History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 130

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > New York > Cattaraugus County > History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 130

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).

Since 1869 the principal officers have been :

Supervisors.

Town Clerks.

1870 Howard Fuller, Jr.

George Haynes.

1871

Richard Burgett.

F. J. Eighme.

1872 Clark W. Bosworth.

S. F. Pease.

1873 E. R. Kelly. 4

Wm. C. Flanders.

1874

S. D. Woodford.

1875 S. D. Woodford.

A. A. Casler.

1876

Clark W. Bosworth.

Thomas Rosenberry.

1877

E. C. McIntosh.

Daniel Carr.

1878

. L. J. Darling.

S. M. Wetmore.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1870. E. W. Taylor.

1874. James F. Eighme.

Wm. C. Flanders.

1871. D. W. Kelly.

1875. F. Strickland.

S. F. Pease.

1876. John Brinning.

1872. John Sharp.

1877. S. D. Woodford,

1873. Win. J. Banks.

1878. Win. Preston.

S. D. Woodford.

S. M. Wetmore.

PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES.

At the spring session of the town board, in 1869, the following resolution was passed : " Resolved, that the super- visor of the town of Red House be authorized to borrow money and issue the bonds of the town for the same, not to exceed $6000, for the purpose of erecting a bridge across the Allegany River in said town ; the bonds to be payable, one-third yearly until paid with interest."

At a special meeting, Oct. 15, 1870, $1000 was appro- priated to build approaches to this bridge; and at another special meeting, December 12, the same year, the supervi- sor was authorized to send H. Ansley to Albany to solicit an appropriation from the State to go towards paying the bridge, "and that the amount to be paid the said Ansley shall not exceed 8300."

Mr. Ansley succeeded in getting an appropriation of $3000 for this purpose.

This bridge is near Red House station, and is a substan- tial structure, more than 500 feet long. It is the second one that occupies this site, the first one having been erected in 1860. The expense of its construction was defrayed by a tax of 7 cents an acre on the lands of the citizens living on the south side of the river.

In 1873 the town appropriated $600 for the support of roads and bridges ; and at subsequent meetings $500 per year was voted for the same purpose. The town is divided

Digitized by Google

503

504

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

into five road districts; and, considering the meagre popu- lation, possesses good roads to the principal points within her bounds.

The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad passes down the right bank of the Allegany River, having nearly 3 miles of track in Red House.

A station and side-tracks for shipping purposes have been provided at Red House, nearly 6 miles below Salamanca.

LUMBER-MILLS.

The first saw mill in town was put up on the Little Red House Creek, about 1849, by Hubbard Clark, Marcus Frisbie, and several others. It has long since been aban- doned.

The Bay State Lumber Company put up the next mill, operated by steam, about 1853, on lot 64, in town. It has a good capacity, and when in operation creates a great deal of business in that locality. The mill has been idle the past few years.

A short time after the above was erected, James Appleby put up another steam saw-mill on lot 27, which was there operated until the timber was exhausted, when the ma- chinery was removed to lot 28, and put into a new mill, which has been operated since 1870 by J. F. Eighme. It is capable of cutting 20,000 feet per day, and when all the machinery is operated employs 10 men.

On lot 28, John Sharp has operated a shingle-mill, cut- ting 5000 per day, since 1870.

In the same year Patterson's steam saw-mill, on lot 6, was put in operation. Before that period it was a water- power mill.

On lot 8, a steam saw-mill of 10,000 feet per day capacity was built by William Brown, in 1877, and the same year Elias C. McIntosh commenced operating a mill on lot 9, which has a capacity of 15,000 feet per day.

On Big Red House Creek, on lot 7, Francis Strickland had a mill for the manufacture of shingles, twenty years ago, in which, at a later date, steam-power was employed. In 1872 it was destroyed by fire.

About 1860, A. H. Reynolds had in operation a saw- mill on the Allegany, half a mile above the bridge, which was in 1872 removed to lot 24, where it is now largely op- erated, cutting yearly thousands of feet of hard lumber.

Clark W. Bosworth has in successful operation, on lot 15, a shingle-mill, and formerly had a steam saw-mill, which was destroyed by fire. A shingle-mill is also operated by Ellis & France, on lot 21, and another by William Reynolds, since 1877.

L. J. Darling's handle-factory, on lot 18, was erected in 1873, by Darling & Gibbs. Six men are employed in the manufacture of long handles from the excellent white ash growing in that locality.

These lumber interests have given employment to a large number of men, and in prosperous times made the business of Red House as active as that of any other town of like area. At present, trade is somewhat depressed and lim- ited almost entirely to the Indians.

THE STORES AND TAVERNS

were usually kept at the station or in its vicinity. The Bay State Company kept the first store in town, at its mills, and goods were sold there until work was suspended, in 1875. At the station, Theodore Bristol began business, in 1866, and continued in trade four or five years. He was followed by Wendell & Merritt and Wetmore Brothers. S. M. Wetmore transferred the business, in 1878, to the Indian hamlet on the opposite side of the river. Here, at another stand, the Casler Brothers and Mrs. Maybee have been in trade.

The Red House post-office was established in 1869, with Theodore Bristol postmaster. He was succeeded by Caleb Merritt, and he, in turn, by S. M. Wetmore, the present postmaster. Two mails per day are received.

The only regular public-house in the town was put up at the station, in 1871, by Richard Burgett, and is still con- tinued by him as a tavern.

There is no hamlet of whites in the town, the cluster of houses at Red House being the only place that ap- proaches a hamlet, but is prevented by its being on the Reservation from becoming a more important place.

SCHOOLS AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

In 1878 the town had four school districts, provided with buildings having an aggregate value of $1885. The total number of weeks of school taught was 122; the schools were supported at an expense of $913.82, of which sum $544.17 was raised by taxation in the town. The children of school age numbered 149, and the average attendance was 45. The first school-house was built in 1851, on the Little Red House, and there Caroline Barnes was the first teacher. An Indian school is also taught on the Reservation.

In school district No. 2 worshiped a class of Methodists, which disbanded before 1870. Since that period the United Brethren have maintained regular preaching there, the ministers being the Revs. Reeves, Hodge, Butterfield, Allen and Robinson. There is a class of 15 members, under the leadership of William Dunbar.

Missionary services have been held among the Indians of the town by the Baptists and the Methodists, and on the 2d of December, 1860, the latter organized a church so- ciety, having Dodge Fatty, John Doxtater, Isaac Jemison, Payson Jemison, Foster Payne, Harvey Payne, and James Rosenberry as trustees. Nothing further has been done, and services are now only irregularly held.

The Greenwood Cemetery Association of Red House was formed at the school-house in district No. 2, Nov. 11, 1870, of eleven persons as incorporators.

The trustees chosen were Nelson Frink, Robert H. Phillips, Samuel F. Pease, Samuel D. Woodford, Lyman H. Oakes, Francis Strickland, Sylvester V. Dunbar, Abner Brown, Giles Stoddard. S. D. Woodford was elected presi- dent and S. F. Pease secretary.

The association has not yet secured grounds for cemetery purposes, and there is no regular cemetery in the town.

Digitized by

Google

SUPPLEMENT.

THE PEOPLE'S ELLSWORTH REGIMENT .* 44TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

BY COL. E. A. NASH.

ONE of the first heroes to fall in the war of the Rebellion was Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth. While his remains lay in state at the capitol in Albany, some of the patriotic people of that city conceived the idea of raising a regiment from the State at large, in honor of that distinguished young officer. The plan adopted was to take one man from each town and ward in the State, to be chosen by the people of such town or ward. A circular was published, setting forth the qualifications that such man must possess to be entitled to enter this regiment. " He must be a man of good moral character, temperate, unmarried, under thirty years of age, at least five feet eight inches in height, and pay into the regimental fund one hundred dollars." This plan was modified before the regiment was filled, allowing five men from any town or ward, and reducing the sum to be paid in to twenty dollars. This plan as modified was substantially carried out. Many of the officers were taken from the celebrated Ellsworth Chicago Cadets, and some of whom served with Col. Ellsworth in the New York Fire Zouave Regiment. The regiment was known as the People's Ells- worth Regiment, or the 44th New York Infantry Volun- teers. By this plan a superior class of young men were called together.

Perhaps no New York regiment during the war contained in its ranks the representatives of so many different locali- ties. Such was the popularity of the organization that many applied for admission who could not be received, and some refused commissions to go into other regiments, say- ing, they preferred to stay in the ranks of the 44th. Great proficiency was made in tactics and drill during its stay in the rendezvous at Albany. The first field and commis- sioned staff officers were as follows : Col., Stephen W. Stryker; Lieut .- Col., James C. Rice; Maj., James Mc- Gowan; Adj., E. B. Know; Surg., Wm. Frothingham ; Asst. Surg., E. B. Bissel ; Q .- M., F. R. Mundy.

The first company commanders were the following : A, Capt. E. P. Chapin ; B, Capt. L. S. Larabee; C, Capt. W. H. Revere; D, Capt. F. Conner; E, Capt. M. McN. Walsh ; F, Capt. C. Allen; G, Capt. W. L. Vanderlip; H, Capt. W. N. Danks; I, Capt. W. Shaffer; K, Capt. W. K. Miller.

Schreiber's celebrated band of Albany went out with the

* The history of this regiment is necessarily inserted as a supple- ment, because received after the military chapter of the work bad gone to press .- PUBLISHER.

regiment, and remained until mustered out, in August, 1862, under general orders.

The first men reached the barracks at Albany, August 8, 1861, and the regiment, fully armed and equipped, was mustered into the United States service, Sept. 24, 1861, for three years or during the war. The plan pursued in its organization awakened an interest in its welfare in all parts of the State. On leaving the rendezvous at Albany, Oct. 21, 1861, the 44th received marked attention by the people of that city. The streets along its line of march, while en route for the boat-landing, were thronged with people, cheer- ing and waving their adieus. When it reached State Street, it was halted in front of the residence of Hon. Erastus Cor- ning, and there the mayor, in behalf of Mrs. Corning, pre- sented the regiment with a rich and beautiful flag; and in presenting it he enjoined upon the officers and men, both in- dividually and as a regiment, "that this beautiful flag, the emblem of our country, should never be stained with dis- honor." The colonel received the flag, and, after thanking the giver, turned to the regiment and asked, " Boys, shall that flag ever fall ?" The whole regiment, with one spon- taneous acclaim, responded, " Never ! never!" In New York this regiment was warmly received, making a memor- able march down Broadway, and received the plaudits of the people and flattering notices by the press.

The regiment left Albany for New York in an elegant boat, rode in comfortable cars from New York to Phila- delphia, then were huddled together in box- and cattle- cars for the balance of the way to Washington. Reaching Washington in the night, refreshments were procured at the Soldiers' Rest ; then all hands lay down upon the side- walks to sleep. In the forenoon of the next day, the regi- ment marched past the White House, and was reviewed by President Lincoln, after which it marched to Kalorama Heights, and for the first time pitched camp in an open field. Holiday soldiering was now at an end. Next came a grand, fatiguing review, after which the regiment crossed Long Bridge into Virginia, and, after a long, tedious march, which lasted until far into the night, it halted on Hall's Hill, and proceeded to stack arms and unsling knapsacks. There seemed to be some doubt for a time where rations and lodging were coming from. This suspense was of short duration, as the 83d Pennsylvania Regiment took the officers and men of the 44th to their camp, which was near by, and gave them a cordial welcome and a hearty supper. That supper was the beginning of a warm attachment between these two regiments, which continued during the war, and which exists at the present time.

Capt. Judson, in his history of the 83d Regiment, which was written some time after the war, says, " There is a feel-

505

Digitized by Google

506

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ing of unusual cordiality existing between these two regi- ments, and an insult to either would be taken up by the other, as if done to itself." Here the regiment was assigned to the 3d (Butterfield's) Brigade in Porter's Division, which became the 1st Division in the 5th Corps on its organiza- tion, May 10, 1862. The 3d Brigade was composed of the following infantry regiments: 83d Pennsylvania, Col. McLane; 16th Michigan, Col. Stockton ; 17th New York, Col. Lansing; 44th New York, Col. Stryker.

A camp was regularly laid out, and methods were adopted for attaining military discipline, and thus the winter of 1861-62 was passed.

Long before daylight on the morning of March 10, 1862, camp was struck, and the 3d Brigade left winter quarters and marched to Fairfax Court-House, at which place the 44th was detached from the remainder of the brigade, and in company with Col. Averill's regiment of cavalry advanced on Centreville. Before reaching that place skirmishers were thrown out, line was formed, and all due solemnity was observed in approaching the enemy's frowning works. But wooden guns, empty trenches, and deserted camps were all that was found; and, after a night's sleep in the vacant log barracks of the enemy, the regiment retraced its steps to Fairfax, and thence marched to Alexandria in a drench- ing rain. Here we remained until March 21, when we embarked on the steamer " Georgia," and, on the morning of the 22d, left the wharf and proceeded down the Potomac to Fortress Monroe, which place was reached on the 23d. On the 24th, marched to Hampton, and went into camp, where we remained in active service until the 27th, when a reconnoissance in force was made to Big Bethel. April 4, the whole army advanced by different roads towards York- town, our division having the right of the line. There was but little skirmishing before the army reached a point in front of the enemy's works at Yorktown, on the 5th day of April.

Gen. Butterfield called the officers of the brigade together, and gave orders for each regiment to leave their knapsacks under guard of one man, and be ready in two minutes to charge the enemy's works. The two minutes passed, and still the brigade did not charge. Then fol- lowed a campaign of shovels lasting until May 4, when the enemy dug out and we marched into Yorktown. During the siege, Delos W. Gurnsey, Co. H, of Randolph, N. Y., was killed by a shell while in the trenches, being the first man killed in the regiment. He was given a soldier's burial. The 44th was left to garrison Yorktown and Gloucester Point. While here an officer, with a detail of men, was ordered to take all the prisoners of war in Yorktown to Fortress Monroe, and from that place he was ordered by Gen. Wool to take them to Fort Delaware, near Philadelphia. After remaining on this duty a few days, a meeting of the officers of the regiment was held, at which it was decided to make the request to the general command- ing that the 44th be allowed to join the advance, on the ground that the expectations of the friends of the regi- ment would not be realized by its performing the inglorious part of garrison duty. Permission was granted, and the regiment set out to prove its metal and to share the for- tunes of the Light Brigade. Scarcely had it assumed its position, before Gen. Porter advanced with his 1st Division

to destroy the railroad at Hanover Court-House. The command started about three o'clock on the morning of the 27th, and made a rapid march of eighteen miles in a heavy rain. Gen. Martindale was left with the 25th New York, the 2d Maine, and the 44th, to hold an im- portant position, while the remainder of the division went forward to capture the station at Hanover Court-House and tear up and destroy the track .. When the other troops had gone, Branch's rebel division, consisting of seven regi- ments, with artillery, spiritedly attacked the three regiments under the command of Martindale. The position was an important one; if the enemy could defeat Martindale's command he could take a strong position in the rear of the remainder of the division, and deliver battle with decided advantages in his favor. For more than one hour did Mar- tindale's command gallantly hold in check that entire divis- ion, until reinforcements arrived, when the enemy was routed with a heavy loss of killed, wounded, and prisoners. This was the first open field-fight in which the 44th was engaged, and most valiantly did it receive its first real baptism of war.

Lieut .- Col. Rice had his horse shot, and while the battle raged hottest cheered on the regiment, saying, " Men, you are making history ; let there be no stain in it." The 44th lost 27 killed and 57 wounded. In this battle Maj. E. P. Chapin was wounded, and while absent on account of his wound was made colonel of the 116th New York. With this new command he went to New Orleans and was killed at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863. He was a worthy man, a gallant and promising soldier. Adj. E. B. Knox was also severely wounded. Gen. McClellan, in his reports referring to the battle of Hanover Court-House, said, " The enemy soon returned to attack Gen. Martindale, who at once formed the 2d Maine, the 25th and 44th New York, with one section of Martin's Battery, on the New Bridge Road, facing his own position of the morning, and there held his ground for an hour against large odds until reinforced."

The division returned to camp on the north bank of the Chickahominy on the 29th. May 30, occurred a terrific thunder-storm, during which lightning struck our camp, killed Q .- M. Sergt. Howlett and stunned many others.

During the Seven Days' Fight the 44th was engaged at Mechanicsville, Gaines' Hill, New Market, Turkey Bend, and Malvern Hill, and lost in those engagements 16 killed and 140 wounded. The loss of the 5th Corps in the seven days was greater than that of any other corps, and the list of casualties of the 44th showed that it had borne its proportion of the loss.

At the battle of Gaines' Hill it held the left of our line, with the 83d Pennsylvania on its right. The battle com- menced about ten o'clock A.M., and continued almost inces- santly until dark. The enemy was baffled in his attempt to turn our flanks, and finally massed his troops and attacked our centre in column by division, and after great courage on both sides, succeeded in breaking our line, when his victorious forces bore down on our left wing. When our troops in the centre, after fighting heroically, had been pressed back, the 44th and 83d endeavored to hold the field, and they stubbornly contested the ground when as- sailed on their right, front, and rear. But the shattered

Digitized by Google

507

HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ranks of these two regiments were unequal to the emergency, and they left the field only when ordered to do so.

In passing, justice requires a more particular mention of the conduct of the 44th at the battle of Malvern Hill. About four or five o'clock in the afternoon the brigade bugler came to the rear of the regiment and sounded the charge. After the regiment had been put in readiness, Lieut .- Col. Rice commanding said, " Forty-Fourth, I want you to charge to-day as you never charged before !" The enemy was at the same time forming. under cover of a piece of woods, preparatory to making an assault on our line. The regiment fixed bayonets, then advanced at quick time, with splendid alignment, over one-half the distance that intervened between the opposing forces, then charged impetuously, driving everything before it, leaving our own first line of battle in the rear, passing the enemy's dead and wounded, and then, with the precision and cool- ness of a movement on the drill-ground, changed front for- ward on the tenth company ; in this position, bayonets were unfixed and it fought on regardless of support, and above the line of battle the voice of Col. Rice was heard : " Men, we are Christians and we can die!" There is but little doubt if .this charge had been followed up by a general ad- vance of our line the enemy would have been driven in con- fusion from the field. The regiment lost one hundred men in killed and wounded. Capt. C. A. Woodworth, of York- shire, a highly-esteemed and brave officer, was severely wounded in his face while cheering on his men. The corps commander issued a congratulatory order to the reg- iment for gallant conduct in the fight.

At one o'clock on the morning of July 2, the remainder of the regiment started for Harrison's Landing, leaving dead and wounded and a victorious field behind. The bitterness and extent of the humiliation that pervaded the rank and file of the army will never be fully told. God only knows how many soldiers' breasts were moved by anxiety that rainy, muddy day for the fate of our nation. Probably no subse- quent reverse of our arms was felt half so keenly as that.

On the 4th day of July, Col. Stryker was allowed to re- sign. His usefulness as an officer of the regiment was fully ended. He would hardly claim any considerable share of the honor won by the regiment. The general commanding the corps issued the following order :

" HEADQUARTERS 5TH PROV'L ARMY CORPS. CAMP NEAR HARRISON'S LANDING, VA., July 6, 1862. " General Orders, No. 4.

"The commanding general congratulates the officers and men of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac on the perils through which they have so honorably passed, and the successes they have added by their valor to the glory of our arms in the following actions, viz. : Yorktown, April 5; New Bridge, May 24; Hanover Court- House, May 27: Mechanicsville, June 26 and 27; Chickahominy, June 27; New Market, June 30; Turkey Bridge, June 30; Malvern, July 1.

"The regiments and batteries engaged are entitled to inscribe on their banners these battles. The commanding general has to inform the corps and to offer his congratulations, with the information that he has receive I from the government at Washington, that the efforts and successes above mentioned have received its attention, and carned both approval and reward. . . .

"By command of BRIG. GEN. F. J. PORTER.

(Signed) " FRED. T. LOCKE, " Asst. Adjt .- Gen."

The following order was also received :

" HEADQUARTERS BUTTERFIELD'S BRIGADE, MORRILL'S DIVISION. " Cirenlar.

"Brave soldiers of the 3d Brigade :

"It is with no ordinary pride that your general promulgates to you general orders No. 4, from the headquarters of the army corps. Your bravery and gallantry have won my love, and you are as dear to me as brothers. Ifet the esprit and the pride which have always distin- .guished you be renewed and redoubled. Your children's children will be proud of your noble acts, and your country will love you. Let every one, officers and men, make renewed exertions, and let the next call to arms find the brigade, as it always has horetofore, unflinching, unfaltering, devoted to the country and the honor of its flag. Let the proud recollections of the glorious names your banner will bear redouble your strength and zeal, so that as heretofore you will equal twice your numbers of the enemy.

(Signed)

"By command of "BRIG .- GEN. BUTTERFIELD. " THOS. J. HOYT, " Asst. Adjt .- Gen."

During the night of August 1, the rebels planted some artillery on the south banks of the James River, then opened fire upon our camp. This unexpected fire created not a little commotion.

The next day the 3d Brigade was ordered across the river, made a reconnoissance towards Petersburg, and, find- ing no enemy, returned and went into bivouac on Ruffin's farm. After remaining there five days, and living on the " fat of the land," they returned to their old position on the north side of the river."

On the night of August 14 the 5th Corps struck camp and took the advance in the march of the army down the Peninsula, reaching Hampton after three days' and one night's march.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 130

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: