History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 173

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

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Short speeches from various individuals followed, relics of the baron were exhibited, and, after music and the bene- diction, the gathering dispersed.

The monument was designed and executed by Mr. 7- . Henry Reck, of New York, at a cost of $3500. The base and body of the monument are of Trenton limestone, and the surmounting shaft of granite. The base is 14 feet square, and the total height from the ground 15 feet. Within a wreath cut in relief in the granite upon one of the faces is the simple word "STEUBEN." Four Parrott guns are planted, en reverse, at the angles of the monument. The whole work is plain, simple, and substantial.

SKETCH OF COLONEL WILLETT.

Colonel Marinus Willett was born July 31 (O. S.), 1740, at Jamaica, Long Island. His grandfather, Samuel Willett, held the office of sheriff of Queens County. His father, Edward Willett, was horn in 1701, and died in New York, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. There were thirteen children in this family.

Colonel Willett's first public experience was in 1755-56, when he was present and witnessed the operations of a British press-gang in New York City.

In 1758 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in a colonial regiment commanded by Colonel Oliver Delancy, a brother of James Delancy, then lieutenant-governor of

the colony of New York. His company was raised on Long Island, and was commanded by Captain Thomas Wil- liams. His regiment was in the northern campaign under Abercrombie, and participated in the disastrous attack upon Montcalm's lines at Ticonderoga. The regiment also formed a part of Colonel Bradstreet's expedition to Frontenac, which resulted so successfully to the British arms.

On his return from this latter expedition, Lieutenant Willett was taken sick at Fort Stanwix, where he remained until November, when he made a bateau voyage down the Mohawk to Schenectady, and thence to New York, in De- cember, which place he reached after an absence of seven months. He was not engaged in active service during the remainder of the war. He took an active part on the side of the colonies in the exciting scenes following the passage of the "Stamp Act," and in the opening of the Revolution.

On the breaking out of the war between the colonies and Great Britain he at once offered his services, and was commissioned captain in Colonel Alexander McDougall's regiment (the second 'company), June 25, 1775. In Au- gust following his regiment joined General Montgomery's army at Albany, which soon after departed on its way to the invasion of Canada. He was present at the siege and capture of Chambly and St. John's, and his company was detached as a guard to convey the prisoners to Albany, which duty was satisfactorily performed, and the company returned to Montreal on the 22d of November. From this point he was sent to take command of St. John's, where he remained until February, 1776, when he was again sent to Albany as a guard to a number of British officers and their families, who had been taken prisoners during the campaign.

When the Continental army was reconstructed and re- cruited, the State of New York was called upon to furnish four regiments, and Captain Willett was commissioned lieu- tenant-colonel of the third, of which Peter Gansevoort was appointed colonel. The regiment not being full, Colonel Willett was sent to Fishkill on recruiting service.

In the spring of 1777 he was placed in command of Fort Constitution, and on the 22d of March was personally en- gaged in the affair at Peekskill, where the British forces were repulsed in an attack on the place. The celebrated " camlet cloak," used in the construction of the garrison flag of Fort Stanwix, was captured in this affair.

On the 18th of May, he was ordered with the regiment to Fort Stanwix, where he arrived on the 29th. The name of this fort had been changed to Schuyler, in honor of General Philip Schuyler, and was so known during the war. By Willett's advice, Captain Marquizee, the French engineer officer in charge of the work of repairing the fort, was re- lieved, and returned to headquarters at Albany, and Colonel Willett himself took charge of the work.

The part taken by Colonel Willett in the memorable siege of Fort Stanwix (Schuyler) is narrated in another portion of this work. During Colonel Gansevoort's absence from the fort, subsequent to St. Leger's retreat, Colonel Willett was in temporary command. Upon Colonel Gansevoort's return in September, Colonel Willett was granted a short leave of absence, and visited his family at Fishkill. Dur- ing the summer of 1778 he seems not to have had an active

COL. MARINUS WILLETT.

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command, for we find him visiting the main army under Washington in New Jersey. He was present at the battle of Monmouth, in June of that year, and took an active part as a volunteer aid of General Scott.

In 1779 he accompanied General Sullivan on his great expedition against the Six Nations .* During the winter of 1779-80 he was with the main army, and performed a noted exploit on Staten Island ; and in 1780 he commanded the Fifth New York Regiment, attached to the Grand Army. In the latter part of that year he was placed in command of all the troops raised for the defense of the northwestern frontier of New York, with headquarters at Fort Rensselaer, now Canajoharie. In the beginning of July, 1781, his command had several skirmishes with marauding-parties of the enemy. In October of the same year occurred the raid of Majors Ross and Butler into the Mohawk Valley, and their pursuit and defeat by Colonel Willett. Considerable fighting occurred near Johnstown, and during the enemy's retreat, when crossing West Canada Creek, the notorious Major Walter N. Butler was killed. The enemy were finally driven in a starving condition into the wilderness to the north of the Mohawk Valley.

In February, 1783, at the special request of General Washington, he led a well-equipped expedition for the pur- pose of surprising the British garrison at Oswego; but the guide losing his way, they were discovered, and obliged to abandon the object. Peace had already been ratified, and was soon after proclaimed.

In 1784, Colonel Willett was appointed sheriff of the city and county of New York, which office he held for four years. In 1790 be was sent on a special mission to negoti- ate a treaty with the Creek Indians, then located in Georgia and Alabama. When the war with the northwestern In- dians broke out he was offered the position of brigadier- general, but being conscientiously opposed to the war he declined the honor.

He was mayor of the city of New York in 1807, and held the position of chairman of the committee for the assistance of the Greeks in 1825-26. He died on the 23d of August, 1830, in New York, at the age of ninety years, universally honored and beloved.

For his distinguished services at Fort Stanwix, Congress, the same year, ordered an elegant and costly sword to be presented him. He was a member of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, which order passed complimen- tary resolutions at his death and attended his funeral in a body. His funeral was also attended by many military and civie bodies.t

CHAPTER XLIX.

MILITARY HISTORY AND ROSTERS.

WAR OF THE REBELLION, 1861-65.

ONEIDA COUNTY performed well her part during the struggle of four years to prevent the dissolution of the

union of States, and from the first alarm was up and ready for any emergency. It is estimated that she furnished ten thousand men for the Union army during the war, and, as their history shows, they everywhere covered themselves with glory. Five regiments were organized almost entirely in the county, and many others had representatives from it. The accompanying roster is as perfect as could be obtained from the adjutant-general's reports and the records of towns. Blanks were furnished in 1865 to every town clerk in the State, and each was directed to fill them up prop- erly, place a copy on file in his office, and forward the duplicate to the adjutant-general of the State. This was done in order to secure a perfeet list of those who entered into the service of their country, and a reliable descriptive roll, giving the final disposition of each man,-his dis- charge, muster-out, desertioo, death by sickness or on the field of battle, his wounds, the fact of his being taken pris- oner, with dates, ete. ;- but not half of these blanks were ever filled out as directed. They were in many cases neglected entirely and in others but indifferently arranged, and the consequence is the record of the noble boys in blue has become almost an impossibility to procure in anything like a satisfactory shape. We present herewith, as fully as possible to ascertain them, short histories of the regiments in which Oneida's sons enlisted and took part in the great struggle for the preservation of the country from the evils of slavery and disunion. Sketches have been promised us of several regiments by competent members thereof, but after long waiting they are not fortheoming, and we present what is in our power.

FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.

This regiment was the first raised in the county, and was familiarly known as the " 1st Oneida." It was organized at Albany, New York, to serve two years, and was mustered into the United States service May 17, 1861. Among the engagements in which it took an active part were Gaines' Mills, Hanover Court-House, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, all of them most bloody affrays. The regiment suffered quite severely during its term of service. It was mustered out at the expiration of the time for which it enlisted, May 24, 1863.

TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.

This regiment was organized at Elmira, N. Y., for two years' service, and was mustered in May 21, 1861. The companies composing it were raised in the counties of Monroe, Tioga, and Oneida, the majority of the men being from the latter county, and it was known as the "2d Oneida." This regiment also suffered severely during its two years of service, and the names of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg bring to its surviving members vivid recollections of the bloody days of war. The 26th was mustered out May 28, 1863, at the expiration of its term of service.

FIFTIETH INFANTRY (ENGINEERS).

Companies C, D, and E of this regiment contained men from Oneida County. The 50th was organized at Elmira

# He also served in Colonel Van Schaick's expedition against the Onondagas in April, 1779.

t For a full account of Colonel Willett's military operations during the Revolutionary war, see general chapters.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

for three years, and was mustered into the service of the United States Sept. 18, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, was retained in service until June 13, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the War Department.

FIFTY-THIRD INFANTRY.

A few men in Company D of this regiment enlisted from Oneida County. The 53d was organized in New York City to serve three years, and was mustered in from Aug. 27 to Nov. 15, 1861. It was mustered out, in accordance with orders from the War Department, March 21, 1862.

FIFTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.

` The companies composing the 57tb Regiment were raised in the counties of Dutchess, Kings, New York, and Oneida, those from the latter forming Company B. The regiment was organized in New York City for three years, and mus- tered in from Aug. 12 to Nov. 19, 1861. At the expira- tion of its term of service the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, and the veterans and recruits transferred to the 61st New York Infantry, Dec. 2, 1864. The principal engagements participated in by this regiment were Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Gaines' Mills, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Straw- berry Plains, Deep Bottom, and Ream's Station.

SIXTY-FIRST INFANTRY.

This regiment contained a considerable number of re- cruits from Oneida County, but was originally principally raised and organized in New York City, for a term of three years, and mustered in from Aug. 22 to Oct. 26, 1861. At the expiration of the three years the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, and the veterans and recruits retained in service until July 14, 1865, when they were mustered out in accordance with orders from the War Department. The battles in which this regiment was en- gaged were Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Hill, An- tietam, Bristow Station, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Corbin's Bridge, Po River, North Auna, Spottsylvania, Tolopotomy, Cold Har- bor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station.

SIXTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY.

This regiment was organized and principally raised in New York City, although Companies D, E, and H con- tained men from Oneida County. It was mustered in for three years, from Aug. 1 to 20, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service the original members, except veterans, were mustured out, and the regiment, composed of vete- rans and recruits, retained in service till Nov. 30, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with orders from the War Department. Among its battles were Cross-Keys,

White Sulphur Springs, Waterloo Bridge, Fremont's Ford, Groveton, and Bull Run.

SEVENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.

A few men from Oneida County were in Company E of this regiment, which was mustered in Nov. 26, 1861. The original members, except veterans, were mustered out at the expiration of service, and the veterans and recruits re- tained until Aug. 31, 1865, when they were mustered out in accordance with orders from the War Department. The regiment was organized for three years at Auhurn, New York. Among its engagements were Cotten, Brisland, and Port Hudson.

SEVENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.

A portion of Company A of this regiment was raised in Oneida County. The regiment was organized at Albany for three years, and was raised principally in the counties of Otsego and Cortland. It was mustered in Jan. 16, 1862. The original members, except veterans, were mus- tered out in December, 1864, and the veterans and recruits were transferred to the 147th New York Volunteers. The battles of the 76th were Rappahannock Station, Warrenton, Gainesville, second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Upperville, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Mine Run.

SEVENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY.

This regiment was organized in New York City to serve three years. The companies composing it were raised in the counties of Erie, Monroe, Steuben, Niagara, and Oneida, and mustered in from Oct. 1, 1861, to April 12, 1862. On the 29th of June, 1864, the 78th was consolidated with the 102d. Its battles were Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Lost Mountain, Pine Knob, Kenesaw, Peach- Tree Creek, and Atlanta.

EIGHTY-FIRST INFANTRY.

This regiment was organized at Albany, N. Y., to serve three years, and was mustered into the United States ser- vice Sept. 14, 1861. Until the 20th of January, 1862, it rendezvoused at Oswego ; but on that date it left for Albany, where, on the 1st of February, 1862, it received an acces- sion of 350 men from Oneida County, forming afterwards Companies C, E, and I. This completed the regiment, and on the 21st of the same month it departed from Albany for the front. Proceeding to New York, it went into bar- racks on Staten Island, and remained there until the 5th of March, wben it was ordered to Washington, which city it reached on the 7th, and encamped on the 8th on Kalorama Heights, where it remained 20 days, and was in the mean time attached to the Third Brigade, Casey's Division, of the Fourth Corps. March 28, the boys were sent to Alex- andria, thence to Fortress Monroe, where they arrived April 1. From this time their position was almost constantly changing, and on the 31st of May, 1862, they received their baptism of fire in the battle of Seven Pincs, where they behaved like veterans. A member of the regiment thus describes this engagement :

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

"The enemy in front, sorooned by a thick undergrowth of bushes, poured several volleys of musketry into tho regiment, and although this wns the first regulnr engagement in which they had participated, yot they stood like veterans. Volley after volley was poured into the bushes with deadly effect. Soon finding that they could not maintain their exposed position, the regiment fell back in good ordor to the edge of the woods in their renr. During this time both field-officers fell. Lieutenant-Colonel De Forest was shot in the breast, Major John Mc- Ambly and Captain Kingmnn were killed and left on the field, together with many privates. Captnin Wm. C. Raulston, heing the senior off- cer present, then asenmed command, and, in the position then taken, they kept up a constant fight with the enemy in front for two hours, when a large force, afterwards ascertained to bo a brigade, entered the field they had left, and deployed in such a manner as to approach them both in front and flank. To save themselves from being taken prisoners the order was given to fall back towards the centre of the line, which was on the Williamsburg road, half a mile distant. While moving in that direction the centre gave way, and was being forced down the road. To meet this they were obliged to change direction, passing through a thick wood, nnd slashing, gaining open ground half a mile in the rear of the first line of rifle-pits, which they had entered, and continued the fight until the day closed, the enemy in possession of the battle-field, including the camp, with all the tents, the personal baggage, and extra clothing of the men and officers."

After this the regiment saw much hard service in Vir- ginia and the Carolinas. While in camp near Northwest Landing, Va., in the latter part of 1863, a beautiful flag was presented to them by Mrs. C. E. Ingersoll, of Lee, Oncida Co., N. Y., the old banner having been returned to the citizens of Oswego scarred with battle, and no longer fit for use.

At the expiration of the term of service the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, and the vet- erans and recruits retained in service, and assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Corps, Army of the James. During April and May, 1864, the regiment was almost constantly engaged in skirmish or battle. At Drury's Bluff, June 16, 1864, it carried itself so gallantly that it was complimented by both Generals Butler and Gill- more. It had lost in the engagement of June 2 over 70 men killed and wounded. At Cold Harbor it suffered ter- ribly. Captains W. W. Ballard, of Company I, and James Martin, of Company K, were killed, and five other captains wounded. The regiment in this engagement lost 13 offi- cers ; " the color-guard was completely annihilated, and one-half of those who went out to battle in the morning at night lay on the field, wounded or killed." The remaining members of the regiment were after this battle consolidated into four companies. At Petersburg they covered them- selves with glory ; at Fort Harrison (Chapin's Farm) they were the first to plant their banner on the enemy's works. They here captured several pieces of artillery, a battle-flag, and a large number of prisoners. Nine officers and many privates were either killed or wounded in this action. Cap- tain Rix, Lieutenants Tuttle and Nethway were killed, and Captain Fish and Lieutenants Dolbier and Porter mortally wounded. Lieutenant Amos Copeland was wounded, and was soon after killed in a railway accident, while en route home. The second day of this battle the regiment cap- tured two battle flags and a large number of prisoners. It lost in two days 100 killed and wounded, including nine officers. In recognition of its gallant serviecs it was pre- sented by the War Department with a stand of colors bear- ing the inscriptions Yorktown, Seven Pines, Savage Station,

Malvern Hill, Winton, Violet Station, Kingsland Creek, Drury's Bluff, May 13, 15, 16; Cold Harbor, June 1, 2, and 3; Petersburg, June 15, 16, and 24, and July 9 and 30; Fort Harrison (Chapin's Farm), September 29 and 30; Fair Oaks (2d), October 27, 1864.

On the 5th of November, 1864, the regiment was ordered to New York, where it remained during the pres- idential election, and returned to its camp near Richmond. It was the first infantry regiment to enter the rebel capital. It was mustered out in August, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department.

NINETY-THIRD INFANTRY.

This regiment was organized at Albany, N. Y., for three years. The companies composing it were raised principally in the counties of Albany, Alleghany, Rensselaer, Warren, and Washington, although Company B was partly raised in Oneida County. The regiment was mustered in from October, 1861, to January, 1862. At the expiration of its term of service the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, and the veterans and recruits were re- tained in service until June 29, 1865, when they were mustered out, in accordance with orders from the War Department. The 93d was engaged in the following bat- tles, viz .: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Antietam, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsyl- vania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Poplar Spring Church, and Boydton Road.

NINETY-SEVENTH INFANTRY, NEW YORK STATE VOL- UNTEERS .*

The 97th Regiment, New York Volunteers, was organ- ized in Boonville [Oneida Co., N. Y.], under an authoriza- tion dated Sept. 13, 1861, and while forming was known as the Conkling Rifles. The companies were mainly raised as follows : Companies A and C in Boonville; B in Lewis County ; D and F in Salisbury ; E in Prospeet and viein- ity; G in Herkimer County ; H in Utica and Lowville; I in Little Falls ; and K in Rome. It was mustered into service at Boonville, Feb. 18, 1862, left Boonville March 12, received its arms at New York, and arrived at Wash- ington on the 20th of March. After a brief sojourn on Kalorama Heights, it was ordered to garrison Fort Cor- eoran and the works adjacent, until the formation of Dur- yea's Brigade, when it was ordered to Cloud's Mills and became identified with that organization. In the fall of 1863 it received large aceessions from conscripts and sub- stitutes, and early in 1864 nearly one hundred and fifty of its men re-enlisted.

April 16, 1862, General Duryea took command of a brigade formed of the 97th, 104th, and 105th New York, 12th Virginia, and 88th and 107th Pennsylvania Regi- ments, at Cloud's Mills, about two miles from Alexandria, on the Little River Turnpike. The 12th Virginia and 88th Pennsylvania were a few days after transferred; but the other four remained without change during the period

History of Duryen's Brigade, by F. B. Hough, M.D., surgeon of 97th.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

that General Duryea continued in command. The change of elimate and exposure in tents had eaused considerable sickness, and the regimental hospitals were filled with siek ; but as the spring advanced the wholesome regulations and striet discipline of the camp, with careful attention to its sanitary condition, restored the command to a high degree of health. This camp of instruction received the name of Camp Reliance, and was laid out with great care. The tents issued for privates were of the A pattern, and from the adjacent eamps of the Army of the Potomae, which were left with the tents standing, an additional supply was obtained to meet every suggestion of comfort. The immediate neighborhood of Camp Reliance had been oeeu- pied during the precediog winter by Sumner's Division, and every vestige of fencing or other sources of fuel had been consumed, leaving an open country, with here and there a lone family, or more frequently the ruins or foun- dations of a homestead burnt, or its materials carried off to be used in eamp. The command spent three weeks in this locality, drilling and becoming familiar with field evolu- tions. The brigade was actively engaged after Banks' campaign against, and retreat before, Stonewall Jackson, in May, 1862, and on the 1st of June was assigned to Gen- eral Ricketts' Division, in which connection it remained until after the battle of Antietam. June 26, 1862, the Army of Virginia was organized, and placed under com- mand of Major-General John Pope. Ricketts' Division was assigned a place in the Third Corps, in the First Brig- ade of which was the 97th. The regiment was commanded through the summer of 1862 by Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Spofford, on account of the illness and absence of Colonel C. Wheelock. Just previous to the battles of South Moun- tain and Antietam, Lieutenant-Colonel Spofford also left on account of siekness, and was relieved by Major C. North- rup, who commanded at these two battles. The first battle in which the brigade was engaged was Culpepper, Va., near Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862. In the engagement at Rappahannock Station, August 23, John Schneider, private in Company HI, lost an arm, and Sergeant J. H. Smith, Company E, was bruised in the side. After participating in the fight at Thoroughfare Gap, the brigade took an active part in the second Bull Run battle, Aug. 30, 1862, and in this the 97th sustained the following casualties : 7 men killed, 42 wounded, and 61 missing (mostly pris- oners). At South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862, the regi- ment lost 2 men killed. At Antietam the 97th suffered severely, losing 21 men killed on the field, and over 40 wounded. Duryea's Brigade was reorganized after the battle of Antietam, and became a part of the First Corps, to which the Third Corps had been changed. The Third Brigade was organized, including the 83d New York (9th N. Y. S. M.), 97th New York, 11th and 88th Pennsyl- vania, and 13th Massachusetts, and was placed under the command of Brigadier-General Nelson Taylor. General Duryéa, during his absence on furlough, had been super- seded in command by a junior officer, and the matter was never righted. The general resigned Jan. 5, 1863, after having led his men through seven battles. He was a gen- eral favorite with the men of the brigade, and all regretted that he should have been so unjustly treated.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 173

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920