports the D'Epineuils from Utica number thirty-four men already.
The De Epineuil Zouaves--The Fifty-third New York regiment (De Epineuil Zouaves), which arrived at Annapolis last week from Hatteras Inlet, having been unable to cross the bar in the bark (the John Trucks) on which they were disembarked on Wednesday afternoon and went into camp near Fort Severn, opposite the Naval School. Many of the men are suffering from sickness occasioned by the close quarters on board the bark, and probably as soon as they are recruited in health they will be ordered to join the expedition.
$100 Bounty and proabably 160 Acres Land.
RALLY! RALLY! WANTED!!!
Thirty men and two smart Sergeants, to complete Company K, D'Epineuil's Zouaves. This magnificent Regiment is commanded by field Officers of long experience in the French army; the Colonel having seen seventeen years' service and Lieut. Colonel nineteen years' service. They both were at Soferino and were through the Crimean war.
This Regiment is now encamped on Staten Island. The uniform is the most splendid and durable yet furnished in this country. Pay and rations immediately; and full uniforms will be furnished the very day the man arrives in camp.
The Company will be commanded by officers who have seen service. Geo. F. ____, Captain.
Wm. H. Burgess, 1st Lieut.
MYSTERIOUS MURDER IN HOBOKEN.
A Private in the Fifty-third Regiment New York State Volunteers Murdered--The Affair Shrouded in Mystery—The
Coroner's Inquest, &c.
The residents of the Third ward of Hoboken were aroused on Monday night last by the loud report of a pistol, proceeding from the direction of Fox Hill, just back of the Elysian Fields; but as no further indications of foul play followed, it was thought that some party had discharged the weapon to frighten the neighborhood. Two women, who are still at large and unknown to the authorities, were seen coming from Fox Hill shortly after, and the suspicions of several were fully aroused, yet, strange to say, they did not molest the females, who, it is supposed, passed through the city and crossed the ferry to New York. It appears, from the evidence obtained at the Coroner's jury, that a man named David M. Demarest, a private in Company B, Fifty-third regiment New York State Volunteers, left his regiment camp at the Red House, Harlem, at an early hour on Monday last, and proceeded directly to Hoboken, intending to visit the neighborhood of Hackensack, where, it is said, he formerly resided with his relatives. He stated before leaving that he anticipated receiving on that day over $100, and the evidence shows that he visited several public places in Hoboken and exhibited considerable money. The two women alluded to were seen conversing with the man while he lay on the ground, and it is alleged that they are implicated in this bloody deed.
Coroner Frederick W. Bohnstedt was notified on Tuesday morning that a man was found murdered near Fox Hill—deceased having probably died from the effects of his wound on Monday night--and he caused the body to be removed to the stables of Mr. B. N. Crane, undertaker, in Garden street. Mr. Crane, on hearing that deceased was a Union soldier, ordered a neat coffin, and paid more than ordinary attention to the corpse.
Yesterday morning the Coroner empanelled the following jury, who first viewed the body, and then proceeded to the Coroner's office, when the testimony, which we give below was adduced and listened to with intensest interest by the larger crowd who thronged the office. The following are the jurors empanelled in the case:
B. Loughry, Foreman; G. Van Mater, J. C. Idell, L. Krack, M. Ibach, L. G, Laurell, G. Moman, F. Boromar, J. Scholich, P. Keofer, O. Carroll, H. Gerold.
Coroner Bohnstedt stated that he had searched the body of the deceased and found a purse containing a few pennies, some sutlers' "shinplaster" money, the address of several persons, with whom he would communicate if necessary, and a pass, written as follows:
CAMP SCROGGS, HEADQUARTERS COMPANY B,
FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT N. Y. S. V., July 14, 1862.
Pass David M. Demarest from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M., 14th inst. L. A. LEONARD,
First Lieutenant commanding.
The Coroner supposed that the deceased might be the party named in the pass, as he had a military cap. marked "Company B, 53." The first witness called was Dr. Lorenzo A. Elder, who deposed that he had made a post mortem examination of the body; he found in the inside of the left leg of the pants a large tear or hole, and on the same spot on the leg a wound corresponding in size; on the outside of the leg further down he found a wound a little smaller; he was of the opinion that deceased had been shot, the ball entering the inside of the leg and passing out at the outside, severing, during its passage, the main artery, and that death ensued from loss of blood; deceased could have inflicted the wound while in a sitting position, but he would not venture to say that he did so.
John Cranstoun, of Fox Hill, deposed that he went to the spot where the body was found; discovered several persons searching about the locality; they found a razor and a pistol; the latter had been discharged; near where the pistol was found there was a large pool of blood; from the condition of the road (the West Hoboken road) and the grass on its side, he thought the deceased must have been dragged to the place where he was found.
Patrick Donovan, of Hoboken, deposed that on Monday night, at twenty minutes past eight o'clock, while walking along the West Hoboken road to his stables, his attention was arrested by two women, one dressed in black and the other in a light dress trimmed with green; the latter said to him that a man, who had been shot, was lying just beyond on the grass; witness had seen the woman before, and supposing her to be a loose character paid no attention to what she said; subsequently heard indistinct muttering, which, he said, proceeded from the deceased; he did not approach very near to him, but heard the woman talking to deceased; deceased was lying on his side.
Raven Coughlin, of Hoboken, deposed that he saw deceased lying on his side facing the road, near an old cannon; he was dressed in a blue suit and had on a cap described elsewhere; witness was present when the razor and pistol were found.
The Coroner here exhibited a razor and pistol, which the witness identified.
A young man in the employ of C. T. Perry, of the Elysian Fields, deposed that a man resembling deceased purchased some refreshments on Monday morning, and on paying for the same exhibited a roll of bills, which resembled United States Treasury notes.
Ernest Bosse, of Hobokon, deposed that the deceased visited his store on Monday forenoon and called for "a good brandy punch," for which he paid. He appeared excited, but was very sober and polite in his speech.
At this juncture of the proceedings Lieutenant A. Hinckley of Company B, Fifty-third regiment, entered the office and desired to look at the body. He was permitted to do so; and on his return from the stable where the corpse was being cared for by Mr. Crane, offered his testimony, which is as follows:—
I am a soldier in the United States volunteer army—a lieutenant in Company B, Fifty-third regiment; I recognize deceased as one of the members of my company; I also recognize the pass (given above) found on his person; I understood deceased enlisted from Hoboken; saw him last Monday morning at the camp; do not know whether he was in the habit of carrying a pistol; he was always regarded as a peaceable, sober man; I heard that deceased was to receive about $100 on Monday; did not hear from what source; do not know whether he received it; deceased could not have left the camp earlier than ten o'clock in the morning.
There being some discrepancy in the statement of the young man employed by Mr. Perry, as to the time the deceased was at Mr. Perry's place on Monday morning, the corner decided to adjourn the case until this (Thursday) morning, at eleven o'clock, when the young man will be recalled, and several members of Company B, Fifty-third regiment, in charge of a sergeant, will be present to testify with regard to their knowledge of the deceased having received the money alluded to above. The feeling for deceased is very great now, especially as he was a Union soldier. He will receive a very respectable burial at the hands of the regiment and the citizens of Hoboken, if not identified by his relatives.
D'EPINEUIL ZOUAVES—Lieut. Burgess last night shipped twenty recruits to New York. They were all enlisted after 4 P. M., of yesterday, and sent to headquarters at once. The men will return here on Friday, fully equipped in the dashing uniform of their Regiment. Lieut. Burgess is doing a famous business in recruiting.—We are glad to notice his success, and hope that it will continue. See advertisement of the D'Epineuil Zouaves in this morning's paper.
THE D'EPINEUIL ZOUAVES.
The D'Epineuil Zouaves, whose headquarters are at 86 Cedar street, have formed their camp and named it Camp Lesley, in honor of the Chief Clerk of the War Department. A Quartermaster's squad has been busily engaged for the past few days in arranging the site. Yesterday the uniforms appeared for the first time on Broadway. It is that of the Imperial Zouaves of France. The time of their departure for the seat of war has been extended to the 20th of September.
DEPARTURE OF THE D'EPINEUIL ZOUAVES.
The steamship Admiral, with the Fifty-third regiment, D'Epineuil Zouaves, sailed from Quarentine for Annapolis on Sunday, at half-past three P. M.
—A squad of the D'Epineuil Zouaves, recruited in this city, left for the headquarters of the Regiment yesterday afternoon.
THE FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT, D'EPINEUIL ZOUAVES.
The first battalion of this regiment has marching orders for Friday, the 9th instant. To-day at three o'clock there will be a presentation of colors to the regiment. The following is a correct list of the field, staff and line officers:—Colonel, Lionel J. D'Epineuil; Lieutenant Colonel, J. Viquies de Monteil; Major, J. B. Cantet.
Staff.—Surgeon, Henry J. Phillips; Assistant Surgeon, Jules Dubreult; Quartermaster, John C. Merriam; Adjutant, Victor Vifquain.
Non-Commissioned Staff:--Quartermaster Sergeant Frank A. Davis; Sergeant Major, George Boulauger; Commissary Sergeant, J. B. Smith.
Line.—First company, Captain F. W. Willard; Second company, Captain Ernest Fiston; Third company, Captain W. W. Armstrong; Fourth company, Captain Henry Scott; Fifth company, Captain J. G. Gundlack: Sixth company, Captain Alfred Cipriani; Seventh company, Captain Frederick Cochen; Eighth company, Captain Arthur Holden; Ninth company, Captain Geo. F. Chester; Tenth company, _____ Dunstan.
EVENING EXPRESS.
FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 8, 1861.
PRESENTATIONS
A number of presentations have lately been made to regiments and officers under marching orders. The D'Epineuil Zouaves received a stand of colors from the French ladies of New York on Thursday. The presentation was made at the camp on Staten Island, and was accompanied by imposing religious rites according to the Roman Catholic ritual, the Chaplain of the regiment officiating, and formally blessing the flags before they were received in the line.
On the same day, Mr. Wm. E. Robinson, on behalf of a number of Irish-American ladies, presented a stand of colors to the Third Irish regiment, Col. Enright encamped on Davis' Island, on which occasion, there was some good speaking, and very enthusiastic cheering. The regiment looked well, and will doubtless be distinguished on the field.
On Wednesday Mr. Henriques, on behalf of a committee of ladies, presented a stand of colors to the Sixty-first Regiment, Col. Cone, encamped at Camp Harris, Staton Island. Appropriate addresses were made by Mr. Henriques on behalf of the ladies—who were present in full force, of course—and by Col. Cone on behalf of the Regiment. Three cheers were given for the flag, and three more for the ladies, after which there was a little entertainment. The friends of Capt. Russell of Co. H. improvised a pleasant episode by presenting that gentlemen with a sword, sash belt and et-ceteras.
A committee of gentlemen, through Mr. John Mc- Auliffe, presented Captain Hogg, of Co. C First Battalion N. Y. V. Artillery, with a serviceable sash and sabre. Major Brett, of the same command, received a handsome watch from his brother officers.
THE FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT, D'EPINEUIL ZOUAVES.
The first battalion of this regiment has marching orders for Friday, the 9th instant. To-day at three o'clock there will be a presentation of colors to the regiment. The following is a correct list of the field, staff and line officers:—Colonel, Lionel J. D'Epineuil; Lieutenant Colonel, J. Viquies de Monteil; Major, J. B. Cantel.
Staff.—Surgeon, Henry J. Phillips; Assistant Surgeon, Jules Dubreuil; Quartermaster, John C. Merriam; Adjutant, Victor Vifquain.
Non-Commissioned Staff.—Quartermaster Sergeant, Frank A. Davis; Sergeant Major, George Boulauger; Commissary Sergeant, J. B. Smith.
Line.—First company, Captain F. W. Willard; Second company, Captain Ernest Fiston; Third company, Captain W. W. Armstrong; Fourth company, Captain Henry Scott; Fifth company, Captain J. G. Gundlack; Sixth company, Captain Alfred Cipriani; Seventh company, Capt. Frederick Cochen; Eighth company, Captain Arthur Holden; Ninth company, Captain Geo. F. Chester; Tenth company, ____ Dunstan.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
New YORK, Nov. 17, 1861.
In giving the list of the officers of the Fifty-third regiment (D'Epineuil Zouaves), in your number of this day you omitted the Lieutenant Colonel, Viginer de Monteil. He was an officer of artillery in France, and served for
seventeen years. He was in Mexico, with Prince de Joinville, at the taking of the fort of San Juan d'Ulloa, and left France after the "coup de'tat," for political motives. He has ever since resided in this country, and is a naturalized citizen. Colonel Lionel Jobert d'Epineuil was in the navy but never served in the land army. Lieutenant Colonel Viginer de Monteil left on Friday for Annapolis, where he was sent by General Burnside to examine the
new camp, and was not at the parade of the regiment.
LEON SOUCHER,
166 East Thirty-third street, New York.
Vosburgh Chasseurs, Fifth Regiment Eagle Brigade.
This fine regiment, named in honor of the lamented Colonel Abraham S. Vosburgh, who died, while in command of the Seventy-first regiment, at Washington, in May last, numbering about five hundred men, is commanded
by Colonel George A. Buckingham, late Major of the Seventy-first. We see, by the annexed official communication from the War Department, that Colonel Buckingham is exempted from the recent order stopping recruiting,
and he is directed to complete his regiment. A well deserved compliment to the Colonel and his command:—
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, April 28, 1862.
Lieutenant Colonel W. A. NICHOLS, U. S. A., No. 79 White
street, New York.
Colonel—The Secretary of War directs that Colonel Buckingham be authorized to complete his regiment, now known as the Vosburgh Chasseurs, Fifth regiment Eagle brigade, and to be known as the Fifty-third regiment New York Volunteers. I am, Colonel, very respectfully
your obedient servant.
GEO. D. RUGGLES, Assistant Adjutant General.
PRESENTATION OF COLORS TO THE D'EPINEUIL
ZOUAVES, FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT,
N. Y. S. V. (Nov. 17, 1861)
The camp of the D'Epineuil Zouaves, Fifty-third regiment, N. Y. S. V., was as picturesque and romantic a scene yesterday afternoon as could well be imagined. A stand of colors has been in preparation for the regiment, and ready for presentation some time, but, owing to the inclemancy of the weather, had to be postponed until yesterday afternoon, when the presentation took place at the camp ground on Staten Island. A large crowd of spectators was present upon the occasion, the greater part of whom were French. Colonel D'Epineuil the evening previous received an injury from a fall which caused him to keep his left hand in a sling, but the hurt, however, will not prove serious.
At about three o'clock, the men were formed in parade line, and the chaplain of the regiment, Rev. Mr. Pierard, opened the ceremonies of the day by delivering a spirited address in French, in which he exhorted the regiment to stand by the colors which were about being presented to them, and concluded by consecrating the banners in holy water, after which Colonel D'Epineuil responded in an eloquent discourse, thanking those who were kind enough to prepare so suitable and worthy a testimonial of the stability and standard of his regiment. The colors presented are the gift of a number of New York French ladies, prominent among whom is Mrs. Burnsie. They consist of a regimental and American flag, with guide colors, and are beautifully wrought. On the regimental flag is the inscription, "Colonel D'Epineuil's Zouaves, Fifty-third regiment, N. Y S. V."
After the presentation a number of invited guests adjourned to headquarters, where quite a social time was had.
On next Thursday the Zouaves expect to take their departure for the seat of war. They now number, it appears, upwards of one thousand men, and a finer body of soldiers, or better officered, has not yet left the city of New York.
THE FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT, D'EPINEUIL ZOUAVES.
The presentation of a flag to this admirable regiment was to have taken place yesterday, but on account of the bad state of the weather was ostponed until the first fine day.
.... and the Colonel has the satisfaction not only of finding himself at the head of a splendid regiment, but of knowing himself beloved and honored by all his officers and men, who have the utmost esteem for him as a man, while they feel all confidence in his ability to command them. He may well be proud of the enthusiastic admiration and affection with which his regiment regard him.
Led by him into the field, under such auspices, the Fifty-third regiment cannot fail to show itself worthy of the city of New York.
COMPANY A, D'EPINEUIL ZOUAVES
To the Editor of the N. Y. Tribune:
SIR: The painful fact that three officers lately holding commissions in the army of this country have basely gone over to the Rebel lines is, I notice, severely commented upon by the press generally, and it will doubtless have a tendency to impress the community unfavorably with former members of this disbanded regiment, known as the D'Epineuil Zouaves. I beg respectfully to state that, by authority of the War Department, my command (then Company A) was, with the officers, transferred to the 17th New-York Regiment, Col. H. S. Lansing, with whom we now have the honor to serve before Yorktown, carrying out to the best of our ability the object of our enlistment. In justice to the reputation of my officers, Lieuts. Perry and Coffin, and my men (chiefly Albanians), I beg your insertion of this communication.
Your obiedient servant, W. W. ARMSTRONG,
Captain 17th Regiment N. Y. V.
Headquarters, 17th Regiment N. Y. V., Camp before Yorktown, April 22, 1862. Capt. Armstrong's command above referred to is the only remaining portion of the corps lately known as the D'Epineuil Zouaves, now in the service of the United States. Both officers and men, since they joined my command, have borne themselves as good soldiers, and show a determination, which will I am sure be realized in the coming struggle, to prove such, and do all in their power to wipe out any stain that may have
been cast upon them some of their late unworthy associates in arms.
H. S. LANSING, Colonel, 17th N. Y. V.