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 4
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" Previous to the passage by Congress of the law of July last, authorizing the appointment of an additional assistant surgeon to each regiment, the medical staff was totally inadequate to fulfill even the demands of ordinary service, from the necessary details made for transportation, hospital service, and those who for any cause were unfit for duty. This inadequacy would be painfully and heart-rendingly felt by the whole people should a large engagement occur. Impressed by this idea, and after consulta- tion with some of the first medical men of the State, I addressed your Excellency, on the thirtieth of March, the communication marked ' A' in the appendix .* This was promptly and strongly endorsed by yourself, and forwarded at once to Mr. STANTON, Secretary of War. His replies will be found in appendix 'B' and 'C.'*
" From these replies, so favorable and commendatory, resulted the immediate organization of this corps, the names of whom are marked 'D' in the appendix.
A glance at the names comprising the list will readily assure confidence as to the character of the gentlemen composing it. It
* See Report, January, 1863.
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is not presumptuous to say that it would be impossible to find on this side of the Atlantic, nor inded upon the other, an equal array combining so much talent, skill and acquirements in their profession.
" I should do injustice to a large number of noble medical men throughout the State, who, though not formally recognized of this body, promptly repaired to the peninsula and labored most assiduously and faithfully. They waited for no official recogni- tion, but in the true spirit of philanthropy ministered in their respective fields of labor. It would be gratifying to enumerate their names, but from their number, and the reason that only a few made the faet known to me, renders such an effort impossible. They enjoy a richer reward than public plaudits, in the quiet consciousness of a well performed duty, and the heart-felt thanks and prayers of the suffering sick and wounded alleviated through their unostentatious ministrations.
" The recital of the labors of this whole corps of volunteer surgeons, would form one of the noblest episodes of the many noble which this war has brought forth; would serve to illus- trate that heaven-derived mission of the profession, the prompt, unselfish, intelligent relief of suffering humanity."
In 1863 Dr. VANDERPOEL was succeeded in the position of Sur- geon General for the State of New York by Dr. J. V. P QUACK- ENBUSH, of Albany, who was also a gentlemen of the highest personal and professional qualifications.
His first annual report was transmitted to the Legislature Feb- ruary 19th, 1864. During the preceding year Dr. QUACKENBUSH had appointed two hundred and nineteen surgeons and assistant surgeons in the places of those who had been promoted, or mus- tered out or dismissed, or who had resigned. Besides faithfully attending to his home duties, he visited the battle field and the hospitals in the vicinity of other cities. Of these visits he gives the following account, addressed to his Excellency, HORATIO SEYMOUR, Governor and Commander-in-Chief :
" By your direction I proceeded to Washington, and there received from the War Department ample facilities to visit the
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battle field and all the hospitals in the vicinity of Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
"I visited these hospitals and saw very many of our own sol- diers, who were much gratified, and expressed their thanks that you had sent a person from New York to look after them and bring them a word of good cheer from their own State. This to mne was a pleasant duty, and when I saw their wan and painful countenances lighted up by the words of one who came from their own homes, I felt thankful that I could thus, though in a feeble manner, minister to the happiness of those who had suffered so much in the service of their country.
" After visiting the hospitals in Baltimore, I proceeded to the field of the last battle; but how different was the scene which a few short days had made. Our victorious army had left the hills which encompassed Gettysburg. The blast of the bugle no longer was heard. The echo of the loud-mouthed cannon had died away, and naught but the sorrow and misery of war now remained. The sick, the wounded, the dying were on every side; the long aisles of graves stretched along every camp; the unburied dead lay prone upon the ground, their lifeless, blood- less, soulless eyes directed to the mid-day sun. The battle was ended ! A saddening and sorrowful sight was presented on every side. Each army corps had its separate hospital, and the sur- geon and his assistants were constantly engaged in the rude shel- ter camp and at the operating table. All that humanity could suggest and skill invent and execute was done, but the machinery of war had been set in motion and the wrecks of mankind lay scattered around.
" While on the field of the late battle, I saw many surgeons from our own State, who, by their labor, were honoring the com- missions you gave them. Some of these have since died from disease contracted at that time. Others, too, on distant fields of duty, have sacrificed their lives in the cause of their country, nobly vindicating the exalted character of the profession they represented. Perhaps at no period during the war have our sur- geons been taxed so severely as at Gettysburg. They worked bravely and nobly, and while I would award all praise to all the
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surgeons who were left in charge of the sick at this place, my natural State pride will not allow me to suppress the fact that no hospital, in its appearance of cleanliness, general arrangement or abundance of supplies, surpassed those which were allotted to and managed by the surgeons from the State of New York.
" In passing from one hospital to another, the same sad effects of the battle were seen; but while inhumanity showed her bloody trophies, humanity showed her nobler views, and those twin sis- ters of charity, the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, were in every camp, pouring their healing balm into those wounds which cruel war had so ruthlessly laid open. These charities opened wide their hands, and the soldiers keenly appreciated the bless- ings which were there dispensed. New York should thank these noble institutions, which then and there so deeply benefited the New York soldier.
" After leaving the field of battle and its vicinity, I visited the army at Antietam, and at Gen. MEADE's headquarters I met Brig. Gen. WM. A. HAMMOND, Surgeon General U. S. A., and person- ally offered to him the services of the surgeons of this State, which I felt authorized in doing, as so many had already volun- teered to go to the aid of the regular surgeons of the army. This offer was frankly accepted, with the assurance that they should be among the first called upon."
And a call was made that same month, under date of July 27, 1863, by Dr. Jos. R. SMITH, Surgeon of the U. S. Army, which was promptly and cheerfully responded to by Dr. QUACK- ENBUSH.
In the Doctor's second annual report, submitted to the Legis- lature February 28th, 1865, he shows the condition of the medical staff of the army from this State, the number of surgeons who have been appointed since the commencement of the rebellion, the number who have been appointed the preceding year, with the number who have died, and the general duties incumbent upon and discharged by this bureau. He says:
" Since the commencement of the war, there have been two hundred and forty volunteer regiments from this State in the national army, and the first duty of this bureau has been to keep
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these regiments supplied with their full complement of medical officers. To each regiment are assigned one surgeon and two assistant surgeons, and these officers are commissioned by the Governor upon the recommendations issued from this bureau."
Hle gives in the report a list of the surgeons and assistant sur- geons appointed in the New York regiments from April 15, 1861, to December 31, 1864, with the rank of each, and the regiment to which he belonged. The whole number commissioned was twelve hundred and eighty-two.
Of the corps of volunteer surgeons, Dr. QUACKENBUSH thus speaks:
"This corps was called upon in May last, immediately after the battles of the Wilderness, and in response to a telegram received Sunday morning, May 7th, fourteen surgeons started without delay for the scene of action. Indeed, within eight hours after the reception of the telegram, some from this city and Troy left for the army, and they met in New York city a number of others, with whom they went to Washington, and having reported to Surgeon General BARNES, were immediately assigned to duty in Fredericksburg and its vicinity. These gentlemen, whose names will be found in Schedule F, rendered very valuable and timely service, and I would now, sir, in your name, under whose commission they served, thank them for the aid and attention which they rendered to the sick and wounded soldiers of the. National army, after the bloody battles of the Wilderness. The general who commands an army and wins his battle, receives the thanks of Congress, and it is right. The colonel who gallantly leads his regiment and performs his share of duty in the general engagements, meets and receives the com- mendation of his superiors. The lieutenant who seizes the standard of his company, and urges on his faltering men in the face of imminent danger, looks for and receives promotion. Thus each and every officer has his stimulus and meets his reward. How is it with the volunteer surgeon of the State of New York! His duty is performed in the hospital or on the field among the sick and dying. The sound of the clarion or the music of the drum meets not his ear. The voice of distress calls him to duty,
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and the consciousness of having performed that duty well is his ambition and his reward. The testimony coming from the sick and wounded, and the evidence rendered by those competent to judge, has satisfied this bureau that the volunteer surgeon of New York has done his duty faithfully, and the proud conscious- ness of this must be his life-long reward."
Dr. QUACKENBUSH was succeeded by Dr. SYLVESTER D. WIL- LARD, and Dr. WILLARD by Dr. JAMES E. POMFRET, who were both appointed by his Excellency Governor FENTON.
As a proof of the wide extent of the medical department of our army, I would add, in this connection, the following state- ments made by JOSEPH K. BARNES, Surgeon General of the U. S. Army, to the Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, in his report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865. The dis- bursements for that year for medical and hospital supplies; for the pay of private physicians, hospital employés, &c., amounted to nineteen millions, three hundred and twenty-eight thousand, four hundred and ninety-nine dollars and twenty-three cents.
The whole number of general hospitals established since the commencement of the war was two hundred and four, with a capacity of one hundred and thirty-six thousand, eight hundred and ninety-four beds. From April, 1861, to June, 1865, there had been appointed five hundred and forty-seven surgeons and assistant surgeons of volunteers; mustered into service, two thou- sand one hundred and nine volunteer regimental surgeons, and three thousand eight hundred and eighty-two volunteer regi- mental assistant surgeons; employed as acting staff surgeons, seventy-five; as acting assistant surgeons, five thousand five hun- dred and thirty-two. The returns of sick and wounded show, that of white troops, one million, fifty-seven thousand, four hun- dred and twenty-three cases have been treated in the general hospitals alone, from 1861 to July 1, 1865, of which the mor- tality rate was eight per cent.
Gen. BARNES, at the close of his report, bears testimony to the zeal and efficiency of the officers of the medical department, upon all occasions. He says: " With hardly an exception, they have been actuated by the highest motives of national and professional pride,
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and the number who have been killed and wounded bears most honorable testimony to their devotion to duty on the field of battle."
But without dwelling longer upon these general operations of this department, we would speak of the care extended to the sick and wounded soldiers in the city of Albany.
In April, 1861, the brick ( difice known as the " Industrial School Building," was occupied by the soldiers; and extensive wooden structures were erected around it, the whole constituting " The Barracks." Seven regiments of New York State volun- teers were organized, equipped and sent to the field from this post, during three or four months. At that time, Dr. JAMES H. ARMSBY, of Albany, was the surgeon in charge of this post, and of the various temporary depots in the city; and he brought to his work great patriotic ardor, and a high degree of medical and surgical skill, gained in a long professional experience.
In 1862, " The Barracks" were opened as a post hospital, and five hundred and fifty-tive sick and wounded soldiers were re- ceived. They were attended by most of the physicians of the city, who kindly volunteered their services. In 1863, five hun- dred were admitted and treated, and in 1864, nine hundred and fifty-seven were received.
In the fall of 1864, it was made a U. S. General Hospital, and was placed under the care of Dr. MASON F. COGSWELL. Dr. COGSWELL was removed from this position, and from his wide sphere of usefulness in our city, by death, and in February, 1865, Dr. J. H. ARMSBY was appointed his successor. At that time the hospital received the name of the "Ira Harris U. S. General Hospital," after our distinguished U. S. Senator from the State of New York.
During the year 1865, one thousand, one hundred and twenty- five patients were admitted and received medical and surgical treatment, nine hundred of whom were in the hospital at one time in the month of July. Besides faithfully discharging the duties of physician and surgeon, Dr. ARMSBY did all in his power to promote the comfort and happiness of the soldiers, by pro- viding them with pleasant rooms and suitable reading matter, and interesting our citizens in their personal welfare.
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MISCELLANEOUS PATRIOTIC DEEDS.
Under this head it would be impossible, within the limits of this introductory chapter, even to allude to the many patriotic deeds performed by our citizens. Besides those that are presented in the foregoing pages, we can only refer to a few:
Prominent among these was the patriotic generosity of our emi- nent sculptor, PALMER. In 1861 he gave, for the benefit of the Soldiers' Fund, one of his best works in marble; and afterwards he placed in the hands of Dr. ARMSBY four of his most recent and valu- able pieces of statuary, for the same purpose. More than $2,500 were realized from this contribution. At the time our great fair was held, he suspended his works, fitted up his studio for a pic- ture gallery, and collected from among his friends a large number of rare and beautiful pictures, which were placed on exhibition for the benefit of the fair. Most of our city artists contributed pictures as gifts, and more than $1,200 were realized from the exhibition. Our photographic artists and picture dealers also contributed liberally for the benefit of the soldiers.
Many of our ladies, too, were untiring in their efforts to alle- viate the sufferings of the sick and wounded. They watched over them, anticipating their wants, and in every way contributing to their temporal and spiritual welfare.
All classes of our citizens seemed to vie with each other in efforts to cheer and benefit the soldier, and sustain the govern- ment in crushing the rebellion. Many who were unable to enter the battle field themselves voluntarily sent substitutes to repre- sent their patriotic ardor. Among these we would mention the case of ISAAC W. VOSBURGH, Esq., who employed and equipped one soldier for each member of his family during the war. Thus he furnished seven members of the American army, representing himself, his wife and five children.
Gen. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER was one of the most liberal of our citizens in his contributions in aid of the war. We hear from a citizen of the seventh ward that he contributed enough money to obtain thirty recruits for that ward; and we also learn from another quarter that he has contributed $1,000 to the war fund
4
.
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in the town of Watervliet. We presume he gave more in other directions, for he is constantly giving in large sums for patriotic and benevolent purposes.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to the editors and pub- lishers of our daily papers for their readiness at all times to aid in the great cause, which enlisted the sympathies and efforts of our citizens. In one of the annual reports of the Albany Army Relief Association, this aid is gratefully acknowledged.
Equally were they ready to help every other association and every plan which contemplated the good of the soldier or the welfare of the nation.
To our railroad, steamboat and express companies the commu- nity are indebted for innumerable favors that helped to advance the general cause.
THE BUREAU OF MILITARY RECORD.
The Bureau of Military Record was established by Governor MORGAN in December, 1862, and has been sanctioned and sus- tained by the Legislature of the State. Its objects are to collect and preserve the records of the war, embracing an account of the action of cities, towns and counties in raising volunteers, and contributing in various ways to the support of the army; of the organization and services of regiments, with the preservation of their flags: and the collection of the biographies of officers and men engaged in the service, and of all printed documents per- taining to the war.
Already great success has attended the efforts of the bureau, and no less than five hundred flags have been received from the regiments that have been raised in our State. Biographies of many officers and men have also been collected, and the plan is now being carried out of thoroughly canvassing the entire State, for obtaining statistical information in regard to all the officers and soldiers who have been connected with our army.
The Legislature of 1865 instructed the bureau, in addition to its other duties, to collect and preserve "a record of the part taken by seamen from this State, in the naval service, since the
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beginning of the war; " and also to procure "a detailed account of the treatment of Union soldiers from this State in rebel prisons, and a record of the deaths in said prisons, and other pertinent facts connected with such imprisonment." In accord- ance with this order, measures have been adopted to obtain the desired information.
In connection with the bureau, there is a valuable museum of articles of military interest, gathered from battle fields, forts, besieged cities and other localities.
To preserve these records and materials, as well as others that may be collected, the Legislature have passed an act, which it is believed will result in the erection of a fire-proof building, to be called the Hall of Military Record. The Chief of this bureau is Col. LOCKWOOD L. DOTY, a gentleman eminently fitted for his position by his courteous manners, his extensive military know- ledge, and his pure patriotism.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
In the preparation of the following sketches, it has been our aim to present a clear and truthful narrative of each of the departed heroes of our city and county, based upon the most reliable information that could be obtained concerning them. In the length of the sketches we have, of course, been governed by the amount of the materials with which we have been furnished by surviving relatives and friends. Many officers and soldiers are briefly noticed (who deserve a more extended tribute), because of our inability to obtain any more facts in relation to them than those which are given.
A list of those whose names only, with a few historic dates, we have been able to obtain, will be found at the close of this volume.
Besides the articles contributed by the relatives or friends of the deceased, whose names are given, there are some others pre- sented, with slight alterations, in the language in which they were furnished.
In the extracts given from journals and letters, I have taken
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the liberty of making slight changes in the language used, where they would add to the clearness of the thought, or to the gram- matical structure of the sentence employed by the writer.
The whole volume is now sent forth to meet the demands of every heart that is inspired with gratitude towards these patriot martyrs. It is also sent forth that it may perpetuate the memory of the achievements of these noble men, while the American Republic, with its just laws and free institutions, shall have an existence among the nations of the earth.
ALBANY, October, 1866.
R. W. C.
COUNTY OF ALBANY.
-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION"
I.
MAJ. GEN. ORMSBY MACKNIGHT MITCHEL.
WE commence our sketches of the illustrious dead, with a name distinguished for scientific culture, earnest patriotism, tender humanity and devoted piety. Rarely do so many intel- lectual gifts and Christian virtues meet in the same person, as edorn the character of Gen. MITCHEL. His mind moved among the stars, and caught their brilliancy. His thoughts partook of the harmony and grandeur of the worlds and systems that he explored. His character was pure, his sentiments generous and lofty, and his love of country was second only to his love of God. Before the war, his discoveries and contributions to astronomical science had rendered him eminent as an American scholar. His popular lectures made him a favorite with all, and inspired his hearers with a love for the beauties and sublimities of astronomy, and with adoration for the Creator and his marvelous works.
The parents of our hero resided, before his birth, in Virginia. His father was a man of no ordinary intelligence and enterprise, and had a decided taste for mathematical pursuits. His mother was a woman of pleasing address, superior mental attainments, and earnest piety. Mr. MITCHEL having lost his property, moved west, and located in Union county, Kentucky. There he erected a rude habitation, and on the 28th of August, 1810, his son, ORMSBY MACKNIGHT MITCHEL, was born. When the child was three years of age, his father was called away by death, and the orphan boy was left to struggle with the obstacles and difficulties that early beset his path. The family, in their deep affliction, moved immediately to Ohio, with the hope of adding to their means of support, and settled in the town of Miama. ORMSBY was sent to school, and so rapidly did he advance in his studies,
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MAJ. GEN. O. M. MITCHEL.
that in some branches he soon surpassed his country teachers. At the age of twelve years he had mastered the Latin and Greck languages, acquired the elements of mathematics, and gained considerable knowledge in other departments. For the want of means to continue his studies, he entered a store as clerk. But the dull routine of the duties in a country store did not satisfy his ardent and aspiring nature. On removing to Lebanon, Warren county, he formed the purpose to gain admission, if possible, to the military academy at West Point. Through the influence of friends he was successful in gaining the appointment. To one who said to him: We have had many of our boys go to West Point, but few of them get through;" ORMSBY, with calm self-reliance, replied: " I shall go through, sir."
The journey, at that time, from Ohio to West Point, was attended with many difficulties, and especially for a lad without money or friends to aid him. But our young hero pushed his way through the wilderness, sometimes on foot, sometimes on horseback, and at last upon the canal boat, that brought him to Albany on Saturday night. Having previously determined to live a Christian life, and to obey all God's commands, he rested on the Sabbath, and was entertained by his relatives. On Monday he went to West Point, and arrived there with his knap- sack on his back and twenty-five cents in his pocket. Instead of property and worldly advantages, he commenced his career, equipped with personal energy, an honorable ambition, and firm Christian principles. Possessing these elements of character, he had the very best armor, for a youth, with which to fight the battles of life, and win the most valuable prizes.
On the 23d of June, 1825, he was, after a satisfactory exami- nation, admitted to the military academy, being then not fifteen years of age. The law required that candidates should be a year older, but, as a special favor, it was in his case suspended. At once he devoted himself to study with great diligence, perse- verance and success. Among his associates in the academy were several of the generals who have distinguished themselves in the late war, both in our own and in the rebel service. Among the latter were JEFFERSON DAVIS, ROBT. E. LEE and JOSEPH JOHNSON.
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