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 3
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INTRODUCTION.
bow were blended; the tastefully arranged festoons of evergreen and flowers; the flags of our Union, of all sizes, which seemed to fill the air with the spirit of patriotism; the rows of richly ornamented booths, representing different cities and various nationalities; and the enthusiasm of the masses of human beings, swaying to and fro, made the scene one of thrilling interest and dazzling beauty.
The exercises of the inauguration were opened by the singing of the following dedicatory Ode, written by Miss MARGARET F. MORGAN, of Albany, and set to music by Mr. H. W. A. BEALE, organist of St. Joseph's Church:
All hail to our country, the Land of the West! The dream of the Nations, the Great and the Blest, The vision that came on the spice of the breeze, And haunted the heart of the dark Genoese- That rose like a temple of gold to his view, That hung like a star in his distance of blue.
The sun on his journey may linger to glance On the mosque and the temple, the vine and the dance,
But always returns to the haunt he loves best, And leaves his last smile with the Land of the West.
0, Sun in thy beauty, untiring like thee, The heart of the Westland is glowing!
And over the continent. over the sea, The light of its purpose is throwing.
Behold how its broad and beneficent ray Each measure and limit is scorning! Though dark clouds of error still hurk in the way, They are edged with the light of the morning.
Come, Morning Light! Come, quickly come,. Break through the night- Trumpet and drum Call in their might, Come. quickly come!
Break, break the tyrant's yoke, Break through the battle smoke- Scatter the gloom! Let treason's wonted ire See in its force and fire Naught but its doom.
.
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INTRODUCTION.
Break thro' the prison bars, go with a blessing, Shine on our captives, and bid them good cheer; Go where the soreness of famine is pressing, Tell them that bounty and largess are near; From monntain, vale and mart, Tell them the Nation's heart Whispers " Good cheer!"
Though the air is stirred with combat, Hope with lifted fingers waits- Hears the bugle call of " Union! " Hears the homeward march of States!
From the dim and doubting vision Rend the veil and show the right, Thro' the mists of fraud and fable Lead them onward, Morning Light!
Peace will return with her chaplet of glory- Home from the battle field weary and worn, Come the brave squadrons of song and of story, Bearing their banners up rifted and torn!
What have we done for thee? What have we won for thec? Surging with tumult and sorely oppressed- Given our all to thee! Given our lives to thee! Given thee Liberty, Land of the West!
Then hail to our country, the Land of the West! The marvel of nations, the Great and the blest! The green of her forests, the blue of her vales, Her mines and her mountains, her lakes and her sails, Her cotton and rice fields that stretch far away In saffron of sunset, or purple of day- All, all will we cherish with right and with might
Till the sun shall grow dim on his voyage of light! From blight and from error, from woe and unrest, May God shield onr country, the Land of the West!
The introductory Address, which was very appropriate and eloquent, was delivered by the Hon. Mr. THACHER. He was fol- lowed by Governor SEYMOUR, whose address contained several historical facts of interest. After having been enthusiastically received by the vast assemblage, the Governor said:
" Upon a day sacred to the memory of our greatest and purest
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INTRODUCTION.
statesman, upon a spot made famous by historical incidents, we meet for a purpose which appeals to our liveliest sympathy. It is fit that the capital of a great State, which furnishes so large a share of the armies of our country, and which is so numerously represented amid the sick and wounded of our hospitals, and among the graves of our battle fields, should be prominent in efforts to soften the calamities of war. Upon this occasion the historical events connected with this city and the adjacent towns are brought back to our memories. Albany is the oldest city in the thirteen original colonies, and, with the exception of St. Augustine, in Florida, the oldest town in our Union, for the earlier settlement of Jamestown, in Virginia, had ceased to exist as a municipality. Before the Pilgrims landed upon Plymouth Rock, and before the foundations of our great commercial metro- polis were laid at the mouth of the Hudson, a trading post was established at this point, and for years it was the most important commercial place within the limits of our State.
" It is not to its antiquity and to its long continued identifica- tion with the interests of our country to which I wish to call your attention, but to some incidents in its history recalled by the occasion which draws us together. In 1690, in this month of February-one hundred and seventy-four years ago-there came a midnight cry for help from the burning town of Schenec- tady, and the panting messengers who came along the pathways leading from Albany to that city, which ran along by the very spot upon which we stand, and told of the massacre of its inhab- itants, by Indian savages and their French allies. The alarmed citizens of this place hurried to the protection of Fort Frederick, which stood on this ground; and the ancestors of many of those who I see before me, whose names are still familiar in your social circles, in your churches and in your public organizations, met to devise measures of relief for the sick, the suffering, the wounded and the dying of a neighboring town, and to adopt measures for the support of those who should go out to combat against the savage enemies. Many of their descendants bearing those ancient and honorable names, meet here to-night for a kindred purpose.
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INTRODUCTION.
That tong lapse of years, and those far removed generations, at this moment seem freshly linked together by this coincidence of place and purpose.
" A little later, another event occurred within this city, of still greater significance, and still more closely connected with this occasion. The people of the different colonies, living under dis- tinet governments at the outset, were estranged from each other. Separated by distances which at that day were overcome with difficulty, made up of those of different nationalities and conflict- ing ereeds, there was among them but little intercourse, and no
concert of action. Alarmed by a threatened combination of savage tribes which menaced the safety, if not the existence of the colonies, they sent delegates to a convention held in this city. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was its presiding officer. This was the first distinct movement to a union among the colonies, looking to strength and protection from united counsels and combined efforts.
" Thus Albany became the birthplace of our Union. In God's name, then, let it be upheld and cherished here. The first time that the Stars and Stripes were ever displayed upon our National banner-the first time that its emblems of State sovereignties and National unity were ever given to the winds of Heaven-the first time that that flag was ever displayed which now kindles the enthusiasm and patriotism of the American in whatever part of the world he may see it, and whose folds, in devotion to its sacred import, a million of men have battled within the last three years-that flag was first borne into the dangers of the battle field in the defence of this city. It was also first used to defeat an effort to divide the United Colonies. For the purpose of gaining possession of the line of the Hudson river, and the con- trol of Lake Champlain, the British cabinet devised a combined movement upon this city. Its fleets were to ascend the Hudson -its savage allies, under St. Leger, were to come down the valley of the Mohawk, its disciplined armies, under Burgoyne, forcing their way along the upper Hudson, were to meet the co-operating forces at this point, and thus sever the Eastern colo- nies from the rest of our country. The point to be reached by
3
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INTRODUCTION.
this great combined movement was the spot upon which we stand. This most formidable attempt upon our national existence was defeated upon the plains of Saratoga, and the three-fold attack upon Albany was baffled and defeated. It was in that battle of Saratoga that our National flag was first used. If we regard then the object for which we are assembled, and the relationship which that object bears to the union of our country and its glo- rious flag, we find that the associations which cluster around this spot are all in fit keeping, and well calculated to excite our interest and our enthusiasm."
After other remarks, the Governor dedicated the Bazaar in the following language:
" In pursuance of the invitation of your committee, and as Chief Magistrate of the State, I do dedicate this edifice to the great purposes of patriotism and charity, and I offer the fervent prayer to Almighty God, that it may not only relieve the sick and wounded, but by its gentle influence may touch the hearts of those in rebellion; that it may aid in bringing back peace to our land, restoring our Union, giving new life and vigor to the government of our fathers, and making us again a great, united, prosperous and happy people."
This address was followed by a Poem, by ALFRED B. STREET, Esq., which was distinguished for great delicacy of thought, beauty of expression and fervid patriotism. The following is the poet's allusion to love of country:
Spirit benign, oh, love of native land! For thee, the sword leaps flashing to the hand; For thee, long death is one brief smile of joy, And loftiest thoughts their loftiest powers employ. What though stern Winter chains the crouching clime, Warm glows the bosom in thy fire sublime; Soft luxury's slave that sleeps amid his flowers, Leaps to the foe and battles through his bowers; Age for thy sake will east his crutch aside; Youth for thy love renounce his new-made bride; The widow's heart unloose the boy, to dare War's flaming thunders hurtling through the air; All round thy heavens thou sweepest fondest glance, Holy thou holdest all thy earth's expanse, Daunting the despot, fain to see unfurled
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INTRODUCTION.
His crimsoned banner o'er a conquered world, Leaving glad Peace to plant the harvest gold, Rear his loud roofs, the sea's wide stores unfold, Lead civilization in its grand emprise, And raise man's nature to his native skies. Thus, through the North the thundering shout arose, Life to our land, destruction to our foes, Lift the starred banner-bare the battle brand ! Death to our foes, but life to native land ! Then, as the tempest bursting on the hills, Turns to wild torrents all the trickling rills, So as the tumult throbbed o'er hill and plain. Leaped the live floods, and roaring, swept amain, Up, with one bound, New England towered on high, Loud to the heavens New York launched mightiest cry, The Keystone's bayonet glittered on the air, Broad to the fight the Buckeye's breast stood bare, And the whole grand unconquerable West, Quick to the van, in war's wild frenzy prest, While as the strong wind rattles through the trees, The burst of banners ladened every breeze.
The closing lines of the poem are as follows:
Oh long did our Eagle stand chained to his rock ! But at last with a wing-burst of thunder-like shock- Red bolts in his talons, red wrath in his glare, And death in his wild shriek, he sprang to the air; Ne'er back for a moment that pinion he drew, But onward, right onward, right onward he flew ! One bolt shone at Shiloh, at Donelson one, And one made grand Gettysburg flash as the sun; While the last lightning launched from his terrible quiver Made Lookout a beacon of glory forever. Each region wherever he sweeps is his own, And straightway from out its foul shade it has shone- Shone out with its freedom of tongue, pen and press, Those earth-stars that shine for our race but to bless; And ne'er shall he pause, till, proud downward he swings, To slake in the Gulf his free triumph-clad wings, And loud alleluias shout wide as the blast, That the day of true glory hath risen at last.
And now, in a vision prophetic the eye Views earth and air glowing in magical dye. The sunset of time ! earth's millennial light- See. what is that grand, golden shape on the sight- Our Nation, with Time in Companionship's link, And reaching together eternity's brink.
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INTRODUCTION.
The Bazaar having been opened, all our citizens entered into its plans and purposes with the utmost enthusiasm. Every department was supplied with cheerful laborers, and those who could not give their personal services, freely contributed money to aid the enterprise. Col. FRANK CHAMBERLAIN, HENRY T. BUELL, Esq., CHARLES B. REDFIELD, Esq., and others, called upon our wealthy citizens and were universally received with great cordiality. Every one was ready to subscribe. Many of the rich gave out of their abundance; and those of limited means showed their patriotism by a noble generosity.
Mr. BUELL states that probably no enterprise ever so fully enlisted the interest of all classes of the citizens of Albany and the neighboring towns as this Great Sanitary Fair. Social dis- tinctions, denominational feelings and party prejudices were forgotten in the general and intense desire to sustain and comfort the noble men who had left their homes to fight for liberty and the Union.
Among our German population, Mr. ARTHUR BOTTS did admi- rable service in collecting money.
J. H. VAN ANTWERP, Esq., was also very active in making col- lections; and Mr. CANTINE TREMPER and Mr. CUYLER, editor of the Albany Express, devoted much time to receiving money at the Bazaar.
To CHAUNCEY P. WILLIAMS, Esq., treasurer of the Bazaar, and to JOHN TAYLER HALL, Esq., secretary, our whole community owe a debt of the deepest gratitude. These gentlemen were untiring in their efforts to make the Bazaar a glorious success.
How fully the highest expectations, in regard to this grand enterprise, were realized, is well known to all our citizens. Everything that skill, forethought, a persistent loyalty and pure benevolence could do, was done to render the whole affair a com- plete success.
The amount received from all sources into the treasury was one hundred and eleven thousand, four hundred and ninety-three dollars and forty-nine cents. The amount expended was twenty- nine thousand, five hundred and eighty-four dollars and ninety-
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INTRODUCTION.
nine cents, leaving a balance, which was paid over to the treasury of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, of eighty-one thousand, nine hundred and eight dollars and fifty cents.
For pecuniary success in proportion to the population engaged in this enterprise, for executive ability in carrying out its plans, and for artistic effect, this fair was surpassed by no other within the limits of the United States.
THE U. S. CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.
Besides the U. S. Sanitary Commission, the U. S. Christian Commission received the cordial co-operation of the citizens of Albany. This commission had its origin in a convention of Young Men's Christian Associations, held in the city of New York on the sixteenth of November, 1861. Twelve gentlemen, from eight different States, were appointed as the first members of the commission. The object proposed, was to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of the officers and men of the U. S. Army and Navy, in co-operation with chaplains and others. At the fourth and last anniversary, held in the city of Wash- ington on the evening of the 11th ultimo, the following summary of receipts for the four years of its existence was submitted by GEORGE H. STUART, Esq., President: In 1862, $231,256.29; in 1863, $916,837.65; in 1864, $2,882,347.86; in four months of 1865, $2,234,165.88 ;- making a total of $6,264,607.67.
Owing to various causes, the Albany branch of the Christian Commission was not organized until the first of April, 1864. As its plans of operation became known, a desire was felt to aid in its work of ministering to the spiritual, as well as temporal inter- ests of the soldiers. Accordingly, in March, 1864, a public meeting was held under the direction of the Albany Young Men's Christian Association, and appeals were made for funds, to which there was a liberal response. Soon after, a meeting was called at the rooms of the Board of Trade, and as the result, the Albany branch of the Christian Commission was formed, with the follow- ing officers: THOMAS W. OLCOTT, President; JOHN F. RATHBONE,
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INTRODUCTION.
Vice President; LEVI DEDRICK, Secretary; WILLIAM MCELROY, Treasurer.
The new organization awakened, at once, a great interest, and the pastors of our churches, and the members of all denomina- tions, came forward to aid in giving success to the enterprise. The labors of the treasurer, WM. MCELROY, Esq., soon became very onerous, but he performed them with a cheerfulness and patriotic ardor, worthy of all praise. He achieved from week to week and month to month a great amount of work, which never met the public eye, but for which he will receive his reward. The amount that he received from April 1, 1864, to January 1, 1866, was $23,740.20. With the exception of $584.39, expended for the benefit of the soldiers in our own hospital and barracks, these funds were all sent to the central office of the Commission in Philadelphia.
. Besides the contribution of money, a great amount of provi- sions and delicacies for the soldiers was collected; also hymn books, knapsack books and other reading matter were transmitted to the parent society. The good accomplished by these patriotic and christian efforts, eternity alone can reveal. In the operations of this association, as well as in that which acted through the Sanitary Commission, the ladies of Albany took a very efficient part, and sewing circles were formed in some of our churches, whose contributions served to greatly increase the comforts of our suffering soldiers.
At the request of the officers of the Young Men's Christian Association, a large tent was procured from Philadelphia to be used at the barracks for religious services. This measure was attended with great success. The meetings were arranged by JOHN E. PAGE, Esq., President of the Young Men's Christian Association, and the clergymen of the city preached on Sabbath afternoons; and the young men held prayer meetings once or twice during the week. Many of the soldiers were greatly bene- fited by these meetings, and some were led to give their hearts to Christ. Most interesting letters have been received from offi- cers and private soldiers, by Mr. PAGE, expressing their deep gratitude to him for the interest that he had manifested in their
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INTRODUCTION.
spiritual welfare. Religious meetings were also held at the hos- pital in connection with the services of the chaplain; and since the establishment of the Home for Disabled Soldiers, Mr. PAGE, S. R. GRAY, Esq., and their associates, have been indefatigable in their efforts to provide for the spiritual wants of the inmates of that institution.
It should also be stated that with the Albany Young Men's Christian Association originated the idea of preparing and send. ing to the soldiers the " little house wives," that is, small bags filled with needles, thread, pins, &c., which proved of so much value. Besides being expressions of the home interest felt for those who were far away, the tens of thousands of tracts and little books that accompanied them were the means of great use- fulness.
SOLDIERS' REFRESHMENT COMMITTEE.
This committee was appointed to attend to the wants of regi- ments returning to and passing through the city; and the follow- ing report of their services is furnished by WM. H. VAN ANTWERP, Esq., chairman of the refreshment committee:
Regiments and Number of Men Fed.
Date.
Regiment. No. of Men.
June 18-118th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
334
18-117th Regiment N. Y. S. V. 361
66 19-142d Regiment N. Y. S. V.
438
66
20-7th Heavy Artillery
219
21-Prisoners from Camp Tyler, Texas
8
66 22-77th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
95
25-106th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
405
26-10th Regiment Vermont S. V.
321
60 26-5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery
120
66 27-115th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
267
66 28-3d N. Y. Light Artillery
335
28-7th Ohio Cavalry
59
28-10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery
973
66 28-5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery 329
6
28-121st Regiment N. Y. S. V.
328
66 29-106th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
107
29-6th Vermont S. V. 280
30-3d N. Y. Light Artillery, Battery M 201
66 28-11th Vermont Artillery
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INTRODUCTION.
Date. Regiment. No. of Men.
June 30-3d N. Y. Light Artillery, Batteries I and C __ 195
July
1-144th Regiment N. Y. S. V. 890
66 1-43d Regiment N. Y. S. V. 147
66 1-77th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
189
2-3d N. Y. Light Artillery
362
3-93d Regiment N. Y. S. V. 287
5-3d N. Y. Light Artillery, Battery K 177
7-91st N. Y. S. V.
537
8-175th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
89
66
13-18th Battery N. Y. S. V.
111
66
16-152d Regiment N. Y. S. V.
240
19-2d Vermont Light Artillery
227
19-12th Massachusetts Light Artillery
125
66 20-7th N. Y. Independent Battery
99
21-157th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
382
21-128th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
461
66 21-60th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
403
66 28-2d Regiment Hancock's Corps
217
66 24-94th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
257
Aug. 4-7th New York Heavy Artillery
233
5-20th N. Y. Cavalry 730
522 460
Sept. 1-3d Regiment N. Y. S. V.
2-100th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
451
2-192d Regiment N. Y. S. V.
387
2-81st Regiment N. Y. S. V.
304 181
18-75th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
334
Oct. 3-11th New York Cavalry
302
12-153d Regiment N. Y. S. V.
377
Siek men sent from Provost Marshal's office at different dates
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Nov. 24-2d New York Veteran Cavalry
447
Dec. 3-4th New York Provisional Cavalry 640
1866, Jan. 20-193d Regiment N. Y. S. V.
607
Total 16,709
WM. H. VAN ANTWERP, Chairman of Refreshment Committee.
The committee expended in this department over seven thou- sand six hundred dollars; and their kind deeds were duly appre- ciated by the noble nien who were the recipients of their bounty.
117
21-25th N. Y. Independent Battery
25-110th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
2-98th Regiment N. Y. S. V.
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INTRODUCTION.
THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
In the medical department, the action of the government was very prompt and effective in this State as well as in other parts of our country. His Excellency, Governor MORGAN, appointed at the commencement of the war Dr. S. OAKLEY VANDERPOEL, of Albany, Surgeon General of the State of New York. Previous to this time this position had been simply complimentary, but now it was attended with great responsibilities and arduous duties. To this office, however, Dr. VANDERPOEL brought not only a high reputation for skill and experience in his profession, but great personal energy and efficiency. The bureau was organ- ized in the best manner to secure the welfare of the soldiers and the honor of the State, and to add to the effective force of the army. The surgeons and their assistants were selected with great care, and minute instructions were given to the inspectors of recruits that only suitable men should be received into the ser- vice of the government. On the eighth of January, 1862, Dr. VANDERPOEL made his first report to the Governor of the State, which was afterwards transmitted to the Assembly, in which he gives the details of the duties performed in the various depart- ments of the medical bureau. His second report was transmitted to the Legislature January 27th, 1863, in which he makes the following interesting statements:
"The past year has been one of memorable interest in the medical department.
"During that period the effective force of troops from this State has been doubled, while the medical staff has been nearly trebled, numbering now five hundred and eighty-four. Within that period they have been subjected to every vicissitude of eli- mate, to every privation and fatigue-these, too, in the poisonous malaria and the deathly miasm arising from tropical heats.
" Even now, bodies of troops from this State are stationed at every principal post-New Orleans, Pensacola, Key West, Hil- ton Head, Newbern, Fortress Monroe-while the army of the Potomac and the defences about Washington and Baltimore have each large detachments.
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INTRODUCTION.
"It is unnecessary to enumerate the fearful conflicts in which they have been engaged, or allude to the scenes of woe and suf- fering through which their duties peculiarly called them to move. It is enough to say that wherever carnage was the thickest, the ministering hand of the surgeon has been near, caring as rapidly as possible for the wounded."
In the same report the Doctor alludes to a corps of volunteer surgeons, organized in accordance with his own suggestions. He says:
" Simultaneously with the measures taken to assume the charge of the sick and wounded, a movement was initiated to organize a corps of Volunteer Surgeons, who should hold themselves in readi- ness, whenever a great emergency occurred, to proceed to the vicinity of the field of battle and render gratuitous service to the wounded. The necessity calling for such an organization was obvious.
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