USA > New York > Memories of the 149th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inft., 3d Brig., 2 Div., 12th and 20th A. C > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
At the Park the regiment was received by Hon. Robert Mc- Carthy in the following address of welcome :
"Soldiers of the 149th Regiment : The moment and the hour looked forward to by yourselves with so much of anxious hope and joyous expectation has arrived. The thoughts which ever haunted you, as you trod alone at midnight hour the soli- tary rounds of picket duty, the dream which painted itself up- `on your imagination as you slept wrapped in your blankets be- side the dying embers of your camp-tires, are realized. The earnest prayers and longing desires of your friends at home have been answered ; and in their name and behalf. I proffer you this day a joyous, and earnest, and a deserving welcome. Once, twice, thrice welcome, members of the glorious One Hundred and Forty-ninth, Veterans of Sherman and Sloenm. Prompted, we believe, only by the convictions of duty; gov- erned only by motives of patriotism ; desirous only to main- tain the government and crush out the rebellion-without ex-
337
HOME.
tra pay or extra bounty-you went forth from among this peo- ple accompanied by their prayers and with their benediction. Anxiously have they watched you from the hour of your de- parture to this, the hour of your return ; eagerly have they sought any information respecting you in the public prints ; highly have they valued any news from you of a private nature, and proudly have they claimed and publicly maintained that Onondaga was worthily represented by you, and justly entitled to share in the glory of that march through the heart of rebel- dom : which in its conception, in its execution, and in its final result, is unequaled in the history of the past. Why! my friends, if there ever was an hour when I regretted that I too was not a soldier in my country's cause-when, above all else, I would that I were one of your number-it is in such an hour as this ; when amid the plaudits of the whole people, the re- joieings of your fellow-citizens, and the tears of your personal friend-, you come back to share with us the blessings of the government and the protection of the laws which you your- selves have been instrumental in sustaining. Why ! the proud and commendable satisfaction I should feel were greater than if by some chance of fortune I might be called to wield a seep- ter or wear a crown.
"Not for the present only will your deeds be items of history and the themes of fireside conversation, but when you and I have passed away, your children and my children will recount the story of your hardship and your victories, and our chil- dren's children will be conversant with your names and services, and so until the last cycle of time.
"My friends, as you have been the protectors of the laws, so- we expect you will be observers of the law. As you have been good and obedient soldiers of the government, so we expect you will be good and worthy citizens of the government. As you could lay aside the implements of industry and take up successfully the musket and the saber, so you can exchange again the one for the other, and thus prove to the world, their prophesies notwithstanding, that while in peace we are an in- dustrious and law-abiding people, we are irresistible in war.
838
MEMOIRS 145th N. Y. INFT.
"With you to-day we rejoice at the final triumph of right over wrong, freedom over despotism, hope over doubt, that the angel of destruction no longer lowers o'er our land, that war no longer devastates our smiling fields, or the soil drinks up the blood of our noblest sous; but that peace revisits us, bearing in her train prosperity and happiness to a divided and almost despondent people.
"But, Heroes of Sherman ! your decimated ranks tell me that death has been busy in your midst. Where, tell me. where are those comrades who went forth with you to battle in our country's cause ; whose hearts were filled with patriotism, and whose eyes were filled with tears at their departure? Where are the associate heroes of your battle-fields? Why are they not here to-day to share with you the welcome we would extend and the gratification you must feel? Alas ! their reward precedes yours. They sleep their last sleep upon the field of Gettysburg, beneath the shadows of Lookout Mountain, beside the turbid waters of the Etowah, within the morases of the Carolinas. No more will they join with us in the ceremonies of this hallowed day ; nor their presence sanctity its exercises. or their hearts beat quick at the recital of their own deeds. Alas! never. They have fought their last battle. they have gained eternal victory: their names shall live in the pages of our country's history, and their deeds upon the enduring monn- ment the citizens of Onondaga shall ereet to their memory.[?] May the dews fall lightly upon the sod which covers them, and the night winds sigh a requiem above their honored graves. Once more Heroes of the Present! to the pleasure of home, the affection of father, the holy kiss of mother. the love of faithful wife, the embrace of fondest sister, the pride of brother. to the gratitude of the citizen, we tearfully, proudly and joy- ously welcome you back ; with immortal honor to the memory of those who have fallen, to those who survive the profoundest gratitude of the nation they have saved."
At the close of the address, Hon. A. J. Northrup read a poem, written for the occasion by a lady, of which the follow- ing are extracts :
-
339
HOME.
" Welcome, brave men !
The limbs may be crippled, or trembling, or torn,
By the powder and sabers of disloyalty born. Your feet may be shoeless, and weary and worn ; Your clothing all threadbare, your faces unshorn : But with all, we do know, boys, you have hearts warm and true, That throb for the patriot's " Red. White and Blue".
Hurrah for America !
Hurrah for the right !
Hurrah for her sous now come from the fight !
For our regiment. a thousand hurrahs for to-night !"
About five hundred feet of tables were spread in the Park, and at the close of the reception the boys sat down to a boun- tiful banquet sufficient for three thousand. instead of three hun- dred now present. A small detachment of cavalry, which ac- companied the regiment on its return, also shared in its kindly greetings.
AAfter the collation, the regiment re-formed and marched down Genesee to Salina street, and from thence to the old camp ground, in the then southern boundary of the city. About thirty were retained as camp guard, and the remainder, having received passes, went home. On the 23d day of June 1865. the men again re-assembled in Syracuse to receive their pay and formal discharge, and at night separated, never to reunite again, except at the annual reunions, which, very appropriately, are now held on the 16th day of June, the anniversary of their joyful and triumphal return to Syracuse.
APPENDIX.
ROSTER OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 149TH REGT. N. Y. VOL. INFT., 3D BRIG., 2D DIN., 12TH AND 20TH A. C.
Tiis Regiment .was mustered into the U. S. service at Syracuse, N. Y., on the 17th and 18th of September. 1962, by H. De B. Clay ; Companies C, D. G and H on the former, and the remaining companies on the lat- ter date. Most of its members were enlisted from the city of Syracuse. and in such cases the place of enlistment is omitted from this roster ; when the enlistment took place elsewhere the place is noted opposite the respective names.
The original members of the regiment were mustered out of service June 12th. 1965, at Bladensburg. Md., while the recruits, and those whose term of service had been extended by court-martial, were trans- terred to the 102d New York and discharged afterwards.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Henry A. Barnum, Col. This officer entered the U. S. service May 13. 61. as Capt. ot Co. 1. 12th N. Y. Inft., at the age of 1 : and afterwards in Oct. fl was promoted to Maj. of that regiment. He served with distinction with that command, including the Peninsula Campaign under Metlellan, until July 1, 62, when he was dangerously wounded by gunshot through the left Dium, at Malvern Hill, Va. At the time the injury was supposed to be mortal ; his body was abandoned and fell into the hands of the enemy, but afterwards he returned to the Union lines, so far recovered from his injury as to accept a commission as Col. in the 149th Rout., dated Out. 4. '62, rank Sept. 17, 62, and was muy. tered intoservice with the regiment at Syracuse, N. Y. Not being able on account of wounds to assume immediate command, he joined the regiment in the field on the eve of its departure from Fairfax Station. Va .. . Jan. 18. 03. The occasion of taking command was auspicious and seemed very opportune, as the feelings of the officers and men were greatly depressed, and by reason of his knowledge and experience, some relief was expected from their deprivations and sufferings, but unfortu- nately he was soon compelled to submit to further surgical operations. and on the 1st of April obtained a leave of abreuve and went to Albany. N. Y., for treatment under Dr. March, He nest joined the regiment at
342
MEMOIRS 130th N. Y. INFT.
Edward's Ferry, Md .. when it was on its way to Gettysburg, but was. still too ill to render active service only part of the time, and at Ellis's Ford, Va., Ang. 6. '63, was compelled' a second time to leave the regi- ment, and went to Washington for treatment. Heagain joined the reg- iment at Wanhatchie Nov. 10, 63, and received a flesh wound in the right forearm while leading the charge of his regiment on Lookout Mountain, Tenn .. Nov. 24. '63. On the 23d of December following. in pursuance of an order of Gen. Thomas, in special recognition of the cal- lantry of the regiment in recent engagements, he was detailed as its Colonel to convey the captured flags tiken by it and other regiments to the War Dept. at Washington, and also received a leave of absence for twenty days, to take effect after the performance of such duty. For this service no recognition was given at the time, but recently Col. Bar- num received the medal of honor from the War Dept. While absent in the performance of this duty Col. Barnum received further surgical treatment, and being disabled for field duty, he was placed on recruit- ing service for the regiment, and again joined his command at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. about June 20, 64, and a few days afterwards was slightly wounded by a fragment of shell in the right side at Peach Tree Creek. Ga., July 20. 0.4. On the 10th of Sept. following, by the death of Col. Ireland at Atlanta, Ga .. the command of the 3d Brigale devolved upon Col. Barnum, and he continued in the performance of this duty to
the close of the war. At Savannah, Gia .. Col. Barium had the proud honor of leading his brigade, first of Sherman's command, into that cap- tured city and under Gen. Geary had charge of it- western portion dur- ing the occupancy by Gen. Sherman. Soon after the capture of Savan- nah Col. Barnum received the brevet rank of Brig. Gen. of U. s. Vols .. and afterwards at Washington, D. C., the full rank of that grade. to date from May 31. 65, and soon afterwards the brevet rank of Maj .- Gen. of U. S. Vols .. to date from March 13. 65. His resignation from the service occurred Jan. 9. 06.
Since the war Gen. Barnum has been frequently honored in public and private lite, and among other tokens of public favor are the follow. ing : He has served as Inspector of State Prison-, and also as a number of the N. Y. Legislature : he has been New York Harbor Master : he is now a director of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association for New York ; and has served as Department Commander G. A. R. of the State of New York. He is now attorney and counselor at law and Port - Warden in New York city. P. O., 108 West Aith St., New York.
John M. Strong, Lieut. Col. was mustered into the U. S. service to date from Sept. 5. 12. under a commission as Lieut. Col. daund Ott. 4. 02, rank Sept. 5 03, at the age of 39. Col. Strong wastaken severely ill at Pleasant Valley, Mol. in Det., 'Be, came home and resigned March 1. 03. Since the war Cul. Strong has acted as U.S. Consul at Bellville. Ont .. served as Salt Superintendent at Syracuse, N. Y., been a member of the Board of Supervisors both of his native town and in the city of Syracuse, and also been a member of the Board of Education of said city. P. O. Syraene, N. Y.
Abel G. Cook, Maj., was mustered into the U. S. service at Svr- cuse, N. Y .. Sept. 1. 62, at the age of 22. under a commission as Maj. dated Oft. 4. 09. rank Sept. S. 02. Wounded severely in foot at & han- cellorsville. Va .. Mav 3. 63, aa came home. Received a commission as Lieut .- Col. of the regiment dated March 17, 63, rank March 1. 63, but
343
FIELD AND STAFF.
Was not instered. Discharged by reason of wounds July 20. 64. Bre. vetted Col. N. Y. Vols. Except during the presence of Col. Barnum, from the latter part of January to April. BB. Maj. Cook had command of the regiment the principal part of the time from Det., '60, to the time of his injury at Chancellor-ville, and was to the latter date active officer of the regiment. He was generally respected by the officers and men. and his retirement from service was deeply regretted. P. O. Syracuse, N. Y.
Charles B. Randall, Lieut. Col. Col. Randall entered the ser vice of the U. S. as Bl Lieut. of Co. 1, 12th N. Y. Inft., and was after- wards promoted to Capt. in that command at the agent 29. He first joined thi- restent in the month of March. 63. under a commission as Maj. dated March 1. 33, rank samme date, but was not mustered. He subsequently received a commission ad Lient, Col. dated June 5. 6%. rank March 1. 38, under which he was mustored June s. OS, at Arquia Creek. Ve. and immediately assumed command of the regiment. . At Gettysburg. Pa .. . July 8. 05. he received a severe gunshot wound in the arm and lung, from which injury he was disabled for several months afterwards. Col. Randall joined the regiment a second time and as- suined command at Washington, D. C., Sept. 29, 63, while it was on route to jein the Army of the Cumberland near Chattanooga. From this time forw ird Col. Randall had command of the regiment except during the presence of Col. Barnum, and a short leave et alvener in the Winter of 39 and of, until he was killed in action at Peach Tree Creek. July 20. 04. having led the regiment in whole or in part in every battle in which it participated, and receiving in the mean time a slight wound in the elbow and Knee at New Hope Church, Ga., May 35, 04. After the retirement of Maj. Cook from service Col. Randall was the active field officer of the regiment down to the time of hisdeath. Col Randall was an efficient oliver and possessed of superior ability and courage. Ile was cool and collected in action, and to him more than any other of. ficer was the resident indebted for its high order of discipline and es- tablished reputation for callantry. He met his death mantully in the discharge of duty, and his ions was generally regretted.
Robert E. Hopkins, Maj. (see Co. H.) Nicholas Grumbach, Lieut. Col. (Ser Co. B.)
Henry S. Burhan-, Maj. tre Co. P.)
Walter M. Dalhunan, Adjt., was instered in to the U. s. service at Sprachee. N. Y .. Sept. I. He. at the age of 2. under a commission as Ajt. dated Det. 4. 02. rank Aug. 29. 02. Wounded slightly in throat at La kost Mountain. Tenn. Nov. 24, 6%, and in thigh and hand Slightly at Ringe Ad, Ga., Nov. 20, 63. Discharged March 15, 65, to accept production on stall of Gov. Fenton. Brevettest Maj. N. Y. V. (Dead)
Bela P. Hitchcock, Adjt. (Ger Co. F.)
Moses Summers, D. M., was mustered into the U. S. service at Allans. N. Y. August 25. 62. under a commission as Q. M. dated April 1. 02. rank Aug. 25. 12, and was detached For duty as . 1. 1. Q. M. on the staff of Col. Ireland, commanding the 3d Brigade at Steven- son. Ma. April 29. 04. He was subsequently discharged July 1st, 'til, toaccept rocand siona- Capt. and A. A. Q. M. off . >. Vols. on the same
344
MEMOIRS 19th N. Y. INFT.
staff. Capt. Summers from the time of his appointment on the staff of Col. Ireland continued to serve at Brig. U. Q. until the close of the war. He was an intelligent and efficient officer, and performed the duties as- signed to him in a creditable manner. At Savannah he took charge of a printing-office and issued several editions of a paper known as the "Loyal Georgian," and was the author of the articles appearing from time to time in the Sgreens Daily Standard entitled " The Sword and Pen". As an officer and a man he occupied a high position, and was generally respected by those associated with him. After the war he was elected one or two terins to the Assembly of the State of New York. and was the recipient of political preferment on several occasions. but never received the full recognition due him for his merits and great ser- vices rendered in behalf of the country, owing to partisan jealousies engendered against him as one of the leaders of his party in the county of Onondaga. As an officer he was meritorious and efficient, as a citizen he was prominent and enterprising. as a man he was just and upright. and as a friend he was faithful and loval, and his untimely death caused by accident while serving the State as Warden of the Port of New York. in the full vigor of his manhood, was universally regretted. At the close of the war he received the brevet rank of Maj.
Hamilton D. Borden, Q. M .. entered the service as a private in Co. I under an enlistment dated Sept. 4. He, at the age of 44. and was immediately detailed for clerical duty in the Q. M. Dept. He was pro- moted from private to Q. M. Seret. April 10, '63, and from Q. M. Serut. to Q. M. Ang. 1. 64. commission dated July 14. 61, rank July 1. 04. He was mustered out of service as Q. M. of the regiment and brevetted Capt. (Dead.)
James V. Kendall, Surg., was mustered into the U. S. service at Syracuse. N. Y. Sept. 18, 62. under a commission as Sure. dated Oct. 10. 62, rank Aug. 22. 02. About the 1st of Feb. 65. Dr. Kendall was detached for duty as chief medical officer on the staff of Gen. Greene commanding the 3d Brig. at Acquia Creek Landing. Va .. and remained on duty in that position to the close of the war, being mastered out with the regiment as Surg. and brevetted Lieut .- Col. Dr. Kendall remained on duty with his command from the time of entering the service to the close of the war with the exception of one short furlough, and the time intervening between the departure of the army from Savannah and its - arrival at Goldsboro in to, and during which time, owing to sickness. he was relieved from active field service and performed duty in hospital at Savannah. He was an excellent surgeon, skillful physician. a kind and considerate officer, and when he retired from the servier he carried with him the kind wishes of the regiment and the gratitude of all its officers and men who had received treatment at his hands. Since the war Dr. Kendall has been frequently honored by his town-people, has served several terms in the Board of Supervisor- (one year acting as its chairman in a more than acceptable manner), has represented his Assem- bly District for one or two terms in the New York Legislature, and is now a member of the Onondaga Medical Society, the New York Central Medical Society, and the New York State Medical Society. He has now retired on account of ill health from active practice of his profes- sion as physician and surgeon. P. O. Baldwinsville. N. Y.
Horace F. Nimm-, Ast. Surg., was mastered into service of the U. S. at Syracuse. N. Y., Sep. 15, 62, at the age of 16, under a commi-
345
FIELD AND STAFF.
sion as Asst. Surg. dated Oct. 10. 62. rank Sept. 19, '62, and resigned March 17, 63. P. O. Manlius, N. Y.
Albert W. Phillips, Asst. Surg., was mustered into U. S. service under a commission as Asst. Surg. dated Oct. 4, '62, rank Oct. 9. 62, joined the regiment Oct. 9, 62 and resigned at Wauhatchie, Tenn., Nov. 24. 03. P. O. Birmingham, Conn.
Henry F. Adams, Asst. Surg., enlisted Sept. 20, 02. as Hosp. Steward, at the age of 81, and was promoted to Asst. Sure. under a commission dated April 14, 6%, rank April 2, 03, and resigned at Wat- hatchie, Tenn .. Nov. 20, '53. Sure. Adams again joined the regiment at Stevenson. Ala., and was mustered into service as Asst. Surg. Jan. 20. '64, under a commission dated Jan. 19, '64, rank lan. 14, 64. Present at final muster, and brevetted Major. Dr. Adams was an excellent of- ticer, and next to Dr. Kendall rendered the greatest medical service to the regiment. He retired from the service generally respected. (Dead.)
Arvine C. Bowdish, Chap .. was mistered into the U. S. service at Syracuse, N. Y. Sept. 15. 02. under a commission as Chap. dated Oct. 4, '62, rank Sept. 15. 02, and resigned at Ellis's Ford. Va .. Sept. 3, 83. Brevetted Major. P. O. No. 58 Sullivan St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Joseph Seymour, Sorgt .- Maj., enlisted as a private in Co. D Ang. 29. 62 ; age 22. and transferred to non-commissioned staff same day as Seret. Maj. Promoted to ed Lient, of Co. A, March 1. 18, under a commission dated March 4. 63. rank Feb. S. '63. Transferred to Co. K June 16, 63, and resigned Ang. 9, '63. P. O. Syracuse, N. Y.
Mortimer B. Birdseye, Sorgt .- Maj. (See Co. I.)
George H. Deitz, Sorgt .- Maj. (See Co. I.)
Joseph .Jay, Jr., Sorgt .- Maj. (See Co. G.)
Elisha B. George, Sorgt .- Maj. der Co. I.)
Joseph A. Davis, Q. M. Serge, enlisted Ang. 29, 62. age 21. as private in Co. Dand transferred the same day to non-commissioned staff as o. M Sorgt Promoted to od Lient, of Co. K at Brook's Station, V ... Feb. 9. 68. under a commission dated Feb. 9. 63, rank Dec. 12. '12 Killed at Chancellor ville. Va .. May 3, 63.
Hamilton D. Borden, Q. M. Seret. (See Staff Officers above. ) Dudley D. N. Marvin, Q. M. Seret. Cer Co. (.)
.John 11. Patterson. Com. Sorgt, enlisted Sept. 2. 12. as a pri- vate in Co. D. ace 22. and the same day was transferred to non-commis- sioned staff as Com. Seret. Promoted to 2d Lieut. of Co. B Ang. 1>, 61. under a commission dated July 14. 64. rank July 3, 64, and mus- tered out of service with that company as ed Lient. Received commis- sion as 1st Lient. dited Ort. 31. 64. rank Aug. 1. 64. but not mustered. Brevetted Capt. PO Syracuse, N. Y.
Henry L. Purdy. Com. Sergi. (Gre Co. D.)
Henry F. Adams, Hosp. Steward. (See Staff Officersabove.)
.
MEMOIRS Both N. Y. INFT. 346
Edwin P. Parling, Hosp. Steward, enlisted June 5, 03, and mus- tered in as Hosp. Steward. Discharged at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 25, 04, to accept promotion as Asst. Sur. in 102d N. Y.
Henry B. Allen, Hosp, Steward, enlisted at Savannah, Ga .. Jan. 18, 65, age 21, and promoted same day to Hospital Steward. Present at final muster. P. O. Baldwinsville, N. Y
Thomas Salle, Chief Musician. (See Co. B )
COMPANY A. OFFICERS.
Soloman Light, Capt. This officer was mustered into the service as Captain of Company Ant Syracuse. N. Y .. September 18, '02, under a commission, dated October 4. 02. rank August 30. 02, at the age of 25 : and resigned at Acquia Crack Landing. Va., January 17, 183. Died at Syracuse. N. Y .. October 2. 1St. aber being a total invalid with a paralyzed spine. Buried at Rose Hill, Syracuse, N. Y.
Samuel Bronner, 1st Lieut. Was mustered as 1st Lieut. of Com- pany A at Syracuse, N. Y., September 15. 12. under a commission dated October 4. 62. rank August 50, 02, at the age of 10, and resigned af Acquia Creek Landing, Va., February >. 03.
Mathew Westcott, &d Lieut. Wasmustard ased Lieut. of Com- pany A at Syracuse N. Y., September, IS. 12 : age $1, under a com- mission dated Oktober 1. 62. rank August 80, 02. He was promoted to 1st Lient .. commission dated March 4, 63. rank February 8. 83. Severely wounded through the face and head at Gettysburg, Pa .. July 3. 63, and discharged February 5, 61, at Washington, D. C. by reason of wounds. Died subsequently at Syracuse, N. Y., indirectly from the injury received in service. Brevene Captain. Lieut. Westcott was a gallant officer, generally respected and his loss was a grievous one, both to the company and the regiment.
Oliver T. May, Capt. This officer entered the service asa mm- ber of the 12th N. Y. I.ft .. and from that regiment joined this com- pany for duty early in the spring of 65, at the age of 28, under a com- mission as Captain, dated March 1. 6. rank January 17. 53, but was not mustered until Angust 10. 63., Wounded slightly in the side at Lookout Mountain, Tenn., Nov. 24. 63. About September 10. 14. Capt. May was detached for duty an .A. A .S. G. med .A. A. I. G. on the staff of Col. Bernum, commanding the Ad Brigade, and remained on duty in the latter position to the clive of the war, and was mustered out with company as Copain. Brevedad Major. P. O., Geneva, N. Y.
Morris K. Barker, Ist Lient. Lient Barker was mustered into service at Atlanta, Ga as Jet Lient, of Company A August 4. 'Ul, at the age of 25, maler a commission dated May 23. 04. rank April 12. 64. Commissioned as Captain, with date and raak of June 2. 65, but not mustered. Mastered out with company as Ist Lieut. P. O. Brooklyn, N. Y.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.