Otsego County NyArchives Military Records.....G. A. R. - Hall Post, Laurens 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, 7:16 am G. A. R. - Hall Post, Laurens Hall Post, No. 139, LAURENS, N. Y. Regular meeting every Thursday at G. A. R. Hall. THIS Post was organized and charter received July 11, 1890, and mustered into the department of New York July 19, 1890, at Richmond Hall, Laurens, by mustering officer James Roberts, of E. D. Farmer Post. No. 119, of Oneonta, N. Y. The Post was named for James and LeRoy Hall, two honored and respected sons of Laurens. They were brave soldiers, enlisting in the 121st N. Y. V., Co. I., James as private and LeRoy as drummer. The record of this Regiment at Fredricksburg, Rappahannock Station at Gettysburg, Salem Heights, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Fisher Hill, Petersburg and Cedar Creek, will never be forgotten. Many gallant comrades have gloriously fallen in the storm of battle while bravely defending their country in many hard fought battles with the 121st N. Y. Volunteers. James Hall was a brave soldier, a true friend of a genial disposition and a social companion, serving with his regiment, participating in all its battles and marches until the winter of 1862, when he was stricken with fever and died at Bell Plain, Va., Dec. 23, 1862. LeRoy remained with his regiment, participating in its battles and sharing its hardships until the close of the war. When you read the record of the 121st Regiment you have read his record. Always at his post, full of life and vigor, looking only to the bright side of life, making those happy around him. He was discharged and mustered out of service June 25, 1865. Took up his residence in Oneonta, where he was killed by accident. Their graves each Memorial Day bears a profusion of flowers placed there by Comrades of the G. A. R. Post and loving friends and neighbors. Mrs. LeRoy Hall is now residing at Oneonta, N. Y., and the widowed mother is residing at Laurens, N. Y. Through them and their efforts the Hall Post were recently presented with a handsome picture of each of the two heroes. The first Commander elected was James N. Vosburgh, born at Charlestown, (then Schoharie) Montgomery Co., N. Y., April 26, 1836. When one year old went with his parents to Barnes Hollow, and at the age of 7 years moved to Oneida Co., where he completed his education. Leaving school in 1846 went to work in Cotton Mills as an operator. When 18 years old went to Springfield Center to learn a trade (that of a machinest) with Shipman & Son. Removing to Fort Plain and then to Clark Mills, Oneida Co., where he completed his trade, where he remained until 1862, when he enlisted as private, Aug. 7th, 1862, in Co. D, 117, N. Y. V., at Rome, N. Y., and mustered in at Camp Huntington, August 20, 1862, under Capt. John M. Wolcott. Ordered to Washington and thence to Turley Town, five miles from Washington, when the regiment was broken up and the companys sent in different directions. Co. B was sent to Battery, Vermont; remained here until October, when they were sent to Fort Ripley, where they were to re-join the regiment. Remained here until Dec. 23; crossed the river to Fort Baker the 16th of April and landed at Norfolk, Virginia; thence to Suffolk, to Calhoon Point down to Julian Creek, building breast works. In June went to Yorktown, thence to White House landing, where the army was reorganized. Then was sent up the Peninsula to King Williams Court House to Hanover Junction. July 4th went back to Yorktown, returning to camp near Portsmouth July 14. Ordered to Folly Island July 28, 1863. Sick with fever at Balfour Hospital, Portsmouth. Joined regiment at Folly Island Sept. 1863. Shortly after was sent to Bean-fort, S. C., to hospital. Joined regiment Dec. 10 and remained till April 9. Ordered with regiment to Glouchester, Va.; thence to West Point, up the James to Bermuda Hundred, participating in many battles. Dec. 1864, went to Fort Fisher under the disastrous raid of Gen. Butler, and Jan. 5, under Gen. Terry, made the second attempt to capture Fort Fisher, landing the 14, capturing the Fort the 15. Was wounded in this battle and sent to McDougal Hospital at Fort Scuyler, N. Y. Harbor. Discharged April 3,1865 and returned to Oneida Co. Joined Rowell Post at Waterville, N. Y., Oct. 8, i860. Joined by card Pettit Post 86, of Clayville, and elected Commander to serve during 1877. This Post disbanding, organized the Joe Boney Post at Chenango July, 12, 1878, and elected first Commander. 1884 joined by card Ross Post 31 N. Y. Mills. Was discharged from this Post and organized Hall Post, 139, at Laurens. At the first meeting July 19,1890, was elected Commander for ballance the of the year through wise management and thorough disciplin the Post soon became one of prominence in the department and he was elected in Dec. to succeed himself. J. F. Newell, present Commander, was born at Milford, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1840. Educated at the common schools in that place. Moved to Hartwick in 1860, embarking into the jewelery business, from which place he enlisted Oct. 18, 1861, as a recruit for 39th regiment N. Y. V. Was mustered in at Cherry Valley and ordered to Albany, joining the 76th Reg. N. Y. V. under Captain A. L. Swan. Was ordered to front at Washington; remaining until spring of 1862, when they were ordered to Fredricksburg. The I8th of June was taken with fever and sent to Carver hospital, Washington. Remaining here a short time when he was sent to David Island, remaining two months. Was then granted a short furlough to visit his home at Milford. Not being able to return to his regiment at the expiration of furlogh granted, it was extended and he remained at Milford until the following spring, when he re* joined his regiment at Pratt's Point, Va., participating in the battle of Gettysburg. Afterwards was transferred to the Reserve Corps, stationed at Washington during the winter, doing guard duty. From here they were sent to Lafayette, Ind., to enforce the draft. Was discharged Oct. 26, 1864 and returned to Milford, soon after going to Cooperstown, working at his trade as jeweler until 1866, when he went to Oneonta, and was charter member of E. D. Farmer Post, Oneonta, N. Y. In 1871 he went to Milford and engaged in the furniture business and removed to Laurens in 1873. Took card from Farmer Post and is a charter member of Hall Post 139. Was elected adjutant and later Commander to serve during 1892. Held the office of Town Clerk eight years, Justice of the Peace eleven years, which office he holds at the present time. Was Post Master under Arthur's administration and re-appointed under Harrison's. W. L. Hopkins, born at Laurens Oct. 27, 1844; attending school at Canandiagua academy, completing his education at Hartwick Seminary. After leaving school enlisted in Co. H, 152d Regiment; mustered in at Herkimer, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1862, as 2d Lieutenant. Ordered to Washington at Chain Bridge camp for the winter, and in the spring was ordered back to Carrol Hill, near Washington, in January was sent to Arlington Heights before medical director and discharged upon surgeon's certificate for general disability Jan. 14, 1863; returned to Laurens and began farming. Is now a charter member of Hall Post, 139; a prominent Mason, member of Lodge 548, F. & A. M., Laurens, N. Y. H. B. Dummer was born at Auburn, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1833. When 7 years old his mother died and he went on a farm, remaining two years; removed to Niagara Co., town of Cambria, soon after going to Waterford, Saratoga Co., and learned the tinsmith trade, where he remained until 21 years old. Enlisted at Watertown, N. Y., in Co. H. 115th N. Y. Vol., Aug. 5, 1862. Mustered in at Camp Fonda, going direct to Baltimore, arriving at the monumental city Aug. 31. Sept. 13 engaged in battle at Maryland Heights, Sept. 14, battle of Harper Ferry, the 115 holding the extreme right. Sept. 15, after two day's fighting, the rebels demanded the surrender of Harper Ferry and the Union Army, Gen. Miles complying with the demand without hesitation. The Union troops were paroled and sent to Chicago to Camp Douglas, the 115th occupying the stalls in the Iowa State fair grounds. Remained here two months and returned to Washington Dec. 28. At Fortress Monroe received orders to report to Gen. Keys at Yorktown, Jan. 23 sailed from Fortress Monroe, arriving there Col. reported to Gen. Dix and received sealed orders to report to Gen. Hunter at Hilton Head, S. C., and were placed under the guns of Fort Hunter. While on dress parade orders were read. The Regiment had been court marshaled and sentenced to one year without pay for burning the barracks at Camp Douglass, an accusation which was withdrawn and ammends made by the Government soon after Col. Simmons had visited Washington and placed the facts before the War Department, the barracks having been burned by other soldiers while moving stoves after the 115th had left. From Hilton Head went to Beaufort, S. C, remaining until fall, doing garrison duty; thence to Florida, engaging in the battle of Oluskee Feb. 20, where the Regiment was terribly cut up; thence up St. John's river. Fell back to Hilton Head; thence to Bermuda Hundreds, Va. Engaged in the battles of Pilatk's Marck 16, Bermuda Hundreds May 5 and Chesterfield Heights, Va., May 7, 1864, and thence to White House and fought battle at New Cold Harbor; fell back to City Point and skermish at Petersburg until the first attack at Fort Fisher Dec. 1864. Assault and capture of Fort Fisher Jan. 15, 1865. Was wounded at the battle of Oulstee Feb. 20, 1864. pis-charged at Roily June 17, 1865 and returned to Waterford, remaining two weeks. In 1876 went to Troy and from there to Connecticut in 1880, and in 1888 moved to Laurens. Charter member of Hall Post and upon its organization was elected Quartermaster and is at present filling the same office. John Thornton, born at Machias, Cattaragus Co., Sept. 9, 1833, where he was educated. In 1850 moved to Crawford Co., Pa., and in 1855 to Coventry, Chenango County, where he had charge of a saw mill. Enlisted in 1861 as private in a company recruited for Light Artillery, attached to McClellan's rifles, going to Park Row barracks, N. Y., where they remained for two weeks. There existed some dissatisfaction in the company when they found that they could not join the McClellan rifles, so they were ordered to Ricker Island from here, where they remained four weeks; thence to Staten Island and ordered to New York. While here he was sent back to recruit a company. Procuring a number of recruits turned them over to Capt. Lock, who was then organizing a company at Bingham-ton, and in the fall of 1862, enlisted as private in Co. H, 76th N. Y. V., as private. Ordered to Washington and to the front, participating in the battles of Culpeper, Arlington Heights and second Bull Run. Sent- to Emery hospital where he remained until spring, rejoining regiment at the Wilderness. In April, having but 35 men left, they were consolidated with the 147th. Was wounded and sent to Appomattox Court House, headquarters of Gen. Lee. Took boat for New York and afterwards sent to Elmira to care for wounded men. Discharged at Elmira June, 1865. Moved to Portlandville in 1867 and to Laurens in 1878. Joined C. C. Siver Post. Is charter member of Hall Post. Junior Vice for first six months after its organization. Was Senior Vice Commander for 1891 and is at present Quarter Master Sargeant. He is a prominent member of Odd Fellows lodge and Good Templar. Jeremiah B. Strait enlisted as privat in Co. H, 152, N. Y. Vol., Aug. 28, 1862. In the fall of 1863 was sent to Army Square hospital, Washington. April 18, 1864 was transferred to the invalid corps and discharged for general disability Sept. 3, 1864. OFFICERS OF HALL POST. J. F. Newell, Commander. J. B. Straight, Senior Vice-Commander. Samuel A. Clark, Junior Vice-Commander. Henry VanBuren, Chaplain. W. C. Saelsbury, Surgeon. James N. Vosburgh, Officer of the Day. Edson Wright, Officer of the Grand. Henry B. Dummer, Quartermaster. Rush Strain, Adjutant. Hiram Persons, Sergeant Major. John Thornton Quartermaster Sergeant. PAST COMMANDER,—James N. Vosburgh. LIST OF MEMBERS. Adsit, James A., I 144 N. Y. Brigg, Lewis C., H 152 N. Y. Baily, Alvin, G 5 N. Y. Art. Carr, Hiram I 152 N. Y. Clark, Samuel A., D 22 N. Y. Cav. Dummer, Henry B H 115 N. Y. Eldred, Jerome B H 30 Wis. Edson, Henry Unknown. Hopkins, W. L., F 152 N. Y. Hay, Walter S., B 4 heavy Art. Joslin, Edward, K 43 N. Y. Newell, J. F., H 76 N. Y. Pickens, Alvin, I 76 N. Y. Persons, Hiram, G 110 N. Y. Ramsey, Stephen, Unknown. Sperry, Henry J., I 20 N. Y. Cav. Strain, Rush, G 95 N. Y. Saelsbury, W. C., H 76 N. Y. Straight, J. B., H 152 K Y. Tilley, Cortland G. 3K Y. Cav. Tinney, Silas, G 1 N. Y. Thornton, John, H 76 N. Y. Voorhies, Edgar H., I 152 N. Y. Vosburgh, James N., D 117 N. Y. VanBuren, Henry F 137 N. Y. Whitmarsh, Hiram, H 152 N. Y. Weldon, Leroy, G 19 N, Y. Wellman, Henry Z., F 137 N. Y. Wright, Edson, G 141 N. Y. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Grand Army of the Republic HISTORY OF THE ORDER IN THE U. S. BY COUNTIES. Otsego County Posts Department of New York Including a complete record of Soldiers surviving and buried in the County, with Company and Regiment, TOGETHER WITH Valuable Statistics & Miscellaneous Matter. COMPILED BY D. A. ELLIS. PRESS OF HISTORICAL PUBLISHING CO. 1892. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ny/otsego/military/civilwar/other/garhallp30nmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/nyfiles/ File size: 14.2 Kb