History of Yates Co., NY, by Lewis Cass Aldrich

Published 1892

Pg.128 - 163 Chapter XI.

Index for Yates Co. Soldiers by surname!

Cornell University's Making of America - Yates County Boys in Blue

(start at pg 4) (To find by Unit # index on pg 204)

YATES COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1861-65

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There are times in the history of nations when the voice of reason is unheeded; when the laws are trampled upon; when the counsels of the wise are disregarded and the dictation of statesmen ignored. IT grows out of the struggles of men for power, in the race for political preferment, in contests for personal recognition with a determination to triumph regardless of expressed wishes of majorities and to secure success at a sacrifice of the rights of others; there is but one natural, legitimate outcome of such revolts� revolution. This generation has witnessed and been participants in the crucial period of our nation�s existence, when no settlement of the vexed questions was possible save by the arbitrament of the sword.

From the hour that man first learned that it was possible to take the life of his brother the stronger has reached the goal of his ambition at the cost of blood; some nations have gone out in the smoke of battle while others have enlarged their territory and brightened their civilization by victorious armies. Many are looking for the coming of a time when reason will so far sway the human mind as to make war no longer a necessity; such may be the case and is earnestly hoped, yet it is hardly expected until man has gone at least one round higher on the ladder of evolution. For many years prior to 1860 strong antagonism had existed in this country between two sentiments � the South was the enemy par excellence of free labor and the North of slave labor. Advocates of these principles were earnest and determined, and their respective views enlarged until the remotest corners of our territorial limits became more or less impregnated with the prevailing ideas. The political contest of the year was fevered and exciting. Never before had so much depended upon the result of the ballot. There were murmurings so significant that they could be felt, and preparations of a character that carried alarm to a nation that had devoted all her energies and resources to the fertile labors of peace. Then followed an assault upon the integrity of the ballot and the will of the majority, an innovation which, if successful, must of necessity destroy our republican form of government. The question to solve was, Should liberty and union no longer walk hand in hand, and if either was to go out, which? How sudden the transformation of the peaceful citizen to the uniformed soldier! Volunteers were furnished in every county, town and neighborhood of the great North. Nearly every citizen realized that it was his duty to be loyal and to server his country in the way he best could.

The county of Yates was no exception to the rule. She freely sent her sons and their blood crimsoned the soil of a hundred battlefields. They fell at Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain, in the Wilderness and at cold Harbor, at Petersburg and in the valley of the Shenandoah. The Spartan mothers gave their sons with a heroism that has been the admiration of the world since those chivalric days, but they did not excel the mothers of America in their unselfish sacrifice of their household idols.

The hardships incident to soldier life, suffering from wounds and disease and the surrendering of young lives, presents a chapter of patriotism that warms the heart of every American citizen in its contemplation, but the years and months that came and went, while the father, and the mother, and the wife, and the sister waited in their homes; when the heart stood still as the hurried stranger knocked at the door; when the hands trembled as the message was opened; and when in hushed words they expressed a doubt whether the wound would kill or had already killed the solider in whom so much of their interests centered. Who did the most or suffered the most when the shadows of war darkened our land? Who can say?

Little Yates was as strong in her devotion to the Union cause as any locality in State or nation. There were a few exceptions where stupidity, ignorance, and a lack of self-respect warped men out of line and let them sink from respectable notice; their influence then was lighter than air, and since they have not bee trusted by either those who fought for or against the flag. Over $600,000 were raised to recruit the army, or about one tenth of the assessed valuation of the entire property of the county. Names of vast numbers of men and women could be mentioned who did not go beyond the county limits during the years of the Rebellion who struggled as earnestly for the preservation of the Republic as the solider at the front, but we refrain from entering upon the list for fear of doing injustice to many who might be overlooked or for want of space whose deeds could be only meagerly narrated. They add did well their part. Who can do more? The cost was great, but no more than commensurate with what was secured. A restored nationality! A free people! An enduring government! To the eye of man the future is hidden in deep obscurity, but we feel assured that the storm of war with its destructive forces will never again break upon our fair inheritance. We have learned the full meaning of patriotism, we have shown to the world that we know how to take of our rights as a people, and that those rights will be maintained, let the cost be never so great.

THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT , N Y V pg 130

Devotion to the Union and loyalty to the national government were evinced in a conspicuous manner by the great northern uprising in 1861. An in this movement no small part was taken by the patriotic citizens of Yates and the neighboring counties. The 33^rd New York Volunteers, which was then raised in this part of the State, was one of the first regiments to go to the front. The regiment was recruited by companies as follows: A, C and K, in Seneca County; B in Wayne County; D and H in Ontario County; E and F in Livingston County; G in Erie County; and I in Yates County. Of the latter a particular account will be given.

On the 19^thof April, 1861, three days after the attack on Fort Sumter, was issued the President�s proclamation calling for 75,000 men. Immediately after the news of such proclamation reached Penn Yan, a war meeting was called in Washington Hall. Gen. Alexander F. WHITAKER presided and George R. CORNWELL was secretary. Several addresses were made and the session continued till a late hour. A roll was presented and thirty-four names were obtained. A much larger gathering was held on the evening of April 25^th,with bands of music, parading the streets and playing national airs. Resolutions were adopted to raise a company of volunteers and recruits came forward freely. The Republican and Democratic Central Committees combined in a call for a county mass meeting and union assembly, which took place in the court house park on Saturday, April27^th. A procession was formed under the direction of Gen. A. F. WHITAKER, aided by Gen. George WAGENER, and led by martial and brass bands. Morris BROWN, esq., was president of the day and over 5,000 persons were in attendance on this occasion. Stirring addresses were delivered by Hon. Darius A. OGDEN, Hon. Henry SPENCE, Gen. A. F. WHITAKER, and Abraham V. HARPENDING, esq. At that meeting was appointed a finance committee consisting of Messrs. Farley HOLMES, Ebenezer B. JONES, Darius A. OGDEN, and Charles C. SHEPPARD, who circulated a subscription to raise funds to provide for the families of volunteers.

The military company now recruited, and which at this time was know as the �Keuka Rifles�, assembled on the 9^th of May in Washington Hall, and was there inspected by Maj. John E. BEAN, of Geneva, and mustered into the State service. An election was held for officers on the same day, resulting in the following being chosen: Captain, James M. LETTS; first lieutenant, Edward E. ROOT; second lieutenant, William H. LONG. The company continued to drill under its officers until orders were received to go into camp at Elmira on the 19^th of May. ON that day the company departed and was escorted to the railroad depot by the Penn Yan firemen in uniform and a vast crowd of citizens. The company was presented by the ladies of Penn Yan with a beautiful flag, and was addressed on its departure by Hon. D. A. OGDEN and E. B. JONES. A testament was also presented to each member. The men on their arrival at Elmira were quartered in Rev. Thomas K. BEECHER�S church and on the 24^th of May, became Company I, of the33^rd New York Volunteers, and with the history of this regiment from that date the history of the company is identified. Eight of the companies previously mentioned had already arrived in Elmira, then an ordinary place of rendezvous for troops going to the front. The officers of these companies met on May 17^th and decided upon forming themselves into a regiment, the two other companies afterward joining them. The organization of the new regiment was rendered complete by the election of officers on the 21^stof May. Robert F. TAYLOR of Rochester, a gentleman of warlike taste and ability, who had served in Mexico, was appointed colonel. The other field and staff officers then elected were: Lieutenant-colonel, Calvin WALKER, Geneva; major, Robert J. MANN, Seneca Falls; adjutant, Charles T. SUTTON, New York City; quartermaster, H. G. SUYDAM, Geneva; chaplain, Rev. G. N. CHENEY, Rochester; surgeon, T. Rush SPENCER.

The 33^rdRegiment, when organized, was assigned to barracks in Southport, where it remained until the departure for Washington. An interesting event of the sojourn in Elmira was the reception of a regimental flag from the patriotic ladies of Canandaigua. The regiment being formed in a hollow square, Mrs. CHESEBRO, with a few felicitous remarks, presented the banner to Colonel TAYLOR, who in a brief speech expressed the tanks of himself and command for the beautiful gift, promising that it should never be dishonored or disgraced. Chaplain CHENEY also in response delivered an able and eloquent address to the delegation. This flag was made of the finest blue silk, bearing upon one side the coat of arms of the State of New York and on the reverse, the seal of the county of Ontario adopted in1790. Over this seal appeared in bold gilt letters the words: � Ontario County Volunteers.� Surmounting the staff was a highly finished carved eagle with extended pinions, the whole forming one of the most elegant battle flags ever wrought by fair hands. On the 3^rdof July the regiment was mustered by companies in the United States service for two years by Captain SITGREAVES, a regular officer. Five days later the command started for Washington and was assigned on arrival to Camp Granger, and about two and one half miles from the city. While the regiment was here encamped there occurred the disastrous battle of Bull run, July 21, 1861. the distant sound of cannon all that day was distinctly heard in the camp. Toward evening the 33^rd,along with several other regiments, received marching orders, but had proceeded no further than the Treasury department, when the orders were countermanded. William RIKER, sergeant, Company I, died at Camp Granger on August 28^th. The regiment took up a new position at Camp Lyon near Chain Bridge, and was here brigaded for the first time, being placed together with the 3^rdVermont and the 6^th Maine under the command of Gen. W. f. SMITH. On the 3^rd of September, the entire brigade crossed the Long Bridge into Virginia. The 33^rdfirst occupied Camp Advance, changing soon after for Camp Ethan Allen. While at the latter camp the regiment had its first skirmish with the enemy. Camp Griffin was the next place of residence and while here occurred at Bailey�s Crossroads a grand review of the army by General MC CLELLAN, attended also by President LINCOLN and other distinguished personages. James M. LETTS resigned December 31^st and was succeeded by Edward E. ROOT as captain of Company I.

An advance on Richmond along the peninsula between the York and James Rivers having been decided upon the 33^rd Regiment embarked at Alexandria on March 23,1862, and proceeding by steamer reached Old Point Comfort the next morning. Here the command disembarked and went into camp about four miles distant on the James River. Yorktown was invested on the 4^th of April, but hardly had the siege commenced when contrabands brought the intelligence that the enemy had evacuated the place. The Army of the Potomac followed in pursuit of the retreating confederates and on Monday, May 5^th, was fought the battle of Williamsburg. In the beginning of the action three companies of the 33^rd, (Co. A, Capt. George M. GUOINE, afterward lieutenant-colonel of the 148^th Regiment NYV, Co. D, Lieut. George W. BROWN, commanding; and Co. F., Capt. James M. MC NAIR), with regimental colors and color guard, were ordered to occupy a redoubt a short distance from the enemy. This was quickly done amid a heavy faire of artillery and musketry, and the beautiful banner remained waving from the battlements throughout the fierce conflict, torn and tattered for the first time by shot and shell. Company C, Cap. Chester H. COLE; Company E, Capt. Wilson E. WARFORD; Company H., Capt. Alexander H. DRAKE (born in Yates County); and Company I, Capt Edward E. ROOT were deployed by Colonel TAYLOR as skirmishers. The remaining companies of the regiment (Company B, Capt. Josiah J. WHITE; Company G., Capt. Theodore B. HAMILTON; and Company K, Capt. Patrick MC GRAW) were stationed on guard duty under the command of Lieut. �Col. Joseph W. CORNING. All day the fight continued and toward night a sudden and furious attack was made by the enemy upon Hancock�s position, then occupied in part, by the33^rd. Companies A, D, and F were ordered out of the redoubt into line of battle as the Confederates came rushing on, shouting �Bull Run! Bull Run! That flag is ours!� The enemy�s flying artillery also moved forward and discharged shot ands hell in quick succession. The Federal lines wavered and all seemed lost when the lieutenant-colonel, turning to Colonel TAYLOR, remarked, �Nothing but a charge can check them.� �A charge it shall be,: he replied and waving his sword aloft shouted, �Forward men!� �Charge bayonets!� added Lieutenant-colonel Corning and the 33^rd sprang forward on the double quick when its gallant action was imitated by several regiments along the line. Alarmed at this sudden counter charge, the enemy turned and ran in confusion, while the33^rd poured volley after volley upon the Confederates as they rapidly retreated over the plain. This daring exploit of the regiment decided the fortunes of the day and changed a seeming defeat into a substantial victory. Company I, commanded by Captain ROOT, and which with Companies C, E, and H, was on the skirmish line, at this time encountered and fired upon a party of Confederates, who supposing our soldiers to be friends, cried out, �Don�tfire, you are shooting your own men.� Captain ROOT ordered them to surrender, and they were all made prisoners, much to their suppose and chagrin. One of their officers attempted to escape, but Captain ROOT started after him and compelled him to deliver up his sword. On the evening of May 7^th, General MC CLELLAN rode into camp on his favorite bay charger, �Dan WEBSTER,� and thus addressed the regiment while drawn up in line:

�Officers and Soldiers of the 33^rd: I have come to thank you in person, for gallant conduct on the field of battle on the 5^th inst. I will say to you what I have said to other regiments engaged with you. All did well � did all that I could expect. But you did more; you behaved like veterans; you are veterans; veterans of a hundred battles could not have done better. Those of you left, fought well; but you won the day; you were at the right point, did the right thing, and at the right time. You shale have Williamsburg inscribed on your banner.�

The regiment was next engaged (May 24^th) in battle at Mechanicsville and on the 28^thof June at Golden�s Farm. Here its capture was attempted by an overwhelming force of the enemy, consisting of the 7^th and 8^th Georgia Regiments, but in the effort the confederates were repulsed with great loss. The 33^rd was highly complimented for its bravery by General DAVIDSON, a loyal Virginian, in his report of the action. An attack of the enemy was also successfully resisted (June 29^th)at White Oak Swamp during the retreat to the James. Colonel TAYLOR there commanded the 3^rd Brigade (to which the33^rd belonged), the regiment itself being in command of Maj. John S. PLATNER.

On the 1^stof July, occurred the engagement at Malvern Hill. The 33^rd was here posted with others of our forces among lines of batteries, which the Confederates several times fiercely attacked, but in vain. Charge after charge was made by the enemy, only to be repulsed with fearful slaughter. The determined bravery of the Confederates evoked cheers from the Unionists themselves. But to carry the Federal position was beyond their power. �In several instances,� says General MC CLELLAN, �our infantry withheld their fire until the attacking column, which rushed through the storm of canister and shell form our artillery, had reached within a few yards of our lines. They then poured in a single volley and dashed forward with the bayonet, capturing prisoners and colors and driving the routed columns in confusion from the field �. The result was complete victory.� In the afternoon of July 3^rd the regiment, which all through the retreat had formed a portion of the rear guard of the army, reached Harrison�s Landing. Afterward going by transport it arrived and went into camp (August 24^th) at Alexandria, form there marching to the battlefield of Antietam. In this fight, which was on the 17^th of September, the 33^rdwas foremost in action, losing alone fifty men in killed and wounded. Among the former was Sergeant-Major George W. BASSETT, of Yates County, a brave and popular officer. He was shot through the head on returning to the front, after having carried Lieut. Lucius C. MIX, who had been severely wounded, from the field. First Lieut. William Hale LONG, of Company I, was promoted November 25^thto captain and assistant adjutant-general and on the 1^st of December, George BRENNAN, orderly-sergeant of the same company, was promoted to first lieutenant. The regiment crossed the Rappahannock on December 12^th on pontoon bridges laid by the 15^thNew York Engineers, and next day was in the battle of Fredericksburg, where its loss in killed and wounded amounted to over 200. Having remained in camp near White Oak Church during the first four months of 1863 the command on the 2^nd of May participated in the storming of Marye�s Heights. These were gallantly carried, and on the summit the regimental colors were unfurled in triumph to the breeze. In the charge up the heights many of the regiment were killed and wounded, among the latter being Captain ROOT, of Company I. The battle of Salem Heights, fought May 4^th, was the last in which the 33^rdwas engaged.

On Tuesday, May12, 1863, colonel TAYLOR informed the men in his command that, their term of service having expired, they were to go home on the coming Friday. The order for their departure was accompanied by parting addresses from the corps, division, and brigade generals, each address containing a graceful acknowledgment of the past services of the regiment. Farewells were uttered by members of other regiments who had fought side by side with the 33^rd, and on the 17^th of May, the regiment arrived at Elmira. The Saturday following, the 33^rd came to Geneva, where an address of welcome was delivered by Hon. Charles J. FOLGER. A bountiful repast was also served at Camp Swift to the returned soldiers by the ladies of Geneva. On Monday, May 25^th, the regiment proceeded to Canandaigua, where a splendid ovation was received from the citizens. The buildings were handsomely decorated with the national colors and triumphal arches spanned the principal streets. The veterans, together with the Canandaigua firemen, formed in procession and marched to the Courthouse Square and were here addressed by Hon. Elbridge G. LAPHAM. The procession again formed and passed through various streets to the fair grounds, where the regiment gave an exhibition of the manual of arms. J.P. FAUROT, esq., made a brief speech of congratulations, to which Lieutenant-colonel CORNING responded. Colonel TAYLOR then returned to the ladies of Canandaigua the regimental banner received from them two years before. Handing the flag to the committee he remarked that it had been given to his command with the pledge that it should never be sullied by cowardice or a dishonorable act and it had never been. It was a beautiful flag when presented to the regiment, but was now torn and soiled, but to him and the regiment, it was all the dearer. He had not doubt it would be dearer to those who gave it as a relic of the bravery and patriotism of the men of the 33^rd, who, when he assumed command, were 800 strong, but now less than 400 remained. On receiving back the banner, the ladies presented an address, which was bread by A. H. HOWELL, esq. A parting speech to the regiment was delivered by Chaplain Augustus H. LUNG. A sumptuous banquet, served at the Canandaigua House by the ladies of the village, closed the services. The same evening the 33^rd returned to Geneva and on Tuesday, June 2,1863, was assembled on the green in front of the barracks, by Captain BEIRN of the regular army, and there mustered by companies out of the service. On the 20^th of June a grand reception was given at Penn Yan to the members of Company I. Led by Lieutenant BRENNAN as senior officer, they marched to the sound of martial music through the principal streets and were served with a collation at the BENHAM House. The flag presented to the company two years before, was returned to the ladies of Penn Yan and appropriate addresses were made by Hon. D. A. OGDEN and Rev. Frederick STARR. Several who had belonged to Company I, and to other companies in the 33^rd Regiment, subsequently re-enlisted into other commands.

(The list of Officers and privates for Co. I, from the muster out roll � see alpha listing of all soldiers)

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT NYV pg 138

Abraham LINCOLN, President of the United States, received on the last of June 1862, a communication signed by seventeen of the war governors of the North, recommending him to �fill up all military organizations then in the filed that had become reduced by the unavoidable casualties of the service, and to create new regiments for the defence of positions gained by calling on each State for its quota of a body of men sufficient for such purposes.� The President�s reply in part was as follows:

�Fully concurring in the wisdom of the views expressed to me in so patriotic a manner by you in the communication of the 28^th of June, I have decided to call into the service an additional force of 300,000 men. I suggest and recommend that the troops should be chiefly of infantry. I trust they may been rolled without delay, so as to bring this unnecessary and injurious civil war to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion.�

The call for troops made as above by the President was dated July 1^st and on the 2^nda proclamation was issued by Hon. Edwin D. MORGAN, governor of New York, for the raising of the quota of the State. Governor MORGAN subsequently issued an order fixing the quotas of the several counties, and requiring a regiment to be raised in each senatorial district, which for the first time was re-named �Regimental District.� For each district a war committee was appointed to take charge of the recruiting of the regiment of that district and to recommend the proper persons to officer such regiment. The war committee appointed by the governor for the 26^th Senatorial District, held the first meeting at Geneva on the 11^th of July, said committee being composed of certain prominent citizens from the counties of Ontario, Seneca and Yates. From the last named county the members of the war committee were as follows: Hon. William S. BRIGGS, county judge, Morris BROWN, esq., Stafford C. CLEVELAND, editor of the Yates County Chronicle, Charles S. HOYT, M.D., Melethiah H. LAWRENCE, esq., Hon Darius A. OGDEN and Gen. Alexander F. WHITAKER.

Recruiting immediately commenced and on the 4^th of August the rendezvous for the regiment to be raised in this district was opened at Camp Swift, Geneva. The position of commandant of this post was first offered to Hon. Charles J. FOLGER of Geneva, then to Hon. Darius A. OGDEN of Penn Yan. Each having in turn declined, Hon. Eliakim SHERRIL of Geneva was chosen and was commissioned colonel of the regiment upon its organization. War meetings were held in all parts of the senatorial district, particularly in our county of Yates, where great enthusiasm was manifested, and recruiting went on rapidly.

Company A, recruited entirely in Yates County, was the first company in the new regiment to rendezvous at Camp Swift. The second was Company B, recruited principally in Yates County. Recruits form this county were also in Companies C, D, E, F, G, H and K. On August 20^ththe regiment, which was called the 126^th New York Volunteers, was organized and on the 22^nd it was regularly mustered into the United States service. On that date the 126^th Regiment comprised 39officers and 956 enlisted men, or a total of 995.

(The regimental and line officers at formation can be found on the alpha-listing of all soldiers)

The regiment left Geneva for the front August 26, 1862 and arrived at Baltimore the next day. By orders given by the veteran general, John E. WOOL, who commanded the middle department, the 126^th proceeded to Harper�s Ferry, reaching there the 28^th. The regiment had been directed to report for instruction and duty to Col. D. H. MILES, then commanding at Harper�s Ferry, and which on its arrival, was already occupied by the 39^th and 111^th Regiments NYV., the 32^nd Ohio Volunteers, the 12^th NY State Militia, the 1^stRhode Island Battery, and a portion of the 5^th New York Heavy Artillery. On the 13^th,14^th, and 15^th of September, Harper�s Ferry was invested by three divisions of the Confederate army commanded respectively by Generals MC LAWS, WALER and �Stonewall� JACKSON. Early in the morning of the 13^th, the 126^th Regiment advanced from Harper�s Ferry to Maryland Heights. It there received the main force of the enemy�s attack, and made under very disadvantageous circumstances a brave and credible defence. Its loss in this engagement was 13 killed and 42 wounded. Among the latter was Colonel SHERRILL, who received a severe wound in the face, was for some time disabled from active service. On the 15^th the garrison at Harper�s Ferry surrendered on parole. Any of the causes which are said to have brought about this disastrous result need not here be stated. Having marched to Annapolis, the 126^th Regiment was transferred to Camp Douglas, Chicago. At this place were located for two months its far from desirable quarters, where the accommodations and sanitary arrangements were alike injurious to the health of all and fatal to many. Adjutant J. Smith BROWN, of Colonel BERDAN�S United States Sharpshooters, here joined on the 17^thof November the 126^th, having accepted the adjutancy of the same. The regiment was exchanged November 19^th and proceeding to Washington was re-armed. The winter of 1862-63 was passed in camp at Union Mills, Va., doing picket duty along the banks of the famous Bull Run. On the 27^th of January, 1863, colonel SHERRILL, having sufficiently recovered, rejoined the regiment, which during his absence had been under the command of Lieut. Col. James M. BULL. The camp was moved March 2^nd to Centerville, Va., where the 126^thunited with the balance of a brigade comprising the 39^th, 111^th,and the 125^th New York Volunteers, and commanded by Brig. Gen. Alexander HAYS, who had won distinction in the Peninsular Campaign. On the 24^th of June, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, then marching to intercept LEE, who was making a second attempt to invade the North. The 126^thnow became a part of the 3^rd Brigade of the 3^rd Division, and was succeeded as commander of the brigade by Col. George Lamb WILLARD, of the 111^th NYV.

After a most fatiguing march from Centerville, the 126^tharrived in the early morning of July 2^nd on the battlefield of Gettysburg. Toward night it took part along with the brigades in a glorious charge that resulted in the defeat and dispersion of the opposing forces of the Southerners. As this charge was being made, Colonel WILLARD, the brigade commander, was killed, while on the side of the enemy fell BARKSDALE, who had commanded a Confederate brigade at the taking of Harper�s Ferry. During the terrific cannonading between the two armies, with which began the engagement of the day following volunteers from the 126^thRegiment came forward and manned the guns in the batteries where the regular artillerymen had been killed or wounded. When in the afternoon a grand assault was made by the Confederates against the Federal lines, the 126^th acted well its part toward the repulse of the foe. Five stands of colors were taken by the regiment on this occasion. Capt Morris BROWN Jr., of Yates County, captured with his own hands, one of these standards, on which was inscribed �Harper�s Ferry� and the names of eleven other battles. The surrender of Harper�s Ferry was redeemed at Gettysburg. The brave Colonel SHERRILL, who, when Colonel WILLARD fell, had succeeded to the command of the 3^rd Brigade, was mortally wounded, expiring the next day, and most fittingly on the anniversary of American independence. Five other officers and fifty five enlisted men belonging to the 126^thRegiment were killed in this, one of the most important battles of the war, while seven officers and 161 enlisted men were wounded. Among the slain officers was Color-Sergeant, Erasmus E. BASSETT, of Yates County, who fell during the first day�s fight while bravely carrying the regimental colors. An active part was taken by the regiment after the battle in the pursuit of the enemy.

From Gettysburg until the close of the war, the 126^thparticipated in twenty different battles and skirmishes. In the autumn of 1863 the regiment won add ional honor for its conspicuous gallantry in the battles of Auburn ford and of Bristow Station, which were fought respectively in the morning and afternoon of October 14^th. Severe skirmishing also took place at Mine Run on the 27^ththrough the 30^th of November. The services of the regiment were again called upon in the grandre connaissance made February 6, 1864, by the Army of the Potomac at Morton�s Ford on the Rapidan. On the 24^thof March, Lieut.-Gen. U.S. GRANT arrived and established his headquarters at Culpepper Court House. The regiment, having been transferred to BARLOW�S division, entered the spring campaign of 1864 with less than 300 men, of whom 100 were on duty as provost-guard at corps headquarters. The Army of the Potomac crossed the Rapidan on the 4^th of May and was afterward engaged in the following battles, in all of which the 126^thRegiment took part: May 6^thand 7^th in the Wilderness (in the ballet Brevet Maj.-Gen. Alexander HAYS was killed while gallantly rallying his brigade); May 10^th at Po River; May 12^th to the 18^th, at Spotsylvania, where the 2^ndCorps, to which the 126^th Regiment belonged, made a grand charge on the enemy�s works, capturing 400 prisoners, 20 guns and 30 stands of colors, together with the Confederate Generals, Edward JOHNSON and G. H. STEWART, who were taken to the rear and put under guard of colored soldiers. From the 23^rdto the 31^st, sharp skirmishing occurred along the North Anna and Tolopotomy Rivers. The 126^thRegiment then took part in the terrible battle of Cold Harbor from the 1^stto the 12^th of June. On the 16^th, the regiment moved to the front of Petersburg and in the engagement on that day, Col William H. BAIRD was killed. Heavy fighting also occurred here on the 17^th and 18^th. The 2^nd Corps on the 21^st, advanced to the left of Petersburg and on the 22^nd was attacked by the enemy in force and on the left flank. The 126^thRegiment was at this time commanded by Capt. Morris BROWN Jr., of Yates County, who fell with others of merit in the heat of the action.

On the 26^th of July, the regiment was engaged in battle at Deep Bottom on the James and from the 14^th to the 20^th of August at Strawberry Plains. Having aided effectually in the destruction of the Weldon Railroad, the regiment was attached on the 25^th at Reams Station. In the following spring of 1865, the 126^thRegiment participated in the assault made March 25^th on the lines around Petersburg, just after the attack by LEE upon Fort Steadman. From the 29^th to the 31^st, the regiment was engaged on the skirmish line along the Boydton plank road. When the retreat of LEE�S army began the 3^rd Brigade, in which was included the 126^th Regiment, was particularly active in the pursuit and let by the gallant Gen. C. D. MAC DOUGALL charged (April 2^nd)and carried the enemy�s entrenchments at Southerland�s Station. The Confederates were again encountered April 7^th at Farmville and at Appomattox on the 9^th, where on that day, Lee surrendered to Grant. The 126^thRegiment, having resumed its march, passed on the 7^th of May through Richmond. Here it was greeted by the 148^th New York Volunteers, in which regiment Companies B, F, and I had been recruited in Yates County. This was the first time the two regiments had met while in the service. The 126^th Regiment proceeded to Washington and took part in the grand review held in that city on the 23^rd of May. Orders were received June 2^nd for the regiment to be mustered out and sent to the State rendezvous, and on the 3^rd the regiment was mustered out. The next day the men left Washington for Elmira, NY, arriving at that place on the 6^th,and there meeting their former colonel, James M. BULL. The 126^th Regiment, numbering at this time 221men, received final payment and discharged at Elmira, June 16^th and17^th, 1865.

(The regiment muster in roll of the 126^th can be found on the alpha listing of all soldiers)

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT N.Y.V. pg 146

Important service to the nation was rendered during the great Civil war by the 148^thRegiment New York Volunteers, which was raised in the counties of Yates, Ontario, and Seneca, and organized September 14, 1862. At the time of its organization the field and staff officers were as follows: Colonel William JOHNSON, Seneca Falls; lieutenant colonel, George M. GUYON, Seneca Falls; major, John B. MURRAY, Seneca Falls; adjutant, Henry T. NOYES, Starkey; quartermaster, Albert WOODRUFF, Lodi; surgeon, Henry SIMMONS, Canandaigua; first assistant surgeon, C. H. CARPENTER, Phelps; second assistant surgeon Frank SEELEYE, Rushville.

In Yates County were recruited Companies B, F and I. Of these, the following were the line officers: Company B: Captain Hiram T. HEWITT; first lieutenant Hiram STRUBLE; second lieutenant George W. WADDELL. Company F: Captain Harvey G. GARNDER; first lieutenant Melvin D. WILSON; second lieutenant Aaron J. COOK. Company I: Captain Martin S. HICKS; first lieutenant Morgan D. TRACY; second lieutenant, John COOLEY.

The 148^thleft the place of rendezvous at Camp Swift, Geneva, on the 22^nd of September. The regiment when it departed consisted of 12 companies. Ten being the required number orders were received on the arrival of the command (by steamer via Seneca Lake) at Watkins directing two of the companies to return to Geneva. The two companies that returned, became on the 3^rd of October, part of the 44^thRegiment N.Y.V. On of these two had been raised in Yates County and was the first Company M of the 148^thand later Company C of the 44^th. Its line officers were as follows: Captain Bennett MUNGER; first lieutenant Elzer B. JAMES; second lieutenant Charles KELLY. The 148^th Regiment proceeded from Watkins by rail, arriving at Baltimore the next morning and was there served with an excellent breakfast by the ladies of the city. The command went on to Washington where it continued to drill for several days on Capitol Hill. It then left Washington and going by transport by way of Fortress Monroe, landed at Portsmouth, Va. From Portsmouth the regiment went by rail through the Dismal Swamp to Suffolk and was there stationed on guard duty in the rifle pits. Suffolk was then being put into a state of defence by the Union forces commanded by General PECK of Syracuse. The 148^th after a few weeks moved form the entrenchments and encamped on Paradise Creek near Portsmouth. The whole regiment then relieved the 19^th Wisconsin and moved and went into camp, part in Portsmouth and part across the river in Norfolk. The different companies composing the 148^th were from a considerable time on detached duty, but were again collected together and were all encamped in the courthouse yard in Norfolk and in other parts of the town. Here they remained until the opening of the spring campaign of 1864. The regiment then moved to Yorktown and became part of the 2^ndBrigade of the 2^nd Division of the Army of the James, under the chief command of Gen. B. F. BUTLER.

The advance of this army up the James River began on the 4^th of May, 1864. The 148^th Regiment, gong by transport, arrived and landed with the rest of the troops at Bermuda Hundred. Skirmishes with the enemy occurred at Clover Hill on the 8^thand at Swift Creek on the 12^th. Early in the morning of the 16^th, during a heavy fog, a sudden and sharp attack was made upon our forces in front of Drury�s Bluff by the Confederates under BEAUREGARD. The Union troops fought bravely and obtained some advantage, but BUTLER, evidently under a misapprehension, ordered a retreat. Another skirmish in which the 148^th took part occurred on the26^th at Port Walthall Junction. The whole army returned to its entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, from which position no offensive movement in the direction desired could possibly be attempted. As General GRANT in his official report says: �This army, while here, though in a position of great security, was as completely shut off from further operations against Richmond as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked. It required but a comparatively small force of the enemy to hold it there. �

The position at Bermuda Hundred could, on the other hand, in General GRANT�S opinion, be held by a less force than BUTLER had under him; therefore on the 24^th of May, the 18^th Corps, in which was included the 148^thRegiment, was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac. The corps commander at that time was Gen. W. F. SMITH, familiarly known as �Baldy� SMITH, and who had formerly commanded a brigade of which the 33^rdNew York Volunteers had formed a part. The148^th joined the Army of the Potomac by way of the White House, to which it placed its arrived by transport, passing down the James and up the York rivers. On the 3^rd of June the regiment participated in the battle of Cold Harbor. In the sanguinary contest in front of Petersburg, a prominent part was taken by the 148^th, particularly in the fight at Rowlett�s House on the 15^th. At the mine explosion in the morning of July 30^th the regiment with its division was ordered forward to the support of the attacking column that charged into the crater. On the 29^thof September the very strong fortifications and entrenchments below Chapin�s Farm, on the north side of the James and known as Fort Harrison, were carried in an attack by the 18^th Corps, led by Gen E. O. CORD. The regiment distinguished itself in this action and proved to all that its designation as �the gallant 148^th� was well deserved. In the assault on Fort Gillmore, however, on the same day, a repulse followed. At the battle of Fair Oaks, fought October 27^th, the regiment suffered severely in killed and wounded. In the beginning of November the larger part of the 148^th Regiment was detailed with other forces to accompany General BUTLER to New York city for the purpose of keeping order on election day, as it was anticipated that a riot would take place on that occasion.

On the 2^ndof April, 1865, occurred the decisive conflict (participated in by the 148^th)which resulted in the final defeat of LEE and the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. The next morning, �amidblazing roofs and failing walls, smoke and ashes, and the deafening reports of explosions,� the soldiers of the Union entered the latter city in triumph. The very remarkable scene which was on the morning presented is thus described, by E. A. POLLARD, the Southern historian:

�By 10o�clock, when several thousand of the (Federal) enemy had marched into the city, the scene had become fearfully sublime. It was a scene in which the horrors of a great conflagration struggled for the forepart of the picture, while the grand army, brilliant with steel and banners, breaking into the circle of fire with passionate cheers, and the crash of triumphant martial music, dazzled the spectator and confounded his imagination. The flames has already spread over the chief business portion of the city, brands were flying toward the capitol and it seemed at one time as if the whole of Richmond would be destroyed � that the whole wicked city would rush skyward in a pyramid of fire. A change in the wind, however, drove back the fire from the high plateau above Franklin street, where, if the flames had once lodged, they would soon have traversed the length and breadth of the city . . . . . . . All that was terrible in sounds was added to all that was terrible in sights. While glittering regiments carried their strong lines of steel through the smoke; while smoke-masked robbers fought for their plunder; while the lowers trees appeared as a great pit of fire, the crater of destruction; while alarmed citizens who had left their property a ruin or spoil found a brief repose on the sward of the Capitol Square, whose emerald green was already strewn with brands � the seeds of fired that the merciless wind had sown to the very door of the capitol; while the lengthening arms of the conflagration appeared to almost reach around those who had fled to the picturesque hill for a breath of fresh air, - sounds as terrible, and more various than those of battle, assailed the ear and smote the already overtaxed imagination. There were shells at the Confederated arsenal exposed to the fire, from the rapid progress of which they could no longer be rescued, and for hours the explosion of these tore the air and shook the houses in their vicinity. Crowds of negroes roamed through the streets, their wild, coarse voices raised in hymns of jubilation, thanking God for their freedom and a few steps farther might be heard the blasphemous shouts of those who fought with the red-handed fired for their prey.� (From Life of Jefferson Davis, with a Secret History of the Confederacy, page 406)

The regiment on April 2^nd took part in the charge by which Fort Gregg, south of Petersburg, was captured and in the engagement on the 6^th at Rice�s Station. On the 9^th of April, LEE surrendered at Appomattox Court House. While in Richmond after the surrender, the 148^th had the pleasure of greeting (May 7^th)the 126^th New York Volunteers, in which regiment a large proportion of the members were from the county of Yates. The 148^th Regiment was mustered out at Richmond on the 20^thof June. The veterans who had composed the command then went by transport to Baltimore, where they took their departure for their several homes, having performed for their country a service that will ever stand high in public estimation.

(The regiment muster out roll of the 148^th can be found on the alpha listing of all soldiers)

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-NINTH REGIMENT N.Y.V. pg 152

Among the many regiments which during the war were furnished by the Empire State, the 179^thNew York Volunteers is entitled to prominence for the bravery and the patriotism that this command in several engagements displayed. The ten companies of infantry composing the 179^th were raised in the following places: Company A in Horseheads; Company B in Elmira; Company C, in Buffalo; Company F in Penn Yan; Company G in Buffalo; Company H in Elmira; Company I in Newfield and Company K in Binghamton. The following were the field and staff officers of the regiment at the time of it�s organization on the 5^th of April, 1864: Colonel, William M. GREGG; lieutenant-colonel, Franklin B. DOTY; major J. Barnet SLOAN; adjutant, George W. COOK; quartermaster, Nathaniel P. T. FINCH; surgeon, Joseph W. ROBINSON; assistant surgeon, William C. BAILEY; chaplain Edwin A. TAFT.

The 179^th,having been organized, was sent into the field by companies form the place of rendezvous at Elmira. Companies A, B and C went on in April 1864, and arrived in Baltimore on the 29^thof that month. Companies A and C proceeded via New York City and Company B by the Northern Central Railroad, the tree companies meeting in Baltimore. From there they went to Washington and encamped on Arlington Heights, opposite the city. They were here joined about the first of May, by Companies D and E. Lieut.-Col. Franklin B. DOTY, also at this time reached the camp and assumed command. From Arlington, about the last of May, they proceeded to White House Landing on the Pamunkey River, Va.

Company F, with Maj. J. Barnet SLOAN, left Elmira on the 1^st of June and joined the regiment at White House Landing. The179^th remained here until June 10^th, when it united with the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor while the battle of that name was going on. The regiment was attached to the First Brigade, Colonel PIERRE of the First Division, General LEDLIE of the 9^th Corps, commanded by General BURNSIDE. The position in front of Cold Harbor was evacuated as the army moved down the Peninsula, the 179^th Regiment being the last to leave the skirmish line. The James River was crossed at Wilson�s Landing and a forced march was made in front of Petersburg, where the regiment arrived on the 16^th. The 9^th Corps the same evening supported the 2^ndCorps as it advanced on the Confederate position. At 6 o�clock in the afternoon of the following day, the 9^thCorps assailed the enemy�s works. In this assault, the 179^th lost half its number in killed, wounded and missing. Maj. J. Barnet SLOAN of Yates County, while bravely leading his regiment in the charge, received a mortal wound. Capt. Daniel BLATCHFORD of Company E was also killed and Lieut.-Col. Franklin B. DOTY, Captains Robert T. STEWART of Company B and William BIRD Jr., of Company D, were wounded. Capt. John BARTON of Company C was promoted to be major, July 14^thin the place of Major SLOAN, who died of his wound on the 18^th of June.

It will be prope rhere to give some account of the young and gallant officer last named, who fell while in the service of his country. John Barnet SLOAN was born in Penn Yan, January 17, 1839. In 1861, while a resident of New York City, he enlisted for two years in the 31^st Regiment NYV, with the rank of first lieutenant. When the 31^st was ordered from an island in the harbor of New York to proceed to Washington, some violent characters connected with this regiment refused to go, and it was only by the energy of Lieutenant SLOAN and considerable coercion that a mutiny was prevented while they were passing through the city of New York. By the simple occurrence was awakened in the minds of these desperadoes the most deadly hatred and revenge. Soon after they arrived in Washington one of them made a furious assault on the lieutenant. He defended himself and thrust his sword through the body of the ruffian, who died instantly. The companions of the soldier thus justly killed were more than ever incensed, and two or tree days later another of the insurgents rushed with musket and bayonet at Lieutenant SLOAN, who, drawing a revolver, shot him dead. The lieutenant immediately surrendered himself and asked for an investigation. A court martial was appointed and after a patient hearing of tree days, acquitted him from all blame. General MC CLELLAN, to whom the verdict of the court had been submitted for approval, asked �to see the young lieutenant who had been tried.� When Lieutenant SLOAN presented himself, General MC CLELLAN remarked, � Lieutenant, you are acquitted; you were born to be a soldier. I see that you have but one bar upon your shoulder; you are worthy to wear two.� The lieutenant shortly afterward received by order of the general, a captain�s commission. His comrades in the company in which he first enlisted, on learning that he was about to be assigned to the command of another company, petitioned tha the might remain, and he became their captain. Shortly after the siege of Yorktown, Captain SLOAN�S company with others was sent out to reconnoiter and became entirely surrounded by the enemy. After making a detour of about ten miles, and being all this while in the most imminent danger, Captain SLOAN with a number of his men succeeded in reaching the Federal lines, but while approaching they were mistaken for Confederates and a shell, which fortunately failed to explode, fell in their midst. At the battle of Gaine�s Mill, Captain SLOAN engaged in single combat with a Confederate cavalryman, whom he shot through the head, but not until the trooper had severely wounded him in the foot. Although wounded, he fought to the close of that day�s conflict and during the next two days in the battles of Savage Station and of Fair Oaks. His foot had now become swollen to such an extent, that he could not walk. Our forces were in full retreat, and Captain SLOAN was following after as best he could on one foot, supporting himself by a stout stick cut from the White Oak Swamp. The Confederates were in plain view and he would have been taken prisoner had not the lieutenant colonel noticed the peril he was in and sent his own horse with directions to mount and repair to the hospital. Here Captain SLOAN�S wound first received medical attention. He was then furloughed and coming North, was appointed a recruiting officer, and for several months acted in that capacity. He afterward returned to his regiment and was at the storming of the heights of Fredericksburg, where he was again wounded, this time by a mini-ball in the leg. The 31^st Regiment was mustered out in May 1863 and Captain SLOAN, for meritorious services on the field of battle, received a commission as major, bearing date and back pay from the previous month of January. Major SLOAN, having re-enlisted, left Elmira on June 1, 1864, with Company F of his regiment, the 179^th. After his departure for the front a large number of the prominent citizens of Yates County, wishing to express their high appreciation of Major SLOAN�s military and soldierly qualities, assembled on June 4^thin front of the Benham House in Penn Yan to witness the presentation of a beautiful sword, pistols and belt which had been contributed by them as a testimonial of the esteem and respect which they held toward the young and brave major. Hon. Darius A. OGDEN made the presentation speck, and in behalf of Major SLOAN, who was then absent in the field of duty, John D. WOLCOTT, esq., the district attorney of Yates County, responded and passed the beautiful implements of war into the hands of John SLOAN, esq. Who was to forward them to his son. The following is the inscription on the sword:

�Presentedto Major John Barnet SLOAN, June 4, 1864, as a testimonial of their appreciation of services rendered in defence of our imperiled country, and his energy in raising the 179^th Regt. N.Y.S.V.� , by

Hon. D. OGDEN, Col. H. C. ROBBINS, S. C. CLEVELAND, Wm. WATTS, F. HOLMES, C.HEWINS, J. S. JILLETT, N. R. LONG, L. O. DUNNING, Wm. T. REMER, Geo H. LAPHAM,F. E. SMITH and others

Gen. A. F. WHITAKER, Chairman.

Major SLOAN received the published accounts of this meeting, but before he received the beautiful and appropriate gifts themselves, he fell in battle, June 17^th,as before stated. His remains were brought to Penn Yan and there interred with due honors, the Rev. Frederick STARR Jr., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, preaching the funeral discourse. The post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Penn Yan was named in honor of Major SLOAN on its organization in 1869. He was married September 24, 1860, to Miss Mary A. BRADLEY, a sister of Lieut. David A. BRADLEY, of Company F, of the 179^th Regiment. Their children are Mary Barnet, the wife of Frank E. WRIGHT, of Lewiston, Fergus County, Mont., and Martha E., the wife of the Hon. John D. WAITE, of Utica, Fergus County, Mont.

Company G joined the command July 29, 1864. The explosion of the mine under a portion of the confederate entrenchments occurred the next morning. An assault wa sthen made by the 9^th Corps, with the 1^st Division taking the lead, and the 179^th lost in killed Major BARTON, Capt Allen T. FARWELL of Company F, Capt. James H. DAY of Company G, and wounded Lieut. B. L. SEXTON of Company D. Fifty enlisted men belonging to the regiment were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Private John H. CARLEY of Company F was among the killed. The 179^th did constant fighting in the trenches until the 19^thof August. During the whole time the men were exposed to the most hair-breadth escapes and harassing dangers, but the regiment escaped with only a few wounded. On the above date it moved round to the Weldon Railroad, which had been captured by the 5^th Corps, and which would have been lost again had it not been for the timely support of the 9^th Corps. The two corps, now united, attacked the Confederates and forced them to retreat a considerable distance. In this advance, the 179^th Regiment had only tree officers and fifty six men fit for duty, so greatly had the officers and men been worn down by their duties in the trenches. The loss in the above engagement was small. On August 27^th, Albert A. TERRILL,. Captain of Company A, was made major in place of Major BARTON killed.

Lieutenant Colonel DOTY, who had been wounded and absent in consequence for 60 days, rejoined his command August 23^rd. Companies H, I, and K reached the regiment at Park�s Station in September. On the 30^th of that month the 179^th took part in the engagement at Poplar Springs Church, in which Lieut. James BOOKER of Company K, acting adjutant, was mortally wounded. The next engagement, in which the losses were very slight, occurred October 27^th at Hatcher�s Run. After this the regiment was generally in the trenches until April 1865,occasionally changing positions from Fort Welsh to Fort Davis. The 179^th Regiment having now reached its maximum number, Col William M. GREGG, about the 1^st of October, 1864, was mustered in and took command.

During the first part of December, at the time of the celebrated raid of the 5^th Corps to the Not away River, the 2^nd Division to which the regiment was attached was sent out in pursuit and to give support if required. It performed a forced march of twenty miles and back within 24 hours. On the night of April 1, 1865, the 179^th Regiment alone, by a splendid flank, movement, assaulted the whole picket line on tits brigade front, capturing about four times its number with only slight losses, and held its position until morning. It then took position on the front line for a general assault on the enemy�s works, which were subsequently taken with an overwhelming victory that completely broke up the Confederate lines of fortification. Colonel GREGG in this assault received a scalp wound from the fragment of a shell, which rendered him senseless for some time, and disabled him for one week from commanding. The lamented Lieutenant-Colonel DOTY fell, shot through the lungs and survived only two days. As an officer, a courteous gentleman, a brave soldier, among the bravest of the brave, he had few equals. Captains Albert A. PIERSON of Company D and Giles H. HOLDEN of Company F, and Lieutenants Samuel G. H. MUSGROVE of Company H and Stephen COMPTON of Company A, were wounded. Captain PIERSON severely through the left leg and the rest slightly.

The 179^thparticipated in the pursuit of LEE as far as Burkesville and after his surrender it returned to City Point, from which place it went by transport to Alexandria and near there, encamped. On the 23^rdof May the regiment took part along with the rest of the ever renowned Army of the Potomac in the grand review at Washington. No words can adequately describe the grandeur of this parade. Over200,000 veterans � the heroes of many a fierce battle � marched in an apparently endless stream up Pennsylvania avenue and past the Presidential mansion, while the air was filled with strains of music and the acclamations of innumerable spectators, the whole forming a scene of unparalleled splendor, of which the participants still speak with enthusiasm. General GRANT expressed it as � a sight varied and grand, � but it was more so; it was a sight but once seen in a lifetime, and in one respect, a magnificent exhibition of the tremendous power of our arms.

�Yet sublime as was this spectacle,� says the celebrated historian, J. T. HEADLEY, �it sunk into insignificance before the grandeur of the one presented a few days after, when this army, strong enough to conquer a hemisphere, melted suddenly away into the mass of people and was seen no more. Its deeds renown had filled the civilized world and European statesmen looked on and wondered what disposition could be made of it, and where it would choose to go or what it would do. It was one of the grandest armies that ever bore on its bayonet points the destinies of a king or a nation � a consolidation and embodiment of power seldom witnessed; and yet, while the gaze of the world was fixed upon it, it disappeared like a vision, and when one looked for it he saw only peaceful citizens engaged in their usual occupations. The major general, whose martial achievements had been repeated in almost every language under the sun, was seen among his papers in his old law office, which he had left at the call of his county; the brave colonel, who had led many a gallant charge, was in his counting house acting as though he had been absent only a few days on business; while the veterans of the rank and file, whose battle shout had rung over scores of bloody fields, could only be found by name, as one bent over his saw and plane and another swung his scythe in the harvest field or plied his humble toil along the streets. It was a marvelous sight, the grandest the world ever saw. It had been the people�s war � the people had carried it on, and, having finished their own work, quietly laid aside the instruments with which they had accomplished it and again too up those of peaceful industry. Never did a government on earth exhibit such stability and assert its superiority over all other forms as did this republican government of ours in the way its armies disappeared when the struggle was over.�

The 179^thRegiment was mustered out at its place of encampment near Alexandria on June 8,1865, by special order of the War Department. Going by way of Washington, the regiment proceeded to Elmira, which it reached on Sunday morning the 11^th. It was met at the depot by prominent citizens and the committee of arrangements, and escorted to the William Street Hospital building where a warm breakfast was served to the members of the command. After breakfast the veterans marched down toward the foot of Church street and encamped on a vacant lot on the south side near the stoneware factory. Here they remained until the 22^nd and 23^rd of June, when they received final payment and discharge.

Inscribed on the banners of the 179^th are the names of noted battles in which the regiment took a most noble part, viz: �Petersburg, June 17^th and July 30, 1864; Weldon Railroad; Poplar Springs Church; Hatcher�s Run; and Petersburg on April 1^st and 2^nd, 1865.� On account of the great bravery evinced in capturing the enemy�s picket line and in the final assault before Petersburg, Col. William was afterward promoted to brevet brigadier-general and Capt. Samuel G. H. MUSGROVE, to brevet-major.

(Roster of the 179^th at time of mustering out and the muster in roll of Co. F, can be found on the alpha listing)

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