USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 20
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John Metcall, May 1, 1865; May 1, 1865; mustered ont with the regi- ment Oct. 17, 1865.
Charles F. Thayer, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Ang. 16, 1861 ; resigned April 9, 1862. Alfred W. Lomas, Dec. 5, 1862; April 10, 1862 ; resigned Ang. 11, 1863. James IT. Smith, Nov. 30, 1>63 ; Ang. 11, 1863; resigned July 25, 1864.
Melville Sears, Ang. 12, 1>64 ; Ang. 12, 1864; mastered ont on the expi- ration of service July 31, 1865.
Norman Perkins, Sept. 19, 1865 ; Sept. 1, 1865; not mustered as captain. Frederick Decker, Dec. 18, ISGI ; Ang. 16, 1861 ; discharged Nov. 23, 1863. Win. T. Calkins, Nov. 17, 1862; Aug. 5, 1862; mustered out on expira- tion of term of service Feb. 22, 1865.
James Gowdey, May 1, 1863; May 1, 1865; resigned June 28, 1865.
Reuben R. Gillett, Sept 19, 1865 ; June 28, 1865 ; not mustered as captain. John J. Wheeler, Dee 18, 1861 ; promoted to major Nov. 17, 1862.
Edward Wheeler, Dec. 30, 1862 ; Aug. 5, 1862; resigned March 15, 1864. Julin Connell, May 25, 1864; March 15, 1864; mustered ont with the regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
William J. Williams, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Sept. 20, ISGI : killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31. 1862.
Daniel D. Elting, July 18, 1802; May 31, 1862; resigned March 9, 1864. Joseph S. Holmes, May 25, 1861; May 8, 1864 ; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
Melvin S. Wells, Dec. 18, 1801; Ang. 29, 1861 ; discharged Nov. 23, 1862. James Dubois (bvt. maj. N.Y V ), Nov. 24, 1862; Nov. 14, 1862; mis- tered ont with the regiment Out. 17, 1865.
Henry A. Hawkes, Sept. 29, 1865; Sept. 27, 1865; not mustered as cap- tain.
William D. Fuller, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Oct. 1, 1861 ; resigned March 10, 1863. Francis lines, Jan. 10, 186 ;; March 14, 1863; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 17, 1865.
William K. Joslyn, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Oct. 3, 1861 ; resigned June 8, 1863.
Alonzo 11. Chittenden, Nov. 30, 1863 ; Joue 5, 1863 ; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
John Ernbont, Dec. 18, 1861; Oct. 3, 1861 ; discharged Oct 3, 18G2.
James J. Cox, Dec. 30, 1862 ; Oct. 3, 1862; mustered out with the regi- ment Oct. 17, 1865.
Asu Ilodge, Dec. 18, 1SG1 ; Oct. 10, 186] ; discharged Feb. 26, 1862.
Eliphas Smith, June 10, 1802; Feb. 26, 1862; promoted to major Feb. 27, 1864.
Norris Crossman, April 29, 1864; April 20, 1864 ; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
82
HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Rockwell Tyler, Nuv. 20, 1862 ; Oct. 5, 1862; promoted to major Dec. 15, 1862.
Henry P. Kellam, Det. 30, 1862 ; Nov. 23, 1862 ; resigned Nov. 26, 1×64. Marshall L. Battsford, Nov. 30, 1804 ; Oct. 27, 1864: mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1805.
Wm. H. Burnett,* missing since April 30, 1862.
First Lieutenants.
Thomas B. Pope, Dec. 15, 15G1 ; Sept. 17, 1861 ; dismissed Sept. 4, 1x62. Thomas Atwood. Nov. 17, 1862; Sept. 4, 1862; resigned April 24. 1863.
John Metcalf, Nov. 30, 1863; April 24, 1863; promoted to captain May 1, 1865.
Robert C. Roper, May 1, 1865; May 1, 1865 ; mustered ont with regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
Effingham Vanderburgh, Dec. 18, 1861; Aug. 16, 1801 ; resigned Feb. 1, 1862.
Alfred W. Lomas, Feb. 19, 1862 ; Feb. G, 1862; promoted to captain Dec. 5, 1802.
James J. Cox, Dec. 5, 1862; April 10, 1862; promoted to captain Dec. IO, 1862.
Alphonse Richter, Dec. 30, 1862; Oct. 3, 1862 ; discharged May 20, 1864. Alexander P. Ketchum, June 30, 1864 ; June 30, 1864 ; promoted to cap- tain in 128th+ U. S. C. T. May 16, 1865.
Henry A. Still, Dec. 18, 18G1 ; Sept. 17, 1861 ; discharged Ang. 26, 1862. Edgar E. Morse, Nov. 17, 1×62; Ang. 26, 1×62 ; dismissed Frb. 9, 1x63.
Joseph S. Holmes, Nov. 30, 1863; Feb, 9, 1863; promoted to captain May 25, 1864.
John S. Tompkins, May 25, 1864; March 8, 1864; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1×65.
Edward Wheeler, Dec. 18, 18G1; Ang. 16, 1861 ; promoted to captain lec. 30, 1862.
Isaac Beckett, Dec. 30, 1862; Ang. 5, 1862; mustered out on the expira- tion of term of service Jan. 27, 1805.
William J. Sayre, March 14, 1865; Jan. 20, 1865; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
Richard M. Hines, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Sept. 20, 18GI ; resigned Feb. G, 1862. Henry M. Conbelly, June 10, 1862 ; Fell, 6, 1862 ; discharged Det. 3, 1862. Isaac Rosa, Dec. 5, 1862; Oct. 3, 1862; died Jan. 20, 1863, at Newbern, N. C.
James IJ. Smith, March 17, 1863; Jan. 19, 1863; promoted to captain Nov. 30, 18G3.
Melville Sears, Nov. 30, 1863; Aug. 11, 1863; promoted to captain Aug. 12, 1864.
James Il. F. Milton, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Ang. 29, 1861; promoted to captain Nov. 17, 1862.
Francis Hines, Dec. 30, 1862; Aug. 5, 1862; promoted to captain June 10, 1863.
Reuben R. Gillet, Nov. 30, 18G3; March 6, 1863 ; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 17, 1865.
Andrew P. Conklin, Sept. 19, 1865; June 28, 1965; not mustered as first lieutenant.
Daniel D. Elting, Dec. 18, 1861; Oct. 1, 1861 ; promoted to captain July 18, 1862.
Meeker G. Bell, Nov. 17, 1802; Aug. 5, 1862; not mustered as first lieu- tenant.
Demmon S. Decker, Dec. 30, 1862; Oct. 3, 1862; dismissed April 11, 1864. Norman Perkins, May 25, 1864; March 28, 1864; mustereit out with the regiment Oct. 17, 18Gò.
Benjamin Terwilliger, Sept. 19, 1865; Sept. 1, 1865 ; not mustered as first lieutenant.
Wm. T. Calkins, Dec. 18, 18G1 ; Oct. 3, 1861 ; promoted to captain Nov. 17, 1862.
Wm. B. Baird, Nov. 17, 1562: Aug. 5, 1862; not mustered as first lieu- tenant.
Francis L. Van Dugan, Ang. 29, 1804; April 20, 1864 ; declined.
Marshall L. Batt-ford, July 20, 1864 : June 28, 1964 ; promoted to captain Nov. 30, 1864.
Henry A. Hawkes, Nov. 30, 1864; Oct. 27, 1864; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 17, 1865.
Rufus Moihtt, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Oct. 3, 18G1 ; resigned Feb. 6, 1862.
S. Augustus Gould, March 27, 1862 ; March 27, 1862; dismissed March 1, 1×63.
Norris Crossman, Nov. 30, 1863: March 1, 1563; promoted to captain April 29, 1864
* On records of War Department, but not commissioned.
+ So in official report.
Solomon D. Wheat, April 29, 1864; April 20, 1864; mustered out on the expiration of term of service March 31, 1865.
Dwight W. Anchmoody, May 31, 1>65: May 1, 1865; not mustered as fint lieutenant.
Isaac Jellif, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Oct. 10, 1861; resigned Feb. 21, 1862. James Imbois, June 10, 1862 ; Feh, 26, 1862; promoted to captain Nov. 24, 1862.
Charles B. Ymning, Dec. 30, 1862; Nov. 14, 1862; mustered out with the regiment Det. 17, 1×63.
Enoch Ilorton, Nov. 30, 1862; Oct. 5, 1862; resigned Feb. 14, 1862.
llenry P. Kellan, Nov 24, 1862; Feb. 14, 1862 ; promoted to captain Dec. 30, 1862.
Alonzo II. Chittenden, Dec. 30, 1862; Nov. 25, 1×62 ; promoted to captain Nov. 30, 1-63.
Morris Downey, Nov. 30, 1863; June 3, 1863; mustered out on the ex- jaration of terin of service April 1, 1865.
Oscar E. Perrine, May 31, 1>G5; May 1, 1865; not mustered as first lieu- tenant.
Francis Might, May 31, 1865; Olay 1, 1865; mustered out with the regi- inent Oct. 17, 1xb5.
Edward 11. Lomas, Ang. 12, 1x64; Aug. 12, 1864 : dismissed Jan. 9, 1805. Jeremiah Strickland, March 14, 186 ; Jan. 18, 1865; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17. 1865.
W'm. Peake, sept. 29, 1863; Sept. 27, 1864; not mustered as first lieu- tenant
James McGuire, Sept. 19, 1>65; Sept. 19, 1865; not mastered as first lieutenant.
Daniel R. Frankhn, # resigned Sept. 17, 1861.
Silas A. Ilsley,# discharged June 22, 1862.
Errond Lieutenants.
Peter B. Steele, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Sept 17, 1861 ; resigned Jan. 14, 1863. Wilbur F. Still, Nov. 17, 1862; Sept. 4, 1862; resigned Ang. 21, 1864.
Robert C. Ruper, Nov. 30, 1864; Nov. 30, 1864, promoted to first lieu- tenant May 1, 1865.
George R. Block, May 1, 1865; May 1, 1865 ; mustered out with the regi- ment Oct. 17, 1865.
Alfred W. Lomas, Dec. 18, 1861; Ang. 16, IsGl ; promoted to first lieu- tenant Feb. 19, 1862.
James I. Cox, Feb. 19, 1862 : Feb. 6, 1>62; promoted to first lieutenant Dec. 5, 1862.
Isaac Boosa, Dec. 5, 1862; April 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant Dec. 5, 1862.
Alphonse Richter, Dec. 5, 1862 ; Oet. 3, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant Dec. 30, 1802.
Algernon S. Ross, Dec. 30, 1862 ; Oct. 3, 1862; mustered out on expira- tion of term of service March 27. 1865.
Ilenry M. Connelly, Dec. 18, 186] ; Ang. 16, Jabl ; promoted to first lien- tenant June 10, 1862.
James II. Smith, June 10, 1862, Feb. 6, 1862; promoted to first leuten- ant March 17, 1863.
Melville Semis, March 17, 1863; Jan. 19. 1863; promoted to first lieuten- ant Nov. 30, 1863.
Edward 11. Lomas, Nov. 30, 1863; Aug. 11, 1863; promoted to first lien- tenant Ang. 12, 1864
Isaac Beckett, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Aug. 16, 1861 ; promoted to first lieutenant Dec. 30, 1862.
Benjamin F. Clark, Dec. 30, 1862; Aug. 5, 1862 ; resigned Feb. 7, 1864.
John Connell, April 19, 1864 ; April 20, 1564 ; promoted to captain May 25, 1964.
William J. Sayre, May 25, 1864; March 15, 1864; promoted to first lieu- tenant March 14, 1865.
Robert E. Hausteil, March 14, 1865 ; Jau. 20, 1865; mustered out with regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
M. G. Bell, March 25, 1862; Sept. 20, 1861 ; discharged Oct. 3, 1862.
Francis Iliurs, Nov. 17, 1842; Aug. , IN 2; promoted to first lieutenant Dec. 30, 1x62.
Renben R. Gilkett, Dec. 30, 1862 ; Sept. 4, 1862; promoted to first lieuten- uut Nov. 30, 1863.
Victory Champlain, Nov. 30, 1863; March 6, 1863 ; discharged March 27 1865.
Edward Lyons, May 17, 1865; May 2, 1865; not mmstered.
Charles B. Young, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Aug. 29, 1861 ; promoted to first lieu- tenant Dec. 30, 1862.
# On records of War Department, but not commissioned.
83
ORANGE COUNTY IN THE REBELLION.
Heury B. Lomas, Dec. 30, 1862; Nov. 14, 1862 ; promoted to adjutant Nov. 30, 1863.
Francis W. Rush, Nov. 30, 1863 ; Oct. 1, 1863; died Dec. 25, 1863, at Beau- furt, S. C., of disease.
Marshall 1 .. Battsford, May 23, 1864; May 8, 1864 ; promoted to first lien- tenant JJuly 20, 1 64.
Edgar E. Morse, Dec. 15, 1861 ; Oct. 1, 18B] ; promoted to first lientenaut Nov. 17, 1862.
Stephen W. Thompson, Dec. 30, 1862; Ang. 26, 1862; resigned June 2, 1863.
John J. Bryers, Nov. 30, 1863; June 2, 1863 ; commission canceled.
Norman Perkins, Feb. 9, 1864 ; June 2, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant May 25, 1864.
Francis Might, May 25, 1864; March 28, 1864 ; promoted to first lieuten- ant May 31, 1865.
Win. B. Baird, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Oct. 3, 1861; discharged Sept. 19, 1862.
A. Il. Chittenden, Nov. 17, 1862; Ang. 5, 1862; promoted to first lieuten- ant Dec. 30, 1862.
Morris Downey, Dec. 30, 1×62; Nov. 23, 1862; promoted to first lieuten- ant Nov. 30, 1 863.
Solomon D. Wheat, Nov. 30, 1863 ; June 5, 1863; promoted to first lien- tenant April 29, 1864.
Jared Packard, April 29, 1864; April 20, 1864; must. out with regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
John T. Frear, Dec. 18, 1861 ; Oct. 3, 1861; resigned Feb. 6, 1862.
Demman S. Decker, Feb. 19, 1662; Feb. 6, 1862; dismissed Amil 11, 1864.
Norris Crossman, Dec. 30, 1862; Oct. 3, 1862; promoted to first lieuten- ant Nov. 30, 1863.
Dwight H. Auchmoody, Nov. 30, 1863; March 1, 1863; mustered out on expiration of term of service June 30, 1865.
Eliphas Smith, Dec. 18, 18GI ; Oct. 10, 1861 ; promoted to captain June 10, 1×62.
Jesse F. Shafer, June 10, 1862; Feb. 10, 1862; promoted to quartermaster Nov. 17, 1862.
Joseph 1. Holmes, Nov. 17, 1862; Sept. 4, 1862; promoted to first lieuten- ant Nov. 30, 1863.
Edwin J. Scranton, Nov. 3, 1863; Feb. 9, 1863 ; promoted to captain in 128th U. S. C. T., March 27, 1805.
Clement B. Newkirk, May 1, 1865; May 1, 1865; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
Henry P. Kellnm, Nov. 20, 1862; Oct. 5, 1862 ; promoted to first lieuten- ant Nov. 24, 1862.
Peter W. Loegan, Nov. 24, 1862; Feb. 14, 1862; died Ang. 19, 1862, at Yorktown, of disease.
Horace W. McKoon, Nov. 24, 1862; Ang. 18, 1862; dismissed Dec. 10, 1863.
Henry A. Hawkes, Feb. 23, 1864 ; Dec. 18, 1863 ; promoted to first lieu- tenant Nov. 30, 1864.
Andrew P. Conklin, Nov. 30, 1864; Nov. 30, 1864; innstered out with regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
Benjamin Terwilliger, May 1, 1965; May 1, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment Oct. 17, 1865.
William H. D. Blake, Sept. 19, 1865; Sept. 1, 1865 ; not mustered.
Jesse L. Stivers, Aug. 22. 1864: Ang. 12, 1864 ; resigned May 15, 1865.
Calvin Lambert, May 17, 1865; May 2, 1865; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 17, 1865.
Addison J. Clements, July 20, 1864; June 24, 1864; promoted to quarter- master Nov. 30, 1864.
Dennison Fiske, Nov. 30, 1864; Nov. 30, 1864; resigned May IS, 1865.
Frank flotchkin, Sept. 19, 1865; June 28, 1865; not mastered.
Charles Becker, May 31, 1865; May 1, 1865; mustered out with the regiment Oct. 17, 1865. .
Alonzo C. Bowers, May 31, 1865; May 1, 1865; mnstered out with the regiment Ort. 17, 1865.
Conrad Slaver, Sept. 19, 1865; June 28, 1865; not mustered.
Brevet commissions were issued by the Governor to the two following enlisted men of this regiment :
Hospital Steward Guy K. Sayre,-assistant surgeon. Sergeant Charles Johnson,-second lieutenant.
SEVENTIETH REGIMENT.
The town of Deerpark furnished nearly all the members of Company F in this organization. The regiment was raised and organized in New York City
to serve three years, and was mustered into the service of the United States from June 20 to June 29, 1861. The original members, except those re-enlisting a> veterans, were mustered out of service July 1, 1864. The veterans remaining were transferred to the Eighty-sixth, which was the regiment so long bri- gaded with the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth, and intimately associated with the latter in the most important battles of the war.
The Seventieth Regiment was officially recognized as sharing honorably in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Charles City Cross-Roads, Malvern Hill, White Oak Swamp, Bristow Station, Second Bull Run. and Fredericksburg.
The regiment went out under command of Col. Daniel E. Sickles. His commission as colonel was dated Jan. 16, 1862, but his rank was from the 29th of June, ISGI. He was promoted brigadier-general Sept. 3, 1861, and Lieut .- Col. William Dwight, Jr., suc- ceeded to the colonelcy of the Seventieth. The latter was also promoted brigadier-general Nov. 29, 1862, and the command of the Seventieth devolved upon Col. J. Egbert Farnum.
Among the promotions occurring in Company F from Deerpark may be mentioned that of Thomas Holt. He was commissioned captain Jan. 16, 1862, his rank dating from June 20, 1861. He was pro- moted major Dec. 1, 1862; lieutenant-colonel Jan. 14, 1863 ; and mustered out with the regiment July 1, 1864.
Robert Blything ( Blighton) was a second lieuten- ant, his rank dating from June 20, 1861. He re- signed Nov. 28, 1861. Nine commissioned officers were killed in battle.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
The following account of the organization of this regiment, of its participation in the various cam- paigns, of its heroic sacrifices, of its tedious marches, and of its brave conduct on the field of battle, is con- densed from the interesting volume published in 1877 by Col. Charles H. Weygant, of Newburgh. As a participator in nearly all of its struggles, as an eye- witness of the fierce fights into which it entered, as a careful student of public documents published since the war, it is evident that he possessed peculiar quali- fications for the task, and that he executed it with a just pride in the fame of this gallant regiment and with a loving regard to the memory of his comrades. In editing this chapter, derived from his work, most of his personal allusions, his interesting anecdotes, and his general descriptions have necessarily been omitted. It is due to him to further say that not only is the thread of the following account his, and the dates his, but oftentimes his exact words are used without quo- tation, all of which is intended to be covered iu this preliminary general acknowledgment.
The call of the President for three hundred thou- sand three years' men was dated July 1, 1862, and on
84
IHISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the following day Governor Morgan issued his stirring and patriotic appeal to " each citizen" of the Empire State. The work of preparation was immediately pushed with vigor by the State authorities, and Gov- ernor Morgan ceased not day or night in his efforts to arouse the people.
The State was divided into military districts, in each of which a place of rendezvous was designated, and a committee of loyal influential citizens appointed to superintend the work of enlistment, and to select and recommend suitable persons to command the regi- ments to be raised. Special appeals were made to nearly every town and county board, and circulars of instruction were sent broadcast over the State. The military committee appointed by llis Excellency for the district comprising the counties of Orange and Sullivan was composed of the following-named gen- tlemen : Hon. Robert Denniston, of Blooming-Grove; Hon. Ambrose S. Murray, of Goshen ; Hugh S. Bull, Esq., of Montgomery; Alexander Moore, Esq., of Washingtonville; Alfred Post, Esq., of Newburgh ; James M. Barrett, Esq., of Cornwall; Morgan Shnit, Esq., of Monroe.
On the Ilth of July this committee held its first regular meeting at the United States Hotel in New- burgh, at which they decided to recommend Capt. A. Van Horne Ellis, of New Windsor, for the coloneley of a regiment it was proposed to attempt to raise in the county of Orange. Capt. Ellis was then in the service. His company (Co. I), composed principally of men recruited in Newburgh, who had served under him in the Seventy-first New York State Militia at Bull Run, had a few weeks before been called together at less than twenty-four hours' notice for a second term of active service, and were then stationed in the fortifications near Washington.
The captain was at this time temporarily at home, and on being notified of the action of the committee, promptly accepted the proffered position. Within an hour thereafter he had telegraphed his resignation as captain to the commander of his regiment at Wash- ington, and was on his way to Albany for instructions and the necessary credentials.
At Albany, the traditional "red tape" of depart- ments had given way before the pressure of public necessity. In a short time Capt. Ellis had received the requisite documents, and the same evening found him baek in Orange County hard at work upon his patriotic mission.
The work of enlistment was slow and difficult at first. The enthusiasm of April, 1861, when the flag had just fallen at Fort Sumter, was to some extent gone. The fearful truth that a long and bloody war was in progress, now elearly perceived, gave to every movement a serious tone, far different from the feeling of fifteen months before. The prospect of victory " in ninety days" had long since vanished.
The Seven Days' battles, the retreat of Mcclellan's forces, the call for two hundred thousand men, all
told of the desperate struggle which was in progress. On the first day of August but eight men had been enrolled, and the prospect of raising a regiment was anything but encouraging.
To the general war committeee there had been added E. A. Brewster, of Newburgh ; William Fuller- ton, of Newburgh; C. H. Winfield, of Goshen ; Thomas Edsall, of Goshen ; Silas Horton, of Goshen; James Cromwell, of Cornwall; William Avery, of Cornwall; Daniel Thompson, of Crawford; C. C. McQuoid, of Wallkill ; Halstead Sweet, of Wallkill ; John G. Wilkin, of Wallkill; John Cummings, of Wallkill; Charles St. John, of Port Jervis; John Conkling, of Port Jervis; C. M. Lawrence, of Port Jervis; C. B. Newkirk, of Monroe ; A. S. Dodge, of Mount Hope; Dorastus Brown, of Greenville; A. F. Schofield, of Montgomery; A. G. Owen, of Bloom- ing-Grove; John Cowdrey, of Warwick; Thomas Welling, of Warwick.
The doubtful, hesitating condition of affairs soon gave way.before the threatened invasion of the very fields of the North, and before an uprising tide of patriotism that nearly silenced for a time all opposing voices. The enthusiasm of April, 1861, was again re- kindled, and August, 1862, witnessed seenes of hervie self-sacrifice such as the world has seldom witnessed. The strong under-current of national feeling swelled upward to the surface, and men rushed forward ready to do, and die if need be. Publie meetings were held almost nightly in every hall, church, and school-house in the State. Private bounties were offered, and funds began to be raised for the support of the needy families of those who should volunteer. The national capital was once more in danger. The government was in earnest, the people were in earnest ; the hardy sons of the North sprang to arms crying, "We're coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more." Up to the 8th of August not more than a score of volunteers had reported at Col. Ellis' head- quarters in Goshen. Fifteen days later the regiment was fully organized and ready for the field. Its field- ofheers were A. Van Horne Ellis, colonel ; Francis M. Cummins, lieutenant-colonel ; James Cromwell, major. The staff-officers were John H. Thompson, major and surgeon ; T. Scott Bradner, captain and chaplain ; Augustus Denniston, lieutenant and quartermaster ; G. De Peyster Arden, lieutenant and adjutant; Ed- ward Marshall, lieutenant and assistant surgeon ; R. V. K. Montfort, lieutenant and second assistant sur- geon. The ten captains were Charles H. Weygant, Co. A; Henry S. Murray, Co. B; William Silliman, Co. C; James W. Benedict, Co. D; William A. Mc- Birney, Co. E; Ira S. Bush, Co. F; Isaac Nicoll, Co. G; David Crist, Co. H; Leander Clark, Co. 1; William A. Jackson, Co. K. Musicians: William B. Wood and Moses P. Ross, Co. A, buglers; Mr. Hart, drum-major ;* John G. Buckley, Charles Whitehead,
* Ilired by Col. Ellis, not enlisted.
85
ORANGE COUNTY IN THE REBELLION.
Arthur Haigh, Co. H, George W. Dimmick, Co. D, ' by those who saw it. High up on a projecting rock Henry C. Payne, Co. B, fife ; Robert L. Davis, Co. F, A. A. Millspaugh, George W. Camfield, Co. K, John W. Cole, Co. I, R. L. Stephens, Co. E, Charles W. Bodie, Henry M. Cannon, Co. A, William Hamilton, Co. B, Henry Hoofman, Co. C, C. H. Van Gordon, Co. G, Jehiel Price, Co. F, J. M. Merritt, Co. G, W. Johnston, James 11. McElroy, Co. D, drum ; Samuel M. Weeden, Co. D, bass-drum.
The names of the rank and file of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth are given in the lists at the close of the town chapters.
On the 24th of August orders were received from Washington directing Col. Ellis to hold his command in readiness to move on the 27th instant.
Thursday, the 26th, had been designated by the ladies as the day on which they would present to the regiment that stand of colors beneath which he whose hand should receive them and so many of the brave men over whose heads they were that day to be un- furled should suffer, bleed, and die that the Union and liberty might live.
It was a clear, bright day, and with the rising of the sun the friends of the "American Guard" began to arrive, and for hours there poured into the village of Goshen such a throng of men, women, and chil- dren as had seldom before been seen in its streets. At 3 P.M. the regiment was formed, and Col. Ellis having placed himself at the head of his field and staff in front of it, the Hon. Charles Winfield stepped forward, and, at the close of a most patriotic speech on behalf of the donors, handed the colors to Col. Ellis, who, loosing them to the breeze, promised the multitude there assembled they should never be dis- graced, concluding with these words, "If you never again see these colors, you will never again see those who bear them from yon."
After this Miss Charlotte E. Coulter stepped for- ward, and, with a modest but grand little speech, pre- sented a pair of embroidered silk guidons, a gift from the fair daughters of the little town of Wawayanda.
The departure of the regiment had been expected for the 27th, but delays occurred, and it was not until the 5th of September that an order was received posi- tively fixing the departure for the next day, the 6th.
In accordance with this order, at 1 o'clock P.M. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 1862, the regiment bid adieu to its first camp in Goshen, and, with banners flying and drums beating, marched through throngs of weeping friends to the depot, where the last hand-shakings and final adicus were given. At 2 P.M. the heavily- laden train, with wild shrieks to warn away the cling- ing multitudes, moved off, and the American Guard, as the regiment was known, was on its way to the seat of war. At every depot crowds with loyal hearts sent after them shouts of approbation, and ever and anon, as the train shot along, there were heard from sweet voices familiar notes of patriotic songs.
One impressive tablean could never be forgotten
stood an old man, dressed in a military suit of Revo- lutionary times, the thin locks of his long, white hair floating in the breeze, leaning with one hand on his staff, and with the other feebly waving the "Stars and Stripes," while two little girls, dressed in the purest white, knelt, one on either side of him, their little arms stretched out and their eyes turned heavenward, as if in earnest prayer to the God of nations for the preservation and success of the defenders of the Union, which their great-grandsire had fought to establish.
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