USA > New York > Wayne County > Military history of Wayne County, N.Y. : the County in the Civil War > Part 30
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"We propose to do what we can to avert so great a calamity. We should lose no time, let us rally and march. The enemy is already in the field, why stand we here idle ? Every gale that sweeps from the South to the North brings
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
to our ears the clash of resounding arms! What hope have we longer? If we return, all to whom human rights are dear will welcome us with extended arms. If we die, Prov- idence will never give us a better chance to fall in a more glorious cause.
" How sleep the brave who sink to rest With all their country's wishes blest ; When Spring with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallowed mould ?
" It is sweet to die for our country ; and those who have fallen for the rights of man, glorious beyond the common lot of mortals, how does posterity sing their praises and delight to hear their names.
" Wayne County is in the field for an entire regiment. Our company has the inside track. It is the first in the field, and will therefore be entitled to the post of honor. We invite our friends to share with usa soldier's toils, and painful self- denials, and a soldier's battle joys.
W. KREUTZER."
Captain Kreutzer had previously been engaged in raising a rifle company, and had enrolled thirty or forty men. He now turned his efforts with vigor towards forming the Wayne County Regiment.
Saxon B. Gavitt was at this time a man of all work. Now at Lyons, now at Albany, here, there, and everywhere. Pending the actual organization he was a time in command of Camp Rathbone, though he wore no military titles. In looking after camp equipage, in providing supplies, in urging forward enlistments, in securing action by State officials, in cutting red tape generally, and bringing plans to completion he dis- played practical talent of the highest order, and rendered patriotic services of great value. He was ably assisted by oth- ers, who were like him only civilians. If this volume is devoted to recording the deeds of military men principally, yet there will appear in various places the untiring work of citizens, who gave time, money and labor to providing for the comfort and support of those who volunteered ; who wielded all their personal and official influence to push the work of forming regiments, and raising the necessary funds.
Under date of December 20th, 1861, it appears that six companies for the Ninety-eighth were in process of organiza- tion.
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Company A-Captain Kreutzer, had ninety men.
Company B-Captain Wakely, had sixty men.
Company C-Captain Birdsall, had forty-five men.
Company D-Captain Williams, had fifty men.
Company E-Captain Danforth, had thirty-two men. Company F-Captain Clark, had thirty-two men.
Captain Danforth was from Geneva, Captain Williams from Canandaigua, Captain Clark from Rochester.
OFFICIAL ACTION BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
It was not possible for a national contest of such magni- tude to proceed without invoking the attention of the county authorities. It was very soon evident that heavy financial liabilities must be assumed beyond the power of individual patriotism or individual benevolence. Official action would doubtless have been taken earlier than it was, had it not been that Boards of Supervisors found themselves utterly without legal authority for any such emergency. Indeed many steps were taken on the faith of the future authority which it was assumed the Legislature would cer- tainly grant as soon as there was opportunity for that body to convene, and the subject be considered. But even then the full requirements of the times were not seen and the Legis- lature itself did not make all necessary provisions at any one session. Legislation proceeded only so fast as the necessity clearly appeared. A review of these separate and special acts is not necessary to the purposes of this local work, and we turn at once to the action of the Board of Supervisors and the county authorities.
At the annual meeting in November, 1861, on motion of Supervisor Bartlett R. Rogers, of Lyons, the following reso- lution was adopted :
" WHEREAS, By the report of the County Treasurer of this county it appears that there are in his hands moneys collect- ed from the inhabitants of this county denominated Military Funds amounting to the sum of $2,140.30; and, whereas, the unsettled state of the county requires the offer of additional inducements to recruit its military force ; and, whereas, there is now a regimental organization in this county in prog- ress, in the success of which the members of this board desire to express their warmest sympathy ; and, whereas,
24
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
this board is not empowered to levy any tax for the purpose above expressed ; therefore,
" Resolved, That the members of the Legislature from this county and the Senator from the Wayne and Cayuga district, be requested to procure the passage of a law appropriating $2,140.30, or such sum as may be remaining in the hands of the Treasurer of this county, denominated Military Fund, to be paid by the Treasurer equally as bounty moneys, on the certificate of the paymaster of said regiment, counter- signed by the commandant thereof to all persons who shall hereafter enlist, be accepted and mustered into said regiment of New York volunteers when said regiment shall be proven to be full and complete, by the certificate of such command- ing officer; and that the clerk of this Board transmit copies of this resolution to the Senator and Members of Assembly aforesaid."
We add a few items occurring near the close of the year.
From the Clyde Times of December 11, 1861.
" We have forwarded diagrams of mittens and instruc- tions for making them to Mrs. E. N. Plank, of Wolcott, and Mrs. Dr. Sweeting, of South Butler, who we presume will be pleased to show them to the friends of the soldiers."
In September several recruits went forward for the Han- cock Guards as follows :
H. C. Hoffman, J. F. Secum, Champion Wentworth, Augustus M. Perry, of Clyde.
S. Teetor, J. H. Teetor, S. C. Dey, G. W. Argyle, of Port Glasgow.
C. W. Perkins, of Alton.
C. Stone, South Sodus.
The spirit of the religious bodies is well shown by the fol- lowing resolutions of the Baptist Association at its annual meeting September, 1861 :
" WHEREAS, The Baptist denomination has in its entire history been characterized by the spirit and form of Democracy, and in its recognition of God in human govern- ment, and that the powers of government are ordained of Him by turning the minds of men to act in the elective franchise in choosing men to rule who have the fear of God before them: And, whereas, Providence has to do with national as well as individual sins, and is the great regulat- ing agency of all existence ; therefore,
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
" Resolved, That while we most deeply feel the chastening rod of civil war upon us, casting its dark shadow upon the most sacred interests of our beloved country, yet in it we can see the hand of God, and will trust it may purify us as a Nation.
" Resolved, That we deem the present conflict of our Nation as just in trying to maintain the best Government ever bequeathed to our people, and do most heartily sympathize with it in its present trials.
" Resolved, That we deem it our duty to aid and abet in every possible way, movements wisely set in motion by the powers that be to break the power of the Rebellion and give to political offenders their just civil retribution.
" Resolved, That we deem all compromise with rebels and traitors against our Government as opposed to the wish of Heaven, as indicated by Providence and that nothing but their complete subjection to the Government our fathers established will meet the demands."
A Soldiers' Aid Society was organized at Macedon in the fall of 1861 and did a flourishing business.
Captain A. Wakely, of Williamson, was in the Mexican War and thus brought to the work of organizing the Ninety- eighth valuable practical experience. '
In September, 1861, at Marion, there was an interest- ing incident, in the purchase of a horse for James Bromfield, who joined an artillery regiment at Utica. Over two hundred dollars was raised. Judson N. Pond, J. A. Laing, Captain Lakey, Charles Van Ostrand, with many others, were active in this movement.
Tuesday evening, September 10, Captain Andrew Wilson from Company I, of the Seventeenth, addressed a meeting at Marion. Several enlistments took place on the spot. George D. Prentice, N. W. Haynes, Milo B. Kellogg, George H. Durfee.
Company E, of the Fifty-fourth militia, at Palmyra, during the summer and fall of 1861, took great pains in its drills and parades, and maintained that military spirit which, at a later stage of the war, led a large number of its members to join the volunteer forces for active duty in the field.
Tuesday, September 3d, the ladies of Palmyra gave a complimentary banquet to Company E, at Floral Hall. The Macedon band joined in the festivities.
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
From the Palmyra Courier of September 20, 1861.
OFF FOR THE WAR.
"For the past week Mr. Frederick W. Clemons, of this village, has been obtaining recruits for Captain Dickinson's Company of Cavalry, now forming at Newark.
" Quite a number of the finest young men of the village have been enrolled, and yesterday they left for Rochester, where they will remain some three or four weeks under instruction. This gallant company will probably be attached to Colonel Crook's Regiment.
"Mr. F. W. Clemons has been very active in obtaining recruits, and we are gratified to learn that he will undoubt- edly receive a Lieutenant's commission. The following are the recruits :
"F. W. Clemons, J. Emerson Reeves, George W. Clark, W. H. Moore, George H. Randall, George A. Culver, Charles W. Bennett, A. Butts, Samuel P. Thompson, Jacob Zeigler, Edwin Henderson, Thomas Welch, Lyman H. Essex, Samuel Favor, George Hurgate.
" At Marion the inhabitants turned out en masse to see the volunteers of September 10, 1861, with four others, off for the field.
" The stand of colors belonging to the Collegiate Institute was borne by Allen Russell and E. A. Percy, for the gentle- men, and Miss F. A. Wheadon and E. M. Allen, for the ladies.
" The procession was led by Dr. House. John A. Laing spoke. Rev. Amasa Stanton presented each with a testa- ment.
" Mr. E. M. Allen presented a flag on behalf of the students. Mr. James Galloway, on behalf of seven citizens, presented Milo Kellogg a revolver. Other enlistments followed in a day or two : Mr. Raymer and Herman Bradley."
In September, Mr. John W. Corning, commenced to active- ly recruit for his father's company-Company B, Thirty- third Infantry. He had scarcely reached the line of early manhood, and threw into this work all his youthful energy and enthusiasm.
The recruits left for Rochester, September 21st, and for Washington, September 25th : John W. Corning, Munson G. Hill, James Van Dyne, James Vosburgh, Lewis Camp, George Goodell, Barney McGuire, Charles W. Bennett, Samuel F. Dennis, John Shear, Hubbard Moss, William Percy, John Murphy.
CHAPTER IV.
1862-DEPARTURE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH-ENLISTMENT IN THE ONE HUN- DRED AND FIFTH -NEWS OF DEFEAT -SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE-SENATO- RIAL WAR COMMITTEE NAMED BY GOVERNOR MORGAN MEET AT PORT BYRON-WAYNE COUNTY COMMITTEE-ACTION OF THE SUPERVISORS- FORMATION OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH INFANTRY -THE NINTH ARTILLERY -THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTIETH INFANTRY, &C., &C.
T HE year opened with the Ninety-eighth Infantry in camp at Lyons. The work of organization had been earnestly urged forward and at one time, as already shown, six or seven companies were likely to be filled to the maximum. Many of these plans however failed. The peo- ple had not yet risen to the full necessities of the times as they did nine months later after the great defeat before Richmond. There was not yet the clear apprehension of the magnitude of the contest which a year later was evident to all. Besides other plans were all this time calling the attention of men elsewhere. Three companies, however, were enrolled. The others that were projected did not complete their organization as rapidly as they hoped and a consolida- tion with some other regiment similarly situated became necessary. Negotiations were opened with a Franklin County Regiment but a union was not immediately con- summated.
It had been definitely decided early in January, 1862, that the Lyons Regiment should remain here until six companies should complete their organization and fill up their ranks. Colonel Duttons efforts to secure this called out a compli- mentary supper from the officers, an account of which is here given from the newspapers of the day :
COMPLIMENTARY SUPPER TO COLONEL DUTTON.
" On Monday last, the officers of the Wayne County Regiment, learning that Colonel Dutton had been successful in procuring permission from the authorities to remain in camp at Lyons until six companies are filled, (instead of
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
consolidating at once with a foreign regiment), and desiring to give evidence of their esteem of the Colonel as an officer and as a man, called a meeting and passed resolutions that the companies turn out on parade and meet him at the depot, and that a complimentary supper be given at Gra- ham's hotel that evening, by the officers. Lieutenants Chap- man, Cutter and Rudd were appointed a committee to make arrangements for the supper, and Lieutenants Norton, L. A. Rogers and W. H. Rogers, a Committee to draft reso- lutions.
" The supper was served at half-past eight o'clock. After the discussion of the choice viands with which the tables were loaded, the Committee presented the following address and resolutions :
" To Colonel Wm. Dutton :
" SIR-At a meeting of the Officers of your command, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :
" WHEREAS, Colonel Wm. Dutton, after untiring efforts, has completed arrangements whereby those who have been designated as officers of the different organizations now composing his command, are enabled to retain their respect- ive positions, thus relieving the entire command from the general depression which had settled down upon them at the thought of being separated from his command ; there- fore,
" Resolved, That the officers of Colonel Dutton's command regard it their duty, and do hereby express their most sin- cere thanks to their commander for the untiring services he has rendered them.
" Resolved, That in consideration of the many services ren- dered us by our commander, he is entitled to our highest regard and esteem.
" Resolved, That it is the sincere wish of all the officers connected with this command, and of the different organi- zations, that whenever we shall be called to the field of bat- tle, or whatever position we may be placed in, that we retain our present commander.
D. L. NORTON, L. A. ROGERS, W. H. ROGERS,
Committee.
" Colonel Dutton replied briefly and appropriately in acknowledgment of the compliment paid him, and sat down amid the cheers of the company. Regular and volunteer toasts were then presented, to which replies were made by one and another as they were called upon. The party broke up at a comparatively early hour."
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Under date of January 17, 1862, we find the following mention of "Camp Rathbone," the war-like description by which the now peaceful Lyons Fair Ground was then known :
CAMP RATHBONE.
" The camp is visited every day by scores of people from the country who have friends there, who are desirous of learning from actual observation how the soldiers are treat- ed and how they live. We believe that the universal con- clusion is that a better ordered camp cannot be found any- where, that the men are comfortably housed, well fed and warmly clothed; in short, that they are afforded all the comforts and liberty compatible with camp life and the thorough discipline which is at all times maintained.
" The men have been boarded, for two or three weeks past, in the building on McCall's Tile Factory lot, to which suit- able and sufficient additions have been made. Mr. McCall superintends the Subsistence Department, and is the acting partner of the contracting firm, (Messrs. S. B. Gavitt, E. W. Bottum and Jos. McCall.) It is sufficient praise to say that under his management of this department, everybody is sat- isfied. The provisions are at all times well cooked and promptly served, and in abundance and variety sufficient to satisfy any reasonable person. The cooking is done by steam."
The Syracuse Journal says that " Mr. F. H. Palmeter, who is acting Quartermaster, fulfills the duties of the post with fidelity and in a manner to win the approval of the military authorities." Everybody who knows how faithfully Quarter- master Palmeter discharges his duties, will heartily endorse the Journal's compliment. The Journal says of Colonel Dutton :
" He is one of the best of officers. His military education qualifies him for the position, and his vigilance and gen- tlemanly bearing secure to him the warm attachment and respect of his men."
A Regimental Prayer-Meeting is held in the barracks on Friday evening of each week. All of the men attend these meetings, and considerable interest in the exercises is mani- fested. Clergymen and others from the village are cordially invited to attend these meetings.
The general health of the camp is good, there being but few men in the hospital, and none of these dangerously ill.
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
The proposed consolidation was only temporarily delayed Charles Durkee, of Franklin county, whose efforts had entitled his friends to expect for him a commission as Colonel, patriotically consented to take the second place, this leaving to Colonel Dutton the command of the united organizations. The newspapers announced the consolida- tion as follows :
From the Democratic Press of January 31, 1862.
WAYNE COUNTY REGIMENT-CONSOLIDATION.
" After all the Wayne Connty Regiment is doomed to lose its identity. A consolidation has been effected with the Franklin County Regiment, which largely outnumbers ours, and of course is entitled to its due share of field officers. The Franklin County Regiment, according to the Adjutant- General's report, numbered 611 men on the last day of December, and the Wayne County Regiment at the time of the consolidation, about 400.
" The Regiment is now duly formed and is numbered the Ninety-eighth, and officered as follows, the officers having been mustered into the U. S. service :
Colonel-William Dutton, of Wayne. Lieutenant-Colonel-Charles Durkee, of Franklin.
Major -Albon Mann,
Adjutant- - Hobbs.
Quartermaster-George H. Clarke, Rochester.
Quartermaster's Sergeant-W. Hunt Rogers, of Wayne. Surgeon-William G. David, of Wayne.
" It became necessay to consolidate the six already formed organizations here, into three. This no doubt has done or will do great injustice to some of the officers, who have devoted their time and money to the raising of recruits, and who will now have to go into the ranks or accept of some- thing but little better. In addition to this, the formation of three companies here will leave about one hundred men in the hands of recruiting officers unattached. Since the con- solidation, there has been an uncommon sight of caucussing and fixing up among the line officers.
" The arrangement, as perfected, is probably the best that could be devised, and we believe gives general satisfaction, although it leaves some three or four unprovided for, who have spent much time and money in the cause.
" Colonel Dutton is entitled to much credit for the skillful manner in which he has arranged the organization of the regiment-he having only about one-third of the men com- posing the regiment.
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
" The regiment will leave here as soon as the prelimina- ries can be arranged. It is the desire of Colonel Dutton that the men be paid off here, and that the regiment at once proceed to the place ordered without making any stop on the way.
" The three companies furnished by the Wayne County Regiment for the Ninety-eighth are officered as follows :
Captain-William Kreutzer.
First Lieutenant-D. L. Norton,
Second Lieutenant -- L. A. Rogers.
Captain-A. Wakelee.
First Lieutenant -- William H. Adams,
Second Lieutenant-E. M. Allen.
Captain-C. R. Birdsall,
First Lieutenant-George N. Williams, Second Lieutenant-D. H. Chapman.
" Doubtless, positions will be provided for some of the offi- cers who have been thrown out by the consolidation. The force here, after detaching Captain Danforth and his men, numbers 350 men, (full enough for three Companies,) and the Franklin Regiment is set down at 670. It is said, how- ever, that Mr. Knowles has permission to withdraw the men recruited by him, if he chooses, and unite them with an incomplete company elsewhere."
The Rochester Democrat in an article upon the consolida- tion of the Wayne and Franklin County Regiments, says of Colonel Dutton :
" He is a man of energy, and has been tireless in his devo- tion to the interests of his regiment, having expended much effort and considerable money recruiting it. The Colonel is every inch a soldier, and is well qualified for the position. He graduated at West Point in the same class with Major General McClellan. After leaving West Point, Colonel Dutton served for some time in the army on the frontier, in the capacity of Lieutenant, until his health failed, when he resigned. After engaging in business at one or two points, he finally settled down on a farm in the town of Huron, Wayne county, where he remained in the quiet pursuits of agriculture until his country again needed his services. With alacrity he leaves the plow to resume the sword, and now, at the head of a regiment of over one thousand men, is ready to take the field where duty calls him. All honor to Colonel William Dutton, and success to his regiment."
These remarks were only a just tribute to the worth and the energy of Colonel Dutton. The projectors of a Wayne
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
county regiment had instinctively turned to him at the outset of the enterprise, as a man pre-eminently qualified for the work to be undertaken.
The Ninety-eighth left Lyons, February 21st, and arrived at Albany the same evening. While in the city a flag was. presented to the regiment, purchased by the ladies' of Malone. The members from Franklin made the speech of presentation. By a singular coincidence the Assembly- man from Franklin County and Mr. Thomas from eastern Wayne had drawn seats beside cach other in the old Cham- ber and both labored earnestly to promote the welfare of the Ninety-eighth. The young ladies of Lyons procured and sent to the Ninety-eighth a beautiful flag in March, 1862.
THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH INFANTRY.
About seventy men thrown out by the consolidation of the Wayne and Franklin regiments left Lyons February 17th, 1862, for Leroy. They joined a regiment then form- ing under command of Col. Fuller. The men going from Lyons constituted the nucleus of the two companies under command of Captain Danforth and Lieutenant Knowles.
The One Hundred and Fifth was organized at Rochester * and Leroy to serve three years. The companies of which it was composed were raised generally in the counties of Cat- taraugus, Genesee, Munroe and Niagara, with this contin- gent from Wayne. It was mustered into the service of the United States in March, 1862. It was consolidated with the Ninety-fourth Infantry in March, 1863.
It was entitled to inscribe upon its banners the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahonnock Station, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburgh.
This record too is doubtless meagre, as the rigid rules of the Adjutant-General's office place to the credit of individual regiments only the more important engagements, leaving a large number of battles or skirmishes in which the regi- ment may have borne a subordinate part not mentioned.
The consolidated regiment was mustered out July 18th, 1865. As to the Ninety-fourth's battles noticed in the Adju-
* March 29th, 1862, a sword, sash and belt were presented to Lieutenant Knowles through Lieutenant H. D. Bennett, donated by H. G. Dickerson and twenty-seven others.
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
tant General's report after the consolidation were : Getts- burgh ; Mine Run, Tolopotomy ; Bethesda Church ; Peters- burgh ; Weldon Railroad.
In the spring of 1862, many incidents occurred. In several towns noted funeral services in honor of the remains of dead heroes brought home for burial, took place, arousing public sympathy and stirring the patriotic emotions of the people.
The funeral of Charles H. Perigo was attended in Palmyra Sunday afternoon, April 27, 1862. He was from Palmyra,- in Missouri when the war broke out,-and joined the Sixth Infantry of that State. He was wounded by a Minie ball at Newburn, and died in hospital at Providence, Rhode Island. This first military funeral in Palmyra was a solemn and imposing spectacle. The burial service was read and prayer offered by Rev. Horace Eaton.
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