Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 18

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890 > Part 18

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FIFTH ARTILLERY.

"The third battalion of the ' Black River Artillery,' assigned to this regiment, consisted of several companies raised in the counties of Jefferson and Lewis, mustered into the U. S. service in September, 1862. They were attached to the 5th Regiment, forming Batteries I, K, L, and M, to serve three years. On the expiration of its term of service the original members of the regiment (except veterans) were mustered out. and the organization, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service until July 19, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the War Department. The principal engagements in which the regiment participated were at Point of Rocks, Berlin, Sandy Hook, and Harper's Ferry."

TENTH ARTILLERY.

"This regiment was composed of the First, Second, and Fourth Battalions of the Black River Artillery, raised in the counties of Lewis and Jefferson (Eighteenthi Senate District ). They were mustered into the service of the United States from September 11 to October 27, 1862, to serve three years. The original members were mustered out of service June 23, 1865, and the recruits consolidated into three companies and transferred to the 6th N. Y. Artillery, June 27, 1865."

THIRTEENTH ARTILLERY.

" Jefferson County furnished a number of men for this regiment, which was organized in the city of New York, and composed of men from various parts of the state. It was mustered in from August, 1863, to September, 1864. On the 27th of June, 1865, the organization was consolidated into a battalion of five companies, and transferred to the 6th N. Y. Artillery."

FOURTEENTH ARTILLERY.

"This regiment was organized at Rochester, to serve three years. Jefferson County fur- nished a considerable number of men. The regiment was mustered in from August 29 to December 17, 1863, and after participating in the battles of Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Cold Harbor, and Hatcher's Run, was mustered out, in accordance with orders from the War Department, August 26, 1865."

SIXTEENTH ARTILLERY.

" This regiment was mustered into the U. S. service from September 28, 1863, to January 28, 1864, and contained a small detachment of men from Jefferson County. It was mustered out of service August 21, 1865."

INDEPENDENT BATTERIES NOS. 20 AND 28.

"Each contained men from Jefferson County, the latter having quite a detachment. The 20th Battery was mustered in December 27, 1862, and mustered out July 31, 1865. The 28th Battery was mustered in and out at the same dates as the 20th."

OTHER REGIMENTS.

"Aside from those already mentioned the following regiments contained men from Jeffer- son County :-

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" Infantry .- The 3d, 53d, 57th, 59th (U. S. Van-Guard), 81st, 93d, 97th, 102d, and 106th. " Cavalry .- 1st, 11th (Scott's 900), and 25th. And possibly the county was also represented in other regiments, of which we find no account. Numerous individuals enlisted and were mustered into the service from other states."

Through the commendable generosity of Mr. and Mrs. George Cook, of Watertown, a beautiful memorial is being erected on Public Square, in that city, in honor of the soldiers and sailors who fought and the martyrs who fell during the late war in the struggle for the freedom of a race and the preser- vation of the Union. The corner-stone of this monument was laid on Me- morial Day, 1890, with appropriate and impressive ceremonies, participated in by veterans of the late war and other citizens.

The publisher considers himself fortunate in securing the following inter- esting paper anent the exciting events connected with the provost-marshal's office, from the pen of one of Jefferson County's ablest and most patriotic citizens :-

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PROVOST. MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE 20TH CON- GRESSIONAL DISTRICT, COMPOSED OF THE COUNTIES OF JEFFERSON, HERKIMER, AND LEWIS, FROM 1863 TO 1865 .*

It is a matter of regret that no careful diary of events centering in the provost-marshal's office in Watertown was kept. The stirring and important duties that pressed upon the staff of the office were so engrossing, and the work so overwhelming, that little heed was paid to the claims of history. Few appreciated how great the responsibilities of the position were, or how much of care and toil came to those entrusted with the delicate and trying semi- military service. That it was highly important is now generally conceded ; and it is fitting that an outline of the details of the office should be given in the Gazetteer of the county now about to issue. It has been difficult to collect data such as one would like to present in this connection, owing to the fact that the records were all sent to Washington at the close of the office, and these the writer has not been able to consult. In the main, however, it is believed that the facts herein stated, and the descriptions of the various phases of the work done, cover the most important details, and will, it is hoped, convey a fair picture of an unique chapter in the history of Jefferson County.

At the outbreak of the great Rebellion patriotic sentiment ran high, and the flower of our youth flocked to enlist in defence of our Union. The grim and terrible sacrifices of war were little known to the masses of our people. Wise statesmen predicted that the mad folly of secession would soon give way before the uprising of a loyal North, and a short war was anticipated. For many months volunteers met every demand for fresh troops, but as the conflict widened, and the sad realities of brutal war came to be fully realized

* By Colonel Albert D. Shaw.

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through returning wounded and dead heroes, it became apparent that the government could not safely rely for future levies upon volunteers alone.

To provide recruits for the armies of the Union an enrollment law was passed by Congress, and a provost-marshal in each Congressional district in the loyal states was appointed. What was done had to be done quickly, under the urgent necessity for filling our rapidly organized battalions, and making good the waste and ruin of war. The armies at the front were con- stantly pressing forward over fields of carnage, and enormous losses through wounds, death, and disease resulted. It became vitally necessary to promptly fill the vacant places in our ranks, and to this great duty the provost-marshal's office in Watertown brought the unselfish and devoted services of competent and patriotic citizens.

The selection of the provost-marshal for the 20th Congressional district, composed of the counties of Jefferson, Herkimer, and Lewis, was made by the Hon. Ambrose W. Clark, then ably representing the district in Congress. His choice of Frederick Emerson, Esq., of Watertown, was specially fort- unate. At the time he was appointed few appreciated what a part the office would play in the attending incidents of the great war, or how serious the service was destined to become. It is only the truth of history to affirm that for nearly three years the provost marshal's office was a household word in every family in the district. Next to the news from the seat of war the provost-marshal's office was a center of deep and solicitous interest. With the wild havoc of battlefields spread before the people through the daily press the people felt the growing need for fresh troops, and the enrollment made record of those who were liable to military duty. At the time the office was fully organized in Watertown the stupendous strife had grown to such dimensions that it was clear to all how serious the struggle must be before an honorable peace could be won. Political excitement naturally ran high, and the position of provost-marshal at once became prominent and extremely important.

The appointment of Captain Emerson was most satisfactory from the first. He was in the prime of life, of well known ability and integrity, and specially fitted by legal and mental attainments for the position. He brought a well trained mind and perfect poise of temperament to the discharge of his very difficult duties. Few can appreciate how harrassing and wearying and diver- sified his responsibilties were. It was one long strain by day and by night, in a service where great latitude necessarily had to be exercised, in a round of perplexing questions new to all concerned. Few officers at the front had greater anxieties, or more delicate duties to perform. In all the wide circle of his devoted work as provost-marshal he was a model officer and an honest man. In purity of life, in zeal for the efficiency of his official staff, and in never failing sweetness of personal intercourse, Captain Emerson was a model chief. It was the writer's good fortune to be associated with him for over two years, and he owes much to the manly inspirations of these event-

10*

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ful times. Nothing appeared to worry him, and his self-command was ad- mirable. Courteous, dignified, and firm, every subordinate felt his inspiring and commanding presence as specially helpful in every personal and official relation.

Captain Emerson was averse to all ornamental flourishes in penmanship, and nothing stirred up his ire sooner than showy and useless ornamentation. A young man from Adams-since a judge in our county-called one day and made application for a clerkship. The Captain handed him a sheet of paper, and pointing to a desk requested him to write a letter to show his style. This was done. After some little time the production was handed in. It was profusely ornamented with flowing flourishes, showing the worst sort of folly in the useless waste of time in needless curves, etc. The Cap- tain gave it one glance and said, "Young man, you had better go back home and learn to write quickly a plain, even hand, and leave off all these worthless flourishes. We have no time here for such nonsense." Years after- wards this applicant called the attention of the ex-provost-marshal to this characteristic incident. It was a good practical lesson, kindly administered. Besides, it was in keeping with the Captain's well known dislike for all pre- tentious display in any direction.

The provost-marshal met with a serious accident in connection with his duties in Watertown. Complaints had been made to him about the accom- modations at the government quarters for recruits, then situated on the northeast side of the river, at the lower bridge, and while inspecting the house the back veranda gave way, precipitating the inspecting party some feet to the ground below. Captain Emerson was severely injured, his spine receiving a hard blow from the falling débris. From the effects of this acci- dent he was confined to his home for some time, suffering greatly from his wounds. He has never recovered from this hurt, and it eventually caused a curvature of the spine, seriously deforming him, and making it necessary for him to walk in a half-stooping condition, with the aid of a cane. While shut up at home by this accident he continued to give attention to the necessary work of the office, and as he was the mustering officer the recruits were marched up to his residence to be sworn in, he sitting in a chair at a window inside, while the volunteers were formed in line outside. In this manner there was no interruption to the regular business of the office, although the sufferings of the provost-marshal were at times hard to bear.

A copy of the commission of Captain Emerson is here given as a matter of historic record :-

" WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 16, 1863.

" Sir :- You are hereby informed that the President of the United States has appointed you Provost-Marshal of the 20th Congressional District of the State of New York, with the rank of Captain of Cavalry in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the 15th day of April, 1863.

"Immediately on the receipt hereof please communicate to this Department, through the Provost-Marshal-General of the United States, your acceptance or non-acceptance; and, with

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your letter of acceptance, return the oath herewith enclosed, properly filled up, subscribed and attested, and report your age, birthplace, and the State of which you are a permanent resident. You will immediately report by letter to the Provost-Marshal-General. and will proceed to establish your Headquarters at Watertown, N. Y .. and enter upon your duties in accordance with such special instructions as you may receive from the Provost-Marshal- General. (Signed) "EDWIN M. STANTON.

". Secretary of War.

"To Captain Frederick Emerson, Provost-Marshal, ) 20th Dist., New York." 5

Dr. Edward S. Walker, of Herkimer County, was detailed as examining surgeon. His position was one of the utmost delicacy-requiring a wide range of medical knowledge, as well as great decision of character. Upon his examinations largely depended the decision as to who should be ac- cepted as recruits, and who were legally entitled to exemption on account of physical disabilities. His position was a laborious and irksome one, for the reason that the ills of drafted men, and men seeking exemption, were being constantly poured into his ears. Through all his valuable service to the close of the office Dr. Walker acquitted himself with conspicuous ability, and won the well deserved reputation of being one of the best examining surgeons in the service.

Dr. Charles Goodale was appointed assistant surgeon, and was in every way equal to the duties that fell to his share of the trying work.

Arthur W. Pond, of Lewis County, was appointed commissioner-the three above named constituting the " examining board." Pond was a capable man, and understood perfectly the details of the office.

James J. Cook, of Herkimer County, and James B. Phillips, of Lewis County, were appointed deputy provost-marshals, and both performed their duties with marked ability and integrity. They gave their best services in a trying round of responsibilities, being faithful in all things.

Charles H. Van Brakle was appointed chief clerk by Captain Emerson in April, 1863, and very efficiently filled the position until September of the same year, when he resigned his clerkship to accept the adjutancy of the 14th Heavy Artillery N. Y. Vols. John J. Safford became Van Brakle's suc- cessor, and proved himself a capital official.

Brayton C. Bailey was made enrollment clerk, and he was a model guard- ian of the responsible position in which Captain Emerson's partiality placed him. He served with great credit until the office was abolished at the close of the war.

J. Harvey Simmons was appointed quartermaster, and occupied a store on Court street. Here all the recruits, substitutes, and drafted men were clothed after being mustered into the service. He was a man well qualified for the position, and no truer patriot ever served his country in any age.

David D. Gates was early appointed assistant enrollment clerk, and re- mained in the office until failing health forced him to give up work ; but the rest did not bring relief, and he died late in 1863, the only one connected

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with the office who died during its existence. He was a young man of gentle life, and beloved by all who knew him well.

Edward M. Gates was a clerk in the office for some months, and a most competent one. He had the honor of turning the wheel for the last draft, and as his own name was among the number it is but fair to believe that he was happy when the last man was drawn and he was not chosen.

Louis C. Greenleaf, on the resignation of Chief Clerk Safford, was ap- pointed to his place in 1864. He had been a sergeant in Co. A, 35th N. Y. Vols., serving with distinguished zeal and faithfulness, and he performed his responsible duties as chief clerk with equal credit. He was occupying this position when the office was closed.

Lieut. I. P. Woddell, a veteran and a capital officer, had charge of the Veteran Reserve Corps in Watertown for some months. He was a careful guardian of the rights and needs of the position he so admirably filled, and was an honored and useful aid at the headquarters. He knew his duty and always faithfully performed it.

First Lieut. George McOmber was appointed special agent upon Captain Emerson's recommendation in May, 1863. He had served in the 94th N. Y. Vols. with distinguished bravery, and was badly wounded at the second bat- tle of Bull Run, on August 30, 1862, from the effects of which he was dis- charged for disability. Returning home, and partially regaining his health, he accepted the position in question, but resigned the following August to accept a first lieutenancy in the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was ordered on duty in Kentucky. His parchment commission was signed by Abraham Lincoln, and will hereafter be regarded with pride by those who bear his name. Lieut. McOmber was a fine type of the American citizen-soldier, and did his whole duty during the four years of the Rebellion.

James P. Kirby, a veteran of the 94th N. Y. Vols., was also appointed special agent by Captain Emerson. He was wounded in the same battle that Lieut. McOmber was in 1862. Two special agents were provided for at each provost-marshal's headquarters, and their duties were of an exacting character. All deliveries of recruits to the various U. S. rendezvouses at Elmira, Albany, or New York were under the command of special agents. Special investigations, the arrest of deserters, and a general supervision of the outside semi-military duties of the headquarters constituted the wide range . of their responsibilities. Special Agent Kirby was a very competent, faithful, and honorable officer, and filled his trying position with great credit and acceptability up to the close of the office.

Albert D. Shaw was appointed special agent to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Special Agent McOmber. He had served two years- through his term of enlistment -- in Co. A, 35th N. Y. Vols., and was barely of age when he accepted the position. He served in the capacity of special agent until the office was abolished, and received the thanks of Provost-

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Marshal Emerson in an order highly commendatory of his record during the eventful years passed in this useful public employment.

The enrolling officers .- The experiences of the enrolling officers were of a varied and interesting character. Often these officials were treated with scant courtesy on their rounds, and sometimes they were regarded in the light of would-be destroyers of the harmony of households. The visit of an enrolling officer was a serious event in many homes. In all it was a severe lesson in the line of duty, and taught how powerful a people's government really was. The memories of mothers-and fathers as well -were frequently at fault as to the date of birth of sons, the tendency sometimes being to rep- resent the boys as less than 18 years of age. And there were instances where the 45th birthday came swiftly! These two extremes-18 and 45 years- were troublesome to enrolling officers. In these days cosmetics were not used to make beards grow on young faces, and hair dyes found few purchasers to make people along the 45-year line look younger. It was a happy era when slow beards and gray hairs found no tricks played upon them, but were allowed to take their growth unvexed with the barbers' art !

The enrollment was no joke in any aspect in which the official's visit might be regarded. Every name placed upon the rolls was to take its chance in the revolving wheel. This fact made the enrollment a serious subject of family contemplation. With the terrible havoc of war daily brought home to the people through reports of great battles and great losses in killed and wounded, in some cases cutting down brave soldiers from localities where the enroll- ing officer was going from house to house, it can be realized in part how solemn the questions as to who was liable to the draft really were. To many it seemed like a roll-call of death amid the home circle of peace. There was brought to the citizen a foretaste of how much the government relied upon the whole people for support in the fiery trial of war. Health and age were prime factors in the problem of saving the Union through crushing out the Rebellion. In this light the enrolling officer was the man who placed on the rolls the men who were liable to obey the demands for more soldiers when the draft came. It is not strange, under such conditions, that occasionally the age of a son was reported less than it really was, or that 46 years were reached by some born the same year as a neighbor whose record of life only

· measured 44 years. Such lapses of memory and faults of family records --- some on the Bible's record-were found, were even not uncommon. The enrolling officers were quick at hunting up facts as to the age of citizens where the least question arose about ages, and as the lists were hung up in every town few would- be deceivers escaped finally being placed on the rolls.

The writer had some experience in correcting the enrollment in Water- town, and in several instances was met with sharp and angry replies. It was quite a common thing to lock the door and pretend that no one was at home when the officer called. Curiously enough the enrolling officer was known the moment he put in an appearance on a street. The news of his coming

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was swiftly circulated. Twice in the writer's experience the wife and children wailed and wept,as though the husband and father had just been killed in battle, when his name was placed on the list as liable to a draft. This period was one that tested the "girth and groin " of the whole people, and, all in all, the world never witnessed a nobler example of national patriotism and individual heroism than was exhibited in this stupendous conflict. It is a matter of sincere re- gret that the list of enrolling officers is not at hand for insertion in this con- nection. A few only are recalled ; one especially, Sidney Cooper, Esq., of . Le Ray, was regarded as the model official, as his rolls were so neatly and accurately prepared. L. D. Morgan was enrolling officer for Watertown. In Le Ray a German pleaded with Enrolling Officer Cooper to be left off, for, he said, "Some rats dig into my cistern and die in dare, and I drinks the water and got some poisoned." He was sure he should not be enrolled. Mr. Cooper suggested that a change of air and scenery, in a trip South, would do him good. This idea gave no hope to the alarmed neighbor, for he thought the remedy very unlikely to do him any good. However he stood his draft and got free.

Special Agent Kirby, in correcting the enrollment for that then portion of Watertown called "The Swamp," made his task effective and easy by pre- · tending to be engaged in making a new directory of Watertown; but after he had finished his work, and the truth leaked out, it was not a healthy section of the town for this officer to visit. The consternation of the excitable resi- dents was indeed great over the situation. There was a lack of words to describe their indignant feelings.

The enrollment .- The enrollment of each town in the district called for the name of every male citizen, at the first, between the ages of 21 and 45 years. This was taken by enrolling officers appointed by Captain Emerson in every town, and involved a great deal of labor. Three copies of each en- rollment had to be made-one for use at Albany, another at Washington, and one for the files of the Watertown office. After this was completed these enrollments were carefully revised, and every man with a plain disability, such as the loss of an eye, an arm, or a leg, or teeth, or with any serious chronic complaint, was, upon medical examination in Watertown in person, stricken from the rolls. In this way the lists were cleared of men who were unfit for military duty. Some of the incidents attending these examinations were both amusing and ludicrous. Wide notice was given of the nature of the examinations preparatory to striking off the clearly exempt citizens, but great crowds presented themselves before the board, a large majority of whom did not come under the operation of the regulations in question. The exam- ining board met for convenience in the supervisors' room at the court-house, on Arsenal street, and here for many days was witnessed one of the most eager and anxious gathering of the " lame, halt, and blind," as well as a very large number who felt sick, or imagined they did, that ever visited Water- town. The crowd was a motley one. Rich and poor met on the same seri-

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ous level. The rigorous law knew no favorites. Each pressed to the front prepared to prove that he was not burning or able to go to the war to share in the hardships of the camp and the battlefield. The disappointment of such as were firmly turned away, for the good reason that their cases did not come within the scope of the order, was often painful to witness, for some- how a sort of panic fell upon many to have their names stricken from the rolls. It was customary for applicants for exemption to bring with them affi- davits of family physicians to prove their ills, and if the history of some of the prominent practitioners in the district could only be faithfully given, bear- ing upon this branch of their then extremely perplexing business, it would be rich reading for the student of character. The family physician was over- whelmed with sick friends during this trying period. He was called upon to remember ills long past, and to make clear weaknesses of uncertain serious- ness, in many anxious cases. To the flexible and accommodating trickster, who could see weaknesses for a consideration,-and there were a few such in our district truth compels me to admit,-the opportunity was a-greenback one ! Such affidavits, as a rule, did more harm than good, for Dr. Walker had a keen eye for shams. The delight shown in some instances by persons who were exempted upon medical examination was strikingly strange. One nervous applicant, far gone with lung disease, came out of the examining room and excitedly exclaimed to a friend, " Thank the Lord, the Doctor says I won't live six months, and so I'm exempt." Another came for examina- tion, whose case was doubtful, owing to his evident efforts to appear nearly helpless from " weak and crooked legs," as he termed his trouble. His anxi- ety to create an impression of his great physical infirmity was clear. In a mirthful moment the board allowed him to appear before the examining surgeon. Waddling about the room, with ill-concealed attempts to show how weak his legs were, the picture he presented, as he hobbled along with panta- loons rolled up above his knees, was ludicrous in the extreme. The Doctor took in the situation at a glance, and, looking serious, he sympathetically asked, " Where is the greatest pain when you walk ?" " All over, if you plase, sir ; sore as a bile, all along from me feet to me body, sure." "Try and walk quickly across the room," said the Doctor, and Patrick began as laughable a march as was ever witnessed. At every step his facial expres- sions were so comical, and his bow-legged walk was so clearly a make-up, that roars of laughter followed his funny performance. The door being reached Patrick was ordered out past the guard, and so into the yard, by the " left flank." Turning to the guard he asked, " Am I eximpt ?" " No," was the reply, " you will make a good soldier." The vigorous and bad language used by the disgusted man proved his ability to roundly abuse every one con- nected with the office, and, without turning down his pantaloons, he walked away as nimbly as possible. His trick had resulted in an absurd failure, and no one knew this better than himself.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 18

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders Number of Pages: 1384

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384