USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > Historical sketch: with exercises at dedication of monument and re-union camp fire of 150th New York Volunteer Infantry, Gettysburgh, Sept. 17, 18, 1889 > Part 7
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" O tempora ! O mores."
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These two instances, and they might be multiplied in- definitely, will sufficiently illustrate his deficiencies as a financier, and how little he appreciated the value of money. Naturally we would have thought, that, with his keen sensibilities and naturally sensitive disposition, he would have learned very early in life the influence money would have in shielding him from unpleasant re- quirements and awkward situations. But. ict us with closed eyes, and " walking backwards," spread the man- tle of charity over this one defect in a noble nature, and remember that even the Sun's brilliancy is not greatly obscured by a few dark spots on its face.
To those having only a casual acquaintance with him, and seeing him only with merriment in his eyes, jocularity on his lips and badinage in his speech, it might never oc- cur to them but that this was all-that the froth and bubbles on the goblet's brim was all the goblet contained ; but one breath of reality, one puff of generous appeal. and lo ! the froth and the bubbles are gone, and we find the goblet filled to the brim with all the qualities that go to make up life's poetry, beauty, sympathy, generosity, manliness and that " rare touch of Nature which makes the whole world akin." We who knew him so well found underneath the froth and the bubbles a vein of ad- mirable wit and humor, united with, and welded to, an excellent understanding, rare reasoning powers, a re- tentive memory, an indefatigable industry, a dauntless courage : and with it all there was a light in his eye, there was a music in his voice, there was a grasp in his hand and a cheerfulness in his speech, that lifted the burdens from the shoulders of the unfortunate and cheered the pathway of the afflicted.
As the prince of innocent pleasantry, his memory will linger in our hearts like a sweet song too soon closed : like a banquet too soon ended ; like a beautiful picture, over which, too soon the curtain falls.
Whenever, during the present year, my mind has gone forward to this gathering-this re-union- there would in- variably come to me the words of the old song :
" We shall meet and we shall miss him ; There will be one vacant chair :" __
and in the years to come, be they few or be they many, what chair in this assemblage, by death made vacant, will be more missed, more regretted, more mourned ?
I might well ask, did truer friend ever live? Who is there in this assemblage to whom he never did an act of special kindness? I will venture to reply, not one. Blow off the froth and the bubbles from the goblet's brim, and you would have found underneath a character as firm as a rock. brilliant as a star, artless as a child and as pure as a woman.
He had been endowed by his Creator with a keen sense of humor ; but thank God, he never used it as a caustic ; never burned you with it ; never stabbed you ; never used it to hurt your feelings ; never to start a tear !
This life, as we all know, has ample facilities for devel- oping tears, and he who can and will, with his wit and humor, drive them away is our guardian, our emanci- pator, our friend.
A little over two months after our last anniversary meet- ing, when the days had dwindled to their shortest, and the nights were the longest of the year ; when the snows of early winter had begun to fall anew upon the earth, as they had been falling for more than three-score years upon his devoted head, but never a flake of which had fallen upon his heart-which remained to the last as true, as pure and as fresh as at life's morning-he laid down life's burden and entered into rest.
Let us lay the dogmas of orthodoxy as to the unknown future respectfully aside, and apply to him the Great Master's Standard, and ask, " Have you done unto others as you would have them do to you?" " Have you min- istered unto the poor and needy ?" " Have you visited the sick ?" " Have you comforted the afflicted ?" " Have you clothed the naked ?" " Have you fed the hungry ?" Believing he could unhesitatingly say " yes " to every ques-
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tion, we will leave him, trusting implicitly to the God who made him.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM R. WOODIN was " detailed " to say something inspiring for, and to, the ladies ; he succeeded admirably, as this theme is his forte ; but, as all who know him will admit, the captain is a very modest, retir. ing man, and averse to giving publicity to his finished, rhetorical, and classical off-hand speeches. Consistently with his invariable custom, he declined giving the editor of this publication the manuscript of his speech, and positively forbade its insertion in the volume-not because it is unworthy a place, but because he is one of the pub- lishers, being a member of the monument committee.
DOCTOR ROBERT K. TUTHILL, when called out by GENERAL SMITH, as the gallant Surgeon of the 145th N. Y. Vols., who called on the 150th Regiment on the second day of the battle of Gettysburg, soon after it ar- rived on the field, and assured all of his kindly interest in them, responded as follows :---
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen :
When the first battle of Bull Run was decided against the Union, I felt that every loyal man should do what he could to sustain the Government and subdue the Re- bellion : I therefore joined the old 20th Regiment, at Kingston, N. Y., in July, 1861, and with it travelled to the front. In about one year I was made Surgeon of the 145th N. Y. Infantry and entered the 12th Army Corps. In this Corps, prior to entering it, I did not know a single man ; and thus matters stood until the battle of Gettys- burg, when the 150th joined that corps, and I, for the first time, saw the gallant men who composed the only exclusively Dutchess County Regiment. It gave me great comfort and joy to have so many home-friends near, and this happiness was greatly augmented, when I learned that the Regiment was to be permanently attached to that Corps. The 150th, ever since, his seemed near
and dear to me. It came with a high character, and it gives me much pleasure to say that its character was never sullied, but shone with that glowing lustre which comes of sterling integrity, patriotism and devotion to duty. Comrades: I am glad to be with you to-night: to have seen the cap-stone of your beautiful monument placed in position ; to have heard the dedicatory speeches ; to have witnessed the expression of satisfac- tion on faces once bronsed in loyal service, as that monu- ment was unveiled ; to have seen the lines of battle on each day made indelible, and decorated for all time by these imperishable emblems of love ; these, or either of them. amply compensate me for my second visit to this historic field.
BENSON J. LOSSING, LL.D., was " drafted " to talk about the old war committee, and recounted the efforts made by it to further enlistments and push the cause of the war. He had a personal satisfaction in the record of the 150th -- Dutchess' pride-and the erection of its mag- nificent monument.
JOHN H. PUDNEY, formerly of Baltimore, a friend of the regiment when it was stationed in that city, was one of Gen. Smith's " recruits " for camp-fire duty. He en- tertained his auditors with pleasing reminiscences of the regiment while in Baltimore, and closed with the asser- tion that, though he lived in the midst of military opera- tions all through the war, he never really knew what war was until this visit to the battle-field of Gettysburg.
ADJT. WM. H. BARTLETT was ordered to the front to "report," but declined to perform further duty, saying he was better able to " detail" others than to make a speech, and really preferred so doing.
BENJ. W. VAN WYCK, formerly of the 128th N. Y., who, with his partner, was a contractor with Frederick & Field for the construction of the monument of the 150th,
was requested to "veteranize" by re-enlisting (for the evening only) for special service at the camp-fire, as he had so faithfully performed a soldier's duty in reporting at Gettysburg on time with such an imposing memorial shaft for the regiment. He consented-for a minute --- with an acknowledgement of gratitude for the high favor with which the work of the contractors had been re- ceived.
The band was "ordered up" at this stage of the "action " and very appropriately played "We won't go home until morning."
U. L. FERGUSON, a one-armed hero of the 57th N. V., was " mustered in " for a song ; but the order being changed, he was permitted to tell about the battles fought before, and at Antietam. that battle being the one which finished his active military career by causing the loss of an arm.
DERRICK BROWN, late of the 128th N. Y., and editor of the Poughkeepsie Enterprise, whom everybody ex- pected to hear, and who doubtless was "loaded " for the occasion, did not answer the " call " made to report him- self ; Capt. Woodin, as the field-officer of the day (it was nearly midnight), was " detailed" to apprehend the " deserter " and bring him before the high court under " charges." But, as neither of them " gave themselves up," the " court martial" was dissolved. and Judge Ad- vocate-General Smith could not " gather-in " a fine.
CAPT. W. S. JOHNSTON, late Provost-Marshal of the 12th Dist., being called to account for the " escape " of so many who were supposed to be in his charge, failed to "report himself." He had been requested to step out of the room at the moment he was called upon, and un- bounded merriment was caused by the band immediately striking up "Johnny fill up the bowl." (The leader of the band declared that it was simply a peculiar co-incidence,
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and was not intended as a reflection upon either Brown, Woodin, of Johnston ; and his statement is here given to set them right. EDITOR.)
JOHN P. ADRIANCE, formerly Captain of the Ellsworth Greys, one of the warmest and most generous friends the regiment ever had, who had been enthusiastic in his ap- plause of the speakers, and in look and manner evidenced his great pleasure, was " drafted " to deliver the closing speech. Not responding, inquiry revealed the fact that only a moment before one of his agents had espied him, and " calling him out," the agent compelled him to lis- ten to a most remarkable tale which he narrated of won- derful success in disposing of seventy reapers and binders upon the battle-field. Owing to this untoward circum- stance, he was deprived the privilege of speaking, as the audience was of listening to him.
GEN. J. H. KETCHAM, it was stated, was too ill to be present, and therefore all would be disappointed in not hearing from him, as he himself was regretful of the cause which prevented his attendance.
MAJOR COLEMAN, proprietor of the Springs Hotel was "ordered out " to express his pleasure in having such a goodly number of handsome ladies and intelligent gen- tlemen as guests for so lengthy a stay, which duty was performed in such a gratifying manner as only such a courtly, accommodating host could.
And thus, after oratory, eulogy, patriotic senti- ments, and solemn, sober sentences had been uttered, as the Grand Army Band floated upon the evening (or morning) breeze the sweet strains of " Home, Sweet Home," the last regimental camp-fire upon the battle- field of Gettysburg was extinguished; the monument was dedicated-the hour for separation was near at hand -- and soon farewells were to be spoken-final leave-tak- ing for many, certainly --- a// never to assemble there
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again. The stern duties of life stared each one in the face-the future, veiled, was all uncertain :- yet HOPE- bright, joyous, radiant-was beckoning every veteran and friend of THE DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIMENT to an Eternal Bivouac upon the camping-ground of the Grand Army Triumphant on the " Evergreen Shore." May we each clasp hands there. EDITOR.
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LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT, (AND THOSE ACCOMPANYING THEM,)
WITH NAMES OF VETERANS OF OTHER COMMANDS, AND FRIENDS OF THE REGIMENT, who attended the Dedi- cation and re-union Camp-fire.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Gen. John H. Ketchain and daughter, Dover Plains.
Gen. Alfred B. Smith, Poughkeepsie.
Lieut .- Col. Joseph H. Cogswell, Boston, Mass.
Major Henry A. Gildersleeve, wife and two sons, New York.
Adjt. William H. Bartlett and wife, Amenia.
Surgeon Stephen G. Cook, wife and three children, New York.
Surgeon Henry Pearce, Pawling.
Chaplain Edward O. Bartlett, wife and son, Providence, Rhode Island.
BAND.
Benjamin E. Benton, Sharon, Conn.
COMPANY A. E. N. Sheldon, Dover Plains. George Rhynus, Washington Hollow.
HI. S. Chamberlain, Seymour, Conn.
Luther Westmiller, Poughkeepsie. Isaac N. Mead, wife and daughter, Amenia. Michael Fitzpatrick, Milbrook.
Thomas O'Neil, Mabbettsville. Obed Rosell, South Dover.
Miles K. Lewis, and wife, Was aic.
COMPANY B.
Lieut. Andrew J. Ostrom, Poughkeepsie.
Levi Lumb, Poughkeepsie.
James A. Buys and wife, Poughkeepsie. HIenry J. Weaver, Poughkeepsie. Seth Pierce and wife, Poughkeepsie. John Quigley, Poughkeepsie.
Chas. Johnson and wife, Washington, D. C. COMPANY C.
Henry T. Williams, Poughkeepsie.
Alfred Williams, Poughkeepsie. Alonzo Vanderburgh, Poughkeepsie. Per Lee Hoag, Pleasant Valley. W. H. Oakley, Verbank. WVm. E. Gurney, Poughkeepsie.
WVm. H. Brower, Creedmoor. James Newman, Amenia. Joseph W. Holmes, Millbrook. B. S. Williamson, Rahway, N. J. Joseph Wooley and wife, Wassaic.
COMPANY D.
Capt. William R. Woodin and daughter, Poughkeepsie. Lieut. Robert G. Mooney, New York. George Scribner, Millerton. Fred W. Hopper, Hyde Park.
Sanford Eggleston, wife and daughter, Poughkeepsie. Hiram McNamee, Poughkeepsie. Joseph McGee, Millerton.
COMPANY E.
Capt. Obed Wheeler, New York. Lieut. Perry W. Chapman, Pawling. Albert N. Sherman, Dover Plains. Gilbert Burhans, South Dover. D. W. Thomas, Saratoga. Dunman Whaley, Pawling.
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COMPANY F. Capt. Stephen V. R. Cruger, New York. Lieut. Samuel 11. Paulding and wife, New York.
COMPANY G.
George H. Williams, Poughkeepsie. Albert Clements, Clove. Amos D. Griffth, Fishkill Landing. John E. West and wife, Poughkeepsie. Egbert M. Lee. Wassaic. Oscar Welker, Poughkeepsie. James W. Lynasen, Poughkeepsie. William Donaldson, South Dover.
COMPANY H.
Ilubbard F. Roberts, Poughkeepsie. John Collins, Greenwich, Conn. David Malcher, Poughkeepsie. Michael Leonard, Hyde Park. James D. C. Stoutenburgh, Washington, D. C. W. E. Rabell, New York.
COMPANY I.
Lieut. Seneca Jumiston, Millerton. Lieut. Chas. H. Smith, New York. Charles L. Haines, Stanford. Daniel S. DuBois, Poughkeepsie. Platt C. Curtiss, Brooklyn. Edward Florence, Washington Hollow. Isaac T. Sweezey. Brooklyn.
COMPANY K.
Lient. Wade II. Steenburgh, Rhinebeck. A. Landon Ostrom. Joseph Knichell, Wappingers Falls. Jacob Hech. Rhinebeck.
VETERANS OF OTHER COMMANDS.
Robert K. Tuthill, surgeon-in-chief ist Div., 12th A. C., and wife, Poughkeepsie.
H. E. Losey, Colonel -- Reg. U. S. C. T., and wife, Poughkeepsie.
Chaplain E. L. Allen, 13th New Jersey, and wife, Po'k. J. Cook. 20th N. Y. S. M., and wife, Poughkeepsie.
B. W. Van Wyck, 128th N. Y., and wife, Poughkeepsie. Derrick Brown, 128th N. Y., Poughkeepsie.
Capt. Elmendorf, 84th Ohio, Poughkeepsie.
Ira Rudd, 2d N. Y. Cavalry, Wappingers Falls.
H. T. Smith, 57th N. Y., Wappingers Falls.
G. H. Abbott, 11th N. Y. Cavalry, Wappingers Falls.
G. Rush, 7th N. Y. Cavalry, Wappingers Falls.
A. H. Furman. 40th N. Y., Poughkeepsie,
W. Wallace Smith, 9th N. V. S. M., Poughkeepsie.
J. F. Barnes, 144th N. Y., New Paltz.
J. H. Marshall, 128th N. Y., Poughkeepsie.
F. Cornelius, Co. D. 47th N. Y., Poughkeepsie.
J. E. Townsend, 16th N. Y. Art., Fishkill Landing.
Capt. W. S. Johnston, Provost Marshall 12th Dist., and wife, Poughkeepsie.
U. L. Ferguson, Co. K. 57th N. Y., Poughkeepsie. Horace Hart, Co. C. 43d N. Y.
A. D. Dye, 114th N. Y., Mt. Upton, Chenango County.
H. B. Eddy, Co. C. 128th N. Y., Amenia. Marshall Nye, 95th N. Y., New York.
A. A. Damiad, Ist N. Y. Light Art., Brooklyn.
J. H. Swertfager, Co. D. 44th N. Y .; Ist Lieut. 26th U. S. C. T., Poughkeepsie.
George E. Bissell, Army and Navy, Poughkeepsie.
US
FRIENDS OF THE REGIMENT.
Benson J. Lossing, LL. D., and wife, The Ridge.
Rev. W. F. Hatfield, D.D., Poughkeepsie.
Rev. A. E. Scoville and wife, Dover Plains.
Martin Heermance, District Attorney, Rhinebeck.
Horace D. Hufcut, Surrogate, Poughkeepsie.
Hon. J. L. Williams, Poughkeepsie.
John P. Adriance, Poughkeepsie.
John R. Lent and wife, Poughkeepsie.
G. W. Owens, editor Fishkill Journal, Matteawan.
Judge A. D. Craig, New Paltz.
Mrs. Dr. A. B. Harvey, Poughkeepsie.
Miss Fanny Myers, Poughkeepsie.
J. U. Abel, Union Vale.
W. W. Abel, North Clove.
Miss A. Briggs, Bangall.
JI. J. Howgate, Poughkeepsie.
D. W. Hitchcock, Poughkeepsie.
C. W. Storm, Poughkeepsie.
Henry Tittamer and wife, Poughkeepsie.
J. H. Griffith, Fishkill Landing.
Milo F. Winchester and wife, Amenia.
W. Germond and wife, Hyde Park.
Frank Shubert and wife, Canajoharie.
L. M. Ballard, Yonkers.
J. H. Pudney, Passaic, N. J.
A. C. Gildersleeve, New York.
A. A. Marks, Sound Beach, Ct.
J. P. Van Valkenburgh and daughter, Lexington, Greene County.
U. Field, Brewsters.
A. B. Warren, Bangall.
T. G. Beard, Wappingers Falls.
J. F. Rynus, Washington. Jas. H. Dudley, Poughkeepsie.
John N. Lewis, Anandale. Silas M. Downing. Poughkeepsie.
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H. Titus, Poughkeepsie. LeGrand Dodge, Poughkeepsie. Lewis H. Vail, Poughkeepsie. Elisha B. Vail, Poughkeepsie. Mark Du Bois, Poughkeepsie.
Dr. Barlow, Poughkeepsie. Henry T. Lumb, Poughkeepsie. H. Strang, Dover Plains. J. V. Bensell, Dover Plains. J. Richardson, New York.
G. W. Ketcham, Dover Plains.
HI. Q. Mack, Catskill Station. E. Ferris, Pawling. N. P. Tabor, Dover Plains.
George Whaley, Pawling.
Emma Whaley, Pawling.
G. H. Kinny, Amenia. Mrs. A. Vanderbeck, New York.
E. D. Gildersleeve, Poughkeepsie.
Mrs. T. Wheeler, South Dover. Miss Mary Reed, Amenia.
Merritt Conklin, Dover Plains.
Cyrus Stark, Pawling.
J. A. Hanna, Dover Plains.
E. Potter, Wassaic. F. M. Cutler, Dover Plains.
J. M. Morgan, Dover Plains.
H. B. Rundell, Amenia. Mrs. Albert Cline, Wassaic.
C. M. Benjamin, Amenia.
Mrs. Il. L. Butts and daughter, Dover Plains.
Mrs. J. L. Green, Astoria, L. 1.
(NOTE .- The committee has taken great pains to get the above list correct ; if there are any errors or omis- sions, such will not be due to lack of care or effort.)
RESOLUTIONS.
Upon the return trip from Gettysburg, on Septem- ber 19th, BENSON J. LOSSING, LL. D., prepared, and (through CHAPLAIN E. L. ALLEN) offered, the following resolutions, which were unanimously and vociferously passed :
Resolved, That we hereby offer our heartfelt thanks to Generals John HI. Ketcham and Alfred B. Smith, and their associates of the Committee of Arrangements, for their untiring energy and efficient labors in providing for the comfort and happiness of their fellow citizens of Dutchess County, and all others who participated in the dedication ceremonies at Gettysburg, September 17th.
Resolved. That we regret that Mrs. Gridley, the mother of Lieut. Gridley, and Miss Sarah M. Carpenter, treasurer of the monument fund, were not able to be with the 150th on this occasion.
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PLURIBUS
UNUM
56 7€
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