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 45
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555
LIEUT. CHARLES L. YEARSLEY.
Still he nobly and fearlessly pressed forward, and was struck by a bullet for the third time, and fell mortally wounded. He died in about ten minutes, with his face still towards the enemy.
In the death of this noble patriot the country lost one of its truest friends; the company one of its noblest officers, and his parents one of the best of sons.
He sleeps with a large number of Christian heroes in the Albany Rural Cemetery. His precious life was given to the noblest of causes, and the priceless treasure that he helped to secure, he leaves as his legacy to coming generations.
The following letters were written to his father after CHARLES fell:
OPPOSITE PETERSBURG, VA., June 17, 1864. HENRY YEARSLEY, Esq:
Dear Sir-It is with feelings of the deepest regret I write to inform you of the death of your son, CHARLES L., Lieutenant in Battery G, Seventh New York Heavy Artillery. He was killed while charging the enemy's works. In your sad bereavement I would offer you my heartfelt sympathies. It could be well said of him, that none knew him but to love him. Pleasing in per- sonal appearance and manners, he won friends by his gentleness and kindness. He was as brave as a lion, and faithful in the dis- charge of his duty, whether in the camp or in the face of the foe. In him our country loses one of its noblest defenders; our regiment one of its most efficient officers; and myself one of my warmest personal friends. He died a soldier's death, with his face to the foe. Our regiment was ordered to charge the works of the enemy, and while nobly pressing his men forward, and within a few yards of the works, he fell, shot through the stomach, dying in about ten minutes. His body we have been unable to recover, as it is between our lines. I will see that he is decently buried and his grave marked.
His watch is in my possession; I will, as he wished, send it to you by the first opportunity I have, and will try to send you his sword, although I am afraid it will be impossible.
Please sir allow me to sympathize with you in this your great
556
LIEUT. CHARLES L. YEARSLEY.
affliction, at the same time trusting that " He who doeth all things
well" will comfort you. I am sir, truly yours, JOHN S. MCEWAN,
Capt. Seventh N. Y. H. Artillery, Com. Battery G.
QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, 7THI N. Y. A., ) 4TH BRIGADE, 1ST DIVISION, 2D CORPS. IN THE FIELD NEAR PETERSBURG, June 25, 1864. Mr. HENRY YEARSLEY, West Troy, N. Y:
Dear Sir-Your letter, dated 22d inst. I have just received, and will hasten to reply. I wrote a letter to Mr. CHARLES LACK some days ago, in which I referred to your son CHARLES, and I presume that by this time you have learned either by this letter or some other, of the fate of your noble boy. It therefore only remains for me to comply with your request, contained in the last part of your letter, and detail some of the circumstances con- nected with his last moments. Perhaps I may be permitted however, to first say a few words in relation to my previous intercourse with him. Our intimacy commenced soon after our regiment left Albany, in August 1862. There were three of us who occupied the same tent; the third was Lieut. MCCLURE. We enjoyed each other's society very much during the almost twelve months we were together. But I felt from the first, a parti- cular feeling of congeniality towards CHARLIE, which I never lost; I discovered at once in him a spirit so noble and generous, and such a determination to do right, that I at once respected and loved him. Our duties afterwards separated us, but our friendship continued to grow stronger up to the time of his death.
During the first two weeks service of our regiment in this campaign, I was in all the engagements in which it participated, and my position on the staff of Col. MORRIS as aid, during that time, afforded me a good opportunity to judge of the merits and fighting qualities of our officers. And I can say, that in the very high opinion I had formed of Lieutenant YEARSLEY'S soldierly qualities, I was not mistaken. He was as brave and true a soldier as ever lived. And since the second of this month I have been acting Regimental Quartermaster, and my duties, as
557
LIEUT. CHARLES L. YEARSLEY.
such, required me to be with the supply train a good share of the time. I was not in the engagement of the sixteenth, and must therefore state the particulars concerning your son as I heard them from those who were last with him. He had been the only officer in his company for duty since the regiment was at Coal Harbor, and he went into the charge before Petersburg in command of the company. I am told he was wounded three times before he gave up. While cheering on his men he was struck by a bullet, and fell to the ground. But immediately rising he assured his men that he was not hurt much, and urged them to press forward. He was hit the second time, and the third shot struck him in the stomach, and proved to be a mortal wound. The brigade advanced to the enemy's rear works, and found they were in a place where they could not get out, and a surrender was unavailable.
A few, however, made their escape, among them Captain MAGUIRE, and a few of his men, and it is from them that I learned the following facts : The enemy had apparently discovered that the escape of our regiment was impossible; and they put their heads over their breast works and called on the "Yankees " to throw down their arms and come in, assuring them that they would not be hurt. Captain MAGUIRE replied, that they would not get him while he was able to run, and he immediately started to make his escape followed by four of his men, and a shower of rebel bullets. In escaping over the field, across which the charge had been made, a few minutes before, two men passed Lieutenant YEARSLEY as he lay on the field; he called after them saying, " don't leave me." They took him up and carried him until they saw that his spirit had fled, when they laid him down and hastened to our lines.
The following day, First Sergeant SHAW, with a detail of men from our regiment, went out under a flag of truce and buried the body of Lieutenant YEARSLEY. The Sergeant assured me yesterday, that he could find the grave at any time. It is now within our lines, but I think it would be impossible for you to get permission to take it up before the first of November.
A few minutes before going into the charge the Lieutenant
558
LIEUT. CHARLES L. YEARSLEY.
handed his watch to one of his company, and it has since been handed over to me. I will send it to you the first opportunity I can get.
A feeling of sadness comes over me while recounting the cir- cumstances of his death, and how much greater must be the sad- ness of a fond father and loving mother; a mother whom I know he loved, and whose pious counsels contained in her letters to him, I know he heeded and treasured up in his heart. When first learning of his death, it seemed to me that his young life had been taken too soon-that his career of usefulness had hardly commenced. But God knew best. I believe he has taken him to Himself, and though it was not permitted his friends to be with him in his parting moments, or to witness his cheerful deportment and christian conduct and fortitude amid the hard- ships of this dreadful campaign, yet I certainly think that they should not be " like those who are without hope."
With the earnest wish, that you may receive strength from on high, to bear up under this great affliction, I close by subscrib- ing myself, with much respect,
Your obedient servant,
R. S. NORTON, Lt. and A. R. Q. M. 7th N. Y. Art.
559
LIEUT. JOHN T. B. GOEWEY.
LIII. LIEUT. JOHN T. B. GOEWEY.
JOHN T. B. GOEWEY was born January 17th, 1842. He was the youngest of nine children. His father, JACOB GOEWEY, was from one of the old Dutch families of Albany, and his mother, MARIA BAKER, was a descendant of the Puritans of Massachusetts.
He was baptized, in childhood, by the Rev. Dr. WYCKOFF, in the Middle Dutch Church, his parents being members of that church.
His health was poor until he was ten years of age. He was naturally of a nervous temperament and quick perceptions. As his father's means were limited, he simply received an ordinary education.
When quite young he had a great desire to go to West Point, but as circumstances would not admit of it, he reluctantly gave up the idea.
He went to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1857, with his parents, and entered a book store as clerk. He also joined the Bible Class in the Second Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Mr. ELLIS, pastor. When in that city he joined a military company, called the Cleveland Light Guards. He, with his parents, returned to Albany in 1859. When the war broke out, in 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Regiment, but not being of age, his father would not consent to his going.
In the riot of July 12th, 1863, he was one of the thirty mem- bers of the Twenty-fifth Regiment that left Albany, and were gone five days on guard at Yonkers. He afterwards enlisted in the Tenth Regiment, but could not get his father's consent to let him go. He often said: "Father, they want another man. Do you know who it is? That one is myself." After waiting
560
LIEUT. JOHN T. B. GOEWEY.
patiently for a year, he persuaded his father finally to give his consent, and, with several young members of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, of which he was a member, he enlisted August 30th, 1864, in the Twenty-third Independent Battery, N. Y. Vols., stationed at Newbern, N. C.
He left Albany, September 9th, and arrived at Newbern one week before the yellow fever broke out. The battery having more men than was requisite, they were transferred to the Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, and left Newbern, June 19th, for Hotchkiss' Run, Petersburg.
He received a commission, dated December 27th, 1865, as First Lieutenant of Company I, in the One Hundred and Seventieth Regiment New York Volunteers, Second Division, Second Army Corps. He was in all the battles from the time of leaving Peters- burg, until the surrender of Gen. LEE. His health was good while at Berksville, Va., and at Richmond. But often needing proper food and rest, his constitution was severely taxed. Pass- ing through Richmond, he was much oppressed with the heat, and at night a heavy rain storm came on, and he took a severe cold. A fever set in, and in that condition he was obliged to take command of his company, the Captain being dead.
When he arrived at Fredericksburg, he was conveyed from thence in an ambulance, to a field hospital near Alexandria, three days after which he died. He expired May 18th, 1865, aged twenty-three years, four months and one day. His remains were brought home, and on the 25th of May, 1865, were borne to the Albany Rural Cemetery.
We deeply mourn his loss, as he was an affectionate and duti- ful son, a kind brother, a true patriot, a brave soldier, and a warm and sincere friend.
The following deserved tribute was paid to his memory:
" At a special meeting of Protection Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. 1, held Friday evening, May 19th, 1865, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, The great Creator, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, has removed from among us our late friend and companion, Lieut.
LIEUT. JOHN T. B. GOEWEY. 561
JOHN T. GOEWEY, of the One Hundred and Seventieth N. Y. Vols., while nobly engaged in his country's service:
"Resolved, That while we deplore his loss as an active mem- ber, an agreeable companion and warm friend, we bow with sub- mission to the decree of an all-wise Providence, who does every thing for the best.
"Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved family our heartfelt sympathy, and join them in mourning the departure of one, who, in all the social relations of life, proved himself an affectionate son and devoted brother.
"Resolved, That the house of this company be draped in mourning for thirty days, in memory of the deceased, and that a copy of these resolutions be presented to his family, and pub- lished in the city papers.
" MATTHEW QUINN, President.
" ROBERT H. MOORE, Secretary."
36
562
LIEUT. JOHN B. READ.
LIV. LIEUT. JOHN B. READ.
JOHN B. READ, First Lieutenant and Adjutant Seventh N. Y. Heavy Artillery, was born October 8th, 1830, at Stuyvesant, Columbia county, N. Y. His father's name is JOEL READ, and his mother's, MARY A. BURNS.
In his domestic relations he was everything that could be desired, and he will be ever remembered as a dutiful son, the kindest of brothers, an affectionate husband and father, and a firm and faithful friend.
He entered the United States service from motives of the purest patriotism. When disaster befell the Federal troops in the battles in front of Richmond, and the second Bull Run, and the call was made for more troops, he at once tendered his ser- vices, notwithstanding he had an impediment in his speech, which would have exempted him from all military duty. As a reward for his services in recruiting, he was commissioned Second Lieu- tenant in Co. A, One Hundred and Thirteenth N. Y. Infantry, August 4, 1862, and was presented, by the citizens of the Eighth ward, with a sword, sash and belt. On the 19th August, 1862, the regiment left Albany for Washington, and upon reaching there, it was assigned to duty in the defences of that city. When the regiment was changed to heavy artillery, Lieut. READ was selected to recruit the additional men required. This duty he accomplished to the entire satisfaction of his superior officers. So highly were his services appreciated that he was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the regiment.
The regiment left Washington, May 15th, 1864, to join the Army of the Potomac, where it arrived in time to participate in the battles of Spottsylvania Court House, Milford Station, North
563
LIEUT. JOHN B. READ.
Anna and Coal Harbor. In all these battles Lieut. READ was engaged, and on every occasion he displayed all the qualities of an old and tried officer.
In the last named battle, he was seriously wounded, and was left within the rebel lines. In all probability he perished upon the field, as nothing definite has ever been heard from him.
Lieut. READ's qualities as a soldier were such that he not only won the respect and affection of the men under his charge, but also, by his pleasing manners and numerous acts of kindness, endeared himself to his superior officers. Whether in the camp or on the battle field, he invariably manifested a deep interest in the welfare of those with whom he was brought in contact. After being wounded, he was unwilling to accept of the services of his fellow soldiers to remove him from the field, knowing from the pressing emergencies of the time that every available man was required, in order to insure the success of the Union forces.
The mystery which hangs over the fate of this noble soldier, has been a source of the deepest anxiety and sorrow to his rela- tives and friends. They have used every endeavor to ascertain whether he died on the field, or lingered in one of the horrible southern prisons. But they have been unable to learn anything respecting his last days and hours, and can only leave him in the hands of a merciful God, with the hope of meeting him again, where all is peace and joy, and where the good shall meet to part no more.
564
LIEUT. HENRY MCCONNELL.
LV. LIEUT. HENRY McCONNELL.
THIS officer was a native of Ireland, and at the time of the breaking out of the late civil war, a resident of Albany, where he had lived many years. He had a family, and was a carpenter by trade. He followed that occupation till his entrance into the service of the United States, as Second Lieutenant of Company K, Sixty-third Regiment New York Volunteers, in September, 1861. His regiment at once joined Gen. THOMAS F. MEAGHER'S Brigade.
He passed with the regiment through the Peninsula campaign, in 1862, and fought in many of the battles against Richmond, escaping without a wound.
At the battle of Antietam, on the 17th of September, 1862, he fell mortally wounded, and expired on the field. He was about thirty-five years of age. He was a man of good charac- ter, modest and unassuming, but brave. He left a wife and one child.
These are the only facts, of interest to the reader, known, in reference to this gallant patriot, whose life was sacrificed on the altar of his adopted country.
" I only know, I only care to know, You died for me-for me and country bled; A thousand springs, and wild December snows Will weep for each of all our Northern dead."
565
LIEUT. MATTHEW BELL.
LVI. LIEUT. MATTHEW BELL.
From A. S. KIBBEE, Esq.
REV. R. W. CLARK :
Dear Sir-It gives me pleasure to send to you the following tribute to the memory of Lieutenant MATTHEW BELL, who was a member of our church (The First Congregationalist.) I have been intimately acquainted with him for the past twenty years. He was of Scotch parents; was born in Scotland, and came to this country alone when a small boy. Through the force of unyield- ing determination, coupled with honesty and integrity of pur- pose, he won his way into the confidence and esteem of many friends. He was converted and united with our church in 1857. Ever after he was a cordial co-worker with us in everything that partained to the advancement of the interests of Zion. He was with us from about the first of our organization, and in our Sab- bath school, and also in the mission school, he was most efficient. He was one that could be relied upon. A superintendent knows how to value such men.
Through the early part of the war he felt it to be his duty to enter the army, and it was only the wants of his family and their entire dependence upon him, that prevented him from doing so. But when the dark trying days came, he could no longer remain at home and he volunteered (when bounties were comparatively unknown) as a private in the One Hundred and Thirteenth New York Regiment. He had received a military education and was very efficient while the regiment was in the course of formation, in drilling and preparing it for active service in the field. Before the regiment reached Washington he was promoted to the posi- tion of Second Lieutenant, and shortly after was made First Lieut.
566
LIEUT. MATTHEW BELL. .
It was my good fortune to visit the regiment while stationed at Fort Reno, one of the defences of Washington, and while there I learned what I might have expected, that he was considered by his superior officers and also by the men of his company, as one of the best officers in the regiment. He maintained his integrity and was faithful in the discharge of every duty.
Very shortly after his arrival at the fort, he contracted a cold from which he never recovered.
Ile died as he had lived, a true patriot and a sincere christian. His remains lie in the Albany Rural Cemetery.
Yours very truly, A. S. KIBBEE.
: 67
LIEUT. LUTHER H. HILL.
LVII. LIEUT. LUTHER HECKLEY HILL.
LUTHER HECKLEY HILL was one of that numerous band of youthful heroes, brought out of the peaceful pursuits of civil life into public action and notice by the late rebellion. He was the second son of WILLIAM and MATILDA HILL and was born on the 26th of September, 1835. He was a young man of good moral character, upright and honorable in his dealings, and social and friendly in his intercourse with his fellow men. He was a bookbinder by trade, and an excellent and ingenious workman.
Some months previous to the breaking out of the war, he commeneed business for himself in West Troy, and was just beginning to get along comfortably. But as soon as the news of the attack on Fort Sumter reached him, he was fired with patriotic enthusiasm, and his loyal heart burned with an intense desire to put the traitors down. He immediately sold out, at a sacrifice, what he could of his stock and tools, and what he could not sell he either gave or stowed away, as though he thought he would have no more use for them. He then went zealously to work in raising a company, and, so untiring were his efforts, that in a few days he collected about forty men and was chosen their Captain, for which position he was well qualified, having been for a long time First Lieutenant of a military company.
He intended to have joined the Second Regiment, but was too late, as it had completed its organization a few hours before he applied. Disappointed, but not disheartened, he disbanded his men, who parted from him with feelings of regret and went into other companies.
Several persons offered their influence to obtain for him an office, but he refused, saying, "I will enter the ranks and make
568
LIEUT. LUTHER II. HILL.
my way up on my own merits." He was, however, afterwards, persuaded to accept the office of Orderly Sergeant in Company A, Captain OSWALD, Thirty-fourth Regiment New York State Volunteers. This was in May, 1861. Two days before his departure, he was married to Miss ANNA WESTERN, of Albany. As a soldier and officer he faithfully discharged every duty, and, being of a buoyant and happy disposition, he endeared himself to his comrades, and soon became a favorite with the officers and men of the whole regiment. While on picket duty near the Potomac, he had the misfortune to badly rupture himself, and was strongly urged by both surgeon and officers, to get his dis- charge and return home. This he refused to do.
In a letter to his mother he said: "I am coming home on a short furlough to have my injuries attended to, and then I shall return, and I will leave my bones to bleach and whiten in the sunny South, before I will desert my country when she needs my services."
A few days before his furlough expired, being informed that the army had moved, nothing could restrain his impatience, and he took an affectionate leave of his wife and relatives and hastened back. On arriving at Washington, learning that the regiment had gone, and that no conveyance could be obtained, he went on foot, and after a walk of seventeen miles he met the regiment returning, and he retraced his steps.
He was twice promoted; first as Sergeant Major and then as First Lieutenant of Company G, in which capacity he was acting at the time he was killed. He seems to have had the impression that he would not survive a battle, as he had expressed himself to that effect on one or two occasions. It proved to be but too true, for he was killed in the first engagement on the bloody field of Fair Oaks, 31st of May, 1862. A few moments before he was shot, turning to a friend, he said, "if anything happens to me, write immediately to my wife and mother;" and almost in the next instant, at the third volley from the enemy, he fell pierced by a bullet through the heart. He died like a brave man in defence of the glorious flag of our Union, confronting the traitors who had thrown off its protection and would have
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LIEUT. LUTHER H. HILL.
trampled it into the dust, and yielding up his precious life a willing sacrifice upon the altar of his country's liberty.
His body was taken to the rear, and was afterwards buried with that of Sergeant MIDDLEBROOK. A few rails were placed around their graves, and head boards to mark the spot.
Three weeks after, his grave was opened by some of his former companions, and his remains placed in a rude coffin, in which condition they remained till after the close of the war; his rela- tives not being able to obtain them on account of the rebels having possession of that part of Virginia. Lieut. HILL had three brothers, the eldest of whom died at the age of twenty; eleven months after his brother was killed. His two remaining brothers, WILLIAM W. and PHILIP H., served in the N. Y. Seventh N. G. when stationed at Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore. It is a great satisfaction and comfort to the bereaved parents, especially to their father, who has been entirely blind for eighteen years, to know that they were all true and loyal to their country, in the recent terrible struggle to maintain our national existence.
His remains were fully identified and brought home by his brother WILLIAM W. and buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery, October 7th, 1865.
The following tribute is from his blind and afflicted father:
There side by side in peace he sleeps With his young brother fair; And o'er their graves the green moss creeps, And flowers are blooming there.
Though ne'er on earth we meet again To press each other's hand, I know that I shall meet with them When in the Spirit Land.
And that the veil which wraps me here In solitude and night, Will then forever disappear In its celestial light.
570
LIEUT. WILLIAM P. CLARK.
LVIII. LIEUT. WILLIAM PAIGE CLARK.
LIEUT. CLARK was born in the town of Watervliet on the 27th day of January, 1835. On the 25th day of June, 1836, his father met with an accident while traveling on the Albany and Sche- neetady railroad, by which he lost his life. He left two children (boys) WILLIAM being the eldest. Shortly after this affliction Mrs. CLARK removed to the city of Albany, where she still resides.
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