July 31, 1863: After Gettysburg, we followed the 10th NY Cavalry back to Virginia. On the 19th they were in Lovetsville; the 20th in Leesburg; the 21st at Bull Run; the 22nd through Manassas; the 23rd at Catlett's Station; the 24th at Warrenton Junction and finally on the 25th at Bealton. (pg 137 Regimental History)
Unfortunately during this time, we lose track of Addison. In the regimental history, he's listed as a scout and during these two weeks I believe he was ahead of the unit - working alone or with a partner. I have not been able to confirm where he was, or when. All I know is that sometime during the month of July he was captured at Unionville, VA. His unit was no where nearby at the time. The town of Unionville is a tiny one, in the middle of nowhere - east of Fredericksburg, west of Orange. What he was doing there is not known. I speculated his capture in My Dear Emma but was not able to find out the truth.
I do know that he was sent to Belle Isle, in the middle of the James River and there he died - on Oct 3, 1863. He was originally interred there and moved to the Richmond National Cemetery where he lies today. His grave is one of the few with a name on it. I believe it is due to the ID tag that Addison wore, which I know own, and is the basis for all the research and for the book, My Dear Emma, which tells his story, in part.
I don't know for sure how and why Addison was in Unionville, how he was captured, how he died. I only know that I am truly saddened by his death - at the young age of 19, less than one year after he enlisted. Addison, you are not forgotten.
Unfortunately during this time, we lose track of Addison. In the regimental history, he's listed as a scout and during these two weeks I believe he was ahead of the unit - working alone or with a partner. I have not been able to confirm where he was, or when. All I know is that sometime during the month of July he was captured at Unionville, VA. His unit was no where nearby at the time. The town of Unionville is a tiny one, in the middle of nowhere - east of Fredericksburg, west of Orange. What he was doing there is not known. I speculated his capture in My Dear Emma but was not able to find out the truth.
I do know that he was sent to Belle Isle, in the middle of the James River and there he died - on Oct 3, 1863. He was originally interred there and moved to the Richmond National Cemetery where he lies today. His grave is one of the few with a name on it. I believe it is due to the ID tag that Addison wore, which I know own, and is the basis for all the research and for the book, My Dear Emma, which tells his story, in part.
I don't know for sure how and why Addison was in Unionville, how he was captured, how he died. I only know that I am truly saddened by his death - at the young age of 19, less than one year after he enlisted. Addison, you are not forgotten.
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Memorial Day 2012, with the wreath that I placed on his grave. I placed a card in the wreath with Addison's information included, so others would know of him.
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July 18, 1863: The regimental monument, located on Brinkerhoff's Ridge on the Hanover Road in Gettysburg, marks the engagement of the 10th NY Cavalry during the battle. Immediately after the battle, on the evening of July 3rd, the 10th was sent out to picket the section of the country in the immediate front of the Confederate cavalry. They remained on picket until near noon on July 4th when the Third Brigade was started in pursuit of the retreating rebel army. They were also responsible for guarding the prisoners taken during the battle. By July 7th, the regiment reached Quincy, camping during a harsh rain-storm; the 8th they made their way to Waynesboro; to Middletown on the 9th camping late in the evening. Here the regiment remained until the 11th when it moved to Boonesboro. Rain fell on the 12th to the 14th making the roads soft and pliable. They reached Harper's Ferry and crossed a pontoon bridge at 5pm making them the first troops from the Army of the Potomac to reach Virginia soil again, after the Battle of Gettysburg.
July 1-2, 1863: The regiment reached Hanover Junction about noon on the 1st, and then continued toward Gettysburg through clouds of dust and the burning rays of the July sun. The command reached Hanover village at midnight learning that Stuart's cavalry had a severe fight. It was obvious with the leveled fences, and dead men and horses as they commenced their travels at 3am on the 2nd. Reaching the heights three miles east of Gettysburg about noon, the regiment halted and dismounted on the south side of the Hanover Road near the intersection with Low Dutch Road. During the afternoon, there was some skirmish firing between the opposing lines and about six o'clock, Colonel Irvin Gregg ordered about fifty men to dismount and clear the front. A regiment of Confederate cavalry advanced and drove them back. Suddenly a part of the enemy appeared on the top of Brinkerhoff's Ridge where it crosses the Hanover Road - and the gunners put two shells in the midst of them causing the Confederates to fall back under the cover of the ridge. Captain Lownsbury and E. G. Dow of Company K were captured during this fight. (Regimental history, pg 103-111)
June 30, 1863: On June 19 the regiment was involved with fighting at Middleburg. One Corporal from Company A details his fight in the Regimental history. He tells of fierce fighting, and getting shot in the leg, waiting for rescue, having his leg amputated and being sent to Washington where his soldiering time ended. After that fight, the regiment was kept in readiness for action during the night of the 22nd. The march northward commenced on Friday the 26th of June, camping in Keatorsville, MD on the 27th. On the 28th, the group passed through Frederick, MD and continued north. They crossed the Pennsylvania border heading toward Gettysburg. The 10th NY Cavalry would participate in that great battle! (Regimental history, pg 94-103)
June 9 1863: On June 8, camp was broken and a march toward the Rappahannock began. The day was very warm and the rising dust almost stifling. Reaching Kelly's Ford in the evening, the troops went into bivouac on the north side. No fires were permitted. The men had neither coffee nor comfort that night. They knew something was coming. Early in the morning of the 9th, the column under General Gregg crossed Kelly's Ford unobserved by the confederates. Buford's cavalry crossed at Beverly's Ford, farther up the river at the same time. The two cavalry groups met and fought at Brandy Station, where the men of the 10th NY performed very well. The success at Brandy Station gave the cavalry a much-needed morale boost. After the battle, the division moved to Warrenton Junction and on the 11th the cavalry once again was re-organized into two divisions - the First under General John Buford (having 3 brigades) and the Second under General D. McM. Gregg (also having three brigades, the third brigade including the 1st Maine, the 10th NY and the 4th and 16th Pennsylvannia). The Tenth remained in camp near Warrenton Junction until the 15th of June when the cavalry commenced moving northward. (Regimental history, pg 80-94).
May 20, 1863: The past two weeks have been very busy. One highlight was the paymaster's appearance in camp on the 14th. He paid the men back to the first of March. The next day, at sunrise, the regiment rose and by 8am were on the move toward Bealton Station. Picket duty became hazardous as the enemy guerrillas were numerous and murders of Union troops frequent. The command left Bealton Station early in the morning of the 16th and went into bivouac near the Rappahannock about 11am. The next morning camp broke at 8am and the company returned to Bealton. The regiment continued to picket around Liberty, Fayetteville, and on the Sulphur Springs road until Friday, May 29th when it was relieved by the First Maryland Cavalry. (Regimental history, pg 72-80)
May 3, 1863: After breaking camp on the 22nd of April, the Regiment marched to Warrenton Junction and settled down in a cold rain. It rained off and on for the next six days but cleared up on the afternoon of the 28th. The entire command marched at 6pm and bivouacked near Kelly's Ford about 9 that night. The next morning, about 11am the cavalry crossed the Rappahannock River at Kelly's Ford using pontoon bridges made of canvas. So begins what became known as the Stoneman Raid. Because General Stoneman was so delayed in crossing the river, the opposite forces were given time to adjust to his movements. The night of the 29th bivouac was without fires, and the morning of the 30th they moved silently away from the camp at 6am. After crossing the Rapidan River, the 10th marched in the direction of Louisa Court-House, camping at 9pm. A very early start was made the next morning, May 1st. Some skirmishing occurred but nothing significant to impede the march. When town was reached, the cavalry destroyed the railroad and at 4am the 10th charged through the town, meeting the enemy. Company E and James' company, K, were assigned a position just outside of town. Brisk fighting took place. The regiment lost 3 men and three taken prisoner. The troops left Louisa Courthouse at 5pm and arrived at Thompson's Crossroads at 10pm. On May 3rd, command broke camp and moved eastward encamping at 5pm near Hanover when 110 men from the 10th were sent to destroy the railroad bridge. Because the bridge was so strong, and heavily guarded by a force of rebels, the troops tore up the railroad track and burned some warehouses and retired. The next day, the 4th - the 10th NY bivouacked at Thompson's Crossing at 3pm. The Regiment was moving around daily - marching from town to town - men and horses getting little sleep. (Regimental history, pgs 69-72)
Mid April 1863: On April 13th, the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Irvine, moving in columns of four abreast, marched about 20 miles. On the 14th they reached Bealton and the Rappahannock River. They were going to cross the river, but encountered rebels guarding the bridge. It rained hard in the afternoon and the boys "had more gloom than glory" as they settled down for the night. They were back in the saddle the next morning (the 15th) at eight and it was still raining. After moving around a bit, the regiment finally settled into camp in the woods with cold, raw rain still coming down. All the rain meant the river was now a torrent and impossible to cross. The cavalry corps was kept busy, moving around before coming into camp again. The next morning, on the 16th, "a negro came into camp saying his master knew of the cavalry's movements and had gone into Richmond to report the authorities." On the 17th, foraging parties found a great deal of corn. On the 18th, a light mist hung over the camp when the regiment was ordered out. Some cannonading occurred at the river. After marching a short distance, the regiment went into camp again, near Bealton. The count taken on the 19th showed five hundred and ninety-three men and horses. (Regimental history, pg 68).
March and early April 1863: Now that the long winter is coming to an end, the army is getting ready to move again. The cold winter's time was spent on and off picket duty in the area around Camp Bayard. On the 2nd of April, a detail from the 10th went to Falmouth and returned with about 75 new horses. On April 6th bugle blasts woke the men from their quarters. The 2-3" snow of the day before melted sufficiently with the clay to create plenty of mud. At 7am, the division, headed by General Gregg and staff, moved out of camp toward Falmouth where the Army of the Potomac was reviewed by President Lincoln and General Hooker. Returning at 4pm preparations were made to leave Camp Bayard after a stay of nearly four months. "The time passed there and on the Northern Neck, if not always pleasant, had been varied. The hours of yawning and yearning, waiting and wishing, fretting and freezing, had been sandwiched with others full of fun and frolic, shouting and scouting, picket and poker, so that, taken together, the boys of the 10th no doubt felt something of regret at the parting with the old and familiar scenes." (Regimental History, pg 64-67)
January 1863: After the disaster of Fredericksburg, Burnside tried to raise morale by an offensive that has become known as the Mud March. His plan, to outflank Lee's army, involved moving his troops quickly. Up until the march began, the weather had been dry. But as the movements began, the rain started, lasting four days. Pontoon bridges crossing the Rappahannock were also delayed causing a huge traffic jam. The men, horses, cannon all became stuck in the mud. Fortunately for James, his company was not involved with this Mud March. Unfortunately for General Burnside, this would be his last attempt. He was removed as commander of the army on January 25th.
December 1862: Making the camp, known as Camp Bayard in honor of the General so recently killed, began as a forested area with scrub oaks and bushes. But the wielding of axes and the use of the shovel, soon transformed the area into a miniature city. Initially the huts that were built were randomly placed, but as time passed they were arranged and fixed in neat lines. The huts were chinked with the Virginia clay soil. Other than the every-present picket duty, life in Camp Bayard passed with considerable pleasure, as is indicated in the regimental history.
October to December 13, 1862: Addison Beardsley enlisted in August 1862 and his company mustered in on October 29th. They left Oxford NY via canal boats to Binghamton where they caught the train to Elmira and then onto Alexandria, arriving on November 2, 1862. They left Alexandria on December 2 joining the rest of the regiment at Brook's Station. After a stay in Warrenton, VA, they moved on toward Fredericksburg after Burnside replaced McClellan as command of the Army of the Potomac. After only six weeks in the army, Addison and his company would witness the fierce Battle of Fredericksburg, but were lucky enough not to be made to participate.
On the evening of the 10th of December part of the regiment was ordered to the rear of the army for picket and scouting services on the Dumfries Road while the reserve was about a half mile back from the picket-line on a cross-road which led to the Dumfries Road.
Unfortunately though, during the battle on the 13th in the afternoon, their commander, General George D. Bayard was struck by a shell in the leg. He declined amputation and died shortly thereafter.
After the Battle, the regiment moved to the northern part of Stafford County, VA until about the 20th of December. On the 22nd, orders were given to camp near Belle Plain Landing, where they would spend the next three months or so.
At the White Oak Museum in Stafford County, you can visit and see samples of the kinds of huts that were built by the army as they waited out the cold winter months.
July 1-2, 1863: The regiment reached Hanover Junction about noon on the 1st, and then continued toward Gettysburg through clouds of dust and the burning rays of the July sun. The command reached Hanover village at midnight learning that Stuart's cavalry had a severe fight. It was obvious with the leveled fences, and dead men and horses as they commenced their travels at 3am on the 2nd. Reaching the heights three miles east of Gettysburg about noon, the regiment halted and dismounted on the south side of the Hanover Road near the intersection with Low Dutch Road. During the afternoon, there was some skirmish firing between the opposing lines and about six o'clock, Colonel Irvin Gregg ordered about fifty men to dismount and clear the front. A regiment of Confederate cavalry advanced and drove them back. Suddenly a part of the enemy appeared on the top of Brinkerhoff's Ridge where it crosses the Hanover Road - and the gunners put two shells in the midst of them causing the Confederates to fall back under the cover of the ridge. Captain Lownsbury and E. G. Dow of Company K were captured during this fight. (Regimental history, pg 103-111)
June 30, 1863: On June 19 the regiment was involved with fighting at Middleburg. One Corporal from Company A details his fight in the Regimental history. He tells of fierce fighting, and getting shot in the leg, waiting for rescue, having his leg amputated and being sent to Washington where his soldiering time ended. After that fight, the regiment was kept in readiness for action during the night of the 22nd. The march northward commenced on Friday the 26th of June, camping in Keatorsville, MD on the 27th. On the 28th, the group passed through Frederick, MD and continued north. They crossed the Pennsylvania border heading toward Gettysburg. The 10th NY Cavalry would participate in that great battle! (Regimental history, pg 94-103)
June 9 1863: On June 8, camp was broken and a march toward the Rappahannock began. The day was very warm and the rising dust almost stifling. Reaching Kelly's Ford in the evening, the troops went into bivouac on the north side. No fires were permitted. The men had neither coffee nor comfort that night. They knew something was coming. Early in the morning of the 9th, the column under General Gregg crossed Kelly's Ford unobserved by the confederates. Buford's cavalry crossed at Beverly's Ford, farther up the river at the same time. The two cavalry groups met and fought at Brandy Station, where the men of the 10th NY performed very well. The success at Brandy Station gave the cavalry a much-needed morale boost. After the battle, the division moved to Warrenton Junction and on the 11th the cavalry once again was re-organized into two divisions - the First under General John Buford (having 3 brigades) and the Second under General D. McM. Gregg (also having three brigades, the third brigade including the 1st Maine, the 10th NY and the 4th and 16th Pennsylvannia). The Tenth remained in camp near Warrenton Junction until the 15th of June when the cavalry commenced moving northward. (Regimental history, pg 80-94).
May 20, 1863: The past two weeks have been very busy. One highlight was the paymaster's appearance in camp on the 14th. He paid the men back to the first of March. The next day, at sunrise, the regiment rose and by 8am were on the move toward Bealton Station. Picket duty became hazardous as the enemy guerrillas were numerous and murders of Union troops frequent. The command left Bealton Station early in the morning of the 16th and went into bivouac near the Rappahannock about 11am. The next morning camp broke at 8am and the company returned to Bealton. The regiment continued to picket around Liberty, Fayetteville, and on the Sulphur Springs road until Friday, May 29th when it was relieved by the First Maryland Cavalry. (Regimental history, pg 72-80)
May 3, 1863: After breaking camp on the 22nd of April, the Regiment marched to Warrenton Junction and settled down in a cold rain. It rained off and on for the next six days but cleared up on the afternoon of the 28th. The entire command marched at 6pm and bivouacked near Kelly's Ford about 9 that night. The next morning, about 11am the cavalry crossed the Rappahannock River at Kelly's Ford using pontoon bridges made of canvas. So begins what became known as the Stoneman Raid. Because General Stoneman was so delayed in crossing the river, the opposite forces were given time to adjust to his movements. The night of the 29th bivouac was without fires, and the morning of the 30th they moved silently away from the camp at 6am. After crossing the Rapidan River, the 10th marched in the direction of Louisa Court-House, camping at 9pm. A very early start was made the next morning, May 1st. Some skirmishing occurred but nothing significant to impede the march. When town was reached, the cavalry destroyed the railroad and at 4am the 10th charged through the town, meeting the enemy. Company E and James' company, K, were assigned a position just outside of town. Brisk fighting took place. The regiment lost 3 men and three taken prisoner. The troops left Louisa Courthouse at 5pm and arrived at Thompson's Crossroads at 10pm. On May 3rd, command broke camp and moved eastward encamping at 5pm near Hanover when 110 men from the 10th were sent to destroy the railroad bridge. Because the bridge was so strong, and heavily guarded by a force of rebels, the troops tore up the railroad track and burned some warehouses and retired. The next day, the 4th - the 10th NY bivouacked at Thompson's Crossing at 3pm. The Regiment was moving around daily - marching from town to town - men and horses getting little sleep. (Regimental history, pgs 69-72)
Mid April 1863: On April 13th, the regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Irvine, moving in columns of four abreast, marched about 20 miles. On the 14th they reached Bealton and the Rappahannock River. They were going to cross the river, but encountered rebels guarding the bridge. It rained hard in the afternoon and the boys "had more gloom than glory" as they settled down for the night. They were back in the saddle the next morning (the 15th) at eight and it was still raining. After moving around a bit, the regiment finally settled into camp in the woods with cold, raw rain still coming down. All the rain meant the river was now a torrent and impossible to cross. The cavalry corps was kept busy, moving around before coming into camp again. The next morning, on the 16th, "a negro came into camp saying his master knew of the cavalry's movements and had gone into Richmond to report the authorities." On the 17th, foraging parties found a great deal of corn. On the 18th, a light mist hung over the camp when the regiment was ordered out. Some cannonading occurred at the river. After marching a short distance, the regiment went into camp again, near Bealton. The count taken on the 19th showed five hundred and ninety-three men and horses. (Regimental history, pg 68).
March and early April 1863: Now that the long winter is coming to an end, the army is getting ready to move again. The cold winter's time was spent on and off picket duty in the area around Camp Bayard. On the 2nd of April, a detail from the 10th went to Falmouth and returned with about 75 new horses. On April 6th bugle blasts woke the men from their quarters. The 2-3" snow of the day before melted sufficiently with the clay to create plenty of mud. At 7am, the division, headed by General Gregg and staff, moved out of camp toward Falmouth where the Army of the Potomac was reviewed by President Lincoln and General Hooker. Returning at 4pm preparations were made to leave Camp Bayard after a stay of nearly four months. "The time passed there and on the Northern Neck, if not always pleasant, had been varied. The hours of yawning and yearning, waiting and wishing, fretting and freezing, had been sandwiched with others full of fun and frolic, shouting and scouting, picket and poker, so that, taken together, the boys of the 10th no doubt felt something of regret at the parting with the old and familiar scenes." (Regimental History, pg 64-67)
January 1863: After the disaster of Fredericksburg, Burnside tried to raise morale by an offensive that has become known as the Mud March. His plan, to outflank Lee's army, involved moving his troops quickly. Up until the march began, the weather had been dry. But as the movements began, the rain started, lasting four days. Pontoon bridges crossing the Rappahannock were also delayed causing a huge traffic jam. The men, horses, cannon all became stuck in the mud. Fortunately for James, his company was not involved with this Mud March. Unfortunately for General Burnside, this would be his last attempt. He was removed as commander of the army on January 25th.
December 1862: Making the camp, known as Camp Bayard in honor of the General so recently killed, began as a forested area with scrub oaks and bushes. But the wielding of axes and the use of the shovel, soon transformed the area into a miniature city. Initially the huts that were built were randomly placed, but as time passed they were arranged and fixed in neat lines. The huts were chinked with the Virginia clay soil. Other than the every-present picket duty, life in Camp Bayard passed with considerable pleasure, as is indicated in the regimental history.
October to December 13, 1862: Addison Beardsley enlisted in August 1862 and his company mustered in on October 29th. They left Oxford NY via canal boats to Binghamton where they caught the train to Elmira and then onto Alexandria, arriving on November 2, 1862. They left Alexandria on December 2 joining the rest of the regiment at Brook's Station. After a stay in Warrenton, VA, they moved on toward Fredericksburg after Burnside replaced McClellan as command of the Army of the Potomac. After only six weeks in the army, Addison and his company would witness the fierce Battle of Fredericksburg, but were lucky enough not to be made to participate.
On the evening of the 10th of December part of the regiment was ordered to the rear of the army for picket and scouting services on the Dumfries Road while the reserve was about a half mile back from the picket-line on a cross-road which led to the Dumfries Road.
Unfortunately though, during the battle on the 13th in the afternoon, their commander, General George D. Bayard was struck by a shell in the leg. He declined amputation and died shortly thereafter.
After the Battle, the regiment moved to the northern part of Stafford County, VA until about the 20th of December. On the 22nd, orders were given to camp near Belle Plain Landing, where they would spend the next three months or so.
At the White Oak Museum in Stafford County, you can visit and see samples of the kinds of huts that were built by the army as they waited out the cold winter months.
