The Forty-third regiment United States Colored Troops

by Jeremiah Marion Mickley

BREVET COL. H. SEYMOUR HALL.

Brevet Colonel H. Seymour Hall, formerly Lieutenant Colonel of this Regiment, and a native of Providence, Saratoga county New York, is the only son of a very patriotic widow. His grand-father, Moses Hall, was a soldier of the Revolution of 1776, and served his country during the entire period of that eventful struggle. The Colonel was pursuing a Scientific course in Genesee College, New York, when the intelligence of the Rebel guns against Sumpter was communicated to the North. With others of his collegiate companions he immediately tendered his services to the Country, and was enlisted April 24th, 1861, as a volunteer Private in Co. G. 27th Regiment New York Volunteers, which Regiment was first commanded by Colonel, now Major General Slocum, whose successor in the command was Lieutenant Colonel, now Major General J. J. Bartlett. Upon the organization of the Company he was chosen Ensign. He afterwards was appointed Second Lieutenant, and then promoted to Captain.

In the battle of Gaines' Hill, June 27th, 1862, he received a wound in his left thigh by a musket ball. On account of his distinguished services in that engagement he is specially spoken of by the commanding officer of his Brigade, who in submitting names of officers whose good conduct and gallantry, particularly in that action, deserved mention, states: "H. Seymour Hall, Captain of Co. G. 27th New York Volunteers, for coolness and intrepidity in the battle of Gaines' Hill; and for displaying the traits of a good officer at all times."

January 15th, 1863, he became Acting Assistant Inspector General on the staff of Brigadier General Bartlett, commanding 2nd Brigade 1st Division 6th Corps; and for his services in the battles of Chancellorsville and Salem Heights, May 3d and 4th ensuing, he is honorably mentioned in the report by that General commanding, who states: "during the campaigns I received the most efficient aid from Captain H. Seymour Hall, Acting Assistant Inspector General. He was brave, energetic and untiring in his endeavors to promote the efficiency of my command."

Upon the expiration of term of service of his Regiment he was formerly mustered-out, but immediately re-commissioned Captain in the 121st New York Volunteers, and continued on the staff as before. When Colonel Upton became General Bartlett's successor in command of the Brigade, he was placed on his staff. He is highly complimented in the report by this latter officer of his command in the battle of Rappahannock Station, November 7th, 1863. "From my own staff I received, in every instance, prompt and gallant assistance, and to their united efforts may be attributed, in a great measure, the promptness with which both regiments re-formed inside the works. Captain H. Seymour Hall, Assistant Inspector General, entered the rifle pits with the men." After this engagement he was promoted to Acting Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of this Brigade commander, which position he held in connection with the other until his commission in this Regiment.

It may not be improper to introduce here a few extracts of communications setting forth the high appreciation of Colonel Hall for his ability and bravery, by very competent Judges. Brigadier General Jackson, Commander of 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps, in his letter addressed to Adjutant General of the State of New York, requesting the appointment of Captain Hall to Colonel of the 145th New York Volunteers, which Regiment was in his Brigade, and without a Colonel, states: "I have known Captain Hall for the past fifteen months, and consider him every way qualified to fill the above mentioned position." Major General Slocum's endorsement on this paper testifies: "I know Captain Hall to be a capable, efficient and faithful officer, and most cordially unite with General Jackson in this recommendation." Major General Slocum himself, also, in a letter relating to the same subject, and addressed to the same Officer of State, closes with the remarks: "I am well acquainted with him (Captain Hall,) and know him to be a capable and efficient officer, and think his appointment would be a great benefit to the service. Captain Hall has no knowledge of my intention to recommend him for this position, and in doing it I am only actuated by a desire to improve the condition of the troops under my command." For some reason or other, left unsatisfactory unexplained, the State Executive made no appointment whatever. In consequence of this the Regiment alluded to was obliged to forego its organization, and be consolidated with others.

Captain Hall was appointed by the President Lieutenant Colonel of this Regiment, March 20th, 1864. After reporting at Camp William Penn, Philadelphia, he completed the organization of its 1st Battalion composed of the first six Companies, with which he joined the 9th Corps at Annapolis, Maryland, April 19th, 1864. He commanded it through all the engagements in the Wilderness; and in the memorable battle of the Mine before Petersburg, Virginia, July 30th, 1864, it was the charging Regiment which he led against the enemy's works. With regard to his own gallantry in that terrible engagement, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 9th Corps, testifies: "Lieutenant Colonel H. Seymour Hall, Commanding 43d Regiment United States Colored Troops, lost his right arm while bravely leading his Regiment." Such was his anxiety that he reported again for duty to his Regiment when his wound was but partially healed. He was afterwards ordered to Camp Casey, Virginia, as Commander of that Recruiting Rendezvous and Chief Mustering Officer of the District of Columbia. He remained in this capacity until March 20th, 1865, the date under order of discontinuing the Rendezvous, when he returned to his Regiment, then on the front before Richmond, Virginia. Immediately after the capture of Richmond, April 3d, 1865, he was detailed Provost Marshal of Manchester, Virginia. He conducted this office with his usual great ability, and also with perfect satisfaction to the Government.

He was appointed by the President of the United States Colonel of Volunteers by Brevet "for gallant and meritorious services in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the 13th day of March 1865." This honor from the late lamented Chief Magistrate was most fittingly awarded.

Colonel Hall was a member of General Court Martial in Camp on the Chickahominy, Virginia, of which Brigadier General Pratt was President, in May and June, 1862; Judge Advocate of General Court Martial in Camp near Bakersville, Maryland, of which Brigadier General Newton was President, in September, 1862; a member of Military Commission also in Camp near Bakersville, Maryland, of which now Brevet Major General Bartlett was President, in October, 1862; a member of a Board of Officers to examine officers as to qualification and fitness for their positions in the 1st Division, 6th Corps, of which now Brevet Major General Torbert was President, in October, November and December 1862; a member of General Court Martial in Camp near White Oak Church, Virginia, of which Colonel Cake, 96th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers was President, in January, 1863; a member of General Court Martial at Headquarters of 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 9th Corps, near Petersburg, Virginia, of which Brevet Brigadier General Bates was President, in June and July, 1864, and President of Military Commission for the Western District of Texas, convened at Brownsville, Texas, which occupied the place of Civil Court, in August and September, 1865. Upon the discharge of his Regiment he continues in service, having reported under orders to Major General Wright, Headquarters Department of Texas, who assigned him to duty as Assistant Superintendent in the Freedmen's Bureau, under Brigadier General E. M. Gregory, Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau in that State.

The following are actions in which he has participated, a number of which were the most important of any during the war, viz.: First Bull Run, July 21st, 1861; West Point, May 7th, 1862; heavy skirmish at Mechanicsville, May 21st, 1862; Gaines' Hill, June 27th, 1862; Golden's Farm, June 28th, 1862; Charles City Cross Roads, June 30th, 1862; Second Bull Run, August 30th, 1862; Fredericksburg, December 13th, 14th and 15th, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 3d, 1863; Salem Heights, May 3d and 4th, 1863; Gettysburg, July 1st, 2d and 3d, 1863; heavy skirmish at Fairfield, Pennsylvania, July 7th, 1863; heavy skirmish at Funkstown, Maryland, July 10th, 1863; heavy skirmish at St. James' College, Maryland, July 13th, 1863; Rappahannock Station, November 7th, 1863; Locust Grove, November 24th, 1863; Mine Run, November 27th, 1863; Wilderness, May 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, 1864; Spotsylvania, May 7th to 15th, 1864; Tolopotomy Creek, May 19th and 20th, 1864; North Anna, May 22d and 23d, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1st to 3d, 1864; Old Church, June 10th, 1864; Siege of Petersburg, June 18th, 1864; Mine before Petersburg, July 30th, 1864; and capture of Richmond, April 3d, 1865.