To All Members:
It was raining cats and dogs (Lions and Great Danes) when my son JJ and I left the house for NYC Friday morning and as we got farther north it turned to sleet and snow but we went slow and made it into the city. We found a vacant garage, parked the car and walked the two blocks to the 69th Armory. While waiting for the never ending elevator in waiting, Ed Maske found us and introduced us to the Major who was in charge of quartering all the re-enacting troops. The elevator finally arrived, opened and we went up to our room on the fifth floor. The room was a good size with cots all around the walls. There was a small low stage in the room where my cot was. We found out later that the room we were in was made into a chapel, one of two in the armory, so the stage was built to raise the reverend up higher so all could see. Staying in the room was Ed Maske, Bob Costello, Rich Laddusire, My son JJ and myself. Allan Hordof was a few block away staying in a hotel which became our holding depot for our weapons. Ed, Bob, Rich, JJ and myself walked the few blocks where Allan was staying left our weapons there for safe keeping and then we all departed for Mcsorley's Ale House for lunch by cab. We sat at the same table that was used by the 3rd when Jake was still alive. It was a miracle that the table was still open and we attributed that to Jake. The food and friendship was great as well as the atmosphere and to top it all off a bag piper came into the ale house and played. You could not ask for anything better. When lunch was finished we departed for our walking tour in spite of the weather. We started with The Cooper Union Institute, a block away, and stood at the podium where Lincoln gave his speech. In the room was a great Lincoln portrait and as expected we took many pictures with that portrait. A big thanks must go to Allan Hordof who arranged that visit and to his friend Steve who was our own personal guide. We next left for Old St. Patrick's Church. When we arrived Ed made a call to announce we had made it and before long an Polish gentleman showed up who would be our guide. The church was beautiful to say the least and full of history. A mass was given there after the battle of Fredericksburg for all those Irish Brigade members who had fallen and Bob Costello talked about a re-enactment he attended to commemorate that event. What was most interesting is when we went below to where the crypts were. The last crypt we were shown was that of a General Eckert. He was made a General after the war but what was most fascinating was that he was Lincoln's personal body guard. Now how great is that. After the crypt visit we said our good byes and departed for city hall. Along the way we stopped at one of the last tenements in NYC (located in China Town) to see the conditions the Irish lived in and the original Five Points. It was something else. We finally reached city hall and were let in, even with out final confirmation. The people at city hall were great. Inside we proceeded up the stairs to where Lincoln's body was laid out for review by the mourners. Ed had made copies of how city hall was draped in mourning and of the placement of the coffin. We associated the picture with the surroundings, then Bob read Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address after which we said some words, saluted and departed to head back to the armory. Once back again we met Judi Cox who had arrived, went to the officer's club and stayed for awhile before dinner. We all walked the few blocks to McCormick's Restaurant. The food was great, the conversation warm and friendly and it can be said that a good time was had by all. After dinner we walked back to the armory and finished the night in the officer's club before retiring.
Judi and I got up early (I was up at 4:00 A.M. and Judi was up at 5:00 A.M.) to help feed the 69th troops, as well as others, who were marching in the parade. I had the Irish soda bread station and Judi had the coffee station. When our duty was complete we went back to get ready for the parade. During this time Nora Kenney and Jeff Eidson arrived and ready to march. The re-enactors assembled at 11:30 A.M. Originally registered were enough troops for seven good sized companies but the weather took its toll. The amount was reduced to almost half. The 3rd had 6 military and 3 civilian accounted for. The 9 additional troops from the 116th Pennsylvania could not get to their bus on Friday and had to cancel as well as others from the 3rd. But we fell in with the 61st and 67th NY and thanks to the efforts of our own Surgeon, Allan Hordof, I was made commander of the combined company of the 3rd NJ, 61st and 67th NY who needed an officer. While we were waiting Kevin and Tim Shanahan, who had to turn back home on Friday, arrived and later at the staging point at 47th Street, Hugh and Joey Brennan arrived which gave our company a total of 20 rifles. Unfortunately for our First Sergeant Chris Heran his car spun off the road Saturday morning and had to wait an hour and half before he could be towed but both he and his car are doing fine. Before departing the armory we gave a salute to the troops of the 69th who were returning from the parade. The VMI bagpipers were on the steps playing Gary Owen as they marched up the steps an into the armory. Our group then headed for the subway and with a grand Hurrah stepped into the train which took us to our rally point, 47th street. We arrived at 1:50 P.M. We stacked arms then waited for about 40 minutes after which we were called to assembly to begin our march up 5th Avenue. During our wait Kevin Shanahan was given the honor of carrying the 69th Guidon which he did in the finest traditions. The avenue was as if it never snowed. The NYC Sanitation Department deserves a lot of credit. We marched up the avenue stopping at St. Patrick's where the Cardinal blessed the flags. The march gave one both a rush and chills with all the applause and cheering. We all finished the march, went back to the armory, by subway again, said our good byes and departed for home.
Many thanks must be given to both Ed Maske and Allan Hordof for setting up the tour and making it successful in spite of the weather. Ed was our navigator through the tour which he did successfully and both Ed and Allan were a wealth of information explaining what we were seeing. I salute them both and give them 3 cheers. The best way I can sum up this event is that "It was a Grand Day Indeed!
Jim Pepe, Captain
Commanding
Company A, 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
It was raining cats and dogs (Lions and Great Danes) when my son JJ and I left the house for NYC Friday morning and as we got farther north it turned to sleet and snow but we went slow and made it into the city. We found a vacant garage, parked the car and walked the two blocks to the 69th Armory. While waiting for the never ending elevator in waiting, Ed Maske found us and introduced us to the Major who was in charge of quartering all the re-enacting troops. The elevator finally arrived, opened and we went up to our room on the fifth floor. The room was a good size with cots all around the walls. There was a small low stage in the room where my cot was. We found out later that the room we were in was made into a chapel, one of two in the armory, so the stage was built to raise the reverend up higher so all could see. Staying in the room was Ed Maske, Bob Costello, Rich Laddusire, My son JJ and myself. Allan Hordof was a few block away staying in a hotel which became our holding depot for our weapons. Ed, Bob, Rich, JJ and myself walked the few blocks where Allan was staying left our weapons there for safe keeping and then we all departed for Mcsorley's Ale House for lunch by cab. We sat at the same table that was used by the 3rd when Jake was still alive. It was a miracle that the table was still open and we attributed that to Jake. The food and friendship was great as well as the atmosphere and to top it all off a bag piper came into the ale house and played. You could not ask for anything better. When lunch was finished we departed for our walking tour in spite of the weather. We started with The Cooper Union Institute, a block away, and stood at the podium where Lincoln gave his speech. In the room was a great Lincoln portrait and as expected we took many pictures with that portrait. A big thanks must go to Allan Hordof who arranged that visit and to his friend Steve who was our own personal guide. We next left for Old St. Patrick's Church. When we arrived Ed made a call to announce we had made it and before long an Polish gentleman showed up who would be our guide. The church was beautiful to say the least and full of history. A mass was given there after the battle of Fredericksburg for all those Irish Brigade members who had fallen and Bob Costello talked about a re-enactment he attended to commemorate that event. What was most interesting is when we went below to where the crypts were. The last crypt we were shown was that of a General Eckert. He was made a General after the war but what was most fascinating was that he was Lincoln's personal body guard. Now how great is that. After the crypt visit we said our good byes and departed for city hall. Along the way we stopped at one of the last tenements in NYC (located in China Town) to see the conditions the Irish lived in and the original Five Points. It was something else. We finally reached city hall and were let in, even with out final confirmation. The people at city hall were great. Inside we proceeded up the stairs to where Lincoln's body was laid out for review by the mourners. Ed had made copies of how city hall was draped in mourning and of the placement of the coffin. We associated the picture with the surroundings, then Bob read Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address after which we said some words, saluted and departed to head back to the armory. Once back again we met Judi Cox who had arrived, went to the officer's club and stayed for awhile before dinner. We all walked the few blocks to McCormick's Restaurant. The food was great, the conversation warm and friendly and it can be said that a good time was had by all. After dinner we walked back to the armory and finished the night in the officer's club before retiring.
Judi and I got up early (I was up at 4:00 A.M. and Judi was up at 5:00 A.M.) to help feed the 69th troops, as well as others, who were marching in the parade. I had the Irish soda bread station and Judi had the coffee station. When our duty was complete we went back to get ready for the parade. During this time Nora Kenney and Jeff Eidson arrived and ready to march. The re-enactors assembled at 11:30 A.M. Originally registered were enough troops for seven good sized companies but the weather took its toll. The amount was reduced to almost half. The 3rd had 6 military and 3 civilian accounted for. The 9 additional troops from the 116th Pennsylvania could not get to their bus on Friday and had to cancel as well as others from the 3rd. But we fell in with the 61st and 67th NY and thanks to the efforts of our own Surgeon, Allan Hordof, I was made commander of the combined company of the 3rd NJ, 61st and 67th NY who needed an officer. While we were waiting Kevin and Tim Shanahan, who had to turn back home on Friday, arrived and later at the staging point at 47th Street, Hugh and Joey Brennan arrived which gave our company a total of 20 rifles. Unfortunately for our First Sergeant Chris Heran his car spun off the road Saturday morning and had to wait an hour and half before he could be towed but both he and his car are doing fine. Before departing the armory we gave a salute to the troops of the 69th who were returning from the parade. The VMI bagpipers were on the steps playing Gary Owen as they marched up the steps an into the armory. Our group then headed for the subway and with a grand Hurrah stepped into the train which took us to our rally point, 47th street. We arrived at 1:50 P.M. We stacked arms then waited for about 40 minutes after which we were called to assembly to begin our march up 5th Avenue. During our wait Kevin Shanahan was given the honor of carrying the 69th Guidon which he did in the finest traditions. The avenue was as if it never snowed. The NYC Sanitation Department deserves a lot of credit. We marched up the avenue stopping at St. Patrick's where the Cardinal blessed the flags. The march gave one both a rush and chills with all the applause and cheering. We all finished the march, went back to the armory, by subway again, said our good byes and departed for home.
Many thanks must be given to both Ed Maske and Allan Hordof for setting up the tour and making it successful in spite of the weather. Ed was our navigator through the tour which he did successfully and both Ed and Allan were a wealth of information explaining what we were seeing. I salute them both and give them 3 cheers. The best way I can sum up this event is that "It was a Grand Day Indeed!
Jim Pepe, Captain
Commanding
Company A, 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry