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 60
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Mr. HOLMES was a good citizen, a true patriot, a brave soldier, and a kind husband and father. As his children grow up, they will have the consciousness that their father gave his life for his country; that even amid the horrors of a most foul and cruel imprisonment, he did not regret the sacrifices that he was making for liberty and the American Republic.
CXXX.
MINOT HENRY PEASE.
MINOT HENRY PEASE was born in Albany, August 19, 1843, and died September 23, 1862, aged nineteen years.
One month after he reached his eighteenth year, he obtained the consent of his father to enlist, which he did at Fort Snelling on the 23d of September, 1861, in Company D, Second Regiment Minnesota Volunteers. He was in the battle of Mill Springs, and was one of those who met the enemy face to face, and fought hand to hand over the fence. Lieut. TUTTLE writes to his father: "Your son went into the battle at my side, and fought like a man. He has gained a name with the Second Regiment."
He was also in the intrenchments at Fort Donelson, and brought home some trophies, after presenting his officers with a handsome secesh portfolio.
He was taken with typhoid fever at Louisville, from which he partially recovered, and, being anxious to keep up with his regi- ment, joined in the march of Gen. BUEL from Nashville to Pitts- burg Landing, and was on that bloody field just after the fight. The fatigues and exposures of this forced march were too much, and he was reduced by chronic dysentery, and forwarded by Lieut. MOULTON to the Pacific hospital, St. Louis, with the first
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JOIN VAN BUEREN.
load of wounded from that sanguinary field. On the 30th of April last he obtained a furlough, and came home to die among his kindred. He received his discharge for disability on the 16th of July. Since then he has suffered extremely, and at last his disease ran into insanity, from which he only partially recovered, and which terminated his life.
CXXXI. JOHN VAN BUEREN.
JOHN VAN BUEREN was born on the 19th day of November, 1833, in the city of Dordrecht, Holland. He was the son of DANIEL VAN BUEREN and MARTINA P. ANKER, who emigrated to America with him in the year 1848. Having a desire for a sea- faring life, he left home at the age of twenty years, and visited Holland, the East Indies and other countries. He returned home after an absence of three years. During his absence, his letters were always marked by a great affection for his relatives at home. After his return and before his enlistment, he regularly attended the Holland Dutch Reformed Church of Albany, and was a member of the Bible class. Had he not been called from home by the war, he would undoubtedly have become a member of the church.
The Rev. Mr. HUBOLDT, then pastor of the church, had great confidence in JouN, and deeply felt his loss from the city. At the breaking out of the war, JOHN exhibited an ardent patriot- ism, and when advised not to go into the army, he replied that his heart was with his adopted country, and he was willing to offer up his life, if necessary, to sustain it. When advised by his mother not to go, he answered: "Mother, you will be proud of me when I return home." He enlisted on the 18th of May, 1861, in Capt. GRIDLEY's Company A, Eighteenth New York Volunteer Infantry. He participated in all the battles that his regiment was engaged in under Gen. G. B. MCCLELLAN,
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SAMUEL W. KELLY.
and was universally beloved and respected in his company as a sincere friend and brave soldier.
On the 14th day of September, 1862, at the battle of South Mountain, Maryland, while making a charge with his regiment, he was shot through the head, and almost instantly killed. He did not speak after receiving his wound. He was buried by his comrades on the farm of Mr. JACOB GOODMAN, near the village of Burketville, Md.
At the time of JOHN's death, his father and brother had just returned from a three months' service in the Twenty-fifth N. Y. Militia.
Immediately upon hearing of his death, his father proceeded to the battle ground, but was unable to find the grave. It was, however, afterwards found by his brother, who was then a mem- ber of the Forty-third New York Volunteers. The head-board contained the following inscription, roughly carved by some friendly hand:
" JOHN VAN BUEREN, Co. A. 18th N. Y. Vols. " Killed September 14th, 1862. " A Brave Soldier."
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CXXXII.
SAMUEL W. KELLY
SAMUEL W. KELLY was born at Albany, April 8th, 1842, and was the son of GEORGE W. and JULIA A. KELLY. His father died when he was an infant. When a child he was bright and intelligent, with good moral habits. He was baptized in the Methodist church, the Sabbath School of which he attended. From his childhood up, he always respected religion.
At the breaking out of the rebellion, he was moved from patriotic motives to enlist in defence of his country. He joined the Thirty-fourth New York State Volunteers, and served with the regiment nine months, when he was discharged on account of sickness.
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SAMUEL W. KELLY.
After returning home, he enlisted May 31st, 1862, in Company A. N. Y. S. V. G. M., and served out his time of enlistment. When on his way home, he was shipwrecked, and suffered greatly for want of clothing. The ladies of Philadelphia kindly furnished him with the articles he needed. Notwithstanding all the suffer- ings and hardships which he had previously passed through, he again enlisted against the entreaties and persuasions of his friends. lle felt it to be his duty to help to put down the rebellion. When asked by his friends, if he was not afraid of being shot, he replied that he was willing to lay down his life for his country.
In November he enlisted in the (Tenth N. Y. M.) One Hundred and Seventy-Seventh N. Y. S. V., Company A. He served with the Regiment through the Louisiana campaign of General BANKS, and was at the siege of Port Hudson when it surrendered to the union forces. He was one of the first to carry provisions to the starving rebels.
Before his departure for home he was taken sick with a fever, and suffered greatly until he arrived at Rochester, where he was kindly cared for. He was taken to St. Mary's hospital, where he was met by his mother. He never for once murmured, or regretted having enlisted. He requested the prayers of his mother and friends at home, and appeared satisfied when told that his mother had always prayed for him. He died September, 1863, believing and trusting in the Saviour. His body was brought to Albany, and buried in the Rural Cemetery.
The following notice of him appeared in the Albany " Knicker- bocker."
DEATH OF A TRUE HERO-ANOTHER VICTIM OF DISEASE .- It becomes our painful duty, this morning, to chronicle the death of another member of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh (Tenth) Regiment-another victim of disease-SAMUEL KELLY, of Company A, having departed this life on Wednesday after- noon. He died in the hospital at Rochester, and it is consoling to know a kind and affectionate mother, and doting brother attended him in his last moments. Young KELLY at first enlisted in the Thirty fourth Regiment. and went off as a private in the
SAMUEL W. KELLY. 769
first rank. He served faithfully for some eight months, when he was stricken down by disease, and, it being thought that he could not recover, he received an honorable discharge on account of disability. He came home, and with kind nursing and good care was soon able to leave his bed, and, shortly afterwards, recovered entirely from his sickness. His love of country would not per- mit him to remain at home, so that when the Twenty-fifth Regi- ment left for the seat of war the second time, prominent among its gallant boys was the subject of this sketch. He passed through the Virginia campaign, and returned with the regiment when its time had expired. Again, when the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment started on its long and perilous jour- ney through the " sunny south," young KELLY could not be pre- vented from accompanying it, and for the third and last time he bade farewell to friends and home, intent in his patriotic motives, if need be, to offer up his young life as a sacrifice in behalf of the rights of his native land.
We sincerely condole with the afflicted mother in her distress at the loss of her brave boy. His was a noble death, and though in his patriotism he dared its terrors on many battle fields, a gracious Providence willed it otherwise. He was spared the agony of death on rebel soil. His last moments on this earth were passed amid the kind attentions of a loving mother, whose presence rendered his dying moments easy. The kind words of a fond mother, were to him in his dying hours a consolation which made death's terrors less painful to the gallant youth; and those hands which first caressed him when a habe, now smoothed the pillow of the dying boy, and closed his eyes in death.
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770
JOSEPH GLADDING.
CXXXIII.
JOSEPH GLADDING.
JOSEPH GLADDING was the son of TIMOTHY C. and SARAH ANN GLADDING. TIMOTHY GLADDING, his father, was born December 26th, 1810, and became an eminently christian man, esteemed and beloved by many friends. He was converted March 1, 1835, and united with the Methodist Church, of which he was an active member. He was appointed class leader February 7th, 1837. From the time of his conversion until his death, he was ever ready and willing to labor for Christ. Shortly before his death he said: "For him to live is Christ; but to die, is gain." Ile departed this life December 14th, 1850, with bright hopes of immortal happiness.
His only son, JOSEPH, was born in Albany, February 19, 1845. IIe enlisted, December 26th, 1863, in the Eighteenth New York Cavalry, and left Albany for Ehnira December 28th, arriving there on the morning of the 30th. They remained in the bar- racks at that place until February, when they were sent to Wash- ington. They went into camp there for five days, and left Wash- ington for New Orleans, February 20th, and went into barracks there, where they remained. As the company to which he belonged were not supplied with horses, they were not sent with the Red River expedition, but went to Brashear City, on guard duty. They were there nearly a month. Not long after he was taken siek with chills and fever and diarrhoea, and was in the camp hospital about two weeks, when he was removed to the Marine hospital at New Orleans.
On the 26th of September he received a furlough for forty days, and came home, hoping to recover his health. But when his furlough expired his health was no better, yet he was anxious to return to his regiment, but was unable to do so until March; and, although very feeble then, he felt that he must go. He left Albany for New York March 10th; remained there until the 16th, when he went to New Orleans, arriving there after a tedious passage of sixteen days. He reported at the Marine hospital,
771
JOHN G. PERKINS.
and the doctor, after examining him, said he must go right back to New York by a hospital boat that was to start that day. He had a quick passage, arriving at the MeDougal hospital, April 8th. Thence he was conveyed to the Albany hospital, where he arrived Saturday, April 15th. He was then very sick, and much fatigued by his journey. Everything, however, was done for him that could be done, but he failed fast; and on Tuesday, April 18th, 1865, he died, aged twenty years. He was not con- nected with any church, but he felt the need of a Saviour, and requested his friends to pray for him, and he prayed for himself, and we hope his prayers were answered.
JOSEPH was a kind and affectionate son and brother, and his loss is deeply felt by his relatives and friends.
CXXXIV. JOHN G. PERKINS.
JOHN G. PERKINS, son of JOHN H. and ELIZABETH A. PERKINS, was born in Albany November 15th, 1846. He was an only son, and during his boyhood he attended the Experimental school. While in Albany, the family attended the Congregational church, and he was a member of the Sabbath school. In 1857 his parents removed to Hoboken, New Jersey, where he joined the Dutch Reformed Sabbath school; his father being a member of the Dutch church.
At the commencement of the war, his father, like many others, lost all his property in the Southern trade. He then went to Washington on business, where he was taken sick and died; leav- ing a wife and two children (a son and daughter) to mourn his loss.
After his father's death, JOHN had a situation offered to him in a dry goods store in Columbus, Ohio, where he had an unele residing. His uncle being a member of the Methodist church, he joined the Bible Class connected with that church. He had not been there very long when his Sabbath school teacher com-
772
JOHN G. PERKINS.
meneed raising a company for the war. He being anxious to fight for his country, joined his teacher's company in August 1862; being then only sixteen years of age. Being unaccustomed to any hardships, he was taken sick while on board the boat that was conveying his regiment, the One Ilundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, from Louisville, Kentucky, to Nashville, Ten- nessee. He grew worse, and when they arrived at Nashville it was necessary to take him to the General hospital, No. 3, where after two weeks' sickness he died of typhoid pneumonia, at the age of seventeen.
Word was sent to his mother of his sickness; but before she could get to him she received tidings of his death. She then went to several of the leading men of this city, to ascertain if she could have his remains sent home; but they gave her no encouragement whatever, as no bodies were brought North at that time. Through the kindness, however, of Dr. EWING, the body was embalmed and placed in a metallic coffin, and sub- sequently sent home. The mother received many letters from the doctor and the nurse regarding her son. In one from the doctor, he says: "Your son fully realized the awful change that was so soon to take place; but the nurses all assured me that he was resigned and happy, and appeared to feel that beyond the grave, he would be free from the strife and turmoil that had sur- rounded him for the last few months. He spoke often of his mother and his little sister GRACE, and wanted to see them very much; but that pleasure was denied him. I believe he was truly worthy of a mother's love."
In one of the letters she received from his Captain, he says: " I truly sympathize with you in your loss, and I would like to have been with your son in his last moments. I have been told that he seemed anxious to see me to tell me something; perhaps a message to his mother or his little sister; or perhaps he wanted me to petition the throne of grace for him. I would willingly have done all I could to relieve his sufferings; but he is gone. What is our loss may be his gain. 'God doeth all things well;' let us trust in Him."
His mother received many letters from her son while he was
773
AARON P. SPRINGER.
in the army. In one he says: " I have bought a nice Bible, and shall read it every day. If I get killed, or die on the battle field, don't mourn for me; but remember I die defending my country, and I hope we shall all meet in Heaven."
In another letter written just one month before he died, he speaks of his camp life and reading his Bible. He then sent his mother a lock of his hair.
JOHN entered the army from a pure love of liberty. He abhorred the system of slavery, and took every opportunity to show his kindness to the unfortunate colored race.
On one occasion, having found an aged colored man who had no home and was without food, he took his own dinner to him, and supplied his wants until he was provided with a home.
While in the army, JOHN was greatly beloved by his officers and comrades. He was also an affectionate and dutiful son, and his early death has filled the heart of his widowed mother with the deepest sorrow.
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CXXXV.
AARON P. SPRINGER.
AARON P. SPRINGER joined the Eighty-first Regiment of New York Volunteers in September, 1861. He had, a few weeks pre- vious to his joining this regiment, in company with Capt. JOHN COOK, of this city, formerly of the Ninety-first Regiment N. Y. V., endeavored to raise an independent company for the war; but through the urgent request of his friends, he was persuaded to go to Fort Ontario, Oswego, where the Eighty-first Regiment was being organized. But having been disappointed in obtain- ing there a commission, which he had every reason to expect, he, inspired with a pure patriotism, had his name enrolled as a pri- vate in Company F, and started with the regiment for the seat of war.
Being fifty-four years of age, the arduous duties and long marches soon began to wear on his frame, and after passing safely through the great battles of the summer of 1862, under Gen.
774
GERRIT HI. VAN DENBURG.
MCCLELLAN, immediately after that memorable battle of Fail Oaks, he was worn out, and came to the hospital at Washington. In a few days he received leave of absence to visit his home. Hle arrived home, where he was warmly welcomed by his family, for he was an indulgent father and kind husband. He was greatly exhausted, and received every attention that the love of his family could render; but in a few days he passed from time to eternity.
His two sons, ADRIAN and CHARLES, soon after joined the army of freedom, both of whom were severely wounded-ADRIAN at Coal Harbor, and CHARLES at Petersburg, Va. Surely, none could have done more for their country, than this noble and patriotie family.
As to the character of AARON P. SPRINGER, it was spotless. He was a noble citizen, and those with whom he associated, well remember the genial smile with which he always greeted them. It was often said of him that he never had an enemy.
His remains lie in the beautiful church yard at Schenectady, where the turf grows over a good citizen, an affectionate father, a brave soldier and a pure patriot.
CXXXVI.
GERRIT H. VAN DENBURG, OF GUILDERLAND.
GERRIT H. VAN DENBURG, son of TEUNIS and MARIA VAN DEN- BURG, was born in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, June 21, 1837. From a child he was thoughtful and mature and, when quite young, he was looked to for advice and counsel, by his brother and sisters. As a son he was very obedient, dutiful and affectionate. Study was a rare enjoyment for him, though he longed to store his mind with knowledge. Being the oldest living son, he was kept much from school to labor on the farm. His taste for reading was very great, and his favorite books, when young, were the histories of nations and the biographies of dis- tinguished men.
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GERRIT H. VAN DENBURG.
He was converted in the month of August, 1857. Soon after this important event, he wrote thus to his mother:
" Dear Mother-I shall now reveal to you the great joy of my heart. For more than a week I have been praying, in secret, that my sins might be forgiven. Last Friday night, the Lord gave the blest assurance that they were, and I have been happy ever since. I am now determined to give up this world and prepare for that which is to come. I am impressed with the thought that I am called to preach the gospel. Pray for me, my dear mother, that I may be faithful unto death."
GERRIT immediately united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was, ever afterward, an active useful Christian. He was not satisfied to enjoy God's love alone, but besought many of his associates to turn to Christ and live. Feeling it to be his duty to preach the gospel, he consulted with several eminent ministers, who gave him encouragement; and he commenced teaching in the spring of 1858, as a means of gaining funds to educate himself. He taught one year, during which time he was the means of bringing several of his scholars and friends to Christ, He then attended school at the New York Conference Seminary until his funds were exhausted, when he again resorted to teaching. In this way he taught and attended school alter- nately, until the month of August, 1862, when he enlisted in the Eleventh New York Battery, known as the Havelock Battery. He had thought of enlisting from the very first, but was prevented by the feeling that he ought to pursue his studies for the ministry. In writing to his brother, who thought of enlisting, he said: "I say Amen; only feel yourself prepared to die, and able and willing to endure hardships. Do not go unless your heart is in the cause, and you feel it to be your duty. Had I not felt that my duty was in a different direction, I should have been in the field ere to-day."
When urged to stay at home, by those who thought he ought to pursue his studies for the ministry, he said: I can better go than some man with a family. I have no appointment for preach- ing yet, and perhaps I can do more good in the army than any-
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GERRIT H. VAN DENBURG.
where else. I have made it a subject of prayer, and if God leads me that way I'll go."
Ile entered the field August the 14th, 1862, a short time before the battle at Manassas; in which he did his part as a true soldier. Hle was also in the battles of Gettysburg and Spottsylvania, and the great fight at Fredericksburg.
After the battle of Manassas he writes: " I felt quite com- posed during the fight; though the balls flew close to my head many times. I felt God was with me even then. Our boys are brave and true, but boast not. I could give some different news than what you saw in the papers. When you see the word victory, be not sure; but hope and pray that it is true. Tell mother not to weep for me; but rejoice that if I live or die, my character is blameless, and my affections set fervently to love God and man."
Soon after he writes: "Some of the battery desire me to preach. I am living and talking christianity among them, and they need it much; I never was more stimulated to live a faithful Christian; and God gives me grace according to my day."
Toward the latter part of September, he was taken ill with bilious fever, and was conveyed to Fairfax Seminary hospital, where he remained until that building was vacated for the wounded of BURNSIDE's army. He was then sent to Fort Schuy- ler, and remained until April 20th, 1863. Being scarcely able to again do a soldier's duty, yet very anxious to be active, he persuaded his physician to allow him to return to Virginia. He was very patient while in the hospital, although he suffered very much, as his diary abundantly shows.
While there he wrote thus to his younger brothers:
" Dear Brothers-You cannot tell how I feel, when I write you this letter. Every word of advice that I give you, I think may be the last. You may die, or I may die. PHILIP was our brother, and we loved him; yet he died. You think he went to Heaven, don't you? He was good, and tried to do right; are you both trying to do the same? Do you want to go where he is when you die? I think you do. But you can not go there, un- less you are good and love God. I was young once, and thought-
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GERRIT H. VAN DENBURG.
less. I thought I knew as much as father and mother. But I have learned better since. Mother is the dearest friend you have on earth. She has watched and prayed over you many long ยท weary nights. Do you try to please her? She will leave us by and by. God will call her home to Heaven. Then, if you pro- voke her now, you will be sorry all your life. O, brothers, I can't keep back the tears as I write these words to you. Beware of bad boys, whose influence is so destructive. How many nights have I prayed to God that you might be kept from the wrongs of other boys. I hope the day may come when I shall be with you at home again. But if I should never come home again, try to meet me in Heaven."
He left the hospital voluntarily, and says, after entering the army again:
" I feel quite content, having volunteered a second time to come to old Virginia. I pray that my health may remain good, for I fear sickness more than the fight. I trust Heaven will still be my protection, for thus far I have been wonderfully pre- served. I have become strengthened by stemming the tide of wickedness."
Soon after his return to the field, he, with the battery, engaged in a battle near Fredericksburg, after which he writes:
" We have been in the fight, and lost a few men. It is hard to see our brothers fall around us. We were in the front line twenty-four hours, and all did their duty nobly. The fight con- tinued one week. Our whole army did nobly. But, oh! what a contest!"
Mr. VAN DENBURG held prayer meetings most of the time while in the field, in which he seemed deeply interested. He had several converts, of which he speaks in his diary. At one time he says: "Had a happy meeting last night. All the con- verts prayed. We have fourteen in all now." Afterwards he speaks of A., or H., or B.'s conversion; so we feel assured that the fourteen were not all that he was the instrument of bringing to Christ. In speaking of the meetings, his expressions were like these: "Blessed meeting last night! The Lord filled all our hearts. Was greatly rejoiced to hear the converts speak."
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