Vital Records, Greene, NY - June 1861

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, June 6, 1861

Married:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] on the 1st inst. by Rev. E.W. Allen, Mr. Joseph E. Bonnet of Hamilton [Madison Co., NY] to Miss Sarah Henderson, of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In East Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d inst. Mr. Albert Jafet.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst., of putrid sore throat, Miss Franka A. Rathbone, aged 9 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, June 13, 1861

Married:  In Utica [Oneida Co., NY], on the 3d inst., by Elder Thomas Hill, William D. Thurber of New Berlin [Chenango Co., Y] to Libby C. Stafford, of Utica.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, June 27, 1861

Married:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst., by Rev. D. Ballou, Mr. Noyes B. Phetteplace, and Miss Cordelia S. Brown, both of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Brimfield, Mass., on the 18th inst., by Rev. Jason Moore, Mr. Theodore D. Miller of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Sarah F. Brown, of Brimfield.

Married:  In Union Valley [Chenango Co., NY], May 20th, by Rev. S. Carver, Mr. Henry Hall of Norwich, to Miss Adeline Barber of Lincklaen.

Married:  In Hobart, Delaware Co. [NY], on the 5th inst., by Rev. Wm. A. Curtis, Mr. Erastus P. Smith, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Mrs. Nancy F. Hauford, of the former place.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst. Russell B. Burch, M.D., aged 55 years and 6 months.

Died:  In Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th inst., of consumption, Mr. Thomas T. Hayes, aged 25 years.

Died:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th inst., Mr. John Brown, aged 84 years.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst. John Henry Adams, son of John C. Adams, aged 17 years.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst., Martin Sisson, son of Thos. Sisson, aged about 20 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d inst. Mr. Geo. W. Smith, aged 52 years.

Soldier Correspondence - Chenango American, Greene, NY, June 13, 1861

Quarters Advance Guard, Camp Butler, near Fort Monroe, Va., Sunday, June 2, 1861

Messrs. Ens.:  Reclining under an orchard tree, shaded from the heat of a Virginia sun, I see around me all the signs and incidents of camp life.  Just before, on the greensward, are the snow white tents of the "Advance Guard," and lying around in picturesque attitudes, are groups of Zouaves, singing, laughing, smoking, cleaning weapons and cooking; looking, in their red breeches, blue jackets, and white turbans, contracted with their sun-burnt faces, lie the "red devils" they are called, by the people of the country hereabout.

Privations are ours, indeed; hard fare, short rations, often no rations at all; hard work, and little liberty of any kind; still there never was a body of men more cheerfully disposed.  At night it seems like a carnival; the brilliant camp fires, the roll of the drums, the loud calls of the sentries, the tramp of the Relief Guard, all betoken the presence of a host of men.

We are encamped about two miles outside of Fortress Monroe, and near Hampton, thus occupying the most advanced post of the position. We have about 9000 men in and about the camp, and it is expected that in a very few days we shall move towards Norfolk.  Accessions to our forces are arriving daily, and we expect to move with at least 15,000 men.  our position is a healthy one.  The fine sea breezes, sweeping over the meadows, and the fine sea bathing we enjoy, are highly conducive to our well being.  Encamped near us are the Naval Brigade, 2200 strong; Col. Allen's New York Regiment; a Regiment from Troy, N.Y., and the Third Regiment Massachusetts troops.

Of our own troops I need say but little; you have read of them and I trust will hear a good account of them in the progress of events. We muster 900, and are undergoing about six hours thorough drill every day.  Col. Durea was the means of bringing the famous "Seventh" Regiment to its high state of discipline, and under his auspices this corps is eager to become what he and its able officers promise it shall be, "the glory of the Empire State."  Dear old State, true, ever, to the Union, may we be as true to her; and although many of us may find graves far from home, it will be our joy to give our lives in support of her honor.  Our men say they can forget all causes of discontent, if they are allowed to fight. Every cannon, whose echoes are heard in the distance, sends a thrill of fire through every heart.  Twice, in the night, we have been roused from our slumbers by the "long roll," and the eagerness with which everyone sprang to arms, evidence the will of our men to fight. A tremendous battle is expected at Norfolk, and at Richmond and we do not expect to bring away more than half our number; but we will restore to tis position of honor, that statue of Washington, which recently in Richmond's Capital was desecrated by traitors and make them bite the dust at its pedestal.

This I assure you will be done, though rivers of blood and fire and desolation be necessary to its accomplishment.  Earnest men are here; who left their homes and kindred, for sake of a great principle.  Such men, are not to be driven back.  The war may be bloody but the victory will be ours.  Today is the Sabbath.  Upon the beautiful lawn in front of the Colonel's quarters our soldiers sat down at Divine Service.  The Rev. Dr. Winslow read the service of the Episcopal Church, and delivered an impressive Sermon, and as I listened to his melodious tones, mingled with the gentle sea breeze, and turned my eye upon the broad surface of that River whose banks are now bristling with hostile cannon through which lies our path, I could not help reflecting upon the awful solemnity of our mission here, and wondering how many of us, ere another Sabbath may be lying cold and low, where mortal tones cannot reach us!

These are the issues of Time that we are trying, but they bear us on close to the shores of Eternity.  Think not, friends at home, that the soldier is heedless of the prayers you utter for him. As we gaze upon the stars, through the still watches of the night, we pass many an hour weaving fancies of home, and the joys to which we hope to be restored.

The Cumberland, Minnesota, and one or two other heavy war vessels are lying in Hampton Roads, and awaiting the orders to move up James River, to cooperate with us at Norfolk. We have had large numbers of negroes coming to us, asking sustenance and protection.  A few days since we extended our outposts to Hampton. The long bridge over Hampton Creek had just been partially burnt by the Secessionists. Your correspondent under Lieut. Hoyt, of Company K, with thirty men, took charge of the bridge, by orders, for twenty-four hours, but we found no enemy to contend with.  The place is deserted, almost. We occupied the beautiful garden of Ex-President Tyler, lying adjacent to the creek. We had fine oysters, and "Hoe cake," furnished by the negroes there, but there is great scarcity of flour, corn, and many other necessaries, and the country generally experiences sad effects from the war. We have sent out small parties, who have taken cannon, muskets, drums, secession flags, prisoners, &c, and many of our men have penetrated five or six miles into the heart of the enemy's country, but without any apparent danger to them, as the negroes say the people are afraid of "those red devils."

We are up at 4 1-2 A.M., have six or seven hours drill each day, besides a sunset parade.  We have tattoo at 8 1-2 A.M., and lights out at 9.  I will write more, and more interestingly in a few days, if I am spared to do so.

Yours, Sergt. W.H.A. Company K, Advance Guard.