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 56
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As his father had been so long away from home, thinking him so much better, he thought he might leave him for a short time. He bade him good bye on Wednesday. Thursday was a very warm day and WILLIAM seemed very weak, but never uttered a single word of complaint. When asked how he was, he would say, " I think I am better." His only anxiety was that he might weary others, or that his mother would get sick.
The day before he died, a lady, Mrs. MANNING, who was in the habit of visiting the hospital, stood by his bed side conversing with him. She remarked, "You are very sick; I suppose you know in whom to put your trust." He looked up to her and smiled, and said, "I put my trust in God." She said, " That is a blessed trust; you would not give that trust and hope for any- thing this earth can afford?" His answer was, " No, not even for the arm that I have lost." He continued to grow weak all day Thursday, and, about nine o'clock, the artery commenced bleed- ing, and he died about half-past ten, on the 23d of June, 1864. His sufferings were very great, and are known only to himself and his God. He was but twenty-three years of age, when he thus offered up his precious life upon the altar of his country.
The following touching letter was received by Mrs. VAN GAASBEEK, from Mrs. MANNING, one of the ministering angels to our soldiers during the war:
BROOKLYN, November 12, 1864.
My Dear Friend-Ever since the death of your dear son, I have thought of writing you, as I could not say to you what I felt when I left you. From the time you spoke to me on the boat going to your son, I felt a deep interest in you. Perhaps you do not remember that I took you to the ladies' room, where
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WILLIAM A. VAN GAASBEEK.
I spent the last night with you. But it is all fresh to my mind; also the sweet, almost divine face of your dear son, I shall never forget. Do you remember how pleasantly he spoke to me when I said that I hoped he was able to eat some of the straw- berries we had carried to him. I shall never forget his patient, trusting look, full of resignation, as if he had done his duty and was waiting in the spirit of the Saviour, for the summons to go home. He seemed to say, " not my will, but thine, be done."
When word came that his arm was bleeding again, and I went to him, I knew he must die. But the doctor said, "you had bet- ter not go to him, as it will excite him; and keeping him quiet is the only possible way to save him."
My great desire in urging you to go to bed and rest, came from the fact that I knew that your son was at rest. I knew, also, how overtaxed you were, and that your loving heart would almost break. I knew and felt all this, because I am a mother, and my son a soldier-yes, my only son. I felt your sorrow as only a mother can feel. Since the death of my mother, most loving and tender, I have never suffered as I did that night that I watched with you. Your own agony I think did not surpass mine, for you had moments of apparent unconsciousness; I some- times listened to hear if you breathed at all, all that long weary night. I watched the stars and prayed, thinking of my own hoy. If I lose him, I cannot suffer more than I did then. I remember how fully I partook of your spirit. You did not speak, I think, from ten o'clock till two. Then you said, looking up earnestly, " WILLIE is gone."
I must tell you that within the last month I have felt, that if these sacrifices are the price of our nation's salvation from the enemy, we can give it.
I trust that you feel that you have a precious treasure in heaven, and are calm.
Your son, my dear friend, was offered on a sacred altar, and I am sure the sacrifice is not in vain. I pray God to bless you and yours.
I am still interested in the soldiers, and visit David's Island hospital almost every day. But no face has ever interested me
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CHARLES M. BROWER.
so much as your son's, that I have seen as little. We are now getting up a Thanksgiving dinner for our dear siek and wounded soldiers. My son is in Florida; well now, though he has been sick. I trust Miss DUNNETT has answered your letter. I know she proposes writing you sometime.
I shall be happy to hear from you. My address is Mrs. H. H. MANNING, care of MANNING & SQUIRE, New York.
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C.
CHARLES MOORE BROWER
CHARLES MOORE BROWER was the eldest son of S. DOUGLAS BROWER, by a second marriage, and was born in Albany on the 28th of November, 1846. His mother's maiden name was MARY BERRY MOORE. He was naturally a boy of a delicate constitu- tion, with a mind thoughtful, and very discriminating. He had a nervous temperament, so much so that in his early school days the effect of study made such inroads on his health, that he was obliged to cease for a time going to school.
When about fifteen years of age, he entered upon a course of study preparatory to entering college, at Olivet, Michigan; his uncle, Rev. JOHN M. BARROWS, being a professor in the college. Here he soon developed talents of a high order, and which gave great promise of future success. But his health failing, he was obliged, after two years of study, to relinquish his purpose to go through college.
While prosecuting his studies, he was brought to an experi- mental knowledge of a Saviour's love, and was induced to take a stand for Christ.
He had been religiously educated, and had been serupulously moral in the past, but now the grace of God added new charms to his character.
When the war broke out, he was filled with enthusiasm for the government and the country, but he was too young then to enlist in the army. But when he became older he began to think that
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CHARLES M. BROWER.
he ought to enlist, even after his brother HENRY had been killed; that fact in no wise diminished his ardor, and he wrote to his father thus: " Will you let me enlist ? I will go and take HENRY'S place. The country needs more men. If WALTER is drafted, let me know and I will go in his place. Do let me go. I never shall be satisfied unless I do go."
He wrote to his brother-in-law, Major T. M. NEWsox, in regard to his enlisting, who discouraged him, knowing how frail he was, and fearing he would not be able to endure the hardships of war. His father and mother declined giving their consent, for the same reason.
When the Major made his head-quarters at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, being State Commissary of subsistence, he invited CHARLIE to his office, that he might there serve his country with- out being exposed with his delicate constitution to the toils and dangers of the battle-field. He accepted the appointment, July 1, 1865. Fort Snelling being a rendezvous for troops, the returning regiments that came there to be mustered out, brought with them typhoid fever. A great part of the garrison were prostrated by the disease. It seized upon CHARLIE, and for nearly ten weeks he required greater care than an infant. Slowly he began to recover, but the fever left him with a swollen limb, reducing which, induced congestion of the lungs.
In a letter, written home, under date of 28th October, 1865, the Major says:
"CHARLIE is dead! Yes, he is dead! And yet not dead. I feel that he is with us still; that he comes in spirit and cheers the hearts of those now lonely. CHARLIE was apprised of his approaching death, two days and two nights before it occurred, and he was calm and resigned. In the presence of death he sweetly said, 'God, I trust in Thee.' With a heroism never witnessed by me before, he exhibited no fear, but patiently awaited the coming of the great change. He knew he could not live. He knew he must pass into the mysteries of the future. He knew this for hours, with his mind perfectly clear, and yet how heroically and grandly he gave up all, trusting in the Saviour of all.
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ROSWELL B. CORLISS.
" His exemplary character, his Christian consistency, his forti- tude, his trust, his patience during his sufferings, are mementoes and monuments of a life, simple, beautiful, sublime. He died October 25, 1865."
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CI.
ROSWELL B. CORLISS.
ROSWELL B. CORLISS, Jr., was born at Albany, New York, June 26, 1844, and was the son of ROSWELL B. and CATHARINE CORLISS. Shortly after the commencement of the rebellion, he showed an eager desire to enter the service of the United States, but his parents objected and advised him to remain at home, as his elder brother had already entered the army. He relinquished the idea of going for a time, but. as the struggle for national life increased, he again urged the need of his services, and his parents consented.
On the 22d of January, 1864, he enlisted in Company " C," Seventh Regiment Artillery N. Y. S. Volunteers, then on duty in the defences of Washington, District of Columbia. Soon after he reported to the regiment, it was ordered, in connection with the other artillery regiments, to join the Army of the Potomac, then upon the threshold of that memorable campaign that proved so destructive to our noble men.
He participated in the engagements of Harris' Farm, North Anna, Po River, Shelton House, Coal Harbor, and in front of Petersburg, June 16, 1864, when he, with a number of others, was taken prisoner by the enemy. They were conveyed to, and confined at Andersonville, Georgia. After being there a short time, he was taken sick, and no medical aid or care was given him except such as his comrades could render. He continually declined, and on September 5, 1864, his name was added to the list of fourteen thousand, who had died from exposure, suffering and misery, under the brutal inhumanity of the enemies of God and man. He was buried in the grave yard near the prison, in September, 1864. In March, 1866, his remains were transferred
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STEPHEN R. WHITE.
to the Albany Rural Cemetery. For several weeks previous to his death, he was out of his mind, his insanity having been pro- duced by the horrors of his situation.
The youth thus murdered by slow torture, was a kind and amiable boy, a dutiful son, and a regular attendant upon the public worship of God. Ile was also a brave soldier, and won the esteem and affection of all who knew him. His brother, S. P. CORLISS, bears touching testimony to his strong affection, and purity and kindness of heart, and confides in the hope that ROBERT has reached those peaceful and blissful regions, where wars and rumors of wars are never known.
CII. STEPHEN ROSS WHITE.
STEPHEN ROSS WHITE, son of JOHN G. and HANNAH J. WHITE, was born October 2, 1840. He enlisted in the Marine Artillery, in the city of New York, on the Ist of September, 1862.
He died at the hospital on Roanoke Island, of malarious fever, on Tuesday, the 11th of November, after a little more than two months in the service, at the age of twenty-two years.
The following extract from a letter written to a relative, fur- nishes all the information we have of his last days:
"We went on board the transport the night of the 29th of September, and were a week in making the voyage to Beaufort. We had to 'lay by,' from stress of weather, at Hampton Roads and at Hatteras Inlet-the storms of the fall equinox rendering the coast too dangerous to venture down, except in the inter- vals, when the winds would abate for a few hours.
"At Newbern, we were placed on board the gunboat ' Sentinel,' the vessel upon which Capt. SWEET, the Acting Commander of our fleet, had his head-quarters. We were kept on board just one week, when a division was made, and it was our disastrous lot to be numbered among those who were destined for that horrid golgotha, where pestilence sat, Roanoke Island.
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JAMES E. GOOLD.
" Ross was attacked by the disease, which proved fatal in so many cases, toward the latter part of October, as the direct result of his 'unflinching devotion to duty. He continued to perform guard duty half a day beyond the time, when he should have been under the care of a physician.
" He was repeatedly warned, and kindly urged, to yield to the too manifest necessity of rest and medical aid. But a heroism which only death itself could move, impelled him to struggle with the demon that was even then destroying him, and he walked his weary, solitary beat with his feet deep in water, and amidst a drenching, chilly rain. When the next day's guard was mounted, and he was relieved from duty, his fidelity brought him only sickness for his reward.
" Completely exhausted, he sought his quarters, sank down upon his hard bunk, pallid, wan and almost spiritless. He recovered partially from this, after rest had restored somewhat of his wasted powers; but God soon called him away from earth. He died at half past three o'clock P. M., November 11, 1862.
" The most prominent trait of his character was a pure and lofty heroism; therefore you may be proud of his memory, which lives unsullied in the hearts of all his comrades who survived him-for he was loved by all, being as gentle and kind as he was heroic. " I loved to think of him, he seemed so like a brother to me."
The memory of STEPHEN ROSS WHITE is fondly cherished by a large circle of admiring friends, and his name is added to the illustrious roll of American patriots.
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CIII.
JAMES E. GOOLD.
From CHARLES H. ANTHONY, Esq.
JAMES EDMUND, son of JOHN S. and ABBY S. GOOLD, was born in Albany, June 29, 1842. It was his happy lot to be a member of a Christian household, and to enjoy from childhood all the benefits incident to such a connection, as well as those scarcely
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JAMES E. GOOLD.
less valuable ones derived from the instructions of the Sabbath school.
When JAMEs was about twelve years old, his parents removed to the western part of the State, for the purpose of engaging in agricultural pursuits. This kind of employment was quite con- genial to his taste, which soon began to manifest itself in the ardor with which he engaged in the most laborious duties of the farm, and the persevering zeal with which he carried to comple- tion everything that he had once commenced to do.
Ile was characterized by a retiring disposition, great firmness of purpose, and a more than ordinary degree of conscientiousness; and these qualities, which were developed in early life, seemed to gain strength as he advanced in years, until just as youth was ripening into manhood, the spirit of God impressed upon his character the seal which marked him as a follower of the Saviour.
The circumstances attending his conversion are presented in the following letter, from Rev. GEo. PEGLER, addressed to the author of this brief sketch:
My dear Sir-I am much pleased to learn that you propose to write a memoir of my very dear young friend, JAMES E. GOOLD, who fell in the late war in defence of Union and Liberty, and of his and our civil and religious rights.
My first acquaintance with him was in the latter part of 1858, when his father, JOHN S. GOOLD, Esq., resided in Macedon, N. Y. I was then pastor of a church in his vicinity, and Mr. GoOLD and family were among my most constant hearers and liberal supporters; and many of the children were members of my Sabbath school. My interviews with the family were fre- quent, and always attended with much profit and pleasure, and I was more and more impressed with the sedate deportment and high moral sentiments that were constantly developing them- selves in the character of JAMES, as my intercourse with him became more frequent and interesting. I considered him, in every respect, the best scholar in the school, and for aptness to learn, and for promptitude in attendance, as well as for his deep
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JAMES E. GOOLD.
seriousness and moral tone, he was a worthy example to the whole school, and to all his companions.
At our annual examination there were none like him for promptness in answering questions, either from the Bible or the maps. But that which most deeply interested me, was the man- ner of his conversion to God. He was not carried away by excitement, but most calmly and deliberately entered into the service of the dear Redeemer, and seemed to have given his heart to Christ after much thought and prayerful examination. On the Lord's day, April 24th, 1859, the weather being very stormy, we expected only a small congregation, but among that little flock was JAMES E. GOOLD. My text on that occasion was Ps. xlix, 8: "For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever."
After the public service, we held a "Class Meeting," and JAMES remained with us, occupying a slip in the church, in com- pany with three other young men. My custom was, not to urge non-professors to speak, unless they were quite willing. The others, who sat with JAMES, had no remarks to make; but when I addressed myself to him, he promptly stood up, and remarked that, when he arose in the morning, he saw the day was stormy, and concluded not to go to church. But he happened to remem- ber hearing me say that when we were tempted to absent our- selves from the house of God, it would be the better course to press through every difficulty, as something might be educed from God's word on that occasion that would do us good, and perhaps lead to a lasting blessing. "And," said he, "I bless God I have come to-day; for God has blessed my soul, and I hope that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven my sins." Such was the commencement of his Christian hope.
Soon after, I was removed to another field of labor, and I knew but little of his Christian progress until after he entered the army. Then he wrote me several letters, in answer to mine, urging him to maintain his Christian character, and remain a constant example to his comrades in faithfulness to his dear Re- deemer, and fidelity to the cause of his country.
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JAMES E. GOOLD.
Ilis letters to me I will forward to his father, and you may make such use of them as your wisdom may dictate.
With much respect, your humble servant,
GEORGE PEGLER.
LEMONWEIR, JUNEAU Co., Wis., May 1, 1866.
To C. II. ANTHONY, late Principal Albany Classical Institute.
Near the close of the year 1859, arrangements were made by which JAMES was permitted to return to his birth place, and spend a few months there in attending school. He entered the Albany Classical Institute, where he soon gained the respect both of his teachers and school-mates; and when, in the spring of the following year, he returned to the abode of his parents, he carried with him a certificate showing that he had maintained through his whole course of study, a position in the highest " Grade of Honor."
From the very commencement of the recent struggle for the preservation of our National life, his warmest sympathies were enlisted in behalf of his country; but when our late President issued his second call for volunteers, JAMES was fully convinced in regard to his own duty. He felt that he must respond per- sonally to that call. The strength as well as the sincerity of his convictions were soon subjected to a practical test. A young man, a neighbor's son, and one who had worked by his side in former days, was killed in one of the battles before Richmond, while our armies under MCCLELLAN were endeavoring to effect that ever memorable retreat from before the rebel capital. The news of this event seemed to add new fuel to the flame already burning in the breast of our young hero, who said to his parents: "My country needs my services, and I feel that I must go." Still, at their solicitation, and from a sense of filial obligation, he remained awhile at home.
A younger brother had already enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Regiment New York Infantry; and on the 29th of August, 1862, JAMES, having obtained the consent of his parents, joined the same regiment, which was at that time recruiting in the city of Rochester. After a furlough of one week, spent at home, he
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JAMES E. GOOLD.
reported himself at Albany, and there awaited orders. Having remained here some time, in daily expectation of being ordered to his field of duty, and becoming impatient of delay, he, in company with his brother, solicited and obtained permission to accompany an officer who was going to Washington in charge of some recruits. On arriving there, the two brothers reported themselves at the office of the Provost Marshal, and received orders to join their regiment, then in Maryland, and marching in a northerly direction.
Strangers and alone, wandering in strange places, subsisting as best they could, and sleeping under hay stacks, after two days of wearisome travel they came up to the regiment at Antietam, just after the battle of South Mountain had been fought, having crossed, on their way, the battle field where the dead were still lying unburied. This was their first realization of the horrors of war; and the impressions made upon their minds were pain- ful in the extreme.
JAMES, always true to his convictions, and earnest in their expression, had now determined to define, if possible, his posi- tion in reference to religious matters. Accordingly, he sought to be identified with the followers of his Divine Master; was baptized in camp by the Chaplain of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania Regiment, and on application, by letter, was admitted to the privileges of membership in the First Con- gregational Church, in the city of Albany, then under the pastor- ship of Rev. RAY PALMER, D. D.
Shortly after this, he was placed upon the provost guard at Division Head-quarters, and continued to serve in that capacity until after the battle of Gettysburg. On the 25th of May, 1863, his term of service in the Twenty-fifth Regiment having expired, he was transferred to the Forty-fourth. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappa- hannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. In the battle at the last named place, on the 8th of May, 1864, he fell during a charge made by his brigade upon a rebel position, at Laurel Hill.
Another hero had now achieved his final victory in becoming
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JAMES E. GOOLD.
a martyr to the cause of liberty; another weary spirit had entered into his eternal rest; another soldier of the cross had won an immortal crown ! The body in which he was once clothed, now lies-we know not where,-but the soul of him we loved, and whose memory will ever be dear to all who know him ; could find a congenial abode only in the regions of spotless purity, in the " house of many mansions," whither the great " captain of his salvation" has gone before to " prepare a place " for him.
It only remains, in closing this imperfect memorial, that there be appended a few extracts from the letters received by his parents and relatives while the writer was doing duty in the camp, and in the field. Thus will his inner life be illustrated, in some of its aspects, more forcibly than could be done in any other manner :
His belief in the justness of the war, and that God was direct- ing it, never wavered. Writing at a time when the future looked dark, he says, "if I trusted alone in the help of man I should be ready to give up; but I believe it will come out right, for I believe God has a purpose to accomplish by this war, and we shall not fail."
He was uniformly cheerful and thankful. Speaking of Thanks- giving day, he says: "How different from the thanksgiving at home; yet how many things I have to be thankful for; continued life and health, and food sufficient; for though sometimes I have been puzzled to know where I would get the next meal, I did get it before I was very hungry; and am thankful for so many kind friends, and above all for my hope in Christ."
Under date of Febuary, 1862, speaking of the general charac- ter of the soldiers in the tent with him, he says, " of course it is very disagreeable, indeed, for me to have to associate with such men; but there is no possible help for it, and my only way is to pray for strength to enable me to resist every temptation."
In March, 1863, he writes: " With reference to my getting a Lieutenant's commission, I hardly think it could be done at present, at least; it would hardly be fair to promote me over so many men who have been out here nearly two years, while I have been out only six months." In another letter, speaking of
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ORANGE DUDLEY.
the U. S. Christian Commission, he says: " It is doing a great deal of good in the army. They hold meetings in a large tent near us, every evening, which are well attended, and many of the soldiers have been converted. I have been there a couple of times, and found it very interesting."
Speaking in another letter of a desire to be prepared for death at any time, he writes, " As I was conscious that I was trying to live a Christian life, and wished to be prepared to die at any moment, I went to the Chaplain of the One Hundred and Eigh- teenth Pennsylvania Regiment, and told him my experiences and hopes, and that I wished to be baptized and partake of the Lord's Supper, which he said he would administer that afternoon at three o'clock. At two o'clock I was baptized by him, and par- took of the sacrament along with two others; circumstances having prevented any more from attending. I hope I have not been hasty, or done anything to merit your displeasure. I acted from a strong sense of duty, and I pray to God that He will give me strength to act at all times up to my profession."
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