Otsego County NyArchives Military Records.....G. A. R. - Brown Post, Schenevus 1892 Civilwar ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 December 1, 2008, 8:03 am G. A. R. - Brown Post, Schenevus Brown Post, No. 15, SCHENEVUS, N. Y. Regular meetings first and third Thursday of each month at G. A. R. Hall. BROWN Post was organized in March, 1874. Charter received March 11th and mustered into the department of New York March 24, 1874, E. D. Farmer Post, No. 119, Oneonta, N. Y., convening in special meeting for this purpose at Schenevus, with R. L. Fox, Commander, as mustering officer, assisted by James Roberts, S. V., E. J. Bixby, J. V., and other comrades from that post. The Post was named in honor of Ziba and Hamilton Brown, two gallant soldiers, two honored sons of the town of Maryland, who did splendid service for the cause which they loved so well. Hamilton Brown was born in the town of Maryland July 29, 1830. After attending common school went to Hartwick Seminary, and in 1884 entered Union Collage, graduating in the class of 1852. After graduating he entered the office of Judge Ferry at Schenevus and in 1854 became the junior member of the law firm of Ferry & Brown. In 1857 young Brown, who had already won marked distinction and wide renown as one of the most scholastic and profound of the younger members of the Bar of Central New York, entered into partnership with the distinguished lawyer, Horace Lathrop, under the firm, name of Lathrop & Brown. The firm were enjoying a large and lucrative practice, their clients being from all parts of the state. There were few whose prospects were as bright. He was a ready debater and, although a young man, was recognized as an orator of no mean pretentions, but his country was calling. He did not hesitate. Leaving his profession, home and friends, he enlisted as private Aug. 5, 1861, and was mustered in at Albany Aug. 12, 1861. In Sept., 1862, was commissioned 2nd Lieut. Came north to procure recruits for a regiment then being organized at Norfolk, enlisting forty men at Schenevus and fifty in Oneonta. Soon afterwards was promoted to 1st Lieut, and Dec. 23, 1863, was promoted to Major of 2nd U. S. Colored Cavalry. Was taken sick in January, returned home in March and died Oct. 24, 1864. Was buried at Schenevus, N. Y., his funeral being attended by many friends from the surrounding country. Harvey W. Brown, first Commander, was born in the town of Maryland in 1828. Completing his education at the Hartwick Seminary, located on a farm, soon after engaging in the general mercantile business. The war had broken out, the first battle of Bull Run had been fought and lost, a defeat so crushing to the Union Armies as to cause depression but not discouragement. The third call for troops was issued and the response came from the people with an alacrity which told how determined was the resolution that the cause of the Union should yet triumph over its assailants. Among the first to respond to his country's call was Harvey W. Brown, leaving the plow and business behind. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1861, and was mustered into the service as 1st Sergeant Aug. 12, 1861, at Albany, N. Y. Was promoted in Dec. to 2nd Lieutenant, going to the front with his regiment and receiving his commission as 1st Lieut. in February, 1862. He was a born soldier, participating in the battles near Williams, N. C., October, 1862, Kingston, White Hall and Goldsborough Dec. 1862; Jacksonville and Trenton, N. C., in Jan. 1863; Sandy Ridge May 1, 1863; Warsaw July 14, 1863; Tarborough July 20, 1863 and Streets Ferry July 25, 1863. Promoted to Captain in the fall of 1862 and in Dec. 1863, was again promoted to Major and assigned to the 1st Reg. U. S. Cavelry, which was recruited at Norfolk, Va., by Hamilton Brown, Col. Cole and J. Gerrard. Their first march was to Petersburg. After the battle of Petersburg they joined the Army of Potomac, where they remained until after the surrender of Gen. Lee, when they were sent to Brazo and San Diago. While here Major Brown resigned October 17, 1865, his health not permitting him to remain longer in the service. Returned to Schenevus and was elected Sheriff of Otsego county in 1866. Has filled the office of Justice of the Peace and Justice of Sessions, besides being Supervisor of the town of Maryland. Was charter member of Brown Post and its Commander for two years, 1874 and 1875. Comrade Brown died Oct. 23, 1888, and was buried at Schenevus, N. Y., with military honors, the Brown Post and delegates from posts throughout the county attending in a body. He was a true friend and neighbor. His memory is cherished by all who knew him. Warren Bennett, born in the town of Maryland July 11, 1840. After attending the common schools engaged in farming. Enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. D, 3d N. Y. C. and was mustered in at Albany, going from there to Washington. His record is that of his regiment: always at his post and engaging in all the hard fought battles in which this regiment had participated, and enduring its hardships. Sent to the general hospital at Point Lookout. Md., July 4, 1864; remained four weeks and then rejoined his regiment near Bermuda Hundred. Discharged in Dec. 1865, and returned to Maryland and went to farming. Joined Brown Post as charter member and was elected Commander for the years 1876 and 1877. Enlisted as a private and for distinguished service was promoted to Corporal. George Bennett, born in the town of Maryland. Educated at common schools and at the age of seventeen years went to Fort Smith, Ark., in the employ of the Overland Stage Company. In Feb. 1861, after the state had first voted not to secede from the Union and before the second convention was called, at which time the state had decided to secede, while returning from a Union meeting to their boarding house, he and four other men were attacked by seven rebels and after a skirmish Bennett and another were taken prisoners before a jury at Coroners Court and held for murder, the others jumping upon stage horses and fled. Two of the rebels were killed. While before the Coroner's Jury a mob of rebels came with thirty-five feet of rope to hang the prisoners to a tree. Wm. Farmer, the other prisoner, from Central New York, ran and was shot. Bennett, was retaken and while the rebels were in search of a tree, a dozen Union men who had started in pursuit, commanded them to halt. Realizing their position the rebels fled. The sheriff came up and Bennett was taken to jail, escorted by twelve friends. Remained here seven months. During his confinement he was asked to join the rebel ranks. Succeeded in getting released through a friend (a rebel) who took him to assist in buying horses for the Rebel Government. Remained here until after the battle of Pea Ridge. In the spring of 1862 went to Jefferson City and drove the general staff ambulance team until Dec. 1862. Returned to the town of Maryland, intending to go back to service, but was drafted in 1863, paid $300 for substitute and enlisted in Co. E, 1st N. Y. Eng., Sept. 2, 1864. Mustered in as a recruit at Norwich, N. Y. Joined regiment at City Point, Va., April 2, 1865. Lee surrendering came back to Richmond and rebuilt the Mayo bridge on the James river that had been recently burned. Mustered out at Richmond June 30, 1865, returned to Schenevus and went on a farm. Joined the Brown Post, June, 1874. Was elected Cammander to serve during the years 1882 and 1883. He was an exceedingly popular officer and the administration of the Post's affairs were in keeping with the sturdy manliness which he is known to possess. Has held the office of Senior Vice, Officer of the Day and Adjutant, and is still an active member of the Post. Now residing at Schenevus with his family, consisting of his wife, daughter, aged 24 and two sons aged 20 and 12 respectively. Henry Palmer, Commander for 1887, was born in the town of Maryland June 13, 1843. Attended the common schools and after procuring his education located upon a farm. Like many of the volunteers of Otsego county, he left the farm for the field and enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, as private in Co. F, 121st N. Y. Vol. Mustered into the U. S. service at Herkimer, N. Y. Read the record of the 121st Regiment at Fredericksburg, Rappahanock Station, Gettysburg, Salem Hights, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Fisher Hill, Petersburg and Cedar Creek, participating in all the engagements and skirmishes of his regiment, their record becomes his record. In the many hard fought battles in which he participated he displayed undoubted courage and devotion for the cause he had espoused. Discharged June 25, 1865, returned to the town of Maryland, and joined the Post in 1874 and was Adjutant for several years. His administration was such as to receive the approval of his comrades. He is now the efficient Quarter Master of the Post. Was Assessor for the town of Maryland for eight years, and is now residing near Schenevus, N. Y., respected by many kind friends and neighbors. The present Commander, I. E. Hynds, was first elected in Dec. 1889. and is now serving his third term, He was born at Hyndsville, Schoharie county, N. Y. In 1860 went to Troy, N. Y., to learn the tinsmith trade, leaving the bench to go to the front. He enlisted Sept. 8, 1863. as private in Co. F, 21st N. Y. Cav., and was mustered into the U. S. service Sept. 18, 1863 as corporal, going to the front and participating in all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment engaged. There are few who will forget the glorious record of the 21st N. Y. Cav. You will remember them at Charleston under Seigle, at New Market and with Gen. Hunter from Winchester to Lynchburg, meeting Gen. Early who had been reinforced by Longstreet. Here the Union troops were defeated and returned to the Union lines at Kaffawha Valley, W. Va. Ordered from there to Parkersburg to assist in driving Early from Pennsylvania. The Regiment, being reduced from 1,200 to 200 men, was ordered to Cumberland to recruit. Then reporting to Gen. Sheriden in the Shanandoah, crossing the river and through Ashby's Gap, headed off Early's wagon train. When entering the Shanandoah side of the Gap they were fired upon by a superior force of rebels, losing seventy-five men. The Regiment made a splendid charge across the river, surprising the enemy and capturing many prisoners. During this charge Hynds' horse was shot from under him, but by swimming and through the assistance received by clinging to the tail of a horse he safely reached the shore, going into winter quarters at Winchester, having participated in twenty-eight hard fought battles in one year. War closed, was ordered to Washington, thence to Fort Leavenworth, to the scene of hostilities on the part of the Indians, escorting Gov. Yates to the Rocky Mountains to treat with the Indians. Discharged at Leavenworth, August 31, 1866, being the last volunteer regiment in the U. S. service. Went to Cobleskill and completed his trade. In 1869 went to Maryland and in 1872 removed to Schenevus and worked at his trade for two years, when he embarked in the general hardware business as the senior member of the firm of Hynds & Becker, where he is at the present writing located. Joined Brown Post Nov. 26, 1885; held the office of Senior Vice for two years and was elected Commander to serve during the year 1890, applying the discipline acquired by his splendid service on the field to the administration of his office. The Roster of the Post (which showed 27 members when he entered upon the duties of his office) had doubled at the end of his term. He was again elected for 1891 and re-elected to serve during the present year, the Roster of the Post now showing a membership of 58 in good standing. These satisfactory results are due entirely to his energy, influence and interest taken in the affairs of the Post. It is through his efforts and perseverance that the Post have procured the foundation and two bases for a Soldiers' Monument. He was post master four years during Cleveland's administration, is a member of the Susquehanna Valley Lodge, No. 592, F. & A. M., and is at present residing with his family, consisting of a wife and two children, ages respectively 18 and 12. on Main street Schenevus. Since the above was written Comrade Hynds has sustained an irreparable loss in the death of his beloved wife. Comrades and friends will extend to him their sympathy. Hearts will ache to hear of her passing away, but only the rememberance of her excellence and worth, and the implicit faith she had in Him who doeth all things well, will give comfort and peace in the thought that Thy Will be done. David Bostwick enlisted from the town of Maryland Feb'y 27, 1862, as private in Co. D, 3rd N. Y. C. Mustered at Albany, going to the front to Capitol Hill. He was with this famous regiment through all its marches, participating in all skirmishes and battles in which they were engaged and entitled to the honors given to the comrads of the gallant 3rd N. Y. Cav. Always at his post his record is that of his regiment. Discharged at City Point Dec. 2 and mustered out at Albany Dec. 27, 1865. Joined Brown Post in 1875. The President issued the first call for troops April 15, 1861. The sun had hardly set on the day the news was received in the loyal town of Maryland until four of her sons had decided to respond and started for Albany by stage to enlist. One of those men was Jeremiah M. Davis, born at Milford, Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb'y 9, 1836. Educated at the district schools and engaged in the comon avocations