USA > New York > Schenectady County > History of the County of Schenectady, N. Y., from 1662 to 1886... > Part 9
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marily punished by imprisonment in the jail at Albany.
From the book of minutes kept by this commit- tee, now belonging to the library of Union College, a book of 162 closely written pages, we learn how extensive were the duties and labors of this body of patriotic citizens.
The committee met often, and from the minutes kept of the meetings we make but a few extracts relative to the military companies formed at Sche- nectady during the revolutionary period. At a meeting, held May 26, it was resolved "to raise three companies of minute men in this township for its safety, in manner following, viz. :
"Two companies in the town and one company in the Westina; that such companies consist of one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, three corporals, a drummer and fifty privates, to choose their own officers; and that when said companies are formed, the captains in each to give a list of his company to the committee, and that said com- panies spend a few hours every week in learning the military exercise."
But at a meeting of the committee on the fol- lowing day the inhabitants requested the commit- tee to appoint officers for these companies, which the committee consented to do, and selected the following officers:
First Company-Captain, Jellis J. Fonda; Ist Lieutenant, Andrew Van Patten; 2d Lieutenant, Myndert A. Wemple.
Second Company-Captain, Cornelius Van Dorn; Ist Lieutenant, John Mynderse; 2d Lieutenant, Garrett Veeder.
Third Company-Captain, John Van Patten; Ist Lieutenant, Cornelius Van Slyck; 2d Lieutenant, Myndert M. Wemple.
From the minutes of May 29, 1775:
"In consequence of a request of the Committee of Albany to raise one company of men for the continental service to go to Ticantarog (Ticon- deroga), consisting of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, three sergeants, three corporals, one drummer, one fifer and fifty privates,
"Resolved, that Cornelius Van Dyck is ap- pointed Captain, Benjamin Hilton and Cornelius Van Slyck, Ensigns, and that the utmost despatch be made in raising said company. Their pay to be as follows, viz .: Captain, per month, £6; Lieutenant, per month, {4; Ensign, per month, £3; Sergeants, per month, {2 8s .; Corporals, per month, {2 4s .; Drummer, per month, {2 4S .; Fifers, {2 4s .; Privates, {2-all lawful money of New England."
That this company was soon after raised is evi- dent from the minutes of the committee of May 31, two days following, wherein the following appears:
"Captain Van Dyck made application to this board for provisions for his men.
"Resolved, that Captain Van Dyck's men be boarded for the present at the houses of John Wilson and Robert Moston (Moycton), at the rate of one shilling, New York currency, per day, per man."
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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
On the 13th of July, 1775, orders were sent from General Schuyler to Captain Van Dyck to march with his company immediately to Lake George. But at this time both Captain Van Dyck and his First Lieutenant were absent recruiting. The committee therefore advised that the company proceed to Lake George on the following day, un- der the command of Lieutenant Lansing. But from the minutes of the committee we find the members of the company refused to march with- out their captain. The following resolution was then passed by the board:
" Resolved, that an express be sent to Captain Van Dyck, requesting his immediate return to march with his company, and that a letter be sent to General Schuyler, acquainting him of the reason for the company's delay."
On the 20th of August, 1775, a meeting of the committee was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the forming of the militia of the township into companies, according to the plans of the Continental and Provincial Congress.
It appears at this meeting that five companies of minute men and militia were formed, from the fact that a sub-committee was appointed at a meet- ing, held September 6 following, to attend the general committee at Albany on the seventh in- stant, to lay a list before it of the companies formed, and ask for their commissions. The cap- tains of these several companies were the follow- ing: Jellis J. Fonda, John Mynderse, John Van Patten, Abraham Wemple and Thomas Wasson.
From the minutes of September 27, 1775:
" Having received a letter from the Provincial Congress, dated 9th of August, requesting that all the districts who could raise five companies of militia should recommend such persons as they thought proper to be field officers,
" Resolved, that this board recommend the fol- lowing persons, viz .: Abraham Wemple to be Colonel; Jacob Schermerhorn, Lieutenant-Col- onel; Abraham Swits, Ist Major; Nicholas Veeder, 2d Major; Aaron Van Patten, Adjutant; John Peek, Quartermaster.
On the 17th of November following the commis- sions of these officers were received, under in-" structions to the board to cause such officers to sign certain articles on the receipt of their com- missions. All this was subsequently consum- mated, and the above-named officers were enrolled in the service.
January 13, 1776, Christopher Yates was ap- pointed Lieutenant-Colonel, Mindert Wemple 2d Major and John Post Quartermaster, in place of Jacob Schermerhorn, Nicholas Veeder and John Peek, all three of whom had either refused to serve or resigned.
A company of 60 men was sent from Schenec- tady, January 13, 1776, to Tryon County, to quell a disturbance that had broken out there among the inhabitants, which, in the language of the letter received from the General Committee, "threatened destruction to the friends of liberty in that section."
Orders were sent to Capt. John Van Patten, Jan- uary 14, 1776, to place guards at William De
Graat's, Tunis Swart's and Lewis Peek's, to prevent any unfriendly persons or letters to pass this point.
At a meeting of the committee, January 26, 1776, it was resolved to prepare a list of all the male in- habitants not already formed into military compa- nies, so as to better enable the board to organize the militia of the township. Three lists were pre- pared, representing three companies, and all per- sons whose names appeared upon them were re- quired to appear in Schenectady, February 10, to choose their respective officers. At this time the following officers were selected:
First Company-Captain, Thomas Bouver Bank- ers; First Lieutenant, John B. Vrooman; Second Lieutenant, Aaron Vedder; Ensign, Benjamin Young.
Second Company-Captain, Henry Glen; First Lieutenant, John Batterseles; Second Lieutenant, Nicholas Barhite; Ensign, Cornelius V. Sanford.
Third Company-Captain, Ahasueras Marseles; First Lieutenant, Isaac Van Slyck; Second Lieu- tenant, William Stephens; Ensign, Abraham Van Eps.
April 10, 1776, Garrett S. Veeder was appointed Captain of all the troops raised in the district.
At this date ends all records that can be found of the doings of the Committee of Safety, and from lack of reliable data it is impossible to follow in any connected manner the history of the military organizations formed in Schenectady during the revolution. We know from reminiscences and tradition that the soldiers furnished by the town- ship of Schenectady during the long years of des- perate and bloody strife were conspicuous for their bravery and ardent patriotism. Among the names already mentioned of the revolutionary veterans, those who became the most conspicuous at this period were : Cornelius Van Dyck, Christopher Yates, Jellis J. Fonda, John Graham and John Thornton.
Mr. Van Dyck was Lieutenant-Colonel and John Graham Major of the First New York Continental Regiment, commanded by Colonel Gosen Van Schaick, of Albany. This regiment was so well . drilled and disciplined that it was said to have had no superior in the American Army. At the bat- tles of Saratoga and Monmouth this regiment was conspicuous for the bravery and daring of its officers and men; and on the surrender of Bur- goyne, one of its captains, as a mark of honor, was deputed by General Gates to carry a captured flag and the news of the surrender to the anxious citi- zens of Albany. At the storming of Stony Point, July 16, 1779, General Wayne placed this regi- ment in the front, and on the storming of the two redoubts at Yorktown, late in the afternoon of the 14th of October, 1781, where, to excite a spirit of emulation, this regiment was divided, one-half being committed to the French under Baron de Viomesnil, and the other to the Americans under the Marquis Lafayette, these troops assaulted . the works with such rapidity and daring that the redoubts were carried with inconsiderable loss.
Major John Thornton, many descendants of whom still live in Schenectady, is spoken of as a
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MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
daring hero and one who experienced much severe military service.
Major Jellis J. Fonda, whose name has already been frequently mentioned, was an officer much esteemed by General Schuyler, and often selected by him where a heroic and intrepid leader was re- quired. He was one of the earliest, most stirring and unhesitating patriots of Schenectady. On the first report of the beginning of the strife at Lexing- ton, he immediately raised and equipped a com- pany of more than 100 Schenectady minute men. In 1777, when Sir John Johnson with his Scotch retainers had fortified themselves in "Johnson Hall," General Schuyler with a large body of militia went there to reduce them. From out of his large force General Schuyler selected Captain Fonda to command a company of 200 men for the assault, of which the Schenectady men formed one-half. Under the assault of this daring officer, Johnson lowered his flag and surrendered without firing a gun. Fonda was ever afterward regarded as one of the most fearless of soldiers.
WAR OF 1812.
After the Revolution to the war of 1812 not much can be learned concerning military organiza- tions in Schenectady. From the best information which can be obtained, not more than one inde- pendent company existed during this period.
During the war of 1812, Jonas Holland, who was a major under Gen. Scott, raised a company in Schenectady, which participated in this war. Nicholas Van Slyck, a major in the Revolutionary War, grandfather of Christopher Van Slyck, of Schenectady, was a conspicuous military man at this time.
Although but one regular company was raised in Schenectady for the War of 1812, many soldiers were recruited in this vicinity, who joined regi- ments which were credited to other localities.
About 1815 a company of Heavy Artillery was organized in Schenectady. John Benson was its first captain. Among its other officers appear the names of Thomas Hannah and David Reese.
A Rifle company was formed soon after the Heavy Artillery. Henry Miller, Joshua Harmon and Nicholas Barhydt were successively captains. At one time Andrew J. Barhydt, one of the oldest living members, was a lieutenant in this company.
About 1820 a company called the Grays was formed. The name of the company was derived from the color of their uniforms. Simon Glenn, Jesse M. Van Slyck and Abraham Clems were cap- tains of this company at different periods.
All three of the above companies were in ex- istence at the time of the opening of the Erie Canal, in 1825, and took part in the interesting ceremo- nies attending the passing through the city of the boat bearing Gov. Clinton and party.
A Cavalry company was organized about 1825. Joseph Consaul was captain of this company. Some time in the year 183- a company, called the Governor's Guards, was formed in this city. A. D. Briggs was its first captain. Judge Platt Potter at one time was captain of this company. In 183-, under
the State Militia law, all the military organizations in the counties of Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton were formed into a brigade called the Fourteenth. This brigade was composed of three regiments, numbered 26th, 57th and 188th. The 26th Regiment included the military companies in Schenectady. The officers of the various companies in the brigade elected the fol- lowing staff: Brigadier-General, Isaac I. Yates; Judge Advocate, Platt Potter; Aids, J. Andrew Barhydt, Van Schaick Vedder, John Allen and Martin C. Myers.
In 184- the military companies in the State militia in this district were reorganized. All the companies were formed into a brigade called the Seventeenth. This brigade was composed of three regiments; the number of the regiment which the Schenectady companies formed was the Twenty- sixth. The Governor appointed the following officers of this regiment: Colonel, Stephen Yates ; Aids, J. Andrew Barhydt, James Ward, Carl Thompson, Nicholas Van Debogert and Dr. James S. Van Ingen. Col. Yates resigned in 1857, when J. Andrew Barhydt was appointed colonel. William H. Young was at one time major of this regiment.
About 184- a company called the Independent Artillery was formed in Schenectady. This became one of the finest companies ever organized in this vicinity. The uniform was very expensive and elegant, being a dark blue in color with no facings, surrounded by heavy white cord, entwined with gold braid. Tall bearskin caps added to the imposing appearance of the members. In this company were numbered many of our representa- tive citizens at that time. John Robinson and Benjamin F. Paths were captains at different periods. John B. Clute and James Hannah were officers in this company, and took a lively interest in its welfare. The hall in Madison Vedder's building on Union street was used as an armory and drilling room. In 184- this company went to the State Camp at Utica, and for soldierly bear- ing, discipline and appearance was admitted to be the finest company among the large number there represented from different parts of the State.
"In' 1855 a company called the Continentals was organized. John B. Clute was its first captain. He was succeeded by Stephen Truax. Isaac Reagles was the last captain of this company, which disbanded some time in 1861.
CIVIL WAR.
We have now reached the exciting period of the beginning of the Civil War, at which time interest in home military companies was lost sight of, and they either disbanded or were allowed to die by neglect. The threatened realities of war made "playing soldier " in time of peace too tame for the patriotic citizens of Schenectady, and the first signal of the beginning of hostilities aroused many to the purpose of raising companies to save this government from threatened destruction.
And to-day, looking back over the stormy events of 1861-5, which formed the most important
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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
period in the history of this country, we realize why the citizens of Schenectady have reason to feel proud of the record made by her sons in the war of the rebellion.
The State of New York was especially promi- nent in the number of troops it sent to the war, and no county according to population furnished more men to help save the nation's life during those years of bloody strife than Schenectady. The services they performed, the privations, suffering and the hardships endured in that great struggle, where so many of Schenectady's bravest and best gave up their lives that this government might live, cannot be properly treated in a work like this. It could only be imperfectly done in a work especially devoted to such a subject.
In the following account of the military organi- zations which went from Schenectady it has been the object to give in a necessarily condensed form the briefest account of each company, and of all the men from Schenectady who took a prominent part in the war. Much of the information here gathered was obtained from the meager accounts contained in the reports of the Adjutant-General, and from personal recollections of many of our living veterans of the war.
The first company organized in Schenectady for the late civil war was the Seward Volunteer Zouaves, afterward known as Company A, Eighteenth Regiment New York Volunteers. This company was organized by William Seward Grid- ley, who was elected its captain, and who com- manded it at the first battle of Bull's Run.
On the 12th of April, 1861, Fort Sumter was bombarded, and evacuated by Major Anderson on the 15th. On this same day President Lincoln called for 75,000 men to suppress the insurrection. The next day the New York Legislature passed a bill, which was signed by Governor Morgan, ap- propriating three million dollars for the purpose of raising and equipping 30,000 volunteers.
On the 18th day of April, or six days after the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter, the following notice was published in the Schenectady Daily Times :
" Attention Volunteers !- All young men who are in favor of forming a light infantry company and offering their services to garrison this State, or to the President of the United States, to aid and assist in defending the Constitution and Union of the United States against foreign or domestic foes, are requested to meet at Cleary's saloon, op- posite the railroad depot, on Friday evening, at 7} o'clock, the 19th inst. This means fight, and all who sign must go. WM. SEWARD GRIDLEY."
At the meeting held in response to this notice forty-seven men signed an application for a company organization, and asked Governor Morgan to com- mission Wm. Seward Gridley, Captain; Daniel Daley, First Lieutenant, and Edward W. Groat, Ensign of said company. Gridley took the appli- cation to Albany, and received an order from the Adjutant-General to report at Albany with his com- pany for duty on the 22d day of April, 1861. In the same order Lieutenant Simon G. Smith, of the
Twenty-sixth Regiment, New York Militia, was ordered to inspect and muster said company and to preside over an election of the officers. The muster and election took place on the 20th of April, when the same officers were elected as Governor Morgan was asked to commission.
In two days this company was organized and officered, and three days from the time of the call was ordered to report for duty at Albany.
May 14, 1861, the Eighteenth Regiment, New York Volunteers, was organized, and this company (then called the Seward Volunteer Zouaves) was assigned to that regiment as Company " A." At this time it numbered seventy-four men and three officers. About sixty of the men were from Schenectady.
May 17, 1861, the Eighteenth Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, and on the 18th of June following started for Wash- ington, being one of the regiments in the first fight of Bull's Run.
Captain Gridley was promoted to the rank of Major, October 14, 1862, and received at the close of the war the honorary title of Brevet Colonel, New York Volunteers. Daniel Daily was pro- moted to the captaincy of this regiment, November 10, 1862, and was honorably discharged February 26, 1863. Edward W. Groat was promoted from Ensign to Second Lieutenant, July 4, 1861, but resigned December 18, 1861. March 5, 1863, he became Major of the 134th Regiment. Joseph Strunk, who entered Gridley's company as Ser- geant, was mustered out, May 28, 1863, as Second Lieutenant. He was commissioned, December 14, 1863, as Captain in the Second Regiment, Vet- eran Cavalry, and at the close of the war made Brevet Major, New York Volunteers.
The second company organized in Schenectady was formed by Stephen Truax. The officers, who _ received their commissions May 2, 1861, were: Captain, Stephen Truax; First Lieutenant, William - Horsfall; Ensign, John Vedder. This company was enrolled in the Eighteenth Regiment as Com- pany "'E," May 17, 1861 (same time as Captain Gridley's company), for a term of two years. Captain Truax resigned December 27 of this year, and was succeeded in command by William Horsfall, who was killed while gallantly leading his company at Crampton Gap, Maryland, Sep- tember 14, 1861. John Vedder succeeded him as Captain, and remained in command until the company was mustered out of service, May 28, 1863. Alfred Truax, who entered this company as - Sergeant, was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, December 15, 1862. Andrew C. Barup became Second Lieutenant.
E. Nott Schermerhorn, who enlisted in this company as First Sergeant, rose in succession to Second Lieutenancy, First Lieutenancy, and be- came one of the Adjutants of the Regiment, No- vember 10, 1862, holding the latter rank when the regiment was mustered out, May 28, 1863.
The Eighteenth Regiment was one of the first organized during the war, participating in the first battle of Bull's Run, Crampton Gap, West Point,
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MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Salem Church and Savage Station. For a short time the late Dr. James L. Van Ingen was one of the Surgeons of this regiment. When the time for which this regiment was mustered into service expired, the present Captain of the Thirty-seventh Company, National Guard, State of New York, George W. Marlette, was the only private in the regiment who received from Gov- ernor Morgan, for gallant and meritorious service, the honorary rank of Brevet Lieutenant.
William A. Jackson, a son of the late Professor Jackson, of Union College, was Colonel of the Eighteenth Regiment from the time of its organi- zation till his death from disease at Washington, November 10, 1861. William H. Young, an- other gallant soldier from Schenectady, was for a short time Lieutenant-Colonel of this regiment.
The third company formed in Schenectady was organized by Barent M. Van Voast, June 1, 1861. The officers, who received their commissions July 4, 1861, were: Captain, Barent M. Van Voast; First Lieutenant, Manse V. V. Smith; Ensign, Ed- ward Van Voast. This company contained seventy- four privates and three officers. It was enrolled in the 30th Regiment as Company "C," for a term of two years from June 1, 1861.
Captain Van Voast was dismissed March 7, 1862, and succeeded by Manse V. V. Smith, who re- signed November 26 of the same year. Edward Van Voast became First Lieutenant May 13, 1862, retaining this rank when the company was mustered out, June 18, 1863. He afterward became Major in the 2d Regiment of Veteran Cavalry, and at the close of service of this regiment was made a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, N. Y. V.
Charles Roth, who entered Company C as First Sergeant, was promoted to the rank of First Lieu- tenant March 4, 1863, and subsequently commis- sioned a Brevet Major, N. Y. V.
The 30th Regiment, with which Company C was most honorably connected, participated in the battles of Gainesville, Groveton, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
The fourth company formed at Schenectady was organized by Allen H. Jackson, who received a Captain's commission October 1, 1861. This company consisted of eighty-seven members, in- cluding the officers. It was enrolled as Company G in the 91st Regiment for a term of three years, being mustered out of service July 3, 1865. The officers who were commissioned at the same time as Jackson were George W. Shaffer, First Lieuten- ant, and William Harty, Second Lieutenant.
Captain Jackson was honorably discharged from this company February 23, 1863, and promoted to the rank of Major in the 134th Regiment. March 4, 1863, he became Lieutenant-Colonel, and De- cember 10th of the same year, Colonel of this regi- ment, but was mustered out of service June 10, 1865, as Lieutenant-Colonel. George W. Shaffer succeeded Jackson as Captain of Company G. December 31, 1864, Shaffer was promoted to Major, 6Ist N. Y. Vols., and subsequently received the honorary rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, N. Y. V.
William Harty succeeded Schaffer as Captain of Company G, December 24, 1864, and remained in command until the company was mustered out of service.
Cornelius Gill entered this company as Second Sargeant, and was promoted through the succes- sive ranks to First Lieutenant, which latter position he held when the company was disbanded.
Between the middle of August and the 3d of September, 1862, there were three military com- panies formed at Schenectady, which entered the service for a term of three years. All three were enrolled in the 134th Regiment, and were known as Companies B, F and H.
Company B was organized by David H. Ham- lin, who received his commission as Captain, Au- gust 17, 1862. At the same time Solyman G. Hamlin was commissioned First Lieutenant, and Solomon C. Wilson, Second Lieutenant. This company numbered 102 men, and participated in many of the great battles of the war. Benjamin F. Sheldon was Captain of this company when it was mustered out. Solyman G. Hamlin was promoted to Captain of Company C, March 7, 1863. April 7, 1865, he was made Major of the 192d Regiment, and mustered out of service August 28, 1865, with the honorary rank Brevet Captain, N. Y. V.
Lucius Mead, who enlisted in Company B as First Sergeant, was promoted to a Lieutenancy. He was killed while bravely leading his company at the battle of Gettysburg.
Company F was organized by Gilbert D. Ken- nedy, who was commissioned as Captain, August 30, 1862. At the same time were commissioned George A. Turnbull as First Lieutenant, and Clin- ton C. Brown as Second Lieutenant.
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