USA > New York > Rockland County > The history of Rockland County > Part 33
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Mrs. Mary Corey, President.
Mrs. Mary Gunn, Vice-President.
Miss R. Annie Green, Secretary. Mr. John Gunn, Corresponding Secretary. Mrs. Elizabeth Hasbrouck, Treasurer.
The names of the members of the Nyack Society, which have come to me, I give. I would that this list, as well as that of the volunteers from this County, was more perfect, and again urge upon the public the im- portance of getting this matter completed before it is too late.
Mrs. Caroline Dixon, Mrs. John W. Towt,
Mrs. James Cooper, Miss Louise Towt,
Mrs. George Green,
Mrs. Christopher Rutherford,
Mrs. George H. Livermore,
Miss Sarah M. Green,
Mrs. De Pew Tallman,
Mrs. Delos Mansfield,
Mrs. B. Davidson,
Miss Lizzie Towt,
Mrs. Blauvelt, (Mrs. Cranston's Mother).
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Previous to the organization of the Nyack Society, Mr. and Mrs. John Gunn, and Mrs. Hasbrouck had visited different sections of the County, asking donations of clothing, etc., and had obtained 106 articles, consist- ing of bed-clothing, under-clothes, etc. The first meeting of the Society was called by Mrs. Aaron Remsen, and met at Union Hall. After that, meetings were held every week, at first in the different churches, till the sexton of one of those edifices objected to heating the building for the use of " Black Republicans," then at the homes of the members, and finally at Union Hall.
In the winter of 1861, the Nyack branch of the Sanitary Commission sent to the Central Association, three boxes of delicacies and several boxes of clothing. In 1862, 1,500 articles, consisting of sheets, pillow- cases, bed-ticks, quilts, pillows, muslin and flannel shirts and drawers, and 50 pairs of woolen socks were sent. In 1863, 800 articles, similar to those of the preceding year, were forwarded, together with a large amount of lint and bandages. In 1864, up to November 12th, 534 articles were for- warded to the Central Association, On April 20th, 21st, and 22d of this year, a fair in aid of the Sanitary Commission was held in Union Hall, at Nyack.
One of the leading features of this fair was an old Dutch kitchen and dinner. Once again, and perhaps for the last time was seen the Dutch oven, the open fire-place, the crane, pot-hooks and trammels ; once again did descendants of the Dutch settlers don short gown and petticoat, and busy themselves in cooking an old-fashioned Dutch dinner. When the feast was ready, the company sat around a table, then over two centuries old, loaded with savory viands, talked in the County Dutch patois and sang songs, long forgotten, in the same language.
Another feature of the fair was the presence of Captain Wilson Defen- dorf, with his Company from the 10th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, which was stationed at Tarrytown. Before leaving Nyack, this command marched up Broadway, to the residence of Jesse Blackfan, stepfather of the commanding officer, and later, counter-marched in the door-yard of George Green. The amount raised by the Nyack Sanitary Fair was $800. To this sum should be added the proceeds obtained from two fairs held by the pupils of the Rockland Female Institute, at which they obtained $40 and $12.
The last shipment of articles by the Nyack branch society was made June 28th, 1865, and was acknowledged as follows :
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" U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION, Woman's Central Association of Relief, 11 Cooper Union, Third Ave., N. Y., June, 30, 1865.
"Mrs. Gunn. Dear Madam:
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of one barrel and one bale of hospital supplies from the society at Nyack, according to your note of the 28th inst.
Nyack has worked very faithfully for the Sanitary Commission during the war, and we feel sincerely thankful. It seems impossible to realize that the work is indeed over. Our friends con- tinue faithful to the end, as our 27 boxes received to-day show. Iloping that you and the other members of the Nyack Society will heartily enjoy your well-earned rest,
" I am, gratefully yours, GERTRUDE STEVENS, Committee of Supplies."
The last meeting of the Nyack branch of the Sanitary Commission was held July 4th, 1865.
On the organization of the military companies in Haverstraw in 1861, the Union women of that place formed a Sewing Circle, which met at the homes of its different members, most frequently at that of Mrs. J. L. De Noyelles.
Among those associated in the work were :
Mrs. A. S. Freeman, Mrs. J. C. Coe,
Mrs. Mark Pratt,
Mrs. J. L. De Noyelles, Mrs. J. S. Gurnee,
Mrs. A. B. Conger,
Mrs. Edw. Pye, Mrs. Blanch,
Mrs. A. Wiles,
Mrs. Henry M. Peck,
Mrs. J. W. Crane,
Mrs. Cosgrove,
Mrs. George S. Wood,
Mrs. B. Mckenzie,
Miss llouse,
Mrs. John H. Stephens,
Mrs. J. Gillem,
Mrs. Robert Smith,
Mrs. W. C. Hinman,
Mrs. Alfred Marks,
Mrs. Susan De Noyelles.
Mrs. A. E. Suffern, Mrs. S. C. Blauvelt,
The last named lady knit enough "nice yarn mittens" to allow of a pair being sent to every man in Company F.
" CAMP WARD, Dec. 9, 1861. Alexandria, Va.
" The undersigned, members of Company A. 3Ist Regt. N. V. V. would most respectfully tender to Mrs. Henry M. Peck and the ladies associated with her, their warmest thanks, for the very generous present of India Rubber Blankets, Under clothing, Stockings and Mitts, they have forwarded by express to us."
" JOHN DAVIDSON, MADISON KING,
" THOMAS DAVIDSON, " JAMES THOMPSON, CORP. WM. H. BAKER."
CHARLES HICKS,
On Feb. 10th, 1864, Henry M. Peck stated that several boxes of goods had been sent to the soldiers by the ladies of Haverstraw, through his hands valued at $600. Beside this grand work of the women, aid was given to the U. S. Sanitary and Christian Commissions by church collec- tions and from the proceeds of lectures. On Dec. Ist, 1863, Rev. James M. Freeman gave, as the result of a collection for the Christian Commis- sion, $28.75. On April 13th, 1864, Rev. A. S. Freeman delivered a lecture, for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission, and raised $67.15. The result of a Thanksgiving collection in November of the same year, taken in Rev. A. S. Freeman's church, added $61.00 more to the result
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of the noble work carried on in Haverstraw. Among other organizations, beside those of Nyack and Haverstraw, which worked for the U. S. Sani- tary Fund, must be mentioned the Piermont Knitting Society.
We must turn now and view an act of the National Legislature, which created greater excitement and bitterness in Rockland County than any person living had ever seen during her existence, which completed the disruption of social relations between Peace Democrats and Unionists ; which at one time, for a brief instant, seemed likely to terminate in mob violence ; which ended in the practical annihilation of the disunion influence, and left it stricken, pitiable in its impotence. I refer to the Act commonly called the " Conscription " or " Draft Act."
The first outburst of enthusiasm, which had led to volunteering on every side, was ended. Many had enlisted, regarding the war movement as a gigantic holiday excursion, expecting it to be terminated in a few months, and feeling that they could enjoy a good time at Government expense without inconvenience. The long campaigns in the West, during which the battle of Shiloh was fought, which ended in only forcing the enemy into a more compact and impregnable position ; the dreadful Peninsula campaign which ended when McClellan and his army were hurled back on Washington, leaving every step of the retreat slippery with human blood ; and which was followed by Lee's invasion of Maryland, dissipated all absurdity in regard to the strength of the contest. Men began to learn what war meant by 1863. Many had enlisted on account of the emolu- ment, wages, board and clothing, because there was little employment at home. The departure of the volunteers, the necessities of the Govern- ment in every form, created a fresh impetus in business ; employees were scarce, wages high. Financially, there was no longer any inducement to enlist.
By the close of 1862, volunteering had practically ceased, and the calls for 600,000 men, made by the President on July 2d, and August 4th, of that year, were unanswered, each State insisting that the other States should furnish proportional numbers of men for the army. It was at this stage of affairs that conscription was proposed. If, argued those who fa- vored the prosecution of the war, we abandon the struggle now, we stand before the world, not a laughing-stock, for the lives already sacrificed for- bid laughter, but a helpless semblance of authority. We must go forward, to do so, we must have troops ; men claim the right to vote; if they have this power they should support that which confers the power. It was un- der such feelings that the Act for enrolling and calling out the National Forces was passed by both branches of the National Legislature; in the
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Senate without the yeas and nays having been called ; in the House by a vote of 115 to 49.
Not without reluctance was the power of conscription conceded. All men recognized the gigantic stride toward centralization, that it represent- ed, and all feared the effect of such a precedent. Dire extremity alone made the motion popular, as dire extremity in 1814 had led the then Sec- retary of War, William Eustis, to propose a similar measure. The Con- scription Act became a law, March 3d, 1863. By its provisions all able bodied male citizens, irrespective of color, including aliens who had de- clared their intention to become naturalized, between the ages of 18 and 45 ; were to be enrolled. Those between the ages of 20 and 35 were to constitute the Ist class, all others the 2d. " The President was authorized, on and after July Ist, 1863, to make drafts at his discretion of persons to serve in the national armies for not more than three years, any one draft- ed and not reporting to be considered as a deserter. Persons drafted might furnish an acceptable substitute, or pay $300, and be discharged from further liability under that draft."
In accordance with the Act the enrollment was begun, and in May a draft of 300,000 men was ordered.
To the disunionists of Rockland County the passage of this Act seemed too monstrous for belief. From the outbreak of hostilities they had per- sistently called for peace, insisting that the war was unconstitutional, that the Nation had no power to coerce a State, which wished to withdraw from the Union. With unfeigned horror they had seen coercion begun. At National victories they mourned ; at National defeats rejoiced. Thor- oughly consistent in following their ideas, except in the rather vital mat- ter of voting in a government they disbelieved in, and drawing sustenance under its protection, while endeavoring in every way to injure it; these disunionists viewed the Emancipation Proclamation as an outrage, the suspension of habeas corpus as an unheard of desecration of the Constitu- tion. But the slaves freed were the property of men hundreds of miles away, and so long had they been allowed to express their beliefs without annoyance, that the probability of the Government interfering with them at last seemed slight.
The Conscription Act was an entirely different matter. It struck close home. They with others would be enrolled; they with others must take their chance on the turn of a wheel : if drawn, they must either serve in the armies or pay toward the support of a cause they hated, and conster- nation and rage filled their minds.
Ever since the beginning of hostilities, the disunionists had drawn
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more and more apart from the Union men, and at length had come to form secret organizations for the better manipulation of their plans. In their wrath at the Conscription Act, these disunionists now turned on their patriot neighbors and threatened dire consequences if the draft pro- cecded. Among the threats was one to burn the residences of prominent Republicans throughout the County, another, to attack and loot the Pro- vost Marshall's office at Tarrytown, and destroy the rolls.
Through the imprudent utterances of some of the less intelligent mem- bers of the disunion party, sufficient information of the incendiary plan was obtained to determine the Union men on action, and for their mutual protection and aid, the Rockland County branches of the Loyal National League were formed. These societies had pass-words, employed titles, and used the other belongings, that attach to secret societies. That at Nyack met weekly and oftener, if necessity demanded. Their mission was ended at the close of the war, and they passed from existence. The branch of the Loyal League at Haverstraw was organized May 9th, 1863, at a meeting at Benson's Hall, the following officers being chosen :
Alexander Davidson, President.
Vice-Presidents,
George Benson,
l'eter Van Valer,
Levi Knapp,
Sylvester Knapp,
George S. Sherwood,
Richard Washburn,
John I Cole,
John Oldfield.
Spencer J. Weiant and Brewster J. Allison, Secretaries.
This society was joined by most of the Union men of Haverstraw township.
The organization at Nyack was completed about the same time as that at Haverstraw, and contained among its members the following persons :
Delos Mansfield,
Charles Mansfield,
John V. Burr,
Moses G. Leonard,
F. L. Nichols. Edward Burr,
George Green,
E. B. Johnson,
Thomas Austin,
John W. Towt,
J. B. Pomeroy,
D. J. Blauvelt,
John Gunn, Peter Voorhis, Christopher Rutherford, William G. Haeselbarth.
This Society contained most if not all of the Union men of Nyack in its membership.
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For the purpose of enrollment and draft, a board was created in each Congressional District, consisting of the Provost Marshall, a Commissioner and a Surgeon. Rockland County was in the 10th Congressional District of New York, together with Putnam and Westchester Counties. In May, 1863, Hon. Moses G. Leonard of Rockland Lake was appointed Provost Marshall for this District, and established his office at Tarrytown.
It was evidently the part of the disunionists to throw every possible obstacle in the way of the Government in its efforts to carry out the Con- scription Act, and their first move was to question the accuracy of the enroll- ment. A State law existed, requiring an enrolment of all persons liable to bear arms, but, owing to the neglect of the Legislature to appropriate money, no enrollment could be had until the means were provided on the personal responsibility of Governor Morgan. By this enrollment, as re- ported by Adjutant-General Hillhouse, Rockland County stood as follows :
Population, -
22,462
Number of men enrolled,
3,979
Number of men exempt, -
988
County's quota, - 696
Volunteered since July 2d, 1862,
258
Deficiency, -
438
Liable to draft, -
2,99I
This enrolment was regarded as too imperfect for the draft ordered by the President, and a new one was ordered under the supervision of cach district Board of Enrollment. These local boards were under the com- mand of the Provost Marshall Generals of each State, and these, in turn, were under the orders of James B. Fry, Provost Marshall General of the United States. New York State was divided in three divisions, and the State Provost Marshall General for the Southern division, which containcd the Tenth Congressional District, was Colonel Robert Nugent, who was appointed April 25th, 1863.
Under the Board of Enrollment for our district, which comprised thirty-one townships, the enrolling officers for Rockland County were: John I. Cole, for Haverstraw; James H. Christie, for Orangetown; Wil- liam D. Furman, for Ramapo, and A. Cornelison, for Clarkstown. Thesc officers at once began work and soon completed their duties, the first to finish being A. Cornelison. The enrolment for the County together with an estimated quota of one-fifth, to which 50 per cent. is added for exemp- tions, was as follows :
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Haverstraw,
§ White, 1270 Black, =1282 12 2d class, 403
Ist class, 879 quota, 176×50 per cent. == 264
Orangetown,
§ White, 721 ¿ Black, 53
=774 S 2d class, 237
Ist class, 537 quota, 107×50 per cent .= 161
Ramapo,
Black,
Io=529 5 2d class, 176 quota, 71 ×50 per cent .= 106
Clarkstown.
S White, Black,
522 Ist class, 351
19-541 2d class, 190 quota, 70×50 per cent .= 105
White, 519
Ist class, 353
As soon as the enrollment was completed, the slips and other neces- saries were made out and Marshall Leonard prepared for the drawing, which was ordered to be begun at Tarrytown in the 10th District, July 20th, 1863. Meantime the disunionists had grown bolder in their threats to resist the draft, proclaiming, beside the usual formula about the uncon- stitutionality of the measure, that the enrolment was unjust and burden- some. In pursuance of their plan of action a mass meeting, to discuss the legality of the Conscription Act, was advertised to be held in Tarrytown, Monday, July 20th, 1863.
Through his deputy marshalls, the Union men in his District, Revs. John Quinn, of St. John's Church at Piermont, and Patrick Mahoney, of St. Peter's Church at Haverstraw, and Michael Murphy, his hired man, Marshall Leonard was informed, that a delegation from New York City was to be present at the proposed mass meeting, that incendiary speeches were to be made, and that, in all probability, a riot would follow, in which the Marshall's office was to be destroyed, with the books, slips, enrolment lists and other contents. On the morning of July 17th, when the Provost Marshall reached Tarrytown, he learned that a mob from the lower West- chester towns was on its march to Tarrytown. What preparation had been made by the disunionists of that place to aid them, no one knew. The Provost Marshall's office was defenceless-it will be remembered that the 17th Regt. N. Y. S. M., had started from Yonkers for the front July Sth-and if the outbreak had been advanced three days, as appeared probable, little resistance seemed possible.
With all haste the books and papers of the office were packed in the carriage of James A. Hamilton, of Irvington, who happened to be in the village, and by him were driven out of town and safely concealed The next step was to obtain the muskets from the Tarrytown Military Aca- demy, and with these, and the shot-guns, that could be secured in the village, as many as could be supplied were armed. This armed guard was stationed in and around the Provost Marshall's office. From two to three score Union men had by this time collected, armed with every con- ceivable weapon, and at once organized for duty. The mob, delayed by its fondness for liquor, at last reached Irvington, where it was met by word
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from Tarrytown, that as it was ahead of time and unexpected, no aid could be given it, while the Marshall had made thorough preparation for determined resistance. At this point it disintegrated, and the members returned to their homes. At the first alarm word had been sent to the Union men in the District, and by afternoon aid came from every quarter. A company, which was to remain on duty till military help could be ob- tained, was formed among the citizens, and in the care of this guard every- thing was left for the night.
Among the incidents of that day should be mentioned an act of Michael Murphy. Learning that there was trouble in Tarrytown, he started from Mr. Leonard's home at Rockland Lake, to meet him at the ferry landing, earlier than usual, and, before proceeding to the deck, drove up to Mr. Rutherford's Military Academy in Nyack, from which he ob- tained the muskets. On reaching the river he found that the last boat for Tarrytown had gone. On Marshall Leonard's arrival at Nyack, the mus- kets, which Murphy had loaded in a row boat to take across the river, were replaced in the wagon and driven to the residence of William Voor- his, in Upper Nyack-the house next north of the old stone church- where they were concealed in the cellar.
The next day Marshall Leonard and a number of the Union men of the District visited New York to obtain military aid. At first they were disappointed, the Military Commander General John A. Dix, referring them to Governor Seymour and he hesitating to render assistance. In this plight, Mr. Rhind, one of the party who had a brother in the navy, sug- gested a visit to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It was made. The Comman- dant, Rcar-Admiral Hiram Paulding, listened to their story, and promised them all possible help. On their return to New York, the committee call- ed upon the Police Commissioners and stated their fears, receiving prom- ise of aid from them likewise.
At 4:30 o'clock, on the morning of July 19th, a strong police force un- der the command of Captain Dickson and Sergeants McCleary and Bar- nett, left New York to patrol the lower Westchester towns ; and a few hours later an U. S. gunboat sailed up the river and anchored off Tarry- town.
The presence of this gunboat, which patrolled the river from Tarry- town to Haverstraw, was a revelation to both Union and disunion men. It represented a mighty government, which, however much disturbed by distant foes, could still watch and care for its interests every where and punish without fail those who injured them. It brought fresh courage to the loyal people of Rockland County. It cast so great a fcar upon the
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disunion men, that from the peaceful Sunday, when it was first seen at anchor, till the close of the war, no further open threats of violence were heard, and no acts of violence committed.
The draft riots in New York were at length ended by sharp measures. Veteran troops were forwarded to that city to prevent further outbursts. The militia was returning from the front. People at last realized the fact that the Government at Washington was in earnest, and meant to carry out the draft. Instantly, pleas for more time to meet the emergency came from the townships in the 10th District.
At a special town meeting held in Orangetown, it was voted to borrow $30,000 on the credit of the town; to cover the exemption fee of $300 of every one who should be drafted. In Clarkstown and Ramapo, it was resolved at special town meetings, that each person residing in those town- ships, liable to the draft, should pay $25 to the committee-man of his school district on or before September 12, 1863, which should go into a general fund, to be used to pay exemptions; those who did not pay were not to enjoy the benefits of this sum. It was further resolved in each township, that the Supervisor should petition the Legislature to permit the raising of a sufficient sum by a tax upon taxable property, to pay the exemptions of such as might be drafted over the amount raised by the $25 payments.
In Haverstraw township, which, the reader will remember, at that time embraced the present township of Stony Point, a call for a special meeting to raise money for the purpose of paying exemptions, was signed by sixteen of her leading citizens on September 10th. Pursuant to that call, a special town meeting was held at Benson's Corners on September 17th, and organized with Prince W. Nickerson as Chairman, and S. C. Blauvelt Secretary. At that meeting the following resolution was adopted:
" WHEREAS : The President of the United States, in his superior wisdom, by a Proclamation dated September 16th, 1863, has suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus, and whereas it is apparent that the suspension of said writ has reference to the pending draft, and the electors of the town of Haverstraw may unconsciously place themselves in antagonism to the ' powers that be,' and sub- ject themselves to severe penalties by reason of any action that they may take ;
Resolved : That the electors of said town suspend all action in reference to procuring exemp- tion from the operation of the Conscription Act."
The firemen of Warren, however, raised a fund, to exempt any of their number who might be drawn, by the contribution of $50 per man, and petitioned the people of the village to aid them. This, the citizens decided to do, at a special election, and voted to raise $900, or as much of it as was needed, by a general tax upon the taxable property in War- ren village.
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Perhaps a word in regard to Haverstraw in the draft matter is neces- sary. From the beginning, her people proclaimed that the enrolment in her case was incorrect, that it was taken when the laborers in the brick- yards and the employees in the rolling-mills, print works and other fac- tories were at their busiest season. Many of these men were non-resi- dents, and at the end of their season, before the drawing occurred, had gone from Haverstraw, leaving her citizens with a disproportionate quota. This complaint is certainly worthy of attention. But the drawing as origin- ally ordered, was to have been held on July 20th, when this floating pop- ulation was still in Haverstraw. It was not held at that time, because the violent feeling of the disunionists led them to threaten opposition to the draft instead of preparing to meet it. When it was discovered that the National Government was not in sport but thorough earnest, a plea for more time was made from all the townships, and through the clemency of that Government, which many of the residents had threatened to resist, in Haverstraw so openly that the gunboat had to patrol the river as far as that village, the extension of time was granted. This delay in time per- mitted the departure of the artisans and laborers.
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