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 55
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Previous to JUSTIN's enlistment, the officers in command of the regiment consented that he should have some position which would not subject him to the fatigues of long marches, and the severer hardships of the common soldier. It seemed to be quite too certain that he could not endure the extreme fatigue and exposure incident to the soldier's duty in the rank; and with his ability and ready adaptation-being already familiar with the manual of tactics and ordinary military affairs-he could be vastly more useful in some other capacity. In accordance with this understanding, he was detached from the regiment shortly after joining it, and assigned to duty as special Orderly to Brig. Gen. J. J. BARTLETT, which position he held till August 17, when he was sent to City Point Hospital.
On May 16, JUSTIN joined the army near Spottsylvania, and reported for duty to Capt. HUSTED. Feeling himself perfectly able to take the chances of war with the men, he did not choose
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to inform the Captain, that the design was for him to perform a lighter service than that of the common soldier. He was equipped accordingly and placed in the ranks. During the two weeks he was with the regiment, his corps performed one of the severest forced marches of the campaign. He was one of the few in the regiment that did not " fall out." but resolutely kept his position to the end of the march. In writing home, he expressed some pride in calling the attention of his friends, who doubted his ability to perform the severer duties of the soldier, to the facts connected with this march, as conclusive evidence of his power of endurance to make a full soldier.
The coolness manifested in the hour of peril was, in a great degree, owing to his confidence in the preserving care of the infi- nite Father. There was no faltering here. Every letter speaks this great confidence. He closes a letter, June 8, thus:
" Whenever you hear of the Fifth Corps (WARREN's) being in any fight, you may safely conclude I am not far off. But God will guard, and God will guide me. I hope you never forget the soldier boy down in Virginia, who needs your prayers, and God who needs our thanks."
His piety did not forsake him. Amid the temptations and vices of the camp, he swerved not in his loyalty to Christ and His truth. Though pressed on every side to deviate from the line of religious duty, he stood firm by the faith he professed- an example of purity in life, and a Christian in faith and love. His spotless life bore strange contrast with many seen in camp. His undeviating adherence to his resolutions made before enlist- ing, his gentlemanly demeanor and kind-heartedness, were the outgrowth of a heart renewed by grace. These qualities, blended with his invincible courage and faithfulness in the performance of duty, made him the admiration of the officers and men with whom he became acquainted. A Sergeant at head-quarters remarked:
" We were not long in finding out that JUSTIN was a Christian. flis prompt but polite refusal to be led into any questionable practices, his kind reproofs, and his detestation of profane swear- ing, were unmistakable evidence of a Christian heart."
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The clerk at head-quarters writes:
" He was good, kind and gentle, and had a kind word for all. I never heard him utter an improper word. He abhorred an oath, and would always look with sorrow upon those who swore. The army is the hardest place for one to lead an exemplary life; but he maintained his good character at all times, and was an example for us all. Such were his actions while with us-such were his manly virtues, gentlemanly habits and kind words always, that he gained the esteem of every one."
Gen. BARTLETT says:
" I learned, greatly to my surprise, that his gentle bearing emanated from a pure Christian spirit; and I felt that the child should be my instructor."
Knowing intemperance to be the prevailing vice of the soldier, he resolved to adhere strictly to " total abstinence." No induce- ments were sufficient to make him swerve from his original pur- pose. Whiskey rations and cordials were refused, till the peremptory orders of the surgeon made necessary a modification of his practice.
Thus he passed through the ordeals of temptation in camp unsullied-no stain upon the bright armor of his character-an example to all of devotion to principle, of a pure filial affection, and a reverence for God and His truth. These characteristics, combined with his promptness and accuracy in the discharge of his duties, courage in time of peril, and gentlemanly deportment, won upon all the officers who knew him.
His graceful address and genial humor were the admiration of his friends-his happy and merry disposition was the delight of the household; but the respect and love for his parents, and the admiration and tender affection for his little sister, fitted him particularly for the enjoyment of home, and are the character- istics around which memory loves to linger most fondly.
August 12, JUSTIN writes:
"My hand is so unsteady, that my friend DICKSON will tell you, at my prompting, that I have had my usual ' bilious attack; ' but the doctor says I will be all right day after to-morrow. I have not been in the hospital, neither shall I go."
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From other sources of information, it appears that his health had been quite poor for weeks, though this was the first allusion he makes in regard to ill health. Disease had for some time been taking firm hold upon him, while he resolutely determined not to yield to its influence, nor alarm his friends at home. During the campaign, the climate, fatigues and exposures incident to it, were insidiously undermining his health, but his strong will would not permit him to ask relief, or complain while it was possible for him to perform his duties. He felt a contempt for slight difficulties or slight ailments, and none should ever say he left his post of duty for small cause. If he asked for relief, it should be from necessity.
Lieutenant BARTLETT, of General BARTLETT's staff, says:
" In front of Petersburg JUSTIN was taken sick, but would not for some time allow himself to be taken to the hospital. At length he consented to go to the division hospital, and, as he started, I bade him good bye, little thinking that it was forever. I went home then with the General, who was himself sick, and, upon my return, learned that he had been taken from the 'ranks' and promoted to a place with the angels."
He was removed from the division hospital to City Point, August 17. For three or four days-still unwilling to be con- sidered sick-" being only weak, and having only a little fever and a little diarrhea," as he expressed it in his last letter, he did not desire to claim attention from the surgeons and nurses of the hospital. Sergeant MOSLANDER, convalescent in the hospital, and previously acquainted with him, voluntarily came to his assistance, watched with him, and took the principal care of him. He insisted to the ward-master and the surgeon, that JUSTIN was very sick and needed much better care. After the first few days, he was delirious most of the time. In his delirium, his thoughts were constantly about his parents and home, or his duties on the field, or in camp.
JUSTIN had been always very prompt and regular in corre- spondence with his parents; scarcely a week had elapsed since he Jeft, without their receiving at least one letter from him. He had so carefully guarded his expressions in reference to his
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health, that there appeared to be not the slightest reason to be alarmed. Receiving no communication from him for a week or more, his father, then in New York, felt a little uneasiness in consequence of this silence, and determined to go to City Point. He arrived there on September 3, and learned JUSTIN had been transferred to some northern hospital, having left City Point, " not very well," August 23. Returning immediately, he ex- amined the hospital records at Fortress Monroe, Baltimore and Philadelphia. At the medical director's office, in Philadelphia, his name was found, and that he had been assigned to Whitehall Hospital, near Bristol, Pennsylvania. At the central office of this hospital a name resembling his, with company and regiment correct, was recorded. His father passed through the wards, making inquiries, and expecting at every step to greet his only son. The last ward was reached; then for the first time he began to feel there was real cause for alarm. A most careful search of all the records at the hospital was made, without getting any further information, save on the death register there was one recorded "Unknown, died August 26, 1864." Obtaining all the information possible, in regard to this " unknown," the father learned that he came to the hospital early on the morning of August 26, in extreme prostration; could articulate his name, only with great difficulty, at the central office; could not speak after arriving at the ward, and expired in about half an hour. He appeared to be conscious, and in no pain. The physician administered stimulants, but it was too late to revive him. The "unknown " had left no effects. He was buried as he came, the same day, in the Bristol burying ground.
In spite of the awful conviction thus forced upon him, that the " unknown" must be his son, the father could but hope to the contrary. Fearing and yet eager to know the truth, the remains were, at his request, disinterred, and there, marked plainly upon his clothing, were the initials of JUSTIN's name, bearing too certain witness to his identity.
With grateful emotions the father saw upon the unmarked grave evergreens and flowers, placed there by some philanthro- pic hand. More especially was he grateful for this. because the
45
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evidence seemed to be conclusive, that the brave boy had been lastened to his death by nogleet. But there was at least one heart which could feel for the " unknown" soldier, and perform an act of love to a humble defender of the Nation's honor. That expression of love and regard was given by the soldiers' friend, KATE PAXSON, of Bristol, Pennsylvania.
Subsequently it was learned that when placed on board the transport " City of Albany," at City Point, JustIN from his dis- case-typhoid fever-was quite delirious, though able. with the assistance of Sergeant MOSLANDER, to walk to the boat. The surgeons and nurses of the hospital accompanied their patients to Fortress Monroe, at which point they were transferred to the transport " Atlantic," and to the care of other attendants. After a passage of three days, they arrived at the White-Ilall Hospital, a few miles from Philadelphia. Until the time of leaving Fort- ress Monroe. all the patients received proper attention. During the remainder of the passage, however, very little care seems to have been bestowed on them. Not only was JUSTIN neglected, but was robbed of his money, watch and revolver before arriving at Philadelphia, and after leaving that point what else remained to him was taken, including his diary and portfolio. Very reluctantly is this reference made to the treatment of the deliri- ous and dying boy, but sympathy with his sufferings is too tender, and sorrow for the loss of the faithful record he had kept, and to which he very often had made reference, is too keen to be repressed in this memorial.
A few days after the identification of the remains, they were transferred to Albany Rural Cemetery. There they are at rest ; waiting the final resurrection, when, transformed into a spiritual body, pure, glorious and deathless, and united in immortal union to the noble and sanctified spirit, they shall ascend to those fields of everlasting green, and those bright mansions in heaven, which the Saviour of men has gone to prepare.
The dear one, departed, died in a holy cause. The interests at stake were not mere earthly interests ; the principles in con- twoversy were not mere mortal principles ; but the very pillars of God's kingdom in the earth. It was convictions like this that
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impelled JUSTIN to the fight. He was the soldier both of duty and of liberty. His patriotism was nourished by his religious faith. IIe saw that God had built the altar and asked for the sacrifice, and he cheerfully gave his all.
These considerations, together with the hearty sympathy of a multitude of friends, pour the balm of consolation into the crushed and wounded hearts of the bereaved. Though to the mother there may be none like her first born, noble boy, yet the honorable record of his young manhood, the pure, christian heart he carried into life, and the certainty of his glorious immortality, clothe his memory with an effulgence which, even into her saddened heart, sheds its blessed light.
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AVIX.
WILLIAM A. VAN GAASBEEK.
WILLIAM A. VAN GAASBEEK was born September 5th, 1841, and at the age of four years commenced going to school. A more truthful, pure minded, affectionate and obedient boy than WILLIE could not be found. He loved his home and parents, and would do all in his power to make them happy.
At the age of ten years he commenced going to the Experi- mental school, and continued there for four years. During that time he never asked to stay at home a single day, unless he was sick. He was greatly beloved by his teachers and young associates.
After he left the Experimental school, he went to North Hamp- ton to school, and remained there about one year.
At the age of fifteen, WILLIAM entered the Albany Academy, and remained there until he became a clerk in his uncle's store. He was with his uncle two years and a half, and in all the rela- tions of life, he bore an unblemished character.
He next obtained a situation in Mr. STUART's store in New York city, and remained there about six months, giving entire satisfaction to his employer. His father being about to commence
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business, desired to have WILLIAM with him, and requested him to return home. Hlis employer was very anxious for him to stay, and held out great inducements for him to do so; but he said he felt it his duty to return home, and do all in his power for his father.
Besides being a dutiful and affectionate son, WILLIAM was a true patriot, and, when the war commenced, he told his parents that he felt it to be his duty to enlist in defence of his country's canse.
WILLIAM enlisted as a private in the Eleventh New York Inde- pendent Battery, November 6, 1861.
This, it will be remembered, was before the days of thousand dollar bounties, and before the draft drove men to enlist to avoid a harder fate.
We needed men, not officers alone, to fight our battles for us; and there were men-true hearted, noble men, who rushed to the standard then, and filled our failing ranks with glittering steel and iron hearts.
WILLIAM had weighed the matter well, and neither the doubt- ful smile of friends, or the story of hardship and danger, had power to deter him from his purpose.
We shall never forget the prompt reply he made, when, early one morning, a comrade stepped into his father's store, and put the question: " Are you ready to enlist, WILL?" The answer was as direct as the question, and, without a moment's delay, they were on their way to give themselves, for three years, to their country's service, with all it might bring to them of good or evil.
To him it proved an altar of sacrifice, on which he laid all, even life itself. His comrade lives to mourn his loss, and tell the story of his bravery.
Young VAN GAASBEEK was by nature endowed with some of the first requisites of a soldier-a disposition cheerful under all discouragements, a strong constitution, and, best of all, nerve for any danger into which duty called him.
The first six months of his service were spent in Fort Ells- worth, near Alexandria, Va. And here, in garrison, as nowhere
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in the field, is the spirited soldier's patience tried, and his health put in jeopardy.
Leaving their comfortable quarters at Albany, as they did, in the dead of winter, and being put in tents with a seanty supply of fuel, with rain or snow, or both, enough each day to prevent much out door exercise, no wonder the men were sick. Within three weeks after the Eleventh and Twelfth New York Batteries, numbering something more than three hundred men, took pos- session of Fort Ellsworth, disease, of one type or another, had so reduced the number that there were barely men enough to fur- nish the necessary detail for guard. And these few had to go on duty every alternate day and night.
Thus the spring wore away, and the summer was half ended, when the monotony of garrison life was suddenly broken. On the 16th day of June, orders were issued for the Eleventh New York Battery to report at Washington, where they would be suppplied with guns, horses and equipments for service in the field.
There was joy in the fort that night, and from that time for- ward there was no lack of work to do. The tide of war that but a few months before had rolled so heavily to the south, came thundering back with redoubled fury. Again was the Capital in danger.
The Eleventh New York, with other troops, was ordered to report at Manassas. Then followed the unfortunate affair of August 27, when the battery lost four of its guns, and many of its best men as prisoners.
But fortunately our hero was not among the number. His duty with his own piece, which was not engaged, prevented his sharing in the dangers and honors of that first conflict his com- pany had with the enemy. The next morning's sun found him with what was left of the battery, supported with a single regi- ment, hopefully assisting in holding in check the advance columns of LEE's army.
At Fredericksburg he shared the perils of the day, and bore the chagrin of retreating in the night, like a good soldier.
Next we find him at Chancellorsville. All day had SICKLES
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been steadily pressing the enemy back in his front. The day was almost spent, when the enemy charged with fearful power upon our ranks. The Fifth Corps broke and fled. Our flank was turned and all seemed lost. Cheer after cheer rose from the rebels.
But in the thickest of the fire, clouded in smoke and begrim- med with powder, we find our young hero straining every nerve, to pour the iron hail into the rebel line as rapidly as possible. Cooler than many older men, and braver than some, he stood fearless at his post. When darkness settled down upon the field, the order was given along the line to " cease firing." The heated pieces ceased their work of death, and many thousands sank to rest.
But WILLIAM, ever wide awake, and ready for any enterprise, and curious to know how things looked between the lines, went out to reconnoiter. When about half way between friend and foe, he found a three-inch rifled gun, deserted by its friends, and left to fall into the hands of the enemy. It was too great a prize to carry off alone, and too great to leave. He returned, and with volunteers enough to bring it in, he soon added a seventh piece to the Eleventh New York Battery.
Being a fine penman, and quick to learn, it was carly discor- ered at head-quarters that he might be made useful there; and much of his time, especially during the second year, was spent as clerk under different general officers.
The fact of his being so much of his time engaged in writing, and away from his battery, will account for no special mention being made of him in connection with the battles of Gettysburg and Mine Run.
After nearly a year of faithful service as clerk, he made appli- cation to his Captain for relief. Having obtained this, he cheer- fully returned to his duty with the Battery, just before the open- ing of the campaign of 1864. Here he remained, sharing the toils and perils of his comrades at the Wilderness and Spottsylva- nia, on the Po and Nye and North Anna River, until June, 1864, when at Coal Harbor he received the wound that terminated in his death. He was wounded in the arm by a sharpshooter, while
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at the extreme front on the skirmish line. The ball struck his shoulder blade, and it became necessary to amputate his arm. After his arm was taken off, he got a friend to write home to his parents, stating that he expected to go to Washington. He also wrote, " I stood the amputation well, and have strong hopes of getting well. I was brought in a few hours after I got hurt.
" Father, if you possibly can, I wish you would come and see me in the hospital at Washington. I shall be there by the time you receive these few lines; I can be discharged, and you can take me home at once. I think my right hand is good, and I expect to be of some use yet."
But God ordered it otherwise. He never was permitted to see his home alive. His father did as he requested; he went to Washington, but could not find him. For a whole week he made the most diligent inquiries, without being able to trace him.
It appears that WILLIAM had a brother connected with the Sanitary Department, who finding that he was wounded took him to David's Island, near New York, instead of going to Washington.
The brother was unwilling to leave WILLIAM, and remained with him for nearly two weeks. He then returned to Albany, reaching the city on Sunday morning. We may imagine the feelings of a mother's heart, when she found that her poor, wounded boy was so short a distance from home, while his father was looking for him so long, and so far away. Mr. VAN GAASBEEK was telegraphed to as soon as possible, and the mother taking the nine o'clock train, Sunday morning, arrived in New York about four o'clock in the afternoon. It being Sunday, there was no way to get to the Island until Monday morning. When she arrived at the hospital she was told that WILLIE was very low. After his brother left him he was taken sick, and the main artery in the neck commenced bleeding. The doctor, how- ever, immediately succeeded in taking up the artery. But of course WILLIAM was very weak. He was asked if he would like to see his mother. His answer was, " yes, I would like to see her." A messenger then came and said to her, "you must com- pose yourself as much as possible, for the least excitement in the patient may cause the artery to bleed again." She was then
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conducted to the room, and looking from bed to bed, she saw no one that she recognized as her WILLE. At last a youth raised his remaining hand, and said " mother." She knew that voice, and approaching the sufferer, she could scarcely believe that this was her son, he was so emaciated and changed.
Bending over him he fondly kissed her and said, " Where is father ?" The mother could not reply. She was choking with emotion. She seemed to herself. as though she was sinking in an abyss of sorrow. At last she whispered, " WILLIE, keep quiet and in a few moments mother will talk with you." She then offered a silent prayer to God for strength in that trying hour. She then told him how long his father had been trying to find him. He said, "I want to see him, I wish he would come." He then asked about his two sisters, and his little brother at home. Then he looked up anxiously and said, " Mother, do you think they will let you stay and take care of me ?" She replied, " WILLIE, do not worry, for I know they will; here comes the doctor and I will ask him." She asked him, and he said, " Yes, he needed a mother's care."
She then went to the hall with the doctor, and asked him what he thought of WILLIE. He said, " Do you think you can bear the worst." She replied, Yes. He then said, " Your boy is a very sick boy, but while there is life there is hope; if he takes to bleeding again, there is not any help for him."
She returned to the room again, and WILLIE looked so pleased, and said. " Mother, how glad I am you can stay." He then said, " Mother, where are you going to sleep ?" She replied, " WILLIE, do not be anxious about me, I can sleep anywhere. I shall take care of you at night, and will lay down and rest in the day time." He said, "Mother I am afraid it will make you sick if you do not have your rest." When the doctors came in to dress his wounds, as soon as he heard them coming in the room, he would say, " Mother I think you had better go out till my wound is dressed." He was afraid it would be too much for her. So whenever his wound was dressed, she had to leave the room. His wound had to be kept wet night and day; and at first he did not want his mother to attend to that. But he reluctantly
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consented to have her to do it, as the wound was not visible, and all that was necessary, was to keep the bandage wet with a sponge.
His father arrived on Tuesday morning, and then WILLIE seemed to be perfectly happy. He was so very weak he could not talk much. But on Wednesday morning he was thought to be better, and the doctor said to his mother that he must con- gratulate her for her boy was better. He did look better, but, alas, how soon their hopes were blasted.
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