Vol. 46, No. 12 $ Never-Before Seen Scrapbook Shed Light—Provides Valuable Insights New York State Militia and the Union Defence Committee Mobilize
for War by Leon Reed In the heated days following the fall of Fort Sumter and President Lincoln’s call for 75,000 troops, northern governors raced to declare their full support and promise that their state would meet or exceed the president’s quota for volunteer troops. Lincoln and his nervous cabinet cared little about promises. Troops on the ground, in Washington, D.C., were what mattered to a group of people increasingly concerned about the possibility of Virginia troo or southern sympathizers in Washington, swooping in to kidnap Lincoln and his cabinet. A never-before seen scrapbook maintained by Hiram Roosa of Rondout, N.Y., the corresponding secretary of the New York Military Association, provides valuable insights into the secession crisis and the nation’s progress toward civil war The collection consists of photos, original correspondence, souvenirs sent to Roosa by various New York soldiers, and a collection of approximately 300 patriotic envelope covers that commented on various aspects of the crisis and the war. The collection provides particular insights into the pivotal ro played by New York militia regiments in the early days of the war.
While much of the north reacted calmly to the initial roun of secession and felt that, like ways, a compromise would be worked out; the New York State militia organization took the cr sis more seriously. In January 1861, Major General Charles 36 – American Battlefield Trus 47 – Advertiser Index 10 – Black Powder, White Smoke 40 – Book Reviews
Sandford, commander of the 1st Division NYSM, offered the entire division to be ready to march “on an hour’s notice.” The lame duck Buchanan administration wasn’t eager to provoke a confrontation at this time, so the offer was politely declined. Even earlier, on January 9, 1861, after South Carolina forces fired on the Star of the West a ship attempting to resupply the Fort Sumter garrison, the New York Military Association (NYMA) notified Major Anderson of a resolution of support. 1 After the Star of the West con frontation, the standoff over Fo Sumter simmered on for almost three months. The issue was brought back to the front burner when Lincoln ordered another resupply expedition. This was approaching Charleston in mid-April when CSA forces in Charleston opened fire on the fort. The attack on and surrende
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of Fort Sumter shook the North out of its complacent attitude. The reaction in New York Cit was instantaneous. Democratic newspapers and politicians who had opposed Lincoln now supported the war policy. Politici Dan Sickles wrote: “The city of New York will sustain the government… Democrats are no longer partisans. … The attack on Fort Sumter has made the North a unit.” Even the New York Herald, previously highly critical of Lincoln’s policy, c out in support of Lincoln’s war program. All the northern governors quickly issued statements of support, but Lincoln needed to defend Washington NOW and troops parading in Indianapolis or being recruited in Lansing wouldn’t help defend the national capital. Massachusetts raised four regiments immediately. Two were sent to reinfor
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Fort Monroe; the other two were among the first to head toward Washington. Other than these regiments, the state of New Yor was in the best position to dis patch significant numbers of reinforcements. The reason for New York’s comparatively fast mobilization was that, under the sponsorship of the NYMA, many regiments already existed. An active New York militia was organized into two divisions and regiments often had officers and at least p tially full rosters. In some ca militia units had their own armory, some weapons, and a regular drill schedule. In fact, New York militia un were regularly activated in peacetime to perform ceremonial duties or maintain law and order. Regiments were frequently called up to deal with fires ots, or other local emergencies and several regiments were paraded to honor the Prince of Editor 20 – Fight 5 –
Wales (later King Edward VII) 1860.2 In these early days, militia iments would be dispatched immediately and serve as gap-fil ers until the adjutant general could recruit volunteer regiments that would serve for two years.
On Monday, April 14, Horace Greeley’s Tribune called for a patriotic assembly to be held in New York City the following Saturday. A group described as “the solid men of Wall Street” to plan the rally and speakers the time the rally was held, w had already reached New York that a Massachusetts regiment had been ambushed while passing through Baltimore, and New York City was totally aroused.
