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 50
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The first Sabbath in his twentieth year he says, " I am striving to live nearer to my God than I did last year. Pray, dear mother, that I may look to Christ alone for strength to perform my duties as a christian."
He was in the battle of Fredericksburg and says, " We had the comfort of taking care of our dead and wounded. We were two days and nights at the front, where we advanced under very heavy fire."
After the battle of Gettysburg, July 4, 1863, he writes, " We have to be very thankful for our kind Heavenly Father's pre- serving care over me through another of those scenes of awful carnage. Our corps was engaged day before yesterday, and we lost very heavily, but repulsed the enemy. Our company lost four killed and seventeen wounded. The boys were shot on each side of me."
631
CORPORAL GEORGE T. GATES.
After most bravely fighting in fourteen battles and several skirmishes, our young hero patriot entered the battle of the Wilderness to offer up his precious life for the American Repub- lic. While charging the enemy a ball penetrated his forehead, and killed him instantly. His body was not recovered, and his friends cannot learn that any one was near him when he expired. He fell on the 8th of May, 1864. The last message received from him was under date of April 30, after the order to be ready at any moment to move with six days rations in their haversacks.
He writes, " with good management, which I think we will have, we shall strike a blow at the rebellion by which it will be crushed. Of course I shall be exposed to great danger, but our kind Heavenly Father, who has so long preserved my life, is the same merciful God, and if it is His holy will he can still preserve me. But if his will be otherwise, I hope and pray to be pre- pared to meet Him in heaven with all my dear friends."
On the 5th we hear of him in battle, through a tent-mate who was wounded. and whom GEORGE assisted in carrying off the field. Of him this companion says, " GEORGE was a good, brave soldier, one who was beloved by all who knew him. His whole heart was in his duty."
The following, concerning our young hero was received from Gen. Rice, under date of September 14, 1863.
" It was my intention after the battle of Gettysburg to make your son a Second Lieutenant. During the first hour of the battle of the second day, I fought side by side with him near the colors, and can say, with great satisfaction, that not a braver or more faithful soldier ever entered the service. During that hour while all were killed or wounded around us, he never flinched for a moment, but calmly loaded and fired, as if on parade or drill; and every shot of his told. I was also firing, and we frequently talked with each other as to the ranks of the enemy where our fire would do the most execution. I recollect of his saying to me during the severest of the struggle, 'Colonel, you cannot reach those on the hill, they are beyond musket range; but here is a line in the ravine that needs our attention.'
632
CORPORAL GEORGE T. GATES.
" He is a cool, brave and faithful soldier, and I never saw in him any quality but to commend. During the battle, Col. VINCENT fell, and I took command of the brigade, which separated me from the immediate command of the regiment.
" Now let me explain to you why your son was not promoted before this. By a law of Congress, no Second Lieutenant could be mustered into a regiment which was reduced below a given number. Our regiment was below that number. If I had remained in command until the regiment was filled up, your son would have been made Lieutenant for his bravery at Gettys- burg. I will now write to Lieut. Col. CONNOR, urging him to promote your son as soon as possible.
" Very respectfully, your obedient servant, " J. C. RICE, " Brig. Gen. Com. Division."
The dear boy asked for no promotion on earth. With single- ness of heart, and with the loftiest sentiments of honor and integrity he desired to do his duty to God, and to his country; and most faithfully did he serve both, until the fatal shot termi- nated his career. His memory we will cherish with the warmest gratitude and affection, and the name of GEORGE T. GATES will live in the admiration of posterity.
633
CORPORAL CHARLES G. LATHAM.
LXXX. CORPORAL CHARLES G. LATHAM.
CHARLES GOLDSTONE LATHAM, of the Second Regiment of U. S. Cavalry, was born September 20th, 1836, at Mystic, Conn. He was the second son of JASPER and JANE M. LATHAM, both of whom preceded him to the Heavenly world.
CHARLES had the benefit of an carly and thorough Christian education, and was carefully trained to discharge every duty.
He acquired with rapidity the rudiments of knowledge, and early developed marked intellectual ability. After attending several schools, he enjoyed the instruction of the Hon. JOHN W. BUCKLEY, now superintendent of the public schools of Brooklyn.
Mr. B. often remarked to visitors at his school, after they had witnessed young LATHAM's proficiency, "That lad is the smartest scholar I have ; at the same time he gives me the most trouble. Would he study as hard as some do, he would become a prodigy." CHARLES was very fond of reading history, works of romance, and the writings of SHAKESPEARE and DICKENS. The two latter authors were his favorites; such was his memory that he could repeat correctly whole pages, and present the characters that they delineate, with wonderful minuteness and accuracy.
He early became connected with the newspaper press of Albany, and his first writings were made public through the " Evening Transcript," of which paper he was local editor. To the ordinary items of city news, he was able to give great fresh- ness and attractiveness, by the ease and vigor of his style.
He was subsequently connected with the "Albany Morning Times " and " Evening Statesman," and to both those journals was a most valuable adjunct.
When of the required age, he joined the Albany Burgesses
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CORPORAL CHARLES G. LATHAM.
Corps and was still on the company rolls at the time of his death. It is manifest that the schooling he received while a member of this company, prompted the early desire be exhibited, that the Corps should go to the defence of the National Capital, when the threats of the hostile south were developed by an attempted march upon Washington. He was one among the first to affix his name to the roll of volunteers, and was, his officers freely admit, ever prompt, zealous and unflinching when danger was the most imminent.
Returning with the Twenty-fifth Regiment New York State Militia, after being relieved from the defences of Washington, and after building that model fort, Fort Albany, he remained unsettled in his purposes. He had had a taste of military life, and though not physically constituted to withstand exposure and fatigue, still he entered the regular service, by enlisting on the 18th of November, 1862, at Boston, Mass., in the Second United States Cavalry, having previously refused a commission in the volunteer service. His intelligence and excellent chirography induced his retention at that post, where his clerical services made him a valuable acquisition to the officer in charge. But many months after, when a change in the commander of the post was made, he was transferred to Carlisle barracks, Pennsylvania. There he was almost immediately created post clerk. But while discharging the duties of that office he was taken sick, with that scourge of all armies, " camp fever."
It was while on his sick bed, that a grand division of the Southern army, by a most strategic feint, made the attempt to enter Pennsylvania and capture Harrisburg. General HOOKER had just been relieved, and General MEADE placed in command. The southerners, believing that he would be found inadequate to the post assigned to him, availed themselves of the opportunity to attempt a surprise.
How the battle of Gettysburg, fought July 4th, 1863, resulted is known to all, but it was found necessary to vacate Carlisle Barracks and move on to Camp Curtin. Young LATHAM was placed in a rumbling ambulance, which was hastened over the roads, with all the speed of an army in retreat, to Camp Curtin.
635
CORPORAL CHARLES G. LATHAM.
The exposure and exertion were too much for his enfeebled energies, and that journey proved to be his journey to the grave. On the 4th of July, 1863, he was buried with military honors at Camp Curtin; but a brother's love for a dear and only brother, induced the exhumation of his remains, and they were brought to this city, and now lie beneath the green sward of our own beautiful cemetery. The Albany Burgesses Corps, and very many citizens, paid funeral respect to the memory of the gallant young LATHAM.
The press of the city paid feeling tributes to the memory of the deceased. The following, from the " Morning Express," is indicative of the esteem and high regard in which he was held by his contemporaries:
" We yesterday morning briefly announced the death of CHAS. G. LATHAM, at Camp Curtin, Pa. The intelligence received here Sunday afternoon, east a deep gloom over a large circle of warm friends and intimate acquaintances. The deceased, before enter- ing the army, was connected with the newspaper fraternity as local reporter, in which capacity he had gained considerable dis- tinction among his associates. He possessed rare natural ability, and was gifted with a fine power of appreciation, blended with keen wit and satire.
" His first efforts as local editor were published in the 'Evening Transcript,' and those who remember them, will bear witness to their terseness and power to interest. Subsequently, he was engaged in the same capacity on other daily journals, to all of which he imparted an interest that made their daily issues acceptable and readable.
" He was truly a noble hearted fellow, firm in his attachments to his friends, and devoted to the interests of his employers. He was a young man of true genius, and some of his writings, we now remember, as sparkled with bright gems of thought and sentiment.
"His death is a sad blow to his brother and his family, who will have the heartfelt sympathy of all who knew and loved him."
As an evidence of the esteem in which he was held by his com-
636
CORPORAL CHARLES G. LATHAM.
rades in camp, we append the letter of Chaplain Ross, U. S. A., to Mr. GEORGE E. LATHAM, brother of deceased:
HARRISBURG, July 7, 1863.
Mr. LATHAM:
Dear Sir-I was very sorry I did not get to see you when on your errand of love and sorrow. I knew your brother well, and loved him much. He was quiet, sober and thoughtful. I never knew him to be in bad company, but I do know he shunned all such.
When he was well I conversed with him frequently, and during his sickness I visited him often, and talked and prayed for him. He was sane a part of the time, and knew he would not live. The last call I made he was flighty at times; still, he knew me, and called me by name. I asked him to confide in Jesus Christ, and meet me in a better home, to which he assented, and shook my hand heartily.
I hope he is better off. I enclose all his letters that have been put in my possession. Any information or anything you may wish me to do, I shall do freely. Wishing you and yours all good blessings, I am, truly yours,
J. A. ROSS, Chaplain U. S. A.
While the Twenty-fifth Regiment was absent from Albany, Corp. LATHAM was the historian of their doings. We give one of his graphic letters, published in the " Albany Morning Times:"
PARK BARRACKS, NEW YORK, May 2, 1861.
Dear Times-I have only time to write you a line or two, but I know that anything from the boys who have "gone to the wars" from old Albany, will be acceptable to your readers.
We have been quartered here since our arrival, and although we don't get our china or fancy dishes, we get first rate, substan- tial, well cooked rations, good enough for us " or any other man."
So far there is no sign of ill health among us, and all are anxious to do something for the cause in which we are enlisted. You know before we left, that hundreds of good fellows, eager
637
CORPORAL CHARLES G. LATIIAM.
to serve their country, wished to join us, but a lack of uniforms prevented us from taking them.
It has been just so here: splendid fellows who have been attracted by the appearance of the company, and their complete outfit, have applied to go with us, but, of course, we were obliged to refuse them.
As an evidence of the feeling we create, I will mention one instance : Yesterday morning, a young man, formerly a resident of Albany, and a member of the corps, appeared as the company was drawn up in line, in front of the Astor House, and offered any man in the company, two hundred dollars if he would give up his uniform to him. Not a man responded, showing that we have those who mean business, and leave their homes for the defence of their country and not to "play the soldier."
We have had scores of our Albany friends here with us since our arrival. " LEM" ROGERS and others of No. 8 Engine, have been among the most constant to us, and there is not a man in our company who has not experienced their generous and untir- ing exertions to make everything as pleasant as possible. They left this afternoon, escorted to the cars by a section, and as the train moved off the most cordial and affectionate farewells were exchanged. Tears fell like rain, and hands were wrung at part- ing, and (but it's no use, soldiers are men you know and oft times are as children) no man can say, that it is any discredit for a stalwart man to shed a tear on occasions of this kind. It is an evidence that he has a heart within him, and that it is in the right place.
New Yorkers, too, have been among us, and fairly over- whelmed us with attentions. It may not be out of place to mention that CHARLES STETSON, Esq., of the Astor House, remarked as we marched up Broadway, after our arrival, that we were the finest appearing and best equipped body of men that he had seen since the war excitement began. Mr. STETSON is a military man, and has had an opportunity of seeing all the troops here, and such an expression from him may be considered as quite a " feather in our cap."
638
CORPORAL CHARLES G. LATHAM.
As I write, our boys crowd around me, and wish to let their friends know that they are all well and in good spirits.
At six o'clock this evening we were drawn up in line, and our Orderly announced that we were to leave to-morrow, at noon, in the splendid frigate " Niagara," for Washington. The announce- ment was greeted with a hearty Albany cheer, that made the barracks ring again. We are all anxious to go and prove that we have enlisted for something more than fun.
I am compelled to stop for the present, but whenever an opportunity occurs, you shall hear from the
CORPORAL.
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639
CORPORAL ALBERT C. SMITH.
LXXXI. CORPORAL ALBERT C. SMITH.
ALBERT C. SMITHI was born in the State of Rhode Island, and was the eldest of a large family of children. His father, WIL- LIAM B. SMITH, removed to Norway, Herkimer county, N. Y., many years ago, and subsequently ALBERT resided in Hartford, Connecticut. He married the fourth daughter of the late DON- ALD FISIIER, who was formerly an officer in the English army, under the Duke of Kent.
At the time the rebellion broke out, Mr. SMITH was residing with his family in the city of Albany. He was a member of the North Pearl Street Baptist Church, and was baptized by the venerable Dr. WELCHI, to whom he was very much attached.
In early life, ALBERT was remarkable for his amiable qualities, and affectionate disposition, and he sought to promote the happi- ness of all around him. As a Christian, he was conscientious, faithful and consistent.
In the year 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-first New York Regiment. He went to Florida, and was very sick at Key West with inflammation of the lungs. He was discharged on the surgeon's certificate, and returned home. By great care and faithful nursing his health was restored, and with it came back his ardent desire to serve his country. It was a great struggle for him to leave his dear family again, but commending them to the divine care and protection, he re-enlisted in the army, and went to Bonnet Carré, and was afterwards ordered to Port Hud- son. There he was prostrated by a fever, and died. In his last days he was attended by a noble youth, by the name of EDWIN DAVIS, who was himself also an invalid. To Mr. DAVIS he con-
640
CORPORAL ALBERT C. SMITH.
fided several messages to his wife; but before Mr. D. reached Albany, he was called away from time into eternity.
When Mr. SMITH last wrote to his wife, he seemed to be very cheerful, and spoke with great joy of once more seeing his happy home. At the close of the letter he very affectionately commended her to the care of our Heavenly Father, and said that his prayer was that God would permit them to meet again. As both husband and wife were the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, they will meet where they part no more.
641
CORPORAL ROBERT H. CAMERON ..
LXXXII. CORPORAL ROBERT H. CAMERON.
ROBERT H. CAMERON, son of JOHN and MARY I. CAMERON, Was born in Belfast, Ireland, July 2. 1837, and came to this country at the age of two years. In his youth, he was remarkable for his frank and truthful disposition. Gentle and affectionate in his nature, he was constantly seeking opportunities for the perform- ance of some of those little offices of kindness, which makes our daily life so pleasant. Although never having made a public profession of religion, yet he had the most exalted opinion of the worth of Christianity, and would not suffer it to be spoken lightly of in his presence. If he could not change the subject, he would withdraw from the company, and would not ever give such con- versation the sanetion of his presence.
Possessing business capacities of a very high order, life opened upon him with very flattering prospects. But when the tocsin of war sounded through the land, and called for those who were willing to sacrifice all for their country, ROBERT was found among the foremost. He was ready to give up his business prospects, to sunder the ties which bound him to a home he highly prized, and to his wife and child, who were as dear to him as life itself. We can realize something of the sacrifice he made. His motto was, " my country first," and for the time his country became mother, wife and child to him.
Enlisting in April, 1861, as private in Company A, Hawkins' Zouaves, he arrived with them June 8th at Newport News, then in part occupied by the rebels. Here his company had their full share of the lonely picket guard duty, and the long weary marches. While there, they suffered a great deal from the bad quality of the food, and the insufficiency of shelter provided for
41
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CORPORAL ROBERT HI. CAMERON.
them, for we then were in our infancy in all matters which per- tained to war.
Writing from Newport News, of a very narrow escape from capture, he says:
" Last evening about nine o'clock, our company was ordered out on a scouting expedition. We marched through woods all night, and in the morning found ourselves but a very short dis- tance from the enemy's camp. We continued to march very cautiously until we suddenly came upon the enemy's picket guard, when they sounded the alarm, and a large body of infantry and cavalry immediately started in pursuit of us. The order was given to retreat, and we immediately made the best time possi- ble for a piece of woods a short distance in our rear, and suc- ceeded in reaching it, when each one of us posted ourselves behind trees, determined to sell our lives as dearly as possible. We all thought our time had come; but the enemy, instead of engaging us, seemed determined to capture the whole company. They divided themselves into two parties to cut off our retreat; but instead of returning by any of the roads, we made our way through the woods until we came to the river. When the enemy found we had taken this route, they endeavored to prevent our effecting this, but we were too soon for them, and succeeded in reaching camp without losing a single man. We were almost dead, however, from fatigue.
" Some of the men were ready to give up, and wanted to lie down; and they had to be almost carried along, to prevent their being captured by the enemy.
After our return from this expedition, another company of our regiment being ordered on a similar scout, were attacked by the rebels, and after a sharp fight in which they lost their Colonel and eight privates, our boys succeeded in reaching camp safely."
While at Newport News at a general inspection, ROBERT was offered his discharge on account of defective sight, but he refused to receive it, saying to those who offered it, " when I joined the regiment I joined them to stay with them, and I shall not leave them while the war lasts, if I am able to remain. I
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CORPORAL ROBERT H. CAMERON.
should be ashamed to be seen in the streets of Albany at this time, when the country needs every man so much."
From Newport News the regiment went to Hatteras Inlet, where the real sufferings of the regiment began. Provided with tents which formed no real protection against the rain storms of that section, and at the most inelement season of the year, when the miasma arising from the low swampy lands upon which they were encamped, sent fever through the system with every breath they drew, sickness soon began to show itself in the regi- ment. Often after lying down at night, they would be roused by the water flowing all around them, and they would be obliged to move their tents and seek some drier spot; and sometimes this would be repeated in the course of the night. This expos- ure, added to their long and severe marches, soon wore out a constitution not naturally very strong, and forced Mr. CAMERON to the hospital, from which very few who entered it with this fever, ever came forth alive.
Writing to his wife from Hatteras very soon after his arrival there, he said, "I am well as yet, and have to be thankful in being able to say that; for around me on every hand, are lying comrades not able to leave their tents, and many of them scarcely expecting to leave them alive. Even now as I write, I hear the solemn notes of the dead march wailed ont, as some company marches past with the remains of a dead comrade for interment. Now that the cold season is but just commencing, I fear that many more will follow him unless we are speedily ordered from this place. You will better understand why it is so unhealthy, when I tell you, that every heavy rain we have, entirely floods this part of the island on which we are quartered, sometimes driv- ing us entirely out of our tents, to seek protection on the highest part of the island. So far, I have escaped, while many with apparently stronger constitutions have been taken sick and died; but we have some hopes of leaving here soon."
That order did not come in time to save him. He soon sick- ened, and lingering but a short time, died. During his sickness, he begged of his comrades not to write to his mother. He said, "I shall be around again in a few days, and then I will write and
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CORPORAL ROBERT HI. CAMERON.
tell them I have been sick." So careful was he, lest he should cause her any unnecessary anxiety. But his comrades, seeing that his recovery was impossible, wrote to his mother, who imme- diately started for Hatteras, that she might give him a mother's care in his sickness. But the summons reached her too late. When she arrived there she found him dead and buried. He had received his final discharge.
His companions, to whom he was sincerely attached, mourned his loss as that of a brother.
Col. HAWKINS, writing to ROBERT'S mother after his death, says, " He was universally mourned in the regiment. From the high- est officer to the lowest private, each one felt that in ROBERT'S death, he had lost a friend and that there was a vacant place made, which could not be easily filled."
A member of his own company in speaking of him said, "I will say, that, in his departure from this life, the members of Company A lost one of their best friends. He was loved and respected by all. With his Captain he was an especial favorite. There was something in his manner and appearance which coni- manded respect, and he could have an order obeyed at any time, without any grumbling on the part of the men. I shall never forget the appearance of the men as they took the last look of poor CAMERON. Turning away from the dead face of their com- rade, they could not restrain their grief. The tears and broken sobs, told what a loss they had sustained."
About a week after he was buried, his mother, who in feeble health, had made the journey from Albany alone, arrived. Her intense grief at finding her dear son dead and buried, can Je more easily imagined than described. She found, however, many sympathizing hearts among the brave and noble soldiers of our army. She had the precious remains disinterred and brought home, and they now rest in our beautiful cemetery, with the many other heroes of the war.
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