My recent adventures took me to Clarkton North Carolina. Here I stumbled upon Benevolence Cemetery, and the grave of Private Bryant B Gause. He was born in Bladen County North Carolina, to Henry Taylor and Lucy Ann Gause[1], on October 12th, 1837, [2] He was listed as being five feet ten inches tall, with blue eyes, dark hair, and a dark complexion.[3] Before the outbreak of the American Civil War Pvt. Gause was a farmer. He would meet Lucy Matilda Thompson. They would marry shortly before the hostilities began. Gause would enlist on May 3rd, 1861, at Elizabethtown North Carolina.[4] He was mustered into “B” Co. NC 18th Infantry the same day.[5] Not wanting to leave her husband and being 6 feet tall, 165 lbs., physically strong and an expert with the rifle herself[6], she…. “cut her thick hair close, took up seams in one of Bryant’s suits, oiled her squirrel musket, and boarded a train for Virginia as ‘Pvt. Bill Thompson”[7]
She fought side by side with her husband and the 18th at First Manassas, and was wounded when… “an iron (shell) scrap tore open her scalp from forehead to crown (later protected by a silver plate).””[8] She was discovered as a woman but begged to be sent back to her husband’s side. Her request was approved, and she was with her husband during the Seven Days where he was wounded at Frayser’s Farm.[9] They would also be engaged at the Battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. Sadly, during the Battle of Fredericksburg Pvt. Gause was seriously wounded[10]. He was taken to a hospital in Scottsville, VA. Where he would die from his injuries on January 1st, 1863.[11]
Battle of Fredericksburg, created by Currier and Ives, Library of Congress
His wife” Pvt. Bill Thompson” was not by his side when he passed, as she was in the advanced stages of pregnancy and was home to give birth to their daughter Mary Caroline Gause.[12] Pvt. Gause’s body would be escorted home by his wife ending her service as well.
Grave of Private Bryant B Gause at Benevolence Cemetery in Clarkton North Carolina. Photo by @firefightinirish.
He would be interred at Benevolence Cemetery in Clarkton North Carolina where he now rests. Lucy Matilda Thompson Gause AKA Pvt. Bill Thompson would go back to a more traditional role post war weaving and working the fields. She would eventually settle in Savannah, Georgia. Here she would meet an Irishman who served in the Union Navy by the name of Joseph Patrick Kenney. [13] They would have six children. Lucy would die on June 22, 1925, at the age of 83. She is buried at the Meeks Cemetery in Nicholls, Georgia.[14]
Every soldier has a story, and Private Robert Jones Jr. is no exception.
Tintype of Private Robert Jones Jr. of the 112th New York Infantry “Chautauqua Regiment”. Provided by The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina
Jones was born to Robert and Mary Jones in Kent England[1] around 1832[2] The family immigrated to America prior to 1840[3], and settled in Westfield, Chautauqua, New York. Jones would work as a laborer, and would marry Betsy Ann Honeysett in 1860.[4] They would have their first child Rhoda in 1861.[5]At the outbreak of the American Civil War Robert’s brothers, Jacob[6]and Thomas[7] joined the Union as part of the 49th New York Infantry. Later when Chautauqua County was called on for a thousand men the state offered a $50 dollar bounty to any volunteer that enlisted. This $50 was in addition to a $100 dollar bounty offered by the Federal Government. The duty of recruiting a Regiment from Chautauqua County was met with enthusiasm[8]. On August 31st, 1862, Robert Jones filled with patriotism and some extra cash, joined the 112th New York. This regiment would be forever known as the “Chautauqua Regiment”. [9] At that time he was listed as being 5 Feet 7 and ¾ inches, with dark hair, chestnut eyes, and a fair complexion.[10] Jones would be mustered into “H” Co as a Private on September 11th, 1862.[11] Private Jones was in the following engagements; The Siege of Suffolk, Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, and the Battle of Cold Harbor. At Cold Harbor the 112th NY had to cross an open field of 600 yards to reach the Confederate advance skirmishers. This action is described by William Lyman Hyde, in his book History Of The One Hundred And Twelfth Regiment N.Y. Volunteers as follows.
Reekie, John, and Alexander Gardner, photographer. A burial party on the battle-field of Cold Harbor / negative by J. Reekie ; positive by A. Gardner. United States Cold Harbor Virginia, ca. 1866. [1865 April printed later] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2002713100/.
“This had been successfully accomplished and the enemy driven back to their rifle pits and the capture of 600 Confederate soldiers. Facing the Union Army were veteran soldiers….the right was occupied by General A.P. Hill’s Corp., in the center was General James Longstreet’s Corps., and on the left was General Richard Ewell’s Corps. As the attack progressed, Colonel Drake ordered the men to cease firing and fix bayonets. The attack pressed on, the Confederate works were irregular, and the men were exposed to a galling fire. Though the loss was severe the works were reached and mounting the parapet among the first of the men, Colonel Drake waved his sword, hurrahed and fairly danced with exultation as the rebels ran back to their rifle pits. This line of works had been carried with considerable loss and the ranks now quite broken, but the men were pressing on toward the second line. Unfortunately, a Regiment of the 6th Corps on the flank of the 112th New York was a raw regiment, enlisted only six weeks before and this was their first fight. The distance to the Confederate works in their front was less by a hundred rods than in front of Colonel Drake’s Brigade, but that Regiment quailed before the fire and could not be pushed up. This left the Brigade in a very unfortunate position and the Confederate rifle pits on the flank of the 112th were able to pour in a severe enfilading fire. In addition the men of the 112th were exposed to the frontal fire of the advance line of works….. at this point the carnage was terrible, the 112th New York from its position suffering the most severely, its casualties nearly equal to the sum of those in the rest of the Brigade.[12]”
Roberts survived this battle and continued to fight at, The Siege of Petersburg, Second Battle of Petersburg, and The Battle of the Crater. The Chaplin of the 112th New York, William L. Hyde describes the action at the Crater to his wife in a letter as such.
“Saturday morning about five o’clock our brigade with the ninth corps were drawn up in successive lines preparatory to a charge upon a redoubt which had been mined. The first operation was to blow up the fort. This was done in fine style, a complete success. The mine was lighted at precisely 5 o’clock and the huge mass of earth with men & guns were lifted up into the air. Some men were blown over into our advance pits. One man who came over unharmed said he thought it was rather unceremonious to send a man kiting through the air in that shape before he had eaten his breakfast. After the redoubt was blown up, we opened a terrible artillery fire along our whole line. then the troops made a charge the negro regiments first. We got possession of the redoubt without the loss of a man. With a very slight loss we got possession of the main works of the enemy. We held two lines and were preparing to make or position secure when the negros and some white troops in front were seized with panic and broke & ran and pressed the troops in the rear by sheer force of numbers. Some officers stood well & tried to stay the rush but it was in vain and in a few minutes the work of weeks was lost. Our Brigade was just getting into position when the stampede took place. They did what they could to arrest it but were too feeble. One man told me that a huge nigger came tumbling over him and almost broke his back! In our endeavoring to hold the position till the line could be reformed, our Regt suffered some casualties we had one man killed and eleven wounded. two men mortally wounded. I do not know of any with whom you are acquainted. We remained in the front of our works until about five o’clock PM when the regiment was marched back into the trenches where they had been so long.”[13]
Private Roberts would soldier on to, the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, Battle of Fair Oaks & Darbytown Road, First Battle of Fort Fisher, Second Battle of Fort Fisher, and the Carolinas Campaign.[14] Robert would get through the war relatively unscathed. He would be mustered out with his regiment on June 13, 1865, at Raleigh, North Carolina.[15]
Grave of Private Robert Jones at Quincy Rural Cemetery Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York, USA. Photo By Robin Boyd on 1 May 2018
Sadly his brothers could not say the same. Jacob would be killed at Petersburg, Virginia, on April 2 1865[16], and Thomas would be severely wounded on May 5,1864 during The Battle of the Wilderness.
After the war Robert would become a farm laborer, and have three more children Matilda, Delbert, and Hattie.[17] His wife Betsy would die in 1878. Robert would pass on November 11th, 1908[18] at the approximate age of 76. He is interred at Quincy Rural Cemetery Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York, USA.[19]
Over the weekend my travels took me to Ohio. Here I found a few cemeteries and many stories. One of those stories is of Private Hiram Fellows, of the 8th Ohio Infantry.
He was born in Ohio around 1842 to Henry and Susan Fellows. Before the war Hiram worked on his family farm with his brother and two sisters[1]. After the attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the uprising. Hundreds of men from northeastern Ohio were fast to respond, volunteering for three months of military service.
The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment was organized in Cleveland between April 18 and May 4, 1861[2]. In June, the regiment was transported via train to Camp Dennison adjacent to Cincinnati for training and garrison duty. It mustered out June 22, having not left The Buckeye State. Many of the three-months men reenlisted for three years on June 22–24.[3]Hiram was one of these men.
He would be mustered into “K” Co. 8th Ohio Infantry as a Private on June 5th, 1861[4]. Private Fellows and the 8th Ohio would see action at, Worthington, W. Va., Hanging Rock, Romney, The Expedition to Blue’s Gap, The Evacuation of Romney, Bloomery Gap, The Battle of Kernstown, and Winchester[5], where Private Fellows was wounded[6]. Private Fellows would die of his wounds at a hospital in Winchester Virginia on April 1st, 1862[7].
Forbes, Edwin, Artist. The first battle of Winchester–The charge on the stonewall . Winchester United States Virginia, 1862. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2004661872/.
Private Hiram Fellow’s body would be returned to Ohio. He would be interred at Chatham Township Cemetery, and his mother would receive a small “widows’ pension”[8]. Let us never forget the sacrifice of Private Hiram Fellows upon the alter of freedom.
Grave of Private Hiram Fellows at Chatham Township Cemetery. Photo By @firefightinirish
The American Civil War is full of interesting stories. This image of 1st Lieutenant Thomas J. Roberts contains one such tail. He was born in England around 1834[1], and immigrated to The United States in 1848[2]. Roberts Would settle in Brooklyn New York. He would meet Mary E. Spencer there.
Carte De Visite of 1st Lieutenant Thomas J. Roberts. Provided by,The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina
They would marry on January 20th, 1859 at Seventh Presbyterian Church, in New York.[3] Mary and Roberts would have six children. Shortly after the outbreak of the American Civil War Roberts would heed the call. He enlisted on December 21st, 1861. At the time of his enlistment Roberts was listed as being a printer, and was described as five feet six inches, with grey eyes, black hair, and a fair complexion.[4]
He would be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into “G” Co. 6th New York Infantry that same day. The 6th New York known also as Billy Wilson’s Zouaves had a rough reputation. They were described in a New York paper of the era as..
“the regiment of New York firemen, with a pretty good mixture of the “roughs” of that city, of whom Col. “Billy” Wilson was himself one. They are a hard set to keep in subordination, but have generally proved better soldiers than would be expected. They were a long time stationed at Fort Pickens, and did some pretty good fighting there.”[5]
Incidents of the 2 years southern campaign of the Wilson’s Zouaves. 6th. N.Y. vols. , ca. 1863. July 21. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2003664954/.
2nd Lieutenant Roberts was with the 6th in all its engagements including the bombardment of Santa Rosa Island, FL, the Battle of Irish Bend, and the Battle of Vermillion Bayou. Roberts would be promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He would made quartermaster of the regiment upon the retirement of Quartermaster Bradley on July 21st, 1862.[6] Roberts would be mustered out with the regiment on the 25th of June 1863.[7]
The Battle of Irish Bend Louisiana sketched by William Hall of the 22nd Maine. Harper’s Weekly 16 May 1863
After the war Roberts would continue to be a printer and live in Brooklyn. He would become a member of G.A.R Post 435. Roberts would die on October 1st 1912[8] at the approximate age of 78. He is interred at Cyprus Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.
[8] “New York, U.S., Grand Army of the Republic Records, 1866-1931 Post 435 Descriptive Book.” Ancestry. Accessed March 8, 2021. https://tinyurl.com/hju4aaks.
It never ceases to amaze me, how a letter can come alive with some digging. This letter written by then Captain Michael McGuire to his wife Elizabeth is one such correspondence. The document is dated October 31st, 1864. It reads…….
“Before Petersburg
October 31st, 1864,
My Dear and Loving Wife, I have been waiting very anxiously for a letter this last 2 weeks but got none to this date. So it makes me very uneasy and it was impossible for me to write sooner as we had so much work to do around the first of the month, it being muster day. I had 15 rolls to make out and three- monthly returns. I have command of three camps besides all the clothing and ordnance. For a person of my small ability is a hard job. So you may guess my feeling.
Envelope for Captain Michael McGuire’s letter. Provided by The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina
I find it harder than to fight or march. I did make an attempt to write to you on the 26th, But the order came for us to get ready for a march with six days rations. So, we started at 2 o’clock p.m. that afternoon and marched until about 8 o’clock next day when we got engaged with the enemy and our charged them two different times and them right into a place called Hatcher’s Run. At one time it looked like there was one canteen, roar of musketry all day and all might as there was only two divisions of our corps engaged and we whipped them well for the manner in which General Egan handles the troops. He was breveted a Major General.
Front of Captain Michael McGuire’s letter. Provided by, The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina,
So, we got back to camp on the 29th and finished our rolls this afternoon. And the order came for us to move again. But not on another expedition. But to the extreme right of the line near the Appomattox River and directly in front of Petersburg. You can see the people walking in the streets of Petersburg. I have not seen it by daylight as yet. But the boys say so. I have only just sat down and I thought it was a good chance to write to my darling wife and child. As my partner is on guard., Lieutenant Nevin. My other one, is in New York enjoying himself by this time. That is Lieutenant Donett. Colonel Murphy is home on sick leave. Poor fellow. I mean it, only I don’t. Colonel McGunn is home. Captain Kelly put in his application this morning. Captain Burke goes home tomorrow. He will stay at the Whitney House on Broadway and 12th Street. I sent for my things sometime ago. But got no answer as yet. They must be neglecting or they would be out here by this time.
Lieutenant Donett lives at 86 West 40th Street. Colonel Robert Nugent has got out here at last and in command of his Brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Kelly that was at the station last winter when you were out, was here today electioneering for McClellan. He is not in the army now. He was dismissed from the United States service for drawing pay as lieutenant colonel when he was only a captain. But he did not know it. He is to be reinstated right away again. It was a great loss to Murphy that he was not here on the 27. He might have got a star.There was a splendid chance for him to show himself if there was anything in the fight. He could have seen all the Brigade in line and in an open field. It was not done by Colonel Willett of the 8th New York Artillery.
Back of Captain Michael McGuire’s letter. Provided by, The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina,
I never got a letter from John McBowen. I got the newspapers but I had no time to read them. Can’t you send me out a well worded resignation and to the purpose I want to get out of the service by the time Fairfax is coming soon.
Give my love to Father and Rose Kate, Mary, you, Anna and John and all the family. To my sister Ellen, Kate and James and Klayer and the children.
Write soon to your loving husband,
Michael McGuire,
Goodbye. God Bless You. It is my earnest prayer. Write soon. James is in first rate health.”
McGuire was born in Caltra, County Galway Ireland on September 3rd, 1833. [1]The famine would force him to emigrate from Ireland abord the Clipper “Fidelia”, on October 6th, 1847.[2] He was described as five feet seven inches tall with blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.[3] McGuire would settle into New York City and become a naturalized citizen in 1856.[4] Before the outbreak of the American Civil War McGuire would marry Elizabeth Moore. They would have a son in February of 1861.[5]
McGuire would enlist on April 20th, 1861,[6] and be mustered into company “D” 69th New York State Militia as a private. He would be with the regiment during First Bull Run where he was wounded. McGuire would be promoted to Captain of the 69th and later enlist in the 182nd New York. He would be commissioned a Capt. of that regiment on November 17th, 1862.[7]
Captain McGuire participated in the following engagements, The Battle of Deserted House, The Siege of Suffolk, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna River (wounded left forearm), and Hatchers Run (wounded right side of chest). He would be promoted to Brevet Major on July 15th, 1865.[8]
After the war McGuire was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 69th N.G.S.N.Y. Sadly, his wife Elizabeth would die of consumption on September 18th, 1869,[9]. He and his son would own a successful contracting company in Brooklyn. McGuire would marry Eliza T. Cloonan in 1873[10] and they would have one son. Lieutenant Colonel McGuire would die of Pneumonia in 1909.[11] The local chapter of the Grand Army of The Republic, provided full military honors at his burial. McGuire now rests in New York’s’ Calvary Cemetery.
On my way back from Asheville I made a quick stop in Morganton. Here I paid respects to Lieut. John Caldwell. He was born in 1845 at Morganton, North Carolina to Tod & Minerva Caldwell. John grew up and worked on his family farm. In 1861 John who was known as “Jack”, was a Cadet at the Hillsboro Military Academy.[1] His father was a Unionist, but John went against his father’s wishes and chose to join his friends and defend his state. In July of 1861 John Was a member of the 6th North Carolina Volunteers stationed in Staunton Virginia.[2] By December of 1861, Caldwell was serving as a Drill Instructor for the state of North Carolina in a training camp at Asheville.[3] He continued in this capacity through 1862, until most of the volunteer regiments had organized and marched off. On May 5th, 1863, John Caldwell was mustered into “E” Co. 33rd North Carolina Infantry as a Private.[4]
1/4 plate tintype of Lieut. John Caldwell Courtesy of the Brem Family Collection.
He would be immediately promoted to Lieut. in order to replace the 33rd’s loses from the Battle of Chancellorsville.[5] Upon hearing of Young Johns promotion his father sent him a letter containing some wise fatherly advice… “Don’t be tyrannical or overbearing toward your men. Be kind and obliging to everyone no matter how low or humble his position may be, and if you get into battle be like a man and a true soldier. Be kind and merciful to your enemies if any should be placed in your power. It is a badge of true courage and of a gentlemanly Christian spirit to show mercy and kindness to your enemies and it may in the fortunes of war happen that you may need the friendship of those you are fighting against. Observe vigorously the golden rule, “to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Oh what would I not give if this cruel and unnatural war was ended and you and your army and in honor return home to your friends.”[6]
Lieut. Caldwell led his men during the march into Pennsylvania, he and his men were shelled along the way, and performed picket duty. They would reach Gettysburg on July 1st at around 15:30 they “on the right of the Division in the final and successful movement against the Union forces on Seminary Ridge held back Union Cavalry which threatened the flank and had a sharp conflict at the stone wall on Seminary Ridge just south of Fairfield Road.”[7] On the second day the 33rd was involved in some heavy skirmishing. “our line of battle was not engaged but there was a very strong picket fighting in front of us and as it was the turn of his company to go out on skirmish he (John Caldwell) was skirmishing all day and was not relived until about sundown. He took his skirmishers out in gallant style and during the day lost two of his company killed and several wounded.”[8] On the third day Lieut. Caldwell and the 33rd took part in the Pickett–Pettigrew–Trimble Charge, as part of Longstreet’s assault. During the assault Lieut. Caldwell and Lieut. Wilson Lucas were ordered by General Pender to command 75 men and take a farm lane. Lieut. Wilson Lucas writes of this action saying….
Gravestone of Lieut. John Caldwell 33rd North Carolina Infantry at Forest hill Cemetery MorgantonNorth Carolina Photo By @firefightinirish
“We formed the men in line, I commanded the right and Lieut. Caldwell the left. We had to charge through an open field, with no protection whatever. … When we got within two hundred yards of the Federals, we charged with a yell, and they stood their ground until we were within ten steps of the road, then a part of them ran, but 26 surrendered. And the very last time they fired upon us, which was not more than twelve or fourteen feet from them, they shot Lieut. Caldwell in the left breast. I did not see him fall. As soon as we were in the road one of the men told me Lieut. Caldwell was killed. I went at once to the left and found him, lying partly on his back and side … I called two men, and we placed him on his back and spread his oil cloth over him. He was warm and bleeding very freely when I got to him. I could not send him out to the regiment, for it was such an exposed placed the Federal skirmishers would have killed a man before he could get a hundred yards, as we were lying close to each other.”[9]
Currier & Ives. The battle of Gettysburg, Pa. July 3d. United States, 1863. [New York: Published by Currier & Ives, ?] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/90709061/.
Lieut. Caldwell’s commanding officer Col. Avery in letter to John’s father wrote “You may have the satisfaction to know that he fell where we would all wish to fall (if it be God will) with his face to the enemy.’[10] Lieut. John Caldwell’s body was buried on Seminary Ridge that night “near “two honey-pod trees … not far from an old two-story house.”[11] Even with the reports of Lieut. Caldwell falling before the enemy, his father refused to believe his son was killed.
Inscription on Lieut. John Caldwell’s grave at Forest hill Cemetery MorgantonNorth Carolina. Photo By @firefightinirish
It was not until Tod R, Caldwell was governor of North Carolina, that he found out his son’s fate. It was told to him by Lieut. Wilson Lucas who was then a state legislature. It was said that the Governor “locked himself in his room and was all day in tears”.[12] Gov. Caldwell kept this secret from his wife for 14 years, she found out when Lieut. Caldwell’s bloodied commission to Lieut. Was sent home by a New Yorker who had found it on the Battlefield. Lieut. Caldwell’s body would be returned to North Carolina and reinterned at Forest Hill Cemetery in Morganton. Let us never forget this young man’s sacrifice for his state and his country.
[6] Christopher M. Watford, The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865 (Jefferson, North California: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2009). Pg. 278
[8] Don Ernsberger, Also for Glory: The Pettigrew-Trimble Charge at Gettysburg July 3, 1863 (United States: Xlibris Corp, 2008). Pg. 57
[9] Michael C. Hardy, General Lee’s Immortals: The Battles and Campaigns of the Branch-Lane Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865 (El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Beatie LLC, 2018). Pg. 330
[11] Michael C. Hardy, General Lee’s Immortals: The Battles and Campaigns of the Branch-Lane Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865 (El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Beatie LLC, 2018). Pg. 350
The Irish American experience in the Civil War takes on many facets. These can be seen in documents and stories. One such document is this letter composed by John Curran, of “I” Co. 88th Regiment New York Volunteers (Irish Brigade). The letter reads….
I take my pen in hand before I leave for the Summer Campaign to let you know I am in good health. As I hope this will find you also. I have wrote to you before, but I got no answer to it.
We are now under marching orders. We will be into a fight before two days. So I send you my likeness. It is not a good one. But it’s as good as can be expected in Virginia.When you get this, write to me and let me know how you and all friends are. I wonder why you never wrote to me. I hope nothing serious is the matter with you. I have not much time to write as I am packing up to be off. So good bye for a while. I remain yours till death,
John Curran Company I, 88th Regiment New York Volunteers Washington, DC or elsewhere Address as above and let it be soon.
John Curran was born in Ireland in 1843[1] Curran would arrive in America and become a butcher. Soon after the outbreak of the American Civil War John heard the call. He would enlist in New York City on September 27th, 1861.[2] John would be mustered into “I” Co. 88th New York Infantry part of the famed Irish Brigade that same day. On the muster roll John Curran is listed as a Private.
Father Corby blesses the Irish Brigade as they advance during the Battle of Antietam. Painting by Don Troiani Historical Artist
He was described as being five feet eight inches tall, with light hair, grey eyes, and a fair complexion. In December Curran and the 88th left for The Capital. They would remain to defend Washington till April of 1862, when the regiment participated in the siege of Yorktown. The 88th and Private Curran would be engaged at White Oak Swamp, Battle of Fair Oaks, The Seven days before Richmond, and Battle of Antietam. Here the 88th New York,
“crossed Antietam Creek (9:30 a.m.) at Pry’s Ford. As it formed at the edge of a cornfield Father William Corby, Chaplain rode along the line, giving absolution to the soldiers. The 88th New York crossing the cornfield, the command encountered a rail fence which was torn down under severe fire an opposing Confederate column advanced within 300 paces of the brigade. After several volleys, the Irish Brigade charged with fixed bayonets. At 30 paces it poured buck and ball into General George B. Anderson’s Brigade (2nd, 4th, 14th and 30th North Carolina Infantry Regiments) which fell back to “Bloody Lane”. After fierce combat its ammunition exhausted the Irish Brigade was relieved.”[3]
The next engagement Private Curran would be involved in would be the Battle of Fredericksburg. Before the battle..
“The men of the Irish Brigade placed sprigs of boxwood in their caps in honor of their Irish heritage. Later in the day, they took part in the futile assaults against confederate positions on Marye’s Heights. After the battle, the Union dead closest to the Confederate positions wore sprigs of boxwood in their caps.”[4]
At the time of this letter Private Curran and the 88th were posted in Falmouth Virginia. In the letter he states “We are now under marching orders. We will be into a fight before two days” This is a reference to the upcoming “Mud March”, and the Chancellorsville Campaign. During the Battle of Chancellorsville the regiment lost 5 men killed or mortally wounded, 4 officers and 18 men wounded, and 19 men missing.[5]
In July of 1863 Private Curran would fight at Gettysburg.
“The brigade entered the battle under command of Colonel Patrick Kelly 530 strong, of which this contingent, composing three battalions of two companies each, numbered 240 men. The original strength of these battalions was 3,000 men. The brigade participated with great credit to itself and the race it represented”[6]
Campaigning and the toll of battle must have weighed heavily on Private Curran. According to a letter, written by Assistant Surgeon William Parkinson Moon in October of 1863.[7] Curran was on kitchen duty at Mower Hospital in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is unclear why he was there, however since Curran was not listed as wounded one can assume he was admitted for either disease, or “soldier’s heart” (The 1860’s term for PTSD).
Private Curran would re-enlist in the 88th on March 22nd, 1864. He would participate in the following engagements: the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Po River, and the assault on the Salient or “Bloody Angle”. He would desert while on furlough on May 16th, 1864.[8]
After seeing all that death, one cannot blame Private Curran for his desertion. He served his adopted country honorably till his desertion. One could surmise that a lack of knowledge about the psychological toll of combat, and its treatment damaged Private Curran in an irreparable manor. His story ends here since no further records can be found.
[7] Moon, William Parkinson. Letter to Mary Jane Curran. “William Parkinson Moon RE: John Curran.” Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania: Mower Hospital, October 23, 1863.
Every image has a story. This is the tail is of Private Michael Malone 14th New York Heavy Artillery. He was born in Ireland around 1828.[1] He was described as being five feet eight inches tall, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion.[2]
Tintype of Private Michael Malone 14th New York Heavy Artillery. From The The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina.
Michael would marry Mary Byrnes or Burns on January 17th, 1855, they would have four children.[3] Before the war Michael was employed as a day laborer in 1860[4] and as a farmer at the time of his enlistment.[5] Malone would enlist on September 4th 1863, and would muster into “D” Co. 14th New York Heavy Artillery eight days later. He would be assigned to garrison duty in New York Harbor till April 23, 1864.[6] From there he and the 14th would be in the following engagements, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna River, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, The Battle of the Crater, and Weldon Railroad where he was killed in action on August 19th, 1864.[7]
Back of tintype card for Private Michael Malone 14th New York Heavy Artillery. From The The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina.
Michael would be survived by his wife and his children Ellen age nine, Bridget seven, Mary five, and John who was just one year old.[8] His wife Mary would apply for and receive a widows pension of $12 a month.[9] She would never remarry and worked as a housekeeper[10] till her death on July 12th, 1912.[11]
Private Michael Malone, a soldier in the 14th New York Heavy Artillery, exemplifies the sacrifices made during the Civil War, having served valiantly before being killed in action, leaving behind a widow and four young children who faced the challenges of life without him. His story highlights the personal toll of war on families and the enduring legacy of those who served.
[1] “New York Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts 14th Artillery Malone, Michael (25) Page 1.” Fold3. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://www.fold3.com/image/316624979.
[4] “1860 United States Federal Census for Michael Malone New York Monroe Pittsford .” Ancestry. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://tinyurl.com/wkcydpf.
[5] “New York Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts 14th Artillery Malone, Michael (25) Page 1.” Fold3. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://www.fold3.com/image/316624979.
[10] “1880 United States Federal Census for Mary Malone New York Monroe Pittsford 062.” Ancestry. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://tinyurl.com/wpej7e7.
Every artifact has a story. This Carte de visite of Captain Garrett Brady, of the 2nd New Jersey Infantry is no different. Brady was born in Ballykilageer, Wicklow, Ireland on March 9th, 1836.[1] His parents were Bryan Brady and Lucy Graham. He would live in Ireland, working on the family farm till 1860. That is the year when he boarded the Prinz Albert in Galway enroute to America. Brady would arrive in New York City on April 16th of that year. [2] By June of 1860 he would be living in Newark New Jersey working as a Morroco Dresser.[3]
Shortly after the bombardment of Fort Sumter Brady would answer the call, enlisting on May 27th, 1861. He would be commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant, in “C” Co. 2nd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry that same day.[4] Brady and the 2nd N.J.V.I were held in reserve at Bull Run, before heading to Washington D.C to support its defense. 1st Lieutenant Brady was promoted to Captain during The Seven days before Richmond. He would fight at Second Battle of Bull Run, and the Battle of South Mountain, where he and his regiment…
Carte de visite of Captain Garrett Brady 2nd New Jersey Infantry. The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina
“Advanced from the fields north and west of Burkittsville, charged up the mountain, carried this point, and followed the enemy to the west foot of the mountain.”[5]
A few days later Brady would be involved in The Battle of Antietam. Here he and the second…
“Arrived upon the field from Crampton’s Pass about noon, and was formed for a charge upon the Confederate line just North of the Dunkard Church. The order for the charge was countermanded, and the brigade took position across this road, in support of the 6rh Corps Artillery, the right of the brigade in woods North of the road, the left in the open field South, where it remained, under artillery fire, until the morning of the 19th.”[6]
The next engagements Captain Brady would be involved in were the Battles Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and the battle of the Wilderness. During the heat of the fight at the Wilderness the Confederates mounted a large attack…
“The attack spread east into the New Jersey Brigade and south toward the right flank of Morris’ brigade. It caught the 2nd New Jersey at its coffee fires. The veterans leaped to their feet and fell in across the paths of the retreating soldiers. “Back! Back! You cowards,” the Jerseymen shouted at the refugees who were breaking through their ranks. Captain Garrett Brady (Company C) drew his sword and vainly tried slapping frightened soldiers back into the ranks. Sedgwick dismounted, sword in one hand, stood on a log near the Culpeper Mine Road, and screamed, “For God’s sake, hold it.”[7]
Currier & Ives. The battle of the Wilderness Va. May 5th & 6th. Virginia, 1864. [New York: Pubd. by Currier & Ives, ?] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/9071491
On May 12th, 1864, during The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Captain Brady lead Company “C” in the assault on the Salient, “Bloody Angle”. Here he was wounded in the thigh and taken prisoner. He was imprisoned at Camp Oglethorpe, Camp Sorghum, and the infamous Libby Prison before being released. Captain Brady would be discharged on January 1st, 1865.[8]
L. Prang & Co. Battle of Spottsylvania sic / Thulstrup. Virginia Spotsylvania, 1887. [Boston: L. Prang & Co] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/90712278/.
After the war Brady returned to Newark and resumed his career as a Morocco Manufacture. According to the 1870 United States Federal Census Brady was married to Mary A Brady. They had four children, James, Joseph, John, and Mary.
Brady died on July 18th, 1886, from “Chronic Phthisis Pulmonalis”.[9] He is interred at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery East Orange, Essex County, New Jersey.
Sometimes one purchases an antique only to discover a fascinating story. This Post-war albumen of Pvt. Augustus H Dayton 14th New York Heavy Artillery, accompanied with letter composed by him is one of those pieces. Augustus Dayton was born in 1817, to Thomas and Almira Dayton in Vermont.[1] Prior to 1850[2] Augustus would marry Catherine Smith, they would have five children.
Before the war Dayton lived in Geneseo and worked as a farmer. In 1862 both of Dayton’s sons enlisted in the 136th NY.[3][4] Augustus would enlist on December 19th, 1863[5], at Genesee New York. He was described on the rolls as being, five feet ten inches tall, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion. Dayton would be mustered into “L” Co. 14th New York Heavy Artillery as a Private on January 8th, 1864[6].
Post-war albumen of Pvt. Augustus H Dayton 14th New York Heavy Artillery. Provided by, The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina,
Private Dayton and the 14th N.Y.H.A were sent to New York to defend the harbor. Here is where he would write his wife this letter:
March, April 5, 1864,
Fort Sandy Hook Ny harbor.
Dear wife I now sit down To write you a few lines to let you know that I cannot get a furlough at present you must do the best you can until I can come home I was at New York yesterday on service our whole regiment was there it was a great day and I am very tired I sent you seventy five dollars by express You go to the express office and call for it you will have to pay the charges on it you had better go to doctor lauderdale and have him go and get it for you I sent you ten dollars in a letter I want to know if you got it I want you to let the doctor lauderdale have the fifty dollar bill to put it with my other money on hand for safe keeping and i will send you some more before long i am well at present and hope this will find you and the little children the same the dear little things I would give most anything to see them and likewise yourself but i cannot at present tell Julia i have not time to write to her this time but I hope she is well and her child is to i must i must close by telling you to write as soon as you get this for we may soon leave This place so good by for This Time and may god protect us till we meet again.
From your dear Husband,
A.H. Dayton,
Front of Dayton letter, The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina,
From the forts of New York harbor the 14th was sent south where they were in the following engagements, the Rapidan Campaign, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, The Battle of North Anna, Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, Battle of Cold Harbor, The Siege of Petersburg (including the Mine Explosion), The Battle of the Weldon Railroad, and The Battle of Peebles’s Farm.
Private Dayton was sent to the hospital at City Point Virginia on October 6th 1864[7] suffering from chronic diarrhea. He would later be sent home on furlough. Private Dayton arrived in Rochester New York on December 15th, 1864.[8] Here he would receive hospital care for his illness. Sadly, Private Dayton would die on March 28th 1865[9]. Dayton’s wife Catherine would apply for a widow’s pension, for her and the two youngest children. Dr. Lauderdale would testify that he attended to Private Dayton, and Dayton also had dropsy as well as insanity before he passed. Dr. Lauderdale would also say that Dayton was a healthy man and a “devoted father”[10].
Back of Dayton letter, The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina,
Catherine would ultimately receive a widow’s pension of eight dollars a month. This would be the equivalent of about one hundred and thirty-seven dollars today.
Let us never forget the sacrifice that Private Dayton made for his country. As well as the loss his family had to suffer in his absence.
The Military History Traveler 