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 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
We have made every exertion to obtain his body, but have been unsuccessful, but feel in hopes that Dr. CHAPIN, who was taken a prisoner, will mark the spot where he is buried. I have collected his effects and will send them by express to-morrow. Anything I can do will be cheerfully done. I have lost a very dear friend in your loss of a husband. I am in hopes of seeing you before long, when I can relate more particularly the inei- dents of that awful day. Bear up under this affliction. God is good, and doeth all things well. Your friend,
WILLIAM M. SEARING.
TROY, Sept. 14, 1862.
My Dear Mrs. Frisby: It was with feelings of inexpressible sorrow, while absent from home, that I heard of the death of
126
COL. EDWARD FRISBY.
your generous-hearted and gallant husband (my old friend and Colonel), EDWARD FRISBY, by the hands of the enemies of his country. He died a martyr to law and order, a lover of the con- stitution and government under which he was born, reared and educated, and a brave and conscientious defender of that flag which so long had been the pride and admiration of his country- men, and the emblem of hope and happiness of the oppressed in all parts of the world. as it was, and is, a terror to tyrants and despots. He died as all true patriots love to die-with his har- ness on, in the full, conscientious discharge of his duty to the government under which he was reared.
A bereaved country, a widowed wife, orphan children, sympa- thetie and condoling friends, mourn his loss; but their loss (con- soling is the fact) is his gain. May you, his disconsolate widow, and his orphaned children, find consolation in the fact: and may Ile, who holds nations in the hollow of his hand, and without whose notice not a sparrow falls to the ground, aid you in finding that consolation.
I have said that Col. FRISBY was my friend during all my asso- ciation with him. I have found him to be such, and therefore I mourn his loss as a friend. Of course, I cannot mourn that loss as you do. But there is one thing that I can do. I can hear truthful and uncontradictory testimony to his moral worth as a man: to his honesty and usefulness as a citizen; to his devotion as a patriot, and his steadfastness as a friend. May the bright example, which he has so disinterestedly bequeathed to his pos- terity, never be forgotten by any of them.
Believe me, Madam, to be most sincerely your friend and well wisher.
CHIAS. E. BRINTNALL.
KEEDYSVILLE, Md., Sept. 28th, 1862.
Dear Madam: Pardon me for addressing you by letter, which I presume to do, because of my former intimate relations with your deceased husband, and because I deeply sympathize with you in your affliction.
None knew Col. FRISBY, outside his family, as I knew him. Our military connection commenced when I was so young, and lasted
127
COL. EDWARD FRISBY.
so long, that I had come to look to him, as a son toward a father. I knew his inmost thoughts, so far as military matters were con- cerned, and could almost read in his face the thoughts passing through his mind. Amid the excitement of the battle field, and the tediousness of long marches, I have not fully appreciated that he is gone-that I shall never see him more; but during the past week, partially confined to my chamber by a wound, the fact has appeared to me in all its force, and I realize that I have lost a dear friend who loved me, and that the service has sus- tained an almost irreparable loss, in the sphere in which he moved.
How foreibly comes upon my mind our parting on the second of April last, at Alexandria! Then I knew how painful to him, and how painful to me, it was, to be separated in our official rela- tions. Clasped in each other's arms, the big tears rolling down his cheeks, he said, among other things: "We may never meet again!" How true it proved, but how little did I then think it was our last meeting on earth.
Dear Madam: Let me assure you, in your bereavement you have the deep sympathy of the officers and men of the regiment, and of the division to which he was attached, and in which he served so faithfully and efficiently. Indeed, the remnant of the Thirtieth mourn his loss as children mourning the loss of a father.
While we thus lament his loss, it is a source of comfort to me to know that all acknowledged his worth, and showed their appre- ciation of his merit. To the city of Albany, to the militia of the State, the loss is great; for he and a few others, by their noble, yet at the time unappreciated, labors, made the militia of the city and State what it now is, and gave to the Nation a powerful force to check the onward march of the rebellion.
Col. FRISBY's name will rank high among the heroes of this war.
The God whom he worshiped will give comfort to your be- reaved heart. He will not see the widow or children of the soldier and patriot suffer. Let me commend you to Him; and with my most earnest sympathy, I subscribe myself,
Your obedient servant,
R. C. BENTLEY.
I write with some difficulty, having one arm still in a sling.
128
COL. EDWARD FRISBY. .
FORT COVINGTON, Sept. 5th 1862.
My Dear Mrs. Frisby: With the greatest solicitude, I have watched for, and scanned the lists of the killed and wounded, in the late terrible encounters. I saw in one of the papers that your husband was wounded, and in another, that he was killed; and was unable to ascertain which report was correct, until this morning, when my attention was directed to a paragraph in one of the New York papers, describing the manner of his death, and stating the fact that his body had been recovered.
My heart is filled with inexpressible grief; it is to me as if it were my father thus stricken down.
To you I need not praise him; and I but repeat what, often, while he was living, I expressed to others; that he was one of the bravest and best officers in our service.
As one of his military family, I had an opportunity for becom- ing thoroughly acquainted with him; and I loved and revered him.
He had a high sense of the responsibility of his position, and strove serupulously and religiously to act up to those responsi- bilities.
Ilis intercourse with his officers and men, exhibited those qual- ities which adorn the character of the true gentleman.
He was not only anxious that the men of his regiment should be well disciplined as soldiers, but was solicitous for their moral well-being.
Always did I receive his hearty co-operation in every plan for the moral and religious improvement of the regiment; and if all the colonels in the army had the same sense of responsibility to God, the love of morals would be far brighter, and I believe we should be far more successful in ending this cruel war.
You have lost a husband; I a friend, and the country a truc, brave and noble soldier. We are sad; we mourn. God only can comfort. May he bless you and comfort you, is the prayer of
Your friend,
N. G. AXTELL.
129
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
V. COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
COLONEL WILLIAM AYRAULT JACKSON was born in the city of Schenectady, N. Y., on the 29th day of March, 1832. His father, ISAAC W. JACKSON, was then Professor of Mathematics in Union College, of which he was a graduate, a position he has held unin- terruptedly to the present time.
WILLIAM was the eldest of the family. He fitted for college at home, under the instruction of his father, and entered, at the early age of fifteen, the Freshman class of Union, at the com- mencement of the academic year in 1847.
During his collegiate career, he displayed marked and brilliant talents in various departments, and by the exhibition of the frank and generous qualities, which were characteristic of him, made among the under-graduates of his time many and warm friends. He then, more particularly, won distinction as a forcible and extempore speaker and skillful debater. In these accomplish- ments he was acknowledged to be without a rival among his college cotemporaries, and they were, at a later period, exercised with effect on the wider field of political discussion.
He graduated with honor in the summer of 1851, and during the succeeding year remained at home, devoting his attention to the study of general literature, and giving some of his time to the study of the law, that being the profession which he had chosen. Previons, however, to his regular entry upon his legal studies, and during the year 1852, he spent some months with an uncle, Mr. I. C. CHESBROUGH, a civil engineer, and at that time engaged upon the survey of the Albany and Susquehanna rail- road. In December, 1852, he removed to the city of Albany, with some of the most prominent and influential families in
9
130
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
which he was nearly connected, and entered the office of MARCUS T. REYNOLDS, Esq. He also, about the same time, attended a course of lectures at the Albany Law School. He was admitted to the bar on the 10th of April, 1853, and immediately com- meneed the practice of his profession in Albany, which was his residence until his death.
Soon after the commencement of his legal career, he formed a partnership with his cousin, FREDERICK TOWNSEND, Esq., an accomplished gentleman, since so favorably known as Adjutant General of the State during the whole of Gov. KisG's and a part of Gov. MORGAN's administration, who, as colonel of the Third regiment of New York volunteers, distinguished himself by his brilliant gallantry at the battle of Big Bethel, and is now a major in the United States infantry. They were associated during the whole of Col. JACKSON'S connection with the law. For a short period, during the year 1857, ALFRED CONKLING, formerly United States District Judge of the Northern District of New York, was professionally connected with them, under the firm name of CONKLING, TOWNSEND & JACKSON. On the 1st of May, 1858, their business association with Judge CONKLING having previ ously terminated, they took as a partner RICHARD M. STRONG, Esq., and the firm name was changed to TOWNSEND, JACKSON & STRONG. This partnership continued until the stirring national events of the spring of 1861 turned the thoughts of all from the peaceful pursuits to arms, when Col. JACKSON, who had been at the commencement of that year appointed and now held the office of Inspector General of the State, relinquished the profession to which he had been bred, and engaged in the defence of the gov- ernment, in the great struggle inaugurated by the attack upon and fall of Fort Sumter.
Before proceeding to the mention of Col. JACKSON'S brief but honorable military career, we pause to say a few words of the character and talents which he displayed during the time of his practice at the bar. Possessed of a singularly handsome person, with frank and genial manners, having a bold and energetic character, and a quick, penetrating intellect, being an agreeable speaker and a vigorous writer, he fast made friends and admirers,
131
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
and soon acquired a prominent and influential position at the Capital of the State. Well grounded in the principles of the law, and prompt in the despatch of business, he obtained a very considerable professional practice. Always taking a deep interest in politics, State and national, and mingling freely and on inti- mate terms, during almost the whole of this period, with the most distinguished political leaders, he soon became appreciated as a man of ability, and a brilliant and effective speaker. His political views being in accordance with those of the Republican party, he early took that side, and in the campaigns of 1856, 1858 and 1860 rendered valuable services, with his pen and on the stump, to that organization. In 1858, he made quite an extended tour, and addressed numerous large assemblies in the western part of the State.
When, therefore, in the spring of 1861 he embraced with characteristic ardor the career of arms, he had acquired a high position in his profession and in society, and was making himself felt and his influence appreciable to a degree, unusual in one so young.
No reasons, then, for so complete a change in the plan and pursuits of his life existed, other than a generous patriotism, and an honorable ambition to win the praise of honest men by his sacrifices for and services to his country.
Successful in raising a regiment whose superior in material was not to be found in the State, he originally intended to take the position of Lieutenant Colonel, devolving its command upon an army officer of experience. His plans failed in that respect, and after much hesitation and doubt from a consciousness of his inexperience, he was finally prevailed upon to accept the Colo- nelcy. On the 18th of June, 1861, he received his commission as Colonel of this, the Eighteenth Regiment of New York Volun- teers, with the rank from May 13th, 1861. From the breaking out of the war, in April, to the time he received his commission, he had been arduously engaged as Inspector General of the State in aidling the Governor in the organization of its forces, and hence by close application had acquired military knowledge which was of value to him in his new position.
132
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
From the day, however, that he took command of the Eigh- teenth, he was constant and unwearied in his devotion to and care for his men. Not unwilling to learn, nor unwisely self-con- fident, as were some of the new officers of volunteers at that period, by the industrious application of his quick, vigorous mind to the acquisition of a knowledge of the details of his duty, he very soon mastered them.
His regiment left Albany in June, and proceeding directly to Washington, encamped near the city. Here began his first trial of camp life. The officers under his command were, with but very few exceptions, without experience or practical military knowledge; and the men, like almost all the volunteers at that time, owing to the busy brief period that had elapsed since their enlistment, were a mere unformed mass, without drill or disci- pline, rather than a regiment of soldiers.
To change all this was the determination of the Colonel. He resolved to make it a regiment in truth, and one which should be inferior to none in the field. With this object in view, he was devoted, constant and unwearied, sparing neither body nor mind, but straining every faculty from the time he arrived at Washington until the disastrous battle of Manassas, and indeed until his death, in his efforts to perfect himself as an officer, and to bring to a high state of discipline the men under his command. In how short a time he, with the earnest and praiseworthy co- operation of his officers, succeeded in doing this, and how well he did succeed, was soon to be shown.
On the 12th of July, in accordance with the general plan of a forward movement into Virginia, his regiment was ordered across the Potomac and encamped near Alexandria. About the same time it was brigaded with the Sixteenth, Thirty-first and Thirty- second New York Volunteers, forming, together, the Second Bri- gade, under the command of Col. DAVIES, of the Sixteenth Regi- ment.
On the 16th of July commenced the memorable advance of the army of the Potomac. Col. JACKSON'S regiment moved from Alexandria in the afternoon of that day, and, together with the other regiments, forming the Second Brigade, took part in the
13
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
battle, or rather prolonged skirmish, of the 18th of July. In this, his conduct was gallant and meritorious, and his men behaved with the steadiness of veterans. In the battle of Manas- sas, on the 21st of July, which resulted so disastrously to our arms, the Second Brigade were upon the left and constituted the reserve, not taking part in the main battle, but fighting princi- pally by the right and centre.
Without attempting any general description of the events of that terrible and humiliating day, it is sufficient to say that the Eighteenth Regiment, the whole Second Brigade, and indeed the whole Division, of which it formed a part, behaved with marked gallantry and steadiness. The Second Brigade, covering Capts. GREEN and HUNT's batteries during the early part of the day, and with them effectually defeating a formidable attempt of the enemy's right to flank the left of our line, when later our troops fled in such panic and confusion from the field, was ordered to Centreville to protect the retreat. As to what followed, and the conduct of Col. JACKSON at this crisis, appears in an extract from the report of Capt. GREEN, in command of a battery:
"I chose a position," he says, " on the crest of a hill, which, from its shape, gave command of the ground to our left, and also of the road along which our division was retiring. From this position I could perfectly sweep with my fire one hundred and eighty degrees front, right and left, down a gentle slope. Four regiments were placed as my support, and the force at this point could have stopped double its number.
" At this point an unauthorized person gave orders to retreat; I refused the order, but all my supporting regiments but one (Col. Jackson's Eighteenth N. Y. V.), moved off to the rear. Col. Jackson most gallantly offered his regiment as a support, saying ' that it should remain by me as long as there should be any fight- ing to be done there.' The above mentioned person again made his appearance at this time, and again ordered me to retreat, and ordered Col. JACKSON to form column of division on my right and retreat with me, as all was lost. The order was of course disre- garded, and in about two minutes the head of a column of the
13.4
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
enemy's cavalry came up at a run, opening out of the woods it beautiful order. I was prepared for it, and the column had not gone more than a hundred yards out of the woods before shells were burst at their head, and directly in their midst. They broke in everydirection, and no more cavalry came out of the woods."
The Eighteenth, in compliance with orders from the command- ing General, retreated, covering GREEN's battery; and halted for a short time at Fairfax. Col. JACKSON, ascertaining that the Gen- cral, despairing of bringing the defeated army to a halt, had himself gone to Washington, it again resumed the retreat, and at midday on the 22d took possession of its old camp at Alexandria. This retreat was effected in perfect good order throughout; and on the way back the Colonel was enabled to afford aid to his fel- low townsman, Lieut. HILL, of the United States artillery, in bringing off two of the guns of his battery.
All the officers who were present, bear testimony to the gal- lantry of Col. JACKSON, and the admirable behavior of his regi- ment, throughout that memorable advance towards, and retreat from Manassas.
During the whole time he was almost constantly mounted, and he bore up with astonishing endurance under the most exhausting fatigue. He says himself, in a letter written to a friend on the 23d of July: " From half past two Sunday morning until Monday at midday, we neither slept nor rested. I was in my saddle nearly all the time."
After this battle the regiment, not sharing in the general demoralization of the troops, remained near Alexandria, shifting its camp occasionally, taking its turn at guard and picket duty, and for a time engaged in building Fort Ward, one of the numer- ous fortifications erected to protect Washington.
When Gen. MCCLELLAN, taking command, commenced the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, the Eighteenth Regi- ment was placed in Gen. NEWTON'S Brigade, and Gen. FRANKLIN'S Division.
The devotion and enthusiasm of Col. JACKSON, in raising to the highest standard the discipline and morale of his men, did not flag. Until attacked by his last illness, he was hardly ever
135
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
absent from the camp, and it was an extremely rare thing for him to sleep out of it; and he took eagerly upon his shoulders, the thousand constant cares and labors, consequent upon a serupu- lously conscientious discharge of his duties. In a word, his whole time and energies were employed. In all this, and indeed during the whole of his connection with the regiment, it is but justice to record, that his efforts were much aided, and the char- acter of the regiment for discipline and efficiency raised, by the steady support and uniformly gallant conduct of his Lieut. Col. (now Colonel) YOUNG, a townsman, and the officer who succeeded him in command.
These wearing anxieties of his responsible position, and the unaccustomed privations and exposures of life in the field, in an unhealthy climate, were unfortunately laying in the constitution of JACKSON the foundations of fatal disease. His health, which had been, through life, up to this period, almost perfect, now showed signs of giving way; and during a hurried visit home in August, his friends were alarmed at the inroads made by fatigue and anxiety upon it. Although, for some time after his return to the regiment, he seemed better, he was, towards the end of October, seized with an illness, which, assuming the form of bilious remittent fever, proved fatal. Prostrated for some days in his tent, his brother officers were unable to induce him to " give up " and seek relief from his official duties, and it was not until his illness assumed a most serious form, that he consented to apply to be removed to Washington. This was done on the 30th of October, and Dr. STONE, one of the most eminent physi- cians of the city, was then immediately called to his bedside, but it was too late. For a few days, no critical symptoms appeared, and his condition was not considered as imminently dangerous until the 7th of November. Hemorrhage of the bowels, and afterwards of the brain, then set in, destroying all hope. On Monday, the 11th of November, a little before six o'clock in the evening, his spirit passed away. His last words were these, uttered just before the power of articulation departed, in a strong, deliberate voice, but evidently with great effort: " I do believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; I trust in him."
136
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
The remains of Col. JACKSON were taken home for interment. They were escorted to the cars at Washington by his regiment, every member of which expressed a desire to testify his respect for his beloved Colonel. At Albany, they were received by the military of the city, and lay in state.
He was buried at Schenectady on the 14th of November, 1861.
Borne to his last resting place by the friends of his youth whom he loved so well, amid the scenes of his boyhood he sleeps, requiemed by the sighing pines which wave over his grave.
Beautiful and joyous was his youth; bold and vigorous his manhood; his death honorable, nay, glorious; for, although he fell not by the sword nor amid the maddening whirl and din of battle, yet by his self-consuming labors for his country's weal, were sown the seeds of that fell disease which was his destroyer.
The high estimation in which Col. JACKSON was held, appears from the numerous letters of consolation received by his father from distinguished gentlemen in various parts of the country, and from the complimentary resolutions passed by the bar of the city of Albany, the Governor of the State and his staff, the Eighteenth Regiment, and the Albany Zonave Cadets. Also, at the meeting of the Albany bar, most eloquent eulogies were pronounced upon our departed hero by the Hon. CLARK B. COCHRANE, S. O. SHEPARD, Esq., his honor, Recorder AUSTIN, Hon. JOHN V. L. PRUYN, and J. M. KIMBALL, Esq. Our limits will only allow us to give the tribute of the Hon. Mr. COCHRANE, which, in common with the others, presents, in just and beautiful language, the worth and the achievements of our lamented patriot martyr.
He spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Bar:
The news of the event which has called together the bar of Albany on the present occasion, has fallen with mournful weight upon the hearts of millions of our countrymen. The removal by death of WILLIAM A. JACKSON, from the newly chosen field of his activities, in the midst of his growing usefulness and rising fame, and in view of what he was and what he promised to become, produced, as it was calculated to produce, a profound sensation in the public mind. The deep and universal solicitude, the ex-
137
COL. WILLIAM A. JACKSON.
pressions of private hopes and public anxiety with reference to the chances of his recovery, from the time his dangerons illness became known, until the announcement of its fatal termination, the imposing demonstrations of respect tendered to his memory and services, and the multiplied evidences of sincere and general sorrow which have followed that announcement, admonish us that our professional brother, whose loss we mourn and whose recollection we cherish, was no ordinary personage. It rarely hap- pens, even in our own glorious country, where all legal and adven- titious hindrances are removed from before the march of merit, where the race is usually to the swift, and the battle to the strong, that one comes to occupy, at so early an age, so large a measure in the public eye, or possess so firm a hold of the popular heart. Though yet in the early dawn and dew of manhood, Col. JACK- SON has inscribed his name upon the imperishable records of his country, and left his footprints deeply traced on the sands of time. A nation, for whose life and whose honor he drew his sword, witnessed, with emotions of sorrow, his passage from the theatre of life; and the great, the gifted and the brave, followed his bier and mingled as mourners in his funeral train. Thus, let a grateful people ever hallow the memory of the brave defenders of the land and flag of our fathers. Our departed friend has left a blameless life, a bright and brave example for the imitation of all, especially for our youth. At a period when success, with young men of brightest promise, is yet the subject of conjecture, he had accomplished ends and achieved a position which exempt life from the possibilities of failure, and enabled him to say, as he turned his youthful eyes for the last time to the light of Heaven, I have not " lived in vain nor spent my strength for naught."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.