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 58
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GOLDWAIT was a young man of generous impulses and a noble nature. Ile was frank and open hearted, a true and steadfast friend, and a devoted son and brother. He was for many years one of the most earnest and efficient firemen of the city. Fear- less in the discharge of his duty, he was ever obedient to com- mands and prompt to execute all orders. Hundreds of his brother firemen bear testimony to his zeal, and gladly pay tribute to his memory. On one occasion, regardless of his own personal safety, he entered a burning building, and rescued from impend- ing death, a maimed and feeble woman.
To his immediate associates he was most devotedly attached, and each and all of them considered him a brother. They will ever cherish his memory with the warmest affection and admira- tion.
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CXI. JOHN A. LOCKLEY.
JOHN A. LOCKLEY was born at No. 70 Lumber street, Albany, on the 22d of September, 1843, and was the son of RICHARD and HANNAH LOCKLEY. He was one of the most affectionate of sons, always kind and obedient. He was very conscientious, and the least wrong act made him very unhappy. He was not a profes- sor of religion, but was very faithful in attending the Sabbath school and church. The feelings that led him to enlist were purely patriotic. He received no bounty; but said if his country needed him he was ready to devote himself to her service. He enlisted in Company K, Ellsworth Regiment, Forty-fourth New York State Volunteers. The first battle he was in was at Hanover Court House, where he served as first corporal. His Captain, ALEXANDER McROBERTS of this city, under whom he was killed, said that he was the best soldier in his company. He was always
739
HARMON VISSCHER, JR.
prompt and ready to execute any order given to him. He was killed at the battle of Gaines' Mills, on the 27th of June, 1862. A ball struck him just above the mouth, and passed through his head. Of his last moments and of his burial, we have no reliable information.
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CXII. HARMON VISSCHER, JR.
HARMON VISSCHER, JR., was the son of HARMON and ANNA M. VISSCHER, and was born in the city of Albany, on the 18th day of August, 1839. He was a youth of great promise, and was ten- derly cared for in a Christian home and universally esteemed by his friends.
Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, he joined the Bur- gesses Corps, and accompanied them to Washington in defence of the National Capital, where he remained until the Twenty- fifth Regiment, to which the Corps was attached, was discharged.
He returned to his home and the city of his birth, full of military ardor; and, the day previous to the departure of the Forty-fourth, joined that regiment, to which he was attached up to the time of his death. He was shot through the breast, and was left on the battle field for dead, and remained there for a long time, until conveyed to the hospital. In a letter to his parents, dictated by himself and written by a friend, he appeared sanguine of his ultimate recovery, but a note appended by his nurse gave them but little to hope for.
He was a member of Company G of the Forty-fourth (Ells- worth) Regiment and was a true patriot and brave soldier. Being conveyed to the hospital at Georgetown, District of Columbia, he was there attended by his fond mother, and everything that maternal affection could do was done for his comfort, and for his preparation for the solemnities of the future life. He breathed his last on Thursday, September 11th, 1862.
740
GEORGE STEVENS.
CXIII. GEORGE STEVENS.
GEORGE STEVENS, private, was born in Whokengham, Berk- shire, England, June 26, A. D. 1825. His parents, CHARLES and MARY STEVENS, were in humble circumstances, and he being one of a large family, was placed at some useful employment when young to assist his parents, and was thus deprived of the oppor- tunity of obtaining a good education. He was a kind and dutiful son, and strictly honest and industrious. He continued with his parents until the commencement of the year 1849, when he mar- ried, and a short time after emigrated to America. He came to the city of Albany, and there continued to reside. He was a great lover of the American people and institutions, and as early as possible he became a citizen of the United States. He attended church, and loved the worship of the Lord.
In the year 1858, he made a public profession of religion. He united with the State Street Baptist Church, and was a zealous, active, consistent Christian. He endeavored to improve his mind by a constant reading of the Holy Scriptures, which became his daily delight. In the church there was a Bible class, and the teacher was the late esteemed and much lamented Mr. SAMUEL PATTEN. Mr. STEVENS was connected with this class, and as a reward for collecting the names of Christ found in the sacred scriptures, he was presented by Mr. PATTEN with a beautiful copy of the Holy Bible.
On the breaking out of the rebellion, when the Union was in danger, he was moved with a becoming patriotism; and although he had a wife and children whom he loved and had to provide for, yet he declared it to be his duty to go and fight for the land of his adoption. He enlisted as private in Company D, Seventh Heavy Artillery, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment N. Y. S. V., on the 9th day of August, 1862, for three years or during the war. He was first stationed near Washington, and enjoyed a soldier life quite well.
741
GEORGE STEVENS.
He then moved to Petersburg, where the regiment passed through many engagements, which he describes in his letters as being very severe. He also, in his letters, gave a graphic description of the dangers through which he passed, and always declared that he was engaged in a right and good cause, and that if it should be his lot to be killed on the battle field, he was per- fectly resigned to the will of God, in whom he trusted. He often urged his wife and children to trust in the same over-ruling Providence, to pray much, to read the Holy Scriptures, and per- form all other religious duties in such a way as to gain the con- stant approbation of their Heavenly Father; and that if it was His will that they should not meet again on earth, that they might meet again in Heaven.
By lying on the damp ground, and being constantly exposed, he contracted a severe cold, which affected his lungs, and he was sent to the City Point hospital. From there he was sent to Blackwell's Island hospital, and thence was transferred to the Albany Military hospital. His complaint continued to increase, affecting his throat, and terminated in consumption. He received medical aid and every attention, but rapidly failed.
Mr. I. N. SMITH, then minister of his church, with many other old friends, came to see him, and conversed, read and prayed with him. He assured them of his confidence in God, and of his prospect of going to Heaven through the atonement of Christ. He bore all his afflictions with Christian-like fortitude, and was resigned to the will of his Heavenly Father.
When it became apparent that he would not survive long, he informed his wife and children that he was going home to Heaven, and desired that they would prepare, that they might all have a joyful meeting at the resurrection of the just. He died in the triumphs of faith, and in the hope of a blessed immor- tality, on the 23d day of May, 1865. His remains were taken to the church, where appropriate remarks were made made by the minister, and from thence were conveyed to the Albany Rural Cemetery.
742
ADDISON J. FELLOWS.
CXIV.
ADDISON J. FELLOWS.
ADDISON J. FELLOWS was the second son of JOSEPH and MARY FELLOWS. He was born in the city of Troy, August 2d, 1839. His genealogy is thoroughly English, on both his father's and mother's side; his ancestors came from the old Puritan stock.
While yet young his father moved to Albany, and from that time to his death he resided here.
Of a genial and happy disposition, he formed a large circle of friends; and the mildness of his manner and his affectionate heart, made him the joy of his father's family.
At the breaking out of the rebellion, although he was engaged in business, yet he felt greatly inclined to contribute his services towards maintaining the good old flag, but his friends persuaded him to remain at home.
In the fall of 1861, however, he felt so deeply that it was his duty to offer himself to his country, that he transferred his busi- ness to his brother's hands, and volunteered as a private soldier in Company F, of the Forty-fourth New York Volunteers. The date of his enlistment was September, 1861. Being offered a higher position, he declined it, on the ground that he enlisted as an act of duty, and not for position. The remainder of his life was short.
In December, after returning from a long picket duty, while the regiment was stationed at Hall's Hill, Va., he was attacked by typhoid fever, and before his father and brother could reach him, although they went to him as rapidly as possible, his soul had returned to the God who gave it.
Thus died one who, pure in heart and purpose, gave his life for his country as truly as though he had been killed in front of the cannon's mouth.
Although not a professed Christian, he ever reverenced God and His laws, and loved the ways of righteousness. Almost one of his last acts was, to engage in an evening meeting with some of his Christian comrades.
743
SAMUEL W. CHANDLER.
His body was brought home, and a funeral discourse preached over his remains by the Rev. Dr. MAGOON, at the First Baptist Church. He was followed by the Fire Department and military of the city, and the various societies to which he belonged, to his last home in the Albany cemetery. Thus passed away an upright man, a pure patriot, and a brave soldier.
CXV.
SAMUEL W. CHANDLER.
THE subject of this brief sketch was the son of SAMUEL CHANDLER, a well known and respected citizen of Albany.
At the formation of the Forty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, known as the Ellsworth Regiment, Mr. CHANDLER enlisted, and at once secured a high reputation as a soldier. He participated with his regiment in several hard fought battles in Virginia. At the battle of Hanover Court House he was killed under the following circumstances. The Sergeant, while hold- ing the flag, had been shot through the head, and instantly killed. The flag was then seized by a man named YOUNG, also of this city. No sooner had he raised it than he was shot, the ball sever- ing his jugular vein, when he fell. Young CHANDLER, who had been wounded in the leg and arm, and with his wounds bleeding crept to the staff, and with great effort raised it the third time. In a moment, he was shot in the breast, and also fell. After lingering a few days in intense agony, death came to his relief. His last words were : "I regret that I have only one life to give to my country."
It is impossible to conceive of an act of nobler daring than that of young CHANDLER. His two comrades lay dead at his feet. He was himself badly wounded. The balls were whist- ling thick and fast over his head. Knowing this, it was almost certain death to attempt to raise the flag, yet he did not hesitate a moment, but gave up his life in its defence. He died nobly, and for his heroic act deserves the applause of the nation. From
744
JESSE D. VAN HAGEN.
the Colonel to the lowest private in the ranks, his memory will be loved and honored as long as they live.
He leaves a widow and two children, who, while they mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and father, yet have the consolation of knowing that he died a true patriot, a brave soldier, and added another martyr to the cause of human liberty.
CXVI. -
JESSE D. VAN HAGEN.
JESSE D. VAN HAGEN was born in Cohoes, Albany county, on the 8th of November, 1839, and was the son of PETER and MEINITABEL VAN HAGEN. As a youth he was kind, obedient, and truthful. At the age of eighteen years, he became deeply inter- ested in the subject of religion, and residing at that time in Albany, he became a teacher in the Sabbath school, connected with the Pearl Street Methodist Church. In February, 1858, he made a public profession of his faith in Christ, and united with that church.
When the President of the United States called for troops, he felt that his country needed his services, and he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, commanded by Captain JOHN BEVERLY, of Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York. On the 1st of June, 1861, the regiment received orders to start for the seat of war. JESSE having made preparation for the march, came home to bid his mother good-bye. He was remarkably cheerful, and seemed to be full of patriotic enthusiasm for the cause to which he had devoted himself. He said to his mother : "Do not be anxious about me, I shall be at home again one of these days." How little he thought, while uttering those words, that he was then looking upon that mother, and his other kind relatives, for the last time on earth !
Obedient to the orders received, the regiment hastened to the seat of war, and was at once stationed in the front, as a line of
745
WILLIAM M. BRIGGS.
skirmishers. In the morning, just as the light began to appear, a startling and crashing fire came from the concealed enemy, and JESSE fell, pierced through the left lung, by a bullet. The Captain seeing that he was wounded, ordered two men to take him from the battle-field. As his comrades were lifting him from the ground, he received another wound, just below the first. He tried to speak but could not. . He lingered in great pain for nine hours, when his brief, yet brave military career, was ended by death.
Captain BEVERLY, to whom the youthful patriot had endeared himself, thus wrote home to the brother of the departed, Mr. WILLIAM L. VAN HAGEN : "Your brother while with me was a good christian soldier. He was always ready to fill his place in the ranks at a moment's notice. Therefore, you may well be proud of him. Do not wecp for him, but remember that he died for his country's flag. He was very kind to his associates, and always took pleasure in doing them a favor." Thus early in the war, at the battle of Fair Oaks, passed away this noble youth, in the twenty-second year of his age.
CXVII.
WILLIAM M. BRIGGS.
WILLIAM M. BRIGGS was born in Albany, Nov. 27, 1842, and was the son of JOHN G. and HARRIET BRIGGS.
He was educated in the Wilberforce school, and was a youth of good talents and excellent morals.
He was an ardent patriot, and in March, 1863, he enlisted in the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, and performed all the duties of a soldier with faithfulness and bravery. In the fol- lowing letter we have an account of his character and death:
SUNDAY, December 13, 1863.
Colonel-According to your wish that I, as commander of Co. E, would furnish whatever information I possessed in relation
746
HUGH HAMMILL.
to Private WILLIAM M. BRIGGS, late of my company, I cheerfully collected the following:
From a comrade, who was by him in the assault of July 18th, I learn that he was wounded through the bowels, when about one hundred yards from the fort. Ile exclaimed, "I'm shot," and attempted to press forward, but was not equal to the task, and fell. He was placed, after being taken from the field, on the steamer " Cosmopolitan," with many others, and carried to Hilton Head. The nature of his wound was such as to cause him intense pain, and he expired within an hour of the time the wounded were placed in No. 10 Hospital, at Beaufort. I was pleased to find that his body received a proper soldier's burial, in the Beaufort Cemetery, escorted by a detachment of the First S. C. Vols.
As his Captain, I cheerfully render a merited tribute to his memory, as a man ever a favorite among his comrades, and, as a soldier, prompt, diligent and eager in the performance of his whole duty. I have the honor to be, Colonel,
Your obedient servant,
LUIS F. EMILIE,
Capt. Co. E, 54th Mass.
Col. E. N. HALLOWELL, Com'd'g 54th Mass. Infantry.
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CXVIII. HUGH HAMMILL.
IN the history of Mr. HAMMILL, we have another instance of patriotic ardor and heroic suffering for the cause of human lib- erty; and another victim of the barbarities practiced upon our noble men in southern prisons.
HUGH HAMMILL was born in Ireland, in the year 1844. He came to this country with his parents in 1846, and settled in the city of Albany. At the breaking out of the war, he felt that his adopted country needed his services, and, like many others of his countrymen, he gave his heart and his life to the American Republic.
747
HUGH HAMMILL.
He enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fifth Regiment of National Guards, in May, 1862, and served for three months at Suffolk, Va. He returned home on the 5th of September, and on the 14th of October he again offered his services to the government, and became a member of the Tenth Regiment. He was after- wards removed to the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regi- ment of New York Volunteers, and was with them in their skir- mishes and marches for hundreds of miles to Port Hudson. He was also in the terrific charges upon Port Hudson, and saw hun- dreds of his brave comrades fall, while he, equally brave and daring, escaped the deadly fire of the enemy. Having most faithfully served the country of his adoption, he returned home, on the 1st of September, 1863.
But, while there was any doubt as to the issue of the struggle in which we were engaged, Mr. HAMMILL could not rest, and notwithstanding his terrible experiences at Port Hudson, and in the toilsome marches and skirmishes in which he had been engaged, he, like a noble patriot, enlisted again, and on the 19th of November, 1863, joined Company E, of the Seventh Heavy Artillery Regiment.
He bravely fought in all the battles of the Wilderness, Coal Harbor and Petersburg, and through all the terrible fires to which he was exposed, we do not learn that he received any per- sonal injury.
On the 16th of June, 1864, he was captured by the rebels, and at the same time his Captain, and most of his company, were taken prisoners. These were sent to Richmond, and then to Andersonville prison. In consequence of the barbarous treat- ment Mr. HAMMILL received, he became very sick, and, while slowly recovering, he was removed to another prison. At that time he was, in his feeble state of health, exposed, in the open air, for three days and nights, to a severe rain storm. This brought on a relapse, and he continued to sink until the 16th of November, 1864, when death released him from his sufferings.
It is sad to contemplate such an end, for one who had mani- fested such an ardent and persistent devotion to the interests and welfare of his adopted country. But his deeds will never be
748
WILLIAM J. WHYTE.
forgotten, and the memory of his worth will be gratefully cher- ished by a large circle of relatives and friends.
Mr. HAMMILL was educated in the faith and worship of the Roman Catholic Church, and was a member of that church up to the time of his death.
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CXIX.
WILLIAM J. WHYTE.
WILLIAM J. WHYTE, the son of JAMES and JANE WHYTE, was born in Albany on the 6th of March, 1843. He was a youth of mild and generous spirit, and of superior talents, and very early became interested in religious subjects. As his parents had lost six out of eight children, and he was the only remaining son, and as his father too was dead, he was specially dear to his widowed mother.
When the rebellion broke out, he, in common with many others, was inspired with a youthful and patriotic ardor to serve his country in the hour of peril. He was very anxious to enlist, but his mother felt that he was too young to endure the hard- ships and dangers of war, and endeavored to persuade him to remain at home. But the very month that Fort Sumter was fired upon, April, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Third Regi- ment New York Volunteers, under Col. TOWNSEND. His mother, however, feeling that, after the great losses she had sustained, she could not give up her only remaining son, obtained his dis- charge from the regiment.
But the fires of patriotism were not extinguished in the heart of her boy. He loved his mother and sister, and the home of his childhood. He loved his church and his Sabbath school, for he had been for fifteen years a scholar, and at this time he was a teacher in the Albany Bethel Sabbath school, under the care of the Rev. JOHN MILES. But he loved also his country, and was willing to give his life to sustain it.
He waited until May 31st, 1862, when he enlisted, for three months, in Company A, Twenty-fifth Regiment N. Y. V. He
749
CHARLES S. HEERMANCE.
served through this period with great faithfulness, and was honor- ably discharged.
On the 13th of October, 1862, he again enlisted, in Company F, of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment New York Volunteers. While connected with this regiment, he displayed all the qualities of a good and brave soldier. But the hardships to which he was exposed brought on a fever, and he died in the hospital at Bonnet Carré, La., aged twenty years. He was buried in the hospital burial ground.
We regret that we have no further particulars of his history.
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CXX.
CHARLES SEDAM HEERMANCE.
CHARLES SEDAM HEERMANCE was born in Albany, of pious parents, September 30, 1842. He was a member of the First Congregational Sabbath school, and was an exemplary youth. Being ardent in his patriotism, he joined the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment New York State Volunteers, Company B, that he might be of some service in sustaining the honor of his country's flag. When his regiment was ordered off, they joined the BANKS' expedition and sailed from New York for New Orleans, Louisiana. Shortly after their arrival, he was taken ill, and soon died in the hospital, April 22, 1863. His remains, with many others, were brought to Albany and deposited in the Rural Cemetery. Thus he gave his young life, a noble sacrifice, for his country. His noble example will long be cherished by loving friends and a grateful community.
The following letter, from Captain MERRIHEW, shows the esti- mation in which he was held by his officers and companions in arms:
BONNET CARRE, LA., April 23, 1863.
Mr. C. J. HEERMANCE:
Dear Sir-The circumstances under which I now address you, are painful to me, while to you they will be rendered doubly so.
750
CHARLES S. HEERMANCE.
It devolves upon me to communicate to you the sad intelligence of the death of your son, CHARLES S. HEERMANCE; he died here in the hospital, yesterday afternoon about two o'clock, of chronic diarrhea. He had been in the hospital nearly all of the time since our arrival at this place. We did not consider him dangerously ill, and, only yesterday morning, his physician told him that he needed no more medicine; that with proper care of himself, he would soon recover his accustomed health; but it was otherwise ordered. In the afternoon, shortly after dinner, he was taken suddenly ill, and died almost immediately.
It may seem hard that we should so suddenly be called upon to mourn the loss of one so young and full of promise, and being so far away from kind friends and loved ones at home; but He who doeth all things well, has seen fit to take him away, and, while we mourn his loss, we have the happy assurance that he has gone to that better world where sickness never comes.
CHARLES was a general favorite in his company, both with offi- cers and men, and particularly so with those who, like him, have been confined in the hospital. They miss him there, for he was always ready and willing to perform little acts of kindess, towards those more unfortunate than himself.
You will please accept the heartfelt sympathies of the company of which I now have the command, and of which CHARLES was a worthy member, in this your great bereavement; for I can assure you that your son had, while being associated with us here, by his many amiable qualities, endeared himself to us all, and we feel that the place now made vacant in our ranks by his death, we may never hope to fill again, by one like him.
His remains have been properly interred, with a board with his name cut thereon, placed at his head, to mark his final rest- ing place. His personal effects are in my possession. Any mementoes or keepsakes which I may find, together with what little money he had, I will retain and deliver or forward to you.
I am, dear sir, your obedient servant,
E. H. MERRIHEW, Captain Co. B, 177th N. Y. S. V.
751
STEPHEN P. PARKS.
CXXI. STEPHEN PUTNAM PARKS.
STEPHEN, the son of WILLIAM and JANE ANN PARKS, residing at 172 Lumber street, Arbor Hill, Albany, was born October 26, 1848. At the breaking out of the war, when only thirteen years of age, he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Regiment for three months as a drummer boy, and was stationed at Arlington Heights, Fort Albany.
On the 31st of March, 1864, he again enlisted as a drummer in the Forty-third Regiment N. Y. S. V. He joined the regiment at Brandy Station, Va., and was assigned to Company K. While in the service, he was in the following battles: The Wilderness, Va., May 5 and 6, 1864, and Spottsylvania Court House; Fort Stevens, Washington, D. C., July 12, and Winchester, September 19. Capt. WM. L. THOMSON, who had command of Company K during that time, writes of him as a good soldier, always doing his duty. After the above, he was in the battles of Cedar Creek, Coal Harbor, and the battles before Petersburg and Richmond.
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