Civil War Day Book from Brooklyn’s “Red-Legged Devils” – 14th NY Militia – including heavy fighting at the battles of Bull Run and Gettysburg by [CIVIL WAR] HENRY T. HEAD - 1861

"[Sept] 17 Engaged the Enemy at 6½ A.M. and against heavy odds and under teriffic fire held possession of the field. Our loss was the heaviest (in proportion to our sadly reduced numbers) of any previous battle of the campaign. 8 were Killed and 23 wounded, nearly half our number engaged."

[CIVIL WAR]. HENRY T. HEAD. Manuscript Day Book, 1861-1863. Disbound. Pages numbered [3]-49, 266-286 (and blank 149-262), 7¾ x 12¾ in. With additional items. Forty-seven pages of nearly daily entries from May 18 - Sept 28, 1861; Mar 10 - Dec 31, 1862; Jan 5 - Sept 26, 1863. Including casualty lists, orders, and entries relating to battles throughout Virginia – at Bull Run, Falmouth, Camel Church, General Pope's Campaign, Rappahannock Station, Fredericksburg, Port Royal, Fitzhugh's Crossing, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, PA. With four GEORGE W. HEAD Autograph Letters Signed, to Henry T. Head, June 23 - September 11, 1861, 13 pp., and two additional letters.

Excerpts from Day Book:

"May 1861 Left Brooklyn N.Y. on Saturday May 18th 1861 and arrived safely at its destination Washington D.C. on the 19th quartered on Pensylvania Ave 2 days.

"May 23 Was sworn into the service of the U.S. by General McDowell for the period of the War.

"[July] 21st Left Bivouac at 3 A.M; passed through Centreville at 7 A.M. and continuing on the march to a small stream near Manassas (Bull Run) halted 15 minutes for rest. Immediately went into action with a large force of the Enemy. The Regiment made 3 successive charges upon Rebel Batteries, but were eventually repulsed after 4½ hours hard fighting, with very heavy loss. About 5 P.M. one column retreated part of it being intercepted by the Enemy, and many of the Regt (including Col Wood) were taken prisoners. The remnant of the 14th fell back to Camp Porter…

"[August] 21st 22"23" [1862] Were almost continually in action supporting Batteries on the River which were covering the retirement of Our forces. Our loss considering the hotness of the fire to which we were so long & inremittingly exposed was comparatively light. Few fatalities occurred and those wounded though numerous, were in but few instances seriously hurt. On the 23rd at 11 AM retreated toward Warrenton halting for the night…

"29 Marched at 2 A.M. arriving at Manassas Junction the same morning at 7 O.C. Left at 2 P.M. and shortly met & engaged the enemy at Groveton Warrenton Turnpike. The action was close protracted and the loss severe… Having fallen back, again engaged the Enemy for the 2nd time on the Battle Field of Bull Run at 3 P.M. Loss severe, particularly in badly wounded and missing. Retreated across Bull Run in good order continuing to and arriving at Centreville at 6 O.Clock on the morning of the 31st

"[Sept] 14th Left Frederick City at 8 A.M. marched through Middletown and met and engaged the Enemy at 5½ P.M. in 'Wagon Road' Gap South Mountain. Notwithstanding the strong position held by the Enemy and the almost insurmountable difficulties the nature of the ground opposed to his successful attack, we eventually after 2½ hours hard fighting dislodged & forced him back, with truly frightful loss. Our ammunition expended and support coming up, we retired from under fire and bivouacked for the night Loss 7 Killed & 18 wounded, most of the latter severely, being nearly 30 p'ct of all our men engaged.

"[Sept] 16th Forded the Antietam at 5 P.M and moved to the extreme right of our lines. Skirmishing with the Enemy commenced previous to our assumption of position and continued after up to 8. P.M. Rested on our Arms during the night in the face of Enemy.

"[Sept] 17 Engaged the Enemy at 6½ A.M. and against heavy odds and under teriffic fire held possession of the field. Our loss was the heaviest (in proportion to our sadly reduced numbers) of any previous battle of the campaign. 8 were Killed and 23 wounded, nearly half our number engaged. As at the previous battle of South Mountain, most of those wounded were severely so, and death ensued in several instances within a few days after, among the number, Capt Myers of C. Company. Lay on our arms upon the field during the night."

"[Dec] 12th Marched at 7 A.M to the Rivers bank distance 1½ miles, crossed on Pontoon Bridge at 12.30 P.M and formed in line of battle on the south bank of the River under a heavy fire of Artillery. Subsequently moved further back from the River to a less exposed position, reformed and bivouaced without fires for the night, the men resting on their Arms.

" " 13th Day (at first cloudy & overcast) was ushered in by a general and fierce cannonading along the entire lines. March in line of Battle and under a heavy fire 3 miles to the extreme left halting at times in support of Artillery. At 2 P.M. Co's A, D, I & H were advanced in front of our lines as Skirmishers to protect the Artillerists from a murderous fire kept up upon them by the Rebel sharp Shooters. This duty they performed with signal and commended success. The main body of the Regiment remained in close support of Light Co B, 4th U.S. Artillery throughout the day. The Skirmishing Companies being relieved and withdrawn under cover of the darkness. The men rested on their Arms exposed to a heavy fire of Grape & Cannister shot kept up upon them far into the night.

"Dec 14th 15th The Regiment remained in the same position. Occasional firing by Artillery & Pickets was maintained until the night of the 15th, when in dead silence and under cover of the pitch darkness we fell back across the Rappahannock and after a difficult circuitous and weary march of 9 miles bivouaced at 1 A.M of the 16th. Went into Camp Franklin…

1863

"Feb 24th Usual duties, at dress parade stand of colors consisting of National Flag State Flag & Two Guidons presented the Regt by ladies of Brooklyn through Mr Luckey with an address and list of the donors of which the following is a Copy…

"April 30 Lieut Vliet and twenty men detailed to the rear for the purpose of arresting stragglers from the Div and returning them to Hd Qrs. Regiment mustered for pay for the months of March & April. At 5 P.M. Co's B, D, & G detached on picket to the front. Troops in 1st line of Battle commenced throwing up breastworks when the enemy at 5.45 P.M opened on them with shot & shell. our batteries from both sides of the river replying and continuing until 7.30 P.M. during the night entrenchments were dug along the whole line.

"[May] 3rd Left bivouac at 2. P.M and crossed the Rappahannock at 3.30 A.M on Pontoon bridge at U.S. Ford, halting and forming line of battle on the right at Chancellorsville at 6. A.M. distance marched 6 miles. heavy firing on left and centre of line from 5 until 10:30 A.M, at 12 M. Genl Hooker rode along the lines being received with cheers. Genl Stonewall Jackson (Rebel) reported wounded same night by prisoners.

" " 4 Roll Call at 6 A.M & 4 P.M. five days rations issued. Eenmey attacked our lines at 5. P.M but were repulsed. Roll call at 6. P.M. heavy shower of rain. Genl Jackson reported dead.

" " 5 Roll call at 6. A.M and ration of whiskey issued to officers and men. heavy firing in left and centre. rain storm in afternoon.

"July 1st Left bivouac at March Creek five miles from Gettysburg at 7 A.M. marched outside and to left of the City and formed in line of battle at 10:30 A.M engaged the enemy as soon as in position. The following report will give the part taken by the Regiment on that day and also of the 2nd & 3rd inst."

[July 31 Field Report gives total of regiment's officers and men as 164.]

"Sept 17 Usual Calls, Circular from Brig Hd Qrs to have sinks dug and men not to be allowed out of Camp except for wood & water…. Inspected by Brig Inspector Chisman in heavy marching order with red trousers and new uniforms, present 20 offices and 119 men."

The text also includes two poems, "Why Trouble Yourself about Welth?" and "Life." (266-67), and a list of births, marriages, and deaths for the Head family (284-85).

With four poignant letters from Brooklyn to older brother after Battle of First Bull Run

Four rich letters from George W. Head in Brooklyn to his older brother Henry, an adjutant with the 14th New York Militia. A third brother, Frank, a hero at the First Battle of Bull Run, was mortally wounded carrying the regimental colors. As evidenced by these letters, nearly two months after the battle, his family still did not know his fate.

GEORGE W. HEAD. Autograph Letter Signed, to Henry T. Head, June 23, 1861, 2 pp., 7¾ x 9¾ in. "Enclosed please find a receipt for the freight paid on your trunk in New York I am astonished to hear that you had to pay for it in Washington as I paid the freight here…. I notice in the paper this morning that there was considerable sickness in the Federal Army how are the men of your reg for health and always let me know how you and Frank are… Knowing from your letter that you are short of money I enclose one doll please accept the same as a gift."

GEORGE W. HEAD. Autograph Letter Signed, to Henry T. Head, June 27, 1861, 4 pp., 8 x 10 in. "the company [Kerosene Oil Works] have sustained a great loss by a fire in the Finishing Still House <2> which I assisted in subduing which lasted untill near nine oclock at night and supposed to have been done by the men from their wages having been reduced, they fought and near killed two of the men and I tell you that the works are in great jeopardy of being destroyed and it is necessary for the company to adopt some measures to reorganize the works to ensure safety at the time the fire occurred J. Mason & myself were walking about green Point in search of a lot or two for the purpose of staring our works and could see from the place we were standing the fire at the Kerosene Works and started over for the purpose of aiding to subdue which I can safely guarantee was the case for the men were playing water on one of the stills and caused to oil to rush out and increased the conflagration to such a degree as to endanger the whole building…

"About the revolver I wrote you a letter stating that Mr Benedict desired to send it on by a member of your regiment and Mr Kimble said he had seen the revolver and that it was a handsome one but not having heard from you any reply I thought that you must of got it…"

GEORGE W. HEAD. Autograph Letters Signed, to Henry T. Head, July 27, 1861, 4 pp., 7¼ x 9½ in. Their brother Frank, a sergeant in Company C, was wounded at the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, while bearing the regimental colors. He urged his fellow soldiers on, "Never mind me, boys, save the colors!" He died of his wounds on July 22, at age 22. His brother wrote this letter five days later before hearing the full news.

"You would be surprised to know what excitement there is in the city about your regiment. Mrs Baldwin was led to believe that her husband (the Capt) had been run through the side with a bayonet and shot in the leg. Mrs Hix was told that Edward was shot in the head and seriously wounded and many such reports as this are about Brooklyn I called to see Mrs Plowers yesterday and she had heard that her husband was mising she was in a great state of excitement about him and was over joyed to hear that he was safe when I had told her about his helping to convey Frank to the Hospital she seemed quite happy to know that he was able to serve in such a case…

"Helen McKeage is in a great way about Frank and it is impossible to console her some vicious individual called and told them that Frank was at the house a corpse she and Willet Hauxhurst came up and was supprised to know that they had been <4> deceived.... I am afraid that mother will soon be sick with worriment as she is continually thinking about Frank and says that she only wished that he could be brot home I hope that you and he may soon visit Brooklyn as I believe that nothing but this will console your enquiring friends who call at the house to know about Frank the people pass the hous saying that is where Frank Head's folks live the papers having made known his conduct to the public"

GEORGE W. HEAD. Autograph Letters Signed, to Henry T. Head, September 11, 1861, 3 pp., 8 x 10 in. Two weeks later, the family still had not learned of Frank's fate, believing him to be a prisoner.

"The expedition to Cape Hattrass has paid off for the Bull Run affair we having taken that which is worth the cost of the defeat of two Bull Run Battles

"Helen McKeage was at the house last night and we had considerable talk about Frank she says every body tells her that she should not expect to ever see him again for he must be dead or we should hear from him

"I told her that we had not heard from the Coln or any of the others and could not expect to hear from him I told her that I believe that he had to much honor to trust the Rebles with a letter I have heard that the prisoners are well and treated well as seems to be the statements of the sergeons that have come on and this is enough for me I believe that Frank is all right and I live in greater hopes of seeing him that I do of seeing you as he may have no more battles to fight (being a prisoner) and you have but things seem to be changing the Rebles are getting wipped with no fighting and when we give them one or two stif engagements they will not know how to retreat

[in the margin of page 3:] Destroy"

After Frank's fate became known, perhaps one of the brothers felt this was too painful to keep.

WILLIAM H. DEBEVOISE. Autograph Letter Signed to Henry T. Head, August 17, 1863, 4 pp. When E. B. Fowler was promoted to colonel in 1862, DeBevoise had become lieutenant colonel of the regiment. Taking ill after the Battle of Antietam, he was discharged in May 1863, and returned to Brooklyn.

"excursions with kind friends in search of cool… wherein to forget the calorific element- and to imbibe mixtures to quell the burning monster, and the paucity of ideas and (?)… but I have not forgotten you- in the burning heat, when you were on the march, and on the dread field when you <2> were risking life and limb, I have thought of you, and wished I was where I have so often been, with you and the rest, taking my share of the lot that has fallen to you… I am improving steadily tho not very rapidly in health.<3>

…We have no excitement just now. 'the draft' is not so much thought of now as it was some two or three weeks [the New York Draft Riots took place from July 13-16, 1863] The people appear to think it too much trouble to think of and appear to be willing to let the Gov & President with (?) the inferior mobs and political scullions in the pay of the parties settle it among themselves.

I hope notwithstanding all the croakings of demagogues, notwithstanding the inflammatory appeals of the partisan writers, it will be amicably arranged. The mob has triumphed in a manner in N.Y. frightening the common council into making an appropriation to pay for all <4> who do not want to fight. I wish I could have my way.-

Affendill and the rest of the conscript squad I have not seen- they have retired to the shades of private life, among the classic shades (I hope they have shade) of Rikers Island- where they are held in durance vile by an ogre of a colonel of the regular army who ought to be drummed out of the service for his treatment of men who have done what they have- I hope he will have a lesson sometime from some one."

Also with WALTER MULLINS Autograph Note Signed, describing how he found the above manuscripts.

The 14th New York Militia (84th New York Infantry) was initially organized in Brooklyn in 1847. Having seen Elmer Ellsworth's Zouaves in 1860, they adopted a similar dress with red pants. After the Confederate firing on Fort Sumter, the 14th volunteered. New York's Governor Morgan refused Lincoln's desperate call for troops to depend the capital, so Colonel Alfred M. Wood (1825-1895) went to Washington to announce their readiness and desire to serve. Lincoln directly ordered the regiment to D.C. Mustering in for three years, they headed to Washington D.C. on May 18, 1861. On July 21, in the First Battle of Bull Run, the regiment lost 142 killed, wounded or missing, receiving its nickname after Confederate General Stonewall Jackson supposedly cried out, "Hold on Boys! Here come those red-legged devils again." Col. Wood was wounded and captured at Bull Run, and Lt. Colonel Edward B. Fowler (1826-1896) assumed command. In 1862, the regiment was active in the fighting that culminated in the Second Battle of Bull Run, suffering 129 casualties. It then fought at South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. After wintering near Falmouth, the regiment was active at Chancellorsville in May, 1863. It received the highest official praise for gallantry in action at the Battle of Gettysburg, suffering a loss of 217 men. It moved southward with the Army of the Potomac, wintering ear Culpeper, and fighting in the opening of the Wilderness campaign.

President Lincoln would often ask for the 14th Brooklyn to act as his personal guards when in camp or near the battle field. Before Bull Run, they were even called "Lincoln's Pups" or "Lincoln's Pets." On May 21, 1864, the regiment's term of service expired. Soldiers who reenlisted were transferred to the 5th N. Y. veteran infantry. The total enrollment of the regiment was 1,365, of whom 153 died from wounds and 74 from other causes. Lincoln honored the regiment with a speech when it mustered out on June 14, 1864.

Henry Thomas Head (1837-1870) was born in New York City to parents who emigrated from England. He enlisted as a Sergeant Major in the 14th New York Militia in April 1861, was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant that August, and promoted to Major in May 1863. Head mustered out with the regiment in June 1864, and was again a clerk in 1865. In 1867, he married Pamilla Culver (1851-1907); they had one son. Head died of consumption, which he had contracted during the war. The 14th New York Militia escorted his body to the cemetery.

George Washington Head (1841-1932) was employed at the Kerosene Oil Works. He married Amelia Ann Dotten (1846-1869) in June 1868; they had one child. He married Ida May Snow in 1872, and they had four children, one of whom he named for his brother Frank. In 1880 and 1900, Head was a stationer in Brooklyn.

Francis (Frank) Freeman Head (1839-1861) was mustered into federal service on May 23, 1861, as a sergeant in Company C of the 14th New York Militia. Wounded while carrying the regimental colors on July 21, 1861, at the First Battle of Bull Run, he died the next day. A Grand Army of the Republic Post in Brooklyn is named in his honor.