USA > New York > History and personal sketches of Company I, 103 N.Y.S.V., 1862-1864 > Part 7
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He was married October 24, 1866, to Mary L., daugh- ter of Charles D. and Lucretia ( Weekes) Cameron, of Os- ceola, Tioga county, Pa. There have been born to Com- rade and Mrs. Kimball three children, viz .: Ernest Har- lan, born March 22nd. 1868: Ida Grace, born December 24th, 1873, and Bessie May, born January 22nd, 1883. The first born is married and has one son; resides at Westfield, Pa.
Comrade Kimball was a charter member of Post 49, G. A. R., of Osceola, but has changed his membership to Post 258, Westfield. Served Post 49 as Adjutant eight years. as Quartermaster one year, and as Commander four years. Served the Department as Assistant Inspector and as Inspector-at-Large several years each: also as Aid-de-Camp on the staff of Department Commander for several years. He has been an energetic member of the order since his membership therein. He is a member
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ORDERLY SERGT. O. S KIMBALL
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of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, having taken the seven degrees of the order. He is connected with Sub- ordinate Grange No. 1088, of Westfield. Himself, wife and two daughters are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Westfield.
HENRY O. WILBUR.
Henry O. Wilbur, younger brother of Simeon E. L. Wilbur, was born at his home near Masonville, N. Y., Feb. 15. 1843. He enlisted in the same company and regiment on January 25th, 1862. Was appointed Corporal at or- ganization of company, doing in a soldier-like manner every duty that was required of him.
He was taken sick in September, 1862, and sent to the general hospital. He was furloughed from Convalescent Camp at Alexandria, Va., and was discharged for disa- bility from typhoid fever December 16, 1862, returning to his father's home at Ridgebury, Pa.
After discharge he attended school at Elmira about six months. In the spring of 1867 his parents moved to a farm near Rockford, Illinois. Was married November 28, same year, to Nancy Mertilla, daughter of John F. and Sally Ann ( Thompson) Seely of Ridgebury, Pa., at the home of the bride. After visiting friends in that vicinity they returned to Rockford, Illinois, making their home with his parents.
In March, 1869, the family moved to Burlingame, Kan- sais, where they have since resided. Mr. Wilbur, for twenty years from that time, carried on the business of wagon-making, but since that time he has been engaged in hardware trade.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur are the parents of three children, Fiz .: Anna Rose, born at Rockford, Illinois, September 9. 163; Lena Blanche and Bertie, twins, born May 2d. 1380, at Burlingame, Kansas. The boy. Bertie, died six
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weeks later. The eldest daughter, Anna Rose, was mar- ried July 15, 1891, to Frank E. Ross of Burlingame. One child has been born to this union, Wilbur, born in 1893. Mr. Ross is a member of the household, and a partner in the hardware business.
They were the youngest of eleven children, three of the boys entering the army. Alexander and two sons were in the 12th Regiment, Michigan Volunteers. All three died in the service. John M. went in 12th Michigan, and Belden H. G. sent a substitute. John lives at Alamosa, Colorado; Belden H. G. at Admire, Lyon County, Kan- sas. Five sisters still live, viz .: Mrs. Clarissa Sweet and . Mrs. George F. Webb, Elmira, N. Y .; Mrs. John F. Webb of Willawana, Bradford County, Pa .; Mrs. H. Glenny of Rockford, Ill .; and Mrs. W. N. Hemingway of Wheat- land, Hickory County, Mo.
The father died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George F. Webb, at Elmira, N. Y.
The mother died at the home of her son, Henry O. Wil- bur, at Osage City, Kansas, August 14, 1872.
ISAAC T. GERMAN.
Isaac T. German was born in Hector township, Schur- ler County, N. Y., July 18th, 1840. His father, Stephen T. German, was born in the town of Beekman, Dutchess County, N. Y., and died in the autumn months of 1880. His mother, Sally Southworth, was born at Chestnut Ridge, Dutchess County, and died in April, 1877.
At the breaking out of the great Rebellion young Ger- man was attending school at Peach Orchard, but went to Elmira, N. Y., in December of that year to enlist in the 10th New York Cavalry, but finding the regiment ranks entirely filled, returned home, intending to continue his studies during the winter term. He was, however, taken sick with diphtheria, and after recovering went to El-
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mira February 19, 1862, and enlisted in Company I, 103d Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. Here began the life of a soldier at Cold Spring Brewery on Water Street. At the time of the organization of the company Comrade German was appointed Corporal. At Elmira the duties were drilling, reading, and study, hard- ly as yet the routine of a soldier in camp. On March 21st the move to the front commenced by rail to Washington, joining the regiment, receiving muskets, camp and garri- son equipage, the balance of a soldier's outfit, then on to Annapolis, Md .. and thence by ocean steamer to New- berne, N. C. Before leaving Washington we were pre- sented with a stand of colors by William H. Seward, then Secretary of State, who made a speech giving us his blessing. From Newberne to Evans' Mill on outpost picket duty for week or more, and later with Companies 1, E and K were detached to Hatteras Island, N. C., for a three months' service.
Company I was stationed at Camp Winfield, except twenty men, who were sent to Cape Hatteras Light House as guard. We found Hatteras a very unhealthy place. Most of the company were sick at some time there, and a number died and were buried there.
Comrade German thus narrates an incident: We were attacked one night at Camp Winfield. I had charge of the camp guard. I think Comrade Hibbard was on post. When the enemy approached he halted them three times, and as they refused to halt he fired. Comrade Whitney lay on the bridge asleep. When Hibbard fired he sprang up, picked up his rifle and fired, then lay down again. I never saw anything more absurd and ridiculous than Whitney's firing at nothing, but like the good soldier he was, he must have a shot if there was a ghost of a chance. The Captain called the men all out, and there was a big time over a-mule.
Corporal German was promoted to Sergeant and Or-
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derly Sergeant during the latter part of 1862. From Hatteras Island in September to Washington, to Antie- tam, Md .; thence on the long march to Fredericksburg. Va., have been given in the history of the company. We give German's account of the battle of Fredericksburg. Va .: On the 11th of December, 1862, the fight began. and ended on the 13th, when one division, the 3d of the Ninth Corps, made the last assault upon the Confederate stronghold, and were, of course, repulsed, as all others had been. Sergeant Kimball, Comrades Whitney, Flow- er and Bryant were thrown in the air by the explosion of a shell, which plowed up the ground near them. We sup- posed they were killed, but were more than pleased when they showed up all right. Burnside withdrew the army and we went back to our old camp, and the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg was over. Over 12,000 men killed, wounded, and missing-perhaps some of them rau away-and nothing at all gained.
From Fredericksburg to Acquia Creek, to Newport News, Va., the siege of Suffolk, Va., we pass with the mention, as they were of interest in a general was only and not pertinent to this individual sketch. During the march up the Pamunkey River, and on to the Hanover Junction and back again, Comrade German was always on duty.
Of the engagement on James Island, S. C., July 2d. 1864, he writes: We left Folly Island the last day of June, after being mustered out for par; went to Long Island, from there to John's Island, and on the second of July struck James Island just after daylight. . 1 part of Company I was sent out ahead as skirmishers in charge of Captain Crosby. The regiment was marching by the flank on a road leading up the island. Major Morrison sent Sergeant Kimball with the balance of the . company ahead as skirmishers. After they had advanced a short distance a masked battery opened on us with
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canister. The regiment was thrown into confusion. They fired two discharges into the regiment, then turned one piece on the skirmish line. Narcisse Pail (better known as "Frenchy ") and John Read were killed. There were several killed in other companies and a lot wounded. Comrade Whitney captured a horse, and the first I saw of him he rode up to Major Morrison with some message just before the battery opened on us. He climbed off the horse and stood on the opposite side from the battery, the first time I ever saw him try to protect himself at all, but no sane man would or could have done differently. We fell back behind a small fortification, formed in line of battle, put a regiment of colored troops in front, charged and captured the battery (one section. ) One man stood at his gun with a lanyard in his hand; said he enlisted to go with that gun, and d-d if he was going to leave it. He was a plucky chap, and we had to fight to save his life, as the darkies were bound to kill him. Of course he was sent to the rear, and so disappeared from view. Major Morrison says in his report he "sent Sergeant Kimball with ten men forward as skirmishers, but as they knew nothing about skirmishing they were no use." With all due regard to Major Morrison's position in the service, I think he does Sergeant Kimball and the com- pany an injustice. While none of us claim Company I anything very extraordinary in skirmishing, they were as efficient as most companies in the service, and perhaps would have been no better on the skirmish line if they had been under Major Morrison's immediate command.
While at Bermuda Front, Va., during the winter of 1865, the period of enlistment of many of the members of Company I (three years) expired, and as their dis- charges were refused them they refused to do duty, Ser- geant German being among them, were sent to the guard house under arrest. Some time in February all those, whose time had thus expired, were sent to do guard duty
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at General Ferrera's headquarters. About March 12 they turned in their arms, ammunition, and camp and garrison equipage, and left the front, and at 6 o'clock, p. m., same day, left City Point, arrived at Jersey City at 10 o'clock, p. m., on the 14th, lay there till the next morning, then went to New York City, were mustered out on the 17th at the headquarters of the Department of the East, and reached home March 22, 1865.
Comrade German resumed work on the farm in Hector township, N. Y., where he lived till the spring of 1867. when he purchased a farm near Lodi, Seneca County. N. Y., and moved thereon. This farm he sold during the winter of 1870 and moved nearer Lodi for one year. while disposing of stock farming tools and implements. From here he moved to Geneva, working one year driving a team; then moved to a farm three miles west of that place to oversee, plant, and grow nursery stock. He af- terward engaged as a traveling salesman for nursery stock, at which he has since been engaged, residing in Geneva.
He was married December 26th, 1865, to Lina C .. daughter of John R. and Jemima T. ( Miller ) Spencer of Seneca County, N. Y. Mr. Spencer died in 1860 and Mrs. Spencer in the spring of 1872, near Lodi, N. Y.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. German two sons, viz .: Frank, born at Lodi, Seneca County, N. Y., November 24, 1867. and Mont. born near Geneva, N. Y., February 13, 1872. They were both fully educated. graduating at Hobart College. Geneva. with honor to themselves. Both have been through the Berkeley Divin- ity School of Middletown, Comeeticut, and Frank is ree- tor of St. Thomas Church at Mamaroneck. N. Y. about twenty miles north of New York, on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Mont is at home waiting ordination, expecting to make a life work of the ministry.
DANIEL J. LA DUE.
Daniel J. La Due, second son of Jeremiah H. and Eliza Jane (James) La Due was born in New York City Jan. 9, 1840, and was educated at Mattewan, Dutchess county, N. Y. January 4, 1862, he entered the United States army as a volunteer soldier.
In Camp Newburn, N. C., the company was obliged to parade each day with sixty rounds of cartridges, and on account of the box not being fitted properly, it pressed a nerve so as to paralyze it and render one limb useless.
When the company went to Cape Hatteras, he was sent to Newburn Hospital. After much difficulty, he reached the hospital, and after being ill in bed for three weeks, was carried to Beaufort City in an ambulance. Here he was unconscious of his surroundings, knowing only that he was for a long time in a darkened room. When he re- gained consciousness, it was thought best to send him home, but he refused to be discharged, and started on a journey to his regiment at Fredericksburg, Va.
He was stricken with fever on board a vessel off Hat- teras Inlet, and after failing to get admittance for him at the hospital, they finally left him on the steps, where he was found and taken in charge.
After six weeks of suffering, he was able to be about again, but had arelapse and was ill again for six weeks.
He was then discharged with his foot still disabled, and sent home to Elmira, N. Y., in March, 1863. By July he was able to walk again. He went to Brooklyn, N. Y .. and was married to Eliza Jane Walraven, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Walraven.
Here he followed the carpenter and builder trade until 1869, and then went to Carroll City, Carroll county, lowa, and lived there until 1876, removing in the spring of that year to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and lived there until November of the same year, when he removed to Philadel- phia, where he still resides.
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The following children were born to him: Sarah Eliza- beth, born June 23rd, 1866, at Brooklyn, and died Sep- tember 19, 1866, at Brooklyn, N. Y.
Charles Aldert, born April 4th; 1868, at Brooklyn, and died Sept. 3rd, 1868, at Brooklyn, N. Y.
Cornelia Jessie, born May 9th, 1869, at Brooklyn, N. Y., and died at Carroll City, Iowa, Aug. 18, 1869.
John Harrison, born June 5, 1870, at Carroll City, Iowa, and died Sept. 24, 1873, at Carroll City, Iowa.
Gertrude May, born June 9, 1872, at Carroll City, Iowa.
Daniel James, born March 7th, 1875, at Carroll City, . Iowa.
Jessie Arline, born Dec. 23rd, 1876, at Philadelphia, Pa., died July 13th, 1877. at Philadelphia.
Grace Ella, born Jan. 14th, 187S, at Philadelphia, Pa.
Hattie June, born Jan. 26th, 1881, at Philadelphia, Pa .; died March 4th, 1886, at Philadelphia, Pa.
Herbert Andrew, born June 3, 1884, at Philadelphia, Pa.
Of the four children living the oldest, Gertrude, married Johnathan Paxon Vandegrift, and is living at Bridge- water, Pa., where the youngest son Herbert is with her.
Daniel James, Jr , married Myrtle Jane Fitchenell and lives at 6234 Gibson ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
Grace married Waitman Wilbur Fitchenell and lives with her brother Daniel.
Mrs. LaDue died in Jan., 1895, and Comrade LaDue makes his home with his oldest son. He is only able to do light work at his trade.
HORACE H. BOLT.
Horace H. Bolt was born at Masonville, Delaware county, N. Y., May 7th. 1537. His father, who was of Anglo-Saxon orign, was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. in 1818. His mother was of English extraction, was
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born at Masonville, N. Y. Her maiden name was Olive G. Griswold, the daughter of a Baptist clergyman.
The elder Mr. Bolt was a practical and successful farm- er, a hard working man, and his sons were brought up in the same line.
He was the father of three sons and three daughters, viz: William G., Horace H., Alpheus E., (deceased ), Sarah L., Betsey A. and Lena F.
The subject of this sketch early showed a decided prefer- ence for music and made the teaching of vocal music a business till he enlisted January 4th, 1862, at Elmira, N. Y., in company I, which was then being formed by Capt. William M. Crosby for the 103d Regiment N. Y. Volun- teer Infantry.
On the organization of the company Comrade Bolt was appointed a corporal and went to the front with the com- pany. Soon after reaching Newberne, N. C., his talent as a musician came under requisition and he was de- tailed as a member of the regimental cornet band. an or- ganization which obtained some notoriety for its finely rendered selections. Later, when company I with com- panies E and K of the same regiment were ordered to Hatteras Island for garrison duty, Comrade Bolt ac- companied them and was one of the twenty (20) men sent to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse as guard.
Here he was taken sick with malarial fever and after a long and severe illness he was in October, 1864, dis- charged from United States General Hospital at Wash- ington, D. C., and returned home, where he finally re- gained his strength. Again he took up his profession of teaching music until the year 1875 he went to New York city and learned the business of tuning pianos.
Since that time he has followed this work, spending "very winter since 1872 in Georgia or Florida. His place of residence is Cannonsville. N. Y.
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JESSE S. BUCHANAN.
Jesse S. Buchanan was the son of Nathan and Eleanor (Stroek) Buchanan. He was born in the town of Jack- son, Tioga county, Pa. He enlisted at the age of 19 years-January 22d, 1862-at Elmira, in Capt. Crosby's company I, 103d Regt. N. Y. Vols., and went to the front in North Carolina, served with his company at Newberne and Evans Mills. At Hatteras Island he was one of the detachment sent to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse as guard. He was sent to Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D. C., in Sept., 1862, and was given furlough Oct. 16 for 30 days but on account of health shattered he was dis- charged from the service on surgeon's certificate of dis- ability before expiration of furlough. ( Malarial poison- ing.)
He was a mason by trade but followed farming the most of his life.
January 31, 1869, he married Jane, daughter of Luther and Margaret Andrews, of Jackson township, Tioga county, Pa., and commenced housekeeping on the farm he had purchased in Steuben Co., N. Y., where they re- sided until his death, which occurred April 2d. 1886, after a painful illness of four months, resulting from a compli- cation of diseases, gastritis being the predominant one.
Mrs. Buchanan and children, a short time after his death, moved to a farm about five miles distant that the husband had purchased only a short time before his death, where they still reside. The oldest son resides on the old farm where the father died.
REV. ABSOLAM CAREY.
Rev. Absolam Carey was the son of Absolam Carey, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. When twelve years old he enlisted as a drummer boy. He lived for some time near Elmira, N. Y., on the Chemung River, and here were born Daniel W. and Charles M. Carey. Soon after the
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CHAS M. CAREY.
birth of Charles the family removed to Waverly; N. Y., where they remained until after the elose of the War of 1861-'65, in which he served with four sons. On Folly Island in 1864 he joined the 103d Regiment, New York Volunteers, and in helping the wounded from the battle field on Long Island did a service which will not be for- gotten. After the war the family removed to Delaware, near Dover, to engage in fruit-raising, and here he lived until his death in 1894.
He was Chaplain of General Dan Woodall G. A. R. Post, No. 11, of Wyoming, Del., and at the time of his death was the oldest Chaplain in the United States. He wrote several poems, one of which was written for Memorial Day, 1SS4. His son, Daniel W., writes: "In December, 1894, I was summoned to the death-bed of my father near Dover. Del. While I was at his side he said, 'Soon will come Piekett's charge.' As he had always used com- parisons in his general conversation I understood it to mean that soon would come the struggle between life and death. That, my dear comrades, will bear thinking about. Can we meet that terrible charge of death equal with him? May we be prepared."
CHARLES M. CAREY.
Charles M. Carey, son of Rev. Absalom Carey, was born in Chemung county, N. Y., June 22nd, 1849. Not long afterwards his parents moved to Waverly, N. Y .. where he lived tillenlistment. He came of good fighting, patriotic stock. His grandfather Absalom Carey, was a revolutionary soldier, and two of the Carey family were at the Wyoming massacre in 1778,
His father, Rev. Absalom Carey, enlisted when twelve years old as drummer. His uncle, Benjamin Carey, served in the Mexican war. His father, with four sons, served in the war of 1861-63.
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The subject of this sketch enlisted Feb. 4, 1864, in Com- pany I, 103rd Regiment N. Y. Vols., as a drummer, join- ing the regiment on Folly Island, S. C., and served con- tinuously with same until finally mustered out at City Point, Va., December 7th, 1865, with the exception of a furlough of fifteen days in the spring of 1865.
After receiving his discharge and final pay, at Hart's Island, New York Harbor, he went to the State of Dela- ware, where his parents had moved, remaining two years. He spent one winter in New York city at school, six months on the M. & E. R. R. of New Jersey, returning to Delaware. In 1869 he went to Chicago and spent three years in Illinois and Iowa. In 1871 he returned to Delaware and studied the drug business, and engaged in the same for twelve years, at Wyoming, Delaware. He organized Company E, 9th Regiment, N. G. of Delaware, and became its Captain, and served seven years. He was re-elected and served two years more, and was then pro- moted to be Major of the regiment, serving five years.
In 1882 he became charter member of General A. T. A. Tarbut post. No. 3, G. A. R., of Dover, Delaware, and was its Chaplain In 1883 he organized General Dan. Woodall post, No. 11, G. A. R., and became its command- er. In 1884 he was elected Department Commander of the Department of Delaware, being at that time only 35 years of age.
His father, Rev. Absalom Carey, was elected Depart- ment Chaplain at the same time.
His brother, P. V. Carey, was Commander of the De- partment of Iowa G. A. R .; also organized and was leader of Carey's Military Band, and was delegate to the conventions that nominated electors for both Gar- field and Harrison.
Major Charles M. Carey graduated from Philadelphia Optical College and was an optician for two years in Philadelphia.
DANIEL W. CAREY.
He was twice married, and has a son by his first wife living in Philadelphia, who is a druggist. Four sons and one daughter by his second wife are still living, viz .: Lou- ise T., Charles M., Robert A., Willis T., Rebu M.
He is a composer of music and writes poetry. Some pieces have become celebrated.
He moved to Hampton, Va., in 1895, in which place he is still engaged in optical business.
DANIEL W. CAREY.
Daniel W. Carey was born July 16, 1839, on the banks of Chemung river, east of Elmira, N. Y., near the scene of the battle fields of Gen. Sullivan's army, Aug. 29th, 1779. He was the son of Rev. Absalom Carey and grandson of Absalon Carey, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
In the fall of 1859 he determined to gratify his desire to see other places, and together with his brother, who was suffering from bronchial trouble, started for a trip South. Passing through Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Md .. they came to Washington, D. C. After visiting the places of interest in and around the Capital City of the Nation, they went by steamer to Acquia Creek, Va., thence by rail to Fredericksburg, Va. Here they formed many ac- quaintances among the best families in that section, and being musicans, they became quite favorites, among the young people especially, and were often invited to even- ing parties, thus extending their scope of acquaintance.
The time passed pleasantly till during the winter of 1860-61, when the dark clouds which preceded the out- break of the great civil war began to hover over the country. They became acquainted and spent part of the winter with the family of Charles Hepburn, formerly from Williamsport, Pa., who lived near Salem Church, about four miles from Fredericksburg. Later they made headquarters farther north, at a place called Laurel Hill,
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with a family by the name of Couse, who had lived there some twenty years. The. father and mother were de- deceased, leaving one son, Peter by name, and three daughters, who occupied the fine homestead. They were well educated, were pleasant and agreeable in manners. and many pleasant hours were spent here. The war fever became so high during the spring of 1861 that to remain here was at the risk of life and property, many threats being made. At Fredericksburg young Carey saw the marching and drilling of cavalry and infantry. and heard them talk about Davis' troops coming to take Washing- ton. These troops had very recently gathered there, and the excitement was intense. The talk of pressing every able-bodied man into the Southern service did not suit the taste of these two brothers. Allcommunication with Washington had been closed, and everything assumed a warlike attitude. The only way out of Virginia now to them was via Brandy Station, on the Orange and Alex- andria railway. After consultation with the Couse fam- ily, it was decided that the brother, who was not yet sufficiently recovered to warrant him in attempting to travel the distance required, should take Daniel W. to the station, twenty miles distant, the next morning, and re- turn to the Couse home. Before leaving, one of the sis- ters had written a letter to her brother in Jersey City, N. J., which he put with others he had to mail in a side pocket.
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