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 33
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nication opened with the fleet. On the 16th the 15oth was sent with a part of the brigade to Ar- gyle Island, and thence into South Carolina, to threaten Hardee's only line of communication or means of escape from Savannah. On the evacua- tion of Savannah on the evening of the 20th, the regiment re-crossed to Argyle Island.
Colonel Ketcham rejoined the regiment Dec. 17th, and on the 21st was badly wounded through the thigh. He was never afterward in command of the regiment. Having been elected to Con- gress, he resigned, and the command devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, who was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, September 6th, 1864, and to Colonel, April 24th, 1865, having previously been breveted Brigadier-General.
The 150th went into position on the Savannah River, north of the city of Savannah, and remained there, while Sherman was refitting his army, till Jan. 16th, 1865, when orders were received to be- gin that memorable mid-winter march of toil and suffering through the Carolinas, which were marked by a track of desolation, as Georgia had previously been. The regiment was inspected, and left Savannah on the 17th, crossing the river on pon- toons in the lower part of the city. The march was fraught with incident, fatigue and danger, and being at right angles to the water-courses, much difficulty and delay was experienced in crossing the numerous streams, some of which, swelled by the continuous rains of a wet season, had to be crossed by the men in water waist-high, and often chilled nearly to the freezing point. The army subsisted wholly by foraging, and on several occa- sions the food of the regiment for a week at a tinre consisted wholly of dried corn. On the 4th of March the regiment bivouacked near Sneeds- boro, on the Great Pedee River, in the south edge of North Carolina. Over the fence from their camp was a graveyard, old and neglected, but contain- ing what appeared to be several new graves side by side. These attracted the attention of a sol- dier, and explorations made by thrusting a ramrod into them aroused suspicion as to their real nature. With the consent of Col. Sniith, the fresh turned earth was removed, and more than 500 bushels of corn in the ear found to be buried there.
The regiment had some skirmishing en route with the enemy, and on the 11th of March, made a forced march of twelve miles in three hours to the battle-field near Fayetteville, N. C., but did not participate in the action. At 8 P. M. on the 15th, after a most fatiguing march over bad roads,
164
HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
the regiment was ordered out and marched four miles-about the most severe march the regi- ment ever made-to support Kilpatrick's cavalry, who encountered Hardee's forces near Averys- boro, at the narrow neck of swampy land between Cape Fear and South Rivers, on the direct road between Fayetteville and Raleigh, where that Gen- eral hoped, by disputing the passage of Sherman's army, to delay it sufficiently to gain time for the concentration of the scattered fragments of the rebel army, which was then being collected by Johnston, who had recently relieved Beauregard of the command of that department. He was, how- ever, pressed so hard that he retreated during a stormy night, over dreadful roads, toward Smith- field.
Leaving a division to make a show of pursuit, Slocuni turned to the right with the rest of- his army and moved towards Goldsboro. The 150th supported the cavalry at dawn on the 16th, and came upon the enemy in force. The advance was inade in line of battle and the enemy was soon driven from their front, not, however, without suf- fering severe loss-the regiment having one killed and fifteen wounded. The former was Lieut.Sleight, a son of Peter Sleight, a well known citizen of La Grange, and one of the best officers in the regi- inent. Among the wounded were Sergeants Wat- son, Wilkinson and Bell, the latter two losing each a leg. This was the last engagement in which the 150th took part. The 20th corps fought the battle of Bentonville, but the 150th was guard- ing roads in the rear and took no part in that action.
March 13th, the 150th was reviewed, after marching seven miles, by Gens. Sherman and Slo- cum. On the 23d of that month, while on the march towards Goldsboro, which they reached at Il A. M. on the 24th, the regiment first came in sight of colored troops, whom they almost rivaled in blackness. At Goldsboro they met their old commander, Gen. Ruger, who had been attached to the 23d corps, and had occupied Savannah since Sherman's army left there ; but they were not under his command after the fall of Atlanta. April 5th they were reviewed by Gen. Mower, who then had command of the 20th corps. April 6th the corps learned of the fall of Richmond, and rent the air with their cheers, that the western troops might know that they rejoiced in the vic- tory of the Army of the Potomac, with which they were still proud to have been connected. April 7th the regiment received a box from home,
through the Chaplain, and a clean towel and " comfort bag " was issued to each man.
April 9th, Sherman, who had finished resting and reclothing his army about Goldsboro, received orders from Grant to "pitch into Johnston and finish up the job at once," and at daybreak on the roth all the heads of his columns were in motion against the enemy. The 150th broke camp at 4.30 A. M. of the 10th, and after a march of about 26 miles, crossing Little River and Moccasin Creek, reached Smithfield on the 11th. The march was resumed at 6 A. M. on the 12th, and on that day the news of Lee's surrender was received. The regiment reached Raleigh at noon of the 13th, (Johnston having left that city in the morning,) and encamped near the Lunatic Asylum. Orders had been received to resume the march on the 15th, but on the 14th Sherman received a request from Johnston for an interview, and the order to march was substituted with one to prepare for re- view.
At that interview negotiations for the surrender of Johnston's army were commenced, though they were not completed, and that act consummated till the 26th of April. On the 17th of that month the 150th received the appalling news of Lincoln's assassination. On the 24th it was reviewed by Gen. Grant, and on the 25th marched fifteen miles in the direction of Jones' Cross Roads, where, on the 28th, the news of Johnston's surrender was re- ceived, and the regiment returned to Raleigh. April 30th the 150th started for home, marching through Melville and across the Tar, Roanoke (at Taylor's Ferry) and Big Nottaway Rivers to Rich- mond, near which they encamped on the 9th of May. Here Col. Smith purchased crape for the colors to commemorate the death of President Lincoln. On the roth they had an opportunity to view Libby Prison and other places of interest in the rebel capital, through which they marched on the 1 1th, passing through the malarial swamps of the Chickahominy and over the memorable battle- fields of Spottsylvania, Chancellorsville and Bull Run, on the way to Washington. At Cloud's Mills, a few miles south of Alexandria, where they arrived on the 19th, they were visited on the 20th by Gen. Ketcham, their former Colonel, and other friends.
On the 24th the regiment participated in the grand review at Washington, and went into camp east of the federal city to prepare for muster out. Here books and baggage which were left at Chat- tanooga and had not been in possession of the
165
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, PREPARATIONS FOR THE DRAFT.
regiment since May 1, 1864, were forwarded to it. This regiment was one of the few which were per- mitted to return home to be mustered out. It arrived at Poughkeepsie about midnight on Satur- day, the roth of June, and marched to the armory in the vicinity of Vassar Row, on Main street, where arms were stacked, and the men dismissed and allowed to go where they pleased till Monday morning, when they were mustered out.
CHAPTER XVII.
THIRD DISTRICT REGIMENT-FAILS TO COMPLETE IT'S ORGANIZATION - PREPARATIONS FOR THE DRAFT-SUSPENSION OF THE DRAFT -- CALL FOR ADDITIONAL TROOPS-SERVICES OF THE 2IST MILITIA REGIMENT TENDERED AND ACCEPTED- DEPARTURE FOR THE SEAT OF WAR-RETURN AND WELCOME HOME-EFFECT OF THE DRAFT RIOTS IN NEW YORK-HOME GUARD-THE DRAFT IN DUCHESS COUNTY-AID OF THE MILI- TARY INVOKED-CALL OF OCT. 17, 1863-RE- CRUITING AGENTS APPOINTED-ENLISTMENTS OF COLORED MEN-CALL OF FEB. 1, 1864-SANI- TARY FAIR -CALL OF MARCH 15, 1864-CALL OF JULY 18, 1864-PROGRESS OF ENLISTMENTS- THIRD DRAFT IN DUCHESS-STATEMENT OF BOUNTIES PAID-CALL OF DEC. 19, 1864- FOURTH AND LAST DRAFT IN DUCHESS-CLOSE OF THE WAR-WOMAN'S WORK IN THE WAR.
A LMOST simultaneously with the inaugura- tion of the movement to form a Duchess county. regiment, a movement was set on foot to form a third district regiment. August 29, 1862, the district war committee met at the Worth House in Hudson, and appointed a committee consisting of Judge Peck and C. P. Collier, of Columbia county, and Judge Emott and Hon. Stephen Baker, of Duchess county, to represent to the Governor that, in the opinion of the committee, unless au- thority be given to raise a third regiment of volun- teers in the 11th Senate district, the camp to be located at Hudson, “ it will be difficult, if not im- possible, to raise the men required from said dis- trict by voluntary enlistment, and that with it the men can be raised."
That regiment, which was designated the 167th, made a good start under Colonel Homer A. Nelson, who designated his headquarters Camp Columbia, with Arthur Wilkinson, then late of Sickles' brigade, as military instructor, and Mark D. Wilber, of Poughkeepsie, as Quartermaster,
and during the succeeding few weeks was gradually filling up mostly with Columbia county men, num- bering 500 men from that county, besides those who were recruiting in Duchess county, by the middle of October, at which time it was rapidly filling up ; but it failed to complete its organiza- tion.
Oct. 14, 1862, five per cent. was added to the quota of each town, to provide for any deficiency arising from desertions after enlistment and other causes ; but this order was revoked on the 27th of the same month, and on the 3d of December following the draft was suspended, volunteer en- listments being continued up to that period. Dec. 4, 1862, the County Treasurer reported to the Supervisors disbursements amounting to $93,000 from the Bounty Fund ;. of which sum $73,475 was expended in the payment of bounties to 1,533 volunteers, of whom 566 were in the 128th regi- ment, 914 in the 150th, 35 in the 159th, (which was organized in New York and mustered Nov. 1, 1862,) and 18 in other foreign regiments.
March 3, 1863, Congress authorized the raising of additional troops to take the place of the two years' men, whose terms of service were about to expire, and otherwise to strengthen the army. Presi- dent Lincoln issued a conscription proclamation on the 8th of May to carry that law into operation, and ordered a draft to take place July 23, 1863. The execution of the law was entrusted to a Provost Marshal General and a Provost Marshal in each Congressional District, in each of which, also, a board of enrollment was appointed. Isaac Platt, of Poughkeepsie, was appointed Provost Marshal of the 12th district ; and the following enrolling offi- cers were appointed in Duchess County : Wm. T. Ingersoll, Amenia ; Philo Baker, Beekman ; Edgar Knapp, Clinton ; Edgar Vincent, Dover; David C. Griffin, East Fishkill ; Edward M. Goring, Fish- kill ; Walter C. Allen, Hyde Park; Daniel W. Odell, LaGrange ; Philip H. Traver, Milan ; Wm. H. Creed, North East; Harman Ferris, Pawling ; Nehemiah J. Boyce, Pine Plains ; Elias DeGarmo, Pleasant Valley ; Wm. Pinckney, Poughkeepsie ; John Winslow, Ist and 2d wards, Poughkeepsie City ; Wm. Graham, 3d and 4th wards, Pough- keepsie City ; Herman Ostrom, Rhinebeck ; Philip H. Lasher, Red Hook ; Alfred R. Vail, Stanford ; Philip Bennett, Union Vale; Isaac Sisson, Wash- ington.
April 17, 1863, the State Legislature offered a bounty of $150 to each two years' soldier who re- enlisted for two years, and $75 for one year. As
166
HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
enlistments for less than three years were not then received, a bounty of $150 was also offered for three years' enlistments, $30 to be paid down if the re-enlistment occurred within a month after discharge. But notwithstanding these inducements and the additional incentives to enlistment of county and town bounties preparations for the draft continued.
At the inception of Lee's raid into Pennsylvania in June, 1863, Governor Seymour was called on for 20,000 militia. This demand was promptly met by the militia of Duchess County, and on the 17th of June the following communication was telegraphed to the State Executive :-
"Headquarters, 2 Ist Regt. N. G., S. N. Y. S
" To His Excellency Gov. Seymour :-
" GOVERNOR-Being authorized by the field, staff and line officers of the 21st Regt., "N. G., S. N. Y., I hereby respectfully tender to the Govern- ment the services of this Regiment for a short term of service.
" Respectfully your obedient servant,
Jos. WRIGHT."
Immediate efforts were made to recruit the ranks of the regiment to the maximum number. This work was pushed vigorously and successfully -- Colonel Wright, commanding the 21st, received the following reply to his telegram :-
"Gen'l. Headquarters, State of N. Y., ) Adjutant General's office, Albany, June 19th, 1863. " Special Order No. 313.
"The Secretary of War having made requisition upon the Governor of this State for troops for a short term of service, the 21st Regt. Nat. Guard of N. Y., Col. Jos. Wright, commanding, will hold itself in readiness to march on short notice.
" By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
J. B. STONEHOUSE, Act'g. Asst. Adj't. Gen'l."
The 21st left Poughkeepsie on the evening of June 26, 1863, on the steamer William Kent, from the foot of Main street. Its departure was made a grand ovation. Companies B, C, F and R, with part of the Rhinebeck company, being unable to procure uniforms on the 26th, did not leave until the 27th. The work of enlisting was continued till the day of starting. The following was the field, staff and line officers :- Colonel, Joseph Wright ; Lieutenant-Colonel, James Kent ; Major, Charles H. Fitchett ; Adjutant, James E. Schram ; Quartermaster, Joseph H. Marshall ; Surgeon, Dr. VanDuser ; Asst. Surgeon, Dr. Schenck ; Com- missary, R. M. Denton ; Quartermaster Sergeant,
J. Case ; Hospital Steward, J. H. Lindsley ; Co. A,* Poughkeepsie, (Ellsworth Guards,) Captain Hay- man, Lieutenants Lindley, Darrow and Parker ; Co. B, Poughkeepsie, (Jackson Guards,) Captain Clifford, Lieutenant O'Neil; Co. C, Hudson, Cap- tain Mullony; Co. D, Poughkeepsie, (Scott Guards,) Captain Tanner, Lieutenants Quigley, Hauben- estel and Dennis; Co. E. Rhinebeck, "gone to war ;" Co. F, Poughkeepsie, (Grenadiers,) Captain Whelan ; Co. G, Poughkeepsie, (Duchess County Artillery,) Captain Miller, Lieutenants, Prince and Korner ; Co. H, Fishkill, (Denning Guards,) Cap- tain Hustis ; Co. K, Fishkill, (new company ;) Co. R, Poughkeepsie, (German Rifles,) Captain Heng- sterbeck, Lieutenant Michaelis. The regiment numbered 410 men. f
The regiment proceeded to Baltimore and were quartered in Belger Barracks, then recently the camp of the 150th. It left Camp Belger in July and marched through a hard rain to Fort McHenry, and thence proceeded on the 7th of July to Fort Delaware, seventy-five miles south of Baltimore, which was used for the confinement of rebel pris- oners. It returned home, arriving at Poughkeepsie on the government transport steamer Commodore at midnight, July 28-'29, 1863, and notwithstanding the unseasonable hour, received a hearty welcome from the Home Guard and many citizens, amid bonfires and brilliant illuminations. It was mus- tered out at Poughkeepsie, August 7, 1863, by Captain Chambliss, of the 5th U. S. Cavalry.
Intense excitement prevailed in Poughkeepsie on the reception of the news of the draft riots in New York in July, 1863, and in the absence of the 21st regiment, measures were at once set on foot to organize a home guard, as a means of pro- tection against riot if such was attempted. On the evening of July 14, 1863, several meetings were held in the city on short notice, and the Poughkeepsie Eagle of July 15, 1863, announced that three companies had been formed ready to assemble at a moment's warning. Railroad and telegraphic communication with New York was interrupted for three days, and the only means of getting authentic information from that city was by the morning and evening papers brought by boat. The number of companies was subsequent- ly increased to six, (one of which was composed of returned volunteers,) in addition to the Grant
* This Company, during the war, says the Poughkeepsie Eagle of Sept. 2, 1864, "has sent over 200 recruits to the war."
+ Companys A, D, G, H, K and R, and a few men of Co. F, went with the 21st, the other companies refusing to do so .- Poughkeepsie Eagle of July 25, 1863.
167
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, QUOTAS UNDER THE DRAFT.
Cavalry and Capt. Van Cleef's artillery corps, the whole under command of Col. Joseph Williams. Active drilling was kept up even after the riot alarms had ceased.
The suspense which had hung over the people of this district respecting the draft was at length terminated. The draft was ordered to take place on Monday, Sept. 7th. The quota for the district was 2,013, of which number 1,202 fell upon Duchess and 811 on Columbia. To these figures fifty per cent. were added to cover exemptions, making the entire number to be drafted in the district 3,019-in Duchess, 1,781, and Columbia, 1,239. The following table shows the number enrolled in and the quota to be furnished by each town or sub-district in Duchess county :-
No.
No.
Enrolled.
Quota. Drft'd
Amenia.
271
52
79
Beekman
147
26
39
Clinton
217
40
60
Dover.
197
36
54
East Fishkill .
279
52 79
Fishkill, Ist, 2d and 4th Districts .. 475 3d and 5th Districts. . 231
87
130
43 64
Hyde Park.
360
67
IOI
LaGrange.
2II
38
57
Milan .
160
33
49
North East
.210
39
58
Pawling
19I
34
Pine Plains
15I
27
40
Pleasant Valley
I77
32
48
Poughkeepsie .
297
56
84
Poughkeepsie City, 1st & 2d Wards 847
157
235
3d & 4th
607
116
175
Rhinebeck .
362
69
104
Red Hook
421
76
II4
Stanford .
212
39
59
Union Vale.
I33
24
36
Washington
.237
43
65
The Sheriffs of Duchess and Columbia counties, the Mayors of Poughkeepsie and Hudson, and the following named gentlemen were invited to attend the drawing and see that all was fairly done, viz : Hon. James Emott, Hon. John Thompson, Joseph H. Jackson, Wilson B. Sheldon, Albert Van Kleeck and Charles W. Swift, Republicans, and Homer A. Nelson, Charles Wheaton, Joseph F. Barnard, Edgar Thorn, James H. Weeks and Edward B. Osborne, Democrats.
At the hour appointed for the execution of the draft in this district, a large number of citizens con- gregated in and about the Provost Marshal's office to witness the proceedings. The place selected for the drawing to commence was the front room of the building No. 7 Union street, which is still standing and is now occupied for law offices.
The general failure of this draft to supply men, owing to exemptions and commutations, led to another call Oct. 17, 1863, for 300,000 men, for three years or during the war, and a draft was or- dered to fill the quotas unless otherwise filled by Jan. 5, 1864. The quotas under this call were as follows :-
No. Enrolled. Quota.
Amenia
271
38
Beekman
147
2I
Clinton
217
3I
Dover
197
28
East Fishkill
247
40
Fishkill .
707
100
Hyde Park
360
50
LaGrange
2II
30
Milan .
160
22
North East
210
30
Pawling
191
27
Pine Plains
15I
22
Pleasant Valley
177
25
Poughkeepsie.
297
42
66
City, Ist Ward.
492
69
66
66
2d
66
352
50
66
3d
60
280
40
Rhinebeck
362
5I
Red Hook
42 I
59
Stanford. .
214
30
Union Vale
I33
19
Washington
236
34
A committee appointed for that purpose selected as recruiting agents the following persons, being two in each Assembly District in this county : John C. Pudney, Poughkeepsie ; John M. Keese, Rhinebeck; Samuel Underhill, Fishkill ; Horace D. Hufcut, Dover.
Strenuous efforts were made to fill the quotas under this call without the necessity of having recourse to a draft. Dec. 8, 1863, the Supervis- ors resolved to tax the county $250,000 for a bounty fund, and to pay to each volunteer accept- ed and mustered into the service a bounty of $300. The County Treasurer was also authorized to pay $5 to any person furnishing a volunteer under this resolution, when such volunteer was accepted, sworn in and credited on the quota of the county, which was 904. Dec. 9, 1863, the Supervisors authorized the Provost Marshal to draw on the County Treasurer and pay the recruit- ing agents $5 for every man enlisted by them and accepted by the Government from this county. This made the united national, State and county bounties $690 to each new recruit and $865 to each veteran.
The colored citizens of the county were alive to their privileges and duties, and within six weeks
324
46
66
66
4th
168
HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
after the New York draft riots, had organized in Poughkeepsie a company of their own race num- bering sonie sixty men. August 31st, Sergeant Robinson of the 20th R. I. colored regiment left Poughkeepsie on the steamer Mary Powell with a number of colored recruits. The Poughkeepsie Eagle of Dec. 14, 1863, says: " A mass meeting of colored men is called to assemble this evening at the African M. E. Zion Church to raise colored volunteers. The motto they place on their bills is worthy of the cause. 'Prepare to arm ! Our time has come ! If we would have a place in this country's record, we must write it with the bay- onet.'" During the succeeding two months a large number of colored men were enlisted. Re- cruiting was brisk and the towns generally had filled, and many exceeded their quota. This excess was credited on the subsequent call of Feb. 1, 1864, (known as the deficiency call,) for 200,000 men.
Feb. 15, 1864, the Supervisors extended the time for the payment of county bounties until the quota under the last call was filled. The same date they resolved to pay $25 to any person bringing a recruit credited to this county. This resolution revoked the one of Dec. 9, 1863, offer- ing $5 for such service.
Enlistments continued with great rapidity, and within twenty days from the issuance of the call the quota of the district was full. The Poughkeep- sie Eagle of Feb. 20, 1864, says :--
" We are officially requested to make public the fact that the 12th district has its quota full. * * * An official communication has been received by Lieut. Medary,* that our quota under the call for 500,000 ment is 2,211 ; volunteers credited to the district up to Jan. 31st, 1, 121 ; drafted men who served or commuted, and substitutes, 927 ; total to be cred- ited, 2,048, leaving 163 to be raised. Since Feb. Ist there have been mustered in 310 men, so that we have raised one hundred and forty-seven men over our quota. This result will be hailed with general satisfaction, and we think the more so be- cause it proves the order to draft for 500,000 was not a call for more men, but merely to clear up the old calls."
The men raised under these calls, (Oct. 17, 1863, and Feb. 1, 1864,) were mainly applied to filling the old regiments, which were numerically reduced by the exigencies of the service. They were allowed to select the regiment with which they desired to be attached, and were, consequently, united to various organizations.
The payment of these large bounties, if gener- ous, was unwise and unjust, and, though it stimu-
* Lieut. Medary was then acting Provost Marshal in his district.
+ The calls of Oct. 17, 1863, and Feb. 1, 1864, were merged in one.
lated enlistments, attracted a rabble element, and was a vice which pandered to base passions, fostered corruption and extortion, increased in its enormity as the war progressed and seriously interfered with the levies for such an army as should have been the dependence and defense of our noble Republic.
The county was to some extent victimized by bounty jumpers operating in Poughkeepsie, and desertions of whole squads were of frequent occur- rence during this period, necessitating the employ- ment of strong guards, with loaded muskets, as the recruits were removed from the recruiting sta- tion to the " Soldiers' Rest,"* or to other places of rendezvous in the city, which were infested with numerous sharpers, whose presence and operations compelled the officials to be constantly on the alert.
March 15, 1864, the " Poughkeepsie City and Duchess County Sanitary Fair " was opened and continued to and including the 19th. Among its attractions were the tattered and battle-stained colors of the 128th regiment. Over $18,000 were realized by the fair.
March 15, 1864, a call for an additional 200,000 men was issued. Volunteers were received until April 15th, after which a draft was ordered to make up any deficiency then existing. The quota of the 12th district under this call was 913. The following table exhibits the condition of the towns in Duchess county at that time with reference to previous calls :-
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