USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The heroes of Albany. A memorial of the patriot-martyrs of the city and county of Albany, who sacrificed their lives during the late war in defense of our nation 1861-1865 > Part 10
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Maj. Gen. FRANKLIN writes: "Col. BENEDICT came to my head quarters, about 12 M. on the 9th, to obtain permission from Gen. EMORY and myself, to change the position of his line, indicating another which, in his opinion, was stronger and safer. We agreed to the change, and it was made." Some merits of the new position are developed by the preceding extracts; but a further obvious advantage may be stated. The whole of the woods in front, and the slope to the ditch at the bottom, were left free and clear to be shelled by the artillery without the slightest peril to the brigade lying among the bushes along the ditch, which, indeed, might have added its own fire to that of the artillery. The silence of this arm, at so critical a moment, appears remarkable, and it is not easy to resist the belief that a main advantage expected from the change of position was not realized.
The theatre of this battle may be described as a large open field that had once been cultivated, but was then overgrown with weeds and bushes-many of the latter were the red rose of Louisiana. The moderately elevated centre of the field, from which the name Pleasant Hill was derived, is merely a long
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mound or ridge, scarcely entitled to be called a hill, that from its crown descends gently to the ditch of which mention has been made. Beyond the ditch an easy acelivity rises to a belt of timber, which encloses it semicircularly on the side towards Shreveport, and out of which the attacking forces came. The ditch and its fringe of shrubbery, while it afforded some cover, presented little obstruction to the passage of troops. The front of the position occupied by Col. BENEDICT'S brigade, extended along this ditch. It was on the Pleasant Hill side of this shallow valley that the final and decisive fighting took place. On his way up, this locality had attracted the Colonel's attention, and he expressed a belief that there the rebels would be fought; and when some dissent was expressed. it was afterwards remem- bered that he argued the probability almost with vehemence. Whether this impression was merely the result of his military perception of the fitness of the place, or one of those shadows said to be cast before coming events, it is not now worth while to consider; but certain it was, he was doomed to illustrate in his own body, either the soundness of his judgment or the correct- ness of his apprehension.
In the conflict on the slope, and perhaps in the melee of that critical moment, when the reinforced enemy caused our line to hesitate and even recoil, and the fortune of the day seemed doubtful; when by almost superhuman efforts on the part of the officers, the men were rallied to that frantic charge which gave victory to the Union arms and saved its army, its navy and its jurisdiction of the southwest, Col. BENEDICT fell.
It was only by the prompt activity of one of his officers that his body, pierced by five balls, was rescued from the field. Capt. SAMUEL COWDREY, of the One Hundred and Sixty-second, aided by one man, conveyed it to a building, for the time appropriated to the uses of a hospital, and delivered it to the Surgeon in charge. Lieut. VAN WYCK, of the deceased Colonel's staff, was detailed to deliver it to the family of Col. BENEDICT, which ser- vice he performed with equal tenderness and fidelity.
In anticipation of its arrival, the Common Council of Albany had appointed a committee of its members to receive the remains
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in New York, convey them to the city and order the arrange- ments for their interment. In the discharge of this duty, it returned with the body on April 30th, and in deference to the wishes of his family, laid it in sorrow in his desolate home, rather than in state at the Capitol, as had been designed.
Its presence in that house, dead, where his advent, living, had been so long hoped and prayed for, raised still higher the flood- gates of anguish, opened by the intelligence of his death.
On Monday, May 2d, 1864, his shattered body, followed by sad hearts and weeping eyes, was removed from the dwelling of his mother to the house of the Lord; whence, after appropriate religious services and an eloquent commemorative address, with becoming civic and military honors, and many impromptu mani- festations of private regard and public respect, it was borne on its last earthly pilgrimage to the Albany Cemetery. There, he was laid forever to rest, within the shadow of his father's monu- ment; around him, " his martial cloak," covered with the dust of battle, rent by bullets and stiffened by his blood.
The foregoing Sketch is mainly extracted from a Memorial, prepared for the use of the family of Col. BENEDICT, to which access has been kindly permitted.
The following Letters have been received from distinguished Generals of our Army who knew Col. BENEDICT, and can speak of him from personal knowledge:
WASHINGTON, October 14, 1864.
My Dear Colonel: I knew Col. BENEDICT well, and was near his brigade when he fell. He died bravely and nobly in a battle which was terrific in its progress, and where our success saved the army, the fleet, and gave us the continued possession of the Mississippi and New Orleans. Had we failed at Pleasant Hill, we could not have maintained our power with the loss of the army and fleet of gunboats.
Col. BENEDICT did not die in vain; and the close of his career was as glorious as its progress had been upright and honorable.
We were, at once, upon making acquaintance with each other
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on a confidential footing, and I was often surprised and delighted with the general intelligence and knowledge of men which he always exhibited. I read, at the time of his death, the discourses pronounced at his funeral, and by the bar of which he was a member. They did no more than justice to the many virtues which distinguished him.
Very truly yours, N. P. BANKS,
Major General Commanding.
To Col. N. N. LEE DUDLEY.
PORTLAND, ME., July 25, 1864.
My Dear Sir: * I was quite intimate with your brother, Col. LEWIS BENEDICT, of the One Hundred and Sixty- second New York Regiment. He was under my command from August, 1863, until the time of his death. I, like every one else who knew him, was exceedingly attracted by his social qualities, and I enjoyed his society extremely. I saw a great deal of him during the winter of 1863-64, while I commanded at Franklin, La. At this time he commanded a brigade in Brig. Gen. EMORY'S Division of the Nineteenth Corps.
He retained command of this brigade on the march from Frank- lin to Alexandria and Natchitoches, and commanded it in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864, and of Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864. In the last named battle he was killed.
I know little of his conduct in the battle of the 8th of April. I do know, however, that his brigade, which held the left of the line, was severely attacked by the enemy; that it behaved ex- ceedingly well, entirely repulsing the attack, and that it held the ground until nightfall, when the battle ended. My position on that day prevented me from knowing any more than what I have told above.
On the 9th of April, at Pleasant Hill, his brigade formed the left of Gen. EMORY's line. He came to my headquarters about twelve o'clock M. to obtain permission from Gen. EMORY and myself to change the position of his line, indicating another, which, in his opinion, was stronger and safer. We agreed to the change, and he then left, and the change was made. In this new
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position his brigade was attacked by the enemy, and after a gal- lant fight was driven back. It was, however, rallied very soon, returned to the fight, drove the enemy in turn, and did a great deal toward saving the day.
It is my impression that your brother was killed while his brigade was advancing, after he had succeeded in rallying it; but I am not certain of this, nor is it material now. What is certain is, that he handled his brigade well; that he fought it as well as it was possible to fight it, and that he died performing his duty like a noble soldier.
There was one universal expression of sorrow among all his comrades when it became certain that he was killed. He had endeared himself to all of them.
I am sorry that I am able to give you no more reminiscences of him. I have told you all that I now recollect, but events crowded on so fast just at the time your brother was killed, that I have doubtless forgotten much that I would otherwise have remembered.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major General U. S. Volunteers. HENRY M. BENEDICT, Esq., Albany, N. Y.
HEAD QUARTERS NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, CAMP RUSSELL, VA., November 29, 1864. HENRY M. BENEDICT, Esq .:
Dear Sir-We are still in the field, and I do not know that this compaign, unsurpassed for its activity, is yet ended. This has been, and is still, my excuse for not doing what has been nearest my heart-writing some account of your brother, Col. BENEDICT, who fell under my command. I have not had, nor have I now, the opportunity to refer to the statistics of his military history. Under these circumstances, you must forgive me for being brief.
Col. BENEDICT was honorably engaged in the siege of Port Hudson, where he exhibited his most distinguished military characteristic, personal courage. His first field service under ire
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was during the Red River Campaign, where, on account of his well known gallantry and high character as an officer, I selected him to command a brigade. Of his noble and patriotic death, I cannot speak in terms of too great admiration, although I am now too much engaged to give a detailed account of the circum- stances under which it occurred.
He commanded the Third Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, during the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, where we were brought into action after the Thirteenth Corps and the Cav- alry had been routed; and he there aided in checking and driving back an overwhelming force of the enemy, flushed with temporary success. The next day, at Pleasant Hill, still in command of the same brigade of my division, he fell at the head of his men, bear- ing the brunt of that bloody battle.
I am, my dear sir, very truly yours,
W. H. EMORY, Brig. Gen.
DOVER MINES, GOOCHILAND COUNTY, VA., March 15, 1866.
HENRY M. BENEDICT, Esq .:
Dear Sir- * * * It gives me sincere pleasure to have an opportunity to express the high appreciation which I have of the character and services of your late lamented brother, whom it was my good fortune to meet often during our service in the Department of the Gulf.
He joined, to high order of capacity and fine soldierly qualities, a warm heart and most genial manuer, so that while he inspired confidence in his ability to command, he also gained the warm affection of those with whom he was associated.
His presence in the command always gave me both confidence and pleasure; and his death was to me the most saddening per- sonal event of the campaign in which he fell. In this feeling, I believe all in the Army of the Gulf participated.
With great respect, I am, dear sir, Your most obedient servant,
CHARLES P. STONE,
Formerly Brig. Gen. and Chief of Staff, Dep't of the Gulf.
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COL .. EDWARD FRISBY.
IV. COL. EDWARD FRISBY.
EDWARD FRISBY was born in Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., on the third day of August, A. D. 1809, and was the son of EDWARD FRISBY and NABBY BLACKMAN. When about two years of age, his father removed to Whitestown, where he died when EDWARD was about thirteen or fourteen years old. He was the second son, and the seventh of ten children, of whom but one survives him, viz: Hon. D. H. FRISBY, of Illinois. Notwithstanding his youth, he was so unwilling to see his mother burdened by the cares of so large a family, that he determined to do something for himself, and commenced working his own way in the world in the Oneida cotton factory. During the whole time of his resi- dence at home, he was noted for his kindness and attention to his mother. At the age of seventeen, he came to Albany, and on the first of February, in the year 1827, was bound apprentice to JOHN MAYELL, hatter, by his brother ELEAZER B. FRISBY, who, being fifteen years his senior, took more the place of a father than a brother. He served as apprentice until he was twenty years of age, after which he continned in the service of Mr. MAYELL as a journeyman until he was twenty-two, when he com- menced business for himself. When in his twenty-fourth year, on the fifth of November, 1832, he was married to MARY AUGUSTA STEVENS, of Amherst, N. H.
His parents were Presbyterians, but after coming to Albany he usually attended the Baptist church. He experienced reli- gion in a protracted meeting, held in the First Baptist church in Albany, with which he united, then under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr. HODGE. His wife was already a member of that church.
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Col. FRISBY was the father of six children, two girls and four boys, of whom but two are living. the two youngest (boys). The first four died in infancy. He was kind and devoted as a hus- band and father, as well as a son and brother.
When quite young. he evinced a great taste for a military life, and at the age of eighteen was chosen corporal in a State militia company. This post he filled until he was about twenty-two years of age, when, on the second of September, 1831, he re- ceived his commission as ensign in the Eighty-ninth Regiment of Infantry. In August, 1833, he was elected captain; in March, 1835, major; in September, 1839, lieutenant colonel; and in August, 1841, colonel; which position he held for about three months, when he received his commission as colonel of the Twenty-fifth Regiment under the new organization. On the 19th of May, 1856, he received his commission as brigadier gen- eral of the Eleventh brigade, Third division N. Y. S. M. This position he held until the fall of 1860, when he resigned, and for the first time in thirty-three years, was out of office. He was then in his fifty-first year. Although he was now in no way con- nected with the military of the State, still officers of every rank were constantly applying to him for the advice and instruction which he was so well qualified to give.
He now intended to give his whole attention to his family and to his private business. But he was not long permitted to re- main in the quietude of domestic enjoyment. His country called, and found him ready to obey. In the spring of 1861, at the first appearance of trouble, he manifested a great interest in every- thing connected with our country's welfare, and repeatedly ex- pressed a desire to enter the service and do something to avert the evils which threatened us as a nation.
When the old Twenty-fifth Regiment, of which he was so long a member, began to talk of leaving for the field of action, their Colonel, M. K. BRYAN, desired Gen. FRISBY to accompany them, both to give advice to himself and officers, and to encourage the men who placed such explicit confidence in him.
On the 22d of April (a day that will never be forgotten in
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Albany), they left home and friends, to go forth to battle for freedom.
Besides the children to whom we have referred, Col. FRISBY had an adopted son, the child of his wife's sister, who died when the boy was an infant. This little one the Colonel, in the gene- rosity of his nature, took and brought up as his own. He was older than his own sons, and took charge of his business while he was in the army.
While they were detained in New York, waiting for the neces- sary preparations to be made for their departure to Washington, Gen. FRISBY wrote home to his wife, as follows:
" I have been very busy since our arrival here. Our men are in good spirits, and the best feeling prevails. I want to express my thanks to you, for your heroic conduct upon my departure from home; that you did not say one word to discourage me, but arranged everything in your power for my comfort, when I know your heart was full of trouble."
He remained with the Twenty-fifth until their arrival in Wash- ington, and then hastened home to recruit a regiment of volun- teers, to aid in the defence of the Union. This regiment, the Thirtieth N. Y. S. Volunteers, was mustered into the service. He was commissioned its Colonel. On the 27th of June, 1861, they left for the seat of war.
The following is an extract from a letter written by him to his sons, dated at Camp Union, Brightwood, July 7, 1861:
" You are now of an age, when you will establish a character and habits which will grow through your whole life. I know you are well disposed, but many, who are equally well disposed, often yield to temptations, and soon find that they have no power to resist evil. I hope you will listen to the counsel of your mother in all things; be constant in your attendance at church and Sabbath school, and ' Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.' I have felt, and still feel, a great anxiety about you, knowing, as I do, how necessary it is for boys to have the advice and care of a father. But the call of my country has come, and it is my duty to respond, and leave you in the hands of Him who tempers the wind to the shorn lambs, believing He
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will watch over, and guide you safely, through every trial and temptation, if you will look to Him. I have been very well since I left home, but the care upon my mind has been very fatiguing. We are situated very pleasantly, and are doing as well as could be expected under all circumstances. We are to have religious service at ten o'clock this morning, in a grove adjoining our camp, which will be conducted by our chaplain, Rev. N. G. AXTELL."
It is needless to follow our hero through all the changes of the army of the Potomac; through the long and weary marches, or in the dull monotony of camp life. In a letter to his wife he says:
"It is hard for you to be left alone, but you must consider that the cause in which we are engaged requires sacrifices, and you are doing your duty as much as the soldier who is fighting upon the field of battle. If I can see this war honorably brought to a close, I shall not regret any sacrifice that I have made. I may not live to enjoy it, but I know that my boys will not love their country the less because their father fought for it."
In another letter, speaking of his officers, he says: " I am well satisfied with them, as well as with the men. My regiment is doing well, indeed, better than I could have expected. If we can have a little time to drill, I believe that we can do our coun- try good service."
Again he writes: " My dear wife, keep up good courage, our God is a God of war as of peace. Let us trust in Him. He is mighty in battle, and the right will conquer."
Col. FRISBY enjoyed excellent health until July, 1862. when his health began to fail and he desired to see his wife. He wrote to her, desiring her to come to him immediately (he was then at Falmouth, Va., opposite Fredericksburg), saying nothing, how- ever, of his ill state of health. She went with all haste to him, and on arriving found him lying very low with fever. By the tenderest care he was restored so far as to be able to travel.
While lying on his sick bed, the army were ordered to march, and never did a father feel worse at parting with his children than did Col. FRISBY at parting with his officers and men. He
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would lie upon his bed, the tears streaming down his cheeks, and exclaim: "Oh, my poor boys ! My poor boys !"
He procured a leave of absence, and in company with his wife turned his face homeward. The sail up the Potomac seemed to revive him, and on arriving in Washington he felt so much better that he determined to return at once to his regiment, then stationed at Culpepper, where he expected they would remain in camp long enough for him to fully regain his strength. So he bade his wife and son (who was with her) adieu, little thinking that it was for the last time. He returned to camp, and instead of remaining there for several weeks as the regiment had antici- pated, they were ordered into action at once. They fought all the way from there to Bull Run, where, on the third day after entering battle, he fell. The day he fell his leave of absence had not expired.
A young man, a member of his regiment, who went from Troy, and who was for some time in the Colonel's tent as orderly, writes to Mrs. FRISBY as follows:
" A few hours before the battle I conversed with the Colonel. He seemed a little melancholy. He spoke, however, of the posi- tion of our troops, of the admirable position of the batteries, and expressed entire confidence in the ability of our commander. When we made that fatal charge, his duty called him from that part of the field, and I did not see him again. When I inquired for the Colonel, I was informed that he had fallen while leading us on.
"He was like a father to me, ever gentle and kind. I deeply feel his loss, but why should I complain, when others have equal cause, and are silent. Through this life, I shall act as I know he would desire me to. God be with you and bless you, my kind friend. With many prayers for you and yours, in your sorrow, I subscribe myself your friend.
Respectfully, "ALBERT MOTT."
The following account of the death of this gallant officer appeared in the " Albany Express," August 30, 1862:
" Col. E. FRISBY, of the Thirtieth regiment, was killed in action near Centreville, Va. He was at the head of his regiment on the
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memorable Saturday when the second battle of Bull Run was fought, urging his men forward, they having received an order to charge at double quick. While thus discharging his duty, a ball struck him on the lower jaw, passing through his face. Ile did not fall from his horse, but grasped the reins firmly. Maj. CHRYSLER, noticing that his colonel had been wounded, hurried to his side and said to him: 'Colonel, you are hit.' Col. F., the blood streaming from his shattered jaw, immediately responded: . Major, to your post !' and, brandishing his sword, started his horse up. Scarcely had he uttered the words of command, when he was struck on the top of the head with another ball, which passed through and came out on the opposite side, killing him instantly. He dropped from his horse, and the remnant of his regiment, which had been in the hottest of the fight, was forced to fall back, leaving the remains of their heroic commander on the field of battle. Four days after, his body was interred by the surgeon of the Twenty-second New York State volunteers. When the common council committee reached Washington, Monday morning last. they learned that the body had been interred on the battle field, and that a regiment had been sent out to bury our dead. No intelligence was received from the regiment during Monday, and Col. HARCOURT then resolved to go to the battle field. He procured the necessary passes for himself and Maj. CHRYSLER, and carly Tuesday morning left the city in a carriage. They proceeded as far as Bailey's Cross Roads, where they met the regiment returning with the body of Col. FRISBY. The body of Col. F. was found in the precise spot where the sur- geon of the Twenty-second stated he buried it, with a board at the head marked Col. FRISBY. On arriving in Washington, the committee at once made arrangements for embalming the body, a process which required some considerable time. They left Washington Wednesday afternoon at five o'clock, and came direct to New York without stopping, arriving there yesterday mor- ning, too late for the carly train. The remains were removed to the Hudson River railroad depot, when the committee was in- formed that the body could not be sent forward without permis-
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sion from the city inspector. Col. HARCOURT, after considerable effort, succeeded in procuring the document, and left New York."
The funeral of Col. FRISBY took place September 11. The military escort took the cars at North Ferry street for the ceme- tery. During the movement of the funeral cortege all places of business were closed, the flags were flying at half mast, the bells were tolled and minute guns fired, the streets meanwhile being densely crowded with spectators.
A nobler hero, a purer patriot, has not fallen during the war than Col. EDWARD FRISBY.
The following touching letters were received by the bereaved widow:
WASHINGTON, D. C., September 4, 1862.
Mrs. E. FRISBY-I have hesitated and delayed writing to you in hopes the first rumors that reached us, in relation to the fate of our beloved Colonel, might be confirmed.
But, alas ! my heart aches, my eyes become blinded, and my head is dizzy, when thinking of that awful field of carnage and death. O, God ! that I could blot from my memory the scenes of that most unfortunate encounter. I cannot give you a detailed account of that battle, or of the part taken by any one. I can only say your husband, our beloved colonel, fought in the thickest of the fight, and died at his post of duty.
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