Episode 24: SGT Charles Augustus Fuller and the 61st New York at the Battle of Glendale
Jun 12, 2024
William Coghlan
At the Battle of Glendale, the evening of 30 June 1862, SGT Charles Augustus Fuller and the 61st New York advance at the head of their brigade north of the Long Bridge Road. As night descends on their position, an unfamiliar voice asks the 61st New York to identify themselves.
“Consolidation of Regiments. Organization of the Sixty-First New York Volunteers.” New York Herald, October 29, 1861. Chronicling America, Library of Congress.
“The Army of the Potomac: Our Camp Correspondence.” New York Herald. November 19, 1861. Chronicling America, Library of Congress.
“Charles A. Fuller” New York Herald. October 28, 1916. Newspapers.com.
At the Battle of Glendale, the evening of 30 June 1862, SGT Charles Augustus Fuller and the 61st New York advance at the head of their brigade north of the Long Bridge Road. As night descends on their position, an unfamiliar voice asks the 61st New York to identify themselves.
“Consolidation of Regiments. Organization of the Sixty-First New York Volunteers.” New York Herald, October 29, 1861. Chronicling America, Library of Congress.
“The Army of the Potomac: Our Camp Correspondence.” New York Herald. November 19, 1861. Chronicling America, Library of Congress.
“Charles A. Fuller” New York Herald. October 28, 1916. Newspapers.com.
Hello. My name is bill Conklin. And welcome to first person civil war podcast. Which retails the stories of the soldiers and officers. On the ground in the battles of the civil war. Episode 24 is entitled. Sergeant Charles Augustus fuller and the 61st New York at the battle of Glendale and relies on his book. Personal recollections of the war of 1861. As private Sergeant and the Lieutenant in the 61st regiment, New York volunteer infantry. In March of 1861. Charles Augustus fuller was in Cleveland, Ohio. Studying to be a lawyer. But the firing on Fort Sumter saw drastic change in his immediate future. Rather than traveling back to New York, Charles Fuller attempted to enlist in the Cleveland graze. A company that would form in the three month, first Ohio infantry. But he was denied because he had an issue with his eyes. Charles Fuller lived in Sherburn, which is in upstate New York. And he discovered that an infantry company was forming in that area. After president Lincoln made a call for additional troops. Rather than staying to volunteer in Ohio. He boarded a train and traveled home. Charles Fuller eventually arrived at Sherburn where he enlisted in the army as a Sergeant. On nine, September, 1861. He along with four other men departed their hometown on 16, September, 1861. To the neighboring town of Hamilton. Where a company formed with men from the surrounding area. Sergeant fuller commented that all five men who left that day would eventually be discharged due to wounds before the war ended. This new company received orders to travel to Fort Wadsworth. On Staten island, where it was assigned to the Clinton guard as company C, which was a regiment that was yet to organize. The regiment received the nickname of the Clinton guard from their commander, Colonel Spencer w cone. But Sergeant fuller never found out the reasoning behind the name. While the regiment drilled in camp, there was an incident that resulted in a few hundred men. To leave its ranks. Though Sergeant fuller never knew the exact details. Uh, Lieutenant Colonel Manning. And a major Lynch had a disagreement with Colonel cone. Eventually the officer's voted Colonel cone out of the regiment and he was forcibly removed from the camp. Colonel Cohn eventually returned a few days later with the authority to take command of the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Manning major Lynch and approximately 200 men deserted the regiment. Sergeant fuller believes this desertion represented the highest instance of loss within the regiment. When ordered to the seat of war, I think there were not much above 700 men. And the regiment never saw the time when it had full ranks. That fact alone accounts for it's not being in the list of those that lost 200 in battle. I believe the number killed in action or who died in a short time from battle wounds. Was 193. Though this incident is not reflected in newspaper articles. There is a possible explanation for this disagreement. The Clinton guard with eight companies and the Astor regiment, only two companies. Received orders to combine and form a regiment. That was most likely the crux of the issue. Both formations received orders from Albany, the state capital. On 25, October, 1861. To merge and form the 61st New York. Which had completed on 26 October. While this incident had the potential for local newspapers to catch wind of it and produce articles. It never became well-known outside of the 61st New York. And it's 29 October issue. The New York Herald shows Colonel Cohn as the commander with Manning and Lynch as subordinates. But by their 19 November issue. In discussing the 61st New York breaking camp on nine November to travel to Washington DC. Colonel Cohn's subordinates are Lieutenant Colonel Barlow. And major Massett. So the disagreement and subsequent sacking of those subordinates happened during this time. The 61st New York arrived in Washington, DC. By the evening of 10, November, 1861. And remained in the vicinity of the Capitol where the army of the Potomac formed. During that spring, the regiment received a new commander, Colonel Francis C Barlow. By early may, 1862 Sergeant fuller and his regiment boarded ships, along with the rest of the army. Uh, bound for service in the peninsula campaign. And disembarked on 12 may at shipping point. The 61st New York saw its first combat at the battle of Yorktown. And by the seven days battles, it was assigned to Brigadier general, John C Caldwell's first brigade. In Brigadier general Israel, B Richardson's first division. In Brigadier general, Edwin V Sumner's second Corps in the army of the Potomac commanded by major general, George B McClellan. From may to June the army of the Potomac advanced upon Richmond, it was approaching the outskirts of the city when the army of Northern Virginia's new commander. General Robert E. Lee. Launched a series of attacks beginning on 25 June. To push the army of the Potomac away from Richmond. Sergeant fuller. And the 61st New York did not enter the fighting outside of Richmond until 29 June at the battle of savages station. But did not see much action. The only loss we sustained here was from the enemies artillery. They're advanced with stayed sufficiently for our retreating, troops and trains to get by then our core fell back to Savage station. Where we, again, formed line of battle in a way, did the approach of the enemy. Before a dark, uh, determined attack was made. It was handsomely repulsed. That night, the regiment retreated along with the rest of the second core to an area around Glendale, a small village situated around the Charles city crossroads. And in the vicinity of Frazier's farm. The next day, 30, June, 1862. Major general long streets and major general AP Hills divisions. Assaulted the second and elements of other cores around the Glendale. During most of the day, Sergeant fuller in the 61st New York were held in reserve as major general, long streets, division attacked. In the late afternoon and nearing dusk with the 61st New York and the lead. They're brigade were sent into the fight as major general AP Hills division attacked along the long bridge road. And north of it. The regiment entered the woods on the double quick. The road was arched overhead by the meeting of the outstretching limbs. As darkness was coming on, it looked like entering a tunnel. Men singly and in squads were making their way to the rear. Some sound and whole. But many with wounds. As we met these men, we were greeted with statements, prophecy and advice. I remember hearing. This is a tough one. You'll catch hell. If you go in there. You'd better dump those. Knapsacks you'll not want them at the front. The men that Sergeant fuller passed on the side of the road, where most likely from Brigadier general, John C Robinson's brigade from the third core. And Brigadier general George w Taylor's brigade from the sixth core. This latter brigade have for several hours, fought for possession of an abandoned union battery. Throughout the day. These artillery pieces changed hands several times. And as evening progressed the newest Confederate brigade to contest this battery where the Virginia regiments under Brigadier general, Charles w field. Sergeant fuller and the 61st New York. Continued to March toward the fight. The darkness continued to descend around Glendale. The fighting did not stop. The further we advanced the clear, came the sound of battle. And we were thus pressing on. I well remember captain Spencer saying, as he grimly said his teeth. Men, we will sell our lives as dearly as possible. I believe every man of us regarded it as a desperate adventure. Just before reaching the open field, we turned off to the right and came in on the right-hand side of the field. And laid down behind the rail fence. Sergeant fuller saw someone converse with Colonel Barlow in this position. He believes it was Brigadier general Kearney, their division commander. An order the 61st New York to hold their position. The regimen advanced to the edge of an open field. It was again, ordered to lie down. Shortly after this was executed, a voice came out of the woods in front of us. And very nearby. It was too dark to see anything. But our ears took in every word of the question asked. What regiment is that? At once an Irishman replied. 61st, New York. Then came the command. Lay down your arms or I will blow every one of you to hell. That sentence was scarcely out of his mouth. When Barlow roared. Up and at the men. The command was instantly obeyed. We got in the first volley and it was doubtless effective. According to Sergeant fuller, this single regiment fell back to a distance of a few rods. One rod being 16 and a half feet. And exchange fire with the 61st New York. Our fire was at once returned. As soon as our empty muskets could be loaded. The men would take a quick game at a flash in the woods and let drive. The enemy did the same. And no battle that I was in. Did the bullets sing about my head as they did here? No doubt. This came from the AME drawn on the flash of my musket. This steady, rapid firing continued till it's ceased from the woods. And we concluded that we were the victors. During this initial engagement, Colonel Barlow made a request for reinforcements and after some time, They arrived. Having succeeded in communicating with general Caldwell. He sent us the 81st regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. Which formed in front of us and open fire vigorously upon the enemy. Though this regiment arrived on the field to assist the 61st New York. Sergeant fuller and others could not initially see whether they were union or Confederate. Presently my attention was called to the fact that there was a fresh lining up of men where we had just fought. It was not so dark that the outline of a body of men could be distinguished in the open. At once the firing from both sides was resumed as brisk as ever. Later on. I learned that a part of the. 81st Pennsylvania had come to our aid. The regiment that ran into the 61st New York on that night at the battle of Glendale was most likely the 40th, Virginia. Commanded by Colonel John M Brocken bro. Receiving orders to follow on and engage the enemies. Right. We proceeded to the position indicated and engaged alone. A vastly superior force of the enemy. About night arose, allowed hallowing and cheering on the enemy's left and a cessation of the firing in that direction. Which induced us to believe the contests have been decided. Being in doubt as to the result. We continued the engagement. In the meantime, the enemy who had been deceived by the cheering on their left and within their lines. Charged in force upon us. We poured several murderous fires into them, which check their advance. And though within 20 feet of us, caused them to retire to their original position. We sustained a loss of 180 killed and wounded. Being about one half of the effective force of the regiment. Brigadier general Charles w field. Therapy brigade commander. Provides more insight on what happened to the 40th Virginia that night. It was late on the evening of the 30th when I was notified to move upon the field of battle as soon as possible. Putting the column into motion at the devil quick, we were soon upon the theater of action. And then he continues. It is proper to state that the 40th, Virginia Colonel Brock and bro. Forming my extreme left became detached on account of the inequalities of the ground and was not under my eye. The Colonel reports, however, meeting with an overwhelming force. And his heavy loss. My brigade held that part of the battlefield. Until relieved late at night by some fresh troops. Sergeant fuller and the 61st New York. We're successful when repelling the Confederates to their immediate front. But the battle of Charles city crossroads, as they called it for a time. Also known as Glendale and Frazier's farm. Was inconclusive. The army of the Potomac retreated to Malvern hill and eventually back down the peninsula to Yorktown. Where they eventually departed for Washington DC. Charles Augustus fuller remained in the 61st New York through 1862. In January, 1863, he received a promotion to second Lieutenant. And on to July, 1863, he was wounded in the leg at the battle of Gettysburg, which required amputation and ended his time in the army. Charles Augustus fuller returned to Sherburn New York and became a politician after the war. He served as an assemblyman and was a delegate to the 1894 New York state constitutional convention. In 1906, he wrote personal recollections of the war of 1861 as private Sergeant and Lieutenant. And the 61st regiment, New York volunteer infantry. Which served as the source for this episode. As the purpose of his book recounted only his time in the 61st New York. It is not a complete history of the regiment. It continued service in the army of the Potomac to APPA Maddix courthouse. Charles Fuller, firmly believed in the need for a standing army. But he also felt like the treatment of soldiers in some parts of the country was lacking. If I had a son. 18 years of age, I would not feel bad to see him enrolled for three years enlistment in the United States, army or Navy. The wearer of the uniform. I ought to be honored by the people. And accorded as broad a place in society as if he were a member of what is termed. One of the learned professions. The treatment accorded our soldiers and sailors by some rich ill bred snobs in this country. Is to their lasting disgrace. And it is. to be hoped that such stupid idiots may live to see the day when they will bitterly repent their full actions. Thank you for listening to the 24th episode. The link to Sergeant Fuller's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. This week, you will find a picture of Charles Fuller. in his latter years. Accessibility to the podcast has expanded over the past week. As it is now available on YouTube. So if there's someone, you know, that doesn't have a podcasting app, Tell them to search first person civil war podcast. And they can listen to it on YouTube. Private William E Bevins of company G first Arkansas provides next week's first person account. At the battle. Of Ringgold gap. My name is bill Caughlin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.
