7th Regiment Cavalry, NY Volunteers
Civil War Newspaper Clippings

PERSONAL.—Col. A. J. Morrison, of Black Horse Cavalry fame, who has been in command of a New Jersey Cavalry regiment for some time past, has arrived in town on a visit.

CAVALRY.—Colonel A. J. Morrison, by direct permission of the President, is now raising at Trenton, N. J., a regiment of hussars, to be mustered into the regular United States army as soon as completed. The regiment will wear the uniform of, and in all respects be, a hussar regiment—the only one in the service.

DEATH OF COL. CLARK--Under our obituary head, this morning, will be found a notice of the death of Col. James C. Clark. And in this announcement we recognize the fact that another of Troy's brave soldiers has passed to "that house from which no traveler returns."
When the Black Horse Cavalry was being organized in this city, under command of Col. A. J. Morrison, no man labored with more diligence and zeal to raise his company and perfect the organization of the regiment, than Capt. Clark, and during the brief existence of that regiment, no officer was held in higher esteem than he.
After the Black Horse was disbanded, Capt. Clark sought another position in the army, and was honored with a responsible place on the Staff of Gen. Seymour, with whom he passed through the memorable battle of Harrison's Landing, and was highly commended for his skill and courage on that occasion. In 1863, he received a commission as Lieut.-Colonel, of a colored regiment belonging to Ullman's Corps, and was sent down to Fort Hudson. Here his high soldierly qualities and superior abilities gained him the confidence and esteem of his men, as well as his superiors in command, and not long after he was promoted to the rank of Colonel of his regiment, and for a long time he discharged the responsible duties of acting Brigadier.
On the 31st of July last he left New Orleans, on leave of absence, on account of failing health, and arrived in Troy on the 8th of August, since which time he has been stopping at the residence of Col. George Babcock, where he received every possible attention. But all to no purpose. His constitution never remarkably strong, gave way under the grasp of that fell destroyer consumption, and yesterday evening he breathed his last. He will be missed by a large circle of friends in this city, among whom he was greatly respected, and will be sincerely lamented by the sable soldiers of his late command, with whom he was an especial favorite. He was true and brave, and patriotic in the broadest sense of those terms, and nobly has he sacrificed his life for the honor and integrity of his country.

MAJOR CLINTON H. MENEELY, of General Wadsworth's Staff,—First Division, First Army Corps—writes to his ____ under date of May 7th:-
" Our division was in the advance, and crossed the river in the face of stubborn resistance. Our losses were not heavy, and we routed the rebels in good style. The General, Major Kress and myself crossed with the storming party in boats, not waiting for the bridge. Having got the bridge built, we began to fortify our position, when the rebels commenced to shell us at short range. The noise of the shells was terrible, as they struck would sometimes throw the dust over us, but we were not hit. While getting the boats off, before crossing, a fog settled, during which a fire of musketry was opened on us, showering the balls like hail around us, and, as the shooting was close and all one sided, caused a general "skedaddle." The width of the river was but 103 yards. The alarm was soon over, and standing the fire we crossed over. * * * For ten days I have slept upon the ground, with only a blanket and overcoat for a covering. Though wet and tired and hungry, I got through it and am now well. Our meals were of course irregular. Frequently I would buy a cup of coffee of a private, and one day we had nothing to eat. My horse was about used up. I rode him three days with a shoe off, and whenever I dismouuted he would lie down with his saddle and all on. My clothes are indiscribable— pockets and boots full of mud. * * I cannot tell you how matters stand, but we are surely going ahead again in a day or two - no giving up yet.
But the mail closes. Have been under fire more or less for five days, but am safe and well.
In haste, yours, CLINT.

THE ARREST OF COL. MORRISON OF THE 26TH REGIMENT.—
We find in the Troy Times what purports to be a correct account of the cause of the arrest of Col. Morrison of the 26th N. J. as follows: We have before alluded to a rumor that Col. Morrison was put under arrest after the battle. The statement was true. The General in command of the brigade to which his regiment was attached, entertained ill-will toward him, growing out of a claim upon the part of Morrison's friends that he was entitled to the position. On the morning before the charge recorded was made, the Colonel went to Gen. Howe, commanding the division, and volunteered to storm a battery which was annoying our troops very much, by pitching shells among them—
at the same time remarking that his regiment, being upon the left, was unlikely to have any opportunity for distinguishing itself. The General declined to allow the battery to be taken, but remarked that it was in contemplation to storm the heights, and if this was done, Colonel Morrison's
wish for service should be remembered.
At night, the charge was decided upon, the 26th was one of the three regiments selected from the division to make it—Col. Morrison being upon the right as senior Colonel and leading in the attack. This angered the Brigadier very much, and subsequently, in sending orders to the regiment, he was guilty of the unmilitary act of transmitting them to subordinate officers. Learning of this, Col. Morrison rode up to him, and in plain language stated his opinion of such proceedings. For this, he was put under arrest and subsequently on parole, the charge being "Conduct and language unbecoming an officer."
A member of the 26th writes us that Col. Morrison is idolized by his men; that the prosecution against him is balderdash, and that he is more likely to be made a Brigadier for his splendid service, than cashiered for a natural ebullition of feeling on account of his unwarranted and ungentlemanly treatment.

Back to New York 7th Cavalry during the Civil War