1866.]

COL. HARDENBURGH'S ADDRESS.

557

strict attention to duty you have ever evinced in your different relations to the regiment. Whatever my shortcomings may have been (and I know they have not been few), I have the satisfaction to know that I have endeavored to do my duty.'

"The name and reputation of the Twentieth, have ever been most dear to me, and during my connection with it, I have endeavored to keep constantly in view its interest and honor.

"I exceedingly regret that the regiment could not have gone home as an organization and been finally discharged at its original rendezvous. There is nothing I more greatly desired, or that would have afforded me greater pleasure, and I am sure this is the feeling of a very large majority of the regiment. But on account of the want of proper accommodation there for the men, at this season, during the time they would necessarily have to be detained, before receiving their final pay and discharges, the matter was deemed unadvisable and impracticable. It was supposed that at this place, which had been used so long as one of the regularly established depots for recruits and regiments to be mustered out, we would find everything which the season and climate rendered necessary, under the circumstances, for your health and comfort. But I regret to say that we have been most sadly disappointed. If I could have forseen the shameful and disgraceful state of things here, I certainly would have used every effort in my power to have had the regiment ordered to Kingston; for however we might have fared there, we certainly could not have fared worse than we have here.

"I regret the more that we could not have gone home as a regiment, because I know it would have afforded the friends of the regiment great pleasure to have extended to it a most cordial welcome. They have had in course of preparation for some time a new color, which it was intended to have presented to the regiment

upon its arrival in New York. Colonel Gates came down for that purpose last Tuesday, but upon his ar rival here he found that it was not finished, and so the presentation had to be deferred to some future time. It is now proposed by the citizens of Kingston, as a testimonial of the honor and esteem with which they have ever regarded the 'Old Twentieth,' to give an entertainment to the members of the regiment on the 22d of February next, and at that time to present the colors, and I am requested to give a cordial invitation to every member of the regiment on that occasion. I hope that all who can possibly do so will be present in their proper uniform.

"One word more and I am done. You are now about to quit the military service and return once more to the quiet walks of civil life. You belong to a regiment which has achieved a name and reputation which will go down through all coming time, and which you and those who may come after you will hereafter contemplate with pride and satisfaction. As you have been good and efficient soldiers, so I know you will be good and exemplary citizens, ever remembering that your duties as citizens are no less important.

'Peace hath her victories,

No less renowned than war.'

"I hope you may long live to enjoy, through uninterrupted peace and prosperity, the rewards you have so richly earned, and that the choicest blessings of Heaven may ever abide with you and yours.

"And now, comrades, it only remains for me to pronounce the parting word-Farewell."

February 22.-Pursuant to previous notice, the regiment assembled to receive the flag which had been obtained for them by the citizens of Kingston. The fol

1866.]

FLAG PRESENTATION AT KINGSTON.

559

lowing extract from one of the village newspapers narrates the circumstances incident thereto :

"On the 22d inst., the ceremonies attendant upon the presentation of a regimental flag to the Twentieth N.Y.S.M., took place at the armory in this village. A large number of citizens and soldiers were present. Major Von Beck, of Rondout, was called to the chair. That veteran vocalist, Mr. Bernard Covert, was then introduced and sang an appropriate patriotic song. The presentation speech was made by H. H. Reynolds, Esq., of this village. [It may be found in Appendix C.]

"The color is of blue silk, with the State arms beautifully embroidered in the centre. Over these, and likewise embroidered, are the words 'Ulster Guard,' Twentieth N. Y. S. M., and worked upon the colors, in different positions, is the following regimental record: 'Washington, April, 1861; Beverly Ford, August 21, 1862; Warrenton Springs, August 27, 1862; Gainesville, August 28, 1862; Groveton, August 29, 1862; Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862; Chantilly, September 1, 1862; South Mountain, September 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, December 12 to 15, 1862; Gettysburg, July 1 to 4, 1863; Petersburg, April 1 to 3, 1865; Richmond, April, 1865.'

"After the services were concluded, the soldiers were invited to the upper room of the armory, where a most bounteous collation was spread, and the tables were attended by fair women who gave our brave boys a cordial welcome and a luxuriant repast. The entire affair was a most gratifying success.

"On the evening of the same day the officers of the regiment held a meeting at Brown's Hotel, in the village of Kingston, at which it was unanimously resolved that the regiment should be immediately reorganized under the National Guard law of this State; and designating, on motion of Colonel Hardenburgh, as their choice for

commandant, Colonel T. B. Gates. It was further resolved that Colonel J. B. Hardenburgh, Major W. A. Van Rensselaer, Captain J. M. Schoonmaker, and Lieutenant Geo. North, Jr., be appointed a committee to assist Colonel Gates in reorganizing the regiment."

E

B.

COMPLETE ROSTER

OF

THE TWENTIETH REGIMENT, N.Y.S.M.

FROM SEPTEMBER, 1861, TO JANUARY, 1866.

Total number of Officers, ninety-six; of whom thirty-five were promoted from the ranks.

Seven Officers were killed in battle, and thirty-one wounded.

Four were promoted to higher grades in other regiments.

Eleven were discharged on account of disability resulting from wounds or sickness.

Thirty-three were mustered out by reason of resignation or expiration of terms, and six dismissed.

NOTE. - The muster-out of C. D. Westbrook, Captain of Engineers, and of the two officers whose names immediately succeed his, was on the ground that the regiment was not entitled to such officers.