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 48
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Death loves a shining mark, and on the 10th inst., at four o'clock P. M., a beloved brother's spirit left its tenement of clay, when mourning and sorrow marked each countenance, as the sad announcement passed from street to street, and from tent to tent.
The funeral services were held in the eamp on the 11th inst., at three o'clock P. M., and were solemn and impressive; when the remains were borne to the silent grave (attended by a large military cortege), where they were interred beside Sergt. BRIDG- MAN, of Company B. How true it is, "that in life, we are in the midst of death."
My dear brother, in the death of your son there will be a loss to a wide cirele of friends and acquaintances, and to society, an elevated and polished member. I had marked with glowing pleasure his rapid, developing manhood, and the many indica- tions of robust, physical health. But, alas ! he has been stricken down in his vigor, and in the midst of those bright hopes which fill up the measure of a young man's life.
In his every action was manifested the generous impulses of a noble soul-a soul too delicately and finely strung to mingle with the gross and selfish of this wicked world. His was a tem-
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SERGT. CHARLES H. FREDENRICH.
perament always unruffled, and a demeanor always manly, polite and noble, with a disposition to follow the moral and intellectual instincts of his generous nature. And although cut down in the midst of the enemy's country, at the opening of a career that gave great promise of brillianey and honor, we all cannot but feel that our loss is his eternal gain.
Yours very respectfully, IRA W. AINSWORTH, Colonel Commanding 177th Regiment N. Y. V.
The following notice appeared in the " Albany Evening Jour- nal" March 25th, 1863:
Mr. Editor-We see by your columns last evening that another young Albanian has offered up his life on the altar of his country.
CHARLES H. FREDENRICHI died at Bonnet Carré, La., of typhoid fever. He was a young man of high moral character, a devoted son and brother, whose loss is irreparable. His military educa- tion was of a high order. He was a thorough soldier, and highly esteemed by his companions in arms.
He declined prominent positions tendered to him by his numerous friends, in various companies raised here last summer, from his timidity of an officer's duty. But when his own com- pany (B) was called upon to make up the Tenth Regiment, he was prompt to answer his country's call, and sunder the tenderest associations for her sake.
Few young men have been taken from our midst that will be more deeply lamented than CHARLES H. FREDENRICH.
ONE WHO KNEW HIM WELL.
601
SERGT. WALTER H. ANGUS.
LXVIII. SERGT. WALTER HENRY ANGUS.
WALTER HENRY ANGUS, son of ROBERT and BRIDGET ANGUS, was born on the 10th of June, 1845. From his earliest child- hood he was distinguished for his amiable qualities, his prompt obedience to his parents, and his conscientious desire to do what he thought to be right. At school he made such rapid progress in his studies, and won so many testimonials from his teachers, for good conduct and accurate scholarship, that his parents thought of consecrating him to the work of the gospel ministry. But these plans were thwarted by the sickness and death of his father.
At the commencement of the war, the spirit of patriotism was stirred in his young heart, and he often expressed to his mother his earnest wish to serve his country as a soldier. But, as he was an only son, and so young, she could not entertain the thought of parting with one so dear to her. At length, however, his appeals were so earnest that she reluctantly consented to yield to his desire, and committed her boy to the care of a cove- nant-keeping God.
WALTER enlisted, on the 21st of October, 1861, as a private, in the Forty-fourth New York Regiment, when but little over sixteen years of age. A taste of the hardships of the camp and the battle field did not, in the least degree, cool his ardor or lessen his courage. His letters, written to his mother, through the whole period of his connection with the army, reveal a degree of patience under suffering; a persistence in laboring to accomplish his purposes, and a heroic daring in the hour of battle, that would have reflected honor upon many of maturer years.
.
602
SERGT. WALTER II. ANGUS.
The first experience that our youthful hero had of the fearful realities of war was in the battle near Hanover Court House, in May, 1862. In writing to his mother, after the battle, under date of May 28th, he says: "By the time this letter reaches you, you will. doubtless, have heard of our fight. I have time to give you only a few particulars. Yesterday, the 27th inst., it rained all day, as it had the night before, and in the afternoon we received orders to leave our camps with one day's rations, and without our knapsacks. We started in the pouring rain, with the mud nearly up to our knees. We marched about twelve miles, when our regiment was ordered to support ALLEN'S Battery. We halted in the woods and had been there about fifteen minutes when the order came to Colonel STRYKER, to advance with those under his command. At the same time, we started the battery and went about two miles, where we halted and took our position.
We engaged with the enemy, and soon we saw a regiment of them retreating as fast as they could. For the first time in my life, I then saw the boasted stars and bars in their hands. Seeing us, they turned and fired, and two boys in our company dropped at the first fire. We retreated to the road, taking the whole of the enemy's fire for one hour. The fire was so heavy that the battery and the Twenty-fifth New York Regiment had to retreat. Our Colonel was cool and brave, and, at one time, saved the lives of the whole regiment. Our Lieutenant Colonel was the bravest man I ever saw. He had his horse shot from under him and his sword shot from his side, and still he had two men load- ing guns for him, which he fired. One gun was fired so often that the powder exploded from the heat, and scorched his eye badly.
Company F, from old Albany, was cut to pieces; out of the sixty-seven men that came upon the field, only thirty-one escaped without injury. All my best friends are either killed or wounded; my old friend JAMES YOUNG is dead. He was wounded twice, once in the neck and again in his leg. He died clasping our flag staff m his arms. All our boys acted bravely. After the first I was all right, and I trust that some of my bul
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SERGT. WALTER H. ANGUS.
lets did some good. Our Major and our Adjutant were both wounded. Had not reinforcements come up just when they did, we should have been terribly cut up. But suffice it to say, we whipped them, and have taken a great many prisoners. Our cavalry are bringing them in every minute. I have passed through my first fight, thank the Lord, and I hope that I shall pass safely through many more. Good bye my dear, dear mother. From your affectionate son,
WALTER H. ANGUS.
The wish expressed in this letter that he might pass safely through many more battles, was most remarkably realized. For at Gettysburg, in the attacks upon Fredericksburg, at Cold Spring, and in many other battles, he was always in the thickest of the fight. Men fell at his side, on the right hand, and on the left ; shells exploded above and around him ; balls flew near him repeatedly, and still in his letters, he constantly thanks the Lord for having so wonderfully preserved him. He never was wounded, nor received any personal injury; nor had he been sick a day, up to the moment, when a single fatal shot hurried him into eternity.
In giving an account of his first engagement before Fredericks- burg, he speaks of the fearful havoc among our men as a whole- sale butchery. He says, " the rebels were on a large hill with batteries so placed, as to have an enfilade fire upon our men across a level plain, just outside of the city. For our brigade to get into position, we had to cross this plain, and it is a miracle to me how so many of us escaped alive. One regiment lost between forty and fifty, killed or wounded. I thought I had been in hot places before, but that was the hottest one of all. Through the Lord's mercy, however, I came out safe and sound."
The uniform bravery and unexceptionable deportment of young ANGUS, won for him the respect of his officers and the warm affection of his comrades in arms. His friends too, at home, took a deep interest in his welfare; and through their influence, and especially through the kind efforts of ERASTUS CORNING, Esq.,
-
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SERGT. WALTER HI. ANGUS.
and his lady, he was appointed Corporal and Sergeant at the same time.
On the 9th of October, 1863, he was appointed, by Governor HORATIO SEYMOUR, Second Lieutenant in the Forty-fourth Regi- ment of Infantry, New York State Volunteers. The regiment, however, was so reduced by the war that WALTER was not called to discharge the duties of this office, but continued to act as Ser- geant.
In May, 1864, he was sent out on a skirmish, and was taken a prisoner with twenty others. As they were approaching a rail- road, they met General SHERMAN'S forces, who were on a raid, and were released by them. As they could not return to their camp, they were obliged, in order to keep out of the hands of the enemy, to follow General SHERMAN on foot. They walked, in a week, one hundred and fifty miles; but, amid all their hard- ships and sufferings, no complaints escaped their lips.
On the morning of the 21st of June, 1864, he led his men out in front of Petersburg, on picket duty. As they were starting, he said to them: "Come, boys, let's go on to Richmond." After a very fatiguing day, late in the afternoon, he laid down on the ground to rest. In a moment a ball struck him in the head, and he died instantly.
Thus passed away the dutiful son, the pure patriot, the brave soldier, and the kind friend. His companions, in their letters to his bereaved mother, speak of him in terms of the highest admiration and warmest affection.
The following letter shows us in what estimation he was held by one of his superior officers:
QUARTERMASTER'S DEPT., 44TH REGT. N. Y. S. V. NEAR PETERSBURG, VA., JJune 25, 1864. S
My dear Madam-Although a stranger to you, permit me to communicate these few lines in expressions of sympathy for you, upon the great affliction which has befallen you, in the untimely death of your son, who was killed on the skirmish line, on the afternoon of the 21st inst.
Being one of the original officers of the regiment, the oppor-
605
SERGT. WALTER H. ANGUS.
tunity has been afforded me to notice and mark the progress of your son, together with others of its members, from the very commencement of its career. Among the first to attract my attention, and for me more particularly and carefully to observe since our regiment left Albany, was your son WALTER.
Uniformly straightforward and upright in his demeanor, invariably prompt and efficient in the discharge of every duty, he fully merited, what he always received, the respect and con- fidence of his officers; while his intelligence and social qualities made him the agreeable and popular companion of all his associates.
I shall long remember the conversation I had with him in December last, when the subject of reenlistment was being agi- tated in our regiment; nor will I soon forget, when speaking of what he felt to be his duty at the time, the feeling and touching manner in which he alluded to his obligations to his mother.
He has gone-but how nobly he has fallen! In the front line, the foremost position, he was bravely skirmishing with the enemy; had ceased firing, thrust his musket into the ground, and laid down to rest, supporting his head upon his hand, when the fatal bullet struck him in the head. He died almost instantly.
He was carefully interred by his comrades, and his grave plainly marked. He now sleeps beneath an evergreen tree, near the spot where he fell.
On behalf of the officers and soldiers of his regiment, let me assure you of our deepest feelings of sorrow and condolence. We all mourn his loss as one whom we admired while he lived, and whom we honored when he died, fearlessly, faithfully, nobly discharging his duty-a true soldier.
With extreme sympathy, I am, my dear madam,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LIEUT. FRED. R. MUNDY, Quartermaster 44th Regt. N. Y. S. V.
606
SERGT. JAMES S. GERLING.
LXIX. SERGT. JAMES S. GERLING.
JAMES S. GERLING, son of THOMAS R. B. and ELIZA GERLING, was born in West Walton, Marshland, county of Norfolk, Eng- land, October 7, 1845. He came with his parents from London to New York, and arrived June 14th, 1854. Two years after- wards JAMES was sadly afflicted by the loss of his beloved and faithful mother. That bereavement he felt severely to the day of his death.
At school, JAMES was an obedient and diligent scholar, and faithfully performed every duty assigned to him. His memory was retentive, his judgment mature, and his moral character was without reproach. He loved, too, his Sabbath lessons, and ap- preciated the advantages of his Sabbath school.
As a son and brother, JAMES was kind and affectionate, and was ever ready to deny himself for the good of others. As a clerk, his employer ever found him truthful and trust- worthy.
JAMES enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirteenth New York Regiment, in July, 1862. IIe was anxious, as he said, to serve his adopted country, especially in putting down a slaveholders' rebellion. He fully believed in human liberty, and adopted as his own, the words of our Declaration of Independence, declaring that all men are born free and equal.
Arriving with his regiment in Washington, he entered upon the duties of his position with patriotic enthusiasm. He became a brave soldier, and very rapidly made friends among the officers and soldiers with whom he was associated.
He kept his father informed, by frequent letters, of all his movements, and sought to allay his anxiety concerning him.
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SERGT. JAMES S. GERLING,
JAMES, by his own merits, rose to the position of Corporal, and was afterwards appointed Sergeant. Very often he received the warm commendations of his superior officers.
When Gen. GRANT ordered the regiment to the front, JAMES wrote to his father thus: "I am in excellent health and spirits. I know not where we are going; perhaps to Gen, MEADE's army. We have had to part with a great many things on our way, but whatever else I may have to part with, I shall try to keep the Bible you gave me. Pray for me, for I need your prayers."
He participated in the battle of the Wilderness, and on the morning of June the 3d, 1864, was in the charge made upon the rebels at Coal Harbor, where he was wounded. Having reached the rebel lines, his own gun for some reason, would not go off. He was stooping, in the act of taking the piece of a dead com- rade, when he was shot in the shoulder. Our forces not being able to hold the line, had to retreat to their own lines, where his wound was dressed. He was then sent to the rear, and to the hospital.
The wound not being a dangerous one, he soon obtained a furlough to return home. On his way, he stopped at David's Island, East river, New York, where he heard a sermon from a young Episcopal minister, that made a deep and lasting impres- sion on his mind.
While at home he took pleasure in attending upon religious worship, and visiting the Sabbath schools.
At the expiration of his furlough, he was urged to have it extended another month, as his wound was not entirely healed, but he refused, and resolved to report himself for duty. Accord- ingly he left home, July 26, 1864, and joined his regiment, then near the James river.
On the 24th of August, while engaged, with others, in tear- ing up a railroad, the rebels came in full force suddenly upon them, and he received a wound in his side, that afterwards proved fatal. He was taken to City Point, and thence to the Emory Hospital, in Washington. While there he wrote several letters to his father and brother, in which he expressed the hope that he would soon recover. He was attended by a skillful
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SERGT. JAMES S. GERLING.
surgeon and faithful nurse, and everything that was possible, was done for his comfort. But early in October he sank rapidly, and died October 8, 1864, aged nineteen years.
His father, who was with him, brought his remains home, and his funeral took place in the Bowery Methodist Episcopal Mis- sion Church, where he had attended Sabbath school. A large number of sympathizing friends were present. Dr. HAWLEY officiated, and preached a most appropriate and affecting dis- course, which was listened to with solemn attention. Thus has passed away another young martyr to the great cause of human liberty.
.
609
SERGT. ALEXANDER D. RICE.
LXX. SERGT. ALEXANDER DAVIDSON RICE.
SERGT. ALEXANDER DAVIDSON RICE, sixth son of JOSEPH F. and JANE CUMMING RICE, was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., April 10th, 1837 and died June 28th, 1864, at Harewood Hospi- tal, Washington, D. C.
Sergt. RICE enlisted August 6th, 1862, as private in Company C, Seventh Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, and was promoted to Sergeant, which position he held until his death. He participated in the battles of Po River, Mine Run, North Anna, Polopotomy Creek and Coal Harbor. The battle of Polo- potomy was one of the severest thus far, and there the regiment established its high reputation. It crossed the creek under a heavy fire, and drove the enemy from a strongly intrenched posi- tion.
On the morning of the memorable third day of June, 1864, at Coal Harbor, the regiment moved before sunrise to attack the enemy, and was the only regiment that penetrated their works. In the engagement, Sergt. RICE was wounded by a shot from one of the enemy's sharpshooters, the ball entering the right breast and coming out near the spine. After receiving the wound, he laid all day upon the field without surgical aid, as he fell between the fire of the enemy and our own. But in the evening his com- rades succeeded in bringing him within our lines. There were previous unsuccessful attempts to accomplish this, in one of which Mr. JOHN BARTLETT of the same regiment, was wounded in the shoulder, from the effects of which he died on the 17th of June.
Sergt. RICE was removed to Harewood hospital, and appeared to be doing well. Indeed his wound seemed to improve suffi-
39
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SERGT. ALEXANDER D. RICE.
ciently to justify hopes that he might be with his friends in Albany about the first of July. But an unfavorable change occurred on the 26th of June, and he died suddenly at 8 A. M. of the 28th of the same month. He left a wife and two children.
While at the hospital, he evinced a great desire that his fel- low sufferers might be made comfortable, and to this end ordered his nurse to expend the money he had remaining, in the purchase of such little articles as they most needed. His kindness endeared him to those who occupied the same ward with him, and when the sad news of his death was whispered around, many a pillow was wet with tears of profound regret, and many a prayer was breathed, that his freed soul might enjoy that perfect peace, that awaits the righteous in Heaven.
In the hospital his Bible was his most cherished companion, and his spiritual attendant there, Rev. WILLIAM P. EVERETT, at his own request, officiated at his funeral, which took place at Albany, July 6th, 1864. His remains were placed in the family grounds at Albany Rural Cemetery.
611
SERGT. GEORGE SANDERS.
LXXI. SERGT. GEORGE SANDERS.
GEORGE SANDERS was born in Stevington, County of Bedford- shire, England.
We have no reliable information concerning his parentage, and have not been able to ascertain his exact age. Those that knew him well, judged him to have been about thirty-five years at the time of his death. He came to this country with his grandfather when about fourteen years old, and has lived here ever since. His residence, most of the time, has been in Albany. As nearly as can be ascertained, he enlisted Angust the 1st, 1862, in Company D, Capt. CHARLES MCCULLOCK. in what was then the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment, and left with his regi- ment August 19th, 1862, for Forts Gaines and Kearney near Washington, which forts the regiments helped to build and improve. After the regiment was changed into a Heavy Artil- lery Regiment, until in the spring of 1864, he, with his comrades were ordered to the front, where they fought with distinguished valor and bravery.
He had thus far taken all the risks and performed all the duties, of a soldier with safety; but at the battle of Coal Har- bor, he was struck in the head by a piece of shell, which dis- abled him, and he was taken from the field. He was sent to Emory Hospital, Washington, D. C., but very shortly was re- moved to the Camden Street Hospital, Baltimore, Md., and reached there June 11th. He died there, June 18, 1864.
Mr. SANDERS had received a fair common school education, was fond of reading, and was well informed in regard to the questions of the day. He felt keenly the wrongs inflicted by the institution of American slavery, and he enlisted in the army
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SERGT. GEORGE SANDERS.
inspired by the purest patriotism, and the most earnest desires to uphold the Union and the cause of human liberty. He had also received a thorough religious education, and although not a pro- fessor of religion, was a believer in its doctrines, and deeply impressed with its truth. He sustained a fine moral character and with great firmness resisted the temptations of the camp and the field. In his letter to his wife, I find he expressed his determination not to disgrace himself or his family by yielding to temptation; and with God's help, he kept his resolution.
As a reward for his fidelity and bravery, he was made Cor- poral, April 11, 1863, and was made Sergeant, January 24, 1863; which position he held, and by which he was known until he died.
In June, 1863, he was wounded, and soon after died. His body was brought home on the 24th of that month, and buried under the following touching circumstances :
About the time he was wounded his wife was taken very ill with typhoid fever, and she died on the very day his body arrived in the city. During his sickness it was thought best not to inform her that her husband was wounded. Yet, during her lucid intervals from fever delirium, she stated that he was wounded; and before the telegram came announcing his death, she stated that she knew that he was dead.
The funeral services of both took place at the same time, from Rev. Dr. MAGOON's church, Sunday, June 26th, and they both lay beside their infant daughter in the Albany Rural Cemetery.
They have two children, boys, aged, at the time of their death, four and five years.
May a kind Providence guard the little orphans thus deprived on the same day of both of their dear parents.
613
SERGT. JOSEPH C. VANDERHOOF.
LXXII.
SERGT. JOSEPH COWAN VANDERHOOF.
IN Albany, JOSEPH COWAN VANDERHOOF was born, July 25, 1843. His childhood was spent with his grand-parents in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in the public schools of which he received the principal part of his education.
He returned to Albany when about thirteen years old, and attended school for a few months. He attended regularly on the ministrations of the Rev. Dr. SPRAGUE, of the Second Pres- byterian church.
Soon after his return to Albany he was apprenticed to the marble cutting business, at which he worked till the breaking out of the rebellion. In answer to the President's call for troops on the 19th of April, 1861, he joined Company A, Twenty-fifth Regiment as a private, and left with the regiment on the 21st of the same month. They remained in Washington till the 23d of May, when they were orerded to take possession of Arlington Heights. The regiment crossed the Long Bridge at midnight, and once on the soil of Virginia, Company A having the right of the line, were detailed to scour the woods, when it fell to the lot of private VANDERHOOF to take what are believed to be the first prisoners captured in the war for the Union. These were two cavalrymen on foot, who were doubtless trying to escape the vigilance of the advance, as their horses were after- wards found tied in the woods. Nothing further of note oc- curred during his connection with the Twenty-fifth, with which he remained until the term of service expired, when they re- turned home and were mustered out of service.
He resumed work at his trade, but with a desire to continue his connection with military men, he joined Company D, Tenth
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SERGT. JOSEPH C. VANDERHOOF.
Regiment, N. Y. S. M., where, by his diligence and attention to duty, he soon merited and received promotion to the rank of Sergeant, which rank he retained until his death.
On a subsequent call for troops, the Tenth offered their servi- ces, and were accepted on' a nine months term of service, and were officially designated as the One Hundred and Seventy- seventh Regiment N. Y. S. V. They left December 16, 1862, their destination being Louisiana. During the short but eventful history of this regiment, Sergt. Cowax was ever at his post, dis- charging his duties with alacrity, and undergoing with unflinch- ing zeal their toils, privations and exposures at Bonnet Carre, Baton Rouge and Port Hudson.
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