History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 29

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868

USA > New York > Dutchess County > History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 29

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February 4, 1861, the delegates of six of the seceding States, (South Carolina, Georgia, Ala- bama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida,) met in convention at Montgomery, Alabama, and formed a provisional government denominated " The Confederate States of America," founded, as affirmed in the inaugural address of its presi- dent, on the principle of the inequality of men, and with human slavery as its corner-stone. Jef- ferson Davis was elected President and Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President. They were soon af- ter elected permanently for six years. The per- manent constitution was modeled substantially from that of the United States. The following summer the seat of government was removed to Richmond, and their Congress opened its first session in that city, July 20, 1861, the day previous to the battle of Bull Run.

On the 15th of April, 1861, two days after the fall of Sumter, President Lincoln called on the several States for 75,000 men to suppress the up- rising, which was then regarded, even by those in the best position to judge, as little more than an evanescent emeute. The proclamation also called an extra session of Congress to be convened on the 4th of July.

New York, instead of filling the requisition on her for seventeen regiments-between 13,000 and 14,000 men-for three months, for which period

the 75,000 were called, raised 30,000 men for two years and added a war loan of $3,000,000. Many other States acted in like manner. Rhode Island not only instantly sent her quota and added a loan, but her Governor, Sprague, went at the head of her troops. Within fifteen days 350,000 men had offered their services.

If we direct our inquiry to the action of the cit- izens of Duchess county during this eventful period, we find a no less gratifying exhibition of pat- riotism. On the fall of Fort Sumter, Matthew Vassar, Jr., of Poughkeepsie, anticipating the need of the government, tendered to it his schooner, the Matthew Vassar, Jr., " one of the fastest sailing vessels afloat." Her mate, the Matther Vassar, was loaned to the goverment by Mr. Vassar for service during the Mexican war. With the same wise forethought Messrs. W. W. & J. Reynolds, also of Poughkeepsie, tendered to the government their substantial and well-arranged steamer Reliance.

Local military organizations evinced early activ- ity. On the 16th of April meetings of the officers of the 21st Regiment and the American Citizens Corps were held, to put those organizations on a war footing and prepare them for any emergency. The use of the city hall had been tendered the former for drill purposes by the Common Council of Poughkeepsie, on the 15th. Measures looking to the formation of independent companies were instituted in the city and the principal villages in the county. The Poughkeepsie Eagle, of April 17, 1861, says : "We have ascertained that there are one hundred volunteers ready to answer to the Governor's call"; and adds: "Political feelings are fast disappearing in this city. * *

* The old political names are fast being forgotten." Such was the spirit that animated the people throughout the county ; and within a few days from the issu- ance of the Governor's call on the 18th of April, companies were raised and organized in many of the towns of the county, and united with various regimental organizations. In some instances, and this is especially true of the city of Poughkeepsie, civic societies became the nuclei of companies or parts of companies. Spirited public meetings, numerously attended and ably addressed, were held in various parts of the county, and awakened a great degree of enthusiasm. These early measures, being concerted by the several towns, will be more particularly noticed in connection with the history of the respective towns.

The South, by years of anticipation and covert preparation, were in a better state of readiness than

* Draper's History of the American Civil War, I., 517,

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

the North, and were thus able to precipitate events with astounding rapidity. £ The conviction of the extent of that preparation, the magnitude of the struggle, and the means necessary to oppose it, forced itself only gradually on the minds of the authorities at Washington, who repressed rather than stimulated a popular uprising.

It soon became evident that the time of the 75,000 three months' men would expire before they could be fully armed and equipped. On the 3d of May, 1861, a call was issued for 42,034 volunteers for three years, and provision made to increase the regular army by 22,714 men, and the navy by 18,000 men, for five years. On the Ist of July two hundred and eighty regiments had been ac- cepted. Congress met July 4th, and July 22, 1861, voted $500,000,000 and 400,000 more men, of which New York's quota was 25,000 men, who were called for on the 25th of July, four days after the disastrous battle of Bull Run, which was fought on Sunday, July 21, 1861, mostly with three months' men whose time was then expiring. July 29th the addition of 25,000 men to the regular army was authorized.

The troops raised under the call of July 25th were, like those raised under the first call, required to rendezvous at New York, Albany and Elmira, and provision was made for the examination of ap- plicants for commissions. This, though it gave to the service a greatly improved class of officers, re- tarded enlistments. To obviate this, and at the same time obtain the best class of troops, Gover- nor Morgan authorized branch depots in twenty- two different localities, so separated that they would be unlikely to interfere with each other. Major VonBeck, of Rondout, was appointed gen- eral recruiting officer for Columbia and Duchess counties. " The objects," says Governor Morgan, in his annual message of Jan. 7, 1862, "were more than accomplished. Not only did the change se- cure a class of troops which for respectability and intelligence can nowhere be surpassed, but it hastened enlistments."

Duchess County's contributions to the quotas under these early calls were both prompt and gen- erous. Public meetings were held in various parts of the county and eloquently addressed by able speakers. Each village and hamlet became the center of an organized effort in this interest. Flags were flung to the breeze in all directions, and these events were made the occasion of large gatherings of enthusiastic people, whose patriotism was ap- pealed to by earnest speakers. Such a meeting was

held at Beekmanville on Saturday, May 11, 1861, and addressed by Dist. Atty., Allard Anthony, of Poughkeepsie, Benson J. Lossing, of Pough- keepsie, Rev. Mr. Holman, pastor of the Baptist Church at Beekmanville, and the Rev. Mr. King, pastor of the Methodist Church at Yonkers. The speech of Mr. Lossing, who is a native of Beek- manville, was forcible and eloquent and breathed the sentiment of the great loyal heart of the nation. It was prophetic of the ultimate triumph of the Union arms, and vividly mirrors the state of the public mind in the early days of the rebellion. He said, referring to the rebels :--

"Shall they succeed in their stupendous scheme of villainy? No-a thousand times no! The voices of nineteen millions of patriotic and indig- nant people have already answered that question most emphatically within the last twenty days. Never in the history of the world has there been such an uprising of the people in defense of the dearest interests of man. For weeks gloom and despondency overshadowed the land. Good and true men began to ask themselves, have we got a government ? Has patriotism died out? Have the fathers been forgotten, and are their practices and precepts unremembered ? Is this great Re- public that cost so much blood and treasure about to be dissolved, and the Star in the West that has long beamed in splendor as a harbinger of hope and redemption for the struggling nations about to go down in darkness forever ?

" Dark were the clouds all over the political horizon. Men appeared to be slumbering every- where. It seemed as if some deadly malaria had come creeping up from the dark swamps of the Gulf States, poisoning the blood, deadening the nerves and paralyzing the moral perceptions of the best and wisest. The atmosphere became, as it were, thick and suffocating. All felt as if some dreadful calamity was pending. They looked to the earth, all was gloom. They looked to the firmament, all was blackness.

"Suddenly a thunder peal rolled over the land. It was the boom of the gun that hurled a rebel shot at Fort Sumter. It fell upon the dull ear of the North like the trump of the Archangel. In- stantly the dead were raised. The millions of the loyal States, as one man, sprang to their feet and seized the weapons of war. Every heart was filled with courage and devotion. The life blood coursed swiftly through their veins. From every hill and valley a shout went up louder than ten thousand thunders. 'The Union and the Government shall be Preserved.'" *

As indicative of the spirit which pervaded the rural districts of the county, we may cite a few of the incidents which transpired at this period. May

* Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, May 14, 1861. We are indebted to the files of this paper for much of the material gleaned relative to the part taken by Duchess county in the War of the Rebellion.

I45

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, EARLY LOCAL INCIDENTS.

17, 1861, a large and splendid flag was raised on the Episcopal church at Wappingers Falls. Ap- propriate addresses were made by Revs. Messrs. Andrews and Reese, and the "Star Spangled Banner " was sung by the choir. The Wappin- gers Falls Artillery, then just organized by Capt. Faulkner, was out in full uniform and fired a national salute. On the 18th a large and enthusi- astic meeting of Union men was held at LaGrange- ville, and eloquent addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Cutting, of Poughkeepsie, Mr. Robinson, of Ithaca, Mr. Anthony, of Poughkeepsie, and Jere- miah Eighmie, of Fishkill. A flag was raised on a pole of over one hundred feet natural length. The same day a gathering of over a thousand people assembled in the spacious yard fronting the Presbyterian church at Hughsonville, to witness the raising of the American flag on that edifice. Stirring and patriotic speeches were made by Rev. Vanness Traver, Col. James VanAlen, and Rev. James B. Dunn. The exercises were enlivened by booming cannon and music by the Fishkill band and the church choir. Capt. Faulkner and his zouaves from Wappingers Falls were there with a gaily decorated carriage, festooned and garlanded with flowers in the form of an arbor, in which sat two young girls, dressed in white and decked with wreaths of flowers. Previous to the meeting a very large number of ladies met in the church and formed a Dorcas Army Relief Society with the following officers :- Ist Directress, Mrs. Z. V. Hasbrook ; 2d Directress, Miss Mesier ; 3d Direct- ress, Mrs. McKinley ; Treasurer, Mrs. John Smith ; Secretary, Mrs. Harriet Delavergne. The presidents were Mrs. Henry Norris and Miss Lydia R. Hasbrook. Mrs. Joseph Vail was President, and Miss Eliza Jane Conover, Secretary, of the working committee. On the 20th a flag was raised in school district No. 9, in the towns of Stanford and Washington, by the teachers and scholars of that district, and a patriotic address was made by Dr. S. G. Cook. On the 20th, also, a flag was raised on the county house by John C. Hitchcock, the Superintendent, and addresses were made by William Williamson and A. S. Pease. The Poughkeepsie Eagle of May 21, 1861, says :- "We learn that the citizens of Hyde Park have presented each of the volunteers who went from there to join Col. Duryee's regiment with a revolver and knife." This is suggestive of the work that was expected of them. May 22d four hundred to five hundred people assembled at the house of David D. Vincent, of Clove Hollow, to

assist in raising a pole and flag. Speeches were made by Allard Anthony and G. I. Germond, of Poughkeepsie, Rev. R. Mosher, of the Clove, Wm. O. Thorn, of Washington, and Jeremiah Eighmie, of LaGrange. On the 24th a large and enthusiastic gathering took place at Arthursburgh to celebrate the raising of a national flag with ap- propriate ceremonies. Dr. G. Upton was made chairman, Joseph Colwell, assistant chairman, and Draper Hall, secretary. Addresses were made by Charles H. S. Williams, Jr., Jeremiah Eighmie, Albert Emans, Van Wyck Brinckerhoff, Rev. Mr. Donnelly and David Ver Valin. The speaking was of a patriotic character, suited to the occasion, and was received with repeated applause. There was a large attendance of ladies. At Fishkill Plains, on the 29th of May, a flag was raised. A large procession was formed, including many ladies, and headed by the Fishkill band, marched to the place where the raising took place. Nicholas H. Strip- ple was chosen chairman. The Rev. Mr. Cobb opened the exercises with prayer. Charles H. S. Williams, Jr., Albert Emans, V. W. Brinckerhoff, Allard Anthony, M. D. Wilber, Rev. Mr. Lent and Jeremiah Eighmie delivered addresses. June Ist a flag raising at Pleasant Valley was largely attended by people from all the surrounding country to the number of three thousand or more. Ebenezer Allen was elected president. Several vice-presi- dents and secretaries were chosen. The Rev. F. B. Wheeler opened the exercises with prayer, after which addresses were delivered by Rev. B. F. Wile, James Bowne, Mayor of Poughkeepsie, Rev. F. B. Wheeler, William Wilkinson, Esq., A. S. Pease and Hon. H. A. Nelson. The exercises were interspersed with music by the brass band.

Nor were those engaged in this labor unmindful of the physical needs of the families of those who heroically threw themselves into the vortex of war. Provision was made for their support by towns and municipalities, and this aid was supplemented by individual contributions. The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle of May 31, 1861, published a list of one hundred and forty-one subscribers to a " Fund for the Relief of Volunteers from this County and their Families." The gross amount subscribed was $10,- 875. It comprised one contribution of $300, one of $250, three of $200, one of $150, sixty-eight of $100, forty-four of $50, and twenty-three of $25 each. In addition $254.61 was donated by dif- ferent individuals, included in which was $69.61 from the pupils of Rev. Mr. Rider's school, being the proceeds of a concert.

1.46

HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

The men who enlisted in this county under these calls and the subsequent ones of October Ist and November 6th of that year were scattered through so many different organizations and branches of the service that it would be an almost inter- minable task to trace their connection, and make a record quite too voluminous for the scope of this work. Many joined the 20th Regiment, which was raised at Kingston, for two years, and was composed largely of those who had belonged to it as a militia regiment. The regiment left its encampment at Kingston, for the seat of war October 25, 1861. Previous to this-on the 11th of October-the regiment made a farewell visit to Poughkeepsie. After parading the streets a bountiful collation was served by the ladies in Pine's Hall, which was handsomely decorated. They were escorted through the principal streets by the Ellsworth Greys, the rain preventing a strict adherence to the programme laid down. After the collation, Rev. G. M. McEckron, in a patriotic speech, presented the regimental standard prepared by the ladies of Poughkeepsie. It bore on each side the seal of the State of New York, and the inscription " 20th Regt. N. Y. S. T." On one side was inscribed " From the Ladies of Poughkeepsie," and on the other, "Organized August 8, 1857." Mrs. Wins- low also presented a national flag with the direction to " present it to one Jeff. Davis, as the ensign of the Southern Confederacy, and if he objects to re- ceiving and adopting it, tell him he must." Capt. Smith responded in behalf of the regiment, and both he and Mr. McEckron were interrupted by almost continuous cheering, "and when Col. Pratt took the two flags and asked the regiment if they would defend them, the cries of 'We Will' were ab- solutely deafening." Company A of this regiment, commanded by Capt. James Smith, was raised in Poughkeepsie. The regiment numbered 950 offi- cers and men, 758 of whom were present in Pough- keepsie on the 11th of October. John R. Leslie, who was well known as a teacher in Poughkeepsie, was Ist Lieut. of Co. B, of this regiment. Dr. R. K. Tuthill, also of Poughkeepsie, was Assistant Surgeon, and Theodore Van Kleeck, Sergeant Major of the same regiment.

Many others united with the 30th Regiment, for two years. Co. E of that regiment, commanded by Capt. Harrison Holliday, who raised the first com- pany for the war in Poughkeepsie, left Poughkeep- sie 130 strong, and returned at the expiration of two years with only 55. The regiment was mus- tered June 1, 1861, and left for the seat of war that

month, (passing Poughkeepsie en route for New York on the 27th, ) but were not actively employed till the following year, when they formed part of McDowell's corps on the Rappahannock. On the Ioth of August the regiment was sent to re-enforce Pope, and afterwards took part in the short, but momentous campaign under that General, which ended in the retreat to Washington. In the battle at Gainesville and 2d Bull Run, the Poughkeepsie Co. lost its captain and the regiment its colonel. Soon afterwards they were again engaged at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, bear- ing in each a distinguished part. They were also present at the battle of Fredericksburgh, under Burn- side, and at Chancellorsville, under Hooker, but took no prominent part in either. Eleven battle- fields witnessed its devotion to the Union. The regiment joined the army with 741 men, which number was subsequently increased to 1,100. It returned with 491. It lost in killed and wounded, 331 ; by deaths and accidents, 12 ; by discharges through sickness or disability, 288. It had 6 offi- cers and 94 men killed and 12 officers and 219 men wounded in action. Flockton's band of Pough- keepsie, were engaged by Col. Frisbee of this regi- ment during its encampment at Camp Rathbone, near West Troy, and to escort it to the city of Washington. This band subsequently enlisted for two years to accompany the regiment to the war.

Co. I of the 74th regiment, was raised in Pough- keepsie, in the summer of 1861, by Capt. Arthur Wilkinson, and served for three years. In August and September of that year some 135 men were enlisted in this county for Col. Ramsey's regiment, then stationed at Camp Leslie, Dobb's Ferry, mostly by Lieut. Broom. August 31st, as that officer was about to leave Poughkeepsie with a party of volunteers for that camp, they were ad- dressed in a kind and encouraging speech by Mrs. Charles H. Ruggles, of Poughkeepsie, who, at the conclusion of her remarks, presented each with two pocket-handkerchiefs, and informed them that " a patriotic lady was preparing them a flag, which she trusted they would bear right gallantly for the honor of the country." On Friday, Oct. 4th, that lady presented a stand of colors to Capt. A. Lava- lie's company, (formerly Co. C, of Col. Ramsey's regiment,) at Dobb's Ferry. This company was recruited in this county by Lieut. Broom. In August, 1861, Edward Titus, son of the late Judge Titus, of the town of Washington, was authorized by Col. De Forest to recruit a company of cavalry. His headquarters were at Little Rest in this county,

147

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, ENLISTMENTS DURING 1861.

and a branch office was opened by Wm. H. Broas, at 314 Main street, Poughkeepsie. Fifty-five men were recruited, mostly in the interior and eastern parts of the county, and joined the Ira Harris Guard, then rendezvoused in New York. Nearly an entire company of the Washington Greys, (af- terwards designated the 47th,) commanded by Col. Henry Moore, were recruited in the towns of Stan- ford, Pine Plains and Clinton, with a few from Poughkeepsie, in the summer of 1861. They joined the regiment at East New York the latter part of August, and two weeks later proceeded to Washington and encamped on Meridian Hill. It subsequently removed to Camp Sherman, named in honor of Gen. Sherman, and situated about a mile from the capitol. It was brigaded with four other regiments under Gen. Egbert Velie, a West Point officer. In September, 1861, twenty-eight men were recruited by Capt. Charles Bohrer, for the Morgan Rifles, composed entirely of Germans, and commanded by Col. Andrew Leutz. The re- cruiting office was in George Seiver's lager beer saloon, at the corner of Main and Bridge streets in Poughkeepsie. Thirty men were enlisted by Wm. H. Wheeler for Capt. Cromwell's company of the First New York State Cavalry, encamped at Troy and commanded by Col. Morrison. Twenty of these-six from the city and the rest from the country-left Poughkeepsie for the encampment at Troy Sept. 24, 1861, and the remainder, early in October. During the summer of 1861, a com- pany was raised at Fishkill Landing to join the 19th regiment, whose headquarters were then at Newburgh, and on the 17th of August they were reviewed by Gen. Parmenter. August 19, 1861, Pawling sent six young men to the "People's Ellsworth Regiment " at Albany. Their friends, to the number of one hundred, met them at the cars to see them off, and raised by subscription over $150 in cash for their benefit. Other towns furnished men for this regiment, which was desig- nated the 44th, as follows : Rhinebeck-6 in Co. G, I in Co. I, 6 in Co. C, and I in Co. H; Washington-1 in Co. G, and 3 in Co. E; Town of Poughkeepsie-2 in Co. E; Poughkeepsie City -- 4 in Co. E, viz : the 2d Lieut., and Ist, 3d and 4th Sergeants ; Pleasant Valley- I each in Cos. E and G ; and Milan-1 in Co. K. Wm. L. Vander- lip was Captain of Co. G, Wm. H. Revere, Jr, of Co. C, A. W. Shaffer, of Co. I, and Wm. Miller, of Co. K. S. W. Stryker, of New York, was Colonel. The regiment left Albany for Washing- ton on Monday, Oct. 21st.

In the fall of 1861, Capt. M. V. I .. Hevenor, of Rhinebeck, was engaged in raising a company to be attached to the First Regiment, Clinton Guards, and composed in good part of members of the Schuyler Guard, then recently returned from three months' service. The Rhinebeck Gazette of that period said, "Recruits are offering freely." The regiment was commanded by Col. Spencer W. Cone, a West Point graduate, and was rendezvoused at Camp Harris, on Staten Island. Oct. 25th, Capt. Manton C. Angell left Poughkeepsie with six men for Co. B, of that regiment, en route for the camp on Staten Island. November 30th, Capt. Atkins, of the American Citizens Corps, left Pough- keepsie with thirteen men for the Mcclellan Chasseurs, (the gist Vols.,) organized at Albany in December, 1861. Jan. 9, 1862, Lieut. Phoenix Bockee, of Co. B, 2d N. Y. (Jackson,) Artillery, left by the Harlem railroad with twelve men for that regiment, at Camp Yates, East New York. In the latter part of October, 1861, Lieut. S. W. Cooper of the 8th U. S. Infantry opened a re- cruiting office in the city hall, Poughkeepsie, and during the two succeeding months enlisted fourteen men for that regiment, which was then stationed in Fort Hamilton. November 14th, Capt. Thacher, of the 14th Regulars, took eleven recruits to the camp of the regiment in Maryland. Early in De- cember, Lieut. Benjamin Atkins opened a recruiting office at the armory of the American Citizens Corps, in the Library Building in Poughkeepsie, for Capt. Samuel S. Parker's Co. B, 87th Regi- ment, formerly the 13th Brooklyn. About the middle of November, Henry A. Downing opened a recruiting office in the court house for the Put- nam Rifles, commanded by Col. H. W. Adams. About the middle of September a recruiting station was established at 277 Main street in Poughkeep- sie, for the De Epineuil Zouaves, (53dl Vols.,) a regiment commanded by officers who had seen ser- vice in the French army.

In these and various other organizations, too numerous for detailed mention, the bone and sinew of the yeomanry of Duchess county were repre- sented in detached fragments, but exceeding in the aggregate a thousand men, the offering of this first spontaneous outburst of patriotism. For in- telligence and sterling manly qualities they com- pared favorably with the troops of that period from any section of the State or country. S. H. Bogardus, Jr., of Co. C, 5th Regiment, writing under date of Oct. 8, 1861, from Camp Federal Hill, where the regiment were engaged in erecting batteries, said,

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

the Poughkeepsie boys are well thought of in the regiment. Such, if it could have found expression, might have been the verdict of the Duchess county troops generally. Nor did they in all cases fill in- conspicuous niches. Lieut. John L. Worden, who distinguished himself in command of the Monitor in the desperate encounter with the Merrimac, March 9, 1862, was a native of Duchess county, and for- merly resided in Fishkill, and also, for a time, in Poughkeepsie. The builder of that staunch craft, (the Monitor,) Stephen Simmons, was a native of Poughkeepsie, a son of Isaac Simmons, a well-known blacksmith.

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History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 29

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 868

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868