Genealogical and family history of the state of Vermont; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol I, Part 6

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1032

USA > Vermont > Genealogical and family history of the state of Vermont; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol I > Part 6

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Captain Clark had to this time given splendid exhibition of his capabilities as a sailor, and he was now to display incomparable gallantry in

On July 7th a squadron was detached from Sampson's fleet to cruise after the fleet of Ad- miral Camara, and this was placed under the command of Commodore Watson. Captain Clark was appointed by Commodore Watson as his chief-of-staff, at the same time being left in command of his vessel. Commodore Watson's squadron was disbanded after Admiral Camara's fleet had returned to Spain, and shortly after- wards Captain Clark was granted leave of absence

BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT.

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in order to restore his health, which was much impaired through his many months of phenom- enal service with its tremendous responsibilities and consequent severe strain upon his physical and mental systems. He returned to duty in March, 1899, and was appointed to the command of the League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was subsequently appointed Governor of the Naval Home, near the same city.

Captain Clark was married, in 1869, to Miss Mary Louisa, daughter of William Davis, of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and two daughters have been born of this marriage.

GEORGE ETHAN STONE.

George Ethan Stone, a quietly successful busi- ness man of Vergennes, is a son of Charles Stone and a grandson of Dr. Dan Stone, a pioneer set- tler of Monkton, Vermont, further mentioned in this work, under the head of Charles H. Stone. The subject of this sketch was born September 13, 1843, in Monkton, where his father was a suc- cessful farmer. In his early boyhood he attend- ed the district school of the neighborhood. The untimely death of his father, when he was but fourteen years old, compelled him to begin early to maintain himself. During the following sum- mer he worked on the farm of a neighbor for the period of seven months, receiving therefore the sum of five dollars per month, with board. Dur- ing the next season he was considered worth a little more and received six dollars per month for his services. After two years with his elder brother on the home farm, he again took service with a neighbor, and his labors now commanded ten dollars per month. In the meantime he re- ceived some instruction in the local schools in the winter months, and he spent one and one- half terms at a select school maintained in the neighborhood.

At the age of twenty years he began teaching and so continued through four successive win- ter terms, and before the close of this period took up the cultivation of his mother's land, which he continued to handle successfully. About 1875 he bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in the town of Monkton, which he still owns and operates. Before this time, however, in- 1873, he had established himself in business at

Vergennes, engaging in the purchase of butter for the market. and this he continued for a long period. For a considerable time he operated here with a partner, but he also conducted a similar enterprise independently at different points in this section of the state, and bought butter at Brandon for a period of ten years. During this time he also had markets at Fair- haven, Castleton and other points, so that his time was busily occupied by visits to his six butter markets.

In 1883 Mr. Stone bought out the general store of P. & MI. T. Bristol at Vergennes, which he conducted ten years, and continued to buy butter for cash in connection with this business for some time. In 1885 he became owner of the former residence of Judge John Pierpoint, now known as the Prospect House, a delightfully lo- cated property on Main street, Vergennes. Upon closing out his store in 1893, he began remodeling and enlarging the hotel property and has since continued to operate it as a hotel, making a specialty of accommodating summer visitors to this beautiful lake region, though he entertains travelers and others at all seasons of the year. The house stands on a hill, overlooking the valley of Otter creek and Lake Champlain, with the Adirondack mountains as a background, and the views from its windows have given it the ap- propriate title of "The Prospect." The Green mountains are also visible from its windows, which adds to its desirability as a place of summer abode.

Mr. Stone is one of those energetic and active men who cannot be kept out of promising enter- prises, and he is constantly adding to his activities and sources of income. In December, 1900. he established a grocery and provision store oppo- site the hotel. largely as an annex to that insti- tution's business. and has enjoyed a profitable trade with the general public, while catering to the wants of his guests. In 1888 he purchased a farm of one hundred acres in the town of New Haven, and this he manages personally, through the employment of capable help. He makes a specialty of hay and grain for the market. and is very successful as a farmer. From the crop of 1900 he marketed twelve cars of hay, besides other valuable products.

While active in business, Mr. Stone gives some

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attention to the moral development of the com- mmity, and is a friend of school and church work. Ile is a deacon of the Congregational church at Vergennes, and his children have re- 'vived the best educational training. In politics firm supporter of the principles enunciated by the Republican party, he has never sought or recepted any public office. With sound judg- ment and industrious application, he has earned and merits the success which came to him as a business man. Of quiet tastes and refined man- ners, he strives to be agreeable to his guests, al- ways a gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.

On May 24, 1870, he married Mary Adelaide Bristol, the latter a daughter of Philo and Pru- lence (Rugg) Bristol, natives respectively of Panton, Vermont, and Greenfield, Massachusetts: Mrs. Stone was born February 4, 1848, in Pan- ton. Four children complete the family circle of Mr. Stone. The eldest, George William, graduated at Middlebury College, taught school for some time and is now studying law at Atlan- tic City, New Jersey. Wilfred Judson, the sec- ond, graduated at Middlebury College in 1902 and is now principal of the Union Free School at North Bangor, New York. Henry Harold and Mary Alice are students of the local school, and reside at home.

GEORGE JERRISON STANNARD.

George Jerrison Stannard, brigadier and brevet major general of volunteers in the United States army, of St. Albans, Vermont, was born in Georgia, Vermont, October 20, 1820. The Stannard family is of English descent and ex- hibits the best characteristics of the old Anglo- Saxon stock. The grandfather of General Stan- nard emigrated from Connecticut to Vermont and settled in Fairhaven. His father, Samuel Stan- nard, married Rebecca Petty, to whose material influence the future soldier patriot was greatly in- debted. The sixth son of his parents, and the heir of such advantage as the parental farm af- forded, he grew up in the old homestead about four miles south of the village of St. Albans. His early education was received in the common schools, and was supplemented by two terms of study in the academies of Georgia and Bakers- field, Vermont.

Between the years of fifteen and twenty he toiled on the parental acres in summer and taught school in winter. His infirm health forbade classical education and dictated active employ- ment. For this service the alternating physical and intellectual labors had been an admirable preparation. In 1845 he accepted the position of clerk to the St. Albans Foundry Company, which consisted of Gardner G. Smith, W. C. Smith and S. P. Eastman. Efficient in discharge of duty, in the course of about a year his employers placed him in charge of the business, which he held un- til 1860, when he formed a copartnership with Edward A. Smith, of St. Albans, leased the foundry and became joint partner of the business.

The outbreak of the war found Mr. Stannard industriously occupied in his usual vocation, but he was prepared to sustain the authority of the constitution and the laws. Being of military taste, at the age of sixteen he joined the "Flood- wood Militia." This characteristic design had been derisively bestowed upon the citizen-sol- diery, whose appearance on parade was held to resemble that of the sticks of wood cast upon the shore by the freshet. The title was uncompli- mentary and may have fortified the determination of the young volunteer to make himself ą com- plete soldier.

In 1837, when the state militia was called out during the excitement by the Canadian insur- reaction, he was the orderly sergeant of his com- pany. Not long after that he was elected second lieutenant, but had not received his commission when the militia was disbanded. Following years witnessed his activity in raising a militia force in Vermont, that consisted of independent volunteer companies. In 1856 he assisted in the organiza- tion of the Ransom Guards at St. Albans, and was chosen first lieutenant of the company. In this new relation his talent for command was ap- parent, and was soon fully acknowledged by his appointment to the colonelcy of the Fourth Regi- ment of Vermont Volunteer Militia, when that body was organized in 1858, holding the second rank in the state.

In April, 1861, when came the summons to arms for the defense of the government, it stirred the martial element in Colonel Stannard's spirit, before President Lincoln's proclamation could reach him. When that message reached St. Al-

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

bans he immediately telegraphed the offer of his services to Governor Fairbanks. His is the sin- gular honor of being the first Vermonter to volun- teer for the help of his country.

He then offered his regiment to supply the requisition of one from Vermont. The acceptance of the offer was subsequently notified by the state authorities in special session. A regiment of ten companies, called from the First, Second and Fourth regiments of the state militia, was formed and placed under the command of Colonel John W. Phelps, Colonel Stannard was re- served for appointment to one of the two addi- tional, that, as was decided, should be raised.

The Second Vermont Volunteer Militia was organized in May and Mr. Stannard was com- missioned as lieutenant colonel, himself concur- ring with the governor in the opinion that an experienced West Point graduate should have the chief command, and Captain Henry Whiting, of Michigan, was appointed colonel. The regi- ment was mustered into the service of the United States at Burlington, Vermont, May, 1861, by Colonel John Rains, who afterwards joined the rebel army, and left for the scene of apprehended hostilities on the 6th of June.

Attached to Howard's Brigade, it showed in the first battle of Bull Run, and came into action near the close of the conflict while covering the retreat of the national army. Colonel Howard complimented the Second for its stcadiness un- der fire. Colonel Stannard exemplificd the ut- most bravery and self-possession. Soon after- ward the command of the Third Vermont was tendered to him, but with characteristic modesty he declined the proffer. In the fall of 1861 the Vermont regiments were brigaded and stationed near the Chain Bridge. Lieutenant Colonel Stannard was the first to cross that structure at the head of a detachment, and frequently lead scouting parties into territory occupied by the in- surgents. His reputation for success in this species of service rose so high that he was often detailed to accompany scouting detachments from other commands. With the Second Vermont he marched and skirmished until May, 1862, when he was commissioned as colonel of the Ninth Vermont, returning home to recruit and organize his new command ; he effected the task by July and departed for the front. In August he was

stationed with his regiment at Winchester, Vir- ginia, but withdrew before the advance of Stone- wall Jackson in September to Harper's Ferry, and was there infamously surrendered on the 15th by Colonel D. P. Miles, who commanded the post, together with all the forces under that officer's control to the enemy. Colonel Stannard carnest- ly but unavailingly protested against this trait- orous action. The national troops were at once paroled by the rebels, who hastened to join Gen- cral R. E. Lee in Maryland. Colonel Stannard objected to release upon parole and justly urged that the care of eleven thousand persons would seriously embarrass the enemy at that crisis. He resolutely refused to sign the parole for himself or regiment. Their release was effected by a parole given by some other officer of a higher rank. Had his policy been adopted, the force of the invaders would have been badly crippled. The Ninth Ver- mont was ordered into parole camp on the Ist of January, 1863, and there employed in guarding an extension camp of prisoners at Chicago until March.

On the IIth of March, 1863, Colonel Stan- nard was appointed brigadier general of volun- teers by President Lincoln. The United States senate confirmed the appointment on the same day. Parting with the Ninth Vermont, which had been ordered to North Carolina, at Baltimore, he assumed command of the Second Vermont Brigade, consisting of Twelfth, Thirteenth, Four- tcenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth regiments. to which he had been assigned, and was stationed on the Occoquan and Bull Run. The duty of this brigade was to guard the lines below Washington and also the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Bull Run to the Rappahannock. On June 20, 1863, it was ordered to join the army of the Potomac under General Hooker. in opposing

Lec's second invasion. Holding the line of the Occoquan till the army had passed, General Stannard hastened to join the First Corps under General Reynolds, which led to advance. This he did with such vigor that he effected the junc- tion on the Cemetery Hill on the close of the first day's engagement in the battle of Gettysburg.

General Stannard's opportune arrival was hailed with gladness by the Seventh Army Corps. which had lost its gallant commander, and well

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

nigh half its number on the second day of the fight. He had temporary charge of the position held by the federal batteries on the left slope of Cemetery Hill. In the afternoon he was ordered to the left and front to repel Longstreet's assaults, which followed the route of the Third Corps. His brigade eagerly sprang into the gap, pre- vented the capture of two batteries, rescued an- other from the grasp of the foe, and captured two rebel guns and some prisoners.

On the third and last day of the strife came . the supreme opportunity of General Stannard's military career. He discovered its importance, seized it in its flight, improved it to the utter- most and thereby won a name and fame immortal on the records of American history. Holding that portion of the front line on the left center so gallantly re-established by himself on the pre- vious night, with three regiments of his brigade, the Twelfth and the Fifteenth having been de- tached for other service, he held the most ad- vanced position in that part of the field. For that reason he was the first to feel the brunt of the final desperate assult of the enemy on Friday afternoon.

Pickett's strong division of Longstreet's corps, composed of fresh and veteran Virginians, con- stituted the right of the attacking force; Heath's division, supported by two brigades, constituted the left : in all it numbered about eighteen thou- sand men. Compactly and swiftly the great col- umn pressed forward. The federal artillery ploughed great gaps through their ranks, which were closed as rapidly as they were made.

Heading for the left of the Union center, where General Doubleday was posted, they came in contact with Stannard's Vermont Brigade. These, with the other members of Doubleday's division, were in lines five deep, and well strengthened by hasty intrenchments of rails and stones. As admitted by their inflexible oppo- nents, the Confederates slightly moved to the left. This movement exposed Pickett's center to a flank from Stannard, which threw it into con- fusion and was the forerunner of a series of dis- asters to the splendidly brave assailants. All that mortal courage could do was achieved by Pick- ett's veterans, but they could not overcome the disciplined, enthusiastic and fearless patriots

who encountered them. To advance, stand or retreat under the withering fire that smote them in front and flank, was equally impossible. They flung themselves upon the ground with hands up- lifted in total surrender. Not one of four es- caped, the others were dead or prisoners. What ruined them, the prisoners declared, was the fire of Stannard's Brigade on their flank, as they found it impossible to contend with them in that position, and they drew off all in a huddle to get away from it. Wilcox, who failed to support Pickett. now moved forward as if to renew thic attack, but chilled by a fierce artillery fire, he was compelled to move back.

To Stannard, who struck the first sharp blow in this fight, it was reserved to strike the last. He launched the Sixteenth Vermont and half of the Fourteenth upon the retreating force, and cut off some hundreds, in fact, nearly the whole body, from its rear, and the Confederates had failed, the victory was lost, and before night fell they were in desponding retreat.

The critical moment was when General Stan- nard struck the charging division of Pickett upon the flank. That blow disabled them, it decided the issue of the engagement and probably that of the rebellion. The deadly fire of the Vermonters delivered at half pistol range, was more than mortal antagonists could stand. Three thousand of the survivors marched into the Union lines as prisoners.

To have been the directing genius in this su- preme crisis of the nation's fate, and to have been equal to the emergency, is a unique and eternal honor to General Stannard. He himself did not escape injury-a Shrapnel shot from Longstreet's cannon, as if envious of his happiness, buried itself in the muscles of his right thigh. The ball was removed on the field, which he refused to quit, and which he would not consent to leave until the enemy was beaten, his own wounded men cared for and his brigade relieved from duty on the front line. Several balls from sharp- shooters had passed through his hat and clothes, but failed to hit him. His coolness and gallantry were contagious. No troops were steadier or more effective than the Vermonters. Stannard's order for the flank attack on the charging Con- federates was pregnant with as marvelous conse-

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

quences as Wellington's "Up Guards, and at them !" on the field of Waterloo. That culminat- ing glory of his soldiery career shines with im- perishable luster.

General Stannard did not linger in convales- cence. As soon as he was fitted for light duty he took command of the troops in garrison at New York Harbor. In May, 1864, he rejoined the Army of the Potomac in its last advance upon Richmond, was assigned to the Tenth Corps, and soon afterwards was placed in command of the First Brigade, Second Division of the Eighth Corps under WV. F. Smith, a Vermonter like him- self. His new brigade had a fighting reputation, and increased it under his control. At Cold Har- bor, foremost in the fray, Stannard received a fresh wound from a minie-ball in the thigh. Two of his staff slain and three wounded, only one regimental commander was left untouched. Stan- nard, bleeding and unassisted, rallied and brought off under a tremendous fire the shattered rem- nants of his command. The glory of Spartan fortitude, but not of Waterloo victory, was his own last fateful day.

On the 14th of June he lead the advance of the Eighteenth Corps on Petersburg, and seized some of the enemy's works within three fourths of a mile of the city.

Assigned next to the command of the First Division of the Eighteenth Corps, he established headquarters within musketry range of the en- emy's works. Part of his lines were within a hundred yards of their fortifications. He was again wounded by an accidental pistol shot from an officer of his own division. The suffering of a permanently maimed finger was the result, and not this only. Weakness from pain became so great that he could no longer mount his horse, and at the end of three weeks he was invalided. Returning to duty as soon as strength would allow, he was once more charged with perilous and exhausting service.

On the 29th of September he lead the advance of the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps on the north of the James against the defences of Richmond, and was charged with the enterprise of storming Fort Harrison. That important rebel post mounted fifteen heavy guns and poured a destruc- tive fire upon Stannard's columns as they ad-

vanced, over open ground and through abattis, to the assault. The fort was captured and held. Stannard rode unhurt to the muzzle of the enem- ies, artillery, but four members of his staff were struck by his side. The gallant and meritorious exploit received due recognition in the shape of a major general brevet, under the date of Octo- ber 28, 1864. Fort Harrison was too vital to the Confederate defense to be allowed to remain in Stannard's possession, and was assaulted on the next day by Generals Hoke and Field. The works faced only in one direction. A rude breast- work, thrown up only the night before, alone pro- tected from an attack in the rear. Behind this slight cover, and unaided by artillery, Stannard's division repulsed with heavy loss three resolute charges of the enemy. As the first of these ended, a bullet from the retiring assailants shattered his right arm, while from an exposed position he encouraged his men, and made amputation at the shoulder a matter of necessity. Several months of enforced retirement ensued after the op- eration.

But General Stannard was not permitted an undisturbed repose. The St. Albans raid recalled the notice of the national government to the un- protected northern frontier, and in December, 1864, he was placed in charge of the Vermont section of it, with headquarters at St. Albans. Thenceforward he continued in the department of the east until February, 1866, when, as ordered, he reported for duty to General O. O. Howard, and was assigned to service in connection with the freedman's bureau at Baltimore. On the 27th of June of the same year he resigned.

General Stannard's claims upon his country were of the inost meritorious and unquestionable character. Having sacrificed business prosperity for its welfare, lost his good right arm in its ser- vice, fought heroically through all the period of perils for its rescue, and established a reputa- tion without reproach, those claims were properly acknowledged on his retirement to civil life as Collector of Customs for the district of Vermont. This office he occupied until 1872.

The leading events in which he took an active part were the battles of Bull Run, Lee's Mills, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Golding's Farm, Win- chester, Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, Drury's

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Bluff and Cold Harbor. General Stammard was taken prisoner of war September 15, 1862, and exchanged January 9, 1863. He was mustered out June 27, 1800. No general was held in higher esteem, not only by his government for brave deeds, but his subordinates and these who were in touch with his private life.

G. A. R. RESOLUTIONS.

At a regular meeting of the Stannard Post No. 2, held December 3, 1886, the following preamble and resolutions were passed :

Il'hereas, On the first day of June, 1886, our honored namesake, Major General George J. Stannard, was summoned from his post of duty to the silent camping-ground of the dead, and this Post, which bears his name, has not placed upon its records this the deep sense of bereave- ment they feel, and the loss they have sustained in the death of our illustrious comrade, therefore be it,

Resolved, by Stannard Post No. 2, Depart- ment of Vermont, Grand Army of the Republic, That they will tenderly cherish the memory of his great services as a brilliant military com- mander in defence of our country, his sterling qualities as a patriot, and his many praiseworthy traits of character as a citizen.

Resolved, That in paying this tribute to the memory of General Stannard, they honor Ver- mont's greatest captain, whose life of self-sacri- fice and deed of bravery and devotion in our Country's hour of peril, will shine with undying luster, and while they cannot attain to the sum- mit of his fame, they will ever strive to imitate his virtues.

Resolved, They are deeply grateful to the senators and representatives of Vermont for the generous appropriations voted at the recent ses- sion of the general assembly toward an erection of a suitable monument at the grave of our dis- tinguished soldier.

Resolved, That they will ever extend their warmest sympathy to the widow and daughters of our beloved comrade in their great sorrow.

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Genealogical and family history of the state of Vermont; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol I, Part 6

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1032