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 49
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Fatigue and exposure, however, proved too much for him, and for some weeks before the regiment left, he was ill with typhoid fever. On the 20th of August, 1863, when the regiment em- barked on their return, he was deemed sufficiently recovered to accompany them; but the seeming convalescence proved only transitory, for on the 26th of August he died, on the way up the Mississippi. His remains were interred at Cairo.
His mother, stricken by the blow which fell so heavily on her, for he was the only son of his mother, and she a widow, longed earnestly that his remains might sleep with kindred dust; and overcoming every obstacle, she went to Cairo, had the remains disinterred and brought to Albany, where they rest in the Albany Rural Cemetery.
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SERGT. ANDREW T. HOTALING.
LXXII !. SERGT. ANDREW T. HOTALING, OF NEW BALTIMORE.
ANDREW T. HOTALING, Sergeant Company A, Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, was born in New Baltimore July 23, 1838. His father's name is EPHRAIM HOTALING, and his mother's, AMY GAY.
His character as a citizen was marked by no unusual traits. He was beloved by his friends for his domestic virtues. Losing his mother at an early age, the greater part of his life was spent with an unele at New Baltimore, for whom he felt a strong affec- tion through life. He joined the army from motives of the purest patriotism.
He entered the United States service, as a recruit, in Company A, Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, November 7, 1862, at Albany, N. Y. He at once joined the regiment, which was sta- tioned in the defences of Washington. He was appointed Cor- poral, December 1, 1862; then Sergeant, May 1, 1863. His regiment left Washington to join the Army of the Potomac May 15, 1864.
He was engaged in the battles of Spottsylvania Court House, Milford Station, North Anna, Coal Harbor, and the battles in front of Petersburg, of June 16th and 22d.
In the last engagement he was wounded in the foot, and ampu- tation became necessary. After lingering a few weeks, the wound proved fatal, and he died the 26th day of July, 1864, at Lincoln Hospital, Washington.
During his sickness, he was brought to see his condition as a sinner, and to feel his need of a Saviour; and putting his trust in Him, died in the full hope of pardon through His blood.
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SERGT. ANDREW T. HOTALING.
Through the kindness of Mr. W.M. MCELROY, Secretary of the Christian Commission, who was at Washington at the time, his body was embalmed and forwarded to his friends.
As a soldier, he was faithful in the performance of his duties, and always acted as though he had the best interests of his coun- try at heart. He was very gentlemanly in his deportment, and kind to all with whom he was associated. His fellow soldiers respected and loved him, and greatly mourned his loss.
The following letter he wrote to his uncle a short time before his death:
WASHINGTON, July, 1864.
Dear Uncle-I received a letter from you the other day, and was glad to get it. My foot was taken off on the 13th of July, and I fear it has not done as well as it might. I had a fever ten days, and it has left me very low. I shall never get well. I have put my trust in Christ ever since the day I was wounded. I believe the Saviour has heard my prayers, and that he is able and willing to take me to himself.
They have telegraphed to my sister, Mrs. J. B. READ. I expect her on here to-night or some time to-morrow. I want to see her very much, and hope she will come. Good bye, dear uncle. If it is God's will that I should not see you again on earth, I hope we may meet in Heaven.
Your affectionate nephew,
ANDREW T. HOTALING.
JAMES HOTALING, Esq.
617
SERGT. WILLIAM HI. BELL.
LXXIV. SERGT. WILLIAM HENRY BELL, OF BERN.
WILLIAM HENRY BELL was the only son of HENRY and CORNE- LIA BELL, and was born in the town of Bern, March 28th, 1841.
He was an active and cheerful youth, and sustained an excel- lent moral character. His motives in entering the army were purely patriotic. On the 18th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirteenth New York Regiment. He was never in any battle, but faithfully discharged every duty that devolved upon him.
While at Fort Reno he was seized with inflammation of the lungs, and died in one week, on the 15th of March, 1864, aged twenty-three years. Only a short time before his sickness, he had been promoted to the position of Sergeant.
His remains were followed to the grave, in the town of Broome, Schoharie county, by a large number of sympathizing and mourn- ing friends. He was greatly beloved and respected by all who knew him.
618
SERGT. PAUL QUAY.
LXXV. SERGT. PAUL QUAY, OF KNOX.
PAUL QUAY, the son of JOHN and ELIZABETH QUAY, was born in the town of Knox, July 30th, 1841.
From his early youth he was a regular attendant at the Sab- bath school, and in the winter of 1861 he became a hopeful Christian, and united with the Reformed Dutch Church in Knox- ville. He was very conscientious in the discharge of all his duties, and was an active and useful Christian.
Patriotism induced him to enlist in his country's service, and he joined the Seventh Heavy Artillery about the 1st of August, 1862.
He was in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged during GRANT's campaign till he was taken prisoner on the 16th day of June, 1864. He was sent to Andersonville, where he suffered all the hardships and horrors incident to that horrible pen. Thence he was sent to Milan, where he died some time during the following winter. During his confinement in these Southern prisons he was never able to send a single letter to his friends at home, nor to receive one from them. He suffered all the agonies of disease and starvation without one human being to offer him the least relief, or offer to him one word of consolation. Those by whom he was surrounded delighted in his pains and wretchedness, and wished him to die. His remains lie somewhere in the Southern States, but where his friends do not know.
He died a child of God, a friend of Jesus, and a martyr to the cause of American liberty.
The following touching lines were composed by a prisoner, a
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SERGT. PAUL QUAY.
member of a Pennsylvania regiment, who felt that more should have been done for their release:
" OH, YE WHO YET CAN SAVE US, WILL YOU LEAVE US HERE TO DIE?" When our country called for men, we came from forge, store and mill, From workshop, farm and factory, the broken ranks to fill; We left our quiet, happy homes, and those we loved so well, To vanquish all our Union foes, or fall as others fell. Now in prison drear we languish, and it is our constant cry, Oh ! ye who yet can save us, will you leave us here to die?
The voice of slander tells yon, that our hearts were weak with fear, That all, or nearly all, of us were captured in the rear; But scars upon our bodies, from musket ball and shell, The missing legs and shattered arms a truer tale will tell. We have tried to do our duty in sight of God on high; Oh ! ye who, yet can save us, will you leave us here to die?
There are hearts with hopes still beating, in our pleasant northern homes, Waiting, watching for the loved ones that may never, never come. In southern prisons drear, meagre, tattered, pale and gaunt; Growing weaker, daily, from pinching cold and want, There brothers, sons and husbands, poor, helpless captives lie, Oh ! ye who yet can save us, will you leave us here to die?
From ont our prison gate, there is a grave yard close at hand, Where lie fourteen thousand Union men, beneath the Georgia sand, And scores are laid beside them, as day succeeds each day ; And thus it ever will be till all shall pass away ; And the last can say, when dying, with upturned, glaring eye, Both love and faith are dead at home, they have left us here to die
620
SERGT. WILLIAM CROUNSE.
LXXVI. SERGT. WILLIAM CROUNSE, OF GUILDERLAND.
WILLIAM CROUNSE, fourth son of ABRAHAM and MAGDALEN CROUNSE, was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany County, September 19, 1830. Under the supervision of an eminently pious mother, his youth was spent without anything more than the ordinary events of quiet farm life. If there was any one trait in his character most predominant, it was his respect and love for his parents.
At the age of twenty-one he became united in marriage with the daughter of FREDERICK MATHIAS of the town of New Scot- land. After this, for several years, he was associated with his father in the management of the farm. In 1855 he left the farm and became united in business with his brother, in the city of Albany.
At the outbreak of the rebellion, he being a member of a militia organization, expressed his determination to enlist in the service of his country. But by the advice and solicitations of his friends, he was induced to relinquish the idea for the time.
Soon after he was offered a commission as Lieutenant in a regi- ment then forming, which he declined, because he preferred to go out as a private in his own regiment, which was then making strenuous efforts to recruit up to the required number.
The One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment being ac- cepted, he was mustered into the service as a member of B Co., October 10th, 1862. He left with the regiment for New Orleans, December 16th of the same year.
Previous to his departure, his friends endeavored to persuade him to apply for a discharge on account of his health, which for
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SERGT. WILLIAM CROUNSE.
some time previous had been very poor. His reply was, " my country needs every man she can get, and it is my duty to assist her all I can." But disease had marked him for a victim. On the rough passage to New Orleans he suffered greatly; still, on reaching their first camp at Bonnet Carre, La., his health was such as to enable him to attend to his duty with the regiment. While there he was promoted to the rank of Orderly Sergeant, and was detailed to duty as Assistant Provost Marshal.
His disease, which had never left him, was slowly and surely wasting away his life, and when his regiment was ordered to Port Hudson, he was obliged, though much against his desire, to remain behind on the sick list.
Although not a professor of religion, he was a constant attend- ant at divine service. While at home and in camp, he kept aloof from the vices and abuses to which, from a social and lively temperament, he was particularly exposed.
He died at Bonnet Carre, La., June 28th, 1863, at the age of thirty-two years and six months. He passed away quietly and peacefully, relying on the infinite mercy of his Redeemer, and expressing a firm conviction of his acceptance.
He was buried in the regimental burying ground at Bonnet Carre in December 1863; but his remains were disinterred, taken home, and deposited in the Albany Cemetery.
The following letter from Capt. E. H. MERRINIEW, was received by the brother of the deceased.
BONNET CARRE, LA., June 29, 1863.
CONRAD CROUNSE:
Dear Sir-The painful duty of announcing to you the sad in- telligence of the death of your brother WILLIAM, devolves upon me. WILLIAM died yesterday, Sunday, June 28, 1863, at about noon. You, no doubt, had been informed of his previous illness and of his again being convalescent. But he was again taken seriously ill on or about the twenty-first inst., and commenced sinking so very rapidly, that, towards the latter part of the week his friends here gave up all hopes of his recovery. Thus he continued until Sunday, when death put an end to his sufferings
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SERGT. WILLIAM CROUNSE.
on earth. I do not know very much of the circumstances attend- ing his sickness, as I have been away from here the last two months with the regiment. Fortunately, I called here on my way from Port Hudson to New Orleans, about the time he was last taken down, and on my way back, I arrived at camp just in time to be with him when he expired. His mental faculties were unimpaired until a few hours previous to his death.
His loss has cast a deeper gloom over the camp, than any event of the kind that I have before witnessed. We shall miss him. You will miss him, and there is one who will miss him more than us all. I have not written to her, but I wish you to break to her the sad intelligence. Tell her that everything was done for him that a good physician and careful nursing could do. But all was of no avail. It seems that his time had come, and no mortal hand could save him. It might have been different, had he been at home, but we cannot tell.
He expressed a wish or thought, that he would make applica- tion for his discharge and go home. But that could not be done without taking considerable time. He has gone from us, and while we mourn his departure, our loss may be his eternal gain.
Yours truly,
E. H. MERRIHEW,
Captain Company B, 177th N. Y. S. V.
623
SERGT. GUSTAVUS A. PERCY.
LXXVII. SERGT. GUSTAVUS A. PERCY, OF WATERVLIET.
GUSTAVUS A. PERCY, the second son of JOHN and ELIZA ANN PERCY, was born in Albany, January 1st, 1833.
In the spring of 1862, he went, with his family, to the State of Illinois, and feeling that it was his duty to aid in suppressing the rebellion, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Illinois Infan- try. The regiment went first to Staten Island, and thence to the front, in Virginia, where he participated in several battles. He fought at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and other places. He entered the army as a private, but was soon promoted to the position of Sergeant. He was faithful in the discharge of every duty assigned to him, courteous and kind in the camp, and fear- less upon the battle field. He inherited many of the qualities and virtues of his excellent mother, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
At the terrible slaughter at Gettysburg he fell mortally wounded, and was buried upon the battle field.
Mr. PERCY leaves a wife and little daughter, and a large circle of friends, to mourn his early and sudden death.
624
CORPORAL WILLIAM MURRY.
LXXVIII. CORPORAL WILLIAM MURRY.
WILLIAM MURRY was born in Dublin, Ireland, March 4, 1825. He came to this country with his parents in 1830, and became a resident of Albany in 1846. He was a most consistent and use- ful member of the North Pearl Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and beloved by all who knew him.
In 1848 he enlisted in the service of the United States, and was a faithful and brave soldier during the Mexican war. At the close of that war he returned home, and lived a useful and quiet life, until the Southern rebellion broke out. He then felt it to be his duty to again buckle on his armor, and he enlisted, August 26th, 1862, in the Forty-third Regiment.
During his absence from home, his letters to his beloved wife and friends, were always full of hope for success in the great con- test for national existence, and they breathed the spirit of earnest patriotism.
In evidence of his heroism, we cite the following from a letter dated Culpepper, October 4, 1863:
" I think I can say I have done my duty. Wherever my com- pany has been I have been with them, and in the front rank. I will never have it said of me that, when I got within hearing of the cannon, I retired to the woods until the battle was over. My opinion is, every man who will desert his friends in time of battle, deserves to be shot."
Under date, December 4, 1863, near Brandy Station, he wrote these noble words to his wife: "I am fighting for God and my country. I feel proud to be found in the service of my country. What if I do suffer here, I will be rewarded hereafter."
A beautiful evidence of his religious character, as also of his
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CORPORAL WILLIAM MURRY.
conjugal affection, is found in a letter dated March 25, 1864, from Brandy Station: " My prayer is that I may get home to see you, my dear wife. You are always in my thoughts. I expected to reach home before now; but this is a world of disappointment. My trust is in God, and in Him alone. Thus far He has been good to me, and I know IIe will be with me to the end. I am trying to do my duty. My dear, let us trust God, and be faithful until death, and all will be well."
Under date of May 1, 1864, he says: " If anything befalls me I have friends here that will inform you; but don't be discouraged, God is with us. He has brought us safe thus far, and why not trust him in time to come! O, let us be faithful until death, so that we may meet in heaven."
After having escaped many dangers, Mr. MURRY was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 10, 1864. A carefully kept and neatly written diary, from July 25, 1863, to April 13, 1864, shows that Mr. MURRY was one of the noble heroes of our patriotic army, ever ready for duty, always hope- ful, never sacrificing his honor nor his Christian character. Like thousands, his lonely wife is comforted, amid sorrow, by the assurance that her husband died in a good cause, and she hopes to meet his brave and sanctified spirit, in the land of everlasting rest.
The following testimonial to the character of the departed is given by Professor J. T. CAMERON, of Albany :
" Mr. MURRY came to the Washington Avenue Methodist Church in 1849, and was one of our most substantial members. He was benevolent and kind to all; modest and retiring in his
deportment. While he was ready to do all in his power for the church, yet he shrank from assuming the responsibilities of office. Being induced, however, to accept the position of class leader, he was faithful, and secured the confidence of all. Every object that was proposed for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom found in him a warm supporter.
It was with deep regret that we were obliged to part with him, and, in the last official meeting, resolutions expressive of our feelings were passed. At the last prayer meeting he endeavored
40
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CORPORAL WILLIAM MURRY.
to cheer his weeping friends and said, " If I fall, I hope to fall into the arms of Jesus."
The following letter has been received from Colonel TERRELL:
ALBANY, March 6, 1866.
It is with pleasure that I can hear testimony to the Christian and heroic soldier, Corporal WILLIAM MURRY. For almost three long years he endured all the hardships of a soldier's life with- ont a murmur, and striving to do his duty in the most faithful manner.
He participated in every engagement with his regiment, and, by his remarkable coolness in action, won the highest esteem of his comrades and officers. He possessed that quiet but deter- mined spirit of a brave man, who looks death calmly in the face, and is prepared to go should it be his fate.
His conduct was most exemplary. His Bible was his constant companion, and often, in passing through the regiment, he could be seen alone by himself, reading his book. He never would take part in the coarse jokes or wild frolics of his comrades, but strived to press more sober and solemn thoughts upon their minds. At the storming of Marye's Heights, under a terrible and galling fire, he was one of the first to reach the top, and, by his coolness, inspired his fellow soldiers with confidence and spirit, enabling them to hold what they had so nobly taken.
The campaign again opened, and the long, weary marches were drawing both armies nearer together. At last the grand fight began. Those who were there, and lived through it, will never forget the battles of the Wilderness. It was while the fight was at its highest, and while every gallant son was doing his best to gain the day, that the Corporal, worn out with hard fighting, and faint, was placed by his comrades against a tree for support. The shot and shell were flying in all directions, and our side had to give way, under the dreadful fire which was sweeping away the noble fellows that were unable to walk amid the rain of death. It was not long before our gallant men regained what they had lost; and not until then did they find the mangled forms of their comrades. The Corporal was never
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CORPORAL WILLIAM MURRY.
found. No doubt the brave man dragged his weary body to some lone spot, to die alone amid the thundering of the deadly conflict. All mourned his loss as one that could not be replaced. He was respected while he lived, honored when he died. Respectfully,
WM. H. TERRELL, Late Lt. Col. 43d N. Y. Vols.
628
CORPORAL GEORGE T. GATES.
LXXIX. CORPORAL GEORGE T. GATES.
GEORGE T. GATES was born November 17, 1843, in Chicopee. Mass. Hle had resided in Albany since he was eight years old, up to the time of his enlistment, with the exception of two sum- mers, which had been spent in the country. In March, 1861, he left home to engage in farming, his favorite employment.
Ilis feelings at this time were very tender, and he showed un- usual interest in the subject of religion, which caused his friends to hope that he was earnestly seeking the salvation of his soul. Early in April a letter was received from him, in which he expressed a hope that he had chosen Christ as his friend and portion. A desire for the salvation of his friends and companions manifested itself, in conversing with and writing to them on the subject.
He soon expressed a wish, to use his own words, "to be enrolled in the army of Christ," and on the first communion season, which was the first Sabbath in July, he came home and united with the Congregational Church, then under the pastoral care of Dr. PALMER, of whom he frequently spoke in his letters. Once after this he was permitted to sit with his friends at the table of the Lord, before leaving to enter upon what he regarded as duty.
GEORGE was much interested in the affairs of the nation from a boy, and though but a youth when the war broke out, he availed himself of all the information within his reach in rela- tion to its progress. In a letter written to his parents in August, he said: "I feel as if I ought to be serving my country."
In September he wrote again. saying that, after much thought and prayer, having counted the cost, he felt it to be his duty to
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CORPORAL GEORGE T. GATES.
give himself to his country, if this met with the approbation of his parents. Accordingly, in October, he came home, and en- listed in the Forty-fourth N. Y. Regiment on the 15th of Octo- ber, and left for New York on the 20th of that month.
He was in Company A, Capt. CHAPIN, and was the youngest in the company, not being eighteen years of age at the time of his enlistment. His Captain said of him three months after- wards: "GEORGE makes one of the best soldiers in the com- pany. Besides, he has secured for himself the friendship of his fellows, and the confidence of his officers."
He was made Corporal in December, 1862: afterwards he was appointed color Corporal as a mark of honor for his coolness in battle, with a promise of promotion. But promotion he never sought, and being spoken to upon the subject, he said, " I did not come here for promotion or pay, and I can serve my country just as faithfully as a private."
GEORGE's first experience in battle was at Hanover Court House, after which, he says, " I write just to say that I am alive, though our regiment has suffered severely. Several of our officers are wounded, the Major, badly. One flag is riddled by forty-eight shots."
Then, June 29th, while the seven days' battles were in pro- gress, he says, " I am alive and well after a hard-fought bat- tle which occurred on Friday last. Our loss was severe. We lost our knapsacks and almost everything, except what we had on. I had many very narrow escapes, and am very thank- ful to that kind Providence that kept me through scenes of so much danger."
Again, July 4th, he writes, "During the last week I have been in two different battles and one skirmish, and escaped without a scratch; but in the battle of July 1st, was slightly wounded in my right shoulder. I was struck by a piece of shell, but shall not leave our skeleton regiment, though I think many have left who were not wounded any worse, if as badly. Don't be alarmed if you see my name in the list of wounded. Our loss is very severe. Company A lost just half the men that we went in with.
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CORPORAL GEORGE T. GATES.
" The regiment made a bayonet charge, in which we ran over the bodies of the dead and wounded rebels piled three or four deep. There were three files on each side of me mowed down. I have seen plenty of fighting, just all I wish to." Again he writes, in prospect of going into battle, " We may be called into action at any moment. My prayer is that God will spare my life to glorify Him, and do much for the furtherance of His cause, but if it is His will that I fall, may He receive my soul."
At another time, after the Peninsular campaign, in the midst of marches and battles he says, " Cease not to pray for me, that through the merits of Jesus Christ I may be fully prepared for any event. If it should please God that I lay my life on the altar of my country, pray that I may through the riches of His grace in Christ our Saviour, be accepted and saved."
After the battle of Bull Run he says, " We fought a good fight, Company A lost sixteen men."
In October, he writes, "How I should have enjoyed sitting with you at the table of the Lord. I hope the time is not far distant when I shall be able to do so, and to enjoy the numerous privileges of which I am now deprived. O pray that strength and grace may be given me to withstand all the temptations around me, and come out purified."
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