USA > New York > Schoharie County > Military records of Schoharie County veterans of four wars > Part 8
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Gilboa.
Jeremiah Ham.
Gilboa.
Henry Manning.
Middleburg.
Henry Morrison.
Richmondville.
Andrew Shafer.
Fulton.
John Shutter.
Middleburg.
Elisha L. Smith.
Broome.
William Snyder.
Gilboa.
Elijah Sprague.
Gilboa.
David Travis.
Fulton.
Cornelius Van Alstyne.
Sharon.
Ephraim Casey.
Daniel Mackey.
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WAR OF 1812.
Peter Van Dewerker.
Carlisle.
Levi Wales.
Gilboa.
Fred Winewright.
Fulton.
David Wilsie.
Summit.
KELLOGG'S VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY.
The military record of this organization, and the roster and rec- ord of its members, together with all facts placed on record, are compiled from a large collection of rolls, accounts, reports, letters, bonds, petitions, proceedings of courts-martial, general orders, etc., which were carefully preserved by Captain Kellogg, and which are now in the possession of his son, Giles L. Kellogg, to whom I am greatly indebted for the privilege of examining them, and for other courtesies.
I infer from data found that an independent organization of this kind existed as early as 1807, but no roster is found previous to June 1, 1812. It appears that a call for 50,000 volunteers was made by President Madison as early as February, 1812, presumably to be held in readiness in case war became necessary. On the 1st of June follow- ing, an enrollment of volunteers, for twelve months' service under the call, was made, from the company, but they were not called upon to take the field until December 19, 1812, under general orders from Albany, to-wit :
" Capt. Giles Kellogg's Company of Artillery, in the County of Schoharie, is required in the service for the further protection of our fellow citizens on the north-western frontier. They will rendez- vous and be mustered on Sat. Dec. 26 and will be supplied with blankets and canteens, the whole will receive two months pay in advance, and the Non-Commissioned officers and musicians and privates will receive in addition thereto an advance of sixteen Dol- lars on account of allowance for clothing."
Captain Kellogg issued orders to the sergeants and corporals of his company on December 20, requiring them to "warn " the persons named on the respective list appended, " to appear on parade at the Gun House in Cobleskill on Sat. the 26th Day of Dec. at 9 o'clock
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SCHOHARIE COUNTY VETERANS.
in the morning, with side arms, agreeable to General Orders. " " The company will march on Monday the 28th of Dec. instant at 9 o'clock, when transportation will be furnished for them. "
Upon mustering for service a few of the men furnished substitutes and a few wished to be excused ; one, a constable, on the plea that he could not " leave his business. "
Peter Shafer, Jr., and Adam Vrooman were paid $76, for trans- porting men and baggage from Cobleskill to Little Falls, and to Ogdensburg, and Peter Bouek, Peter Lampman, John Collins, Richard Davenport, John Franklin, Adam A. Shafer, David Law- yer and Lambert Lawyer were paid $20 for transporting men and baggage from Little Falls to Ogdensburg. On arriving at Ogdens- burg in January, each member of the company was furnished with, and receipted for: "1 Musket and Bayonet, 1 Cartridge Box and Belt, 20 round musket ball cartridges and 4 Flints each." Dur- ing the service at Ogdensburg, the company was assigned to the di- vision commanded by Captain Forsyth, afterward mentioned as major, and in the spring at Sackett's Harbor, it was attached to Col- onel Mills' regiment of Albany Volunteers. From the time the company arrived at Ogdensburg nothing important is shown to have transpired until the engagement of February 22, 1813, excepting the death of two men. We find from an account, charged under a requisition and dated February 15, 1813, that each of the rank and file of the company and "3 women " were supplied with twenty- six pounds of straw, and that ten days later, the captain received one cord and four feet of fuel ; the lieutenants, one cord, two feet and eight inches each; the four sergeants, six feet ; the four corporals, six feet ; the six musicians, one cord; and thirty privates, five cords, five feet. On the 22d of February, 1813, the enemy stationed at Prescott, opposite Ogdensburg, made an attack, and during the en- gagement the company were defeated with a loss of every thing, except the clothing they had on and the arms they fought with. One drummer was killed, one fifer and one private were taken pris- oners, one private killed and two wounded. I infer that the Americans were forced to abandon the post and retreat to Sackett's Harbor, and that an officer of this company was placed under arrest. His resignation was tendered and accepted by Colonel Pike, April 15, 1813, through orders dated Sackett's Harbor, May 3, 1813. On March 20, 1813, Captain Kellogg in a letter to Governor Tompkins states that " the company are sadly in need of clothing and money," and that the amount due for clothing is $916.75. On May 10,
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WAR OF 1812.
following, Governor Tompkins in a letter says: "Capt. Kellogg's company are entitled to pay at 8 dollars per month since the 26th of Feb. last - To $3 per month from 1st of January last to the 26th of Feb., and the balance of allowance for clothing over and above $16. On the 26th of Dec. the officers received two months' pay in advance, the soldiers each two months' pay in advance, at 5 dollars per month, and $16 on account of clothing. There being no paymaster authorized to pay such detached companies a volunteer or other paymaster is directed to pay and Maj. Allen is directed to pay by Special Ords."
After the transfer to Sackett's Harbor Captain Kellogg petitioned Governor Tompkins for permission to furlough some of the mem- bers of his company home for the purpose of obtaining supplies for the company, to replace losses incurred at Ogdensburg, and was referred to Colonel Pike.
From accounts rendered, it appears that no army surgeons were assigned to the command, as we find the sum of $16.25 paid to " Dr. J. Cowan for attendance on Sick," $40 paid to " Dr. John C. Herrick for attendance," and an itemized bill of $29.49 rendered by " Dr. W. Smith for Chirurgical attendance on William Youngs who lost his leg at Ogdensburg." Several men received furloughs in the spring or early summer of 1813, as we find their leave to have been extended on testimony taken by Jedediah Miller, Justice of the Peace, Dr. John C. Moeller testifying in one case. During the summer a few members of the company procured substitutes and came home, both principal and substitute giving prescribed bonds for the security of service. A court-martial was held during the term of the company's service for the benefit of one of its members. The culprit was charged with, 1st being absent from camp after ten o'clock, P. M., and, 2d, with stealing a bag of potatoes from inhabitants in the vicinity. Several testified to seeing the prisoner without the limits of the camp after the hour named, and the prisoner himself pleaded guilty to the second charge, and offered his knife as satisfaction for the potatoes, as he had no money. After due deliberation, and after a careful review of the testimony and pleadings the court decided to vacate the charges and release the prisoner as not guilty of malicious intent. The company appears to have been unfortunate again in an engagement with the enemy at "Horse Island, Sackett's Harbor, May 29, 1813," as an inventory of losses of " Personal Property " at that time amounts to $428.83}. There is nothing to show that it was particularly unfortunate in its movements during the balance of
102
SCHOHARIE COUNTY VETERANS.
its service. I infer that it accompanied the expedition against York as part of the division under Colonel Pike, and that it was a part of the forces under Wilkinson on his expedition down the St. Law- renee. After going into winter quarters and under date of Novem- ber 29, 1813, I find Captain Kellogg charged in a long itemized ac- count, with oyster suppers, numerous items of gin, brandy, cider and rum, which would indicate that himself and men had celebrated their coming discharge from the service. An inspection held at Saek- ett's Harbor, September 30, 1813, accounted for thirty men present under arms, five siek, eight absent, and four deserted. A few men enlisted in the company from northern counties. Before entering the field service the armament of the company consisted of one field piece of artillery, and side arms or short sword for each man, and afterward as before stated, each man was armed with musket and bayonet in addition. Reports show that each member was armed with a feather and a cockade for his hat.
ROLL CALL.
Giles Kellogg, Captain.
Cobleskill - Merchant ; married ; aged 28; served through his term of enlistment ; was recommended for appointment in the U. S. Army, by Major Benjamin Forsyth, under date, "Camp French Mills, November 17, 1813;" died October 29, aged 50. Children surviving, Giles L., Louisa C. Riley, Harriett Borst. Grandchildren, Martin, Andrew and Charles Kellogg, Albert A. and Alden K. Riley, Wil- liam, Clinton, Sehuyler, Marcus and Charles Borst, Giles and Mer- rill Mann, Christina Dietz, Mary Lendrum, Ella Maynard, Sarah Layer, Christina Young, Anna Simmons, Mary Passage, Elda C. Quackenbush, Christina.
William Elmendorf, First Lieutenant.
Cobleskill - Farmer; volunteered with the company; resigned April 15, 1813 ; died February 22, 1869, aged 96. Children sur- viving, Caroline Randall, Mary Palmer, Sarah Mansfield, Jane Sons. Grandsons, Lewis and William Randall, Albert and George Sous; all served in the war for the Union.
John Ingham, First Lieutenant.
Sharon - Clothier; enlisted as second lieutenant with his com- pany ; promoted to first lieutenant, to succeed Elmendorf.
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WAR OF 1812.
Curtis Thorpe, Second Lieutenant.
Cobleskill - Merchant ; enlisted as first sergeant ; promoted to lieutenant, April 15, 1813; removed from the county after leav- ing the service.
Abraham Bouck, First Sergeant.
Cobleskill - Farmer; enlisted as second sergeant ; promoted to 4 succeed Thorpe ; died May 23, 1846, aged 76.
Resolved L. Cowdry, Second Sergeant.
Sharon - Blacksmith ; enlisted as third sergeant ; promoted to sneceed Bouck.
Gideon C. Reed, Third Sergeant.
Sharon - Wheelwright ; enlisted as fourth sergeant ; is found on pay-roll of June 22, 1813, as a matross or private.
Peter Burhans, Fourth Sergeant.
Carlisle - Farmer ; enlisted as first corporal ; promoted to fourth sergeant. Children, John, George B., Joseph C., Margaret Young, Catharine Sprong.
GUNNERS. Ebenezer White, Ist.
Sharon - Farmer ; died at Watertown, May 10, 1813.
Melzar Skinner, 2d.
Sharon - Farmer ; enlisted with the company ; sick at home in summer of 1813 - certified to by Squire Miller, and furlough ex- tended July 17, 1813.
Jacob L. Lawyer, 3d.
Cobleskill - Farmer; enlisted with his company and served full term ; died July 30, 1850, aged 55 years, 10 months. Children, Jacob, Nancy France, Anna E. Becker, Rebecca Hager.
William Youngs, 4th.
Carlisle - Farmer ; age 24 ; went out with the company as a sub- stitute for John Frazier; wounded by gunshot in left thigh at Ogdensburg, February 22, 1813 ; underwent amputation, and with John Pierce was provided with special transportation to Sackett's Harbor at a cost of $25 ; died of dropsy of the heart, December 1, 1860, aged 72. Children, Demosthenes, Andrew, Lana Wing.
104
SCHOHARIE COUNTY VETERANS.
Coon Moot.
Cobleskill - Farmer ; enlisted as fifth gunner, but is found on pay- roll of June 22, 1813, as matross or private. It is possible that he did not serve to end of term.
Apollos Lane.
Cobleskill - Farmer ; enlisted as sixth gunner, but is found on pay-roll of June 22, 1813, as matross or private.
BOMBARDIERS. John Caryl, Ist.
Sharon - Farmer; is found on pay-roll of June 22, as matross.
Bennett Sloan, 2d.
Sharon - Farmer ; entered the service with his company and served until August 31, 1813; furnished a substitute and bond and discharged.
Aaron Thorp, Jr., 3d.
Cobleskill - Farmer ; found on the volunteer roll but not on pay- roll.
John Haling, Jr., 4th.
Cobleskill - Farmer ; found on pay-roll as matross.
Adam Rector, 5th.
Sharon - Farmer ; rank of matross on pay-roll of June 22, 1813 ; served until August 31, then furnished substitute and bond, and was discharged from the service.
John Smith, 6th.
Sharon - Farmer ; rank of matross on pay-roll of June 22, 1813.
Joshua Ward, Second Corporal.
Sharon - Farmer; age 27 ; entered the service with his company; furnished William Gould as substitute to finish term, and gave bond August 17, 1813; died Jane 18, 1873, aged 86. Sons, Joseph, Joshua.
David D. Lawyer, Second Corporal,
enlisted with his company as third corporal ; promoted to second corporal to succeed Ward, who was promoted to first. Records in-
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WAR OF 1812.
dicate that he furnished a substitute, " David Brown," to finish term of service. Burial in Albany Rural Cemetery. Daughter, Celia Youngs.
Barent C. Teneyck, Fourth Corporal.
Sharon - Farmer ; rank of matross on pay-roll of June 22, 1813.
John Harper, Corporal.
Sharon - Farmer ; enlisted as matross ; promoted to corporal and to sergeant before expiration of term ; died September 19, 1871, aged 85 years, 9 months. Sons, John K., James. Grandsons, Dur- yea, William, Jacob.
Ezra Eldredge, Jr., Corporal.
Sharon - Farmer; enlisted as matross ; promoted to corporal.
MUSICIANS.
Chauncey Day, Drummer.
Cobleskill - Farmer ; enlisted with the company ; was wounded in the leg by " cannon ball."
Abram Bouck, Jr., Drummer.
Cobleskill - Farmer.
Jacob Lampman, Fifer.
Sharon - Farmer.
John Campbell, Fifer.
Cobleskill - Shoemaker ; entered in the service as fifer; " took a musket at Sackett's Harbor, June 15, 1813."
Arnold Pratt, Fifer.
Cobleskill - Shoemaker ; enlisted as matross ; appointed musician ; killed in action at Ogdensburg, February 22, 1813.
Welcome Butterworth, Fifer.
Cobleskill - Farmer; offered his services to President Madison by letter, dated June 1, 1813.
14
106
SCHOHARIE COUNTY VETERANS.
MATROSSES OR PRIVATES.
George Acker.
Sharon --- Farmer.
John B. Ackley. Cobleskill - Farmer.
James Brown.
Sharon - Farmer; died at Ogdensburg, " Wednesday, February 10, 1813."
John J. Becker. Cobleskill - Farmer ; died February 10, 1888, aged 91.
Peter Brewer.
Cobleskill - Farmer; absent without leave, May, 1813. The $34.62 expended in searching for him appears to have brought back the man, as we find him on the pay-roll of June 22, 1813.
Zachariah Burhans.
Carlisle - Farmer.
Elijah Carter.
Cobleskill - Shoemaker.
Charles Chase.
Carlisle - Farmer.
Eli Peek.
Carlisle - Age 37; enlisted at Sackett's Harbor, July 27, 1813, for balance of term.
George Dox.
Cobleskill - Farmer.
David Fraats.
Enlistment not found : found on pay-roll of June 22, 1813, and that his sick furlough was extended July 19, 1813, on testimony of Dr. John C. Moeller before J. Miller, J. P.
Samuel Foster.
Sharon - Farmer : found as above on enlistment-roll of June 1, 1812. There is a record that he sent " Oliver Perry." I do not
107
WAR OF 1812.
find Oliver Perry on any record, but find Samuel Foster on pay-roll of June 22, 1813.
George Hiney.
Sharon - Farmer ; died August 26, 1872, aged 85. Children, Sylvester, James, Richard. Grandson, John II., served in the Union Army.
John Hiney.
Sharon - Farmer ; died May 14, 1864, aged 74. Sons, Stephen, Josiah. Grandsons, Peter, John S., Daniel, Charles, Levi.
Eli Kibbey.
Cobleskill - Farmer.
Abraham Kromer.
Cobleskill - Tailor ; served full term and discharged with his com- pany ; died March 24, 1847. Children, William H., Henrietta, Lucy Sherwood.
Henry Letcher.
Cobleskill - Farmer; " died at Ogdensburg, Jan. 24, 1813, at 9 o'clock, P. M." An inventory of his effects taken.
John Mickle, Jr.
Cobleskill - Farmer; furloughed for sickness, and furlough ex- tended July 16, 1813, by J. Miller, J. P .; died October 8, 1883, aged 103 ; buried at Warnerville, N. Y.
Frederick Lucantry, Jr.
Cobleskill - Farmer.
Oliver Perry. ·
On record as sent as substitute for Freeman Thrall, a inerchant of Cobleskill, and not for Samuel Foster.
Enoch Treadway.
Cobleskill -- Carpenter ; furloughed home, and furlough extended July, 1813.
Nathan Wilcox.
Cobleskill -- Farmer ; furlonghed home, and furlough extended July 14, 1813.
.
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SCHOHARIE COUNTY VETERANS.
Juad Wetherly.
Cobleskill - Farmer; aged 27; five feet eight inches high, dark complexion ; taken prisoner at Ogdensburg, February 22, 1813; has received no pay since entering the service.
Freeman Wolverton.
Middleburg - Farmer.
Asa Whitmore.
Carlisle - Farmer.
The following named persons are found on the enlistment-roll of July 1, 1813. As their names do not appear again there is no proof of service.
Abraham Shafer.
Cobleskill - Farmer.
Eber Townsend.
Cobleskill - Farmer.
John Lakham.
Carlisle - Farmer.
Jacob I. Moak.
Sharon - Farmer.
John McDavit.
Cobleskill - Cabinet-maker.
Carpus Loring. Cobleskill - Blacksmith.
· Walter Wright.
Carlisle -- Farmer.
Edmund "Dia," or Dey.
Sharon - Farmer.
Jeremiah Yager.
Cobleskill - Farmer.
It should be borne in mind that the present towns of Summit and Richmondville were a part of Cobleskill, and that the town of Seward was formed several years after the war of 1812.
109
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
CHAPTER II. THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
Joint resolutions of Congress for the admission of Texas into the Union were approved by President Tyler, March 1, 1845, and ac- cepted by Texas on the 29th of December of the same year. This act gave offense to the Mexican anthorities, and their relations toward us assumed a hostile character. In the previous troubles of our country the foreign powers were clearly the aggressors, and the American people had been cruelly oppressed. But in our condnet toward Mexico there is apparent reason afforded to show that Mexico was being despoiled of territory to which her title was equally as good or better than the elaim of the United States. An adventurer seeks profit at any cost except his own, and if the original owner of territory which he desires to possess resents intrusion, he will adopt a policy which will bring an influence of power to his aid, by assum- ing the character of a martyr, while the real victim is represented as the savage to be conquered. It may be argued that the residents of Texas desired annexation ; it may be urged that our govern- ment desired it; and it may be shown that the Mexicans along the right bank of the Rio Grande were robbers and murderers, and ex- hibited their jealousy in inhuman acts to the class of fortune-seekers who were pre-empting the land which they considered theirs. At the time referred to, 1845, sufficient time had not elapsed since the crucifixion of Christ to warrant the theory that the majority is right in all cases. A few sentences in the Memoirs of General Grant clearly explain the theory of the origin and prosecution of the Mexican war, and in a manner both satisfactory and beyond argu- ment. On the 28th of March, 1846, General Taylor took position on the bank of the Rio Grande opposite Matamoras and proceeded to erect fortifications which were afterward called Fort Brown. The first act of hostility on the part of the Mexicans against the army was the murder of Colonel Cross, a quartermaster, who fell into their hands on the 10th day of April, 1846. On the 24th, a de- tachment under Captains Thornton and Hardee fell into an ambus- cade, and after fighting against great odds surrendered. War had not been declared by the United States at this time, but an excuse was at hand and the forces on both sides were ready to make their declarations by bullets. As Taylor expressed it, " the war has com-
110
SCHOHARIE COUNTY VETERANS.
meneed and the hardest must fend off." On the 1st of May, General Taylor left Fort Brown to relieve Major Munroe at Point Isabel, who was in a measure ent off from communication with Fort Brown. Three days after the departure of General Taylor the Mexicans opened fire from their batteries against Fort Brown, and with a land fire in the rear besieged the little garrison until the 8th, while the Americans refused to accede to all demands to surrender. Meantime General Taylor having reinforced Point Isabel, had started on his return to Fort Brown, when he met a force of the enemy at Palo Alto on May 8. Here an engagement took place which continned throughout the day. On the morning of the 9th the enemy had retired to Resaca de la Palma, where Taylor found them in a strong position. After desperate fighting on both sides the Mexicans were utterly routed, with the loss of their camp equipage and private property, including the dispatches of General Arista. On the evening of May 9 the Americans encamped out- side Fort Brown and near their comrades who had held the fort. The " Declaration of War " having reached the army at about this time, General Taylor transferred his forces to the opposite side of the river and occupied Matamoras May 17, and the "invasion of Mexico " was inaugurated. Thus far, military movements had been per- formed by troops of the Regular Army, but a eall for volunteers for one-year service had been made, and after the occupation of Mata- moras such troops began to arrive. On the 19th of August General Tay- lor began a movement toward Monterey, taking possession of Camargo, the head of navigation on the Rio Grande. He left Ceralvo on the 13th of September and arrived at Walnut Springs, three miles from Monterey. A reconnoisance revealed a strongly fortified town oc- eupied by ten thousand Mexicans. Taylor's encampment lay to the north and east of Monterey, and on the plain between it and near the town stood a strong fortification, called by the Americans "The Black Fort." On the north-west the city is overlooked by two hills which were strongly fortified, and on one stood a strong fortress called the "Bishop's Palace." The guns on these heights com- manded the Saltilla road, which entered Monterey from the west. The river San Juan Del Monterey ran along the southern limits of the city, while on the east it was protected by detached works de- fended by artillery and infantry. On the afternoon of September 20, 1846, General Taylor with about six thousand men, principally volunteers, began his series of attacks against the defenses of the city, which were continued by hard fighting until the night of the
111
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
23d. Early on the following morning the Mexican general, Am- pudia, asked terms for capitulation, and after some delay the strongly fortified town and its war material were surrendered to the Ameri- cans and the prisoners paroled. Taylor's troops lay at Monterey until midwinter. During the fall, detachments under Generals Wool and Worth had occupied Saltillo and Parras. In the mean- time General Scott had made extensive preparations for the invasion of Mexico by way of Vera Cruz and the valley. He first proposed to capture Vera Cruz and make that place his depot of supplies. At that time it was protected, landward by a wall extending from the bay shore south of the town and encireling it to the water's edge on the north side, while on an island in the gulf, one-half mile from the city, stood a strong fortress called San Juan d' Ulloa. To carry out his plans Scott had been promised the troops thought necessary, but as they were not forthcoming, he again withdrew a part of Tay- lor's men, leaving him a small army of inexperienced troops. On the 22d of February, 1847, Taylor met Santa Anna at Buena Vista, and after a three-days' engagement the Mexicans were defeated by one-fifth their number.
On the 9th of March troops were landed for the investment of Vera Cruz, and on the 18th the Americans opened fire on the town. On the 27th the city asked terms and surrendered. On the 29th of March, 1847, Vera Cruz and San Juan d' Ulloa were occupied by the Americans. The victory at Vera Cruz yielded five thousand prisoners and four hundred pieces of artillery. On the 8th of April the advance division of Scott's Army of less than twelve thousand men started in the direction of the City of Mexico; the last division leaving Vera Cruz on the 13th. Fifty miles from Vera Cruz the march of the leading division was interrupted by troops under Santa Anna, who had occupied natural defenses called Cerro Gordo, and which were impregnable by direct assault. By direction of officers of the Engineer Corps, roads flanking the position of the enemy were built without the knowledge of Santa Anna, and a successful assault was made on the 18th. The surprise of the Mexi- cans was as complete as was the victory for the Americans. Three thousand prisoners and a large amount of artillery and ordnance stores were captured. Puebla was ocenpied by General Worth's Division on the 15th of May, and during the latter part of the month General Scott concentrated his army at that point. As the term of enlistment of a large part of his army would expire before the end of his campaign he chose to await reinforcements and dis-
112 ·
SCHOHARIE COUNTY VETERANS.
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