USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 21
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IN MEMORIAM.
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COLONEL JAMES MALCOLM BROWN.
FURNISHED BY HIS WIFE, CHARLOTTE BROWN.
Colonel James Malcolm Brown, commander of the One Hun- dredth New York State Volunteers, was born in Dundee, Scotland, on the 24th day of November, 1825. In his early years, the family removed to Ortree, in the Isle of Skye, and in the twelfth year of his age they took up their residence in the city of Glasgow. Here he began to develop those mental capacities which so dis- tinguished him in after life; and after attaining the highest honors in the high school of that city, he applied himself to the study of medicine, attending lectures in the medical college. Before he Lad attained his majority he left the paternal mansion, and came to this country, selecting as his residence the city of New Orleans, where he pursued his studies until the beginning of the war with Mexico, when he entered the army as assistant surgeon, remaining with his regiment until peace was declared, when he was mustered uut of the service at Mackinac. Surg. Brown occupied for nearly eighteen months a tent with Lieutenant, now President, Grant. The Young surgeon then discerned in the cool aud daring Lieutenant He germs of those remarkable qualities which, in their develop- n.ent, were destined to achieve such momentons results in the future of our country; and that long afterward, during the first year of the rebellion, before our great commander hnd proved him-
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self capable of accomplishing those mighty deeds which have ren- dered his name famous, Col. Brown had often predicted to his intimate friends, that Grant, if he lived, would be one of the great- est generals of our times! The practice of medicine does not seem to have been in accordance with the tastes and temperament of MIr. Brown, for we find him after the close of the Mexican war a student in the law office of Messrs. Harvey & McReynolds, of Detroit, Mich .. who were among the leading attorneys of that city. Here he applied himself with the utmost diligence to the study of his new profes- sion, and was admitted to the bar of that State in the year 1831. On the 15th of January, 1852, he was married to Miss Charlotte Cook, a daughter of Dr. Robert Cook, formerly a physician of Argyle, N. Y .; and in the summer of 1853 he removed to James- town, N. Y., where his widow with her three sons now reside. Here he became a partner of the Hon. Madison Burnell, since deceased, who was then one of the ablest lawyers of Chautauqua county, and John F. Smith, who afterward became colonel of the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment New York Volunteers, a brave officer, who fell in the attack on Fort Fisher.
Mr. Brown practiced with good success as a member of the above firm, and also on his own responsibility, until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion in the spring of 1861. When the echoes of the guns of Suinter reverberated throughout the land, proclaiming to the loyal citizens of the North that a civil war was inevitable, the soul of our hero was eager for the strite which he knew must speedily begin. The proclamation of President Lin- coln, calling for seventy-five thousand volunteers, met with no readier or more enthusiastic response throughout the length and breadth of the loyal portion of the country, than in the town where Mr. Brown resided. Before any of his townsmen had had time to consider what was the first thing to be done, Mr. Brown raised his standard and called for recruits to form a company. Many of the most respectable young men of the town enlisted under his com- mand, and in an incredibly short space of time, one hundred and twelve men, more than the full complement, were enrolled.
The commission of James M. Brown, as Captain of Co. " B." Seventy-second Regiment, was the first one applied for, and isst. I in Chautauqua county, during the rebellion, and his company was the first one to depart for the seat of war. The citizens vied with each other in their efforts to promote the welfare und comfort ul
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the men, previons to their departure, and that there might be no delay, busied themselves in providing uniforms and subsistence; and when the day of departure came, advanced the means of trans- portation to New York. The ladies industrionsly worked to pre- pare food, haversacks and comfortable underclothing, and wrought with their own hands a beautiful silken flag, which they presented to the company. Upon its arrival at New York, it was attached to Gen. Sickles' brigade, and ordered to encamp at Staten island. Capt. Brown remained in command, preparing his men for the stern duties of a soldier's life, and bringing his company into a condition of high discipline, during the summer of 1861, when he was ordered bome on recruiting service.
It appears that his fine soldierly bearing as an officer, and his evident military abilities, had attracted the attention of Gen. Scroggs, then recruiting at Buffalo for the Eagle Brigade, who offered Capt. Brown the coloneley of the One Hundredth Regiment, which was attached to the brigade awaiting its full complement of men. Capt. Brown accepted the position, and his resignation as captain of Co. "B" having been accepted, on the 5th of Noveni- ber, 1861, he proceeded to Buffalo to assume the command of his regiment. Carrying with him the same prompt and resolute dis- position, he determined on making the One Hundredth Regiment effective in the shortest possible time, and taxed their energies to the utmost, in order that his command might excel. His own in- defatigable spirit became reflected in every soldier, and he won their utmost confidence in him as an able and competent leader. When his regiment entered into active service he lived as the others lived, slept on the cold, wet ground, ate soldiers' rations, and in all regards endured the hardships of the campaign like the privates. He bore all privations without murmuring for himself, but not without feeling keenly for his men. At Seven Pines he was in the saddle and his regiment under arms ere the order reached him. He led them into action with that stern joy which warriors feel when going out to battle. Through the former part of the fight he sat quietly on his horse, a conspicuous target, calmly smoking his pipe, except when giving orders or executing a move- inent. When the action grew hot as Hades, he raged up and down the line encouraging the men by voice and example, his lion cour- nge aroused, the light of battle in his eyes, a soldier terrible in his splendid bravery. When came that fatal order to charge, he was
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heard to denounce the order, it was his duty, with death staring them all in the face, to execute. Here came out one of the finest traits of the soldier. For one instant looking straight forward at inevitable disorder and ront, he cried out in his great lion-like voice " Charge the One Hundredth !" Officers and men saw the trap into which they were moving ; but,
" " Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do and die ;
, Though some one had blundered," On went the One Hundredth.
The history of that fight, of the noble devotion and courage of Col. Brown, and the One Hundredth Regiment, is written on the bosom of mother earth, in the mounds that are scattered over the field of Seven Pines. A braver gentleman than Col. Brown never lived. His body lies unknown in some mound on the field of that terrible fray ; but his memory will live in the hearts of his countrymen, who honor bravery and worth, so long as the pen of history shall inscribe the noble deeds of chivalry.
His memory is fondly cherished in the beautiful village where he resided. Camp James M. Brown is the name of a field which was the mustering place of two noble regiments, the One Han- dred and Twelfth and One Hundred and Fifty-fourth regiments of New York Volunteers, that, in 1862, went forth from Jamestown to battle for the nation's life : and Post James M. Brown, Grand Army of the Republic, is formed of the surviving heroes of the war who are residents of the town. Year after year, upon " dee- oration day," they repair to the cemetery, in the outskirts of the town, to participate in the touching and beautiful ceremonies of the day; and a mound is always erected in memory of the brave Colonel which fair hands tenderly decorate with flowers.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL PHINEAS STAUNTON.
Lient. Col. Staunton was the son of Major General Phineas, and Mrs. Mary Staunton, carly settlers of Wyoming county, in this
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State. Gen. Staunton was a prominent officer in the war of 1812, was an intimate friend of Gen. Peter B. Porter, the author in Con- gress of the war measure against England, and with him was in- timately indentified with the early progress of New York. The parents of Col. Staunton, judged by all that is known of them, and by the revelation that he has given of them upon canvass, were persons of royal natures and of commanding characters. Col. Staunton was born September 24th, 1817, and inherited a love of country and a love of military life. His father being a prominent officer in the war of 1812, distinguished himself'in several important battles by his heroism and command over men. After the declar- ation of peace, he was chosen commander-in-chief of the militia of Western New York, with a commission as major general. At the age of eighteen, Col. Staunton held a position as staff officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel of militia. Nature designed and fitted him for an artist, and a great and good artist he was. And yet, while it was true that all the forces within him culminated in his profession, he was not thereby disqualified, like many persons en- dowed with special gifts, for the practical duties of life in other directions. Completely enveloped in the holy flame of art, he could instantly drop his palette and grasp his sword, when liberty was assaulted in his native land. He could throw his whole soul into the scale of politics, if it seemed to him that the beam was likely to go down on the side of injustice and oppression. He could leave his studies and join his brethern in the church as de- votedly as the best. When in command of his regiment he was both chaplain and superior officer.
During the winter of 1860 and 1861, Col. Staunton, while en- gaged in his profession in the city of New York, became so im - pressed with the conviction that a war with the South was inevi - table, that, unknown to his friends, he joined a class composed of volunteers, which met three times a week to study military tacties and drill, under the instruction of Col. Tompkins. In the spring of 1861, after the capture of Fort Sumter, he felt that the time had arrived for him to enter the ranks of the defenders of the "old flag." He returned home, to LeRoy, Genesee county, and im- me.liately commeneed to recruit volunteers for a company of in- fantry. This company was raised by his efforts, joined with those of Capt. Walter B. Moore, and became Co. " B" of the One Hun- dredth New York State Volunteers.
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The record of Col. Staunton and his services can be traced in the pages of this work from the entry of the regiment in the field to his resignation, October 11th, 1862, at Gloucester Point, Va. The cause of his resignation, and the loss of his services to the country at that hour, was the appointment of George B. Dandy as colonel of the One Hundredth Regiment, which was rightfully due to Lieut. Col. Staunton.
Col. Staunton subsequently joined a scientific expedition to South America, and died at Quito Ecuador, September 5th, 1867. He was Vice Chancellor of Ingham University, LeRoy, N. Y., a man revered by his friends, and honored by all favored with his ae- quaintance.
MAJOR JAMES H. DANDY.
Major James H. Dandy, who fell in the charge on Fort Grigg, near Petersburg, April 2d, 1865, was the brother of Gen. G. B. Dandy, colonel of the One Hundredth Regiment. Through his brother he was commissioned first lieutenant, November 24th, 1862, and introduced into the regiment at Carolina City, N. C. Being assigned to Co. "B," he remained till June, 1863, when he was detailed in the commissary department at Hilton Head. where he was commissioned a captain. September 5th, 1863, and subsequently a brevet major. December 9th, 1864, he was com- missioned major, joined the regiment and assumed command, March 27th, 1865, on the eve of our departure from the front be- fore Richmond, and to the left at Hatcher's Run, thence into the assault on Fort Grigg, where he was shot, near the parapet of the work, in an attempt to recover the colors as they fell from the hands of. the color-bearer, who had been shot an instant before.
Before going into the charge he said to Capt. Stowits, " I feel as though I shall be killed, take my money," as he had just been paid, and this was his first fight. The Captain responded: "It is not strange that you should thus feel; but if you wish, give it to the surgeon, as I shall be in nearly as great danger in forming the line for advance as yourself." His presentiment was a fact. He was slain, a young, brave and gallant officer. The few days that he had commanded the regiment had endeared him to the hearts of all.
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He was subsequently breveted lieutenant colonel, and the follow- ing action of the members of Psi Upsilon Fraternity of the Wes- leyan University, of which he was an honored member, will tell of his merits and the value of his memory.
WHEREAS, We have received the sad announcement of the death of our hon- ored brother, Major James HI. Dandy, who fell at the capture of Fort Grigg. on the 2d of April, in command of his regiment. the One Hundredth New York. while planting, in person, his victorious flag upon the stronghold he had con- quered; therefore,
Resolred. That, though we had fondly hoped to welcome him, safe from all perils of battle to the paths of peace again, we humbly bow in submission to this grievous dispensation of a Providence whose goodness we may not doubt.
Resolved, That in the unselfish devotion of our esteemed brother to the com- mon cause of God and humanity-in his generous fidelity to every relation of home and of country-in his consistent morality and genial social qualities. which made so many friends and, now, so many mourners, we find much that ls richly worthy of emulation.
Resolved, That we are justly proud of the enviable reputation be achieved by his manly and soldierly bearing, and the cool yet brilliant courage which marked his entire military cureer and met its coronation in his last brave deed ; and that the goodly record of his life, always so spotless, so noble, and laureled, . now at last, with the high enlogium,
"Dead on the field of honor,"
shall not be forgotten, but cherished as a precious legacy.
Resolved, That with becoming respect for the sacredness of their sorrow we sincerely tender to the bereaved relatives and friends, in this time of grief, our be-t and warmest smypathies.
Resolved. That we drape our badges for the period of thirty days in token of our regard for our brother, thus sadly yet nobly fallen on the bright margin of a victory, whose gates, we trust, swing open on the courts of peace.
Kreolred. That copies of these resolutions be transmitted to the family and friends of the deceased, and to the several chapters of the fraternity.
WILLIAM V. KELLY, WELLESLEY W. BOWDISH. E. IRVING RACKETT.
Wesleyan University, April, 1865.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL BAILEY.
BY MAJOR D. D. NASIL.
Capt. Michael Bailey, who served with the One Hundredth Regiment as captain of Co. "E," and who died as lieutenant col- 16*
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onel of a Buffalo regiment of the army raised in the Fenian ser- vice for the liberation of Ireland, was born in the year 1822. in Queens county, Ireland, where he was reared by parents of the better class of the intelligent farmers of that highly favored portion of his native isle.
At the age of eighteen, in 1840, he left home and its endear- ments, having from his boyhood learned to love America, its in- stitutions and consequent blessings. He landed first in New Brunswick, where he learned the lucrative trade of a ship-carpen- ter, and subsequently came to Buffalo, which has since, until the time of his death, been his home, and where by his industry he had accumulated, at the outbreak of the war, a handsome property, nearly all of which he freely gave in the service of his adopted and native countries. In 1856, Co. "E," Emmett Guards, of the Seventy-fourth Regiment, was organized, and he was elected cap- tain. In 1861, during the month of September, he recruited Co. " E," One Hundredth Regiment New York Volunteers, at almost entirely his own expense. He served as captain until the fall of 1863, when he was unnecessarily quarrelled out of the regiment by his superiors in rank, who were determined to accomplish that heartless result. Seldom did an officer leave his charge with so much regret, nor with so creditable a war record. At Fair Oaks he was taken prisoner, struggling heroically, with a detached com- mand, to hold a vastly superior force of the enemy in check, sur- rounded by his fighting Irishmen, who looked upon him as a father as well as a leader. After his release from prison he participated with cheerful alacrity in the many campaigns, battles and discom- forts of the regiment up to the time of his resignation, and never will the writer forget the bravery and tact with which he assisted in encouraging and directing the decimated ranks of the One Hun- dredth in that fatal night assualt upon Fort Wagner, as the men passed through the ditch, nor his indomitable pluck in the terrible work of driving the enemy into their bomb proofs, after the para- pet had been scaled, and while the writer was prostrate by a wound, and only able to suggest, generally, such movement as seemed necessary. Capt. Bailey was one of the finest specimens of the intelligent, chivalrons, generous Irish gentlemen, to whom neither fear nor dishonor were known; and never was one mourned by a larger circle of friends than the subject of this sketch, who died in Buffalo, January 17th, 1868, indirectly from
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wound received in the chest at Fort Erie, June 2d, 1866, while en- gaged in capturing a detachment of British troops, landed for his defeat. May the green isle send us more such patriots as Capt. Bailey, whose memory will remain cherished as the flag he loved, and the cause for which he gave his life.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM RICHARDSON.
Capt. William Richardson was a member of Co. " D," raised by Col. Payne, of Tonawanda, N. Y., and was a resident of that town when he eulisted as a volunteer. His faithfulness in the dis- charge of duty, his independent spirit and reliable courage soon earned his rapid promotion. He was commissioned second lieu- tenant December 23d, 1862, while the regiment lay at Gloucester Point, Va. A few days previous to the taking of Morris island, July 4th, 1833, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and April 14th, 1864, just before the departure of the regiment from Mor- ris island, he was commissioned captain, as a reward for devo- tion to duty, and his success as an officer and soldier in the dis- charge of duty.
In the battle of Walthall Junction, on the Bermuda front, the perils of Drury's Bluff, the taking of Deep Bottom, where, in com- mand of the reserves, in July, 1864, in an advance upon the rebel lines, he was shot, Capt. Richardson was always the courageous, bold and self-possessed soldier. He was shot July 27th, 1864. An attempt was made to recover his body, but failed. It was said that he did not die instantly, but lingered and died from the wound, and was buried by the enemy. His loss to the regiment, at that time, was sorely felt, and could not be repaired. This steady and dangerous service of the regiment was fatal to both officers and men, and large numbers during the summer of 1864 were lost to the service and the country.
CAPTAIN FRANK C. BRUNCK.
Capt. Brunck was the son of Doctor Brunck of this city, an Able editor, an eloquent speaker, and widely honored among both
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our German and American citizens. The Captain was born in the city of Buffalo, October 24th, 1841. He was educated in our pub- lic schools, and also attended the central school, at that time in its infancy, as an experiment. Subsequently he learned the trade of a printer, and was at work in the Courier office of this city at the commencement of the war. He decided to enlist as a volunteer, and began to solicit recruits for the One Hundredth Regiment, and was commissioned first lieutenant February 7th, 1862, while in camp at Fort Porter.
His career as a soldier is fully recorded in the body of this work. With the regiment, he passed through the ordeal of the Peninsul: campaign, did nobly at the battle of Fair Oaks, as well as in the seven days' fight on the retreat to Harrison's Landing. While at Gloucester Point, Va., he was commissioned captain, November 24th, 1862, and from that date to the time of his muster out, Jan- uary 9th, 1865, he was known as the steady, firm, resolute and courageous soldier. On Morris Island, at Walthall Junction, Drury's Bluff, Bermuda'Hundred, Deep Bottom, Deep Run, Fussill's Mills, Petersburg and on the Richmond front, Capt. Brunck fully sustained his reputation as a tried and competent soldier. Ilis time of service having expired, he was ordered to Jamestown Island, Virginia, in command of what remained of the original One Hundredth Regiment, save the re-enlisted veterans. From thence to Butfalo the detachment was sent, paid and mustered out, their work having been well and nobly performed.
Captain Brunck remained in Buffalo until the summer of 1866. when he received an appointment as second lieutenant in the Fifteenth Regiment of United States Infantry, stationed at Fort Morgan, Alabama. He was commissioned, March 5th, 1867, with rank from 'July 28th, 1866. Shortly after the death of the first lieutenant, from yellow fever, the Captain received from the War Department an appointment as tirst lieutenant, dated October 7th, 1867, to take effect from the 27th day of Angust, 1867, subject to the confirmation of the Senate. In one month from the date of his appointment, November 7th, 1867, he, too, was a victim of that scourge of the South, the yellow fever, and his career. so au- spiciously commenced, was ended, a sad bereavement to his pa- rents and friends, though softened by the knowledge that he bad ever served his country well.
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LIEUTENANT JOHN W. WILKESON, JR., AND BREVET CAPTAIN NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
Lieut. Wilkeson was in command of Co. "K" at the battle of " Fair Oaks," and with Col. Brown and Lieut. Kellogg, was killed in the execution of that fatal order, which decimated the ranks of the One Hundredth Regiment, and sent to prison, hospital and the grave so large a number, that the existence of what was once a large and efficient regiment, was deemed precarious and uncertain. The biographical history of this chivalric young officer has been fully and ably set forth in an article that appeared in the columns of the Commercial Advertiser, subsequent to the date of that tragedy, of the 31st of May :
THE LATE LIEUT. WILKESON.
"How loved, how valned once, avails thee not ; To whom related, or by whom begot .- A heap of dust alone remains of thee. 'T is all thou art, and all the proud shall be."
" Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, dear friend. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
"Lient. John W. Wilkeson, commanding Co. 'K,' One Hun- dredth Regiment New York State Volunteers, was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., while gallantly leading his company in the foremost fight. He died in the defence of his country, May 31st, 1862.
"To those who were strangers to Lieut. Wilkeson, the above simple announcement will speak more eloquently than measured cology. To them we have nothing to say in addition. But to those who knew and loved him, we feel that it will be grateful, we know that it will be fitting in us, to pay to his memory the passing trilmite of affectionate regard. We have known him as boy and man through his whole life, and were temporarily associated with him upon the field. We came to know him well, and knowing, loved him. Hence we feel impelled to record our feeble testimony to his worth and virtues.
"Lieut. Wilkeson was born in this city in August, 1934, and was the eldest son of our fellow-townsman, John Wilkeson, Esq. He
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received his preliminary education at Phillips Academy, Andover. Mass., and subsequently became a graduate of Union College Hle afterward engaged in the study of law, in this city, and after his admission to the bar, removed to the city of New York. and entered upon the practice of his profession. Upon the break- ing out of the rebellion, he raised a company of Sappers and Miners for Col. Baker's California Regiment. Upon ascertaining that the company could not be accepted, as such, it was abandoned. and Lieut. Wilkeson returned to this city and connected himself with the One Hundredth Regiment, then being organized here, a- first lieutenant of Co. 'K.' He entered upon the discharge of his duties, and continued to the moment of his death thoroughly im- bned with a sense of the great responsibilities of his position, and was untiring and assidnous in their performance. His labors in this regard were rendered much more arduous, and at times alma-t overwhelming, by the long-continued sickness and absence of the other company officers. From the time the regiment left this city. till his death, he was almost constantly in command of his coni- pany, aad for a time, was the only commissioned officer with it. Though of slender frame, and apparently of feeble endurance, he yet went successfully through the terrible marches and privations which attended the advance to Richmond. Though suffering from severe sickness, at one time fainting with exhaustion, at another supported by his men at the head of his company, he managed to keep with them, sustained, according to his own language, 'by a determined will, necessity, quinine and God's grace.'
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