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 20
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" In the recent battle in front of Washington-almost in sight of the plumed statue of Freedom, whose elevation to her lofty height, while the nation. battles for the idea, is grandly signifi- cant-our brother fell, bravely baring his bosom to the foe, and interposing it as the living shield of our nation's capital. And so they both have passed away. Lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their death they were not long divided. Each has made his name honorable and illustrious; and whilst the State blazons their achievements on her historic annals, we will think of them as not dead, but translated to that higher realm, where earthly honors are lost to thought in the immortal dignity of being kings and priests to God, who serve and reign forever and ever.
" So are we contributing, men and brethren, in these frequent gifts of youth, so strong and brave, to that great sacrifice which is to re-unite these separate fragments of our nation, and pur- chase for us a better than our former peace. So are we hallow- ing, in these graves of sons and brethren, the places along which the roots of the great tree of human freedom shall run, and take up a flavor and a richness to be unfolded in its blossoms and fruit through coming ages.
. "We can appreciate the anguish which to-day heaves and swells in the souls of the bereaved, as they think of him whose mortal tabernacle lies still and cold, emptied of all that gave it comeliness and made it dear. They think of his tenderness as a brother, of his rare fidelity as a son. They think, perhaps, of that final appeal into which his spirit seems to have been breathed for her, whose pangs at his dying have been heavier than his own. But is there not a full, sufficient comfort in the fact that his life was devoted to such high uses? Is there not an adequate consolation in the Gospel which declares our Christian
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COL. JAMES D. VISSCHER.
dead as never lost, but only taken up into the glories of the heavenly world, whence they reach out inviting arms to us who longer wait below? Is there not such a grandeur about our cause as compels them, even in their deep grief, to confess that he never could have fallen in a more glorious service, or won immortality by a more honorable fate? May these abundant comforts which God has given with this affliction be realized in all their fullness by the survivors. May this bereavement be so sanctified as that out of this death life shall spring, and in the beauty of spirits chastened and purified by loss, the beauty of the Lord our God shall be upon us."
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COL. HOWARD CARROLL.
XII. COL. HOWARD CARROLL.
THE following tribute to this distinguished officer is taken from one of our city papers, and was written soon after Col. CARROLL'S death:
" We are now again called upon to mourn the loss of one whose death will leave a blank in society that will not easily be filled, and will bring sorrow to many hearts. To the list of the Albany dead-of those who have fallen the most gloriously, in the heat of battle, in the hour of victory, with their faces to the enemy- we have now to add that of HOWARD CARROLL, Colonel of the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment of our State Volunteers.
" HOWARD CARROLL, when he entered the army, had been a resident of this city about seven years, and, during that time, his manly qualities and his enviable accomplishments had endeared him in no ordinary degree to all who were fortunate enough to have been ranked among his friends. He was a native of Ireland, having been born in Dublin, and was a graduate of Dublin Uni- versity. He was thirty-five years of age at the time of his death. His family connections in Europe were of a distinguished charac- ter; his mother, after whose family name he was christened, being a relative of the Earl of Effingham, and his father's family occupying a high social position in Dublin. But to the fortuitous circumstances of birth he, of course, owed nothing here. His position in society was won by his personal merit, and he needed no extraneous aid. He was a man of large mind, of genius and of originality, an elegant and accomplished gentleman, and in personal appearance, as well as by reason of his education and acquirements, he would have graced any society.
" By profession, Col. CARROLL was a civil engineer. He had
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COL. HOWARD CARROLL.
graduated at Colleges of Law and Medicine, as well as of Engi- neering, in Europe, but selected the latter profession as that which he designed to permanently follow. For the past six years he had been engaged on the Central railroad, and his ability as a practical engineer rendered him a valuable assistant to that corporation. He materially aided in designing the wrought iron bridges now in use on that road, and all those built under his superintendence bear evidence to his efficiency and skill as an engineer. He is spoken of as having been one of the most accom- plished civil engineers in this country. Col. HENTZ, the Chief Engineer of the government of Prussia, where the railroads and canals are under the control of the Government, visited this country some time since to obtain information respecting our public works, and becoming acquainted with Capt. CARROLL, paid a high tribute to his accomplishments, and bestowed a special mark of consideration upon him, by forwarding him drawings of all the public works built by the Government of Prussia.
" When the rebellion broke out, Colonel CARROLL was offered the position of Brigade Quartermaster in MEAGHER'S Brigade, and finding his services would be valuable in perfecting the organization of the brigade, he acted temporarily in that capacity, but resigned after it had become a success, desiring some more active and prominent position in the field, but always expressing his determination to enlist in the service of his adopted country. Subsequently, he was tendered the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the One Hundred and Fifth (Rochester) Regiment, a position he at once accepted.
" After the regiment had been a short time in the service, its Colonel, Col. FULLER, resigned, and used his best efforts to secure the promotion of Lieutenant-Colonel CARROLL to the Colonelcy, expressing the opinion to the Governor and Adjutant General that HOWARD CARROLL was one of the most accomplished officers, as well as one of the coolest and bravest soldiers in the volunteer service of the State.
" Col. CARROLL was at once invested with the command of the regiment, and his subsequent career fully justified the judgment of his former commanding officer. His regiment became famous
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COL, HOWARD CARROLL.
for its discipline and for its admirable conduct in the field. Their beloved commander led them in the battle of Cedar Monn- tain, and in all the fights in which MCDOWELL's Corps, to which they were attached, took part in front of Washington during the four or five days of POPE's retreat. The regiment was distin- guished for its gallant conduct in all these engagements, and although cut down from its full complement to some four hundred men, was ordered up to the support of BANKS, and behaved so well as to attract the attention of the glorious HOOKER, who knew when a commanding officer was a fighting man of the true metal.
" When MCCLELLAN was invested with supreme command, he at once recognized Col. CARROLL's services by transferring his shattered regiment to HOOKER's division, and placing him with the advance of the army in Maryland. The One Hundred and Fifth was in all the desperate fights that marked the onward march of our victorious General, after the tide of invasion had been checked, and the triumphant enemy beaten back into Vir- ginia, up to the battle of Antietam. During that bloody and hard-fought struggle, Col. CARROLL was ordered to make a charge, with four other regiments, up the side of one of those steep ascents, upon the summit of which the enemy had taken up his position. The order was promptly obeyed. Putting himself at the head of his little band of heroes, the gallant Colonel led them once more, but alas ! for the last time, to victory. The post was won. The enemy, in confusion, was driven from his position. But even while the shouts of triumph went forth, Col. CARROLL was shot from his horse. A Minnie ball passed through the ealf of his left leg, entirely disabling him, and inflicting a very painful, but, as was supposed, not dangerous wound.
" The Colonel was immediately carried from the field by his men, to whom his devotion and bravery had much endeared him, but, in the confusion of the day, and amidst the crowds of wounded, he could obtain no proper care. His wound was hastily and but partially dressed, and he was placed in an ambu- lance and hurried off' on a journey of orer one hundred miles to Washington, without any proper care and attendance by the way. This journey no doubt caused his death. When he reached the
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COL. HOWARD CARROLL.
Capital, his leg was in a dreadful state of inflammation, and his constitution was broken down by fever and exhaustion. He was in too low a condition to render amputation possible, with any prospect of recovery. He was placed in the hospital, and received every attention, when attention came to late; although even there, as we are assured, there is sad lack of proper surgi- cal skill. The fatal blunder was in sending severely wounded men so far, when Baltimore was only one-quarter of the distance, or when they might have been rested and attended to him at Frederick.
" Poor CARROLL protested against his removal in an ambulance over miserable roads, in such a condition, but he was helpless to prevent the sacrifice of life, which his own judgment told him must follow the ill-advised course.
"Upon learning that Col. CARROLL was among the wounded, a warm personal friend of the deceased, of this city, went on to Washington to ascertain his condition. He found him in a very low state, but left him, on Friday of last week, more easy, and, as he believed, in a fair way of recovery. On Monday evening, however, Col. CARROLL died, having been gradually sinking since Saturday evening.
" While the wail of bereaved hearts is going up from tens of thousands of desolated homes; from the widow, who mourns in her loneliness; from the mother, who weeps for her son; from the orphan, who pines for a father's caress; from the sister, who can never again know the blessing of a brother's love; a single life may seem but of small moment, and the lamentations of personal friendship may almost take the semblance of selfishness amidst the general woe. But the officer to whose memory we have paid but a feeble tribute, possessed so many qualities to endear him to his friends-as an agreeable companion, an accom- plished gentleman, and a true hearted man-that we may well single him out among the many gallant dead, as one whose loss will be very deeply felt, and whose memory will long be kept green in many friendly hearts."
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COL. GEORGE W. PRATT.
XIII. COL. GEORGE W. PRATT.
WE sincerely regret that all the information that we have been able to obtain of this distinguished scholar and soldier, is con- tained in the following notices of the deceased, taken from our daily newspapers:
" In the month of September, 1862, Col. GEORGE W. PRATT, of the Twentieth New York State Militia, died in this city, whither he had been brought from the battle field. His death resulted from paralysis, caused by the explosion of a shell near his person in the action of August 29th, while he was gallantly leading his regiment. No wound was inflicted, but his whole system was paralyzed, and he was insensible most of the time after he was stricken down. He died at the residence of his mother-in-law, Mrs. BENJAMIN TIBBITTS, corner of Hawk and Lan- caster streets. He was a young man of great promise. He had served as State Senator with ability and integrity. He was a merchant of enterprise and wealth. He was of cultivated under- standing and engaging manners. He had a knowledge of many different languages, and was a member of the leading scientific societies in this country and in Europe, and had received the degree of LL. D. from a leading German University. His library, in the department of Eastern literature, was the best in the coun- try. He had the Bible in thirty-two languages. His military ambition and his patriotism called him to the field on the out- break of the civil war, and he hastened to the support of the Government at the head of the Twentieth Regiment, of which he was Colonel. He was only called to a three months service, but he enlisted for the war, and had served with distinction through the long campaign, when he received his fatal wound on the dis-
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COL. GEORGE W. PRATT.
astrous field of Manassas. He was beloved and confided in by his soldiers; and the army will miss him, for he was one of the class most needed-a high-toned, conscientious and gallant sol- dier. He was but thirty-two years of age."
FUNERAL OF COL. G. W. PRATT.
" The day was pleasant, and an immense concourse of people were in the streets to witness the imposing pageant. Flags were hung at half mast; guns were fired during the day, and the bells were tolled during the funeral march. The remains were buried from St. Peter's Church, where impressive services took place, under direction of Rt. Rev. Bishops ALONZO and HORATIO POTTER. The procession moved from the church in the follow- ing order:
Detachment of Police. Military Escort. Band.
Tenth Regiment N. Y. S. N. G., including the Albany Burgesses Corps, Col. AINSWORTH commanding. HEARSE,
Flanked by Pall Bearers and the Masonic Lodge of Kingston. Horse of deceased, led by private servant. Col. WRIGHT and Staff. Brig. Gen. SAMPSON and Staff. Historical Society of Kingston. Mayor and Common Council of Albany. Masonic Order. Friends of the deceased residing in Kingston and Catskill. Family and friends of deceased, in carriages. Citizens.
" The whole was under the command of Col. BRYAN, assisted by Lieut. Col. CHAMBERLAIN and Quartermaster RATHBONE, of the Tenth Regiment. The line was formed on the south side of State street, right resting on Chapel street, at half past one o'clock. The procession moved down State street to Broadway,
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COL. GEORGE W. PRATT.
up Broadway to Ferry, where a halt was made to allow the mili- tary and other associations to take the cars for the cemetery. The steamer Manhattan arrived yesterday morning from Rondout with some six hundred citizens of that place, Kingston and vicinity. Among them were the Masonic lodges of those places, which, with the lodges of this city, constituted one of the most imposing features of the procession. The pageant was a fitting demonstration of respect to the memory of a young and gallant officer, and citizen of intellectual and moral worth."
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LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
XIV. LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK LYMAN TREMAIN.
From his Father, Hon. LYMAN TREMAIN.
BY the death of FREDERICK L. TREMAIN, my first born child has been removed from my family, in the morning of his life. and his name added to the honored roll of patriot martyrs who have fallen in the recent struggle for national existence.
When one so brave and patriotic, so good and generous, and, I may add, so talented and distinguished as the subject of this memoir, gives his young life to his country, the promptings of justice and patriotism alone, would require that some record of his example and his services should be preserved.
The voluntary testimonials to his virtues, and to the estima- tion in which he was held by his brother officers in the army, and by others, who knew him intimately, have been so numerous and emphatic, and the expressions of public sympathy and sor- row so extraordinary and general, as to justify a more enduring memorial than can be supplied by written letters, or the news- papers of the day.
Nor, as I believe, can this labor of love devolve on any one more fitly than on me. No earthly vanity, no vain desire to obtain earthly fame for my gallant boy, exerts any influence up- on my action. How vain and empty are carthly fame and worldly honors to him whose remains are deposited in the tomb! How hollow and unsatisfactory are these to one crushed and pros- trate under a blow so severe and bewildering, as that I have received!
Were it not for other duties and obligations, often would I have been disposed to use the mourning lamentation of David for his dead son:
2.4.4
LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
" O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son."
But Absalom lost his life while he was engaged in a treason- able conspiracy against the government and authority of his Royal father, while my son offered his, in obedience to the call of his country, and in the performance of the highest duty that could rest upon him as a dutiful, loyal, obedient and faithful son and citizen.
While so much of my happiness, my hopes and my heart lie buried with my brave boy, it may afford me some solace-it is the very least tribute I can offer to his memory-to perform the melancholy office of doing justice to his career.
It may serve to remind my descendants of the household monument which can be seen in my family, so long as that family shall exist.
It may serve to teach them the wickedness and sin of treason against a beneficent government! It may tend to strengthen their love for a country, the preservation of which has demanded so costly a sacrifice! It may stimulate them to take a higher view of their duty to their country and their God! The bright example of this young patriot may nerve their arm, and strengthen their heart, to offer any and all necessary sacrifices, even the sacrifice of life itself, higher than which can no man give, for the preservation of our country, our union, and our free institutions!
FREDERICK LYMAN TREMAIN was the eldest child of LYMAN and HELEN CORNWALL TREMAIN, and was born at Durham, Greene county, N. Y., on the 13th of June, 1843. He died at City Point Ilospital, Virginia, on the 8th of February, 1865, from a gunshot wound received in battle, near Hatcher's Run, on the 6th of Feb- ruary, being twenty-one years, seven months and twenty-four days old at the time of his death.
Of his ancestry, all that I propose to state in this connection is that he descended, both on his father's and mother's side, from revolutionary stock. His paternal great-grandfather, NATHANIEL TREMAIN, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who died, highly esteemed and respected, at Pittsfield, Berkshire county,
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LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
Mass. His maternal great-grandfather, Captain DAN. CORNWALL, was also a soldier of the Revolution, and a worthy citizen, who died at Cornwallsville, Greene county, N. Y.
In his boyish career, there is little to record, which is worthy of special notice. While he was by no means precocious, he was a remarkably bright, intelligent and active boy. His nature was so genial and generous that he was always a favorite, not only with his youthful comrades, but with all who were brought in contact with him.
He had a remarkable facility in the acquisition of knowledge, and, apparently without effort, mastered whatever lessons were required of him, in and out of school. In all boyish sports and athletic exercises, he was an acknowledged leader. He displayed then, and through his subsequent life, an unusual degree of me- chanical ingenuity.
There was one trait in his character which was developed at a very early period, and which became, afterwards, prominent and extraordinary. This was his wonderful courage, coolness and self-reliance. Many instances to illustrate this characteristic might be related, commencing as early as when he was three years old, but I refrain from giving them a place here, fearful that their publication might be ascribed to an overweening parental fondness. Quick in forming his conclusions, prompt in action, fertile in resources, obstacles and difficulties served only to stimulate him in the execution of his purposes, and rare, very rare, was the instance, so rare, indeed, that no ease can be now recalled, in which he failed to accomplish, successfully, whatever he undertook.
His religious education was carefully attended to, and, at an early age, he received the holy rite of baptism, in the Protestant Episcopal Church, at Oak Hill, under the ministration of the Rev. L. A. BARROWS. The following extract is from a letter received from this faithful minister and good man, written at Norfolk, St. Lawrence county, his present residence:
" We feel to deeply sympathize with you under the dark cloud which this sudden and unexpected bereavement has thrown over you. Since such is the melancholy fact, that a dear child, a
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LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
brilliant youth. in the defence of his country, has been called from your paternal embrace, let faith lift the veil, and view in a world of bliss, future scenes more glorious than could have been won here on battle fields. FREDERICK is gone. I placed the form of the cross upon his forehead, and, as in life, so in death, let us believe that he triumphed over the spiritual enemy, and is now rejoicing in the kingdom of God."
Here let me add that, after his death, there was found in his camp tent, carefully preserved, a copy of the Holy Bible, given to him by his dear mother, with a mark placed at chapters five and six of Matthew, which contain that sublime and com- prehensive epitome of man's whole duty, Christ's sermon on the mount.
In November, 1853, he removed, with his father's family, from Durham to the city of Albany, where he continued to reside until his death. Here several years were passed in faithful and dili- gent study, preparatory to his college education. The schools he attended in the city were the Albany Boys' Academy, and afterwards the Classical Institute, in Eagle street, of which Prof. CHARLES H. ANTHONY was Principal. Under the instruction of this excellent and faithful teacher he spent between two and three years of his life. Between Mr. ANTHONY and his young pupil, relations of friendship were contracted which continued in full force to the end. The photograph of this teacher of his boy- hood was found, after his death, among the valued memorials in his army trunk.
In 1858, FREDERICK entered the classical school for boys, under the charge of Mr. JAMES SEDGWICK, at Great Barrington, Mass. In this beautiful New England village he remained, pur- suing his studies and attracting the affectionate regard of teach- ers and schoolmates, for one year.
In the spring of 1859, he became a pupil in the celebrated school for boys, under the charge of the Rev. THOMAS C. REED, D. D., at Walnut Hill, Geneva. He continued in Dr. REED'S school until the summer of 1860, when several of his school companions were examined for admission into Hobart College, Geneva, and FREDERICK, who had formed very strong attach-
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LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
ments with them, also applied and passed his examination, and having been found qualified, was admitted into the Freshman Class and entered that college at the commencement of the col- lege year in September, 1860.
The two years, or nearly two years of his college life were marked by no unusual incidents. Many warm friendships were formed, and his genial and unselfish character, as well as his excellent natural abilities, were duly appreciated.
By the firing upon Fort Sumter his patriotism was aroused, and he experienced an ardent desire to become a volunteer in the Army of the Union. About this time the people of Geneva were engaged in organizing an engineer corps, under the command of Mr. CHARLES B. STUART, formerly State Engineer and Surveyor. FREDERICK desired to enlist, and applied to his father for his permission; but, there being at that time no difficulty in procur- ing volunteers, and his college career having commenced only the fall before, the paternal consent was then withheld-not finally, but for the present.
In December, 1861, the annual sophomore exercises in public speaking took place, and FREDERICK was selected as one of the thirteen speakers of his class to participate in them. In a letter inviting his parents to attend, he writes : "I think you will not hear any bad speaking; but, on the contrary, will hear much good speaking on the occasion." The exhibition took place at Linden Hall, in the presence of a large and intelligent audience, and he acquitted himself quite creditably. In the " Geneva Gazette" his performance was specially mentioned in compli- mentary and flattering terms.
During the summer of 1862, after the President's call for more men appeared, FREDERICK, who had never for a moment relin- quished his desire to enter the army, again urged his father to yield his consent. The author was thus brought face to face with the stern reality of war, and he was called upon to deter- mine the question whether the application of this loved son should be granted or denied. He had, from the commencement of the great conflict, labored, to the extent of his ability, to con- vince his countrymen that it was their duty to sustain the Gov-
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