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 15
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The whole Army of the Potomac, under General BURNSIDE, has fallen back from the Rappahannock, and lies encamped in
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the vicinity of Belle Plain. Our future course of action is as yet uncertain. We shall probably lie here for three or four weeks, and then I should not be surprised if it would be " on to Richmond" again via James river. I think everything will depend on the movements of the enemy, and the course pursued by Congress this and the next month. Yet I hardly think we shall lie idle longer than one month. If Col. BAKER were pre- sent with the regiment, I should at once forward an application for leave of absence; but until his return I do not feel at liberty to do it, even were I certain that it would be granted. I begin to fear the possibility of my getting a leave this winter, as I do not hear of any being granted at present.
I am glad that the citizens of Albany are alive to their duty in assisting sick and wounded soldiers. The last battle will fear- fully swell the list, and too great efforts cannot be put forth for their assistance. If I could only get my pay, I would send mother my mite to use for charitable purposes; but, you know, we have received no pay from the United States since July, and very soon there will be six months' pay due us. I suppose sixty or seventy dollars could be expended very easily in charity if I should send it home, which I will do as soon as I am paid.
We had twelve men wounded in the Forty-third on the 13th and 14th inst. We were under a very hot fire of shot and shell on both of those days, and it is a miracle that one-half of the regiment were not wounded. This brigade is the most fortunate one, I think, in the whole army, as we have never met with severe loss, although our positions have always been among the most exposed. I can only account for it in the superior generalship displayed by its commander. Our division (SMITH's old one), at present under command of General HOWE, has the name of being one of the best fighting divisions in the Army of the Potomac. At the last battle our picket line, composed of two Vermont regiments, the Second and Fourth, held in check and fought for over half an hour the combined picket and line of battle of the enemy opposed to us. They fought like lions, and many of them fell dead and wounded. They are no more than a sample of the regiments composing the division.
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But I must finish my letter by wishing you all at home, and all my friends, a " Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," as I hope this will reach you in time for the first of these holidays. My love to all at home. How much I desire to be with you on Christmas or New Year; but here is my place.
Your ever loving brother. JOIIN.
CAMP NEAR BELLE PLAIN, VA., Dec. 23, 1862.
Dear KATE-I write you a few lines to-day, more especially to let you know that I am well, than to give you any news. Nothing of importance has transpired for the past few days; the army, as far as I can ascertain, remaining "in statu quo." The weather has again moderated, and to-day is as balmy as May. I think a storm is not far off, as it rained for a few minutes last night. The roads are again quite soft, as the frost is coming out, which had entered the ground some two or three inches. The transportation of army supplies by wagons is not, however, much hindered as yet by the mud, but in case of a heavy rain it would be very heavy work.
Rumors are current that the Army of the Potomac will not be allowed to go into any permanent winter quarters, but that in the course of a few days this part of it, in the vicinity of Fredericksburg, will be moved by transports to the James river, and thence to the vicinity of Harrison's Landing or Peters- burg, via the Appomattox. I should not be surprised in the least if these rumors should prove true, and that New Year's day would find me on the James, or in the vicinity of the devoted city of Richmond.
Rumors are also current that the entire Cabinet, except STAN- TON and HALLECK, have resigned. This I hardly credit, as I think Secretary SEWARD would hardly desert the President now, in the time of his need. I think the upshot of the whole affair will be that " Little MAC" will be called to take command of the entire army of the United States, which I do not doubt he would do if it were offered to him, as I think he would do anything in his power to conquer the rebellion, and win for our arms the long looked for success and victory.
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Although things look gloomy and dispiriting enough just now, yet I think that He who presides over the destinies of nations, has not yet forgotten us as a Nation, and although through much tribulation, we shall yet enter into a state of perfect peace (as far as peace on earth can be); and that in due time some one will be raised up who will lead us on to victory, and right and justice assert its authority over oppression and wickedness. Although the night still grows blacker and blacker, and not a star, even, seems to illuminate our political horizon, yet I am led to hope that the watchman may soon have to say, " the morn- ing dawneth."
In all our depressions, in all our reverses, when our enemies seem to triumph over us, and destiny seems to frown upon us, then we have one refuge to which we can always flee; to Him who is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever.
I myself, although it seems like hoping against hope, can still say with the old Roman: "Never despair of the Republic." I cannot believe that such a great country as this, such a govern- ment, such a Nation, will be permitted to be torn asunder and totally disabled; to be wrecked, and thrown to the winds; to be made the object of mockery of the whole world. I still think that our continued troubles and afflictions are all ordered by the hand of God, and if we will but acknowledge His hand, and bow before His sovereign will, all will be well; and out of the great darkness He will command the light to shine ten-fold brighter than in the days gone by.
For my part, I can only pray that I may do my duty, and that each of those in authority may do theirs; and that the hand of the Almighty may guide and direct our government, that all things may be done to the honor and glory of God, and that we, as a people, may be brought to say: "Not unto us, not unto us, but to Thy name be the praise and glory."
Then, I think, we shall be victorious, and then we shall see peace and prosperity once more smiling upon us as of old, and we be that happy people whose God is the Lord. That this time may soon come, should be the prayer of all those whose country's cause is dear to their hearts; and for this hope alone, I remain
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still in the army of the Union, endeavoring to do all in my power to attain the grand object, viz: to crush the rebellion. I con- fess I did feel somewhat inclined to offer my resignation when I fully understood the condition of affairs after the late battle at Fredericksburg. but upon thinking the matter over, I concluded that at this time, above all others, did it become me to remain at my post, especially as the Colonel of the regiment is, and has been, absent from the regiment upwards of a month, and the command has devolved upon me, which duty I have endeavored to perform to the best of my ability. I trust I have done right in remaining, and that when the war is over, I may look back and say with satisfaction, that " I have done my duty." Happy New Year to all at home, and much love to mother and all my sisters.
From your loving brother,
JOHN.
CAMP NEAR BELLE PLAIN, VA., Dec. 24th, 1862.
Dear Mother-I was exceedingly happy to receive a letter from you day before yesterday.
I do not know but what you are about right, in relation to my resigning my position in the army, and coming home. I have thought the matter over and over again, and am still considering in my mind, whether I could, or not, honorably resign, and come home; but the more I ponder over it, the more I am convinced that my duty demands my remaining where I am. "Where is your patriotism, of which you felt so proud?" seems a voice within me to ask. " Where is your firmness, your devotedness to the Republic, and its welfare; your love of justice and of free- dom?" "Where your veneration for that old Flag, which, in days gone by, floated from every mast-head and from every house-top, from Maine to California?" " What excuse can you give for deserting the standard under which you have willingly enrolled yourself, now in the time of its greatest need?" " Of what benefit to your country have you been, if, after having but just learned to be of use to her, in a military point of view, you throw all your knowledge to the winds by a hasty resignation?"
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" Have you become so demoralized, that you fear to longer en- dure the privations and hardships incident to an active campaign, and rather desire to return to your home, to the more agreeable duties of civil life, while those, as little able to endure the bur- dens of the war as you, remain, and earn for themselves a name which shall endure as long as the Nation exists?" "Do you sup- pose you have done your duty, your whole duty, and that you could satisfy your conscience, that not a regret or shadow of remorse would cross it, should you be compelled in future days to carefully review your course of action?" "What answer would you make to inquiries-' Why did you resign? what made you leave the army?'" etc.
These, and other questions of similar import, continually arise, to none of which I can make a satisfactory reply; and till I can do so, I shall consider it my duty to remain in the army, not simply to idly remain, but to do my duty to my utmost ability; to rise as high as I can, honorably and fairly; to return home from the war, if God wills, with a conscience assuring me of having done my duty, and having given all my power and strength to the support of my country in her hour of need, and having remained true and steadfast to the end. Rest assured, then, I have no intention of resigning, although you well know . how much I desire to see you and my sisters again, to spend a few days at home-a place I cannot but hold most dear-and much more so, as I am daily convinced of the uncertainty of life, and the uncertainty of my beholding you all together again on earth. But I hope a way may be opened for me to get home for a few days, and that before long. I will embrace the first oppor- tunity to do so; and till then, ever believe me,
Your loving and affectionate son, JOHN.
Did our limits allow, we would gladly publish more of the letters of this gallant Christian soldier. But these must suffice to give a view of his military career, and of his qualities as an officer and a man.
Possessing such rare talents, and distinguishing himself equally in the camp and on the battle field, he rapidly rose in rank, and
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we doubt not but that he would have filled with honor the high- est position in the United States Army.
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On the 17th of July, 1862, he was commissioned as Major, and as Lieutenant Colonel, September 24th, 1862; which rank he held till February Ist, 1864, when he received his commission as Colonel. Ile was in command of the regiment in 1862, from August 3d, till October 22d, commanding at the battle Antietam, September 17th. He was the only field officer present with the regiment. From November 4th till December 25th, he was in command, and was at the first battle of Fredericksburg. In 1863 he was in command of the regiment from June 17th till August 10th, leading it at the battle of Gettysburg, which was fought July 2d and 3d, 1863.
He possessed a constitution naturally very strong and health- ful, yet he suffered from sickness during the encampment in the swamps before Richmond. Without proper nourishment, and unable to eat the only procurable food, he became so weak that he was not able to march with the regiment when the army with- drew from that position. For several days he found conveyance with the wagon train. Ile suffered also from an attack of camp fever in July, 1862, but remained all the time with the regiment.
Col. WILSON yielded to none of the temptations of camp life, but whatever he saw of evil seemed to be only a warning to him to shun it. He refrained ever from innocent indulgences, that his example to others might be the purer. An officer who was asso- ciated with him from the beginning of his early career, said of him, that " he was the most perfect man he ever saw." His com- manding personal appearance; his firmness; his love of the pro- fession of arms; his accurate knowledge and strict observance personally of all duties connected with a soldier's life; his pure, unselfish patriotism, and above all, his faith in God, eminently fitted him for the position of commander.
He was always hopeful and confident of the success of the army, and believed in the vigorous prosecution of the war. He had no personal fear in conflict, firmly believing that his life was in God's hands, and that under his protection he was as safe on the battle field as he would be at home.
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He was entirely devoted to the interests of the men under his charge, both as captain of a company and after his promotion to the field. He was always interested for the religious character of his associates in the army, an instance of which is seen in a letter to his mother, written January 16th, 1864, desiring her to present to a brother officer, whom he feared was careless about religion, a Bible similar to one she had sent him. Of course, the gentleman was entirely unaware of his Colonel's agency in the matter, and received the book when he was in Albany, with evi- dent pleasure and promises to read it. This officer fell in the battle of the Wilderness.
He won, in large measure, the friendship and esteem of those with whom he was associated. A letter written soon after his death, by a brother Colonel, speaks of him as many felt: " I can- not close this without adding something in memory of the brave dead, my associate in the camp and on the field of battle, and personal friend, COL. JOHN WILSON. In his death, our beloved country lost one of its firmest supporters and purest patriots; the service an accomplished soldier, and a refined and Christian gen- tleman. What the loss is to his family, the anguish of a mother's heart, and the deep grief of affectionate sisters, can alone tell. He was beloved by all who knew him personally, and honored and respected by all with whom he met. In his death, I lost a pure-minded and high-souled friend. No fitting eulogium can be paid to the dead who die in the defence of their country. Their deeds are more lasting than words, and no nobler epitaph can be written than ' killed in battle, May 6, 1864.'"
Single-hearted himself, he never attributed unworthy motives to others, and strove always to do his duty without sparing him- self.
The chaplain of the regiment says of him in a recent letter: " I think I never knew a man who so completely and truly made duty his watchword, and never one who had so thorough a con- viction, in all circumstances, that the place of duty was the place of safety; and out of this conviction, I think, in great part grew his remarkable coolness in danger. He believed that God directed and ordered the events of life and death, and that we
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could not. by any action of our own, change them. The result of this was a character which, in inhesitaney and directness, was perfectly Cromwellian."
Maj. Gen. W. S. HANCOCK testifies to his character as a soldier in the following words:
"Col. JOHN WILSON, of the Forty-third New York Volunteers, was well known to me, and served under my command, in the Army of the Potomac, for a period of more than a year.
" As his commander, I was carly attracted by his many good qualities, as a faithful and able officer, and had frequent oppor- tunities to notice his character and conduct. In paying this slight tribute to one who attested his devotion to his country by the sacrifice of his life, I desire to express in the strongest terms my appreciation of the many admirable and brilliant qualities he displayed while under my command. His amiable and chival- rons character, added to his gentle bearing, made him friends wherever he was known; and when he fell at the ' Wilderness,' while leading his command against the enemy, he was only exhibiting his accustomed example of daring courage and rare devotion to duty. He was mourned by myself, and by every officer and soldier with whom he had been associated."
The following are the circumstances attending the death of Col. JOHN WILSON, as given by his personal servant :
" On the morning of May 6, 1864 (Friday), Col. WILSON was slightly wounded in the calf of the leg during a hasty skirmish. He paid no attention to the wound, which had no serious effect, as he was in excellent health and spirits, up to the hour of his receiving the wound which resulted in his death.
" This occurred on the same day between the hours of five and six P. M., when the enemy made a most determined and fierce attack on the right of the Sixth Corps. The division on the right of NEIL's Brigade gave way, and the Second Division bore for a long time the brunt of the battle.
" At the first attack, and while rushing to the front to place his regiment in the most favorable position, Col. WILSON was wounded, and the rebels charged completely over him-for awhile gaining ground. The Second Division rallying, drove
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the enemy from the position, recovering the person of their beloved commander.
" It was found that the right knee was shattered by a rifle ball, and he was immediately carried some three miles to the rear to the Fifth Corps hospital-the enemy having in his temporary march cut off communication with the Sixth Corps field hospi- tal. At ten A. M. the following day the surgeons decided that amputation might perhaps save the Colonel's life, and the limb was amputated. As he was carried from the operating table and laid beside Lieut. Col. FRYER, the latter said : 'I am sorry, Colonel.' The heroic answer was : 'Major, it is all for the old flag.'
" About an hour after the operation, the Colonel was seized with a violent pain in the left side, which continued to increase in violence until about twenty minutes after three. This violent pain seemed to be the direct cause of his death, which took place at about half past three. His last words were addressed to his faithful attendant, Moo, and were these : 'I can't stand it.'
" That evening the whole army train, with the wounded, was to go to Rappahannock Station, but the enemy being reported at the fords of the Rapidan the destination was changed, and for some time it was uncertain where they were to go.
" Sergeant SWEENEY of Company A, attached to the ammuni- tion and supply trains of the Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps, did his best to bring off the body of Colonel WILSON. For some time he was enabled to carry the body, which had been carefully wrapped in blankets, but at about ten o'clock the medical direc- tor ordered the body to be buried, which was done.
" The grave was marked with a simple head-board, and in order to identify the spot a rifle was buried in the same grave."
Extract of a letter written to Mrs. WILSON by WILLIAM MOON : " As soon as I found out that the Colonel was wounded, I went to the hospital where he was. I saw him on a table under the influence of chloroform. After his limb was amputated, he revived; I went to him, and he said he wanted me to stay with him. After that they removed him to the tent where Major FRYER Was. We made a bed beside him for the Colonel. He
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seemed to feel pretty well until about half past two, when he was taken with a pain in his left side. I went to the surgeon and told him, and he gave me a mustard plaster to put on his side. That did not case the pain, and I went and told the sur- geon and he came himself to see him, and he gave him a pill, but nothing could case that pain. Just before he died he took my hand in his, and said : . Moos, I can't stand it.' Those were the last words he said; he died very easy. I think if any man went to heaven he did."
When the gentleman who went to bring home the remains arrived at the scene of the conflict the ground was in possession of the enemy, as our forees, with the wounded, had withdrawn to Fredericksburg. He was well acquainted with the country about there, and procured a flag of truce from Gen. MEADE that he might bring off' Col. WILSON's body. The rebels refused to acknowledge a flag of truce from any other officer than Gen. GRANT. It was procured, and he was enabled to find the grave and bring away the body in safety.
The remains reached Albany on Wednesday, May 25th. The funeral took place on the following Sunday, May 29th.
To appreciate the services of this distinguished officer, we need only trace the history of the Forty-third Regiment that was fired with his zeal and animated by his patriotic enthusiasm.
The regiment left Albany for Washington, Sept. 16th, 1861. It was mustered into the United States service Sept 22d, 1861, and was, by orders of the War Department, attached to the brig- ade commanded by Brig. Gen. W. S. HANCOCK, SMITH'S Division. It took part in all the movements of the Army of the Potomac, from Centreville, via Alexandria, to Fortress Monroe and the Peninsula, arriving in front of the rebel works, at Lee's Mills, April 5th, 1862. April 16th it supported the batteries of the division in their spirited attack on the rebel works, losing one man wounded. April 28th it covered a working party beyond the pieket line; skirmished with the enemy for an hour and a half, losing one man killed, one officer and eleven men wounded. On the withdrawal of the army from the front of Richmond, the Forty-third held the extreme right of the line of the Chicka-
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hominy, thrice repulsing the famous Eighth Georgia Regiment, and holding the ground until after dark, contributing greatly to the successful withdrawal of PORTER across the river. It lost, in the action, forty-three men killed and wounded. Throughout the famous seven days' battles, and in the subsequent campaign of POPE before Washington, and MCCLELLAN in Maryland, the regiment was present at every engagement from Golden Farm to Antietam. While at Harrison's Landing the old companies were consolidated into five, and five full companies were recruited and officered in Albany, N. Y., to fill the regiment to the required standard. These companies were mustered into the U. S. service Sept. 14th, 1862, and joined the old regiment in Maryland.
After the battle of Fredericksburg, where the regiment lost twelve men killed and wounded, it was deemed advisable to or- ganize a Light Division for the most arduous duties. The Forty- third was one of the five regiments selected from the army to consti- tute the infantry force. At the battle of Fredericksburg, the Light Division carried the pontoons one mile and a quarter by hand and at night, completely surprising the enemy. When the first assaulting column on the morning of May 3d, had been repulsed in its attack upon Marye's Heights, the task of carrying this redoubtable position was entrusted to the Light Division. The colors of the Forty-third were the first planted upon their part of the works. The regiment captured in the charge two guns and seventy-five prisoners, pursuing the retreating enemy to Salem Heights, and the following night, together with the Sixth Maine regiment, repulsing a brigade of the enemy who attempted to cut off the retreat to Bank's Ford; losing in both actions, two hundred men and eleven officers. In the second Maryland cam- paign, the brigade to which the Forty-third was attached, marched thirty-two miles in twenty-four hours. July 2d, 1863, it reached Gettysburg to take part in that battle; drove back the enemy's skirmishers on the extreme right and established a line, which was held until the close of the engagement, losing one officer and two privates killed. In the subsequent movements to the Rapidan, the regiment bore its share of the dangers and hard- ships. On the occasion of the brilliant affair at Rappahannock,
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resulting in the capture of four guns, two brigades of infantry and eight battle flags, the Forty-third drove the enemy's skir- mishers on the extreme right, procuring a position for artillery, and preventing the escape of any part of the force up the river, thus contributing to the completeness of the victory. The loss in the action was four men killed and six wounded.
After the Chancellorsville campaign the Light Division was discontinued and the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps, in which it subsequently served.
Col. WILSON, during his whole connection with the regiment, was never absent from it at the time of an engagement, and passed through the following battles: Lee's Mills, April 29th, 1862; Warwick Creek, April 30th, 1862; Siege of Yorktown, 1862; Golden's Farm, June 27th, 1862; Seven days' battles, 1862; Antietam, Sept. 17th, 1862; Fredericksburg, Dec. 12th, 13th, 14th, 1862; Marye's Heights, May 3d, 1863; Salem Church, May 3d, 4th, 1863; Bank's Ford, May 4th, 1863; Fredericks- burg, June 5th, 1863; Gettysburg, July 2d, 3d, 1863; Rappa- hannock Station, Nov. 7th, 1863: Locust Grove, Nov. 27th, 1863; Mine Run, Nov. 29th. 1863; Wilderness, May 5th and 6th, 1864.
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