Military history of Wayne County, N.Y. : the County in the Civil War, Part 32

Author: Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Sodus, NY : Lewis H. Clark, Hulett & Gaylord
Number of Pages: 944

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The departure of Captain Smith's Company A, of the One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry, though not as marked an occasion as when the first company went out from Palmyra the year before, yet was an event that will not soon be for- gotten by those who shared in it. They went across to Shortsville and there took the cars for Auburn. James Peddie, Esq., made an address to the volunteers, to which Captain Smith replied in fitting terms. Lieutenant S. B. McIntyre being called out, said in concluding his remarks :

" This is probably the last time you will see us all together as a company. Disease and battle may thin our ranks, and some of us may not return to take you again by the hand, and I wish here to impress upon you, nay implore, that you will remember us not in silent inactive sympathy merely, but if need be in taking care of the dear ones we leave behind. We go to defend your homes; see to it that our hearth stones are kept free from neglect and poverty. And again, may I not ask you for our sake and for the sake of our com- mon cause, that you will urge forward reinforcements by every effort of your voice and pen and hand. If in offering ourselves to our country we are worthy of your commen- dation, let us not remain unsupported by the necessary additional forces. It is for our country's sake rather than our own, that we make this appeal. For ourselves we fear not death if it be our lot in the righteous cause we have espoused. ' It is sweet to die for one's country.

" Die we may, and die we must, But oh, where can dust to dust Be consigned so well As when the rock shall raise its head, On the martyr'd patriot's bed, Of his deeds to tell."

At Marion, a beautiful sword, sash and belt were presented to Lieut. John E. Laing, of Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry. The presentation address was delivered by James S. Galloway, and an appropriate response made by the Lieutenant.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

The One Hundred and Eleventh had not even yet moved out by companies from the towns of Wayne county to their rendezvous at Auburn, before movements were on foot to organize another regiment, and by August 20th the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth was filled to the number of 1,300 men. Almost at the same time also the organization of the One Hundred and Sixtieth was undertaken. In aid of this there was a large gathering at Palmyra on Friday evening, August 15th. The meeting was assembled in front of the Palmyra Hotel, and is thought to have been the largest gathering witnessed in the county during the war. It was called to order by Pomeroy Tucker of the war committee, and on his motion Ornon Archer was called to the chair. C. S. Macomber of Buffalo addressed the meeting ; also Hon. Benjamin Nott of Albany. Captain Hoxie of the Macedon company, and Mr. Wheelock, who was leaving a position in Macedon Academy to enter the service, also spoke, as did Major James Peddie. A number of men signed the roll that evening.

The movements to organize the One Hundred and Eleventh were only commenced as intimated above when it was determined to move for a second Regiment from Wayne and Cayuga counties. The enlistments for this began only a week or ten days later than for the One Hun- dred and Eleventh, and the work was going on simultane- ously for both.

James Snyder and others of Red Creek, assisted by James Hyde, of Huron, rapidly recruited a company, which eventually became A, of the One Hundred and Thirty- eighth.

Saturday evening, August 2d, 1862, at Wolcott, there was an enthusiastic meeting, large delegations came in from Butler, Huron and Red Creek, with music and banners. No house was large enough for the audience, and the speak- ing by T. R. Collins and Mr. Underhill was in the open air. But as in other places, it was the short, pithy speeches of Snyder, Hyde and Campbell, men who were going, that carried the meeting by storm.

Twenty-seven men volunteered on the spot.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Contributions for war purposes were frequent at this time, but we find little record of them.

A newspaper item mentions the following at Sodus Point : " B. R. Lummis, $25.00 ; Captain Hunter, $25.00; John Bates, $25.00 ; Thomas Wickham, $25.00; Wm. Edwards, $25.00."

WAR MEETING AT RED CREEK.

August 6th, 1862, a large assemblage in front of the hotel listened to an address from Hon. T. M. Pomeroy ; probably 1,500 to 2,000 were present. Mr. Abel Lyon, was chairman. Captain Snyder took the stand and made an impassioned appeal to men to join the Union army. He possessed an advantage over any other man speaking, for he could say and say eloquently, " come boys," not "go."

His muster roll was signed on the spot by forty good men and true. Over $5,000 was subscribed to augment the bounty fund, ladies tendering large donations in a liberal manner. It was a day that never will be forgotten by any who were present on that occasion. Captain Snyder lifted the whole people to a high plane of patriotism by his grand appeal. He alluded in beautiful language to the scenes and incidents of his native village. He was greeted with rounds of applause.

The scene at that hour was beyond description. The enthusiasm of the people manifested itself in repeated and spontaneous cheers. From the window of the hotel waved the old flag in the evening breeze, while the light of the moon threw over the scene its mild radiance, falling on the old man gray with years and the young child by his side. For three hours the ladies stood listening to the speakers without manifesting any fatigue, and as each brave boy wrote his name on the muster roll, they waved their hats and joined the men in the cheers.

Horace Linwood in writing up the meeting shows the enthusiasm of the hour in his own style and language :

" Through the untiring exertions of Captain Snyder, this company of one hundred and sixty men has been raised. He has labored night and day for the last two weeks in re- cruiting this company, assisted by Lieutenants Hyde and Campbell. Over eighty of the volunteers were from this

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

town, and if every part of the State showed as much patri- otism as this little town, the President would soon have at. his disposal a force to subdue all the rebels of the South. Wolcott henceforth will take her place on the historical page of her country. She stands pre-eminent among her sister towns in Wayne, as Old Mad Anthony Wayne stood pre- eminent at the Battle of Stony Point, among the generals of the Revolution. Patriotic sons of Wolcott and Wayne, you are fighting over again the battle of freedom as your ancestors fought in 1776, and should you fall in the struggle, rest assured you will live in the memory of your descend- ants. and monuments will arise to your memory written over with your deeds of glory which will be an example for future generations to follow.

" When the future history of these troublous times shall be written, the name of James Snyder will adorn the historical page as a bright example of disinterested patriotism.

" Long live the brave volunteers who go forth to battle for liberty against slavery, and may the bright example of Wol- cott be followed by the whole State, then

" Treason would die and the traitors would fly To the mountains to starve and die."

Tuesday, August 5th, 1862, twenty-two recruits left for Auburn from the town of Rose in a body.

They were preceded by the Rose Valley band and fol- lowed by a long procession of their townsmen. Their names were:

Theodore Lampson, W. H. Sherman, Ezra R. Sherman, J. Francisco, Fernando Miner, W. G. McCoy, J. E. Sherman, Jacob Lyman, Leonard Lerock, Edmund A. Austin, A. Legg, Wm. H. Bennett, Alexander Ready, Nathan B. Hand, H. McMullen, J. W. Streeter, D. L. Fuller, Nicholas Fitzgerald, W. H. Sherman, A. VanValkenburgh, W. Desmond, J. J. Ingersoll.

Scenes like these were taking place daily, almost hourly through all the county.

The ladies of Huron and Wolcott raised thirty-five dol- lars to purchase sword, sash and belt for Lieutenant James Hyde.

Captain Hyde's letter replying to the gifts from the ladies of Huron and Wolcott :

WASHINGTON, D. C., September 17, 1862.

" Within one hour of marching orders, the heroic and patriotic ladies of Huron and Wolcott, will please accept my

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

very grateful acknowledgments of their testimonial of regard as well as trust in my capacity to discharge the duties im- posed on me by the position I have the honor to occupy in the company of which I am a member, as manifested by your liberal contributions towards the sword and revolver I have the honor to bear in this hour of our country's peril. Permit me to assure you that, trusting to an overruling Providence to guide me in the discharge of duty, I trust they shall not be dishonored.

" In the habiliments of your favor I go forth to the defense of our glorious constitution which protects your rights and your virtue as well as our common country. Your patriot- ism and kindness will ever live in the heart of

Yours, truly, JAMES B. HYDE."

Truman Gregory and Charles P. Patterson, of Ontario, Chauncey Fish of Williamson, and others in that section of the county, took the first steps for a company which be- came " B," of the new organization.

Perhaps the earliest step may be stated as occurring July 30th, at the house of Mr.Patterson, when after a conversa- tion between himself and Truman Gregory, an enlistment paper was drawn up and signed.

This company was filled mostly in the three towns, Wal- worth, Ontario, Williamson ; though considerable aid was given to the enterprise in Sodus, through the earnest work of L. B. Rice.

Of the numerous consultations, of the hurried movements night and day, but little can now be gathered up and recorded. Stories of the rapid patriotic work are cur- rent in a hundred homes, and form a wealth of tender family history, too private and sacred for the pen of the historian.

Anson S. Wood, Esq., of Lyons, and Charles L. Lyon, of the same place, led a vigorous movement for a company. The men were recruited mostly in the towns of Sodus and Lyons, and formed a strong organization. It was a rapid work; it was well done.

The company was prompt in reporting at Auburn, and became entitled to letter "D" in the One Hundred and Thirth-eighth Infantry.

One familiar with all the work of organizing Company G, writes as follows :

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

" Company A, of the regiment, had been recruited chiefly from the towns of Butler, Huron and Wolcott, and had one of the commissioned officers from each of these towns. When Company A was completed, there was a surplus of ten or twelve men. These men were anxious to go into the service. The proposition was suggested of raising another company from the three towns, and a war meeting appoint- ed, at the village of Wolcott, to confer upon and discuss the practicability of so bold an effort. At this meeting, held in the Presbyterian session room, the attendance · consisted of a few citizens who were zealous in promoting enlistments, the supernumerary men, and a few spectators. It was a small gathering, but the chief actors had business on their minds. There was an understanding that each town should furnish one of the commissioned officers of the company.

" There was present a man from each town who was willing to command the said company, to be raised. But much deference was paid to the wishes of the men already enlist- ed. They suggested, and carried by a vote, the proposition that the required number of men should be first enlisted, and to their choice should be submitted the determination as to which should be Captain, or First Lieutenant, or Second Lieutenant. But three were found who assented to this proposition, and they assumed the duty of enlisting. At a meeting three days afterward, two of the three who had been designated as the commissioned officers of the company, withdrew from the effort. Yet the enterprise was not abandoned. War meetings were held in the evenings, but most of those who were ready to come forward on such occasions, had already been enrolled, and personal visits had to be resorted to. There were vet men whose individual inclinations were to go, but by the ties of family and friends, were restrained. This was the formidable barricade that had to be stormed.

" In a certain family there are, perhaps, but three members left. A gray headed father, a silver haired mother, and a son, sixteen or eighteen years of age, the youngest of several, one or two of whom have gone forth into the world,

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

and become heads of families of their own, and one or two have already gone to the war. The son is patriotic, and the spirit of adventure is, perhaps, not wanting in his make-up. To resolve to be a soldier, in these times of doubt and fore- boding in regard to the nation's future, is to resolve to be a man. He longs to act the manly part; he chafes to be a soldier. The feelings of that father and that dear mother, are all that restrain him. But this to him, unaided, is an insurmountable obstacle. To a visit of the recruiting officer at the house, to supplement his persuasion, he is not averse. But the recruiting officer would go further to avoid that house, than to avoid the anathemas of the Pope, only for the faith that he has, that the nation being in danger, the patriotic blood in the veins of those old people boils hot. He goes. In tears the assent is given ; the roll is signed in solemn silence. A charge to the officer, implying a consignment of the son to his care, is given in faith and hope, and received in the same spirit, and the business is ended. The feelings of that officer for that soldier are always near akin to parental.

" By those engaged in enlisting, frequent visits to Auburn were necessary. The citizens of that city seemed astonished at the way Wayne county boys turned out for the war. On the streets, when a company of recruits from Wayne were passing, a bystander was heard to query : 'I wonder what the women of Wayne county think, to see all the men going to the war.'

" On returning home, this was narrated at a war meeting, for what it was worth, with the answer: 'The women of Wayne are noble, patriotic women, and do not, to son, brother, or lover, say stay.'

" By persistent labor, by day and by night, in two weeks the required number of men was assured.

" William Wood, of Butler, was commissioned Captain ; William Hawley, of Wolcott, First Lieutenant ; Seymour Woodward, of Rose, Second Lieutenant."

Preliminary to their departure, they assembled on Sunday evening, August 17th, at the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Red Creek. An impressive sermon was deliv- ered by the pastor, Rev. G. Wood, and there was also an address by Rev. James Smith, of the Presbyterian Church.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Monday morning, the 18th, dawned-an eventful day- which will long be remembered in Red Creek, for the going forth of as noble a band of men as ever took oath to fight the battles of their country.

To Major William Wood there is due the thanks of a grateful people for his patriotic, his unwearied efforts, to organize the company. If the formation of the first com- pany was a grand success, what shall be said of the energy and the ability of Mr. Wood and his associates who, upon the same field from which more than a hundred volunteers had just been enrolled, filled the ranks of another company.

Mr. Wood attended the first meeting, above mentioned, as a spectator, having come to the village that evening with no other object than to have a horse shod. Some arrangements expected to be made, failing, Mr. Wood was asked whether he would be one of the three to enlist the company. He consented, and three days afterward the principal work devolved upon him, in consequence of the withdrawal of others from the effort. He became Captain by universal consent.

John L. Crane, of Galen, recruited a company that became H, of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth.

Numerous meetings were held during the progress of the work. Leading citizens of Clyde contributed freely of their means, to forward the work of enlistment. The enterprise was pushed with energy, and in a few days the company was ready to proceed to Auburn. To this com- pany, other towns, particularly Rose and Savannah, furnished quite a goodly number of men.

The rushing tide of volunteers was not yet stayed. The One Hundred and Eleventh and One Hundred and Thirty- eighth had completed their organizations, their ranks were full, but the quotas of several towns were not yet filled. Volunteers were still offering their services to the country, and there seemed to be a fair opportunity to form still an- other regiment within this Senatorial District.

Captain C. C. Dwight, of the Seventy-fifth was tendered the position of Colonel, and came home to actively promote the enterprise. His rank was dated September 6th, 1862.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Wm. H. Sentell, also returned to assist in recruiting with the offer of a Major's commission. That was soon after bestowed upon him. He had done good service in the old Forty-fourth, being one of that band of young men who left Sodus for Albany early in September, 1861. Having been promoted for bravery on the field, he had shared in all the terrible fights of the Peninsular campaign. Amid the carnage of Malvern Hill, when all the commissioned officers of his company were killed or wounded, he took command and led his men into that closing charge which swept the rebel hosts back from the Union lines, saved the day and saved the army of the Potomac. He now brought to the work of organizing the new regiment the experience of a veteran and a determination that inspired others to do and dare in defense of their country.

Other Wayne county men, who assisted in this organi- zation and received appointments as staff officers were Pro- fessor John B. VanPetten, of Red Creek, who became Lieu- tenant-Colonel, Dr. David H. Armstrong of Red Creek, who became Assistant Surgeon, and Rev. William Putnam of Lyons, who became Chaplain. Four companies were speedily raised.

Henry P. Underhill, of Macedon, recruited for one com- pany and he became Captain. He secured his men largely in Macedon and the adjoining towns. His company had a good strong foundation, from the fact that he had already enlisted nearly fifty men towards the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment, and when that was pronounced full he had these ready towards the One Hundred and Sixtieth. His company was designated "B." Rev. William Potter, of Pultneyville, now supplemented his former sermons and speeches of a warlike character by offering his personal services to the cause of the country. He went actively into the work of enlisting, and in Williamson and Arcadia, with some help from other towns, he soon had a company ready for moving to Auburn. It became company " A." For Captain Potter's company a large amount of labor was ener- getically performed in Newark. At that time the war committee of Arcadia consisted of Stephen K. Williams,

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

William T. Barney and P. W. Kenyon. They executed the trust confided to them with great energy and with scrupu- lous accuracy. A complete report of their work in raising money to aid the organization of Captain William Potter's company is before the writer. It is fully written out in items and accounts for every dollar received.

The subscribers were Christian Walters, $100; Henry L. Fairchild, $50; Stephen K. Williams, John S. Cronise, J. Moreau ,Smith, Ezra L. Chadwick, Thomas Barrier. Rufus Reed, Orrin Blackmar, R. H. & L. Pulver, Fletcher Will- iams, John M. Mills, Rose & Kemper, R. Price, Loyal Rhodes, P. W. Kenyon, E. T. Grant, John V. Robinson, Joseph A. Miller, Mead Allerton, Jacob P. Lusk, C. A. Steb- bins, E. M. Hyde, G. H. Piersons, Henry I. Piersons, Jacob Nicholoy, Hiram Filkins, Orrin Barker, Edwards & Van- Ostrom, William C. Piersons, A. W. Hyde, Elon St. John, Hiram Knoph, B. D. Foster, E. P. Soverhill, J. H. Sover- hill, William Flemming, James H. Reeves, William H. Conine, M. A Soverhill, Marvin See, Henry Cronise, Samuel Cronise, George E. Sheldon, John T. Leggett, James Pol- lock, Phillip H. Cramer, Philip Schaub, Abram Forshay, George VanHooser, Mrs. Nelson P. Row, Madison Stever, Gideon G. Austin, Perry G. Price, Benjamin Bailey, Thomas J. Lyman, C. S. Vandecar, Henry Rider, Stephen Vaughn, Emery & Keller, Joel Eggleston, Daniel Smith, E. H. Rich- mond, George H. Price, Oliver Morley, Otis Reed, Peter A. Whitbeck, Henry Vail, N. S. Osborn, Crandall & Hol- lenbeck, Jacob Vanderbilt, Isaac N. Clark, Smith & See, Ebenezer Austin, Myron H. Briggs, William H. Lee, Will- iam Thomas, L. D. Smith, George Waters, Pierson H. Jere- miah, C. M. Whiting, Hiram Welcher, Ezra Pratt, J. P. Welcher, Edwin Lee & Brothers, Jacob P. Vosburgh, Isaac Soverhill, J. G. & G. F. Harmon, J. G. Harmon, Sen., Homer Sweezey, James Phillips, Clark Phillips, E. T. Aldrich, A. G. Percy, Charles Chadwick, George Daniel, Robinson & Sleight, and Horace Blackmar, each $25. Rich- ard White, David S. Fox, William Fish, each $15. William H. Holmes, Justus B. Soverhill, Albert Cady, E. P. Howell, Lanson Fisk, Edwin Robinson, George Howland, T. F.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Horton, Martin VanAuken, each $12.50. John Lee, Samuel R. Tracy, Mrs. A. O. Lamoreaux, Albert A. Parks, John Waters, Edwin Blackmar, John Harris, Col. A. Hays, each $10, and numerous smaller sums, carrying the total up to $2,940.50.

This money was given in sums of $25 each to ninety-six volunteers, $2,400 ; $20 was paid in special bounties ; $16.50 was used for expenses, and the balance in notes and cash $504, was paid over to the Ladies' Aid Society.

At Lyons a strong movement in aid of the third Wayne and Cayuga regiment was made by Bartlett R. Rogers and others. Mr. Rogers had formerly worn military honors in the old times of general trainings, rising to the rank of Colonel. He now became at once an example and an inspiration to younger men. The work of enrolling went briskly forward. Public meetings were held, and the streets of Lyons that had already been noisy with the drum and fife, beating for recruits for the One Hundred and Eleventh, and the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth, were again echoing to martial sounds. The company was duly organized with Bartlett R. Rogers as Captain, and was designated "C."

John B. Burrud, of Marion, and Edward H. Sentell (a brother of the Major,) and Myron H. Shirts, of Sodus, led in the movement for a company that was soon duly organ- ized. It became " D" of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Infantry. A sword was presented to Captain Burrud, by his friends in Marion, in October, 1862. The speech of presenta- tion was made by Rev. Amasa Stanton. The gallant Captain made an appropriate reply and said in closing :

"I tender my thanks to those who have aided us in recruiting this company, hoping that their confidence in us may never be betrayed. We go to represent you on the field of deadly strite. May your cheeks never mantle with a blush when we make our report from that field. May the Great Ruler of the Universe guide and protect our armies ; give them power to crush this unholy rebellion and when the mantle of peace is again spread over this beloved land, permit us to return to our dear homes and friends. I bid you adieu, and hasten where duty calls with an imperative voice."

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

The Palmyra Courier of August 29th, 1862, bristles with " last appeals" to fill quotas and avoid the draft.

On Saturday previous, a recruiting tent had been pitched in the middle of the street in front of the Palmyra Hotel. On Monday, Captain Underhill sent fifty men to Auburn from Palmyra and Macedon, expecting them to have a place in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth. They were too late, however, and as orders to raise a third regiment in Wayne and Cayuga had been received, Captain Underhill's company was mustered in as Company A, of what was afterwards numbered the One Hundred and Sixtieth. For several days all places of business was closed at 3 P. M., or at 6 P. M., and the whole people gave themselves up to the work of swelling the popular enthusiasm and filling the ranks. The Courier says :

" Marion-noble town-has raised thirty-five men since last Friday, considerable more than her quota. Ontario has raised her full quota. Williamson and Walworth will have their respective quotas before to-morrow night. Macedon has been behind, but is now coming forward nobly. Arcadia is out of the woods or nearly so, we are informed. The eastern part of the county has, if such a thing were possible, done even better than the western. Galen, Rose, Sodus, Butler and Savannah, have raised their full quota, and the other towns we are assured will bring up before to-morrow night.

" Captain Underhill is desirous of filling his company before Saturday night, and all who intend to go voluntarily should at once come forward and sign the muster roll.

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Military history of Wayne County, N.Y. : the County in the Civil War, Part 32

Author: Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.) Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Sodus, NY : Lewis H. Clark, Hulett & Gaylord Number of Pages: 944

Author: Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Sodus, NY : Lewis H. Clark, Hulett & Gaylord
Number of Pages: 944