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28th New York Infantry Regiment

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28th New York at Cedar Mountain

Along with Crawfords Brigade, the 28th New York was involved in the battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9th, 1862. At the time it was regarded as being one of the great battles of the war and one which would long be remembered. Hindsight has shown that this battle was just a taste of the bloodshed which would engulf the United States for the next two and a half years and it has fallen into the shadow of battles with names such as Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, The Wilderness and Cold Harbor.

This battle was fought at a time when the Union still regarded their southern rival to be inferior soldiers and, despite being outnumbered, Crawfords Brigade was ordered to advance unsupported against the majority of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jacksons Division. The initial attack was successful and Crawford broke two Confederate brigades, however while Jackson brought in new brigades, Crawford received no additional support and, flanked on both sides, was forced to withdraw losing over 55% of the entire Brigade strength.

Of the men present on the field, the 28th New York themselves lost 58% including every officer who took the field and the complete loss of the Color Guard and regimental colors. It was a loss which would require a complete regimental reorganisation in October 1862.

Some time after the battle, and despite this great loss of manpower and defeat in the battle, the following poem was written to honor the activities of the 28th New York on the field that day.

The 28th Regiment

N.Y. Vols., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 12th Army Corps.

At the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9th, 1862.

Summer sun was shining brightly, In the Old Dominion State, Where encamped, near Cedar Mountain, Was the gallant Twenty-Eighth.

Brave and true, these friends and neighbors Who have heard their country’s call; Donned the Blue and Southward hastened, To avenge Fort Sumter’s fall.

Nearly two years since they left us:- Oft’ they’ve battled to maintain Liberty, and law, and justice, In this rich and broad domain.

They have forded many rivers; Often marched both day and night Through the valleys and the forests; Oft’ have scaled the mountain’s height.

Near the Rapidan they bivouac; And their white tents quickly rise On the hillside, in the valley, ‘Neath the blue of summer skies.

Look within the tented houses, See our soldiers resting there; Some are laughing, some are talking, Others thoughtful faces wear.

Do the thoughtful think of loved ones Far away from scenes of war, Where the north lakes, as they journey, O’er Niagara’s ramparts pour?

Where in days agone, the Indians Gave the fairest of their band, The appease the “wrathful spirit,’ In the far-off hunting land?

See the dust-cloud, down the valley! ‘Tis a horseman bringing word That beyond fair Cedar Mountain Swiftly march the rebel horde.

At the news rings out the order: “Twenty-Eighth will fall in line!” Sternly marched our blue-clad heroes, And they made that march sublime.

In the van rides dauntless Donnelly, On his charger, fleet and stout. While near by in martial bearing, Comes the brave lamented Sprout.

There is Cook, the favorite Major, With an eye for all around; To the left, quite calm, and fearless, Is the tall Commanding Brown.

Just behind are Ames and Warren, Walking firmly side by side; Young soldier, rough and ready, Is “Bill” Bush, a hero tried.

Thus they marched, a sturdy column, Till the foe appears in sight, At the foot of Cedar Mountain Now begins the dreadful fight.

Whizzing through the air, the bullets Strew the slain upon the ground. Deadly rifle, roaring cannon, Send a mist of smoke around.

Hand to hand the conflict rages, Foe meets foe, in mortal strife, And the herbage ‘round is sprinkled With the gore of human life.

Now the Stars and Stripes are waving, Now they’re trampled in the dust; “Rally, soldiers, save the colors! In the God of Battles trust.”

Through the woods and o’er the wheatfield Charge our boys, ‘mid iron hail, Wav’ring now, now falling backwards, And their leader’s cheek turns pale.

Smoke begrimed, in hasty accents Donnelly spoke these words to Brown: “Would to God that banks would hurry, Or the sun would soon go down.

“For our right has fallen backwards, And the left is giving ‘way, While on us within the center Hangs the fortune of the day.”

As he speaks, on panting charger, Comes the brave, intrepid Banks; General Williams shouted “Onward!” And they broke the rebel ranks.

But the tide of fortune turning, Quick the foe regains his ground; Bush and Ames are each a prisoner, And a ball strikes gallant Brown.

Sprout is dying; Warren’s wounded; Cook at length is forced to yield; And our schoolmate, brave young Williams, Mangled lies upon the field.

Colonel Donnelly, dashing forward, Soon regains the ground that’s lost; But a shout from rebel foemen Tells at what a fearful cost.

For, as he was pressing onward, Quickly came the deadly ball; “We’ll avenge you,” cried the soldiers As they saw their leader fall.

Now a scene of wild confusion Wilder grows, as grows the strife; At the foot of Cedar Mountain, “Blue” and “Gray” gave life for life.

On still press each moving column, To the beating of the drum; High above the din of battle Comes the shout: “They run! They run!”

“Who runs?” falters dying Donnelly, As his life blood ebbs away; “’Tis the rebels” shouts a soldier, “We have gained the hard-fought day.”

“All is well; I die contented,” Speaks he to soldiers near; And, with measured tread, they bear him Slowly backward to the rear.

Soon the friendly night advances, And in darkness ends the fight, Wraps her mantle ‘round the wounded, Hides from view the ghastly sight.

Back to camp returned the soldiers, But, from out their goodly band, Many a brave boy had departed, To the “brighter, better land.”

Long their names will live in story, Written by the hand of time, How they fought and bled for country, In that sultry Southern Clime.

Charles H. Squires