USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 16
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E. Nott Schermerhorn, who enlisted in this company as first ser- geant, rose in succession to second lieutenancy, and became one of the adjutants of the regiment November 18, 1862, holding the latter rank when the regiment was mustered out May 28th, 1863.
The Eighteenth Regiment was one of the first organized during the war, participating in the first battle of Bull Run, Crampton Gap, West Point, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Salem Church and Savage Station. For a short time the late Dr. James L. Van Ingen was one of the surgeons of this regiment. When the time for which this regiment was mustered into service expired, the present captain of the Thirty-seventh Company, National Guard, State of New York, George W. Marlette, was the only private in the regiment who received from Governor Morgan, for gallant and meritorious service, the honorary rank of brevet lieutenant.
William A. Jackson, son of the late Professor Jackson of Union College, was colonel of the Eighteenthı Regiment from the time of its organization till his death from disease at Washington, November
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Ioth, 1861. William H. Young, another gallant soldier fromn Schenectady, was for a short time, lieutenant-colonel of this regi- illent.
The third company formed in Schenectady was organized by Barent M. Van Voast, June Ist, 1861. The officers who received their commissions July 4th, 1861, were : Captain, Barent M. Van Voast ; first lieutenant, Manse V. V. Smith ; ensign, Edward Van Voast. This company contained seventy-four privates and three officers. It was enrolled in the Thirtieth Regiment as Company C, for a term of two years from June Ist, 1861.
Captain Van Voast was dismissed March 7th, 1862, and was suc- ceeded by Manse V. V. Smith, who resigned November 26th of the saine year. Edward Van Voast became first lieutenant May 13th, 1862, retaining this rank when the company was inustered out June 18th, 1863. He afterwards became major in the Second Regi- ment of Veteran Cavalry, and at the close of service of this regi- inent, was made a brevet lieutenant-colonel of New York Volunteers.
Charles Roth, who entered Company C as first sergeant, was pro- inoted to the rank of first lieutenant March 4tlı, 1863, and subse- quently commissioned a brevet major of New York Volunteers.
The Thirtieth Regiment, with which Company C was most honor- ably connected, participated in the battles of Gainesville, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
The fourth company formed at Schenectady, was organized by Allan H. Jackson, who received a captain's commission October Ist, 1861. This company consisted of eighty-seven members, including the officers. It was enrolled as Company G, in the Ninety-first Regiment, for a term of three years, being mustered out of service July 3d, 1865. The officers who were commissioned at the same time as Jackson were: George W. Shaffer, first lieutenant, and Wil- liam Harty, second lieutenant.
Captain Jackson was honorably discharged from this company February 23d, 1863, and promoted to the rank of major in the 134th Regiment. March 4th, 1863, he became lieutenant-colonel, and on December 10th of the same year, colonel of this regiment, but was mustered out of service June 10th, 1865, as lieutenant-colonel.
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OTHER BRAVE SOLDIERS.
George W. Shaffer succeeded Jackson as captain of Company G, December 31st, 1864. Shaffer was promoted to major of the Sixty- first N. Y. Volunteers and subsequently received the honorary rank of brevet lieutenant-colonel, N. Y. V.
William Harty succeeded Shaffer as captain of Company G, Decein- ber 24th, 1864, and remained in command until the company was mustered out of service.
Cornelius Gill entered this company as second sergeant, and was promoted through the successive ranks to first lieutenant, which position he held when the company was disbanded.
Between the middle of August and the 3d of September, 1862, there were four military companies formed at Schenectady, which entered the service for a terin of three years. All four were enrolled in the 134th Regiment, and were known as Companies A, B, F and H. Company A was organized by Captain Watkins.
Company B was organized by David H. Hamlin, who received his commission as captain August 17th, 1862. At the same time Soly- man G. Hamlin was commissioned first lieutenant and Soloman C. Wilson, second lientenant. This company numbered 102 men and participated in inany of the great battles of the war. Benjamin F. Sheldon was captain of this company when it was mustered out. Solyman G. Hamlin was promoted to captain of Company C, March 7th, 1863. April 7th, 1865, he was major of the 192d Regiment, and was mustered out of the service August 28th, 1865, with the honorary rank of brevet captain, N. Y. V.
Lucius Mead, who enlisted in Company B as first sergeant, was promoted to a lieutenancy. He was killed while bravely leading his company at the battle of Gettysburg.
Company F was organized by Gilbert D. Kennedy, who was com- missioned as captain August 30th, 1862. At the same time were commissioned George A. Turnbull as first lieutenant and Clinton C. Brown as second lieutenant.
Captain Kennedy was promoted to the rank of major June 23, 1863, and died of disease at Philadelphia, August 3, of the same year.
George A. Turnbull succeeded Kennedy as captain of Company F, but resigned February 3, 1864.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
Clinton C. Brown was promoted to captain April 14th, 1863, and to lieutenant-colonel of the 134th, July 27th, 1864.
Company H was organized by Austin A. Yates, who received his commission as captain, September, 1862, with Geradus Carley as first lieutenant and Marcus A. Herrick as second lieutenant. Cap- tain Yates was discharged on June 10th, 1863, on account of defec- tive eyesight, but re-entered the service as captain of Company F, of the Fourteenth Veteran Corps. This regiment participated in the engagement against Early in front of Washington. Captain Yates was promoted to the rank of brevet major by President Lincoln, and was Assistant Judge Advocate General at Washington, D. C., one year subsequent to August, 1866, when he was mustered out of service.
William H. Mickle, who enlisted in Company H as second ser- geant, was made captain, April 22, 1865. Barney S. Smith, another sergeant, became captain February 28th, 1865, and was mustered out of the service as a brevet major, N. Y. V.
The 134th Regiment, of which the three preceding companies formed a part, participated in the battles of Chancellorville, Gettys- burg, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Atlanta, Resaca, Dallas, Pine Knob, Lost Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Savannah and Goldsboro. At the overthrow of the Eleventh Corps, on the afternoon of Satur- day, May 3d, at the battle of Chancellorville, the 134th was engaged in reconnoitering in the enemy's line and did not share in that ter- rible retreat, but took active part in the battle of the next morning.
Companies A and I of the 134th were raised and credited to Scho- harie county, yet both contained many Schenectady men. In Com- pany A, Henry Y. Bradt, first lieutenant, and the names of Garret Horsfall and Andrew A. Kelly are worthy of mention. In Com- pany I, Frank Fletcher was captain, and afterwards became chaplain of the regiment, and was mustered out of the service as brevet major, N. Y. V. Albert G. Washburn entered this company as first lieutenant and was promoted to captain. He died in camp, near Falmouth, Va., January 26th, 1863.
In Company I, Charles A. Ahreets enlisted as orderly sergeant, and by promotions, earned by gallantry, became adjutant of the
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SCHENECTADY SOLDIERS.
134th, July 27th, 1864. He was killed while acting as assistant adjutant-general, in the siege of Savannah, December 13th, 1864.
Edwin Forrest enlisted in Company B of the 134th, as first lieu- tenant, December 2d, 1862. January 30th, 1864, he was made cap- tain of this company. He died from wounds received at the battle of Dug Gap, May 20th, 1864.
Thomas Forrest, a brother of Edwin, enlisted as second lieutenant in Company F, of the 134th, and was promoted to first lieutenant, March 7th, 1863. He was subsequently mnade brevet captain, N. Y. V.
Among the Schenectadians who served with distinction in the rebellion, whose names have not been previously mentioned, were A. Y. Carner, Henry Ramsay, Jr., James T. Joslin and A. Barclay Mitchel. Carner was made quartermaster of the 134th, October, 1862. Ramsay entered this same regiment as a lieutenant and was also made quartermaster. Joslin and Mitchel entered the service as lieutenants and were promoted to the rank of captain, Joslin in the 134th and Mitchel in the Eighteenth.
Although the 119th Regiment was raised and organized in New York city, some of its best and bravest officers came from Schenec- tady. Indeed its first commanding officer was Col. Elias Peissner, a son-in-law of the late Prof. Tayler Lewis of Union College. Col. Peissner was a brave and courageous officer, and after gallantly lead- ing his regiment in a number of engagements, was killed at the bat- tle of Chancellorville, May 2d, 1863.
In Company B, of the 119th, Charles F. Lewis, son of the late Prof. Lewis, enlisted as second lieutenant, but was promoted in suc- cession to the rank of first lieutenant, captain and major. Subse- : quently wounded at Chancellorville and brevetted major for gallant and meritorious service on the field of battle.
In Company D of the 119th, Henry R. Schwerin, another Sche- nectadian, enlisted as second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant April 10th, 1863, and was killed at the battle of Cliancel- lorville, May 6, 1863.
The Seventy-seventh Regiment, although organized in Saratoga
I3
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
county, contained a number of Schenectady men. In Company H of this regiment fully a fourth of the number were from this county. In this company David J. Caw enlisted as first sergeant. His worth and gallantry secured him rapid promotion. March 21, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant ; September 23, first lieutenant ; December 10th, captain ; December 20th, 1864, major, and four days after, lieutenant-colonel, with which rank he was mustered out of the service, June 27th, 1865. July 6th, 1865, for gallant and ineri- torious services, he was commissioned colonel by Governor Morgan. On the same date, his brother, William E. Caw, who entered Com- pany H a corporal, received a commission as first lieutenant.
The Seventy-seventh Regiment, it will be remembered, was a part of the Sixth Corps, and accompanied the Army of the Potomac through all its memorable campaigns, participating in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Golding's Farin, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Crampton Gap, Antietam, Mary's Heights, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Rappahannock Station, Petersburg, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Fort Stevens, Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.
In the Second Regiment of Veteran Cavalry, besides Edward Van Voast and Joseph Strunk, already mentioned, were Charles W. John- son, Albert Westinghouse and Sherman A. Case. Johnson was pro- mnoted from lieutenant to quartermaster. Westinghouse was a lieutenant in one of the companies of this regiment. He was killed in action December 10th, 1864. Case also served as a lieutenant, and was inustered out of service with this rank November 8th, 1865.
Among the surgeons from Schenectady who entered the service during the Civil War were : G. W. Van Voast, J. D. Jones, Alfred G. McDonald and William Hoag. Jones was a surgeon in the Twenty- second Cavalry, McDonald in the Twelfth Cavalry and Hoag in the 134th Infantry.
J. J. DeForest, a resident of the town of Duanesburgh, was colonel of the Eighty-first Regiment during the war. He was reared in Oswego.
The 192d Regiment was composed principally of men who had already served one terin of enlistment. This regiment was one of
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SCHENECTADY SOLDIERS.
the last organized during the war, having been mustered in the ser- vice in the fore part of the year 1865. No less than 133 in this regiment were from Schenectady, among whom was the late Soly- man G. Hamlin, a brave and courageous soldier, who, as has been previously stated, was promoted to the rank of major in the regi- inent.
The Eighty-third Regiment for home protection, composed entirely of companies in the city and county of Schenectady, was forined April 27th, 1863. It was composed of ten companies, and formed a part of the Eighteenth Brigade, Fifth Division, when first organized, but soon after was included in the Thirteenth Brigade, Third Division. July 23, 1873, it was reduced to a battalion of six com- panies. It was disbanded January 17th, 1874.
The original officers of this regiment were : James Fuller, colonel; Robert Furman, lieutenant-colonel ; John C. Barhydt, major ; Vedder V. Van Patten, adjutant ; L. Dodge, quarterinaster ; J. O. Timber- inan, surgeon ; Cornelius Van Santvoord, chaplain.
Robert Furman was made colonel August 6th, 1864, and John McShea, lieutenant-colonel. Gershom Banker was inade major July 12, 1866. Benjamin F. Sheldon was made adjutant June 20, 1866, and major October 17, 1867. George W. Marlette was inade adjutant January 4, 1868, and major May 27, 1871. John C. Perry became major December 29, 1869, and lieutenant-colonel May 28, 1869. Michael H. Lamp was made adjutant September 22, 1871, and Edward H. Vrooman became quartermaster June 14, 1867. James D. Jones was at one time surgeon and Dennis Wortman, chap- lain.
After the close of the war, a company composed of army and navy veterans, called the Soldiers' and Sailors' Union, was forined, of which Major Rafle Van Burnt was commander. Some time after this company disbanded and formned the Schenectady Zouave Cadets. Major Rafle Van Burnt was its first captain. He was succeeded by Captain Austin A. Yates. This company existed for a number of years, when its name was changed to William Horsfall Post, No. 14. A. A. Yates, G. W. Marlette and William G. Caw were commanders of this company at different periods. The name of this post was
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY
subsequently changed to Edwin Forest Post, No. 90. G. W. Tomp- kins, James F. White, Frederick Eisenminger and James R. Reagles were at various times commanders of this post. A few years ago the name of the post was again changed to Post Horsfall No. 9, which name it still bears. The present commander is Harrison Stafford.
At present there are but two military companies in Schenectady under the state militia laws, the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Separate Companies, N. G., N. Y.
The Thirty-sixth Company, (Citizens' Corps) was mustered in the state inilitia, July 12th, 1880, for a term of five years, with fifty- seven members. Its first officers were: Austin A. Yates, captain ; Oscar Shannon, first lieutenant ; George W. Tompkins, second lieutenant. Its present officers are : Its captaincy is vacant ; George Crippen, first lieutenant ; A. Wells, second lieutenant. It is com- posed at the time of writing of about eighty-six members. By the recent promotion of Captain James M. Andrews to the majorship of the Second Regiment, in which this is now Company E, it is now commanded by Lieutenant William M. Purman and Second Lieuten_ ant Charles P. Marlette.
The Thirty-seventh Company (Washington Continentals), was mustered in the state militia with fifty-one members, at the same time and for a like period of service as the Thirty-sixth. Its first officers were: Clinton C. Brown, captain ; Nelson McDonald, first lieutenant ; Thomas Gregg, second lieutenant. Captain Brown was succeeded by Captain George W. Marlette. By the death of first lieutenant Nelson McDonald, Thomas Gregg was made first lieuten- ant and James H. Vedder, second lieutenant. It is now called Com- pany F of the Second Regiment. The company is commanded by Captain Frank Bauder ; George Crippen, first lieutenant ; Harrison Stafford, second lieutenant. As will be seen later, both these coin- panies fought in the Spanish-American war.
A semi-military organization called the Polish Lancers, (no new military organizations bearing arms are permitted by the Military Code of the state) was formed. It wears a brilliant and attractive uniform and carries swords.
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GEN. SHERMAN'S ENDORSEMENT.
A. O. H. Rifle Corps, Company A, Michael E. Keating, captain ; Michael McDonough, first lieutenant ; D. J. Manning, second lieu- tenant.
Returning to the war of '61-65, let us give a tribute to Schenec- tady's dead. There are others who did not enter the service here.
John B. Yates, the great grandson of Christopher Yates, entered the military service as a captain in the First Michigan Engineer Corps, rose through the majorship to be its colonel. Of him Gene- ral Sherman thus wrote : (Copy of Gen. W. T. Sherman's endorse- ment on Col. John B. Yates' Military History.)
Headquarters, Military Division, Miss. ST. LOUIS, June 26th, 1866.
I remember well the First Michigan Engineers and its Colonel Yates. That regiment had not only to make its marches with the army, but very often had to work breaking up railroads and building bridges all day and catch up at night. Its journal of operation dur- ing the campaign in Georgia and the Carolinas, would illustrate the absolute limit of man for physical labor. I have sometimes reproached myself for cruelty in imposing, or allowing to be imposed, in such hard and constant labors-and now I desire to say this with an emphasis that will show at least that I was conscious of the fact.
(Signed) W. T. SHERMAN, Major General Commanding.
The Colonel sleeps near his ancestor in the cemetery.
Arthur R. Yates, brother of Colonel Yates above named, and son of the Rev. John A. Yates, D. D., whose death by cholera in 1849 is noted heretofore, was born here in 1839, entered the naval academy at Annapolis on September 24th, 1853. He was graduated in 1857, and from that year until 1860, was in the steamier Mississippi, Asiatic squadron. From July, 1860 to December of the same year, he was in the steamn sloop Brooklyn, Gulf squadron; December, 1860, to December, 1868, in sloop Cyane, Pacific squadron. He was com- missioned as lieutenant April 18, 1861. From January, 1864, to August of the same year, he was in the steamer Augusta. He was a
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
volunteer on board the flagship Hartford at the battle of Mobile Bay and on the evening of the battle was placed in command of the cap- tured gunboat Selma. From that time until June, 1867, he was suc- cessively in command of the Selma, J. P. Jackson and Chocorua of the Gulf squadron.
He was commissioned as lieutenant-commander on November 16, 1864. From September, 1867, to June, 1868, he was executive offi- cer of the flagship Piscataqua of the Asiatic squadron. From June, 1868, to July, 1869, he was successively in command of the steamners Ashuelot and Unadilla, of the same squadron. In 1870-72 he was at the naval academy.
On February 6th, 1872, he was commissioned as commander, com- manding the ironclad Manhattan, of the North Atlantic station in 1873. He commanded the receiving ship Sabine at Portsmouth, 1875-76 ; at League Island navy yard, 1877-78; commanding the Alliance, North Atlantic station, 1879-81 ; navy yard, Portsmouth, 1881-84; commanding training ship New Hampshire, 1884-87.
He was promoted to captain in February, 1884; waiting orders 1887-88 ; commanding Pensacola, home station, 1888-90, and at the navy yard as executive officer in 1890-91 at Portsmouth.
In the report of the battle of Mobile Bay, Admiral Farragut com- mended him highly for bravery. Before the battle he was lying with the reserve fleet outside the harbor under Commodore Tom Craver, who refused him leave to visit Farragut, but he managed to send a note to the great sailor under whom he had served. The admiral at once sent for him and inade him an aide on the Hartford, where he fought all through. He died in Portsmouth, where he had married the daughter of Captain Williamn Dwight. His widow and two daughters survive him.
Col. William Jackson, son of Prof. Isaac W. Jackson of Union College, was a heroic fighter at the first Bull Run. He was a soldier by nature as had been his father before him, and previous to his tak- ing command of his regiment, among the first to go. He had been inspector-general of the state and a man rapidly rising to promi- nence.
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GALLANT SOLDIERS.
Colonel Peissner, at the time of his appointment to the command of the 119th, was a professor at Union. With Carl Schurz, he was a German refugee, coming here after the Revolution of 1848. In Schenectady, though driven to humble occupation, his worth was discovered and became recognized. A graduate of a German univer- sity, he was a man of splendid education.
His death at Chancellorville was tragically heroic. In the awful rout of the Eleventh Corps, Lieutenant-colonel Schwerin, Lieutenant, afterwards Major Charles F. Lewis of this city, in the midst of the carnage, standing by the colors, tried to rally the flying men. Peiss- ner and Schwerin were killed and Major Lewis shot through the arm. Peissner was promoted in death to be brigadier general. Lewis slowly recovered and returned to liis command to serve through the war. The General's and Schwerin's bodies were sent back to the Union lines by the Confederate officers who were thrilled by the heroisın of the three men.
Billy Horsfall died a heroic death. He had long been a militia man when he entered the service. He was beloved by his men, who would have followed lim everywhere, as his bravery was conspicuous from the outset.
Captain Ned Forrest was a surprise. He came from civil life to the regiment just before its Chancellorville campaign. Some jeal- ousy was aroused when he joined, but when sick and lame and suf- fering he hobbled to the Chancellorville battle ground and led his command in fight. Ever after he was the admiration of his men. He lived two days after his fatal wound at Dug Gap and met tlie advent of certain death like a hero.
Lieutenant Lucius Mead, rising from the ranks, had fallen in the awful slaughter at Gettysburg. He was a superb soldier, loving his. profession. His early death cut short a career that would have been memorable.
Palmer and Ahreets were sad losses. Both were dare-devils in bravery. Palmer fell at Gettysburg. Ahreets was surprised by a sharpshooter on the march to Atlanta.
Just after the outbreak of the war, in the summer of 1861, another terrific fire broke out in Schenectady. At the site of the downtown
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
storehouse of Yates & Mynderse, at the foot of Cucumber Alley, now Front street continued, was situated the broom manufactory of Otis Smith. A workinan was repairing the tarred roof. In some careless way the pitch became ignited on the northwest corner of the building, and the fire ran down to a pile of dried broom corn brush. The flames rose at once in tremendous volume and it was about all the workman could do to get out of the way in time to save his life. A perfect gale was blowing and the alarm was sounded by the usual yells and the ringing of the old Dutch bell, followed by those of the other churches and the tooting of locomotive whistles, which was all the alarm then used. A tremendous conflagration immediately resulted, from what an eye witness declares, was the most reckless, and almost criminally careless, situation that could be conceived of.
Urged by the violence of the northwest wind, the flames swallowed the dwelling house belonging to Mr. Otis Smith on the corner where Mr. Whitmyre's handsome house is now situated, cleaned up all on that side of the street north to the bridge, and south swept away everything to, and including the house now occupied by Mrs. John Barhydt. So rapid and fierce were the flames under the gale that it was all people could do to escape with their lives. Great clots of fire swept through the air alighting on roofs all over the town. Pretty soon there were more citizens on the top of their buildings than there were inside, for no house in the path of the wind from Washington Avenue east was safe. The flames crossed the avenue east and swept every building, from the residence of Hon. J. Teller Schoolscraft to a vacant lot where now stands the residence of Mr. William C. Vrooman. Some idea of the danger threatening the whole city may be obtained from the fact that the present residence of Counsellor David Dagget, the large handsome building opposite the armory, was ignited. The five volunteer companies were hard at work, Albany and Troy were telegraphed to for aid. They promptly responded and special trains brought engines. Steam engines were a recent invention. One came over at the rate of a mile a minute from Troy. It was stationed on Front street connected with one of the cisterns, where just now cannot be discovered. The streani was directed against the burning building on the corner of Washington
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