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 23
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carbines and artillery can no more reach him! Henceforth, we must be content to gaze on yonder mute memorials, his belt and sash, his spurs and sword, and other precious relies, and to feed on the memory of his virtues, his patriotism, and the noble record he achieved! He died young; but how many of us who survive have done more for our country and for humanity than he!
My work is ended. I believe this little history to be wholly free from coloring. but if parental fondness has deceived me in this belief, the offence, I am sure, is pardonable.
And now, may Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, grant that this great sacrifice, although not " now joyous but grievous may work out the peaceable fruits of righteousness,"-that the blood of this young martyr may aid in infusing fresh life into our free institutions ;- that this rebellion may be so completely crushed, that in all future time, no second attempt will be made by wicked men to destroy our Union by treasonable force ;- and may He hasten the day when our NATIONAL UNITY shall become established on immutable and eternal foundations.
Omitting numerous letters from private citizens full of kind and feeling tributes, I select a few written by military officers whose position, as military men, brought them into close and intimate relations with the deceased.
WAR DEPARTMENT, February 10, 1865.
My dear Sir-I am unable to tell how deeply my heart sym- pathizes with you and Mrs. TREMAIN in the great calamity that has fallen upon you in the death of your son. That he has fallen upon the field of battle, fighting gallantly for his country, and given his life as a sacrifice for national existence, may hereafter be some consolation when time has embahned his memory, and assuaged the present agony of bereavement. I pray you, my dear friend, accept the assurance of my commiseration, and I trust that you will find support and comfort from that Divine Providence, that has called your gallant son from the field of battle to a haven of rest. Yours truly,
Hon. L. TREMAIN.
EDWIN M. STANTON.
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LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
HEAD QUARTERS 2D CAVALRY DIVISION, ARMY OF POTOMAC, March 1, 1865. 3
HIon. LYMAN TREMAIN:
My dear Sir-I take the first opportunity of being able to use my pen, to express to you my sincere sympathy, on the great loss you have sustained in the death of your gallant son, Lieut. Col. TREMAIN.
I know that I can say nothing that will alleviate the suffering caused by a blow such as that you have sustained, but while you mourn his loss it will be at least some consolation to know that he fell fighting for the good cause, and that his name will be ever remembered among those of the gallant men who have given up all, even to life itself, for the honor and safety of the country. As a brave and gallant officer, one who already in his extreme youth had won high military honors, and had before him a brilliant career of hope and promise, his early death is deeply and sin- cerely regretted by all his fellow officers, and by none more than myself. For a long period he had served upon my staff, and had always deserved and obtained high praise for his knowledge of duty, his cheerfulness and untiring assiduity, and the conspicuous gallantry he had displayed upon every battle field. When he was promoted to a higher position I regretted much that our intimate personal relations should be disturbed, but I was well aware of his high deserving, and knew that his promotion was but a just recognition of his many good qualities.
During the short period he served with his regiment, he had deserved the highest praise, and I looked upon his future ad- vancement as secure, and saw that, if his life should be spared, he had within his reach, the highest honors of the profession of arms.
This, however, was not to be, and on the 6th of February, while leading his regiment with gallantry and judgment sur- passed by none, he fell before the fate that has already cut off so many of our best and bravest men.
While we mourn his loss, we must remember that his death was as glorious as his life had been distinguished.
In the vicissitudes of war, should it be my fate to fall, I could
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ask no death more distinguished than his; to fall at the erowning point of a success to which his gallantry and good conduct had greatly assisted, and to know that his farewell from earth and welcome above would be the same-" Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
With the most sincere regards, and the assurance of my heart- felt sympathy in your affliction, believe me,
Very truly yours, H. E. DAVIES, JR., Brig. Gen.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, BEFORE PETERSBURG, VA., March 11, 1865.
My dear Sir-Although more than a month has elapsed since the battle of Hatcher's Run, the last engagement in which your son, our gallant associate, participated, and in which his young life was laid upon the altar of his country, we, his comrades, are but the more frequently reminded of the vacant place in our little cirele. Though his connection with the regiment had been recent, yet, as Assistant Adjutant General of the brigade, we had met him in social intercourse, and also marked his conspicuous bravery on the field. From the highest to the lowest he received an ear- nest .welcome-not as a stranger, but as one who had been iden- tified with us, of whose name and fame we were proud, and whose reputation was hereafter to belong more exclusively to us as a regiment. His honorable and unselfish ambition was partic- ularly gratified, that his promotion had been effected without det- riment to the individual interests of any of our officers, and which was enhanced by his previous refusal of a proffered appointment, which, if accepted, would have supplanted a competent and de- serving officer.
He came among us with an earnest intention to contribute the whole of his ability and energy, towards improving the morale and effectiveness of the organization with which he had become identified. At times I could not refrain from smiling, at the very earnest manner in which he endeavored to impress upon me the fact of his being young-accustomed to habits of study and appli- cation; his expressions of desire to share in the responsibility of
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command, and that it would be but necessary to merely indicate any duty, which it were desirable that he should execute.
A few days before the movement a system of evening recita- tions of the officers in Tactics and the Regulations had been insti- tuted under his charge. To this he devoted himself in the same earnest and conscientious manner in which he performed every task. Among other lessons was that of acquiring a new manual for the carbine, just introduced into the division. In this, to the surprise of all, he became remarkably proficient after a few hours' practice-his previous experience as executive officer of the brigade having led me to imagine that he would be found wanting in the practice necessary to an expert manipulation of the piece; but to this, as all other duties of his profession, he had devoted a pains-taking attention.
There was no trait of Lieutenant Colonel TREMAIN's military character more prominent than an earnest purpose to contribute his every effort towards the success of our cause, and which was evinced on trifling occasions as well as in the crisis of an engage- ment. On the morning of our first day's march, after a sleepless night, owing to the bad condition of the roads, wagons and ambu- lances were continually being mired, thus delaying the column. Although not under his charge, he labored assiduously in the mud and water, and when extricated made sport of the plight in which he found himself, with the consoling remark : "That he had earned his pay for that day at least."
We were preparing our breakfast on the morning of the 6th, when the engagement suddenly opened-he immediately prefer- ring the request to be allowed the post of danger in command of the skirmish line. Knowing his thoughts, I requested him not to unnecessarily expose himself, with the reminder : "That the Tenth had too often seen him under fire, to require needless evidence of his bravery, in this, his first battle as their Lieutenant Colonel." Our regiment, at first held in reserve, was afterward moved forward upon the line, soon after which, owing to the wound received by General DAVIES, I was notified that the com- mand of the brigade had fallen to myself. I then dispatched a staff officer to apprise Colonel TREMAIN of his being in command
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of the regiment, and while receiving the message he was struck by a Minnie ball, and a moment afterward passed me, supported by two men. I shall never forget the pale face, but cheery voice which replied to my anxious inquiry regarding his injury : "That it felt rather deep, and that the blood was running down into his boots."
I could not then realize, that it was the last time in life, that I was to look upon the face of one who had become near and dear to me, and whose irreparable loss was henceforth to be mourned by an entire regiment.
We should be only too happy to contribute in any way to assuage your deep grief, but in such affliction words are very, very empty; and in enumerating the noble, manly characteristics of the lost one, and while we look forward to the future, we are but reminded of its brilliant prospect, had he been but spared for its development. Yours, with sincere sympathy,
M. H. AVERY, Col. Tenth N. Y. Cavalry. Hon. LYMAN TREMAIN, Albany, N. Y.
LINES ON THE DEATH OF LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
BY ALFRED B. STREET. Song for the young and brave !
A pean for his bright though brief career !
But a low dirge above his warrior grave, The sudden closing to his opening year. Grief twines with glory. While his morn was red
His Alma Mater's bowers all greenly spread Joy in his heart, fair fortune at his side,
IIome with its joys and friends that loved with pride,
He turned from all to stem the battle tide
For his loved land, and for that land he died. Amid the roaring rain of musketry,
And thunder-shock of volleys, the keen play
Of bayonet-lightning, his slight form we see
Full in the front, and where death's awful way
Was wildest ! Woe that he should perish there In his fresh strength while sweeping upward road With his good sword. to where Fame, bright and rare For one so young, stood holding high in air
The laurel wreath. In strife how fiercely glowed
His heart ! in rest how full of love and mirth !
Blue shone the sky, and flowery smiled the earth,
For toward all human kind his heart in gladness flowed.
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LIEUT. COL. FREDERICK L. TREMAIN.
The saddle was his throne, and he a king
When the lierce squadron dashed in thundering might A cataract of swords and shots-a wing Of rushing Havoc-a quick cleaving flight Of deadly levin ! Lo, a glorious raid !
And the galloping steeds and the rush and the clang Of the ride over mountain, through forest and glade
And the keen thrilling peals of the trumpet ! How sprang The hamlet in terror while on came the burst Of the troopers and cheering and flame told the worst,
As they swept up the harvest and dashed down the wall And, laden with spoil, skimmed away one and all While the night rang with elash and deep thunder of bound Aud flushed wide with torch-flame, and day heard the sound From field and from village of wailing and wrath And the foe sought in vain to block SHERIDAN's path. And mid them our eager young hero ! no toil Too great for his striving ; no battle-turmoil Too tierce for his daring ; no duty undone Till the goal of the striving and daring was won.
Oh, long lament for him, the youthful dead ! The bravest of the brave ! most kind and true ! The blossom scarce to perfect life had spread, The sun had scarcely climbed the morning blue. And yet so firm he looked at coming death With eye so dauntless, such untrembling breath It seemed a mark of scorn. The bullet sped, And hours rolled onward, while with creeping tread, The shadowy foe approached ; and when the dart Was reared to reach his young, warm, generous heart, With tenderest love of friends upon his lips He entered, undismayed, life's dread and dark eclipse.
Song for the young and brave ! Long as the land shall live he died to save Shall honor cast fresh wreaths upon his grave. Not lost his bright career ; it shines a light To kindle other hearts with patriot might, And when strife calls again, a beacon to the fight.
And not alone home's fractured altar shows A shronded radiance, a great nation knows Her darkened orbs, and keeps them in her heart And when the frowning clouds of War depart Her grateful love will kindle them anew And constellate their rays forever in her view
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LIEUT. COL. MICHAEL B. STAFFORD.
XV. LIEUT. COL. MICHAEL B. STAFFORD.
MICHAEL B. STAFFORD was the son of RICHARD and ALICE STAFFORD, who emigrated from the county of Wexford, Ireland, and came to Albany, N. Y., in the year 1822. Here MICHAEL was born on the 29th day of December, 1827. His father was a shoemaker, and has resided in Albany since 1822, where he has held the office of alderman, and been much respected for his integrity and worth as a citizen. He gave his son MICHAEL a good business education, such as his limited means would allow, and sent him to learn the trade of a mason, at the age of sixteen years, with ADAM TODD, late of Albany.
At the age of twenty-one, MICHAEL left Mr. TODD, having acquired a thorough knowledge of his chosen trade, and about the year 1851 went to Corning, N. Y., where he commenced business on his own account as a builder. He followed that business till 1860, when he returned to Albany. He erected many of the best buildings in the village of Corning, and was regarded as a first class builder. He was prompt and upright in all his dealings, but had not been successful in amassing any considerable property, having met with some heavy losses in business.
In his early manhood at Albany, he was a member of the Albany Emmet Guards, and took great interest in that organiza- tion, and was a good soldier. He was also Foreman of one of the Albany fire companies.
When at Corning, he was chosen Captain of the Emmet Guards of that place, one of the finest and best drilled militia companies in the State. After holding that position for several years, he resigned, and was soon after selected as Major of the Sixtieth Regiment N. Y. Militia. This position he afterwards resigned.
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LIEUT. COL. MICHAEL B. STAFFORD.
On the breaking out of the war he was residing in Albany, and when the Twenty-fifth Regiment N. Y. Militia (Col. BRYAN) was ordered, on the 21st of April, 1861, to hasten to the defence of the National Capital, he joined as a private in the ranks to serve his country, leaving his young wife and four little children. IIe served his term of three months with this regiment faith- fully, and, upon his return to Albany, was soon after appointed to a Lientenaney in the Eighty-sixth Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, which was raised for three years or the war. His regiment was mostly recruited in Steuben county, where he had formerly resided.
He passed with his regiment through the Peninsular campaign, under Gen. MCCLELLAN, and fought in most of the important, battles in Virginia during the year 1862. At the battle of Chan- cellorsville he was Adjutant of the regiment, and was severely wounded, and compelled to lie in the hospital for several months. Upon his recovery, he again joined his command, and was at once promoted to the rank of Major. He was in all the battles under GRANT, from the Rapidan to Petersburg, and was several times slightly wounded. His regiment belonged to HANCOCK'S immortal Second Corps. He had his horse shot under him in the bloody battle of the Wilderness.
On the 29th of November, 1864, while his regiment laid in front of Petersburg, Va., and the enemy were throwing shells which fell in his camp, he stepped out of his tent to give some orders (he then being the Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, the commanding officer, the Colonel, having resigned), and was struck with a piece of shell, which took off his hand, and cut a fearful and mortal wound in his side. From this wound he died in his tent, on the first day of December, after the most intense suffering. Upon being informed by the Surgeon that his wound was mortal, he called his officers and men around him, and bade them stand by the flag of their country till victory should, as it certainly would, crown their efforts. Then he bid them, each and all, farewell.
The following letter he dictated to his wife and children in his last moments:
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LIEUT. COL. MICIIAEL B. STAFFORD.
"Dear wife-I put you in the trust of God Almighty, for my time has come. I have served my country as a man, and am willing to die.
" Bring up my children in the fear of God, and sacrifice every. one for his country, if necessary. Tell my old father and mother that I died as their son should die, with his head up and his face to the enemy.
Yours, &c., MICHAEL B. STAFFORD.
Then, having received the last consolations of his religion, according to the rites of the Catholic church, his spirit went to God, in whose mercy he confidently trusted.
He left to mourn his loss his wife, ELIZA CARROLL, to whom he was married in 1854, and five children. The youngest of the children was but four weeks old at the time of his death.
His patriotic services rendered to his country, and the sacrifice of all the endearments of a loving family and life itself, are suf- ficient to transmit his name and reputation to the future, and to commend his beloved widow and fatherless children to the sym- pathies of a grateful people.
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MAJ. CHARLES E. PRUYN.
XVI. MAJOR CHARLES ELISHA PRUYN.
CHARLES ELISHA PRUYN was born in the city of Albany, Nov. 11th, 1840. He was the son of Col. SAMUEL PRUYN, a gentleman of superior intelligence and worth, and a descendant of one of the oldest and best Holland families in the city. On his mother's side, he claimed with just pride, descent from the Puritan family of PUTNAM, among whom was Gen. ISRAEL PUTNAM. From the ancestors of both his parents he inherited the noblest qualities. To the firm and persevering characteristics of the Dutch, were united the energy, quickness and industry of the New England stock. To all these were added the unyielding integrity, the pure patriotism, and the high toned religious sentiments peculiar to both races.
His boyhood was passed amid the quiet and happy scenes of home, and was in no wise remarkable; though every careful observer could have detected qualities in the youth, that gave promise of a noble and useful manhood.
From his earliest childhood he was distinguished for strict regard for truth, and his detestation of everything mean or dis- honorable. If he discovered such traits in his playmates or associates, he was disposed at once to discard them.
He was educated at the Albany Academy, and while he had a quick apprehension and retentive memory, and made fair pro- gress in all his studies, he excelled in elocution and mathe- matics. He was very ambitious for a higher and more complete education, and it was a great sacrifice to him to relinquish his hopes in this respect, and at the early age of sixteen devote him- self to business. He entered, at that time, one of the city banks as clerk, but the disappointment of his expectations in regard to
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ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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MAJ. CHARLES E. PRUYN.
his studies did not affect his outward conduet, or make him indifferent to the duties of his position. He gave himself to them with conscientious energy and perseverance, and, probably, not one of those who daily mingled with him, was aware of the struggle going on, in that young heart, between duty and incli- nation. Perhaps the discipline was just what he required, for it was evident that his character, about this period, became greatly strengthened, and his parents were often gratified by the testi- monials of his employers' approbation, in regard to his capacity, fidelity and morality. The knowledge of business he thus acquired was very useful to him, and he realized and confessed the advantage of it afterwards.
In the army he was often banker and cashier of the regiment, and, being prudent and judicious in the use of money himself, he was very often the creditor of others, especially among the men who had families at home, and were grateful for the loan of a small sum of money. The kindness he showed in this respect was highly appreciated, and won for him the deepest gratitude. That he did not lose his regard for learning, by his business engagements, appears in the fact, that of almost the first money he received after he entered the army, he gave one hundred dol- lars, towards the endowment of Rutger's College, expressing his gratification that although he had never enjoyed the privilege of a college education himself he could assist others.
He united with the Middle Dutch Church of Albany, when he was fifteen years old, and was, successively, a scholar, teacher and officer in the Sabbath School.
Though surrounded by many temptations, he so maintained his Christian character that several gentlemen felt it a privilege to have their sons associate with him. One gentleman, who had the best opportunity to know the purity of his character, made every effort to bring his own son, who was disposed to be very wild and careless, under his influence, hoping it would have a tendency to check him in his evil course. CHARLIE's mother, who greatly feared his contamination, plainly told the gentle- man her apprehensions. He replied: "You may rest assured your fears for CHARLIE are groundless; he will never come down
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to anything vicious; his morals are impregnable, and I feel sure his course will always be to draw others up to his level."
Ilis purity of mind was remarkable. His young companions felt the power of this, and his presence was always a check upon any indulgence of impurity. Probably to this, more than any- thing else, next to the grace of God, was he indebted for his preservation from the corruptions of the army. Nothing in his character is more worthy of imitation by the young men who read this sketch; nothing will so effectually furnish them for the temptations of life as to be like him, " pure in heart."
Not long, however, was he permitted to enjoy his pleasant home and the peaceful pursuits of life. The trumpet of war sounded through this once happy land; the hand of the parricide was lifted against the bosom that had fostered it, and every pulse of his ardent nature beat with the most intense emotion.
When the news of the fall of Sumter was received, his face glowed with shame and indignation. He seemed to feel it a personal insult, and for many days he was too excited to eat or sleep. His first impulse was to enlist as a private at once, but his parents, though fully sympathizing with his patriotic spirit, were slower to feel that he was called to such a sacrifice. They counseled deliberation and prudence. They felt that his qualifi- eations entitled him to a position of greater influence, and they hoped the terrible storm would soon be over, and then there would be no demand for his services.
He respected and yielded to the wishes of his parents, but it was evident he chafed under the restraint. Ilis mother, who knew the decision depended mainly upon her wishes, and who was watching him with intense and prayerful anxiety, at last came to the conclusion that it was her duty to give her consent.
Hearing him restlessly pacing the floor one night, after mid- night, she went up to his room and said: " CHARLIE, my dear son, why are you so excited ?" He answered: "Mother, how can I help it; how can I remain here at home, and sleep quietly in my bed, when the country is in such a state? Why, mother, I don't want to go into the street any more; I am ashamed to look people in the face; a strong, healthy fellow like me, staying
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at home and enjoying all these comforts when the country is in danger, and needs my services."
His mother then told him, that God had made her feel that it was his duty to go, and that his parents had no right to interpose obstacles in the way. She engaged to obtain his father's consent, only stipulating that he should first endeavor to procure a com- mission; but if he failed to do so in a reasonable time, she would not object to his going as a private.
The change immediately produced by this conversation was wonderful. He expressed the greatest delight and gratitude, and at once set himself to work to obtain a commission in some regi- ment already in the field. He went to Washington with letters of the highest recommendation to the War Department, and he received the promise of a speedy appointment. He returned home and waited with the greatest impatience, and learned then for the first time, how little reliance could often be placed upon the promises, or assistance of strangers. He finally decided to accept an appointment in a regiment then organizing at Platts- burgh. He was commissioned as First Lieutenant, Company A, Ninety-sixth Regiment, N. Y. S. Volunteers, Col. FAIRMAN, October 17, 1861. The regiment did not go into the field till the spring of 1862, when it entered upon the Peninsular Campaign, under Gen. MCCLELLAN. But the time was not lost. He was ambitious to excel in everything he undertook, and spent every moment not necessarily otherwise occupied, in the study of military tactics. The same earnestness and enthusiasm which had always characterized him, now stimulated him to make him- self thoroughly competent to fill any position. Every book that could be bought, every device that could be employed-such as miniature armies, &c., were brought into requisition to perfect his education. How well he succeeded, his after experience proved.
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