Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 225

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 225

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the State Militia law, all the military organizations in the counties of Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton were formed into a brigade called the Fourteenth. This brigade was composed of three regiments, numbered 26th, 57th and 188th. The 26th Regiment included the military companies in Schenectady. The officers of the various companies in the brigade elected the fol- lowing staff: Brigadier-General, Isaac I. Yates; Judge Advocate, Platt Potter; Aids, J. Andrew Barhydt, Van Schaick Vedder, John Allen and Martin C. Myers.

In 184- the military companies in the State militia in this district were reorganized. All the companies were formed into a brigade called the Seventeenth. This brigade was composed of three regiments; the number of the regiment which the Schenectady companies formed was the Twenty- sixth. The Governor appointed the following officers of this regiment: Colonel, Stephen Yates ; Aids, J. Andrew Barhydt, James Ward, Carl Thompson, Nicholas Van Debogert and Dr. James S. Van Ingen. Col. Yates resigned in 1857, when J. Andiew Barhydt was appointed colonel. William H. Young was at one time major of this regiment.

About 184- a company called the Independent Artillery was formed in Schenectady. This became one of the finest companies ever organized in this vicinity. The uniform was very expensive and elegant, being a dark blue in color with no facings, surrounded by heavy white cord, entwined . with gold braid. Tall bearskin caps added to the imposing appearance of the members. In this company were numbered many of our representa- tive citizens at that time. John Robinson and Benjamin F. Paths were captains at different periods. John B. Clute and James Hannah were officers in this company, and took a lively interest in its welfare. The hall in Madison Vedder's building on Union street was used as an armory and drilling room. In 184- this company went to the State Camp at Utica, and for soldierly bear- ing, discipline and appearance was admitted to be the finest company among the large number there represented from different parts of the State.

In 1855 a company called the Continentals was organized. John B. Clute was its first captain. He was succeeded by Stephen Truax. Isaac Reagles was the last captain of this company, which disbanded some time in 1861.

CIVIL WAR.

We have now reached the exciting period of the beginning of the Civil War, at which time interest in home military companies was lost sight of, and they either disbanded or were allowed to die by neglect. The threatened realities of war made "playing soldier " in time of peace too tame for the patriotic citizens of Schenectady, and the first signal of the beginning of hostilities aroused many to the purpose of raising companies to save this government from threatened destruction.

And to-day, looking back over the stormy events of 1861-5, which formed the most important

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

period in the history of this country, we realize why the citizens of Schenectady have reason to feel proud of the record made by her sons in the war of the rebellion.

The State of New York was especially promi- nent in the number of troops it sent to the war, and no county according to population furnished more men to help save the nation's life during those years of bloody strife than Schenectady. The services they performed, the privations, suffering and the hardships endured in that great struggle, where so many of Schenectady's bravest and best gave up their lives that this government might live, cannot be properly treated in a work like this. It could only be imperfectly done in a work especially devoted to such a subject.

In the following account of the military organi- zations which went from Schenectady it has been the object to give in a necessarily condensed form the briefest account of each company, and of all the men from Schenectady who took a prominent part in the war. Much of the information here gathered was obtained from the meager accounts contained in the reports of the Adjutant-General, and from personal recollections of many of our living veterans of the war.

The first company organized in Schenectady for the late civil war was the Seward Volunteer Zouaves, afterward known as Company A, Eighteenth Regiment New York Volunteers. This company was organized by William Seward Grid- ley, who was elected its captain, and who com- manded it at the first battle of Bull's Run.

On the 12th of April, 1861, Fort Sumter was bombarded, and evacuated by Major Anderson on the 15th. On this same day President Lincoln called for 75,000 men to suppress the insurrection. The next day the New York Legislature passed a bill, which was signed by Governor Morgan, ap- propriating three million dollars for the purpose of raising and equipping 30,000 volunteers.

On the 18th day of April, or six days after the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter, the following notice was published in the Schenectady Daily Times :

" Attention Volunteers !- All young men who are in favor of forming a light infantry company and offering their services to garrison this State, or to the President of the United States, to aid and assist in defending the Constitution and Union of the United States against foreign or domestic foes, are requested to meet at Cleary's saloon, op- posite the railroad depot, on Friday evening, at 7} o'clock, the 19th inst. This means fight, and all who sign must go. WM. SEWARD GRIDLEY."

At the meeting held in response to this notice forty-seven men signed an application for a company organization, and asked Governor Morgan to com- mission Win. Seward Gridley, Captain; Daniel Daley, First Lieutenant, and Edward W. Groat, Ensign of said company. Gridley took the appli- cation to Albany, and received an order from the Adjutant-General to report at Albany with his com- pany for duty on the 22d day of April, 1861. In the same order Lieutenant Simon G. Smith, of the

Twenty-sixth Regiment, New York Militia, was ordered to inspect and muster said company and to preside over an election of the officers. The muster and election took place on the 20th of April, when the same officers were elected as Governor Morgan was asked to commission.

In two days this company was organized and officered, and three days from the time of the call was ordered to report for duty at Albany.

May 14, 1861, the Eighteenth Regiment, New York Volunteers, was organized, and this company (then called the Seward Volunteer Zouaves) was assigned to that regiment as Company "A." At this time it numbered seventy-four men and three officers. About sixty of the men were from Schenectady.

May 17, 1861, the Eighteenth Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, and on the 18th of June following started for Wash- ington, being one of the regiments in the first fight of Bull's Run.

Captain Gridley was promoted to the rank of Major, October 14, 1862, and received at the close of the war the honorary title of Brevet Colonel, New York Volunteers. Daniel Daily was pro- moted to the captaincy of this regiment, November 10, 1862, and was honorably discharged February 26, 1863. Edward W. Groat was promoted from Ensign to Second Lieutenant, July 4, 1861, but resigned December 18, 1861. March 5, 1863, he became Major of the 134th Regiment. Joseph Strunk, who entered Gridley's company as Ser- geant, was mustered out, May 28, 1863, as Second Lieutenant. He was commissioned, December 14, 1863, as Captain in the Second Regiment, Vet- eran Cavalry, and at the close of the war made Brevet Major, New York Volunteers.

The second company organized in Schenectady was formed by Stephen Truax. The officers, who received their commissions May 2, 1861, were: Captain, Stephen Truax; First Lieutenant, William Horsfall; Ensign, John Vedder. This company was enrolled in the Eighteenth Regiment as Com- pany "'E," May 17, 1861 (same time as Captain Gridley's company), for a term of two years. Captain Truax resigned December 27 of this year, and was succeeded in command by William Horsfall, who was killed while gallantly leading his company at Crampton Gap, Maryland, Sep- tember 14, 1861. John Vedder succeeded him as Captain, and remained in command until the company was mustered out of service, May 28, 1863. Alfred Truax, who entered this company as Sergeant, was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, December 15, 1862. Andrew C. Barup became Second Lieutenant.

E. Nott Schermerhorn, who enlisted in this company as First Sergeant, rose in succession to Second Lieutenancy, First Lieutenancy, and be- came one of the Adjutants of the Regiment, No- vember 10, 1862, holding the latter rank when the regiment was mustered out, May 28, 1863.

The Eighteenth Regiment was one of the first organized during the war, participating in the first battle of Bull's Run, Crampton Gap, West Point,

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Salem Church and Savage Station. For a short time the late Dr. James L. Van Ingen was one of the Surgeons of this regiment. When the time for which this regiment was mustered into service expired, the present Captain of the Thirty-seventh Company, National Guard, State of New York, George W. Marlette, was the only private in the regiment who received from Gov- ernor Morgan, for gallant and meritorious service, the honorary rank of Brevet Lieutenant.

William A. Jackson, a son of the late Professor Jackson, of Union College, was Colonel of the Eighteenth Regiment from the time of its organi- zation till his death from disease at Washington, November 10, 1861. William H. Young, an- other gallant soldier from Schenectady, was for a short time Lieutenant-Colonel of this regiment.

The third company formed in Schenectady was organized by Barent M. Van Voast, June 1, 1861. The officers, who received their commissions July 4, 1861, were: Captain, Barent M. Van Voast; First Lieutenant, Manse V. V. Smith; Ensign, Ed- ward Van Voast. This company contained seventy- four privates and three officers. It was enrolled in the 30th Regiment as Company "C," for a term of two years from June 1, 1861.

Captain Van Voast was dismissed March 7, 1862, and succeeded by Manse V. V. Smith, who re- signed November 26 of the same year. Edward Van Voast became First Lieutenant May 13, 1862, retaining this rank when the company was mustered out, June 18, 1863. He afterward became Major in the 2d Regiment of Veteran Cavalry, and at the close of service of this regiment was made a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, N. Y. V.

Charles Roth, who entered Company C as First Sergeant, was promoted to the rank of First Lieu- tenant March 4, 1863, and subsequently commis- sioned a Brevet Major, N. Y. V.

The 30th Regiment, with which Company C was most honorably connected, participated in the battles of Gainesville, Groveton, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg.

The fourth company formed at Schenectady was organized by Allen H. Jackson, who received a Captain's commission October 1, 1861. This company consisted of eighty-seven members, in- cluding the officers. It was enrolled as Company G in the 9Ist Regiment for a term of three years, being mustered out of service July 3, 1865. The officers who were commissioned at the same time as Jackson were George W. Shaffer, First Lieuten- ant, and William Harty, Second Lieutenant.

Captain Jackson was honorably discharged from this company February 23, 1863, and promoted to the rank of Major in the 134th Regiment. March 4, 1863, he became Lieutenant-Colonel, and De- cember 10th of the same year, Colonel of this regi- ment, but was mustered out of service June 10, 1865, as Lieutenant-Colonel. George W. Shaffer succeeded Jackson as Captain of Company G. December 31, 1864, Shaffer was promoted to Major, 6Ist N. Y. Vols., and subsequently received the honorary rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, N. Y. V.

William Harty succeeded Schaffer as Captain of Company G, December 24, 1864, and remained in command until the company was mustered out of service.

Cornelius Gill entered this company as Second Sargeant, and was promoted through the succes- sive ranksto First Lieutenant, which latter position he held when the company was disbanded.

Between the middle of August and the 3d of September, 1862, there were three military com- panies formed at Schenectady, which entered the service for a term of three years. All three were enrolled in the 134th Regiment, and were known as Companies B, F and H.

Company B was organized by David H. Ham- lin, who received his commission as Captain, Au- gust 17, 1862. At the same time Solyman G. Hamlin was commissioned First Lieutenant, and Solomon C. Wilson, Second Lieutenant. This company numbered 102 men, and participated in many of the great battles of the war. Benjamin F. Sheldon was Captain of this company when it was mustered out. Solyman G. Hamlin was promoted to Captain of Company C, March 7, 1863. April 7, 1865, he was made Major of the 192d Regiment, and mustered out of service August 28, 1865, with the honorary rank Brevet Captain, N. Y. V.

Lucius Mead, who enlisted in Company B as First Sergeant, was promoted to a Lieutenancy. He was killed while bravely leading his company at the battle of Gettysburg.

Company F was organized by Gilbert D. Ken- nedy, who was commissioned as Captain, August 30, 1862. At the same time were commissioned George A. Turnbull as First Lieutenant, and Clin- ton C. Brown as Second Lieutenant.

Captain Kennedy was promoted to rank of Major, June 23, 1863, and died of disease at Phil- adelphia, August 3 of the same year.

George A. Turnbul succeeded Kennedy as Cap- tain of Company F, but resigned February 3, 1864.

Clinton C. Brown was promoted to Captain, April 14, 1863, and to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 134th, July 27, 1864.

Company H was organized by Austin A. Yates, who received his commission as Captain, Septem- ber, 1862, with Gerardus Canley as First Lieuten - ant and Marcus A. Herrick as Second Lieutenant. Captain Yates was discharged June 10, 1863, on account of defective eyesight, but re-enlisted as Captain of Company F of the Fourteenth Veteran Corps. This regiment participated in the engage- ment against Early in front of Washington. Capt. Yates was promoted to rank of Brevet Major by President Lincoln, and was assistant to Judge-Ad- vocate-General at Washington, D. C., one year subsequent to August, 1866, when he was mustered out of service.

William H. Mickle, who enlisted in Company H as Second Sergeant, was made Captain, April 22, 1865. Barney S. Smith, another Sergeant, became Captain, February 28, 1865, and was mustered out of the service as a Brevet Major, N. Y. V.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

The 134th Regiment, of which the three pre- ceding companies formed a part, participated in the battles of Chancellorville, Gettysburg, Mis- sionary Ridge, Knoxville, Atlanta, Resaca, Dallas, Pine Knob, Lost Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Savannah and Goldsboro. At the overthrow of the IIth corps, on the afternoon of Saturday, May 3d, at the battle of Chancellorville, the 134th was engaged in reconnoitering in the enemy's line and did not share in that terrible retreat, but took active part in the battle of the next morning.

Companies "A" and "I" of the 134th were raised and credited to Schoharie County, yet both contained many Schenectady men. In company "A" Henry Y. Bradt, First Lieutenant, and the names of Garret Horsfall and Andrew A. Kelly are worthy of mention. In company "I," Frank Fletch- er was Captain, who afterward became Chaplain of the regiment and was mustered out of the service as Brevet Major, N. Y. V. Albert G. Washburn entered this company as First Lieutenant and was promoted to Captain. He died in camp, near Falmouth, Va., Jan. 26, 1863.

In company "I" Charles A. Ahreets enlisted as Orderly Sergeant ; by promotions, earned by gal- lantry, became Adjutant of the 134th, July 27, 1864. He was killed while acting as assistant adjutant-general, in the siege of Savannah, Dec. 13, 1864.

Edwin Forrest enlisted in company "B" of the 134th as First Lieutenant, Dec. 2, 1862. Jan. 30, 1864, he was made Captain of this company. He died from wounds received at the battle of Dug Gap, May 20, 1864.

Thomas Forrest, a brother of Edwin, enlisted as Second Lieutenant in company "F," of the 134th, and was promoted to First Lieutenancy, March 7, 1863. He was subsequently made Brevet Captain, N. Y. V.

Among the Schenectadians who served with dis- tinction in the rebellion, whose names have not been previously mentioned, were A. Y. Carner, Henry Ramsey, Jr., James T. Joslin and A. Barclay Mitchel. Cramer was made Quartermaster of the 134th, Oct. 1, 1862. Ramsey entered this same reg- iment as a Lieutenant and was also made Quarter- master. Joslin and Mitchel entered the service as Lieutenants and were promoted to the rank of Captain, Joslin in the 134th and Mitchel in the 18th.

Although the 119th regiment was raised and organized in New York city, some of its best and bravest officers came from Schenectady. Indeed its first commanding officer was Col. Elias Peissner, a son-in-law of the late Prof. Tayler Lewis, of Union College. Col. Peissner was a brave and courageous officer, and after gallantly leading his regiment in a number of engagements was killed at the battle of Chancellorville, May 2, 1863.

In company " B " of the 119th, Charles F. Lewis, a son of the late Professor Lewis, enlisted as Second Lieutenant, but was promoted in succession to the rank of First Lieutenant, Captain and Major.

In company "D" of the 119th, Henry R. Schwerin, another Schenectadian, enlisted as Second

Lientenant. He was promoted to First Lieutenant April 10, 1863, and was killed at the battle of Chancellorville, May 6, 1863.

The 77th Regiment, although organized in Sara- toga County, contained a number of Schenectady men. In Company H of this regiment fully a fourth of the number were from this county. In this company David J. Caw enlisted as Ist Ser- geant. His worth and gallantry secured him rapid promotion. March 21, 1862, he was commis- sioned 2d Lieutenant ; September 23, Ist Lieuten- ant ; December 10, Captain ; December 20, 1864, Major; and four days after, Lieutenant-Colonel, with which rank he was mustered out of the service, June 27, 1865. July 6, 1865, for gallant and mer- itorious services, he was commissioned Colonel by Governor Morgan. At the same date his brother, William E. Caw, who entered Company H as Corporal, received a commission as Ist Lieutenant.

The 77th Regiment, it will be remembered, was a part of the Sixth Corps, and accompanied the army of the Potomac through all its memorable cam- paigns, participating in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Golding's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Crampton Gap, Antietam, Marye's Heights, Fredericksburg, Get- tysburg, Wilderness, Rappahannock Station, Petersburg, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Fort Ste- vens, Opeguan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.

In the 2d Regiment of Veteran Cavalry, besides Edward Van Voast and Joseph Strunk, already men- tioned, were Charles W. Johnson, Albert Westing- house and Sherman A. Case. Johnson was pro- moted from a Lieutenancy to Quartermaster. Westinghouse was a Lieutenant in one of the com- panies of this regiment. He was killed in action, December 10, 1864. Case also served as a Lieu- tenant, and was mustered out of service with this rank, November 8, 1865.

Among the surgeons from Schenectady who en- tered the service during the civil war were: G. W. Van Voast, J. D. Jones, Alfred G. McDonald and William H. Hoag. Jones was Surgeon in the 22d Cavalry, McDonald in the 12th Cavalry and Hoag in the 134th Infantry.

J. J. De Forest, a resident of the town of Duanesburgh, was Colonel of the 81st Regiment, raised in Oswego, during the war. (For further sketch of Mr. De Forest, see article on town of Duanesburgh:)

The 192d Regiment was composed principally of men who had already served one term of enlist- ment. This regiment was one of the last organ- ized during the war, having been mustered in the service in the fore part of the year 1865. No less than 133 in this regiment were from Schenectady, among whom was the late Solyman G. Hamlin, a brave and courageous soldier, who, as has been previously stated, was promoted to the rank of Major in this regiment.

The 83D REGIMENT, for home protection, com- posed entirely of companies in the City and County of Schenectady, was formed April 27, 1863. It was composed of ten companies, and formed a part of the 18th Brigade, 5th Division, when first

NAVIGATION.

organized, but soon after was included in the 13th Brigade, 3d Division. July 23, 1873, it was re- duced to a battalion of six companies. It was disbanded January 17, 1874.

The original officers of this regiment were : James Fuller, Colonel ; Robert Furman, Lieuten- ant-Colonel ; John C. Bartrydt, Major ; Vedder V. Van Patten, Adjutant ; L. Dodge, Quartermaster ; J. O. Timberman, Surgeon ; Cornelius Van Sant- voord, Chaplain.

Robert Furman was made Colonel, August 6, . 1864, and John McShea Lieutenant Colonel. Gershom Banker was made Major, July 12, 1866. Benjamin F. Sheldon was made Adjutant, June 20, 1866, 'and Major, October 17, 1867. George W. Marlette was made Adjutant, January 4, 1868, and Major, May 27, 1871. John C. Perry became Major, December 29, 1869, and Lieutenant-Colo- nel, May 28, 1869. Michael H. Lamp was made Adjutant, September 22, 1871, and Edward H. Vrooman became Quartermaster, June 14, 1867. James D. Jones was at one time Surgeon, and Dennis Wortman, Chaplain.

After the close of the war a company composed of army and navy veterans, called the Soldiers' and Sailors' Union, was formed, of which Major Ralfe Van Brunt was Commander. Some time after this company disbanded and formed the Schenectady Zouaves Cadet. Major Ralfe Van Brunt was its first Captain. He was succeeded by Captain Aus- tin A. Yates. This company existed for a number of years, when its name was changed to William Horsfall Post, No. 14. A. A. Yates, G. W. Mar- lette and William G. Caw were Commanders of this company at different periods. The name of this Post was subsequently changed to Edwin For- est Post, No. 90. G. W. Tompkins, James F. White, Frederick Eisenminger and James R. Reagles were at various times Commanders of this Post. A few years ago the name of the Post was again changed to Post Horsfall, No. 9, which name it still bears. The present Commander is James R. Reagles.

At present there are but two military companies in Schenectady under the State Militia laws, the 36th and 37th Separate Companies, N. G., S. N. Y.

The THIRTY-SIXTH COMPANY (Citizens' Corps) was mustered in the State Militia, July 12, 1880, for a term of five years, with 57 members. Its first officers were : Austin A. Yates, Captain ; Oscar Shannon, Ist Lieutenant ; Geo. W. Tomp- kins, 2d Lieutenant. Its present officers are : Austin A. Yates, Captain ; James F. White, Ist Lieutenant ; James R. Reagles, 2d Lieutenant. This company is composed of 65 members.

The THIRTY-SEVENTH COMPANY (Washington Continentals) was mustered in the State Militia, with 51 members, at the same time and for a like period of service as the 36th. Its first officers were : Clinton C. Brown, Captain ; Nelson McDonald, Ist Lieutenant ; Thomas Gregg, 2d Lieutenant. Captain Brown was succeeded by Walter S. Van Voast. Van Voast was succeeded by the present Captain, Geo. W. Marlette. By the

death of Ist Lieutenant Nelson McDonald, Thomas Gregg was made Ist Lieutenant and James H. Vedder 2d Lieutenant. This company is com- posed of 65 members.

NAVIGATION.

RIVER, STAGE AND RAILWAY.

It would be difficult for those acquainted with the present business interest of Schenectady to realize its commercial importance during the colo- nial history of this State.

Situated at the foot of navigation on the Mo- hawk, it had a frontage of twenty miles by road, subsequently reduced to sixteen miles by way of the Albany and Schenectady turnpike, between the Binnekill and Hudson river. From its fortunate position and subsequent improvements made in the channel of the Mohawk, it had direct com- munication by water with the chain of lakes in the interior of the State and with Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence, and thus became the natural depot for the products of the far-stretching West.

To explain the obstacles overcome and the causes which tended to make Schenectady a center of commercial trade, it will be necessary to review some of the history of the earliest settlements in the New Netherlands.

The first settlers in this region came here almost solely for the purpose of trade. Indeed, so intent were they upon the Indian traffic that agriculture was greatly neglected and barely enough farm prod- ucts were raised to support the population at the trading posts.

The first trading house was built by the United New Netherlands Company, on an island in the Hudson river, called Castel Eylandt, in the year 1614. This island is now included within the limits of the City of Albany.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 225

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452