History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 43

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York > Part 43

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At the annual meeting of the board of supervisors in 1849, Odin Bene- dict was elected chairman and D. Sherman as clerk. At this session it was voted to raise $1,000 as the contributive share of the county towards the

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building of a bridge aeross Cattaraugus ereek at Upper Irving. At the adjourned meeting an order was made authorizing the Westfield and Clymer Plank-Road Company to construet a plank road from Westfield, through Sherman and Clymer, to the state line near Columbus. An aet was also passed, in pursuance of the powers first vested this year in boards of super- visors, by which the taking of fish from Chautauqua lake by means of a seine or net was made unlawful, and the person violating such law liable to a penalty of $25.

At the election held this fall John P. Hall and Samuel Barrett were elected to the assembly and Daniel Sherman was elected district attorney.

The discovery of gold in California eaused mueh excitement throughout the country, and many citizens emigrated thither in 1849 and succeeding years.

1850. At the meeting of the board of supervisors Reuben E. Fenton was eleeted chairman, Charles Chadwiek elerk. Its " proceedings " this year were first published in pamphlet form mueh to the advantage of the people. May 4, 1850, a meeting was held at Sinclairville (Jolin Love, of Gerry, president) to promote the building of a plank road from Fredonia south through Sinclair- ville and Gerry, to meet a contemplated one extending northward from James- town. These companies were organized and the roads built ; they formed one of the most important highways in the county. For several years nearly all merchandise for Warren, Jamestown, and the southeastern part of the county, was transported over them. In the fall election Washington Hunt was elected governor, Austin Smith and Daniel W. Douglas were elected to . the assembly, James Mullett was reelected justice of the supreme court, Emory F. Warren, surrogate. The population of the county this year was 50,493. Hanover was the most populous town, having 5, 144 inhabitants. Pomfret, which included Dunkirk, had a population of 4,483, and Ellicott, which ineluded Jamestown, but 3,523 inhabitants. The least populous town was Frenel. Creek, with but 725 inhabitants. This year's eensus shows an inerease of population from 1845 of 2,945.

1851. At the meeting of the board of supervisors in the fall, Reuben E. Fenton was elected chairman, and Charles Chadwick clerk. The board passed a resolution changing the time for holding town meetings, from the first Tuesday of March to the third Tuesday of February, and fixed the reg- ular meeting of the board of supervisors on the second Monday of October of each year. At the fall election, Elisha Ward of Silver Creek was elected state senator, Austin Smith and Jeremiah Ellsworth members of assembly, Selden Marvin county judge, Philip S. Cottle special county judge, Francis S. Edwards special surrogate, Alpheus S. Hawley, sheriff, Richard O. Green clerk.

The completion of the Erie railroad in 1851 marked the beginning of an era

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in the history of the county as completely as did that of the Erie canal 25 years before, and its opening to Dunkirk was celebrated in a grand manner by thousands of people of the county, the officers of the road, President Fill- more and cabinet, and many distinguished guests (see Dunkirk). The canal although it did not extend to the county, brought all western New York into communication with the cast. The Erie railroad brought direct and quick communication with New York city. In 1852 the Buffalo & State Line railroad was completed from Buffalo through Dunkirk to the state line. The use of this road materially increased the facilities for transporting pro- ducts to market, and stimulated improvements in every part of the county. A plank road was built from Westfield south through the western towns, and one from Dunkirk south through the eastern towns, which greatly facilitated conveyance of merchandise from the railroads to the southern towns, and of products from those towns to the railroads. These increased facilities advanced at once the price of butter, cheese, and all farmer's products, and also made a market for many articles that before had none. Now signs of . prosperity appeared everywhere. Many of the farmers had paid for land, and were improving their farms. Neat white frame-honses were built in the place of the decaying log houses, and the primitive red or unpainted frame- houses of early days. Straggling rail fences enclosing gardens and front yards were replaced by board and picket fences, while substantial rail fences took the place of the brush and log fences around the fields, and the pic- turesque well sweep gave place to the more convenient pump. In many portions of the southern towns, the pine stumps were extracted to do duty as most homely but enduring line and road fences. Churches and school houses were in progress. Old roads were improved and new ones laid out. These changed circumstances influenced the farmers to take better care of their animals and to seek to improve the breeds of stock, and led them to a more careful cultivation of the soil, and the use of better farming implements. Schools and the education of children received more attention than before. With the increase of wealth and leisure, social conditions changed also. People began to dress in better taste, and the conventionalities and the proprieties of life better observed. The rude methods of the pioneer entirely disappeared. Gone too were his simple characteristics, his hospitality, unselfishness and unaffected friendship. Can it be truly said that all the seeming gain has com- pensated for so real a loss ?

During the ten years that followed the completion of the Erie railroad the rapid progress of the county continued, and events occurred of sufficient consequence to entitle them to be fully recorded did space permit, but we are now approaching a most momentous period in the history of the country, which left its impress deeply here, as well as elsewhere, and overshadowed all the occurrences of peace.

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The presidential election of 1860 was the most interesting and exciting that had ever been held. Abraham Lincoln was nominated by the Republi- cans, Stephen A. Donglas by the northern Democrats, John C. Breckenridge by the southern Democrats, and John Bell by the " Constitutional Unionists." A campaign of intense political excitement followed. The destiny of the nation was held in the balance. Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin were elected president and vice-president. In Chautauqua county, Lincoln received 8,481 votes, Douglas, Breckenridge, and Bell, represented by the Union electors, received 3,670.

1861 was the most memorable year in the history of the United States. It began with the secession of many of the southern states. On the 12th of April the great civil war commenced, General Beauregard on that day open- ing fire npon Fort Sumpter. On the 14th it surrendered. On the 15th President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for 75,000 men for three months. The whole country was thrown into the wildest excitement. In every city, town and village in the north, the banner of the Union was raised. When the exciting news reached Chautauqua county, public meetings were immediately held to enlist volunteers and to raise money for the support of their families. At Fredonia a public meeting was held on the evening of the 20th. It was addressed by OscarW. Johnson, Frederick A. Redington, George Barker, Lorenzo Morris, Ezra S. Ely, Orson Stiles and- George Cranston. Patriotic resolutions were passed, and $2,870 was subscribed to a fund for the relief of the families of the volunteers. On the 29th of April a great mass-meeting was held in Jamestown. The stores and business places were closed, and flags were universally displayed. Samuel A. Brown was chosen president of the meeting. Horace Allen, Jehial Tiffany, Levi Barrows, Sardius Steward, D. G. Powers, Daniel Williams, John A. Hall, Emri Davis, David Wilbur, H. N. Thornton, John Markham and S. E. Palmer vice-presidents. The meet- ing was addressed with patriotic and effective speeches by its president, by Hon. R. P. Marvin, Rev. S. W. Roe, H. H. Stockton of Panama, T. H. Rouse, Rev. Levi W. Norton, Henry Benson, and J. Leslie, Capt. James M. Brown, Madison Burnell, Rev. Isaac George, Wmn. H. Lowry and Theodore Brown. A large fund was raised. In Westfield April 20th, a meeting was held in Hinkley Hall which was densely packed. Hon. George W. Patter- son was called to the chair, and addressed the citizens assembled in a stirring and patriotic speech. He was followed by Henry A. Prendergast, Rev. Jere-" miah C. Drake, H. C. Kingsbury, John C. Long, Mr. Adams, Geo. W. Palmer, Capt. Thomas Baker and others. A large number of men enlisted and $1,000 was subscribed. On thie 3d of May, President Lincoln called for . 42,000 volunteers for three years. While such stirring scenes were occurring in the North, at the South the people were no less enthusiastic. Everywhere

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troops were enlisted and preparations inade to resist every attempt to force the Southern states back into the Union.

On July 21 the North suffered defeat at Bull Run. The South were exultant at their victory in this, the first great battle of the war, and regarded it as an omen of final success. The North on the other hand was depressed by the disaster, and made to realize the magnitude of the rebellion it had undertaken to suppress. The people of the North prepared to put forth most extraordinary efforts to subdue it. 500,000 men were called for. War meet- ings were held all through the North. Chautauqua county was prompt to respond to the call of the president. In July three enthusiastic gatherings were held at Jones Hall in Jamestown. The first on Friday evening, July 25, followed by others on the succeeding Saturday and Monday evenings, each addressed by earnest speakers in thrilling speeches. Among them were Madison Burnell, Capt. John F. Smith, Major Win. O. Stevens, Capt. Tuck- erman, Rev. 1. W. Norton, Capt. A. J. Marsh, Rev. Henry Benson, Col. Henry Baker, Rev. T. H. Rouse, Theodore Brown, Col. A. F. Allen and others. 40 soldiers were enlisted, and $2,600 subscribed. There were meet- ings in many other parts of the county. At Sinclairville, meetings were held, of which Caleb J. Allen was chosen president, and which were address- ed by Madison Burnell, C. J. Allen and others. At Ellington, Poland, Car- roll, Kiantone, Busti, Harmony and in the middle and northern parts of the county, earnest meetings were held, soldiers enlisted, and money subscribed.

The first troops that Chautauqua sent to the front marched early in the summer of 1861, and were incorporated as a part of the zand New York, commanded by Col. Nelson Taylor. They consisted of one company recruited at Jamestown, three companies from Dunkirk and vicinity, one of which was commanded by Capt. W. O. Stevens, and one company sent from Westfield. Late in the stummer Chautauqua county recruited and sent for- ward four companies which were constituted a part of the 49th Regiment of New York volunteers, commanded by Colonel Bidwell of Buffalo. In the fall of 1861 a company was recruited in Chautauqua and incorporated into the " 100th Regiment," afterwards commanded by Col. James M. Brown, whose home was then in Jamestown ; and, in November, the " 9th Cavalry," partly composed of Chautauqua county troops, left for the front. During 1861 the war was carried on with varied success. But few great battles were fought. The most severe occurred at Bull Run and Wilson Creek in Mis- souri, where Gen. John M. Scofield, a native of this county, and now com- mander-in-chief of the army of the United States, first distinguished himself in the war. The year closed without any material advantage being gained by either party.

The year 1862 opened with the surrender to the British minister of Mason and Slidell, confederate commissioners who had been captured by Captain

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Wilkes from the British mail steamen Trent. Their capture came near involving the United States in a disastrous war with England. February 16th the Union armies under Gen. Grant achieved their first great success by the capture of Fort Donelson and 15,000 Confederate soldiers. In March occurred that remarkable battte between the ironclads Merrimac and Moni- tor. In April followed the great battle of Shiloh, and also the capture of New Orleans by the Union forces. The same month Mcclellan commenced his advance upon Richmond, during which were fought the severe battles of Williamsburg, where Captain Patrick Barrett of this county was killed, and Seven Pines, where Col. James M. Brown, also of this county, met his death at the head of the tooth regiment. When Mcclellan was compelled to retreat before superior numbers, seven days of terrible battles followed-a series of the most desperate engagements ever fought on this continent. Lee, having assumed the offensive, moved northward for the purpose of taking Washington. His march was checked by the northern army under General Pope in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Manassas and Chantilly. Again was Mcclellan placed in command, and the victories of South Mountain and Antietam were won, the enemy compelled to cross the Potomac, and the safety of Washington secured. Many other battles were fought during the year scarcely less sanguinary and important than those mentioned. The disastrous defeat at Fredericksburg closed the campaign in the cast. In the west the close of the year was signalized by the desperate and bloody battle of Murfreesboro.

In July President Lincoln called for 300,000 volunteers to serve three years, and in August for 300,000 more to serve nine months. Chantanqna county was required to raise 1,805 men under these calls. . A large and enthusiastic war meeting, presided over by Judge R. P. Marvin, was held on the 12th of July at Mayville. A military committee was appointed for Chan- tanqua and Cattarangus counties, of which A. F. Allen was chairman. The members of this committee were A. F. Allen, George W. Patterson, John G. Hinckley, Milton Smith, Jolm F. Phelps and Charles Kennedy for Chan- tanqua county ; H. C. Young, J. P. Darling, A. G. Rice, D. E. Sill and J. C. Devereaux for Cattarangus county. Rev. W. L. Hyde in his " History of the 112th Regiment " says :

" The work of recruiting was now.entered upon with vigor. In all the large villages, and in almost every school district, public meetings were held. Every man who could influence others was set at work. The ladies worked. The war scarred veterans of the army worked. The state and general government had offered what at that time were considered adequate bounties. It was resolved, however, to offer still larger inducements by towns and individuals. In some towns this was done by a direct tax, in others by individual subscriptions. In Jamestown, Col. A. F. Allen offered ten dollars to every recruit from the 6th district, up to its full quota 55. In Dunkirk and Fredonia a fund of

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several thousand dollars was raised and paid out ; besides this, at the meet- ings, watches, diamond rings and pictures (the gifts of ladies in many cases ). were sold and contributed to the fund. For weeks, in many villages, the places of business were closed early in the afternoon, and men and women repaired to the war meetings. At Delanti a monster gathering of 3,000 was held around a bonfire, and the quota of Stockton was filled at once. At Chantauqua J. G. Palmiter, one of her most respected citizens, exempt by age, came forward and volunteered, and her quota was soon complete. In Dunkirk, a protracted meeting was held afternoon and evening, for nine days, Sunday included. As the result of these labors, 700 men were recruited in the county by the 22d of August, and on the 29th it was reported that many towns had raised both qnotas."

This apportionment was adopted by the military committee at its meet- ing August 14th. Arkwright, population 1, 103, quota 34; Busti, 2,011, 62 ; Carroll, 1,525, 47 ; Charlotte, 1,711, 53; Chantauqua, 2,837, 88; Cherry Creek, 1,350, 42; Clymer, 1,330, 41 ; Dunkirk, 5,616, 174; Ellery, 1,751, 54; Ellicott, 5,112, 158; Ellington, 1,937, 60; French Creek, 968, 30; Gerry, 1,315, 41 ; Hanover, 4,254, 132 ; Harmony, 3,606, 112; Kiantone, 552, 17 ; Mina, 1,200, 37 ; Poland, 1,794, 55; Pomfret, 4,293, 133 ; Portland, 1,983, 61 ; Ripley, 2,013, 63; Sheridan, 1,716, 53; Sherman, 1,394, 43; Stockton, 1,887, 58; Villenova, 1,514, 47 ; Westfield, 3,640, 113. Total population, 58,422. Qnota, 1,806.

The men who enlisted for Chantauqua county in 1862 composed the 112th regiment, two companies of the 154th, and one company of the 7th Sharp- shooters. These men were ninstered in and marched to the front in Sep- tember 1862. Some of the volunteers gallantly enlisted at the first call, and went earlier to the front than others, and some who went unheralded were carried by the fortunes of war into the very heat of the conflict to bear the brunt of battle. No comparisons should be made between them, for, at the close of war, the depleted ranks of every organization to which they belonged told of desperate service rendered. All did honor to themselves and their country, under whatever regimental colors they marched. Vet, as the 112th regiment contained many more citizens of the county than any other mili- tary organization that represented it, more general interest was taken in its fortunes. This regiment, previous to departure from the county, was encamped upon the old fairground south of Jamestown, which was called "Camp James M. Brown" in honor of gallant Col. James M. Brown who had fallen at the head of his regiment a little while before. A large con- course of people assembled at Jamestown when the 112th left for the front. A stand of regimental colors was presented by the state. Judge Marvin made the presentation speech which was responded to by Colonel Drake. The deep interest and anxious solicitude manifested for the departing soldiers, rendered the occasion unlike anything that had before been witnessed in the

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county, and was not soon to be forgotten. The day of their departure is still sadly remembered in many homes. On the 12th of September, they left for Washington upon the Atlantic & Great Western railroad, on the 17th landed at Fortress Monroe, and soon marched to Suffolk, Va. At the meet- ing of the board of supervisors held in October, a resolution was passed donating the flag belonging to the county to the 112th. It was sent by express to the regiment with an appropriate letter.

Prior to the calls for men which were made in July and August, but few if any bounties were paid, and the men who first enlisted received none. Under these later calls town bounties were paid to each man enlisting in the 112th and other regiments. The money was sometimes raised by subscrip- tions, but more often by means of a note signed by many citizens of the res- pective towns, and the money was paid in equal bounties to men enlisting to fili its quotas. The signers of the note trusted to the fairness of the people of their town to reimburse them, in which they were never disappointed. At the meeting of the board of supervisors in the fall of 1862, the subject was considered of raising the bounties paid by levying taxes in the towns. It was found that the board had no such power, and the clerk was directed to assess and extend the tax in a separate column in the assessment roll. Not- withstanding the people were divided in their political views, and party spirit ran high, the tax was paid in the whole county without dissent, although it had no legal validity, and no power existed to enforce it.

January 1, 1863, was made memorable by the issuing of the president's emancipation proclamation. In the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville which occurred May 9th, the Chautauqua county troops suffered severely. Co. F. of the 154th regiment in this the first battle in which it was engaged, · lost 5 killed, 7 wounded and 13 prisoners. The gallant Col. W. O. Stevens of the 72d regiment was killed. Gen. George Stoneman of the regular army, a native of this county, cooperating with Gen. Hooker in the attack upon Chancellorsville, made a brilliant raid into Virginia, cutting the enemy's communication in every direction. July 3d the great victory of Gettysburg was gained by the Union army. This battle was the turning point of the war, and ended all attempts by the South to invade the North. Many Chau- tauqua county troops were engaged in the battle. In June 1863, when the confederate army was invading Pennsylvania, the 68th New York militia from Chautauqua county, under Col. David S. Forbes was ordered out, and went to Gettysburg. After the rebel army was repulsed, they returned home having seen about one month's active service. They were in no engagement. The Fourth of July was celebrated by the surrender of Vicksburg to the Union army. On the 19th and 20th of September was fought the battle of Chickamauga. On the 24th of November occurred the storming and cap-

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ture of Lookout Mountain. These constitute the leading events of the war in 1863.

The country having failed to meet the calls of August, 1862, for 300,000 men, congress, March 3d, 1863, for the purpose of filling the quota of sol- diers passed an enrolment act, by which all able bodied male citizens, and aliens who had declared their intentions to become naturalized, between the ages of 20 and 35, and all unmarried men between the ages of 35 and 45 were made to constitute the " first class " subject to the draft, and all others, the second class. A commutation clause provided that a payment of $300 would be received in lieu of service. The act also provided for exemptions. The draft took place in August. The draft in Chautauqua county as every where else failed to produce men. In Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties only 108 of the 2,623 men drafted reported for duty, and 1,352 were exempted. The remainder furnished substitutes or commuted. In the city of New York the draft resulted in great riots. On the 17th of October a further call was made for 300,000 111en.

1864 was the great year of battles. We can only refer to its principal events. The western army under General Sherman advanced southward towards Atlanta, and, after a series of desperate battles, he captured that city in September. He then commenced his celebrated march to the sea, arrived near Savannah on the 10th of December, and occupied that city on the 21st. The 154th regiment constituted a part of his forces, and participated in many battles of his campaign. At Rocky Face Ridge, May 8th, 1864, 14 of its men were killed and 42 wounded. While Sherman was engaged in his march to the sea, the Confederates under Hood invaded Tennessee. Among the battles fought was that of Franklin, in which the Union forces con- manded by Gen. J. M. Schofield were victorious. The army of the Potomac broke camp May 3, and moved towards Richmond. During the spring and early summer were fought the sanguinary battles of the Wilderness, Proc- tor's Creek, where Lieut. Col. E. F. Carpenter of the 112th regiment was killed, and of Cold Harbor, in which the 112th lost its brave commander, the lamented Col. J.C. Drake, and 153 men, of whom to were killed. In Octo- ber, the Albermarle was sunk by Lieutenant William B. Cushing, grandson of Zattu Cushing.

On account of the heavy losses of men sustained in 1863, the president issued four calls for troops in 1864 ; the first one February I, to make up the deficiency under the last call, and for 200,000 additional men. February 9th a law was passed by the state legislature giving ample authority to towns to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers. Under this act special town meetings were held in different towns from time to time during the year for that purpose. A special meeting of the board of supervisors was held at Mayville, March 15, to take action under the bounty law, and over $175,000

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in the aggregate was assessed upon twenty towns of the county. July 26 another special meeting of the board of supervisors was held, and action was taken for raising further sums under the bounty law. March 14th a call was made by the president for 200,000 men. As a call for a greater number of men was contemplated by the government than had been made at any one time before, a draft was ordered, that the quotas of the varions localities should be filled preparatory thereto. A draft was accordingly made in this county in June. As many of the men that were drafted were subsequently exempted, new drafts were made, until the quotas of the towns were filled. The men drafted usually commuted or furnished substitutes. On the ISth of July a call was made for 500,000 men, and, on the 19th of December, a call was made for 300,000 miore. This was the last call made for men during the war.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, Part 43

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Edson, Obed, 1832-; Merrill, Georgia Drew, editor
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : W.A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1068