(from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated History of the Civil War…, edited by Louis Shepheard Moat, Published by Mrs. Frank Leslie, New York, 1895)
From the moment it became known that the pet regiment of New York, the gallant Seventh, was to be the first body of citizen soldiers to leave the city for the war the excitement among tilts people was intense. Early on the morning of April 19th, 1861, there was an extraordinary excitement in the city. Windows along the whole line of march were taken possession of, and groups of people accumulated on the stoops of houses and at the corners of every street. Deafening cheers greeted the soldiers everywhere. During a temporary halt a venerable man rushed in front of the staff, and cried out: “God bless you, boys! Do your duty—fight for your flag!”