USA > New York > Wayne County > Military history of Wayne County, N.Y. : the County in the Civil War > Part 33
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"Come forward ' brave' young men. Don't wait for the draft, but enroll your names at once, and receive the gener- ous bounties offered by your fellow citizens.
" Three cheers for Marion. Marion has more than filled her quota. Lieutenant John B. Burrud left yesterday morıl- ing for Auburn with thirty-five men."
From the Courier of September 5.
" Well done Palmyra. Palmyra's quota under both calls of the President for 600,000 men was filled before midnight on Saturday last."
The Board of Supervisors held another meeting in August, and the following is a record of the proceedings :
395
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE.COUNTY.
SPECIAL SESSION OF SUPERVISORS.
August 23d, 1862, at a special meeting of the Board held at the Court House, to consider the best means of hastening enlistments, so that a draft in this county may be avoided. Mr. St. John, of Arcadia, presided. The Supervisors were all present. The following resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved, That the County Treasurer pay as expenses for procuring such recruits as have enlisted to fill the quota from this county under the calls for 600,000 men, all neces- sary expenses not to exceed ten dollars for each recruit.
" Resolved, That the resolution passed by this Board at its last meeting, authorizing the giving of a bounty of fifty dollars to each volunteer from this county, be and the same is hereby rescinded, the offer of the Governor having super- seded their action."
A committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. Hough, Leach and Hance, on resolutious, who reported the following which was adopted :
" Resolved, That this Board hereby authorize the Treasurer of Wayne county to borrow on the credit of the county, a sum of money sufficient to pay to each man who shall enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States, one hundred dollars as an additional bounty, until the quota of this county of the 600,000 troops now called for is filled-the bounty to be paid to such men as have enlisted or shall enlist at any time between the 23d day of August and the Ist day of September, 1862, (and in the towns of Palmyra, Arcadia, Macedon, Marion and Williamson, persons also who have enlisted during the two days previous to the 23d day of August, to wit, on the 21st or 22d day of August,) or until a draft is commenced, said sums to be assessed upon such towns in this county as are deficient in their respective quotas, in proportion to their respective deficien- cies.
" Resolved, That we ask the Legislature to pass a law levy- ing a tax upon the people of this county in such a manner that each town shall be taxed in proportion to the sum necessary to be raised to pay the one hundred dollars bounty, to as many men as each town may lack to make out its quota under the call for 600,000 men by the President, and that the bounty money be paid by the County Treasurer to the order of the Supervisors of each town respectively.
" Resolved, That each Supervisor report at the earliest pos- sible day, (certainly before Wednesday next) to the County Treasurer, the number of men necessary to be recruited in
396
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
his town to fill out the quota of his town, under the two calls of the President and the amount of money which should in his opinion be necessarily expended for volunteers. and recruiting purposes in his town."
ANNUAL SESSION OF 1862.
For the purpose of examining the vouchers for bounty moneys previously paid out under the resolution of August 23d, 1862, a committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. Hough, Lakey and Flower.
The Military Finance Committee of the county appointed by the Military Committee of the Twenty-Fifth Senatorial District were authorized by a resolution of the Board of Supervisors, passed at a special meeting held in the month of July, 1862, " to audit and draw upon the County Treas- urer for expenses growing out of volunteer enlistments in said county, under the two calls of the President, an amount not to exceed ten dollars for each recruit."
Under this resolution each member of the Committee, S. B. Gavitt, S. K. Williams and Eron N. Thomas, reported at the annual session of 1862, their expenditures. Mr. Gavitt reported the sum of $931.85, of which the United States would refund for transportation $137.87, leaving a county charge of $793.98.
Mr. Williams reported $1070.00, of which $39.60 was for transportation, leaving a county charge of 1030.40.
Mr. Thomas reported the sum of $1,393.76.
Total expenditures, $3,210.14.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE SUBMITTED A REPORT.
" To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Wayne County :
" Your Committee to whom was referred the report of the War Finance Committee, and the examination of their vouchers and the vouchers of the Supervisors of the several towns for moneys paid out for the purpose of facilitating enlistments, would report that they have examined the vouchers of the Finance Committee, and find that they agree in all respects with their report to this Board, and that they have examined the vouchers of the several Super- visors, and find that they agree in all respects with their reports.
" The adjustment made is in compliance with the resolu- tion passed by your Honorable Body.
397
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
" Your Committee would recommend that one half of the amount of bonds due March 15, 1863, with the whole amount of interest due at that time be assessed upon the several towns.
" Your Committee would also recommend the adoption of the following resolutions :
" Resolved, That the Treasurer of this county be authorized to borrow the sum of 10,650.00, upon the credit of the county, chargeable to the several towns having bonds becoming due, being the balance necessary to be raised and due March 15th, 1863, on terms not to exceed the rate of seven per cent. per annum.
" Resolved, That the Members of Assembly from this county and the Senator from this district be requested to use their best efforts for the speedy passage of a law legalizing all the acts of the Board of Supervisors, of Wayne county, in relation to the borrowing and raising of moneys for bounty and recruiting purposes, and that the Clerk of this Board serve a copy of this resolution upon said Members of Assem- bly and Senator.
" All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. E. HOUGH, H. S. FLOWER, Special
IRA LAKEY, Committee."
At this time, and as a supplement to the above proceed- ings, the following resolution was adopted :
" WHEREAS, There was a bounty offered by this county chargeable to the several towns using the same, for the purpose of stimulating the enlistment of volunteers, and by the exertions of the citizens in a number of the towns with the aid of the liberal bounty, those towns have succeeded in raising more men than their respective quotas; and, whereas, there appears to be four towns in the county that have failed to furnish their respective quotas, but still derive their full benefit of exemption from draft, because of the surplus of volunteers in the other towns; therefore, be it
" Resolved, That these four towns be assessed for their due proportion of bounty moneys paid out by the County Treasurer, in accordance with a resolution passed by this Board August 23d, 1862."
In pursuance of this resolution, there was assessed upon Huron, $1,000 ; upon Sodus, $800; upon Walworth, $1,100 ; upon Williamson, $100. And this $3,000 was credited as follows in the adjustment : Arcadia, that had furnished an excess of thirteen volunteers over their own quota, $1083.33 ; Butler, that had furnished an excess of five volunteers,
398
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
$416.67 ; Lyons, with an excess of seven volunteers, $583.32 ; Macedon, with an excess of one volunteer, $83.35 ; Palmyra, with an excess of ten volunteers, $833.33.
After making the adjustment required by this resolution, the total chargeable to each of the following towns was as. follows, calculated to March 15, 1863 : Arcadia, $4,788.48 ; Butler, $1,808.46; Huron, $1,344.70 ; Lyons, $2,813.48; Macedon, $1,743.38 ; Marion, $1,604.16; Palmyra, $3,027.96 ; Sodus, $2,993.13 ; Walworth, $725.76; Williamson, $1,990.14. Total, $22,909.65.
In the same manner the amount of bonds to fall due March 15, 1864, with one year's interest, was calculated as follows, giving a total nearly equal to the above, pursuant to the resolution, to divide the whole sum into two equal annual payments : Arcadia, $4,556.14 ; Butler, $1,489.09 ; Huron, $1,337.50; Lyons, $3,004.92 ; Macedon, $2,095.41 ; Marion, $1,337.50; Palmyra, $2,978.19; Sodus, $2,461.00 ; Walworth, $1,444.50; Williamson, $1,979.50. Total, $22,- 684.02.
The quota required from Wayne county under the calls. of 1862, is shown in the following table, as also the number of recruits actually raised by November 15th :
Quota.
Raised.
Arcadia .
164
I78
Butler
72
76
Galen
166
189
Huron.
60
51
Lyons.
156
I73
Macedon
78
76
Marion
62
62
Ontario
70
75
Palmyra
I 34
143
Rose .
66
97
Savannah
60
69
Sodus.
146
140
Walworth.
66
54
Williamson
82
75
Wolcott
94
120
1,476
1,581
1,476
Surplus of the county
105
CHAPTER V.
1863-RETURN OF THE EARLIER COMPANIES -THE DRAFT - THE PEOPLE UNDAUNTED - SORELY TESTED BUT FIRM -LISTS OF DRAFTED MEN - ENLISTMENTS FOR SECOND MOUNTED RIFLES -TWENTY-SECOND CAVALRY -OFFICIAL ACTION, &C., &C.
T r THE immense efforts of the preceding year to enlist men and organize regiments, the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth, the One Hundred and Eleventh and the One Hundred and Sixtieth left little to be done in the earlier months of 1863, towards direct enlistments. From time to time recruits were obtained for existing regiments, but no general and concerted movement characterized the winter and spring of this year. The work of Aid Societies went on. Vast supplies were needed, and Wayne county did its full share in all this noble and patriotic work. There was required at this time the greatest possible exercise of faith and courage. The strain of a continued war with possibly a doubtful result was beginning to tell upon those whose hopes for early victory had so often been bitterly disappointed. Union Leagues were formed during this spring and summer. There were only a few which left any records that the historian can now gather up. They were not designed for any particular department of work, or for any special line of support to the National Government. They were rather intended to develop and strengthen public sentiment in a general way for the defense of the national cause.
UNION LEAGUE IN SODUS.
A meeting was held at Lawrence's Hotel, in Sodus, on Saturday evening, May 3d, at which was organized a Union League, for the town,-a branch of the National League- and the following officers were selected : E. W. Sentell, President ; David Rogers, Vice-President ; E. A. Green, Treasurer ; C. D. Gaylord, Secretary ; L. A. Clark, L. M. Gaylord, J. W. Brown, Central Committee ; J. A. Boyd,
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
C. C. Teall, W. M. Woodworth, Committee to Draft Con- stitution and By-Laws.
Patriotic remarks were made by Colonel E. W. Sentell, L. H. Clark, Esq., and others. The meeting adjourned to meet on Saturday evening next, at the same place.
April 10th, 1863, a Union League was formed at Marion. Ira Lakey, Esq., President; C. Tremain, Esq., Vice-Presi- dent ; Seth C. Dean, Secretary ; Albert O. Wilcox, Treas- urer ; Amasa Stanton, Stephen Trumbull, I. M. Galloway, Joel Norton and D. F. Lewis, Executive Committee.
Similar organizations were formed in other towns.
In these " times that tried men's souls," the pulpit gave no uncertain sound ; patriotic self-sacrifice was weekly taught as the highest duty of the citizen towards God and towards man.
The Lyons Presbytery took formal action, as follows, at their meeting, April 15th, 1863 :
" WHEREAS, Our people are, at this moment, standing in the midst of all the anxieties, forebodings and perils incident to the wicked and bloody assault made by an unscrupulous pro-slavery rebellion, against one of the best of human governments ; and
" WHEREAS, Our reliance for the triumph of the Govern- ment in its attempts to maintain its just authority within all our borders, and for the suppression of the rebellion, must be in the care, blessing and guidance of Almighty God ; and
" WHEREAS, The President of the United States has appointed the 30th day of this month to be observed as a day for fasting, humiliation and prayer, when our people shall meet all over the land, to draw near unto God, our Saviour, with a broken, believing and hopeful heart, seeking His mercy for our people, in the triumph of truth and right- eousness over falsehood and wrong ; therefore,
" Resolved, That it be recommended to all the churches within our limits, to make early arrangements for the proper observance of the day appointed."
The Presbytery appointed the following Commissioners to the General Assembly: Rev. A. Blakely, of Wolcott ; Lay Commissioner, Columbus Croul, of Lyons.
The author of the article below was Mrs. B. C. Ketchum, formerly Miss E. S. Clark, of Sodus. She was one of the two Graduates who first received the Diploma of Sodus
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Academy, July Ist, 1859; and is still remembered there as one of a circle of able writers whose productions were often heard with pleasure in Lyceum exercises, and at the Academic exhibitions. Mrs. Ketchum's brother, Edwin Clark, was a soldier under Grant, in the Western campaigns, and her husband was in the army of the Potomac. It is said she wrote this article just after seeing " men " on the way to Pultneyville to take the boat for Canada ! ! To a friend who remarked, about this time, "I cannot see through," she replied instantly, "I can believe through."
From the Lyons Republican of May 27, 1863.
" THOUGH THE NIGHT IS DARK, THE DAY SURELY COMETH."
" There has been, perhaps, no darker time since the Rebell- ion first broke out, than the present. The diabolical plots of traitors at home have never been more glaring. The seeming incompetency of some of our own leaders has never been more apparent. Rebeldom has never seemed less inclined to surrender. Providence has never seemed farther off. In fact, everything, perhaps, has never looked more unpropitious for our success, and we been called upon to work by faith more fully than now.
" But because these things are so, shall we give up to despair? Shall we let that patriotism which burned in our hearts, and was manifested by our words and deeds when the war-cloud was not half as black and threatening as now, die out before that which should only increase it ? God forbid ! At this critical period of our Nation's history, should we show an imbecile spirit of devotion to our coun- try ? Should we, because we have near and dear friends sacrificing their lives seemingly to no real purpose, become indifferent to the progress of affairs, and utter such a senti- ment as this-" I care not which side conquers, if our loved ones will only come home, and the war cease !" Oh ! short- sighted mortals! Oh! weak affection ! When we ought to gird ourselves for deeper disappointment, and invoke strength for severer contests, should we prove ourselves base cowards ?
" There are those in our army to-day, who would gladly lay down their arms and come home-those, too, over whose patriotism and noble devotion to their country, we shouted with joy, and with whom we sent our 'God speed.' How true was that patriotism ? How fervent was that devotion ?
" Don't let any one call himself a true patriot, unless he will do all in his power, under any circumstances whatever,
402
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
for his country's good. There are many among us who call themselves patriots, and true lovers of their country, who are yet helping to lengthen the time between now and a glorious victory, by their indifference-by their 'don't care which side conquers.' Are not such, traitors at heart? Ought not such a sentiment to be rebuked ?
" It is not open rebeldom alone with which we have to contend now. There is an unseen current retarding our progress, and wearying us with its unseen influence. Oh ! men and women of the North, shall we slumber now ? Shall we faint ? Shall we urge our brave soldier-boys home ? Shall we do anything to prevent others from going ? Shall we commit any act which may make future genera- tions hate us, or blush over puny ancestors of the nineteenth century-puny in soul as well as body ? If not, let us arise to greater action ; let us redouble our patriotism ; let us throw off all feelings of despair and discouragement, and go to work with renewed energy. 'For though the night is dark, the day surely cometh.
" SODUS, March, 1863.
C. S. E."
There were hundreds of the women of Wayne who felt as she wrote. Men may have studied the situation from a practical standpoint, and feared the worst. They estimated the probabilities, and balanced the chances upon a compari- son of battalions and the weight of cannon; but the wives, the sisters, the mothers, with their instinctive faith shining even through their tears, believed that though the night was dark, surely the day was coming.
Here was another daughter of Wayne whose pen traced her faith in the following stirring lines :
OUR WAYNE VOLUNTEERS. AIR :- " Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." " They went in defense of the Union, When traitorous Southerners came And sought, with dark acts of rebellion, To bring our dear country to shame. These patriots braved every danger, They shed both their blood and their tears ; Let us cherish the memory ever Of our gallant, our brave Volunteers.
" They've gone, and our prayers shall attend them, Our hearts throb with sympathy true ; May God in his mercy defend them,
As they fight 'neath the Red, White and Blue ! But accursed for all time among nations, And greeted with scoffings and jeers,
Be the foes who would sever the Union- The foes of our brave Volunteers.
403
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
" Their guns in the sunlight are gleaming -- But fairer and brighter above,
That glorious banner is streaming- The Stars and Stripes that we love. They stand by our good Constitution, And say to us, 'quiet your fears,' Let the rebel who cries ' Dissolution ' Beware of the brave Volunteers !'
" The Southrons, with haughty defiance, Command us to bow at their feet ; But gone in their boasted reliance When our soldiers in battle they ineet. We shall conquer them sooner or later, In spite of their taunts and their sneers ;
And we trust every black-hearted traitor To the arms of our brave Volunteers.
Preserve them from death and disaster, Thou Ruler of land and of sea ! We commend, O, our Heavenly Master, Our soldiers and sailors to Thee ! And also, we pray for the mothers, Who, quelling their doubts and their fears, Have sent from their fair Northern homestead A son with the brave Volunteers.
" May their camps be defended from danger, Their hearts be protected from sin ; May dishonor to them be a stranger, And hope hold her empire within. And when strife and contention are ended, And the sweet star of peace reappears, The thanks of our country, defended, We'll give to the brave Volunteers."
"LU-LIGHT-ET-EGO." WOLCOTT, March 25, 1863.
The return of the companies that had left the county in the spring of 1861 was a marked feature of May and June, 1863. They received a right royal welcome as they marched home with depleted ranks, torn banners and war worn men.
The following account is taken from the columns of the Lyons Republican for May 22d, 1863 :
WELCOME TO THE BRAVE-RETURN OF COMPANY B, TWENTY- SEVENTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
" Wednesday was one of the most memorable days in the history of Lyons and the county. The remnant of the gal- lant band of patriots who left amid prayers and tears, two years ago, to purchase with the heart's blood of many of them, the restoration of our glorious Union, returned to us the sunburnt braves of many a hard-fought field, to receive our heartfelt blessings and thanks.
"The time in which to make the preparations was so brief that fears were entertained for the success of the reception.
404
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
That the event proved them to be groundless, the crowd who witnessed the ceremonies will unanimously agree.
" At an early hour in the morning the signs of active preparation were everywhere to be seen. Banners were flung to the breeze from scores of flag-staffs, and our citi- zens were busily engaged in decorating their stores and residences along the proposed line of march, while the streets were fast filling with people from every direction.
" Shortly after twelve o'clock the six-pounder stationed on the Fair Grounds announced the Company in sight. The ' boys' dismounted from the wagons in which they had been conveyed from Geneva by a few of our liberal citizens, and were marched to their place in the procession, which was formed just north of the railroad track, and moved in the following order :
" Lyons Union Cornet Band.
" Martial Music.
" Chairman of Committee of Arrangements, Orator and Chaplain.
" The Clergy.
" The President and Board of Trustees of the Village.
" The Committee of Arrangements.
"The Recruiting officers and Soldiers of Company B, led by Colonel A. D. Adams, including Officers and Soldiers formerly of Company B and Honorably Discharged.
" Members of other military organizations.
" Eagle Fire Company, No. I.
" Rescue Fire Company, No. 3.
" Hook and Ladder Company.
" Young American Zouaves.
" Citizens in carriages and on foot.
" When the procession started, the artillerists began firing a National Salute, the Brass and Martial Bands played National Airs alternately, and the church bells poured forth a merry peal. All along the line of march, our townfolks, and especially the ladies, exerted themselves to the utmost to show their appreciation of this gallant Company, whose patriotism, coolness, and courage have been demonstrated beyond question on many a ' well fought field.' No words can convey an adequate impression of the tumult of joy that swept through the bosoms of both the welcomers and the welcomed.
"The procession moved across the River Bridge to Water street, (passing beneath a tastefully-trimmed arch which had been placed over the east end of the bridge by the ladies- a beautiful ornament, and one which elicited a number of compliments ; ) up Water street to Broad street ; up Broad
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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
street to Jackson street; down Jackson street to Phelps street; down Phelps street to Canal street; up Canal street to William street; down William street to Water street ; down Water street to the Fair Grounds.
" All along the route every available space in the street, doors, windows and yards, was crowded with people endeav- oring to express, in every conceivable manner, their joy at the return of the Company. Cheers that had a taste of tears, and silent gestures of welcome greeted the troops at every point. The eye met everywhere banners, and flags and colored festoons. Probably so large a concourse of people seldom before assembled upon any occasion in this village, nor was there ever such enthusiasm, patriotism and gratitude offered, or more worthily bestowed, than on Wednesday.
"The bronzed heroes marched steadily, and although each one no doubt yearned to embrace beloved ones whose eyes they met at nearly every turn, no swerving or faltering was discernable. If anything could have added to the general gratification, it was the splendid soldierly appear- ance of every member of the Company, and of their Colonel. They looked wearied and travel-stained, yet erect and strong and stern. The old battle flag was borne proudly, and all eyes looked gratitude and pride as they turned towards its tattered and bullet-torn folds.
" Colonel Adams rode the horse which has accompanied him in every battle since his promotion to the command of the Twenty-seventh.
" The enthusiasm inspired by the presence of this remnant of a Company once more than a hundred strong, was modi- fied by the recollection of the absent dead, who had given their lives for their country ; and tears were mingled with the plaudits which followed the march of the surviving heroes.
" The most affecting scene of all was that when the pro- cession passed the residence of Mr. James McElwain-the father of the brave boy who died from wounds received at the battle of Gaines' Mills. Here the Company unfixed bayonets, paying the marching salute, and passed in Company front at shouldered arms. Many a hardy soldier endeavored in vain to repress the tears which would come into his eyes as he thought of the poor boy who fills a soldier's grave in Virginia, and heaved a heartfelt sigh to the memory of their former comrade in arms ..
" Arrived at Floral Hall, in the Fair Grounds, the proces- sion halted, and half an hour was allowed the Company to exchange greetings with the hosts of friends who came
406
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
flocking around them. Meantime the Officers of the Cor- poration, the Clergy, the Committee of Arrangements, the Orator of the Day, (Rev. Mr. Montgomery,) and the Chap- lain of the Day, (Rev. Mr. Stacey,) appeared on the balcony, and the assemblage being called to order, the Chaplain offered a fervent prayer for the continued well-being of the returned members of the Company, after which Rev. Mr. Montgomery delivered the Address of Welcome - an address, by the way, which called forth the warmest expres- sions of approbation-as follows:
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