USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 1 > Part 15
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July 18 the regiment crossed the Potomac to Harper's Ferry, passed up London Valley to Manassas Gap, from there through Warrenton, and arrived at Elkton July 31. Here they supported Gen. Kilpatrick in his expedition on the lower Rappahannock and returned to camp Sep- tember 10. On the 14th they again crossed the Rappahannock and assisted in several engagements around Culpepper, in which the enemy was driven across the Rapidan The regiment crossed the Rappahan- nock October 10, skirmished at Auburn Hills, October 14, and fought
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THE RAPPAHANNOCK CAMPAIGN.
at the battle of Bristow Station. During this engagement the 125th captured a battery of five guns.
The command left Bristow on the night of the 14th and on the fol- lowing day skirmished at Blackburn's Ford. November ? they assisted in routing the enemy at Rappahannock. On the 26th they crossed the Rappahannock at Germania Ford, and on the 27th and 28th skirmished near Robinson's tavern. November 29 and 30 and December 1, they were engaged in skirmishing at Mine Run and December 2 they turned to the north side of the Rapidan. December ? they went into winter quarters near Martinsburg.
On the morning of February 6, 1864, the regiment marched to Mar- tin's Ford on the Rapidan at which place they led the charge across the river, waist deep under fire. On landing they deployed two officers and twenty-five men as a skirmish line and advaneed under heavy fire until within sixty rods of the breastworks. They were then ordered to fall back to the brow of a hill and await reinforcements. None came, and at 10 5'elock A. M., they were ordered to retreat. Under a heavy fire they recrossed the river without the loss of a man. They then camped near Stevensburg and remained there until March 30, 1864.
After that the regiment participated in the following engagements: Chancellorsville, May 1 to 5, 1863; Spottsylvania, May 8 to 21; North Anna, July 23; Cold Harbor, May 31 to June 12; Petersburgh, June 10, 1864, to April 10, 1865: Ream's Station, June 22, 29 and August 25, 1864; Hatcher's Run, March 31, 1865; Appomattox Court house, April 9, 1865, being the occasion of General Lee's surrender. During its term of service the regiment lost in killed 26; wounded 101; miss- ing !.
The survivors of the 15th, 111th and 126th regiments have a monu- ment at Gettysburg, on one of the tablets of which is the following in- scription :
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, Third brigade, Third division, Second corps. Recruited in Rensselaer county, New York. Mustered in at Troy, N. Y., August 27, 1862. Engaged in twenty-three battles. Mustered out at Albany, N. Y., June 5, 1865.
As first organized the regiment comprised the following officers:
Field and Staff .- Colonel George Lamb Willard, Lieutenant Colonel Levin Cran- dell, Major James C. Bush, Adjutant Elias P. Sheldon, Quartermaster L. Chandler Ball, Chaplain Joseph L. Barlow, Surgeon W. S. Cooper, Assistant Sur- geons H. E. Benediet, Washington Akin.
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
Company A .- Captain D. E. Cornell, First Lieutenant E. A. Hartshorn, Second Lieutenant W. Il. Hakes.
Company B .- Captain A. B. Myer, First Lieutenant Charles II. Taylor, Second Lieutenant John Quay.
Company C .- Captain F. S. Esmond, First Lieutenant W. 11. Plumb, jr., Second Lieutenant David Comeskey. Company D .- Captain S. C. Armstrong, First Lieutenant T. F. Sheldon, Second Lieutenant P. Carden.
Company E .- Captain William Dimond, First Lieutenant Calvin Bush, Second Lieutenant Egbert Jolls
Company F .- Captain Nelson Penfield, First Lieutenant Frank Chamberlain, Sec- ond Lieutenant W. D. Taylor.
Company G .- Captain George E. Lemon, First Lieutenant W. K. Newcomb, Second Lieutenant L. H. Stevens.
Company H .- Captain Ephraim Wood, First Lieutenant Joseph Ilyde, Second Lieutenant D. Hagadorn.
Company I .- Captain E. P. Jones, First Lieutenant A. Buchanan, jr., Second Lieutenant E. Fink.
Company K .- Captain J. V. W. Vandenburgh, First Lieutenant Charles A. Pickett, Second Lieutenant M. G. Steele.
THE GRISWOLD CAVALRY.
The 21st New York Cavalry, known as the Griswold Cavalry, was organized in the summer of 1863, and was composed of men mustered from various sections of the State. It was due principally to the efforts of Colonel William B. Tibbits, formerly of the Second Regiment, that the regiment was organized. For a long time he' struggled to obtain enough mounted men to present a formidable appearance in the field, and his labors were finally rewarded. Many of the men enlisted from Rensselaer county, though there were representatives of various locali- ties, some many miles distant. Colonel (later Brevet Major-General) Tibbits received his commission as colonel of the Twenty-first New York Cavalry January 5, 1864. The field and staff officers from Troy, besides Colonel Tibbits, were: Major, George V. Bontelle, formerly captain of Company A of the Second Regiment; adjutant, James F. Hill; quartermaster, William B. Laithe; surgeon, Benjamin S. Catlin, M. D. The company officers from Troy were: Company A-Captain Charles G. Otis, afterwards colonel; First Lieutenant William H. Mitchell, Second Lieutenant Thomas Maxwell. Company D-Captain William G. MeNulty, First Lieutenant Henry E. Snow. Company E- Captain Edwin N. Wright, Second Lieutenant H. G. Hickok. Com- pany F-Captain Francis MeCue, First Lieutenant Andrew Smith,
EDGAR LUYSTER FURSMAN.
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CAREER OF THE GRISWOLD CAVALRY.
Second Lieutenant James HI. Ronalds. Company I-First Lieutenant Nelson B. Holcomb.
As soon as a company was formed it was promptly sent to Staten Island, when it awaited orders to move to the front. The first com- pany raised for the regiment was organized by Captain Charles G. Otis, afterwards colonel. It left Troy, on the steamer Vanderbilt, for Staten Island, August 30, 1863. Through the influence of Colonel Tibbits the regiment was named the Griswold Cavalry in honor of that staunch patriot, John A. Griswold, who devoted a great share of his time, energy and personal influence toward placing the organization in the field.
From the day the Griswold Cavalry reached the front it was almost continuously on the move. It participated in many battles, and some- times met with heavy losses. In the valleys and mountains of Virginia, the passes and natural fortifications of the Blue Ridge, the brave men from Rensselaer county fought desperately for their country. The battles in which they were called into action were those of Newton, Piedmont, Waynesburg, Lynchburg, Leesburg, Bucklestown, Solo- mon's Gap, Frederick, Purcellville, Snicker's Gap, Ashby's Ford, Kearns- town, Winchester and Charlestown.
The regiment left Troy so suddenly, and its movements in the field were so rapid, that the presentation of a stand of colors was delayed for some time. But finally, in October, 1864, a beautiful set of colors was presented to the brave body of men at Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. Griswold, who was the giver, was not present, but the following patriotic letter from him was read on the occasion :
TROY, N. Y., Ociouk 11, 1801. . To the officers and soldiers of the Griswold Cavalry: Since your organization as a regiment I have entertained the hope of be- ing with you and in person asking your acceptance of the colors which I desire now to place in your charge. The constant duties you have been called upon to perform, and the changes of locality incident to those duties, have prevented the consumma- tion of this desire, and I am forced to greet you from a distance when I would be with you face to face. You need not be assured that I have watched with anxious solicitude your progress since entering the service, and that I feel a grateful pride in the history of your military career. Already your record is one that may safely challenge comparison. In this consideration of the great cause for which you are contending, and in behalf of the communities of which you are a part, I desire to thank you. If the colors which are now placed under your ownership and keeping were to be re-embellished, there would be emblazoned on their their folds-New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Leesburg, Ashby's Gap, Kearnstown, Winchester, Martinsburg, Charlestown-a long array, showing that your place has been where
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
the fight was the thickest. How well you have borne yourselves in these conflicts is attested in the reports of your commanding officers and their commendation of your gallant services. Of those who went from our city marshalled in your ranks, many, very many, have fallen by the way, and are now sleeping undisturbed alike by the falling leaf and the tramp of armed hosts. The valley of the Shenandoah has been moistened by the blood of your comrades, and bitter tears for their memory have fallen on the soil of their homes. Remember that upon you, the army, now hang the destinies of our country. The front of the rebellion must be broken by your prowess that the avenues of peace may again be opened. God speed the day of this achievement, when you and your companions in arms may be welcomed again to your homes in a land no longer stricken by war. Till that time, be true to your own reputation and the colors which I now have the pleasure to present by the hands of your gallant colonel. JonN A. GRISWOLD,
The ranks of the Griswold Cavalry were greatly thimed during its campaign. It remained in service until the close of the war, and on the occasion of its return home from the front it received a rousing demonstration of welcome.
CHAPTER X.
Closing Days of the Nineteenth Century-New County Buildings-History of the Railroads-Rensselaer County's Citizens Who Have Hekt High Public Office-The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument-Statistics of the Development of the County.
The corner stone of the handsome memorial to the deceased soldiers and sailors of Rensselaer county was laid in the city of Troy with im- posing ceremonies on Memorial day, Friday, May 30, 1890, by Colonel Charles L. MacArthur, president of the Rensselaer County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument association, which had been incorporated No- vember 12, 1886. The site selected for the monument was Washing- ton square in Troy. The city conveyed the title to the ground on which the shaft stands to the society in 1887. Two years later the Legislature authorized the supervisors of the county to appropriate $25,000 toward the monument, which they did. The design offered by Fuller & Wheeler, architects of Albany, was accepted August 7, 1889, and February 24, 1890, a contract for the erection of the memorial was awarded to Frederick & Field of Quincy, Mass. At the laying of the corner stone Colonel MacArthur delivered a historical address, and
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SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
other speeches were made by the Rev. Peter Havermans and the Rev. Dr. J. W. Thompson. The exercises of the day included a great parade, under the direction of General Joseph B. Carr.
On September 15, 1891, the dedication of the magnificent memorial took place, in a manner well befitting its noble and patriotic purpose. But few times before in the history of the city had there been a public demonstration equal to that of this day. One of them was fifteen months before, when the corner-stone was laid. The early morning trains brought large crowds of people to the city from surrounding towns and villages. Many of the mills and factories gave their em- ployés a holiday. All the business houses and most of the residences along the route of the parade and also on other streets were elaborately decorated. Many portions of the business district were bowers of gay colors, including many large and handsome portraits of the nation's heroes in war-Grant, Lincoln, Sherman, Sheridan, Hancock, Logan and others.
The parade, a large and imposing one, started at 11 A, M. Colonel Lee Chamberlain acted as grand marshal, and his staff was composed of Col. Charles S. Francis, Lieut .- Col. John Don, Col, D. M. Greenc, Col. George H. Gillis, Col. M. H. Burton, Col. W. H. Lawton, Col. Marcus D. Russell, Col. Francis N. Mann, Jr., Col. Edward L. Gaul, Col. George P. Lawton, Lieut. - Col. Harry M. Alden, Lient. . Col. J. A. MeDonald, Major C. II. Stott, Jr., Major E. M. Green, Major W. G. Carr, Major Isaac F. Handy, Major Arthur MacArthur, Major A. W. Hoysradt, Major H. W. Thompson, Major Le Grand C. Tibbits, Capt. E. R. Thompson, Capt. Charles G. Cleminshaw, Capt. I. W. Copeland, Lient. J. 1 .. Thompson, and Major Waldo K. Chase. The first division was commanded by Col. James W. Cusack, and acted as escort to the veterans. It was headed by Doring's band and comprised the Troy Citizens Corps, Tibbits Cadets, 12th Separate Company, New York National Guard, and the National Guard companies from Cohoes, Hoo- siek Falls, Schenectady and the 10th Battalion of Albany. Next came in carriages Col. Charles L. MacArthur, Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, Gen. Stewart L. Woodford, Gen, Henry Slocum, Gen. Alonzo Alden, Capt. John Palmer, Col. Frederick Phisterer, and other well known military men. The other divisions were in command of James M. Snyder, Col, Levin Crandall, Capt. E. F. Ormsbie, Edwin A. Frear and Cornelius F. Burns.
The line of march was down First street to Liberty, to Second,
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
around Washington park, to Third, to State, to Fifth avenue, to Jacob, to King, to River, to Third, to Broadway, to the monument, where the parade passed in review and was dismissed. It is estimated that there were fully 10,000 people about the monument when the parade reached that point. Col. C. L. MacArthur, president of the monument association, had charge of the exercises. After prayer by the Rev. J. W. Thompson, a telegram was read from Gen. Joseph B. Carr, who was detained in New York by illness, in which he said he was " present in spirit if not in person." Col. MacArthur then made the opening ad- dress, in which he said:
We have put an insignia on this monument to commemorate the bravery of the men of Rensselaer county in the Mexican war. We were first in the field. In 1812, when we had a war with Great Britain, a Troy man was the first to capture a flag in that war. I refer to Hon. William L. Marcy. When troops were called for in the late war Troy was the first to raise a regiment and send it to the Adjutant- General's office. A Troy man, Frank Brownell, was the first to shed blood when he shot Jackson at Alexandria.
The next address was made by General Daniel E. Sickles, who spoke in glowing terms of the part taken by Troy soldiers in the Civil war. Among other things he said :
One of the earliest regiments to take the field was the Second New York Infantry, organized in Rensselaer county by your townsman, General Carr. This regiment was for some time in the Third Army Corps and often fell under my personal observa- tion. Carr raised his standard here on the 17th of April, 1861, while the echoes from Sumter filled every ear and stirred every loyal heart. All troops reflect, sooner or later, the character and qualities of their commanding officers. Therefore, I need not tell you, who know General Carr so well, that the Second New York was an admirable regiment. It was not long, however, before the signal abilities shown by General Carr proved his fitness for higher comunand, He always enjoyed, and still enjoys, the confidence and respect alike of his troops and of his superior officers. Always ready to obey orders with alaerity, he taught his commands that discipline makes good soldiers. An earnest patriot, he inspired his men with his own zeal for the cause of the Union. Fearless and calm in battle, his example made his battalion trustworthy under all circumstances.
The next speaker was Captain John Palmer of Albany, commander- in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic of the United States, and his address was listened to with the closest attention. Rain began falling at 1.30 r. M. and the exercises at the monument were necessarily shortened, an adjournment being taken fifteen minutes later.
At three o'clock the ceremonies were resumed in Music hall, Colonel C. L. MacArthur, presiding. After prayer by the Rev. Dr. George C.
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EARLY COUNTY BUILDINGS.
Baldwin, Benjamin II. Hall read an original poem, written by Captain William B. Gordon, of the Watervliet arsenal. The Troy Vocal Society sang "On, Gallant Company," after which the dedieatory address was delivered by General Stewart L. Woodford, of Brooklyn. It was a masterpiece of oratory and was frequently interrupted by applause. General Sickles and Colonel MacArthur followed with brief addresses. At the conclusion the Troy Vocal Society sang " The Star Spangled Banner," the immense assemblage rising and making the walls of the big building ring as they joined in the chorus. Rev. Father John Walsh of St. Peter's church closed the exercises with the benediction, and the large audience slowly dispersed.
The first almshouse in the county was known as the house of indus- try. It was built in the winter of 1821 and 1822 by the county and the city of Troy jointly, at a total cost of $9,064,84. It was located about a mile and a half southeast of Troy. A wooden building was erected in 1860. As the limits of the city were extended the property became a part of the city. In 1882 the brick buildings were erected, including two apartment buildings, two hospitals, the keeper's house, a dining hall, a kitehen and a laundry.
The Marshall Infirmary, founded in 1850 by Benjamin Marshall, a gingham manufacturer of Troy, is one of the most worthy institutions in the county. In that year the first buildings were erected by him at a cost of over $30,000. June 20 of the next year the institution was in- eorporated, the management of its affairs being placed by its charter in the hands of twenty-seven governors, to be elected annually. The articles of incorporation provide that every person contributing ten dollars to it and paying at least three dollars per annum towards its maintenance, is a member of its corporation; and every person con- tributing one hundred dollars, and paying five dollars per annum may, in addition to being a member, recommend one siek person to be cared for at the infirmary for six weeks in each year, free of charge. Every person contributing one thousand dollars becomes alife member, and is also allowed to recommend one sick person to be eared for an entire year free of charge; and every person paying ten dollars a year may recommend one siek person to be cared for four weeks free of charge. Before the death of the founder he had given to the institution money and property valued at $70,000.
The three story brick building on the south side of the infirmary was erected by the county for an insane asylum in 1859. Two years later
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
the county built another structure beyond the hill east of the infirmary building, for exclusive use as a lunatic asylum. In 1880 still another building, for the care of refractory patients, was erected sonth of the insane asyhim. In 1896 sixteen acres of ground were occupied by the institution.
In an earlier chapter the establishment of the Rensselaer & Saratoga railroad, the Troy & Greenbush railroad, the Schenectady & Troy rail- road, the Hudson River railroad, the Troy and Boston, afterward the Fitchburg railroad, and the Troy Union railway has been described. Since those early days the development of the railways running through Rensselaer county has been rapid and extensive. The Hudson River road has become a part of the greatest system in the world; the Rensselaer & Saratoga, like the Hudson River, by absorption into another system, has a great and rapidly increasing patronage; the Fitchburg and the Boston & Albany, too, have grown until their business requires the constant attention of thousands of employés.
The New York Central & Hudson River railroad was organized No- vember 1, 1869, by the consolidation of the New York Central Railroad company and the Hudson River Railroad company. The Hudson River Railroad company was chartered May 12, 1846, and the road opened through its entire length from New York to East Albany (Greenbush) October 3, 1851. Previons to the consolidation referred to the Hudson River road had leased the Troy & Greenbush road, which was chartered in January, 1845, and leased to the Hudson River road June 1, 1851, for seven per cent. on $275,000 capital stock. On consolidation the lease was assumed by the New York Central & Hnd- son River Railroad company.
The New York & Albany Railroad company was incorporated April 12, 1832, but the extension from Albany to Troy was not constineted until 1840 and 1841. These directors of the northern extension of the road were chosen in February, 1844: Stephen W. Dana, Le Grand Cannon, Jonas C. Heartt, Thaddeus B. Bigelow, Iloratio Averill, John L. Thompson and Alsop Weed, Troy; William P. Van Rensselaer, Greenbush ; with four Boston men. The officers elected were: Presi- dent, Stephen W. Dana; vice-president, Jonas C. Heartt; secretary, Thaddeus B. Bigelow.
The Troy & Boston Railroad company, chartered April 1, 1848, was consolidated with the Fitchburg Railroad company May 4, 1886, under the laws of the State of New York and the Commonwealth of Massa-
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RAILROAD LINES.
chusetts. By this consolidation the following leases, in force with the Troy & Boston Railroad company, were assumed :
Southern Vermont railroad, New York line to Massachusetts State line, owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, leased in perpetu- ity to the Troy and Boston Railroad company at an annual rental of $12,000;
Troy & Bennington railroad, Hoosac Junction to Vermont State line, owned by the Troy & Bennington Railroad company, a corpora- tion of the State of New York, leased at an annual rental of $15, 100. Lease expires May 27, 1901;
The Boston, Hoosac Tunnel & Western railway, and its leased line, the Troy, Saratoga & Northern railroad, were purchased June 1, 1887. The Troy, Saratoga & Northern was incorporated September 2, 1886. The western terminus of the Fitchburg railroad is in Troy; the eastern terminus is in Boston.
The consolidation of the Troy & Boston and the Fitchburg Railroad companies was ratified by the directors of the Fitchburg January 25, 1887, and by those of the Troy & Boston March 28 of the same year.
The Castleton (N. Y.) & West Stockbridge ( Mass. ) Railroad com- pany was incorporated by the State of New York May 15, 1834, and work was begun soon after. The name was changed to Albany & West Stockbridge Railroad company May 5, 1836. November 11, 1841, a permanent contract of transportation was made by the Western Railroad company (incorporated in Massachusetts March 15, 1833,) and the Albany & West Stockbridge Railroad company for the opera- tion of the latter by the former. By an act of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed May 21, 1867, the Boston & Worcester Railroad corporation was consolidated with the Western Railroad corporation under the name of the Boston & Albany Railroad company. In May, 1869, the Boston & Albany Railroad company and the Albany & West Stockbridge Railroad company were united and consolidated and all became known as the Boston & Albany Railroad company November 2, 1870. The western terminus of this road is in Albany, via Green- bush, and the eastern terminus is in Boston.
The Greenwich & Johnsonville Railroad company was chartered September 10, 1879, and soon after the construction of a railroad be- tween Johnsonville, in Rensselaer county, and Greenwich, in Wash- ington county, was begun. The road was originally known as the Johnsonville & Union Village Railroad company. August 30, 1859, the
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
property was sold under foreclosure, suit having been brought by the holders of the first mortgage bonds, and was purchased by a committee representing the bondholders, who organized the new company. Since that time there have been no changes in the company, except in the cases of some of its officers.
The New York Central, Hudson River & Fort Orange Railroad company was formed on or about September 1, 1884, in pursuance of an act of the Legislature, for the purpose of carrying freight to and from the Fort Orange Paper company's works, situated near Castleton. Prior to the 1st day of September aforesaid the bedway of the New York Central, Hudson River & Fort Orange Railroad Company be- longed to the Fort Orange Paper company, and the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad company loaned and furnished the ties and rails for a railroad track over the same from the eastern line at a point near Castleton to works of said company under an agreement that in consideration thereof the Fort Orange Paper company should deliver all their freight to be transported to the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad company for transportation. The object of the incor- poration of the New York Central, Hudson River & Fort Orange Railroad company was to do business as an independent corporation and to carry all of said freight over its line under contract with the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad company and the Fort Orange Paper company.
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