History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 141

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862

USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 141

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).

"""' I shall dispose of my worldly effects so as to make the best repa- ration in my power for the evil I have unwittingly eansed. To the families of the unfortunate men who were killed at Windmill Point I leave a legacy, though they suffered fromn a chance shot of the militia, not, as has heen said, from our cool and deliberate aimn. I trust my memory will be cleared from the charge of inhumanity. I paid every possible attention to the wounded prisoners who fell in my power, and I placed sentries over the body of Lieut. Johnson, a brave and gallaut young officer, to protect him from indignity. I have one favor only to request; it is that my poor remains may be delivered to a friend whom I will name, to be buried on his own es- tate. The British government, I trust, have too much generosity to refuse this trifling boon. May God forgive those whose evil counsels have bronght mne to this untimely end ! I will die in charity with all mankind. The miniature of my lost Therese, my first and only love, still rests upon my heart, and in this dark and solemn hour she seems to smile on me as she was wont in happier days. I pray that it may be buried with me!'

" He was 31 years of age. His father held a major's commission at the battle of Warsaw, and he had himself risen to the same rank."

WAR OF THE REBELLION, 1861-65.

Scarcely had the echoes of the guns fired at Fort Sumter, in April, 1861, died away, when over the Northland rolled a wave of intense excitement, and men at onee sprang to arms in defenso of their eom- mon country. Jefferson County, the scene of important events in the War of 1812-15 with Eugland, was quickly stirred to her eentre by the sound of strife, and onee more her sons buckled on their warlike aceoutrements, and began mnoving toward the "front." Her record throughout the struggle was covered with glory.

From the first annual report of the Bureau of Military Statistics for the State of New York, issned in 1864, the following items have been gathered for Jefferson County :

Total number of troops furnished for the first thirty-eight regiments (five towns reporting), 136; number furnished between that time and the President's eall for 600,000 men, 139; number furnished under the call for 600,000, 371; total, 646. From the beginning of the war until the close of 1864 the county had paid, according to the re- port of tho Burean for 1865, bounties to the amount of $333,475.16. The entire number of troops furnished by Jefferson County during the war numbers nearly or quite five thousand, as will be seen by reference to the accompanying roster, copied from the muster-in rolls

of the regiments, as published frem the office of the adjutant-general. It is probable that names which should appear in this list are not found, owing to the imperfect facilities for securing them, but it has been our aim to furnish as complete a list as possible. Owing to cir- cumstances over which we could have no centrol, the descriptive-rell is unavoidably omitted, including the list of casualties.

TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY.

Company K of this regiment was organized at Ellisburg, Jefferson County, by Andrew J. Barney, who became its captain. The regi- ment was organized and numbered by the State Military Board, May 16, 1861, and on the 2d day of July it was mustered into the service of the United States, leaving Elinira the same day, fully armed and equipped, and proceeding, via Harrisburg and Baltimore, to Washing- ton, where it arrived on the 3d of July, and eamped on Meridian Ilill till July 21, at which date it received long Enfield rifled mus- kets in exchange for the percussion muskets with which it had left New York State. During the winter of 1861-62 the reginuent was en- camped on Upton's Hill. After heing brigaded differently several times it was, in March, 1862, assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Ist Corps, and in September, 1862, the brigade was known as tho " Iron Brigade," commanded by Gen. Hateh and Col. Sullivan. Col. Phelps, of the 22d Regiment, took command of the brigade Sept. 14, and continued in that position until its dissolution by reason of the expiration of the terms of service of the 22d, 24th, and 30th regiments.

After various minor engagements a sharp skirmish was had in May, 1862, called the battle of Falmouth. Aug. 10 they left Fal- mouth for Cedar Mountain (sometimes called Slaughter Mountain), where they stayed four days under artillery fire, the regiment losing one man killed in Company D. On the 28th of Aug. they were under fire at Groveton, but were not engaged. On the 30th they were sharply engaged at Bull Run for about an hour and twenty minutes, losing several men. Between four and five o'clock of Sunday even- ing, Sept. 14, 1862, they went into the fight at South Mountain, Md., to which point they had been moved via Washington, Rockville, New Market, and Frederick City. After several times changing position and being constantly skirmishing, they forded Antictam ereek on the morning of the 16th and moved to the right, abreast of the celebrated corn-field. On the morning of the 17th they became hotly engaged, and lost several men, among them Capt. J. D. O'Brien, of Company A, and Ensign John S. MeNair. The regiment next participated in Gen. Burnside's unfortunate Fredericksburg battle, Dee. 13, 1862. In the battle of Chancellorsville they were also engaged, and about the middle of May, succeeding that engagement, were ordered home, and mustered out at Oswego at the expiration of their term of service, -two years.

THIRTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.

This organization, known as the "Jefferson County Regiment," was organized at Elmira, June 3, 1861. The following companies were raised in Jefferson County :

Company A-recruited at Watertown; Capt. Stephen L. Potter ; accepted May 9; mnstered into the service of the United States, at Elmira, July 9, 1861.

Company C-Theresa; Capt. George W. Flower ; accepted, May 15 ; mustered in a. Ehuira, July 9.

Company E-Watertown ; Capt. John Laey ; recruiting commenced April 15, and ended June 11; accepted May 9; mustered in at Elmira, July 10.

Company G-Adams; Capt. Sidney J. Mendal; accepted May 7; mustered in at Elmira, July 10.

Company I-Redwood ; Capt. Edgar B. Spalsbury ; accepted May 20; mustered in at Elinira, July 9.

Company K-Brownville; Capt. Newton B. Lord ; accepted May 9; mustered in at Elmira, July 10.

At a meeting of the State Military Board, held May 24, it was, on motion ef Lient .- Gov. Campbell,-

Resolred, That the companies commanded by the following named captains, viz. : Capts. Lacy, Lord, Potter, Mendell, Angle, Flower, Spalsbury, Todd, Nutting (Co. D), and Elwell, be organized into a regiment, to be numbered No. 35, and an election for field officers ordered to be held therein."

Juue 11 the election of William C. Brown, as colonel ; Stephen L. Potter, as lieutenant-colonel ; and Newton B. Lord, as major, was

558

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

confirmod, and on the 10th of July the field and staff were mustcred into the service of the United States for the term of two years from June 11, 1861. Flags were presented to companies as follows : Co. A, by citizens of Watertown ; Co. E, ditto; Co. K, by citizens of Brownville; and Co. C, by citizens of Theresa. The first regimental flag was obtained by subscription among the officers. Subsequently the regiment was presented, by Hon. A. W. Clark, with colors.

July 11, 1861, the 35th left Elmira for the seat of war, arriving at Washington on the 13th, and encamping on Meridian hill. It was finally brigaded with the 21st, 23d, and 80th (20th militia) N. Y. Volunteers, the brigade being known as the First Brigade, First Di- vision, First Army Corps.

The regiment was commanded from June 3 until Aug. 2, 1861, by Col. Williamu C. Brown; from August, 1861, to Feb. 10, 1863, by Col. Newton B. Lord; and from Feb. 10 to June 5, 1863, by Col. John G. Todd.

Soon after the arrival of the regiment in Virginia it furnished de- tails to work under Lieut .- Col. Alexander, U. S. Engineers, in form- ing abattis. Col. Alexauder placed the work in charge of Col. Lord, and the regiment felled timber from the forests surrounding the camp, and formed abattis several miles in length and four hundred feet in width. After this it worked on the lunette forts near the Arlington House, and built one seven-gun lunette fort. The forts upon which the regiment performed most of its labors were afterwards named Forts Tillinghast and Craig. For five and a half months after this the regiment was kept on picket duty, losing in the entire time but one man wounded and none killed. It captured two lieutenants and twenty-three men, and killed three men.

In Jan., 1862, the muskets supplied the regiment by the State were exchanged for Austrian rifles, calibre 54. From March until August the 35th participated in a series of weary marches and occasional skirmishes, and became greatly depleted by disease. At Rappahan- nock Station, Aug. 30, it was a support for Battery L, of the 1st N. Y. Artillery, which was sharply engaged. At the battle of Warrenton Springs it was exposed to a fire of artillery and sharpshooters. At Gainesville but two companies were engaged, and they as skirmishers, and after the battle was placed on pieket duty, losing five men cap- tured by the euemy the next morning. At the memorable second Bull Run fight, August 29, 1862, the 35th lost nine men killed and thirteen wounded. It was also fired into through mistake by the 23d, with a loss of five killed and eight wounded. On the second day the 35th lay behind a stone wall, near the turupike, where it lost 72 men in killed and wounded, although it did not fire a gun during the day, the position being upon the ground in front of the artillery. When the retreat commenced it was withdrawn and reached Centreville about seven in the evening. During the battle of Chantilly it lay in the rifle pits on the right of the turnpike, and was not under fire. After this battle it marched via Fairfax to Falls Church, arriving on the 3d of September, and camping near its camp of the previous win- ter. On its arrival at Falls Church it had for music two drums and one bugle, the regimental band of 24 pieces having been discharged, and the drum-corps having lost its drums while attending the wounded at Bull Run. It was also without knapsacks, coats, or blankets, these having been left at Centreville and destroyed on the retreat.

At the battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14, the regiment was de- ployed as skirmishers, one company being left at the foot of the hill with the colors, while three moved on the left and six on the right of the turnpike, under strong support. The three companies on the left lost, during the day, 19 men in killed and wounded. After the enemy was driven from the hill the regiment was relieved, and reached its colors at the foot about 3 A.M. of the 15th. On the 15th the regi- ment passed through Turner's Gap, and on the morning of the 16th reached the bank of the Antietam, where it was exposed for an hour to artillery fire, and lost three or four in wounded. During the fore- noon it changed position, and in the evening, while moving across an open field, to take up its position in a belt of woods, received a fire from. a battery of the enemy, losing three men killed and five wounded. On the 17th it was marched, with the 1st Brigade, to the right, across the turnpike and into the woods in the rear of Dunker's church, where it remained about one hour. It was then formed par- allel to the turnpike, in the rear of a cliff, for the purpose of attacking the flank of a line of the enemy, which had advanced against the 2d and 3d Brigades. Here it lay down behind the fence and ditch of the turnpike, and opened fire on the enemy's line, which had been reformed and reinforced, aud kept it up until the line gave way,

after which it moved forward its left wing and captured the battle- flag of the 7th Alabama. Just at this time the enemy formed a line on the right and rear, and opened a galling fire, forcing our line to fall back to the cliff, where it returned fire. Ammunition was soon exhausted, and the 35th and 23d were marched by the left flank to- wards the rear of the army. On reaching the hill where the batteries were posted, the two regiments were halted and faced about in the edge of the woods, to give General French an opportunity to form his division. The fire from the enemy became intensely severe, and French's division was again thrown into confusion. The two regiments then moved back for cartridges, and on being supplied were placed in support of two batteries, where they remained until the morning of the 18th. In this action the 35th lost thirty-two killed and forty-three wounded.

On the 19th the regiment went into camp a mile and a half from Sharpsburg, near the bend in the Potomac, where it remained a month, during which time it suffered much for want of clothing and shoes, and from disease occasioned by its occupation of a battle- ground and the vicinity of the mounds of the dead. Half its officers and men were unfit for duty.

At the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 12 and 13, the regiment lost heavily, being exposed for six hours on the 13th to a fire-from the enemy's artillery without an opportunity to retaliate. Not a shot was fired by it until subsequent to this on the 13th and during the 14th, when it was placed on picket, losing, on the night of the 15th, six men prisoners. The duty of the 35th after this was compara- tively light. The total number of men on the rolls of the regiment was 1250, of which number 593 were mustered out on the 5th of June, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y. For the first time in four months the regi- ment assembled on dress parade on the 19th of May previous, and Gen. Patrick shook hands with each man as an earnest of the feeling with which he bade them good-by. The next day they took the cars for Aquia Creek, proceeded thence by transport to Washington, where they were received by Capt. Camp, of Co. K (then on detached duty as aide-de-camp to Gen. Martindale), with a full band. The regiment reached Elmira May 22, and, as mentioned, was mustered out June 5. It had lost 130 men killed in battle, 70 by deaths from disease, 90 discharged for wounds, and 140 for disability. Truly was its record glorious !

NINETY-FOURTH INFANTRY.

This regiment was organized at Sacket's Harbor to serve three years. The companies composing it were raised in the county of Jefferson. It was mustered into the United States service on the 10th of March, 1862, and in March, 1863, was consolidated with the 105th Infantry. On the expiration of its term of service the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service until July 18, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the war department. The 94th was actively engaged while in the service, and but little time elapsed between the date of its organization and its first engagement. The regiment participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Chancellorsville, South Mountain, Antietam, Gainesville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, and Weldon Rail- road, beside many skirmishes of more or less importance, and suffered to a considerable extent. No detailed history has been prepared of the regiment, but its record is one of valiant deeds, and its scarred battle-flags and maimed and dead soldiers are covered with the praises awarded by a grateful people to those who have made themselves famous.

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.

The 186th Regiment was recruited principally in Jefferson and Lewis counties, and was mustered into service September 8, 1864. It went out 980 strong, lost 130 in killed and wounded, 120 by dis- ease and discharge, and returned with 730. It was in the battle of Southside Railroad, October 27, 1864; formed part of Warren's command in his raid to Nottoway, December 10; was in the charge on Fort Mahone, in front of Petersburg, April 2, 1865; and finally joined in the pursuit and capture of General Lee. It was among the first to enter the rebel fortifieations at Petersburg, and was highly complimented by its brigade and division commanders for the gal- lantry shown in its charge on Fort Mahone. It was organized at Sacket's Harbor for the period of one year, and was mustered out, in accordance with orders from the War Department, June 2, 1865.

559

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-THIRD INFANTRY.

This regiment was raised at Auburn, N. Y., to servo for one, two, and three years. Jefferson County furnished a considerable number of inen for it, although it was filled up with men from the counties of Cayuga, Oswego, Onondaga, Oncida, St. Lawrence, and Franklin besides. It was mustered into the service of the United States in the spring of 1865, and mustered out of service January 18, 1866, in accordance with orders from the War Department.

SIXTH CAVALRY-"SECOND IRA HARRIS GUARD."

Jefferson County furnished a number of mnen for this regiment, which was mustered into the service of the United States from Sep- tember 12 to December 19, 1861. The original members were mus- tered out on the expiration of their term of servieo, and the organiza- tion, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service, and on the 17th of June, 1865, consolidated with the 15th N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, the consolidated foree being known as the Second New York Pro- visional Cavalry. Its list of engagements embraces the following : South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Spottsylvania, Chaneel- lorsville, Beverly Ford, Middleburg, Upperville, Gettysburg, Brandy Station, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Meehaniesville, Wilder- ness, Todd's Tavern, Hawe's Shop, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Opequan, Fisher's Ilill, Cedar Creek, Appomattox Station, Siege of Richmond.

THIRTEENTIL CAVALRY.

This regiment was organized at New York City to serve three years, and a detachment of men from Jefferson County joined it. It was mustered into the U. S. service from February, 1863, to March, 1864. On the 23d of June, 1865, the regiment was consolidated with the 16th N. Y. Cavalry, and the consolidated force known as the 3d New York Provisional Cavalry. Its principal engagements were at Aldie, Fair- fax Station, Centreville, Culpepper, and Piedmont, and its loss was comparatively slight. The men from Jefferson County belonged in four companies of the regiment.

EIGHTEENTH CAVALRY.

This regiment was organized at New York city, to serve three years. The companies of which it was composed were raised in the counties of New York, Albany, Jefferson, Lewis, Franklin, Herkimer, and Erie. It was mustered into tbo service of the United States from July 18, 1863, to February 3, 1864. On the 12th of June, 1865, it was consolidated with the 14th N. Y. Cavalry, the consolidated force retaining tho name,-18th N. Y. Cavalry. This force remained in servieo until May 31, 1866, when it was mustered out in aeeord- aneo with orders from the War Department.

TWENTIETH CAVALRY.

The 20th Cavalry was organized at Sacket's Harbor, N. Y., to serve three years. Its men were principally from Jefferson County, although the counties of Lewis, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Onondaga, and Albany were also represented. The regiment was mustered into the United States service from September 3 to September 30, 1863, and after a varied experienec was mustered out July 31, 1865, in ae- cordanee with orders from the War Department. It was known as the " MeClellan Cavalry ;" went out with twelve companies, and was a fine body of men.

TWENTY-FOURTH CAVALRY.

This regiment was organized at Auburn, N. Y., to serve three years, and contained a number of men from Jefferson County. It was mus- tered into the service in Jan., 1864; and, on the 17th of June, 1865, was consolidated with the 10tb N. Y. Cavalry, the united foree being ealled the First New York Provisional Cavalry. Its principal en- gagements were the battles in tho Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Guinea Station, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Cemetory Hill, Woldon Railroad, Reams' Station, Pceble's Farm, Vanghan Road, aud Bellefield ; and in these tho regiment lost to a considerablo extent. A number of its officers were killed in action and others died of wounds, while the loss among the men was proportionate.

TWENTY-SIXTH (" FRONTIER") CAVALRY.

This regiment was organized in the States of New York, Massachu- setts, and Vermont, under special authority from the Sceretary of War,

to serve on the frontier for one year. It was principally engaged in proteeting the northern frontier, and looking after suspicious charac- ters, "bounty-jumpers," rebel sympathizers, etc.,-one detachment being stationed at Saeket's Harbor. Five companies were organized in this State, composed of men from the counties of St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Franklin, Clinton, Essex, and Erie. The regiment was mustered in fromn Dee. 29, 1864, to Feb. 22, 1865, and was mus- tered out by companies from June 29, 1865, to July 7, 1865, in aceord- anee with orders from the War Department.

FIRST REGIMENT "VETERAN" CAVALRY.

This was organized at Geneva, N. Y., to serve three years, and mustered into the U. S. service from July 25 to Nov. 19, 1863. The 17th N. Y. Cavalry was consolidated with it Sept. 17, 1863, and tho new organization contained a considerable number of men from Jef- ferson County. The regiment was mustered out July 20, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY.

Company C, Capt. John W. Tumblin, was organized in Jefferson County, and mustered in from Sept. 6 to Oet. 24, 1861. It partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chaneellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappabannock Station, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tol- opotomy, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad, and was mustered out, in accordance with orders from the War Depart- ment, June 17, 1865, after nearly four years of active serviec.

Company D, Cupt. Thomas W. Osborn, was in part from Jefferson County, and was mustered in from Sept. 6 to Oet. 25, 1861. Its list of important engagements is a long one, and tells a truthful tale of bravery and hard service. It took active part in the battles of York- town, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, battle of June 25, 1862, Peach Orcbard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Ilill, Fredericksburg, Chaneellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Be- thesda Church, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and Chapel House. The battery was mustered out of service Juno 16, 1865.

Compar y H, Capt. Joseph Spratt, was raised principally in Jeffer- son County, and mustered into the service of the United States from the 10th to the 28th of October, 1861. It was engaged at Yorktown, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Peters- burg, Weldon Railroad, Peeble's Farm, and IFateher's Run, and was mustered out of service June 19, 1865.

FIRST REGIMENT (GOV. MORGAN'S) U. S. LIGHT ARTILLERY.

Company II of this regiment, Captain Charles L. Smith, was raised at Watertown and Carthage, for the term of three years, and mus- tered in July 24, 1861. This organization became a part of the 2d New York Light Artillery. On the expiration of its term of service the original members were mustered out, and the regiment, composed of veterans and reernits, retained in service. It was consolidated into eight companies, and four companies of the 9th N. Y. Artillery trans- ferred to it June 27, 1865. The regiment was mustered out Septem- ber 29, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department. Its battles were : Second Bull Run, North Anna, Spottsylvania, To- lopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, New Market Road, Charles City Cross-Roads, and Reais' Station. The 2d regiment lost 841 men in killed, wounded, and missing.

FIFTII ARTILLERY.

The third battalion of the " Black River Artillery," assigned to this rogiment, consisted of several companies raised in the counties of Jefferson and Lewis, mustered into the U. S. service in September, 1862. They were attached to the 5th Regiment, forming Batteries I, K, L, and M, to serve threo years. On the expiration of its term of service the original in mbers of the regiment (execpt veterans) were mustered out, and tho organization, composed of veterans and re- eruits, retained in service until July 19, 1865, when it was mustered out iu accordance with orders from the War Department. The prin- eipal engagements in which the regiment participated were at Point of Roeks, Berlin, Sandy Ilook, and Harper's Ferry.

TENTH ARTILLERY.

This regiment was composed of the First, Seeond, and Fourth Battalions of the Black River Artillery, raised in the counties of

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 Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 141

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 862

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862