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53rd Infantry Regiment
New York Volunteers
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.
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New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs: Military History
Last modified:
March 27, 2006
URL: http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/53rdInf/53rdInfCWN.htm
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