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 18
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COL. HENRY VAN RENSSELAER.
to the pursuits of agriculture, and to the discharge of the numerous duties pertaining to his position. He was always ready to assist, often to his own injury, in any enterprise that promised to promote the good of the community. Generous, almost to a fault, his hand was open alike to the calls of public and private charity. His poor neighbor found in him a sincere and willing friend, and the settlers upon his lands were treated with a uniform liberality and consideration, which won their respect and affection.
Mr. VAN RENSSELAER was, from the period of his marriage, a communicant in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and devotedly attached to its interests. He allowed nothing to interfere with what was not only a duty, but his highest pleasure, the service of God; and no inclemency of weather ever prevented his punc- tual attendance in the sanctuary. Simple and unostentatious in manner, with a natural reserve, which shrank from disclosing the communings of his inner life, he commanded universal respect as a pure Christian gentleman; one whose constant endeavor was " to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God."
In 1841, Mr.' VAN RENSSELAER was elected a member of the House of Representatives from his district, being the only Whig member ever elected by the same constituency. He served through three sessions of the Twenty-seventh Congress with his accustomed punctuality and diligence. But political life had few attractions for him, and he gladly returned to his happy home and ordinary occupations.
In the fall of 1855, he removed with his family to New York, intending in the future to pass the winter there and the summer at his home on the St. Lawrence. But soon after his departure, his house at Woodford, on which he had lavished all the im- provements that a refined taste could suggest, and where he delighted to dispense an elegant and liberal hospitality, was destroyed by fire, and New York became his permanent resi- dence. There he led for some years a quiet and retired life, yet always taking a deep interest in the political questions of the day, and watching, with the sorrow of one devoted to his coun- try, the growth of prejudice and treason, which culminated in the great rebellion.
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But when the fall of Fort Sumter fired the patriotism of the north, true to his early training as a soldier, and to his instincts as a patriot, he at once wrote to Gen. Scorr, then in command of our forces in Washington, to ask for an opportunity as a sol- dier, educated by the nation, to take some part in the impending struggle. He received, in reply, a telegram saying, " We shall be glad to be aided by your presence;" and hastily completing the arrangements for his departure, he left New York on the 26th of April, 1861.
On reaching Washington, Gen. Scor received bim imme- diately into his military family; and, with the rank of Colonel, made him chief of his staff. Of this position he faithfully and intelligently performed the duties, until the relinquishment by Gen. Scorr, under the pressure of physical infirmities, of his high command. Ho was, during these months, the constant com- panion of the Lieutenant General, who recognized his moral worth, and appreciated the affectionate respect and consideration which he always received from him. Col. VAN RENSSELAER Was an enthusiastic admirer of the old commander's personal charac- ter and military achievements, as may be seen from the following toast, which he proposed on the occasion of a dinner given by the staff officers to Gen. ScorT on his birth day: "The hero of 1812, and the conqueror of Mexico: Whilst Niagara's thunder hymn is raised to heaven, his fame will not want a voice; and while Mexico's snow-covered Popocatapetl props the sky, his glory needs no monument."
It was the General's special request, when he resigned his position, that the gentlemen of his staff, who had rendered him and their country efficient service, should receive subsequent appointments suitable to their merits. And he was assured by the President that his desire should be gratified, and that, "except the unavoidable privation of his society, which they had so long enjoyed, the provision made for them would be such, as to render their situation as agreeable as it had been before."
Col. VAN RENSSELAER accompanied Gen. SCOTT to New York, and received from him, as he was on the point of sailing for
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Europe, October 9th, 1861, an autograph note of farewell, as follows:
"Adieu, my dear Colonel VAN RENSSELAER. No General has ever had greater cause to be proud of his staff than I have had in you and my other dear friends-Cols. TOWNSEND, HAMILTON, CULLUM and WRIGHT-all dear friends.
" WINFIELD SCOTT."
Upon the advice of Gen. SCOTT, Col. VAN RENSSELAER applied for the position of Inspector General in the regular army, and received his commission to that position, dating August 5th, 1861.
He was immediately ordered to make an inspection tour of the west, having his head-quarters at Cincinnati, and he visited, during the ensuing winter, most of the military posts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.
In the spring of 1862, he received orders to report to Gen. McDOWELL, then in command of the Army of the Rappahannock, who was expected to take a prominent part, in cooperation with General MCCLELLAN, in the movement upon Richmond. They occupied Manassas and Fredericksburg, and were in daily antici- pation of a farther advance, hoping, if possible, to reach Rich- mond before the Army of the Potomac. But after remaining inactive for some months, they were ordered back for the pro- tection of Washington.
In August, 1862, Col. VAN RENSSELAER was again ordered to Cincinnati, and the following summer, in addition to his other duties, was appointed president of a board for the examination of officers for colored regiments, a position which he filled at the time of his death. His courteous, genial manners, and kindly heart, won for him the confidence and esteem of all who were connected with him, and during his residence in Cincinnati, he formed many friendships which were an unfailing source of pleasure to him in his leisure hours, and an unspeakable conso- lation and solace during his last illness.
Owing to an attack of sickness, which rendered him unable to discharge his duties, and which was probably the first symptom of the insidious disease which several months later caused his
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death, he obtained a leave of absence, dating December 21st, 1863, and hastened home to spend Christmas with his family, it being the first time since the beginning of the war that they had been together at that season. After several happy weeks, which seemed to restore him to his usual vigorous health, he returned to Cincinnati. But the separation from his family, the discom- fort and loneliness of hotel life were peculiarly trying to his mind, already harassed by many cares, and the close confinement of his office exhausted his energies, until he had no strength left to struggle with the slow fever, which was gaining a fearful hold upon him. Yet, while contending against the double suffering of feverish days and sleepless nights, he could not be prevailed upon to neglect his official calls, which at that time were pecu- liarly urgent, or to apply for another furlough. And morning after morning found him seated at his desk, striving faithfully to fix his mind, then weakened by disease, for the business before him, until he was told by the attending surgeon that perfect rest and quiet were essential to his recovery.
On March 16th his wife received a telegram, advising her to come on, and although not apprehending any imminent danger, she hurried there at once. Her presence seemed the gratification of his only earthly desire, and, after listening to the many details of home news, with loving inquiries after all those near- est to his heart, he sank into a stupor, in which, with a few intervals of consciousness, he remained while life lasted.
In his last delirious moments his mind still ran upon the pub- lic interests which had so engrossed it-the state of the war, the condition of the troops, and his own unfinished work, with which were mingled words of advice and affection to the children, who could not be with him. There was also a precious, golden thread of higher thoughts, which showed where the mind instinctively turned for comfort, in the approach of death.
The clergyman whose church he attended in Cincinnati, and who was with him during his illness, gave a very touching account of some of his last interviews with him, and spoke of him with the utmost respect and affection, and as one whom he believed to be a sincere and humble follower of Christ.
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During his lonely hours of suffering, the consciousness of a Saviour's love was to his fainting soul as the " shadow of a great rock in a weary land," and the gloom of death was brightened by the presence of Him who has said, " I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
Col. VAN RENSSELAER died on the evening of Wednesday, March 23d, 1864, at the Burnet House, Cincinnati. He was buried in the churchyard of Grace Church, Jamaica, L. I., on the following Sunday, Easterday, in the peaceful twilight, with only his children and nearest relatives around his grave.
He sleeps in the Easter hope, that "they who have been bap- tized into the death of Christ and buried with him, may at last through the grave and gate of death, pass to their joyful resur- rection."
This is a simple record of the life of a Christian soldier. We cannot tell of battles fought, of deeds of heroism to command silent admiration; but he did what he could. In his country's first need, he was willing to go forth wherever he should be sent, to give counsel or to aid in the camp or the field; and he unhesi- tatingly sacrificed all the comfort and happiness of domestic life to the simple instinct of duty, the duty every loyal man owes to his country. Surely such a sacrifice, ending in that of life itself, entitles the departed to the gratitude of a nation and the admiration of posterity.
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COL. LEWIS O. MORRIS.
IX. COL. LEWIS OWEN MORRIS.
COL. MORRIS was born in Albany, N. Y., August 14, 1824. Having descended from one of our oldest and most respectable families, he inherited not only the gentle qualities of his ances- tors, but also the spirit of heroic self-sacrifice and noble patriot- ism for which, in the early history of our country, they were dis- tinguished.
The first member of this family, LEWIS MORRIS, came to this country in the year 1672. He was a native of Monmouthshire, in Wales, and commanded a troop of horse in the Parliament against Charles I. Emigrating to the West Indies, he purchased a beautiful estate at the Barbadoes, and became a member of the Council. In the year 1654 an expedition was fitted out against the Spanish Possessions in these islands, and Cromwell sent to him a commission of Colonel. But when the British fleet arrived the year following, Mr. MORRIS prized his services so highly that he demanded a present of one hundred thousand weight of sugar to pay his debts before he would accompany the fleet. Accepting finally the commission, he was present at the rednc- tion of Jamaica.
He came to New York in 1672, and settled at Broncksland, Westchester county; and soon after his arrival he obtained a patent for his plantation. From 1683 to 1686 he was a member of Gov. DOUGAN'S Council, and ended his days in 1691, at his plantation " over against Harlem," since known as the " manor of Morrisania."
LEWIS MORRIS, the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the noble men who signed the Declaration of American Independence, and who pledged their lives, their for- tunes, and their sacred honor in defence of their country.
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His grandfather, Capt. STAATS MORRIS, eldest son of LEWIS MORRIS, served with distinguished valor under Gen. WAYNE towards the close of the Revolutionary War. A short time pre- vious to this he had been united in marriage to a daughter of Gov. VAN BRAAM, of Holland, Governer General of the Dutch Possessions in India. This gentleman came to New York during the Revolution, and making this country his temporary residence, he became the personal friend and associate of the MORRISES and other distinguished men of the Revolution.
The father of Col. MORRIS was Major LEWIS NELSON MORRIS, a graduate of our Military Academy at West Point. It is recorded of him, that he was "a splendid man, a true soldier, an ardent patriot, and an elegant gentleman." He took an active part in the Black Hawk and Florida Wars, and for his gallantry was highly commended in official reports. He married a grand- daughter of Dr. ELIAS WILLARD, Surgeon in the Army of the Revolution, whose wife was the daughter of Col. JOHN LIVING- STON. JOHN was the brother of Col. JAMES LIVINGSTON, who commanded on the Hudson river below West Point at the time of ARNOLD's treason, and by whose vigilance and skill, ANDRE was captured.
On the 21st of June, 1846, while in command of the Third Regiment United States Infantry, and leading his men to the assault at Monterey, Mexico, Major MORRIS fell-having been shot through the heart by a bullet from the enemy. For bravery in the actions at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma he received the brevet of Major. So highly was he esteemed in Albany that the citizens ordered for him an elegant sword. But he did not live to receive it, and it was presented to his son in his stead. His remains were sent for, and buried with imposing military honors. A suitable monument was erected to his memory, by the citizens of Albany, in their Rural Cemetery.
Col. LEWIS OWEN MORRIS, the subject of this sketch, spent his early boyhood with his parents at Rock Island, on the Mis- sissippi, where the "noise of hostile arms" reached his ears, during the Black Hawk war. He returned to Albany to enter upon his studies at the Academy. Ever intent upon following
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the profession of his father, he devoted much time to those branches of study, which would best fit him to enter the military school at West Point.
In 1846, upor hearing the sad tidings of his father's death at Monterey, he determined to apply for a commission, without delay, and join the army in the field. Through the efficient aid of Hon. JOHN C. SPENCER and Gov. MARCY, Secretary of War, both personal friends of his lamented father, he received, in the spring of 1847, a commission of Second Lieutenant in the First Artillery. With this regiment, he served until 1854. After remaining just long enough on Governor's Island, New York Harbor, to get his men in readiness, although then a mere lad, he was ordered to carry a detachment of troops, by sea, to Mexico. After being a few days out, the transport was wrecked on the Florida coast. The coolness and ability manifested by our young officer, on this trying occasion, were truly remarkable. On the night of the wreck, while the crew and others were running to and fro in consternation and uttering cries of distress, he passed the hours of anticipated death on deck, with his men mustered, and going through the regular drill in order to keep them calm and in discipline, prepared to avail themselves of any help that Providence might see fit to send them. Daylight brought the needed relief, and in as regular order as when embarking, the men were transferred from the shattered vessel to the boats, and every one was safely landed in Abaco, one of the Bahama Islands. Thence they were carried to Charleston to await transportation to their destined port. This delay prevented Lieut. MORRIS from reaching his regiment until they had arrived at Vera Cruz, on their way out of Mexico. But, while there, he was placed in charge of the Mexican prisoners at the castle of San Juan D'Ulloa. Here his duties were arduous and trying, and he suffered from a severe attack of yellow fever. During his convalescence, his devotion, to both officers and men, who were sick and dying of that terrible scourge, was remarked by all, and long remembered by many. On his return to the United States, at the close of the Mexican war, a brevet was tendered him by the Secretary of War. But with that keen sense of honor, which was so pecu-
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liarly characteristic of him, he declined the honor, saying: "I have not won it on the field, and I cannot wear it."
From that time he was almost constantly in active service, either hunting the Indians through the everglades of Florida, or on the Texan frontier.
At the beginning of the rebellion, in 1861, Col. MORRIS was in Texas, in command of Fort Brown. At that crisis the officers and soldiers were rapidly yielding to the pressure around them, and joining the Southern Confederacy. But to the everlasting honor of the Colonel, we rejoice to say that he stood firm for the United States. He was resolved to perish rather than yield one iota to the infamous foes of his country; and out of all the United States forces then in Texas his company was the only one that refused to surrender themselves, or to turn over the property of the Government to the rebels.
Col. MORRIS was afterwards ordered to North Carolina, where he took an active part at Roanoke and Newbern, under Gen. BURNSIDE, and afterwards he was with the forces of Maj. Gen. R. G. FOSTER. Being held in high estimation by those in autho- rity, he was designated to direct operations against Fort Macon, N. C., which he captured and afterwards commanded. It was a place of great strength, and its reduction considered justly one the most brilliant achievements of the war.
Gen. FOSTER, in a letter to the Secretary of War, writes: "I can bear testimony to the services of Capt. MORRIS, First Artil- lery, who was, at the time of the siege of Fort Macon, in com- mand of the Thirty-pound Parrot Siege Battery. This battery being manned by his company, made such effective shooting on the first day of the siege, as to disable the defence of the fort to such a degree as to oblige its commander to surrender, without waiting for the bombardment of the second day. I earnestly hope that some token of appreciation of Capt. M.'s services may be given to his name."
Coming north in the summer of 1862, he was tendered the Coloneley of the One Hundred and Thirteenth N. Y. Regiment, which he accepted. In the short space of four weeks the regiment was organized, equipped and on its way to the seat of war. This
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regiment was the first from this State to arrive in Washington at a moment, when the city was menaced by a rebel foe. Col. M. was highly commended for his promptness by the War Depart- ment. As an expression of their appreciation of the valuable service he rendered the country by the timely arrival of his regi- ment, it was converted into a regiment of heavy artillery (Seventh New York Heavy Artillery), and stationed at Fort Reno, on the defences north of Washington. Shortly after, other regiments were added to Col. M.'s command, forming a brigade.
He remained at Fort Reno some months. Strong in will, yet gentle and winning in his manners, he secured at once the respect and love of those under his command. He was most assiduous in the discipline of his men and unwearied in his efforts to make them good soldiers. Fort Reno, the head-quarters of Col. M., was always the post to which those were directed who came to witness the skill, discipline and efficiency of the Army of Wash- ington. Hearing that the officers of his brigade were preparing an application for his promotion, he modestly requested that it should not be done, being always unwilling to receive any honor of that kind, not won on the field.
Frequent raids by the rebel cavalry, and alarms of the approach of LEE's army in force, gave him the opportunity to test his men. He felt confident of them, and although so strict a disciplinarian, he was idolized by them. He longed to lead them to the " front," and made frequent applications for orders, which at length arrived on May 10th, 1864. Two days after, Col. M. joined the Army of the Potomac at Spottsylvania. In that and the subsequent engage- ments he participated, winning for himself the commendation of all. Gen. MEADE, in general orders, called the men of the Seventh "veterans." Col. MORRIS was always so cool in the hour of danger, and self-possessed when the storm of battle raged the fiereest, that his example inspired the courageous, encouraged the timid, and rebuked the cowardly.
One of the officers of his staff, writing to his family, says: "I wish to relate an incident which will illustrate our beloved Colo- nel's noble heroism and devotion to duty. We were charging a rebel redoubt, and as the line advanced, the Colonel at their head,
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the men fell very fast. Col. M. noticing that as one fell, two or three of his comrades would fall out to assist the wounded man to the rear, he turned to the ranks, sternly forbidding the practice, saying: ‹Should I fall, let no one stop to assist me. Press forward ! drive the enemy from their position, then take time to care for me.'"
It was Col. MORRIS and his men of the Seventh who, at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3d, won the key of the rebel posi- tion, captured several pieces of artillery, and took several hun- dred prisoners. Major General HANCOCK, commanding Second Army Corps, to which Col. MORRIS' Brigade was attached, thus writes of him after the action at Cold Harbor :
" I knew Col. MORRIS well, have known him for many years, and served with him in Florida and was much attached to him, which gives me a better opportunity of judging of his merits than I would otherwise have had. He was brave, faithful in the discharge of his duty, and at the action at Cold Harbor he won renown. He had entered the enemy's works under a heavy fire, and captured several pieces of the enemy's artillery and many prisoners. The day previous, upon the wounding of Col. BURKE, commanding a brigade in Gen. BARLOW's Division, Col. MORRIS assumed command, which he held at the time of his death."
Col. MORRIS' military ability was highly valued by all, and his advice was frequently sought equally by his superiors in rank and his subordinates. Gen. BARLOW thus writes of him in a pri- vate letter :
" It gives me pleasure to speak of Colonel M. as a most gal- lant and meritorious officer, discharging his duty with fidelity and success. In the action at Cold Harbor he behaved with dis- tinguished bravery. With the Seventh Artillery he entered the enemy's works, captured several pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners, and was himself training some of the enemy's guns upon their own men, when we were compelled to evacuate the place.
"On Jume 3d, I had requested him to go with me to the advanced works for the purpose of fixing upon the ground for some new trenches. &c. While thus engaged, he fell at my
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side mortally wounded by a ball from one of the enemy's sharp- shooters."
The death of this noble patriot cast a deep gloom oyer the whole army. It was related by one present, that when the sad news reached the men of his own regiment many of them threw themselves upon the ground and wept like children. And that band of brave men, who the day before were ready to do and dare anything when led by their heroic commander, were, in a moment, east down and entirely unnerved. One thus explains the feeling that prevailed :
"Our whole brigade was like a lifeless body, from which the soul had just departed."
Thus passed away from earth LEWIS OWEN MORRIS, the worthy son of a worthy and noble ancestry. As a soldier, he was the bravest of the brave. As a patriot, his love of his country was as pure as the light-no spot ever dimmed its lustre. As a friend, his warm and generous heart attached to him every one with whom he had any intercourse. As a husband and father, he was all tenderness and affection. He leaves a stricken widow and two dear children to mourn his absence from the family circle. Were it proper to intrude upon the privacy of domestic relations, we might fill pages with a record of his kind deeds. But there is one heart that fully knows his value; and knows, too, how much earthly happiness, and how many fond hopes were extin- guished, when his manly form fell upon the bloody field to rise no more.
Of the last hours and Christian hopes of our departed hero, we have an account in the following kind and consoling letter addressed to Mrs. MORRIS by the Rev. Dr. BROWN, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Georgetown, D. C., the church which Col. MORRIS attended while at Washington.
GEORGETOWN, D. C., June 8, 1864.
Mrs. CATHARINE W. MORRIS:
My dear Friend-It was my privilege, during the eighteen months past, to be intimately acquainted with Col. LEWIS O. MORRIS. The result was, that I learned to love him as a brother,
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